Astrid

astridv — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 22:24:25 GMT

Hey, I got control of my LJ back! Finally managed to reset my password...

uh, that is all. I don't have anything to post rn but I'm happy I have access again. :)

astridv — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:23:22 GMT

My new year's resolution is to read at least 1000 kanji by the end of the year, and to that purpose I've joined wanikani.com. A few friends have been using their system to drill kanji and the results are rad.

Couple years ago I signed up for N3 of the JLPT to motivate myself to study kanji and vocab, and it did work in that I got just enough of the material stuffed in my short term memory to pass... but most of that fell out of my head right after, so I decided it's pointless to study for tests I don't even need. Wanikani otoh is studying for studying's sake... it's a bit like a computer game, with levels you can reach, and I can do it from my mobile so it seems like a more productive use of my bus rides than just playing Candy Crush.

The beginning is excruciatingly slow especially if you already know some Japanese, but I was assured that soon enough you get more lessons and quizzes than you can handle in a day. I've already unlocked the first kanji. :) Their system of spaced learning looks very sound.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

LJ

astridv — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 15:48:27 GMT

I just read that SUP moved the LJ servers to Russia and I'm considering deleting my LJ. I imported everything to DW years ago and have been crossposting since, so most of the data should be saved.

In case I delete my LJ in a few days: I'm astridv on Dreamwidth and will keep using that mirror account.

eta: frick, I can't delete just like that, a lot of my images are hosted on LJ. It would take ages to move them all.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 17:07:40 GMT

Today I finally took a bath from my paddleboard. Well, I've taken baths in the river before but usually they're more voluntary.
Things I learned:
Don't stuff your shirt inside your dry pants or they won't seal 100%.
Bring a spare pair of pants anyway, just in case.
Actually bring a second set of spares so you can keep paddling and don't have to cut the trip short.

Other than the lack of extra spare clothes and my pants being, while not sopping wet, uncomfortably moist during the trip home, it was fine. I did get wet but I didn't get cold at any point, so the clothes did their job. I still consider investing in a dry jacket so I can stay completely dry when I fall in. I mean, half the year the water is uncomfortably cold, so I think it would be a good investment.

I actually took a picture of the spot right before (which I can't post as my poor Nokia is currently taken apart and drying out, fingers crossed yo.) It's that damned fallen tree that's been blocking the way for years. The risen water level made is impossible to get out and drag the board around like I did in the summer.

Next time, buddy. You, me, and a chainsaw. (kidding. Where would I get a chainsaw.)

Next time I'll have to get out well before and walk around that part. I hope to go again next week, I really hated to cut my trip short and miss the last mile. It was particularly gorgeous today; I hope the photos at least can be salvaged.

So yeah, that was my day. They say you should try a new thing every day, right? lol

eta: super glad I wore my vest. No matter how unnecessary it seems, always wear that vest.

Here's a pic from today, taken further upstream before the dam. Had uploaded it before my swim.

Really hope the Nokia will recover, I love that phone... it takes the BEST pictures!

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 10:40:53 GMT

I was rather stressed out yesterday because it looked like we might have to move out of our lovely house soon. This possibility has been looming over our heads for over three years now, so when the rent money bounced back we thought the dreaded moment had come. But today I heard back from our landlord with a new bank account. Crisis averted for now. But we will have to start looking for a new place for real now, just in case.

The thing is that we live in one of Germany's most popular cities, and the housing market is hell. And we have a cat, which doesn't make things easier. Basically we'll need to look for a new place for the cat where we can live too.

It it's up to me, I wouldn't move at all. I love this apartment so much. Everything from here on will be a step down, inevitably.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 20:51:23 GMT

Today I heard that my favourite climbing wall will close down within the next year or two. That’s a real bummer… it’s the only place that offers toproping and lead climbing within biking distance. Today I took a look at the wall next town over… 35 mins by e-bike each way, and the routes are not that high; I don’t see myself do that trip even once a week. They do have a sauna included in the price though. I guess we’ll check it out at least.

The alpine club seems eager to start a gym of their own here in town, but who knows how long that’ll take… they haven’t even decided on a location yet.

Guess it’ll be back to bouldering for a while. At least that’s something you can do spontaneously without a partner.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 23:21:38 GMT

I just realized that Timeless should qualify for Yuletide this year. There's a dearth of fic in this fandom, so I really hope we'll get some for Yule.
Time travel... Conspiracies... Characters with mad chemistry. Why is there not more fic??

