I think today should be International Fangirl Day or something, because today, August 22, is the birth date of FOUR of my lovely friends! So happy, happy, HAPPIEST birthday wishes to a_loquita, beanpot, binkii822, and missparker!!! I hope each of you gets to do whatever your heart desires today, and that you are celebrated and showered with gifts aplenty! Love you girls!

Look at me, I'm posting!! Not guaranteeing that you will find it interesting, however, hahahaha.

( Castle season finaleCollapse )

( MAoS finaleCollapse )

Also in TV news, is anyone watching TURN on AMC? I'm really kind of digging it! It's well-acted with strong production values, though I don't know how historically accurate it is (I'm definitely not a Revolutionary War expert). But Jaimie Bell! And Angus MacFadyen! And Owen from Torchwood! And Aldis Hodge! Anyway, the baby spy craft is interesting - like a lot of things in the Revolutionary War, I think the Americans just bumbled along and got lucky. :)

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In writing news, I have this Stargate AU WIP (codename: The One Where Sam is Mike Holmes), and I've been picking away at it for like 3 years. I think I may have finally figured out where to go with it. Cross your fingers!

I meant to get this post up yesterday, but a near-migraine slowed me down (hooray for Excedrin Migraine, which kept it from going to full-on migraine!). Anyway, I went to the Emerald City ComicCon on Sunday and had a blast! I went with a friend who is not fannish AT ALL, but her daughter, C, is. And as honorary auntie, I have to nurture fannishness! :) C went as a very cool femme Edward Scissorhands. I wore my Boba Fett t-shirt, and Stargate necklace and various fannish buttons on my backpack. :) And since they were running late, I had a good hour by myself when I first arrived, so I bee-lined to RDA's signing line... only to find that he wasn't signing clothing (I brought a Stargate tshirt for him to sign), or anything not flat and smooth (so also "no" to signing the Jack action figure that I brought). And since RDA had the highest signing fee ($85) of the convention, I decided to skip it. But I did *see* him signing. (Of course the con minions would not let you take pics of anyone signing. Actually, the con minions were really pretty awful all around. You had to be *constantly* moving. If you stopped for any reason, someone was there to yell at you to "Keep moving, people!" So that made it kind of hard to take pics of cosplayers or you know, look at anything. Hrumph.)

I did get a few good cosplay shots, which you can see on Tumblr here and here. I saw a lot of Black Widows, lots of Adventure Time characters, one awesome trio of He-Man, She-Ra, and Skeletor (but didn't get a pic, boo), and 2 Stargate cosplayers (spotted the SG1 patches, but couldn't make my way through the crowd to ask if I could get a pic). Many generic steampunkers, and an amazing Steampunk Mario and Luigi (see Tumblr pics). And, and, and! So many great costumes!

I think RDA did a panel on Friday, but not sure. I guess Osric Chau (Kevin Tran) crashed the Supernatural panel with Jim Beaver (Bobby) and Mark Sheppard (Crowley) on Saturday, so that's cool. I spotted Nichele Nichols signing too (she was right by RDA's table), but again, No informal/non-pro pictures!! We Mean It! I did meet and have a chat with John Scalzi, who was a really nice guy. I forgot he was going to be there, so I didn't bring my copies of his books, so had to buy some new ones, but that's OK because I had John sign them for my nephew (who has been really sick with some yet-undiagnosed ailment *sadface*). We talked about all the projects he's got going right now, including a graphic novel/videogame, new book, and possible TV adaption of his "Redshirts" novel (which is hilariously brilliant, go read!). I also asked him how he liked working on Stargate Universe... and he said he loved it! He said it was really neat to see the early scripts, send back his thoughts/changes, and then *see* that they actually took his notes to heart and implemented them.

I got some other good swag too, including a new Star Wars (Death Star Tech Support) tshirt, and an ECCC Exclusive "Carol Corps" Captain Marvel at the Museum of Flight tshirt. Yay!


In other fannish news, tickets have been procured for me and the fanboys to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier on Thursday... CANNOT. WAIT. Also, I had a dream last night about Jack O'Neill dreaming when he was frozen in the Ancient stasis thingy in Antarctica. Huh.

Eeeee, it's that time of year again!

I love it when I pre-order something from Amazon and then forget when it is coming, so then when it does come, it's like Surprise! Here's a treat for you! This week it was the Thor: The Dark World blu-ray. I only saw it the once in theater - I forgot how cool all the space ships are. The Dark Elves ships remind me a little of both Wraith and Cylon ships, in that there seems to be an organic component with the sleep pods and the elevator that looks like a spine - but far less drippy organic gross interiors that both Wraith and Cylon ships have. And the fighters just pop out of the side of the main ship! Very cool. Also, the Asgardian Viking boat-fighter ships are SO COOL looking, if not exactly practical. Like you can't do barrel rolls or anything in those. But still, mad points for style.

The Marvel short was kind of boring, and I'm not sure why it wasn't on the IM3 disc? Eh, whatever. The gag reel was great tho - hahaha, Thor's cape is always getting in the way!

