I have officially been ensnared by the due South fandom. dS is a tv show from the mid 90s, that I so very vaguely remember from when it was actually on-air. My mom used to watch it a bit, and I remember seeing parts of some episodes.

BUT OMG. An amazing fic was recommended to me and OH GOD her voice for Fraser is so perfect. I mean, I don't quite remember enough of the show to tell you how spot-on it is, but from my vague impressions of the show, and the... you know, certain standard lines that the character says -- it seems RIGHT ON. And if it isn't, IT SHOULD BE.



The above was the start to this post a week or two ago. I've been absent on LJ for a bit, mostly because not only did I fall into dS fandom, I drowned in it -- and there was no buddy-breathing to save me! (Not that I really wanted to be saved or anything.) Because jeeeeezus. This fandom is HOT.

This fandom (thanks to hockey/dS fans who write awesome AU fic) has also reminded me exactly how hot hockey is.

If there's a moment -- a tiny moment -- of unoccupied time, my brain goes back to dS and/or hockey, and suddenly I have a stupid, goofy grin on my face with a kind of blank-eyed, daydreaming stare. A few people I've seen recently are getting a little annoyed, I think, which means I've been holed in at home, reading fic and waiting for the dS DVDs to arrive. Oh yeah, the box set of the complete series that I bought on eBay. Did I forget to mention those?

Well, they arrived yesterday in the mail, so you can guess what I did last night. Watched the first 5 episodes and fell asleep on the couch for the rest of the night.

Some of the plots are cornier than others, but I can take it. The comedic interaction between Fraser and Vecchio is a lot like the type of comedy that I just die over in Supernatural. Which is greatness.

I'm sure there will be more dS-type squeeing to come.

Also, I think I'm going to see if I can afford partial season tickets for next year.



[edit: WHY are some of the BEST fic in the fandom TEN YEARS OLD? It's horribly unfair. ]

Tomorrow morning I wake up to go to work for the VERY LAST TIME!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I had to work the holiday, and I will always wish for a misty and green Christmas, but outside of that, We had a peaceful Yule / Christmas week together, finding the magic in the season before the bitter cold and snows of winter settle in. I think We've finally managed to cast off the last of the dead weight this year, bring on 2010, a year of great promise. Cards and all that still haven't gone out, but they will, in their time, We've been busy.

On Christmas Eve We attended service at an Episcopal Church here in Wakefield We've wanted to check out, small but pretty church, good musical selections and decent choir. We sang a Norwegian Christmas song, in English though, I am so glad each Christmas Eve, and a meditative Silent Night by candlelight.

We finally got the chance to sing In The Bleak Midwinter at Christmas. Singing with alabastardragon always gives Me the chills, He sounds so much like Me.

Nightly throughout the week We settled in by the fire and Christmas Tree light to watch Our favourite, A Christmas Carol in its many renditions. Last night We watched Our beloved Alastair Sim version, and have watched other favourites starring Patrick Stewart and George C. Scott, as well as one made in 1938 with a Bob Cratchit who reminded Us very much of Wormtail ... and of course the Muppet Christmas Carol classic with Michael Caine, from which We get this gem, though with a Malfoy twist ...




Of course, this calls for the Muppets singing Carol of the Bells ...



******

In addition to the links above, partly for your listening pleasure, partly for Us so We can have them in one place, here are songs We love that suit Our voices, some of the songs We hope to record in the coming year, as a gift to Ourselves and to Our friends.

I may add to this post as music comes to mind ...

I'd love if you'd post your own favourite carols in the comments.


Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent

Our friend belluthien not too long ago reminded Me how much I love this song, posting a beautiful rendition of her own.





O Come O Come Emmanuel

O Come O Come Emmanuel




The Huron Carol ('twas In The Moon Of Winter Time)
... A beautiful song approximately 400 years old. The melody was borrowed from a French folk song. The song was originally written in the Huron/Wendat language and was later translated into French and English.

The Huron Carol ('twas In The Moon Of Winter Time)



'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.


In The Bleak Midwinter The version alabastardragon posted yesterday.



The Coventry Carol

The Coventry Carol

Panis Angelicus - Choirboys, enough said.

Panis Angelicus


O Holy Night, one of my favourite renditions ... sung by choirboy Aled Jones, way back when he could sing...

O Holy Night

I just got back from a lovely Christmas dinner with friends and am now the proud owner of a new DVD player!  Now I just need to open my own netflix account.  