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

Yesterday's Paddleboard trip

astridv — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 14:44:37 GMT

aka The One Where I had to hack a passage through the ice with my paddles to get out...

Yep, that was new. :)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

Bouldering!cat

astridv — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:37:22 GMT

Found via disobey_gravity: Kitty scaling a bouldering wall

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 11:38:50 GMT

Behold, more boating pics. For I was paddleboarding yesterday and the frost on the grass in combination with the fog in the air made for an enchanting atmosphere. I didn't even mind the cold (much) because it was so beautiful.

I took the pics with my phone so they got a bit darker than it actually was, but considering I took them from a moving board, vaguely pointing in the right direction while trying not to spin off course, I'm really happy with how they turned out.

This is the creek that runs through town. It's usually too shallow for canoeing, but my board doesn't need a lot of water underneath when I don't put on the fin. I only touched ground a few times when passing groundsills; hope the level will rise another 20cm or so in the coming weeks. That would be perfect.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

Paddleboard Pics

astridv — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 22:12:40 GMT

Oh man, it's been half a year since I last posted here. There are so many distractions. I'll see if I can change that and be a bit more present here.

Anyway, this year I fullfilled a longtime dream of mine and got a paddleboard... they're making them inflatable now, so being carless is no longer an issue. I've spent a considerable part of my free time this year on various rivers in the area, and here are some photos. I hope they can convey some of the beauty and joy you get while paddling.

I plan to go tomorrow as well... been keeping my eye on the outside temps and water levels and it's looking promising. :)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

Fanart: Ward & Kara, a moment of rare peace

astridv — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:05:05 GMT

I got a couple prompts for Kara, Grant and puppies so: voilà. :o)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

AOS fanart: Renegades #3

astridv — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 21:02:23 GMT

In which Fitz and Simmons join Ward’s and Mike’s ragtag team.

Renegades series on AO3

I'm really happy with how this turned out. :) I asked for prompts and got so many different character suggestions that I thought, why not do an ensemble piece.

(no character hate in comments please.)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

AOS fic recs, recs post in progress (Skyeward + Gen)

astridv — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:31:57 GMT

Skyeward:

What Kind of Man - SarahRoseSerena (WIP)

Chapters: 5/? (29307 words)
Relationships: SkyeWard, Leo Fitz & Skye/Daisy
Characters: ensemble plus cameos
Additional Tags: Hellfire, Parallel Universes, quakefire, Redos, Post 3x10, Multiverse
Summary:

“Jumping around parallel planes, changing the course of a hundred histories, altering timelines wherever she goes. She’s made a mess out of the universe, you know. For you.”

Daisy is shifting earth on nothing but her grief, her determination, her command of tectonic plates and the heartbeat of this planet. On a mission to save the world from the Destroyer that spread the disease. The ancient Inhuman in Grant Ward’s body.

“There’s no coming back from this, Skye. But you knew that when you started.”

This fic was inspired by the Interdimensional Time Travel gifset series, and it’s one of the best stories out there right now, imo. Gripping plot and amazing characterization of Skye/Daisy in particular. This is the Skye I was longing to see on the show!
I’m not sure where she’s going with the plot but I’m on tenterhooks.
————————
hello from the other side; - thatbluebox
8913 words

Skyeward & OCs
Tags: AU, henchdog au, ft. the henchdogs aka grant ward’s most trusted henchmen, the season 3 we deserve

Summary: There is a lasting second of heavy silence before they begin to talk strategy and disarming SHIELD, its key players, and weaponry. But it must all be in their heads, the team decides, because their leader is thorough. His face slips into a cool mask of sparking fury, which transforms the indifference of his tone. SHIELD’s reckoning has come once again and they will be at the forefront, he promises. But then his fingers linger on the photo of a brunette agent for a moment too long, and, for a moment, they’re not so sure.
————
Things - Overdressedtokill [complete] »

24353 words
Skye/Grant Ward
Tags: Inhumans, Future Fic, AU - Canon Divergence
Summary: Future canon. Grant’s got powers now. But he doesn’t want to be back on the team. He doesn’t want anything to do with any of them. Especially not Skye.

