Here are some possible projects I could blog chapter-by-chapter or episode-by-episode:

1) Romance novel. So I've had this romance novel lurking on my bedside table for a while now. I landed on this particular title after Googling "romance novels that don't suck," and, judging by the first chapter, it might actually be decent and indeed un-sucky. So I could finish it and give amusing commentary. I'd probably point out the sexy bits (with pages numbers, if anyone wants them for...reasons), and critique the hell out of the gender roles. Also I'd probably compile a list of all the euphemisms used for penis. Should be fun times.

2) Various YA novels. There are several series I've been meaning to read. I could finally get around to finishing the Percy Jackson series and point out all the awesome mythological stuff, or I could read Inkheart, or Uglies/Pretties/Specials (that dystopian series that isn't the Hunger Games). Will probably give me lots of Feels.

3) Game of Thrones. The only reason I haven't started this already is that it's NOT ON NETFLIX, WTH??? And at the video store, you can only rent it two episodes at a time, which is tedious and gets hella expensive. So I may have to resort to some sketch websites. Hmmm. The best part about Game of Thrones is that I have a vague, second-hand understanding of it from friends and Tumblr, which has probably molded some wonky expectations.

WHAT I KNOW ABOUT GAME OF THRONES

• There are several important families and groups, but I only know the names of two: the Starks and the Lannisters. (Lancasters? Lancershires? Lampposts?) (Hmm am I even spelling Stark right? Staark? Starck? Iron Man?)
• The Starks wear a lot of fur and live in the frigid northlands. They really want winter to come because they're used to the cold or something? They like wolves a lot, but as far as I know they don't fursplode themselves. They're just....bros with the wolves? Except I think I've seen pics of them wearing wolf fur which would make that kinda creepy so......IDK WINTER IS COMING AND THEY'RE STOKED ABOUT IT.
• The Lannisters....always keep promises or pay debts or something?
• Tyrian gets all the best lines in the show and everyone else should just stop trying to be as witty as him.
• People try to judge Tyrian for being a dwarf but he DESTROYS THEM WITH AWESOME and SEXINESS.
• There's some douchebag kid whom everyone hates and Tyrian gets to slap him right in his face at some point. And there was much rejoicing.
• Sean Bean's character dies because Sean Bean's characters always die (except in Mirror Mirror!)
• There's some chick who marries into a different culture and at first she's like O____O but then she's like >:D and takes a level in badassery. I think she takes a bite out of a huge-ass heart at some point? I hope she doesn't have to eat the whole thing, it looked MASSIVE and gross (even though it was actually corn syrup and the actress probably just got to eat a lot of sugar).
• There are a lot of badass ladies who do the best they can in a sexist society.
• There's a cool young girl who is especially anti-patriarchy. She gets a sword or dresses in drag or something? Hopefully?
• Not enough people of color.
• There's some dude who's a ~bastard son~ and he broods about it a lot.
• Not sure where thrones work into it, actually. Maybe all these families and groups are vying for a throne? Man, do they even live in the same "kingdom?" I have no idea.
• Seasons are weird and work differently than they do in our world.
• Dragons?
• NO ONE IS SAFE FROM BEING KILLED OFF. Not the audience proxy, not the children, not the pets, not the hot ones. NO ONE.

Soooo I might do one or all of these things. Any suggestions?

ETA: Dammit, LiveJournal! Six spam comments in one day? Are you serious? This isn't even a high-traffic blog!

Sorry, LJ. I know I've neglected you again. But I was not about to tolerate that magnitude of spam on a regular basis. I hope you have your act together now.

Also: I am addicted to Tumblr. You'll find a daily barrage of posts there if you find that my LJ gives you insufficient rambling and geekery.

Also-also: I have a cat of my very own now.


His name is Winston Purrchill, and he is the most perfect cat of all time. OF ALL TIIIIIIIME.

I'm thinking about luring myself back to LJ with a project. Maybe an episode-by-episode or chapter-by-chapter blogging? That might also inspire me to read more and catch up on some shows I've been meaning to watch (GAME OF THRONES, I'M LOOKING AT YOU.)

Sooooo we shall see.

Collecting some relevant pictures for my Snowman/femme fatale costume option.

( image-heavy post )

Yes, it's once more time for me to agonize over which costume to wear for Halloween!

Possible Costume 1: Amelia Earhart

Pros: Inexpensive. I already have an aviator hat, boots, trousers, a shirt, and a jacket that will work. All I’d need to get would be goggles and maybe a scarf. Also, very recognizable.

Cons: A little boring. Would have to order the goggles I want online.

Possible Costume 2: River song from Doctor Who

Pros: I already have the hair! I also printed off a TARDIS journal dust jacket that I can slap on a book and carry around. Great nerd cred for this one.

Cons: Not very recognizable for non-Who fans. It also might be hard to find enough reference pics to recreate a specific outfit. Not sure how much new stuff I’d have to buy to make said outfit.

Possible Costume 3: Human Snowman from Homestuck

Pros: I already have a cigarette holder, a black wig, green nail polish, and a black outfit. Even if nobody recognizes the character, I’ll still look like an awesome femme fatale. Potentially the coolest costume.

