whether i'm the rose of sheer perfection

von_questenberg — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 18:41:19 GMT

"It is extraordinarily dispiriting that the only practical way, apparently, to obtain any justice for Lee was to exercise a law which tacitly affirms that her rights are less important than those of the fetus she carries. If this was the best law to use, then it underlines how fucked our system really is.

Because the message, taken in total, is clear: the state is yawningly indifferent about your right to self-determination, to bodily autonomy, to bodily safety, if you are pregnant. Your right to choice is so heavily weighted against the pregnant person, and so heavily weighted towards the fetus, that is not a choice at all."

Undermining Our Rights In Order To Save Them - Aphra Behn @ Shakesville

von_questenberg — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 23:00:14 GMT

I have several hundred books. And 95% of them are boxed up at my mom’s house while we have the condo on the market.

I miss my books.

just watched pacific rim

von_questenberg — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 23:34:30 GMT

!!!! Why had I not seen this movie earlier! Mako and Raleigh need to make gorgeous badass babies!

It was just a good solid story all around, and I have so many Mako/Raleigh feels now. ;o; They just like and support and respect each other so much.

Supernatural Fic Rec

von_questenberg — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 18:37:01 GMT

Daughter by Tayijo.

"Claire Novak was still young enough not to shatter the first time she was taught that God didn’t give a damn what human beings did to each other."

This is not a nice happy fic. But fucking hell you should read it.

von_questenberg — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:14:54 GMT

Kodansha is going to be releasing English translations of xxxHOLiC Rei! Yay!

They're also going to be releasing English omnibus editions of the Tsubasa and original Holic manga.

My wallet is already crying.

And yet, here's hoping Drug & Drop also gets licensed. I'd also love a new translation of Wish.

von_questenberg — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 22:29:02 GMT

"The NRA and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the conservative lobbying group responsible for drafting and pushing 'Stand Your Ground' laws across the country, insist that an armed citizenry is the only effective defense against imminent threats, assailants, and predators. But when George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed, teenage pedestrian returning home one rainy February evening from a neighborhood convenience store, the NRA went mute. ...Where was the NRA on Trayvon Martin's right to stand his ground? What happened to their principled position? Let's be clear: The Trayvon Martins of the world never had that right because the 'ground' was never considered theirs to stand on."

—Robin D.G. Kelley, in "The U.S. v. Trayvon Martin: How the System Worked." (via Shakesville)

Saturday Sharing: Actus Fidei

von_questenberg — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 19:34:49 GMT

Actus Fidei - "On the very first time that Castiel manifests in front of Father Dean Winchester, he gets as far as "Rejoice, for you are blessed-" before Dean shoots him with a salt-loaded shotgun."

Not only is this just a really good fic in general, I love that, given the ridiculous amount of virgin!Cas fic out there, this fic managed to pull off Castiel seducing virgin priest!Dean. For that it deserves a round of applause.

von_questenberg — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 18:45:21 GMT

Orlando Bloom says goodbye to Legolas

Random Galadriel love

von_questenberg — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:26:41 GMT

"Then Fëanor swore a terrible oath. His seven sons leapt straightway to his side and took the selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches. They swore an oath which none shall break, and none should take, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not; and Manwë they named in witness, and Varda, and the hallowed mountain of Taniquetil, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, or any creature, great or small, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession...
[B]ut Galadriel, the only woman of the Noldor to stand that day tall and valiant among the contending princes, was eager to be gone. No oaths she swore, but the words of Fëanor concerning Middle-earth had kindled in her heart, for she yearned to see the wide unguarded lands and to rule there a realm at her own will."

Casual reminder that Galadriel rebelled against the Valar, the great powers of Middle-Earth, just because she fucking wanted to.

Saturday Sharing: An Origin Story

von_questenberg — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 18:50:40 GMT

An Origin Story - (Elementary Hogwarts AU)"In which Joan Watson is sorted into Ravenclaw, gets the most annoying best friend ever, follows a plan and finds herself somewhere completely unexpected."

crying and sobbing

von_questenberg — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 18:34:15 GMT

After three fucking months of cleaning and painting and fixing up the condo while also working and generally trying not to kill ourselves, the condo FINALLY goes on the market on Tuesday.

Saturday Sharing: How the mouth changes its shape

von_questenberg — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:25:15 GMT

I know I rec'ed this last year, but it's now a completed fic, and it's amazing! Truly one of my favorite fics ever.

How the mouth changes its shape - "1955. Under the placid veneer of suburban playparks and middle-class conformity churns a hidden London: femmes and butches dancing close in basement bars; clandestine love between women. To Sherlock Holmes, struggling private detective and mistress of disguise, it’s a realm she renounced years before. To Johnnie Watson, daredevil ambulance driver turned auto mechanic, it’s become a little too familiar. But when someone is murdered in the washroom of the city’s most notorious lesbian club, the investigation will lead both women to reconsider their assumptions about themselves, each other, and the world in which they live."