——
Across the Board, by Eienvine

Chapters: 11/13, 164611 words
Skye/Ward, team, Kara; future fic; slow burn; action
Summary: Skye once thought that she would hate Grant Ward forever. But time has a way of changing things, even hate.

It’s a slow burn Skyeward fic that also has wonderful Kara&Ward friendship moments. And cool action spy stuff as backdrop to the careful character development.
———
Okay, I don’t remember how much SW was in this next one but it’s hilarious:
House of Hydra by CaptainSummerDay
Summary
In a bid to attract new investors, Ward decides that Hydra is in need of rebranding and a change of direction.
Otherwise known as Agents of Shield if Tyra Banks took over as showrunner in Season 3.
———–
Switching it Off (and turning it on again) by CaptainSummerDay

Skye/Ward, Fitz, Simmons; IT tech AU; industry spies and IT guys/romance;

Summary: Skye loves her job at Shield Consulting. There’s only one thing that can cast a cloud of grief on her day.
Dealing with Tech Support.

Office AU in which Grant makes a bad first impression.

Cool plot, kickass Skye. Here’s a dose of happiness after the finale that should never have been.

———–

Stay the Course by eedmund [now complete!]
Skye/Ward, Agent 33, Mike Peterson, team; action/adventure/romance; warning: graphic violence; 51835 words
Summary: The course of love never did run smooth but, let’s be real honest, no course runs smooth for Skye and Ward. Skye’s trying to find out who or what she really is and her fact finding mission leads her and her friends back to S.H.I.E.L.D. and into a nasty altercation with a terrorist group. (part 4 of “An Honest Conversation”)

———
This one sadly doesn’t seem to be updated any more but I’d read it anyway because it’s SO GOOD.
To Break Nature’s Rule (44675 words) by Quakey

With her newly-awakened powers, Skye doesn’t dare go back to SHIELD for fear of hurting the people she loves. Good thing she doesn’t care about Ward.

Getting Some Answers -1stly_fannish_writing_dispensary

Chapters: 12/?
Characters: Ward, OCs, team
Additional Tags: Feels, Continuation of feels
Series: Part 2 of Not As You Thought
Summary:

Where Ward is made use of by Coulson again, but Ward’s relationship with his team (Mendez, Sayers and Carl&Carl) deepens.

i like this fic, it has a different feel, heavy on the ocs, very compelling ocs, part 2 in a series but can be read on its own, ignore the wonky formatting at the end of ch 1, deals with mental illness, (the way the show should have and didn't),

nobody knows the trouble we've seen (and nobody knows the price of this dream) - serenitysea

Relationships: Skye/Grant Ward
Additional Tags: Romance, Angst, Prequel, these feels are nothing we were ever trained for, Love, AU, s2 divergence, Grief
Series: Part 5 of she’s so fierce and full of that fire || the lara au

Summary: the story of how skye and ward become the best team since strike team delta.

…for hydra.

fic rec: Silver Bells - Sreya

Additional Tags: Skyeward Secret Santa
Summary:

So we have Skye and Grant Ward in New York City on Christmas Eve. In the wake of the Battle of New York from the Avengers. Because it’s an AU and I can do that.

Last Action (anti)Hero - Matarreyes »

Characters: Grant Ward
Additional Tags: FIx It, yes another one, You are welcome, this time with a healthy dose of meta, Ward meets his creators, he is about as impressed as we all are
Summary: He was born a puppet and he died a puppet, his friends and enemies all simple playthings in hands of random TV Gods - a twist that no one in the world’s best spy agency could ever imagine…

But now he knows, he tells himself. And knowledge is power.

This Is Not Mine, But I Want It To Be - ExcellentlyEllen (WIP)

Relationships: Skye | Daisy Johnson/Grant Ward, Leo Fitz/Jemma Simmons/Grant Ward, Phil Coulson & Skye | Daisy Johnson, Phil Coulson & Grant Ward, Leo Fitz/Jemma Simmons, Lance Hunter/Bobbi Morse, Lance Hunter/Grant Ward

Additional Tags: Weirdness, Meeting Again, shield vs enemies, sorrynotsorry
Summary:

This is not a Grant Ward redemption story. Because Grant Ward doesn’t need redemption.

soon the bells will start - Anuna »

Summary: Skye, Ward and Christmas; times five.