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In other fannish news, I broke down under peer pressure and have been watching "Parks and Rec" over the last couple months. So I'm all caught up and ready to watch the new episode tonight. I'm a little disappointed that[Spoiler (click to open)]Ann Perkins! and Chris are leaving Pawnee - hopefully not the show entirely??Besides Ron Swanson, Ann is my favorite character. Leslie is great, but man, that episode where Ann loses it an yells "You're a steamroller!!" could not be more accurate. I get kind of tired of how Leslie doesn't listen to anyone. Maybe it is because I would watch several eps in a row to get caught up, so that made it more apparent? Anyway, in my book, "good listener" is like standard friend requirement.

Time out for Taco Truck kitty update: He's standing on my desk looking out the window, and just spotted the tuxedo feral cat that roams my garden sometimes, and he is positively *vibrating* lol. It's not a particularly hostile stance; he's just very, very, very, interested. When he watches the birds he does this funny "kitty barking" thing, where he's all chill and just "mrr, mrrr.... mrrmrr....mrr". It's pretty cute. He broke another vase which was holding some curly bamboo stalks and those water bead things. So that was fun to clean up. And of course he did it while I was in the other room texting my brother about the planter breaking incident. So. No more indoor plants. *sadface*

( Still, ridiculously cute:Collapse )

OK, back to fannishness and other stuff...

* Veronica Mars movie, soon! Like a couple weeks!

* I finished The Monuments Men book over Christmas - such a good read. I'm kind of a WWII buff, but that was one tale I had never really heard about. That Hitler had *such* a plan for the art of Europe, waaaaay before the war. Fascinating. So I saw the movie last weekend, and eh, it was fine. They changed the names of the people because they "wanted to give them flaws and add humor" but whatever. The book is always better. I can see why they pulled it from a December release so it wouldn't be eligible for awards season. Because it's not really award-worthy, even with such a great cast. They were fine, the movie was fine... just not great.

* I also read Chris Hadfield's An Astronaut's Guide to Life On Earth, which was great. Quick, delightful read, which I recommended to my work team because there's so much good stuff about leadership and the importance of training and cultivating an attitude of lifelong learning. I wish I could have gone to his book signing in Seattle, in December, but it was just too hectic.

* In fannish reading, there's been some really good S/J fic about lately...salr323 "Retrospective" is the slow build of Sam and Jack's relationship over the seasons, and "Full Disclosure" is one of the best Threads fics I've read. And then there's my birthday fics from a_loquita ("Inner Room"), and mrspollifax ("Let Your Demons Run")! Yay, S/J fic! Keep going, fandom!

* Finally, finally!! I saw Frozen last weekend - my sis and I took the nephew (9) and niece (7). Fabulous, just as you have all said. And even though everyone is gaga about "Let It Go," the song I have stuck in my head is "Do you wanna build a snowman?/Come on, let's go and play!". Daw, so cute. Also, I heart Sven.

So the other day I was flipping channels, not in the mood to watch any of the darker shows on my DVR (Justified and Walking Dead) and kind of bored with the Olympics, when I came across a guy on a horse wearing the distinctive red coat of the RCMP. So I stopped - because *Mounties* - and it turned out I was on the Hallmark Channel, and watching their new show "When Calls the Heart". So I'm watching for a bit, and then... is that Colonel Reynolds from SG3 on my TV? OMG, there's Camulus! AND BILL LEE. This show, it's like Stargate alum jackpot! It's based on the Janette Oke books, and produced by Michael Landon Jr. so, you know, pretty overt Christian messaging (fair warning, if that's not your bag), and super family-friendly G rated. But the leads are really quite adorkable and watchable (seriously, Daniel Lissing's smirk is all kinds of dreamy) and I'm already shipping them hard. And Stargate alum! I think I've just fell into another fandom. *headdesk*

And look! Isn't this the lake/valley from SG1 S4x09 "Scorched Earth" and S6x15 "Paradise Lost" and probably others??



It reminds me a lot of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, which the BFF and I used to watch religiously when we were in college. And somewhat of Anne of Green Gables. And of a_loquita's awesome Wild West SG1 AU, Cast Your Fate to the Wind.


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In other news, Taco has broken/destroyed many things (including large potted plant - dirt strewn all across the living room carpet; tall vase with many small glass beads - again, all over the room; and assorted leather furniture), but is so damn cute that I'm really having a hard time staying mad at him. Really, really, need to get his kitty door installed soon and get him outside.

Also! I got a motorized standing desk last month (so I can quickly switch between standing and sitting), and it's name is JARVIS. I KID YOU NOT. Now if it only talked to me.

Wow, it's been way too long since I've posted. The thing is, I think about posting all the time. I just don't... ever seem to do it. Lame.

Anyway, a lot has happened lately that I will try to get to at some point, but maybe just the highlights for now, so I actually get this posted.

*I kind of got laid off again but not really - one part of my contract didn't get renewed for this year, but the other project expanded to full-time, so. It's all worked out for now?