Saturday Sharing: Ashura Won't Surrender

von_questenberg — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 16:41:51 GMT

I've decided to start a weekly series where, every Saturday, I share a fanwork - a video, a picture, a fic- that I think y'all might enjoy as much as I do. I'm going to include a wide variety of fandoms (god knows I have a ridiculous amount). So I'm starting with this TRC Ashura/Yasha video set to 'White Flag' by Dido.

von_questenberg — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 15:18:36 GMT

My new niece, Shelby Kathleen Quesenberry, was born Thursday at 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 in. I'll try to get some pictures up to share in a day or two. She's precious. ♥

Destiel Rec Post? Destiel Rec Post.

von_questenberg — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:03:48 GMT

I promised selenityshiroi a fic rec post once she caught up with Supernatural, and so I deliver and share.

My Roots Take Flight - (s4 AU, guardian angel!Dean) "After forty years in Hell, Dean’s more than willing to accept the offer: become a guardian angel and earn his freedom. But his new ward seems destined to hunt alongside Sam, and there are secrets in Heaven that the angels don’t want found out. Dean’s going to have to choose between his duty and the people he loves- and to work out just where Castiel fits in."

Sympathy for the Devil (and Dean Winchester) (s5 au, Lucifer!Dean) "After the final Seal is broken, Dean discovers that he's actually Lucifer. He's not really sure how he feels about that. The forces of Heaven and Hell aren't exactly making things easier."

On the Wings of War - (s5 canon divergence) "The four Horsemen are not just people with fancy rings. They aren’t even demons with fancy rings. They are another species entirely, a force unto themselves, and Lucifer is kidding himself if he thinks that they are at his beck and call. They are separate. They are neutral. Dean Winchester is not built like them."

Queen of Nothing (s6 au genderfuck) "Deanna couldn't make it work with Lisa and left with Cas when he showed up in Indiana. Now she's got a thousand empty spaces where Sam should be and Cas has a thousand more where Heaven should be, but the job is the job and the road is the road and they're in it together."

The Last Guys on the Bench (s8 End!verse au) "Dean and Castiel knew making it through Purgatory was never going to be easy, not with the monsters bearing down on them and all their issues too. What they weren’t expecting was the world they found when they got out."

How to Date an Angel in 12 Easy Steps "It's not that hard to date an angel. All Dean has to do is fight off hordes of vampires, research gay porn, get sucked into a crappy Narnia, endure Sam's comments, creep out on Dr. Sexy, get harassed -- oh, and that's right-- figure out he's into Cas. Easy, right?"

Kiss You When It's Dangerous "When his partner Uriel, betrays him, Federal Agent Castiel Novak is saved from becoming a ritual sacrifice by brothers Dean and Sam Winchester. Discovering the world of the supernatural and learning about werewolves, wendigoes, vampires and things that go bump in the night also leads to learning more about Dean and the strange life he and his brother lead. The more he learns, the more Castiel finds himself drawn into Dean’s world and toward Dean himself.

Until Uriel wants to complete the ritual he started."

Drive Safely "AU of 5x03 wherein Jo is the Righteous Man, it's Castiel's last night on Earth (again), and Dean is a hooker."

The Girlfriend Experience "While it's not like Dean hasn't had a couple of truly regrettable hit-and-runs in his sexual history, this is probably the saddest fucking thing that has ever happened to him."

Asunder (human au) "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6)" After years of radio silence, Dean gets an invitation to Sam and Ruby's wedding. Cas decides he's Dean's plus one.

Actus Fidei "On the very first time that Castiel manifests in front of Father Dean Winchester, he gets as far as "Rejoice, for you are blessed-" before Dean shoots him with a salt-loaded shotgun."

Only Fools Rush In "Cas lets his feelings run away with him, Gabe is a total dick, Sam is concerned, and Dean has to make a choice."

A Wincest Story "When he listened to their former angel pronounce his new official human name over and over, first giddy, then reverent—“Cas Winchester, Cas Winchester”—Sam couldn’t shake the feeling that this was somehow going to come back and bite them in the ass."

It's a Badass Afterlife "The one where when the new boss in Heaven walks inside Ash's bar with plans. Reunions happen, matchmaking happens, hacking angel radio happens and it's generally an awesome afterlife, all things considered."

EDITED 8-28-13 with more fics!

Excerpts from Carver Edlund's Magnum Opus - Bones AU where Dean is Booth and Cas is Brennan. There's also a sequel by someone else where Sam/Jess/Gabriel happens.

Ravens and Dragons - Cas is the Ravenlord and Dean is the Dragonlord and they have to build an alliance between their people to defeat the demons.

Storage Wars - Dean and Sam run a mini-storage that caters to hunters; Cas is the angel who inadvertently drags them into averting the apocalypse.

Daybreak in the Midnight City - Post-season 2 AU crossover with Marvel. Cas is a mutant with wings and Loki and Crowley are teaming up.