Tags: Skyeward Secret Santa, Gift Fic, prompt based fic, AU - Canon Divergence, Ward was never hydra, five christmasses, Fluff, Little bit of angst, Domesticity

And Death flipped a coin - Matarreyes »

Relationships: Skye/Ward
Additional Tags: a fixit that fixes everything, post 3.10 clusterfuck of an episode, specifically designed to helf bleach it from our minds, warning: death is an actual character in it, warning: a mention of a dead child (not related to any characters) strictly for plot purposes, obviously spoilers for the 3.10 episode “Maveth”

Summary: “Death isn´t good or evil, little girl. Death, simply, is. It can be timely or not. It can be calm or sad. May be a tragedy, may be a blessing. Death and rebirth are tied together, just as good and evil are. Two sides of the same coin. Or did you think it was a modern saying?” (2990 words)
—

This story really does it: it rights everything, gives everything a purpose, it turns the absolute hideousness that was “Maveth” into something beautiful. It makes me so happy.

What Would You Do If You Could Start It All Again? - Orlissa »

Skyeward, 2147 words

Additional Tags: Midseason finale fix it, Sorta speculation for the end of S3, Post-possession Ward, Skyeward is mostly implied, It’s not a happy piece, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel, Mentions of suicidal tendencies

Summary: Grant Ward was dead – that she knows for fact. And then he was back – sort of; in body, or what, hosting an ancient Inhuman. But when It was gone, jumping to another host as they fought, they expected – she expected – Ward to be gone, now for good. And yet he remained, lying on the ground–
Breathing.

The creature leaves Ward’s body, leaving him alive but lost and Skye needs to face the consequences.

A Chrismukkah Carol - SlightlyTwistedSilverware, WelshWitch1011 »

Chapters: 1/?
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death
Relationships: Skyeward
Characters: Grant Ward, Phil Coulson, Skye, Grant Ward’s Mother, Grant Ward’s Father, Thomas Ward, Christian Ward, John Garrett, Antoine Triplett, Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz
Additional Tags: WTF Was That Crap?, AOS Has The Worst Writers In TV History, Ward/Garrett Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Coulson learns a lesson, Skyeward - Freeform, Ward is Hellfire, Second Chances, Spoilers For Crappy Mid-Season Finale, Ward redemption

Summary:
‘Following his depraved act of vengeance, Director Coulson is taught the true meaning of second chances.’

Or, the one where Coulson’s called out for being such a double-standard loving, turbo d-bag.

fuck-ups don’t fix bullet holes

kisapandemonium:

flashback killers for hire for a very special girl. the first time skye fishes a bullet out of grant. With apologies to Ali.

–

Keep reading

“God damn it. You are so fucking bad at surgery.”

Heh. That was awesome! I love Killers for Hire!

selfish - Overdressedtokill (SkyeStan) »

2824 words, Part 17 of Killers for Hire (SkyeWard AU)
Rating: Explicit
Tags: AU, Killers for Hire, Blow Jobs
Summary: skye and grant celebrate an actual anniversary (since they actually got married a year ago, what?) and, you know, grant gets what he’s always wanted.

Demolishing Bridges (Academy AU) by favored fire
Skyeward, Fitz, Simmons
Tags: AU - SHIELD Academy, Angst, Trust Issues, Lies, Emotional Baggage, Friendship, Team Dynamics

Summary: It’s been weeks and Ward’s still ignoring her. She’s not sure how she’s going to fix things or get Fitzsimmons to stop asking questions, but she has to. Especially if she wants to figure out what secrets he’s hiding. Maybe a group test will help get him talking to her again-

Or maybe everything will go to hell as it always does instead.

Give Me Anything but Blue by Overdressedtokill (SkyeStan)

For the SkyeWard month prompt AU: Tahiti. A series of almosts.
Words: 1583
Series: Part 1 of Tahiti Prompts: Give Me Anything But Blue
Relationships: Skye | Daisy Johnson/Grant Ward,
Additional Tags: Memory Alteration, Tahiti

be prepared, not happy skyeward, at least not yet, I hate the tahiti plot device and seeing this as the outcome, is satisfying.

