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December 1st, 2009
tabulaxrasa
 | 03:05 pm - Christmas Cards!
All right kids, as evidenced by the return of the Santa Zero icon, it's that time again! I didn't do holiday cards last year, so that must mean it's time to do them again! If you want a card, comment here with your name and address (comments are screened) or, if I already have it, just let me know you want one.
And I will post that wish list one soon, I swear-- as soon as I figure out what to ask for. :p Feel free to post with a link to your wishlist post, too.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/mood/weather/cold.gif) cold
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xtricks
 | 10:49 am
Today is World AIDs Day and I've been very, very lucky. I don't have AIDs and, partly because I'm so anti-social, only a few people I knew died of it. It has, however, transformed my world. It's changed the world for all of us.
I believe that AIDs and the 'net are the transformative events of my generation. For all Obama is, might have been, could be or was, his effects is minuscule compared to these two transformative events, the same for the Berlin wall, the collapse of Communist Russia, the Middle-East or all the other grand events, with the possible exception of global warming and the mass extinction we're in the middle of.
I believe that AIDs is pretty directly responsible for the current cycle of destabilization of Africa and that the consequences of it will continue to cripple that continent for generations. I also believe that AIDs set back sexual morality and affirmation, and that it has transformed sex and desire and our view of sex in sad and lasting ways. I also believe that AIDs crippled the 'men's movement' – to the point that there really isn't one, anymore.
If I could trade my life for AIDs never having existed, I'd do it without hesitation. I believe it's been one of the most destructive forces in a century.
One of the tragedies that I think is not often discussed, especially so many years after its beginning, is the loss of male mentors for men – particularly gay men. My partner mentions frequently that the men who died first and in largest numbers were the bravest of their time. The ones who were willing to step out of the closet, not ashamed of their sexuality and desires, the ones most willing to touch and be touched. That very courage killed them.
One of those men was Vito Russo . He died when he was forty-four years old, of AIDS.
He wrote the, Celluloid Closet a book that should be required reading for anyone interested in queer history, the presentation of queers in the media (and the way it has shaped public perceptions) and – as so many gay men became because they had no choice, a gay activist during the early, horrible years AIDS in the 80s. He was one of the co-founders of GLADD and active in ACT UP. He was a critical voice for gay men and queers in general.
My partner met Vito Russo and had a chance to speak with him. They ended up talking about classic monster movies (Frankenstein, the old Dracula movies etc) and how – as queer kids – they often identified with the monsters; isolated, outsiders, freaks and 'impure' and how those movies shaped and supported them through their growing up. My partner said, excited, that maybe that could be Vito's next book. The look he got in return was very tired and Vito Russo said: "Perhaps you'll be the one to write it" (paraphrased from memory).
Vito Russo died not long after. He should have had decades of life ahead, to teach, to write, to mentor younger gay men (and women and straight people and everyone), to live in the world and help change it. He didn't and we're all poorer for it.
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November 30th, 2009
tabulaxrasa
 | 10:17 pm - Wilson!
( self-important jerks )
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/mood/weather/happy.gif) happy
Current Music: Strut, Adam Lambert (lulz)
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blktauna
 | 03:43 pm
My one thumb drive is not working on the PC... hmmm.
Well I can recreate the Top Gear thing I wasn't supposed to be working on... *cough*
And I received my James and Oz DVDs. One from Amazon.fr and one from Amazon.de. Stupid Royal Mail. And the buggers had come loose in shipment. They were quite scratched up and I shall let Amazon know but they seem to be playing ok. I shall be quite cross if I have to send them back.
I have still done nothing with Yuletide or the other one.
Crap.
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November 29th, 2009
blktauna
| 11:21 am
No work done on yuletides yet. grrrrrrrr.