Burnt Shadows - Cas is sent to Earth to find Gabriel before the angels completely destroy humanity.

Aim True "Dean's a barebow archer with Olympic dreams and travels the country with John and Sam shooting. But there's this compound guy he keeps seeing who he can't get out of his head. (Archery AU)"

Critical Mass - Sam and Charlie get Dean and Cas to go to counseling to work out their issues. No seriously.

Of Wizards and Dovah - "Set in the world of ‘The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim’. Dean is Dovahkiin - the Dragonborn - said to be destined to kill the dragon Alduin, the World Eater. Castiel is the cute wizard Dean would very much like to have as an ally on his quest."

Domesticated - "Being the only angel in the entire Pacific Northwest can be tiring, even if these days Castiel spends more of his time shoveling manure than fighting off the hordes of hell. It's an occupational hazard, unfortunately; he earns most of his living rehabilitating wild animals a few miles outside Spokane. Wild animals like Dean, for instance— a mountain lion who's entirely too smart for his own good. There's a man in Castiel's dreams named Dean too, but that part's just a huge coincidence."

Angel's Wild Castiel is a disgraced angel living in the middle of nowhere; Dean is an angel hunter on his first solo hunt.

Hunting for Faith Dean and Sam are angels, Cas is a priest, and Balthazar is a hunter.

Dean is an ex-con, Sam is the lawyer who got him out, and Cas is the mute guy who lives in Ellen and Bobby's boarding house.

von_questenberg — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:37:51 GMT

Holy shit it's actually been ten years since Tsubasa started.

Drowning in love for my babies.

von_questenberg — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:40:52 GMT

Why Isn't There More Media Coverage of the West Explosion?

As soon as a preventable fatal disaster happens here in Texas, there is a nod to the casualties and then a shrug, writing us off as deserving fools who asked for this when we went (or did not go) to the ballot box. That becomes the SINGLE cause of this disaster, one that could have been prevented if us in Texas didn't live up to the low expectations of liberals in the rest of the country.

Boston, on the other hand, is a tragedy without cause. We need it to be that Islam is radical and foreign. Or that these men were angry because they were raised to be. Or, as Putin will tell us, Chechnya just produces violent people. Or that the brothers were sociopaths. Because what else could it be?

On the day of the West, Texas Memorial Service to honor those who died last week, people went to the opening of George W. Bush's Presidential Library and with an astonishing collective amnesia, discussed his presidency as if the policies he helped to enact as President, the wars he started, and the mindset he encouraged did not lead — at least in part — to last Monday's bombings. As if his own radical religion played no role in his Presidency, politics, and decisions to blow up a lot of people in another part of the world.

spn spoilers

von_questenberg — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:19:46 GMT

IGN: Should we take Crowley at his word about Kevin’s mother being dead?

Carver: That’s an excellent question, and I think we can. I mean, you have no choice until Crowley says differently... in Season 14. [Laughs]

HAHAHA No. If Linda actually is dead, my rage will be incandscent if futile.

von_questenberg — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:08:42 GMT

Hands down the best scene in Supernatural The Animation: baby Sam blowing up a possessed moose with his brain to save Dean.

von_questenberg — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:50:14 GMT

von_questenberg — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:19:30 GMT

fist pump of victory

von_questenberg — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:46:51 GMT

I have finally qualified for full-time status at work by the rules of my contract. If the assholes don't give it to me, I will take this shit to the motherfucking union.

You're welcome.

von_questenberg — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:10:55 GMT

von_questenberg — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:59:00 GMT

Long story short- I've lost internet access at home, and there are some other life issues, so I'm essentially on fandom hiatus for a while, especially wrt tumblr, since the library internet blocks half the pretty pictures (because porn) and just generally makes it a pain in the ass to try to scroll my dashboard.

I'll keep up with my shows like Supernatural and Elementary, but Doctor Who and the xxxHoLiC will be more difficult, especially xxxHoLiC which is SO EFFING GOOD I love it so much.

Supernatural 8x17

von_questenberg — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:06:42 GMT

Jamal and Zachary, the two young men who sit behind him on the bus, have just been married in Des Moines. They are eighteen, in their first year of college, and Jamal laughs as he says his mother will be angry at them marrying so young.

Zachary has a viral infection from his high school boyfriend. Castiel congratulates them on their nuptials, and burns the virus out of his blood.

The woman who checks him into his hotel room is expecting her first great-grandchildren (fraternal twins) in six months. Her name is Margaret.

He pauses as he’s about to walk away with his room key, and asks if she knows of a movie about an angel named Clarence. She laughs and tells him it’s almost Easter, not Christmas. Castiel clears her blocked arteries.

The movie is compelling if highly inaccurate. Angels are created, wings and all, by their Father’s will, and the ringing of bells is not involved. But he has always loved visiting the Heaven of Samuel Clemens.

He eats two cheeseburgers as he watches George Bailey take over the family business from his father as his younger brother goes to college. Something in him aches.