Ledger Dripping Red - Alkeni (WIP)

WIP: 7/? (29127 words)
Natasha Romanov & Grant Ward, Natasha & Clint, Skye/Ward (eventually)
Tags: AU - Canon Divergence, Redemption, Romanov and Ward Worked Together In The Past, Romanov has no patience with the way the Team treats Ward, Diverges after 2x02, Redemption isn’t easy but that doesn’t mean you don’t try

Summary: “You’re a killer, Grant. You made mistakes, and all that was compounded by what Garrett did to you.” Romanoff walked back up to the laser barrier. “Your ledger drips red. If you want to try to blot it out, to try to settle your accounts, then I can give you that chance.” Even if she had to break him out of the cell. “Think about it.”

grant ward, natasha romanoff, my two favorite characters in one fic, and I've always said, if one person can understand Ward, it's Natasha, because she's been there, Clint gave her a second chance, and she wants to pay it forward.

every single night pray the sun’ll rise, but it’s coming down

kalaswolfang:

she’s the maid of honor, he’s the best man, and they couldn’t be more different.

basically you’ve got a fitzsimmons destination wedding and skye and ward bickering and everyone seeing the sexual tension but them. that’s it. that’s the plot.

skyeward month, week 2 day 3: humor

i’m such a fool to pay this price | ao3

Ignition Point - Capercaillie »

7901 words, Part 1 of Confessions of a Justified Sinner

Skye/Ward, Kara, Hunter, May, Fitz, Coulson
Tags: Hellfire!Ward, Kara & Grant, Post-S2, AU - Canon Divergence, Supernatural Elements, Redemption
Summary:

All his life Grant Ward’s learned not to ask questions.
But following a standard job gone south, Ward’s more in need of information than ever. Pursued by former associates and haunted by demons a little more physical than figurative, Ward’s path to redemption may have to wait in favor of outright survival. Alone, save for the dead woman that seems determined to guard his back, Ward’s having to face up to the fact that obedience hasn’t served him well.
Perhaps now is the time to start asking questions.
Part 2: Controlled Burn, 6053 words, WIP (½)
Skye, Ward, Hunter, Morse, Kara, Coulson, May, Fitz, Mack, Lincoln
Summary:
If you’re going through Hell, keep going.
Grant Ward’s in trouble. As if having Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D on his trail wasn’t enough, it seems more than one new party has taken an interest in him. The more he digs to find out the truth of what happened to him in Europe, the less he likes the picture that’s emerging.

It’s time to take control - of his life and the strange new powers he seems to have acquired. Not only does it seem the only way of staying alive, it could also help bring him back to the one woman he never wanted to leave behind.

and there's a storm you're starting now SuperIrishBreakfastTea »

WIP, Chapters: 9/? (28632 words)
Relationships: Fitz/Simmons, Skye/Ward, Hunter/Morse
Additional Tags: My first AOS fic, Basically AU Season 2, But not even super AU?, Angst City
Summary: AU Season 2. In which Jemma and Fitz struggle to deal with what happened at the bottom of the ocean, Jemma is sick of having to hide, Ward is redeemed, and SHIELD struggles to remake itself while fighting Hydra.

redemption fic, in which the characters behave like their s1 incarnations, and haven't lost all humanity and compassion, and the team actually communicate to work through their issues, the fact that Dr Garner is on board probably helped with all that, I'm really enjoying this AU season 2, helps get the canon taste out of my mouth

Genfic:

Vulnerable Mind - Athelassa [complete] »

39321 words; Gen (Grant Ward & Agents of SHIELD Team)
Tags: Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Action/Adventure, Trust Issues, Redemption, AU after 2x19
Summary: “Look,” Coulson said with a frown, “I’m the director, I make the decisions. This is a mission that suits Ward’s qualities perfectly.”
Oh yes, right. There was primarily one quality that predestined him for this mission.
“I get it, Coulson,” Ward threw in with a smirk of false bravado. “I’m expendable.”

After working together with his former team in the Arctic, Ward finds himself helping out S.H.I.E.L.D. on a regular basis. When he signs up to infiltrate another Hydra base and things go as wrong as they can get, he is forced to lay open what he fears most: the past and his own weakness. Only Coulson’s team is able to help him and they have yet to decide if they want to save a branded traitor.

Hard to Replace - FullofCats

14760 words
Characters: Simmons, Weaver, Gonzales, Ward, Garrett, Fitz, Coulson, May, Skye
Tags: AU, Redemption fic
Summary: There is a poorly written fic floating around where the Kree Stone send Simmons back in time where she pushes Ward into traffic and because of it Trip, Hartley, and Kara are alive and Kara is gay (because Ward’s super powers are turning people straight.)