Business idea of the evening:  Selling maternity clothing with enlarged images from The Joy of Sex.

Quote of the evening: I think we'll keep the blood-soaked bread butts

Wishing everyone a safe and very Merry Christmas! Whatever you are doing and with whomever, I hope that it is truly fantastic and its filled with smiles!

I'll make another post later about how my Christmas is going. But so far it is great :)

I realized last night that this is the very first Christmas I've ever spent alone.   It wasn't a sad realization but it sort of took me by surprise.  I have dinner plans this evening with friends so I'm not spending the entire holiday on my own but it was rather nice to just be able to relax last night and not do anything of consequence.  I am currently enjoying a nice cup of coffee and  waiting for my homemade cinnamon rolls to bake up in the oven while keeping an eye on the kielbasa on the stove.  Cinnamon rolls have sort of become my NYC Christmas tradition.  It's one of the only times of the year that I bother with yeast and rising dough.  I have to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies for the dinner party this evening but I can pretty much makes those in my sleep.

While I still haven't recovered the holiday spirit I've had in the past, this Christmas is SO much better than last year that I am more than content.  I have a few musing on this past year that I post in the coming days but let me just say that right now, this very moment, I am in a good place.

Merry Happy to everyone out there and if you're in my neighborhood today stop on by and I'll give you a cinnamon roll or a cookie ; )

happy.

A classic.

So last week I started having really scary teacher moments (lol). Let me explain. I had subbed a few times in the Middle School and ran into a bunch of my students whom I taught last year when I had my 5th grade leave replacement and that was really nice to see them again. But then I started teaching within those days the students whom I had when I was a student teacher in 5th grade...who are now in 8th grade!! Then I subbed for a 4th grade class that funny enough had 11 students in it that I student taught when they were in 1st grade!!

It was just so weird to see my old students that much older. A real teacher moment for sure, lol! But it was cool getting to catch up a bit with the middle school kids since I dont see them often. I see the elementary kids often enough but this was the first time I taught them in mass this year. lol.

Its been a whirlwind year.
I've always been known to keep myself busy, but I feel like this year took the top.

Lets Recap, shall we:
-I visited Europe, twice, and visited London and Paris.
-Flew 9 times. thats 32,600 miles in the air.
-Traveled and stayed in 11 states.
-Of the 52 weekends of the year, I spent only 26 of them in New York City. and I live there.
-I attended 2 weddings, and was a bridesmaid in one of them
-I attended 15 conventions: 11 Anime, 3 Comic and a Cosplay Ball
-I took 28,600 photos at thus said 15 conventions.

and I worked 40hours a week. plus editing thus said all photos. lets not mention my weekend visits to Maryland and Wheeling. or the Hamptons. I even had time to take a hat class at FIT.

oh and I cosplayed, which means I somehow found time to sew amongst all this

( click here for photos of me! )


the future...2010.
I should hope that the next year to be somewhat calmer then my last 12 months, but we've got a redesign at work. and Katsu will be upon us before you know it. perhaps after March, I may be able to slow down.

This is possible schedule:
02 - Katsucon (cosprints)
04 - Tekkoshocon (cosprints)
04 - C2E2 (marvel)
05 - AnimeCentral (cosprints)
05 - Fanime
06 - AnimeNext (cosprints)
07 - SDCC (Marvel)
07 - Otakon
09 - dragon*con (personal and Marvel is getting me VIP hookup, yes!)
10 - Nyaf/NYCC (marvel, i will non-existent at nyaf as I need to work upstairs)
11 - AnimeUSA (cosprints?)


as for cosplay. I love doing it and hanging out with my friends. but I hate having to figure out photoshoots and groups. and there are way too many photographers out there who make decisions that irritate and anger me. As a photographer, I try to make sure each cosplayers gets the equal amount of time in front of the camera, no matter if its a paid photoshoot or not. but not all photographers have the ability to do this. I end up being slightly put off in almost all cosplays I wore this year. So, with this in mind, I am only allowing myself to make more casual costumes and one or two big ones for d*c. I'm sure I'll end up making more, but I do not want to end up like I was at Otakon, d*c, AND ausa, where I was sitting off to the side while the other cosplayers were getting their photos taken. Its disheartening.

but for now...these 2 are my def plans:
Lady Gaga for Katsu and the gaggleofgagas


and Callisto from persona 2 for d*c



and yeah, I'm half way through with Ausa photos...