*I went to Disneyland over the New Year with my brother and SIL and the Wonder Twins, and we had a BLAST! We were celebrating a bunch of things - the twins' 9th birthday (every birthday of theirs is a huge celebration because they were born ultra-premature, at 24 weeks), my SIL finished her math textbook and sent it to the publisher, my 40th birthday - and decided that a big trip was the way to go.

*I promptly got the cold from Hell from some germy kid in Disneyland and spent the second week of January in bed, wanting to die. I'm still coughing, blech.

*This adorable little guy came to live with me a couple weeks ago. One of my college buddies' daughter started developing bad allergies, so they decided they couldn't have pets anymore, and I said I'd adopt! Meet Taco Truck - he's a 2YO mackerel tabby. He's super chatty, likes to be wherever I am (it's like having a toddler. I can't go to the bathroom by myself, I have to eat standing up, I have to mute my phone whenever I'm on a conference call because he wants to talk too), and "kitty barks" at the birds he can only watch from inside, since I'm keeping him indoors for a few weeks until he's totally settled.

( Taco kittyCollapse )

*Um, I turned 40? I'm pretty fine with it, actually. I mean, I don't really feel 40? Whatever, I'm using it as an excuse to party extra hard all year. :) Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes! And if you missed my birthday fic from a_loquita ("Inner Room," Sam/Jack, rated G), or mrspollifax ("Let Your Demons Run," Sam/Jack, rated Adult) you should go read them now! I'll wait. :) *squishes you girls*

*I'm going to the Emerald City Comicon this year!! There are a ton cool guests, including RDA!!! Who also has the highest autograph/photo op fee, of course. :S

*Oh, and in case you haven't heard, the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!!!! Suck it, Denver! And all you pundits (which was the majority of you) who said we'd lose! *dances*

OK, that's all for now - hopefully I'll get a more fannish post up soon!

This cold that I've had for the last 85 days* can just suck it. I am so tired of coughing up a lung. Like, my abs hurt from coughing. I sound like some sort of apoplectic barking seal. At least I'm no longer running a fever. Ugh.

*OK, it's only been 7 days. LONG ENOUGH.

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So I complained about the Castle storyline of Beckett in DC and even called the getting fired thing, and you guys were all "I think you're freaking out for no reason". So, I'm not going to complain about the silliness off the whole scenario and the magical happy ending of how one phone call from a buddy of a buddy of the police commissioner gets Beckett her NYPD job back. WHATEVER. This is dumb writing. At least Nathan Fillion is nice to look at.

Speaking of Nathan - I don't think a lot of you on my flist watch The Walking Dead so here's a PSA - he was on Sunday's Talking Dead, as the "super fan" guest. He was adorable and geeky as always, and I definitely want him on my team when the Zombie Apocalypse hits us.

Even though Castle has been less than stellar, I have my new favorite, Sleepy Hollow to entertain me!! Eeeeeee! Every week it GETS BETTER. And the cast is fantastic on and off screen, as evidenced by this Buzzfeed interview from NY Comic Con. I don't ship anyone yet because Abbie and Crane are the best not!sister/brother combo to fight demons since Charlie and Dean on Supernatural. So between SH, SPN, Haven, and TWD, my fantasy/horror/apocalypse TV needs are pretty well taken care of. Just need a scifi space show now, because spaceships.

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Now for something completely different: Brides Throwing Cats*. It's the Tumblr you didn't know you needed. http://bridesthrowingcats.com/

*Not really; Photoshopped for hilarity.

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Oh! I almost forgot: it was Medal of Honor day today. The first Army officer to receive the MoH since Vietnam, and a Seattle native, former Army Captain William Swenson was cited for valor for his action in the Battle of Ganjgal, Afghanistan, 2009.

Great video and article from the Washington Post here on my Tumblr.
Full citation/website here.

( Last night I dreamed I had a dinner date with Nathan Fillion.Collapse )

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So. Marvel's Agents of SHIELD isn't perfect, but so far I am entertained. ( Some observations:Collapse )

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ziparumpazoo was rightly complaining about the lack of spaceships on TV right now. If you need a spaceship pr0n fix, try this zoomable graphic of all the major spaceships in one amazing comparison chart. Stargate ships are in this general area:



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I had jury duty this week, and although I got called in with a group of jurors for jury selection, I ended up not making the cut. Which I am fine with. It was a criminal case (vehicular homicide / DUI), so not exactly fun stuff. So only 3.5 days not working instead of a couple of weeks! ION, Seattle just set a record for all time wettest September, and most of that rain came in the last 4 days of Sept. Plus, it came with thunder and lightning and high winds. Makes me not want to do anything but curl up with my iPad and eat soup.

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ETA: The Story of how Sleepy Hollow Already Got Renewed for a Second Season. WOOt!!!!

Castle 6 x 01 "Valkyrie" reaction post where I liked some stuff, but didn't love it. ( Spoliers ahoy!Collapse )