In this story the Kree rock sends Simmons into a universe where Ward was never on her team and Garrett had recruited an actual psychopath.
Yes, inspiration can come from weird places.

Also this is a Ward redemption story. So if you don’t like them, you don’t have to read them.

Well, Someone Had To Be Nice - Alkeni

Part 4 of The Lesser of a Whole Host of Evils
(In which Grant Ward is done taking crap from SHIELD when they come for his help)
Summary: Lincoln Campbell really shouldn’t have expected much from a meeting that included both Skye and the Ward siblings - they didn’t like or trust her, she didn’t like or trust them…

A wonderful recipe for success.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

fic rec: Warrior Witch (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters)

astridv — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:16:24 GMT

Warrior Witch, by Eustacia Vye

Summary:

Gretel doesn’t know much about magic, and isn’t sure what she felt about being a white witch herself. But one thing is for sure… She wasn’t going to stop killing evil witches. (3865 words)

Great casefic in the vein of the movie, with action and humor.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

fic rec: Zinc Man (The Americans)

astridv — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:01:22 GMT

Zinc Man, by Selena

Tags: Case Fic, Afghanistan, set mid-s3

Characters: Elizabeth Jennings, Philip Jennings, Arkady Ivanovich, Gabriel, Oleg Igorevich Burov, Yuri Victorovich Silfigarow (OC)

Summary: Elizabeth and Philip are charged with tracking down a young soldier from Afghanistan who has gone rogue. But what will they find? (6007 words)

This is the same level of honest writing and authentic feel that I’ve come to expect from the show itself. Really, this could have easily been an episode.

I recommend this fic even if you have never watchted The Americans. The story stands on its own, it’s like a mini-episode. (Does contain a significant s2 spoiler, though.)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:15:37 GMT

I just finished meeting with my new Japanese tandem partner and I’m exhausted. She as well. That must mean we did it right. ;) We studied for three hours straight. It was really fun and productive but wow, I'm so wiped. She's only been learning German since October or so, but it's amazing how much she already knows. Shame she’s only gonna stay for a couple more months. Gotta make the best of it.

Next week we're making　okonomiyaki. :o)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:58:29 GMT

I've taken up Yoga again and I'm enjoying it. I quit yoga class about four years ago because with the contant influx of newbies we were rarely getting into any of the more challenging stuff, plus I already had a gym membership and the climbing wall doesn't come cheap, and all the expenses added up.

But I had to realize recently that yoga isn't a luxury for me but a necessity - I've been getting stiff as hell. Any longer and I'd get real back problems. When I went to a trial class, I couldn't do movements that were no problem four years ago. Yikes. After two times, I feel like there's already a tiny improvement, back's started to loosen up a bit and after the second class my lower back didn't hurt like it did after the first one. (Forget about actually challenging stuff... I'll be happy sticking to the basics...)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

astridv — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 18:15:08 GMT

You know, tumblr has many shortcomings and part of me will always loathe that site and wait for fandom to finally find a new platform to move to.

But their tagging system is vastly superior to LJ/DW, no two ways about it.

p.s. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted here. Yikes. Between tumblr and my job there just was so little time left to hang out here.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

fanart: Agent Carter (Noir)

astridv — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 18:09:57 GMT

Here's a colored version of this pic... I also like it, but the b/w version looks more noirish to me. :)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

aos fanart: Headcanon comic cover

astridv — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 18:06:00 GMT

Been a while since I posted here... let's see if I remember how it works ;)

I already posted this one, but since I'm between jobs atm, I used the time to fix some older fanart. In this case, I gave Kara Palamas her real face... something that had bugged me to no end.

note: I love Kara Palamas and Grant Ward and will be forever bitter about the way canon treated them. I don't want to discuss it here and I don't want any comments dissing any of the characters in this pic. (aos is the kind of fandom where you need to state this)

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

SHIELD fic recs

astridv — Fri, 22 May 2015 21:35:34 GMT

maybe i don't know how to love (but maybe i do) by skyesward
Skyeward; superhero sidekick AU; part 1/2, 4041 words
Summary: She doesn't think she'll ever see him again. It's New York. It'd surprise her if they ever stood on the same street corner again.
As it turns out, fate has a thing for irony.
the one where skye is everyone's favourite superhero, and ward is the damsel that searches for distress.