You Will Die There

Since Thanksgiving I have managed to nearly finish Dracula (slow going :<), complete finish First Lord's Fury, start Robin Hood again, and stack up an additional seventy pages on the book--which is equal to about one-hundred and twenty pages of book-text, I think. First, my book is coming along I think, so much so that I may do locked posts of it's content. I feel like want to share it with other people (besides Andy) but at the same time I worry about posting things on the internet, even if it is a "limited release." In any case, none of the stuff I've written is solid. Names change, characters evolve, order is changed, it may be best left to an offering after completion and heavy editing.

Second, Codex Alera. Since Kate introduced me to this series last December I've plowed through it. I am at a serious personal best here, having read over six books this year. That probably seems like slow sauce to everyone else out there, but for me, it's a supreme advancement on my usual lack of reading. It's like I was able to break through some sort of reading boundry--I fought through my disabilities with it and have had success. I still suffer from the dyslexia and mindless reading some times, especially with the more challenging "classics" [Dracula, much] but it's been less and less, and hopefully I'll completely kick it. Hopefully.

This may contain spoilers? I don't know really. I haven't written it yet. I'll avoid spoilers.

The Codex Alera series was really well put together, and after reading about Jim Butcher's novel methodology I can understand why. I'm sure, when starting with Furies of Calderon, he already saw the writing on the wall--though probably not as clearly, you know what they say about hindsight. Now that it's over I feel a little sad, like I've lost something I really love. There is no more story, no more development, and still some lingering questions. I enjoyed First Lord's Fury, but as the closing novel of the series I felt it was a little rushed. There were some unanswered minor plot questions and a handful of seemingly convenient twists that led the characters to victory, not to mention the collection of cheesy problem solving mechanisms, but it closed out well. There was a great deal of death and destruction, but none of the "good guys" bit it, which I was expecting. Some minor characters were smashed down but all were killed in the process of doing something heroic so while sad, it was digestible. Butcher has set himself to revisit the series with future books involving the children of his main love interest, Tavi and Kitai, but I don't see him coming back to it any time soon.

I enjoyed it, and will miss it. I hope I find another series soon that enthralls me as much as this one.

I've also seen Avatar twice now, hopefully a third time tomorrow. Anything positive you've heard or read is most defiantly true. The movie is excellent--one of the best I've seen in a while. Of course, it's not perfect, as nothing is, so there are a handful of stupid things in it too. The characters are pretty well put together and the environments are as beautiful as they are complex and expertly designed. The animation is supreme and the added 3D viewing experience makes the movie so much more emmersive (as if it needed help in that catagory); however, it is always extremely predictable and the story is pretty overdone. Imagine a combination of Dances With Wolves, Aliens and Jurassic Park--especially the latter. If the dinosaurish environment and creature design wasn't enough, they actually use the sound effects from the Jurassic Park movies for their creature. If you're at all familiar with the movies you'll recognize t-rexes, velociraptors and dilophosauruses abound. There are also a handful of cheesy moments that aren't really in sync with your expectation of the alien race, the Navi, most notably their battle cries which are very similar to something you may hear in a low budget western, coming from the charging Native American tribes as opposed to their almost animalistic calls throughout the rest of the movie. (That was a pretty long sentence, I hope you followed that.) Also, the villains in the movie were purely vilians. There was really no grey with them, profits or death. At a few small times you see the paper pushing exec with looks of remorse and a slight softness that allows Jake Sully to reenter his avatar but otherwise, the bad guys are just bad guys.

Anyway. Codex Alera + Avatar = happy. The winter solstice has come and gone and Christmas approaches this week. I will probably spend a fair amount of time working on the book in the next few days, if not shoveling more snow. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to go to some museums in the next few weeks and have some more exciting things to talk about.

“Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure…” 

I'm not a religious person but when I  bumped into this prayer in an article I was reading this morning the first thing I thought of was the fast approaching regeneration of the Doctor and how sad I am to see him go.   I am pathetic.

This song makes me stupid happy.

The best part of ED2. Hands down.

Today We celebrate FOUR YEARS since reuniting in this world, and I think the words below say it all. They is based on the vow I made to Draco back when I first met him, reworked last year on this day, and I feel This Vow bears repeating on this day, it says everything I want to say today.

Also tonight alabastardragon will be posting photos of the BEAUTIFUL cards He designed and made for Me, the We'll retire to the Pod for a film and just some time together.