Cons: Possibly the most expensive and time-intensive. I’d need to get a jacket and somehow put a green border/trim/lining on it. I’d probably need to get a hat (unless I can sort of adapt this one hat I already have?). If I go all-out, I’d need green lipstick, a whip, a black scarf, and 8-ball earrings, if I can find them.

WAAAAAAH I WANT TO WEAR THEM ALLLLL.

I feel that LJ is the place to document my ships, seeing how it has long served as something of a port for shipping.

Mostly, I'm boring and I just ship canon couples. Though it should be noted that I have a fondness for married couples, which are sometimes neglected in fandom (for being old? for lacking drama? IDEK). I also ship lots of Disney.
( Read more... )


Then we have the "I'd Ship It" ships--not strictly canon, but highly acceptable alternatives to canon.

( Read more... )

And then we have my complicated, unrequited ships.

( Read more... )
I really need some kind of handy symbol for these one-sided ships. An arrow maybe? Like, Snape-->Lily. The saddest arrow.

And I pretty much need an entire category just for Homestuck ships. Troll romance is weird. But awesome. Homestuck just has so many potential pairings and I like so many of them. I don't hate on "rival" ships. I just love HS shipping.

( Read more... )



That's all for now. I may update this as my ships sink or sail.

Since I always enjoy reading Mark’s predictions before he reads/watches stuff, I thought it would be fun to make a list of predictions and wishes for The Legend of Korra!

• The big love triangle won’t actually be the three members of Team Avatar, but other characters instead (though it still might contain one member of Team Avatar)
• Amon will be a fantastic villain with tons of fans. They will have their own elaborate fanon but when he finally removes his mask they will NOT BE PREPARED.
• Crazy theory: Amon is actually related to someone we know? One of the original Team Avatar’s kids/grandkids? How creepy would it be if he were the son of one of Tenzin’s siblings, and saw Tenzin and went, “Hello, Uncle”? AAAHHH what if Aang passed on the secret of energybending to someone in his family but then they turned evil and now they want to get rid of everyone’s bending? Except then they wouldn’t mess with chi-blocking probably. NEVER MIND.
• None of the members of the original Team Avatar are alive at the time Korra takes place, but we’ll still see at least one character from the original series as an old person (maybe someone who was a baby/toddler like Tom-Tom or Hope).
• Awesome chase scenes.
• Korra will get sick of being compared to Avatar Aang.
• Koh the Face-Stealer makes an appearance (more of a wish than a prediction. I really love Koh, okay?)
• We will meet at least one openly homosexual character (probably just a wish, but if anyone can pull this off on Nickelodeon, it’s the makers of Avatar).
• Korra will think outsmarting/outbending the police is fun until she meets Toph’s daughter, who will best her and/or make her feel bad with an “I AM DISAPPOINT” speech.
• Government will be completely different. Maybe even democracy?
• Korra visits home between training stints (i.e. learned Earth, went home, learned Fire, went home, going to learn Air). So maybe we’ll meet her as she’s riding Naga around her home turf and then follow her to the city?
• The music will be even better than it was in the first show.
• Korra will learn a lesson about the value of non-violent approaches to conflict
• Someone will argue that anything benders can do, technology can do better. A John Henry type contest will ensue.
• Iroh’s tea shop will still be in Ba Sing Se, under different (but still awesome) management.
• Not a single episode will be accused of being filler. (hopefully not just a wish!)
• The show will last at least 3 seasons (please don’t just be a wish!)

(I tried to post this entry while LJ was under attack, but couldn't. So Korra probably isn't news to most of you. I'm just glad LJ has the draft recovery thing so my post wasn't ~lost forever~)

Usually, I post more frequently during the summer, but I began this summer bummed by job rejections. HOWEVER, I am now employed! It's not a secondary teaching position, but it IS in the education/reading area: I'll be working as a reading instructional assistant/paraprofessional at a local elementary school.

ANYWAY, around the time I was finally cheering up from getting a job, The Legend of Korra info came out! 

( WE SO GAANGSTER )
I AM SO EXCITE, YOU GUYS.

Probably not my last Harry Potter film reaction EVER--I imagine they'll remake the movies in a decade or two (I still think the books are best suited to a TV series/miniseries).

SO. Deathly Hallows Part 2! Overall: I liked it.

( SPOILERS )
Did anyone else keep saying lines from A Very Potter Musical/A Very Potter Sequel in their heads? I think that's what kept me from getting overly emotional. "Voldemort out, bitches."

Some of the best #YAsaves comments (all bold emphases are mine):

 

 

( YA SAVES )

 

#YAsaves

So the Wall Street Journal published an article criticizing young adult literature for being "too dark." The author, Meghan Cox Gurdon, is a woman who has bragged about being a terrible mother. But, for some reason, she's now telling others that they shouldn't let their children read young adult fiction. And her article, while obviously an opinion, wasn't presented as an opinion piece or editorial.

WHAT.

Thankfully, many young adult readers and writers have spoken out in defense of these wonderful books. ( YA lit saves )

If anything, young adults (and "old" adults) should read MORE young adult literature. Because YA lit saves.

(If you agree and have a Twitter account, please tweet your support using the #YAsaves tag to spread the word!)