:(
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November 28th, 2009
xtricks
| 12:09 pm - Fic: Night Travelers
Night Travelers
cast: Andy Davidson - ![[info - personal]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png) invisible_lift, Jack Harkness - xtricks, Owen Harper - pocketmouse, Ianto Jones - tea
BETA: 51stcenturyfox
(Prologue), (Part 1: In the Field)
( Prologue )
This is a sort of early holiday gift for those who follow the role-playing game I admin. It's a transcription of one of the better (possibly best) of the adventures the team has been on. It's been cleaned up as much as possible to make reading easier however, it is not entirely like a standard novel/story; for one thing the POV changes frequently because of the nature of play by post gaming. However, I think the shifts are clear and more-or-less logical and the story is well worth the slightly odd style.
The entire story runs about fourteen chapters and I'll be posting a couple of chapters every few days.
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awaywithpixies
 | 12:50 pm - POTD
So went and celebrated my end of semester last night with the Jenn! There really isn't much to do in this town on a Friday night - not compared to so many other cities, but we had the strange, but unusual sight of the Christmas tree lighting on a hot Spring night in the middle of town, whilst it's still light, lol. Not sure what Texas thought of a stinking hot and lame Christmas tree lighting with bubbles blowing instead of snow in summer like conditions, lmao.
But we made the best of it, walking over from Southbank to the city, and back. Of course, the lame-ass cinemas were only showing New Moon and 2012, which was lulzy.
Came home and then we watched Tormented, which gets lulzier every time I watch it, lulz.
I'm going to let the Jennimal drive my car tomorrow... hee hee!
So POTD is the Christmassy spirit - the lights of the Mall, and the freshly lit Christmas tree outside city hall...
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awaywithpixies
| 08:02 am - The promised update
I had promised a full report on Britney's concert.
It was so good, and yet so bad. The interesting thing, which was confirmed by a co-worker who went the night before, was that the audience was really, really strange. I'm sitting here watching Pink's Funhouse tour dvd, and we aren't always a lame audience. I think half the audience was fans, and the other half just curious bystanders who came just for the curiosity factor (i.e. me.) But for a sold out concert, there were a LOT of empty seats. Then there were probably people like me, who paid less than the face value on the ticket from Ebay.
The whole 25 minute countdown clock, pre-concert circus acts and then another ass long wait was frustrating. She came on at 9.35, which is when most acts are about an hour into their set. I'm sure Pearl Jam (playing on the other side of town that night) were well into their set by then. I'll have to check with the suits at work about that one (weird to see the immaculately expensive suited bosses at work being PJ fans).
But I did sit up in the nosebleeds (which is nothing like the nosebleeds at Wembley - seriously - that makes the nosebleeds here seem like they are at sea level) with all those who were mostly curious bystanders. However, the stans behind me were true squealing fans. As soon as I heard the high pitched squealing 'BRITNEY WE LOVE YOU!' I knew I had found the lovechild of the screaming woman who sat behind us at the Cure in 1986. Seriously, that woman had an unforgettably squealy tone, which I rediscovered.
I was surprised by actually how many songs of hers I knew, lol. But the dancers were incredibly active, and some were amazing - walking backwards and then doing a backflip? That was pretty amazing. Britney came out in a Gaga wig, and later put on big glasses. I couldn't help but think she was trying to do the whole Gaga emulation. Of course she mimed all but one song. Those fans who were wetting themselves obviously didn't seem to care.
I really didn't think she was that active enough to warrant miming. Sure, I'd probably be able to put on a pair of super high heels, and skip my way thought Body Attack, and still do as much exercise as her. But even all that aside, it was entertaining.
She only spoke to the audience twice, but it was very disconnected. "Hello Brisbane" and later "thank you very much." Sitting here listening to Pink telling her audience they were all amazing, and beautiful = well that's just nice to hear. The big gaps between songs as she changed costumes was... slowly irritating. The video screens with the old Britney screen caps and the whole Britney S&M video to Marilyn Manson's cover of Sweet Dreams was... strange. I think the stans in the audience didn't care if she was in the room, they squealed as loudly about it as the rest.
As for the circus component... Having seen Take That's Circus at Wembley, then this, well, this was lame. TT had a 50' Elephant, proper tightrope walkers, a million clowns. Brit had a legless woman on a trampoline and a few sad looking clowns (no, there were a few good ones in the pre show, but not awesome).
I was educated on a song that I thought was a Sugarbabes one was actually hers. Weirdest thing of all was the audience disconnection - even down in the pit, hardly anyone was dancing, or throwing their arms in the air... It just was a wholly strange vibe. It was not as saccharine as I thought it might be - all the mothers who brought their 8 year old daughters were in for a surprise - a bit raunchy for them. Then again, from what they see on tv, it might not be too raunchy these days.
The best part of the night, lol, was the toilets. There's been a makeover at the entertainment centre, and the toilets have been refurbed. Hot pink lights, hot pink walls with a bit of lavender. All explained away by the poster of Pink over the door, and the thing about her 11 sold out nights at the centre. There are awesomely huge posters of her in the bathroom, and the lyrics of her songs are etched into the mirrors. It was the coolest toilet I've been in for ages, lmao. If there weren't about 1000 other women waiting, I would have taken a photo, hahaha.
I think if you compare it with other artists, what really struck me was that she came out, she did her show, but she didn't seem to be enjoying herself. She seemed to be just going through the motions. When you watch Pink's funhouse dvd, she looks like she's enjoying herself as she's performing. There's a big difference, and that might be part of it all.
At least the lack of bopping around and standing up by the fellow audience afforded the opportunity for plenty of clear camera shots.
( many photos of the overratedness, lol. )
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November 26th, 2009
awaywithpixies
| 05:12 pm - STRESS
Stress has hit the fan big time in a major way.
Assignment due in 24 hours. I have 12 more to complete it if I don't sleep. EEP.
Going to the gym to relax and get some of that stress out, if possible.
But wanted to post video I took from last night. You be the judge of what you like or dislike. I've had polar opposite reactions about this Britney concert in the past 2 hours, so I'm staying neutral. yes, I was entertained, no it was nothing like I expected, and well, I don't know what to expect from a genre of music I've not really been a part of.
Right, back to the gym, then back to workies...
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November 24th, 2009
awaywithpixies
| 06:42 pm - ... where angels fear to tread...
So tomorrow night I am doing something I never thought I'd ever, ever do in all my live long days.
I'm going to a Britney Spears concert.
I only paid $10 for my ticket on ebay, which is cheaper than a movie ticket, so really, it is the cheapest ticket in town. A girl at work paid $150 for hers for tonight's show, so she's miffed at me, lol.
Call me... curious. I'm curious about the fans, I'm curious about this dramatised lip synched show, and anyway, it's certainly a talking point.
So yeah, I'm literally going for shits and giggles, and purely for the entertainment value of the entire crowd. Hey, if I've had to sit through Lady Gaga, then I guess Britney in the same year is no biggie.
Also amused that I'll have been to the Take That Circus Tour, and the Britney Spears Circus Tour all within a period of 5 months, lol.
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November 23rd, 2009
blktauna
| 07:47 pm
Oh god... fizzing sensation...
I can't stop laughing.
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blktauna
 | 06:06 pm
You know, it's not like I don't already have a yuletide to be starting and some Sweeney to be doing....
I reckon despoilment always barges its way to the top of the queue.
@.@
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November 22nd, 2009
blktauna
| 08:50 pm
Dear god but James is a bit vapid. And that Oz Clarke gives him a few looks. Not that I blame him.
But the faces... Lord the faces he pulls. I haven't stopped laughing all day what with the anon ship war hilarity, James dressed as "a rover customer", and James attempting to speak French...
And he's got a nice bottom hiding under those clothes.
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xtricks
| 01:43 pm - Fic: Russian Roulette
Title: Russian Roulette
Author: x-tricks
Fandom: Torchwood, Jack/Ianto
Notes: this is part of the fucked-up universe that Falling belongs to. People are very screwed up here and doing unhealthy things. This story follows Falling. It also fulfills the 'gun play' square on my kink_bingo card.
Disclaimer: These imaginary characters, performing fantasy acts, belong to legal entities and not me - I'm real. More or less.
( Russian Roulette )
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blktauna
| 11:19 pm
ok watching an episode of Ivanhoe with Roger Moore. 1958 ish.
Has he EVER played a straight man? LOL
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tabulaxrasa
 | 08:00 pm - Vampires and werewolves and Bella, oh my
Oh you guys, I was not sufficiently inebriated for that. I did have some nice raspberry cider before going in, but only one pint and with a big calamari steak sandwich, and the buzz wore off about 15 minutes into the movie. Fail.
( New Moooooon )
Before that, we went to the library's big book sale-- $5 a bag (brown grocery store size). I got quite a few things of dubious use. I got Desroches-Noblecourt's Tutankhamen, although I recall it being controversial or something. W/e, it's good to complete my collection. I also got Pritchard's The Ancient Near East Vol II because I've had Vol I for ages. I got The Man in the Ice, which I read part of for my dissertation and I've always meant to read the whole thing. I got Mary Renault's The Nature of Alexander, which should be fun, and a pop-up anatomy book. I got a "vintage" edition of The Decameron, and if you think I will not read it, I'll remind you I've read all of The Divine Comedy and Canterbury Tales in the original. Because I'm crazy. I also got a book on Florence for the Poppet, and The Namesake because I really liked Lampri's short stories but never got around to reading that. Mum got a few things too, and it was all in one bag. Can't beat that. \o/
Current Mood: cold
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awaywithpixies
| 08:09 am - Merlin
I watch lots of shows during the week, and Merlin is one of those. I have always loved anything remotely Arthurian in context, and this show has been great since day 1. Season one took a while to get off the ground, and after just watching the ep that aired just now in the UK, I think it's finally hit its stride.
I know there are those who love slashing the main characters, or shipping, but I love little bits and pieces of it everywhere. But this episode was probably the best that I've seen in two seasons. Placing in context the relationship between Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake was just done so beautifully, and Colin's acting was superb. I literally cried in the end. The ongoing gags in this episode were funny (the dress) and I lolled at that as well.
But last night on the Children in Need special, Merlin did their little 'skit' for the charity, and it had me lolling in the aisles for hours. So much so I was showing anyone and everyone.
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November 21st, 2009
awaywithpixies
| 08:17 pm - POTD - Paris
The Musee D'Orsay in Paris is a converted train station. It's beautiful. it's where all the impressionists have their paintings. IMHO, it's the best of the Paris Museums, as the Impressionists were all that I wanted to see.
Took this one later in the afternoon, on our second trip past it.
I love the outside of the building as much as the inside.
Of course, these two were taken earlier in the day, when I was inside...
Now of course, this clock is just stunning, and when you're up in the hall that displays all the impressionists you get to see the back side of the clock.
Of course when you look out, you see something spectacular through the view...
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blktauna
| 10:53 pm
blaahahaaahahaha
funniest thing today.
I just love it when they get the voices so well.
edit: Sadly as of 11/23 this became unavailable except to lj people who are in the comm. *weeps*
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keieeeye
 | 04:22 pm
I swear, if I don't get a tan this summer, sitting in the sun for a while every day with my rabbit, I never will.
When I think objectively, I also find it strange that I consider lying on the lawn reading while my rabbit flops in his cage to be spending quality time with him. But.. you know... I scratch him a bit and we look at each other and he tooth-purrs.
Also: went to meeting with the psych unit. Diagnosed with social phobia. Was told I'd probably feel better if I got volunteer work or something. THINGS I ALREADY KNEW FOR $500.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk27/keirps/moodthm/lazy.gif) lazy
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