December 19th FOUR years ago this confirmed loner found His soulmate, future, and family through, of all things, an LJ Deatheater site. There You were, so much like Me, and the first person I've ever met who shared those things about Myself that made Me so different, that which drew people to Me yet made them leave or turn in the end. This was a reunion of souls in one blood, and from that first day Our conversation has only grown with each day, it is infinite as are We, as We know inside, as We've been told by so many who've seen and felt Our bond and the love We share, who've chased Us down to comment on it.

Draco, You are the bravest person I know, You risked everything, got on that plane and took a giant leap of faith to find Your family and the love You needed to remain in this world. Most people are not willing, strong or brave enough to take that leap of faith, without ever looking back. You did, and it has made all the difference.

"Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense." - Mark A. Overby

People will always react to Us, to the kind of love We share, it is in everything We do, and cannot be ignored. The reactions often depend on personal state of mind and heart and are often extreme. It has not been easy, so much has been thrown at Us, many have tried their best to destroy Our family, Our bond, to drive Us apart, but We held close to each other in this mine field and We prevailed, quiet and unbreakable, as their curses fell back upon them. The good reactions far outnumber the jealous and vindictive ones, however, for most fiends know that you get back what you give.

We are two bodies who share a soul ... two hearts, one thought ... through eternity. Today We find Ourselves living the kind of fairy tale about which We, like others, once only dreamed. These are the moments, for which I prayed, dreamed of, through many years of emotional exile. Time lost cannot be regained, but We shall make the most of the time We have, and nothing will ever diminish the love I have for You, nor the happiness and pride You bring Me. I give You My promise. On this day, We interlock Our blood and hearts for eternity.

I give You all that I have, all that I am, and all that I will ever be, in complete trust that You and I will continue ... never ending, never wavering until the end of time. I vow You will always be My heart, My soul, My everything. My choice was sealed long ago, the best choice I've ever made.

I stand beside You as We celebrate all that lies ahead. I promise to stand beside You in times of joy and in times of trouble, times of strength and of weakness, as We overcome all obstacles together. I pledge to love You and keep You safe forever, to stand with You and support Your dreams. I promise to stand with You in life and in death, always in love, to live and die in each others arms.

May My heart be Your shelter, My arms Your refuge, when Your strength alone will not carry You, My strength will forever be there. When You need solace and the silent speech of love, I will be there always.








( A vow )

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/player/60075

Thought you Bat-Nerds would like this.

Masquerades for the last 2 years

http://gunshowcomic.com/d/20091213.html





Replace Haruhi with Lady Gaga, and you got masquerades for the next year.

As of right now the weather prognosticators are predicting snow on my birthday and Christmas!!

I'm dreaming of a white birthday
Just like the ones I never knew. . .

From news:

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For internal use only:
http://www.livejournal.com/friends/holidaypromotion.bml

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Finished The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs last night, shortly after coming home from work. OH MAN, there was an amazing part toward the end there -- disgustingly graphic with bodily fluids and such. Shockingly, I actually gagged after reading one particular line! After which, the expression on my face rapidly alternated between appalled and secret-giggliness. I'm still surprised that it managed to suck me in so much that I gagged. Really impressive Mr. Welsh! Thank you for that novel experience! <3

The ending of the novel wasn't at all surprising - in that, I had definitely listed the "big reveal" high on my list of possibilities - and the way in which it ended, after the reveal, was the only way I could envision it ending... but I admit to being somewhat surprised that it actually did end that way.

So, all in all, a satisfying read, but not one that will linger in my mind for too long, despite my enjoyment of it.

After finishing that, I immediately dove back into the Nodame Cantabile manga. I quite enjoyed the build-up and climax of the angst/confusion/conflict and was quite satisfied with several moments. Those moments where the best action to take is to pause, move away and do something else for a few minutes because the delicious feelings of angst, worry, anticipation, hope, etc., are all roiling within you -- but if you immediately continue reading, the continuing plot will sweep all of those emotions away.

Sometimes I lament that some storytellers don't know how to sustain a feeling of anticipation and anxiety to delay their peak. If the climax comes to soon, it's not as fun, now is it?

I had a wonderful sense of almost when the scanlations I had stopped just 2 chapters before the final end of the series. I had a few minutes of wailing and bemoaning and fluttering about (to which Judy can testify) before I thought to look for those last chapters in another location. Having found them and read them, I was satisfied by the end (and sad that it's over) -- but grateful for that pregnant pause.

(Though I've heard that a follow-up series was supposed to have started December 10th. I guess I'll have to wait and see.)