you live with ghosts by Overdressedtokill (SkyeStan)
Skyeward sorta; semi-canon compliant s3 fic; 2824
Summary: superhero Skye confronts supervillain Ward. Except maybe he’s not that much of a supervillain, and maybe nothing’s ever black and white. And maybe Skye hates him. And maybe she doesn’t at all.</i>

you and i can make our escape by thequeenofokay
Kara/Ward; post S2 fix it fic/ Castle crossover; 1560 words
Summary: ‘We were given a tipoff that you’re in danger,’ the officer says. He checks his notes. ‘Something about a past that you need to escape from.’
// in which kara palamas gets a new identity and a new job with the nypd.

chasing those lies (you spend it all) by shineyma
biospecialist; The Magical Place tag;2754 words
Summary: Jemma is summoned to the Hub three days into their team’s downtime.

Looks like a oneshot but I'd love to see this developed into a full story.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

SHIELD fic rec

astridv — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:34:57 GMT

Switching it Off (and turning it on again) by CaptainSummerDay
Skye/Ward, Fitz, Simmons; IT tech AU; industry spies and IT guys/romance; WIP (15,538 words)
Summary: Skye loves her job at Shield Consulting. There's only one thing that can cast a cloud of grief on her day.

Dealing with Tech Support.

Office AU in which Grant makes a bad first impression.

Cool plot, kickass Skye. Here's a dose of happiness after the finale that should never have been.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

SHIELD fic rec

astridv — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:12:14 GMT

take the gun, count to three by WingedWolf121
FitzWard; AU; spies & secret agents; WIP (2857 words)
Summary: Agent Grant Ward is the best her majesty’s secret service has to offer. So when M sends him out to investigate the suspicious Daniel Whitehall, he expects nothing more than a lukewarm leftover from the cold war and the chance to kick a few criminals in the face. But Whitehall hasn’t just been making himself a castle fortress—he’s been recruiting scientists. And one of them might be even grumpier than Ward.

Feat 007!Ward, Melinda May as M, Skye as the charming Moneypenny, Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons as scientists who most certainly did not sign up for this, Whitehall as the same psychopath he’s always been but with some Bondian twists, and more!
----
Only one chapter so far but it's so fun, I gotta rec it right away...

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments:

Shield fic recs (and 1 Avengers rec)

astridv — Sun, 10 May 2015 21:36:46 GMT

A Walk in the Park by AlphaFlyer
Gen; Clint Barton & Maria Hill; spies & secret agents; 1410 words
Summary: Clint Barton has complaints, and a job to do; Maria Hill has a ringside seat.

Vulnerable Mind by Athelassa
Gen; Grant Ward & team; mission gone wrong/action/hurt/comfort; WIP, 8551 words
Summary:“Look,” Coulson said with a frown, “I’m the director, I make the decisions. This is a mission that suits Ward’s qualities perfectly.”
Oh yes, right. There was primarily one quality that predestined him for this mission.
“I get it, Coulson,” Ward threw in with a smirk of false bravado. “I’m expendable.”

(baby you're) super by SafelyCapricious
Biospecialist; very AU; superheroes & supervillains/humor/crack; 2943 words
Summary: They give him what amount to super powers and then they try to brainwash him. Needless to say, it doesn’t stick. He has to hand it to whoever in HYDRA’s upper echelon decided on the order of the procedure.

Surprisingly not angsty, given the subject matter.

The only exception (is where the lines overlap) by Poetgirl925
Skyeward; AU; spies & secret agents/action/UST; 20700 words
(part 3 of The Head and the Heart series)
Summary: Skye and Ward continue to build on their working relationship as they both try to ignore the attraction that still simmers between them. Skye's first field mission doesn't go as planned, and Grant realizes that Skye is a dangerous exception to his hard rules.

Important words (you understand it's love the first time you say "no") by Matarreyes
Skyeward; epilogue; 3369 words
(part 3 of the Who they become (always depended only on them) series)
Summary: He'd be content to leave the past well enough alone. Forget his time with John, forget his time with Coulson, live just the present. Too bad that Skye is under some strange conviction that if she makes enough balancing, she'll convince Coulson and Grant to play along. It'll never work, he knows, because half of the hate on Coulson's part is subconscious seething about the fact that Grant took Skye away from him.

Originally posted at Dreamwidth. Comments: