‘cause our love breaks through rough seas

witty subject note/lyric!

2011-05-27T11:07:18Z

It's been almost half a year since I updated this, and the more I put off writing something the more I have no idea what to say, but I am determined to start using this again because I've missed being on LJ, and commenting back and forth with you guys! I suppose a little update of my life is in order, but I guess the sad thing is there's really nothing new to update, besides the number of shows I've caught up with.

Really, though. Hopefully this post removes the barrier and I'll start flooding your friends page with my entries.

(PS. I had to refrain from writing irrelevant stuff in the tags text-box ala Tumblr (mine!) because unlike there, my tags system here is organized. More organized. Okay, it's pretty messy too but even in its glory mess it's still much more organized than over there.)

i swear i will use lj more often from now on!

2010-12-10T01:38:52Z

If anyone ever wondered, hey, what does Jalyn actually sound like? Here you go. But yes, I'm attempting to start posting on LJ again and trying hard to stick by it! Hopefully I won't fail big times like the last few times. I was actually planning on asking for fic requests too, but it might be too late for Christmas/New Year... /fail.

why yes i do spend my days wasting on adobe software

2010-07-14T05:34:36Z

As per this article:

It was also revealed to us that auditions for the Superman reboot are currently taking place, and our source dropped the name of one actor who they know has auditioned for the film. This actor's name is Zachary Levi, who you all know from the NBC TV show Chuck. It's unknown at this time what role he auditioned for, but one can guess that it was for the role of Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman.

I'm on the fence deciding if I want him to be Superman or not (Jimmy Olsen, maybe; he'll need to bulk up a lot for Superman!) but this was a) a great deal of lulz and fun and b) good Photoshop practice, so have at it! Original picture here, bits and pieces of the outfit from Superman Returns stills and the background from here. :)

wordsflow @ 2010-05-18T22:48:00

2010-05-18T14:48:01Z

I did a little trim on my friends list, since I don't really use LJ anymore (or at all). Case in point, if you can't see my last friends locked entry from three months ago, then I've removed you. I'm not putting in the effort required to really connect with you guys, and you deserve more than that! There's definitely no hard feelings on my end here, and I still adore all of you. Feel free to PM me if you think I made a mistake though, since I'm really sleepy right now, haha. In any case, best of luck for everything you do, and if you have Twitter or Tumblr, both of which I'm more active at than here, you can find me at straylighting on both! I'll see you on the other side. :)

here, have a question i keep asking myself.

2010-05-04T05:46:02Z

View Poll: #1560007

* I love the non-strides the writers are taking with Ted! And Lily and Marshall! And the incredible backwards journey for Barney and Robin!
*** False! Chuck is on in that very same timeslot. Please, watch it if you're not. It's amazing.

Whoops, two asterisks got lost somewhere between the last month when I was radio silent on LJ and now. Life's pretty crappy right now and I'm not dealing very well with it, but anyway! Hi guys, I miss you all. :)

go, don't stop now

2010-03-31T03:47:23Z

So two nights ago, I was like, yes, let's make posting entries a regular thing because this is a journal and it's good to be prolific! And then the server kept crapping out on me that night, so I took it as a sign. Which leads me to today! I'm actually still totally on a high after the Chuck episode yesterday, because it was excellent and just tugs at everything my heart has to offer.

In other TV news, I'm all caught up with Modern Family, and like I said on Twitter, it made me feel bad that I didn't continue after the pilot! I'll be hanging my head in shame right about now. It's amazing and hilarious, and I can't even decide which of the three families I love the most. I think my favourite moment was the dog butler and Gloria's reactions to it, but there are many other little moments I love. I'm on 4.03 of Battlestar Galactica as well, and the pilot of Psych.

The main point of this entry is this poll though is that now that I've added on my list of shows and fandoms, I'll love to see what we have in common besides those I already know! So, ticky boxes craziness, let's go. :D

View Poll: #1545487

quick monday night tv thoughts before i go to bed

2010-03-09T14:37:46Z

• Chuck vs. The Beard
I did love it, don't get me wrong at all (and I've been loving Season 3, even with the super angst and heart wrenches) but the episode was so hyped up by the critics, the writers etc. that left me with a case of overhype? Now I'm just making words up, but that's what I thought with 7 minutes left on the clock til the end and I was hoping for a Chuck/Sarah solo scene. But the Chuck and Morgan Duck Hunt end-scene was awesome, the episode was fantastic (although, since I'm a bit of a spoiler whore I knew it was Morgan who finds out, so the whole game-changing mythology la la la thing that wasn't such a surprise), and it left me feeling happy by the end of the episode again, something that the show hasn't given us since Operation Awesome, what with the wtf endings of the next few episodes (The 'Sarah smile' for Hannah, Johnnie Walker Black, Let Me Get Molested And Be A Pin-up Girl For Work Place Sexual Harassment, and the overall 'this is the lowest point' in Fake Name).

So what I'm saying is, I did love it! But maybe not as much as everyone else is, apparently. Especially people who are heralding this as the best episode ever - not so much for me, because hello, Colonel! And I'm going to be happy knowing that at least 3.13 will have the chance to knock that off for best ever for me. :D

Oh, and also, I love that everything is still about Sarah when it comes down to it. Chuck's inability to flash came from her, and to clear that block, all - okay, fine, most - he needed to do was admit to himself that he loves her.

And! So incredibly proud of Zachary Levi for his directorial debut! It came together pretty nicely; a few more episodes and experience under his belt and he'll be formidable.

• HIMYM - Of Course
I don't even know, guys, I don't even know how to express in words what I feel about this episode. And the fandom at large really. I am (was?) so ready to slowly let it fade into the background, but then for once in this season, Robin wasn't as badly written and I'm just all 'Whaaaat' about it. Like, I hated the Don stuff obviously, I strongly disliked Marshall this episode for all the Don-pushing he did, but the Robin/Barney stuff... Man. Seriously, I don't know. I was content living in my little alternate universe where Robin isn't the worst female character on TV and Barney isn't a one-hit-wonder cartoon, and then growth happened this episode. It just made me ache for (good!! keyword!) Barney/Robin again and made me remember why I love them in the first place. I'm really hoping the Don stuff gets over and done with soon - I don't see how wonderful he is, he certainly doesn't deserve Robin in my books (see, in my world still, Robin is a wonderfully crafted, albeit flawed, but caring and loyal and layered woman who has some self-respect). I'm not saying that Robin and Barney have to get back together - in fact, if they are going to write them as horribly as they did this season, I'm not sure I want them to, but all I want is for them to be awesome again like before.

Annnd, gun fetish. I has it. That is all.

• And finally, Castle! This is my first live as it airs episode after watching it for the first time and catching up last week in three days, which I believe is a record.
Castle - The Mistress Always Spanks Twice
Okay, so I've been trying reaaaaally hard not to fall in love with Castle/Beckett, because yeah, fellow Booth/Brennan shippers, you understand the pain. Unfortunately, my resolve isn't sticking because I love the dynamics between Castle and Beckett, the inherent spark they have and their snappy dialogue and smirks and looks - it all came together in a very attractive package I can't say no to.

And Ryan and Esposito are adorable. Ryan and his girlfriend! Just generally goofing around! I think one of my favourite plots was the two related murders and the office pool on which pair's going to solve it first. But really, I think the right words to say are just: I'm ridiculously into this show. Yay!

• There's not much to say about TBBT, although Penny's closing comment - yes, please. I've fallen off the Life Unexpected wagon, so I'm going to wait for the entire season to air before watching it, I think, although I do still love me some Shiri Appleby. Otherwise, in other TV news, I caught up with Community (love it), catching up with Legend of the Seeker now (love it, want to write Chuck/Sarah into that world and die a little on the inside thinking about it), I have the Battlestar Galactica mini-series and Season 1 on my hard drive so I'll do it after finishing LotS' first season and waiting for the second to be, uh, obtained.

Annnd... that is all, thank you for reading and stay awesome, guys!

thoughts on 3.08 chuck vs the fake name

2010-03-02T03:03:06Z

First things, I didn't hate it. Not even that scene, and while I don't enjoy that last scene either, I think on a grand scheme of things, this was a much better episode than Chuck vs. The Mask for me, since I wasn't left with a feeling of extreme dread when the end rolled by.

- I said on Twitter that I'm actually not upset about the name reveal and how it was done (I love the name Sam in general, and I have something of an inside joke with alreadyletgo about it ;)), and the situation that led up to the reveal to Shaw. I know we were all gunning for Sarah to tell it to Chuck, but it wasn't the character assassination we'd been told to brace for per Chuck Me Monday's blog entry. Here's my take:

Sarah was vulnerable, and Shaw was there. I can see the name reveal (to Shaw) being a last-ditch effort to try and ground herself, because everything she's known is slipping away - Chuck lying effortlessly to everyone, Chuck not being the person she fell in love with in seasons prior. Shaw just being there is him taking advantage of her vulnerability (also, how creepy is he?) - if she and say, Casey were having the same talk, I can see her doing the same thing. Afterall, she did once, in vs. The Crown Vic: "Do you ever just want to have a normal life? Have a family, children?"

I can see what the writers are going with here; I'm just not sure Shaw should be the person Sarah's rebounding with. Sarah's always been someone who controls her emotions on a very tight leash (and fails like, 70% of the time), and remember, at this point, Sarah (possibly) knows Chuck slept with Hannah (via video surveillance, occupation hazard!), Sarah, with some help, set up the nice dinner for him to impress Hannah (ALSO I LOVE THE KNIFE THROW), and for all intents and purposes, Sarah and Chuck had a clean break-up in vs. The Mask. Like I said, Shaw is just there and just being incredibly opportunistic and being at the right place at the right time. Even that last scene, when she brought takeout back to Castle for Shaw (sidebar, I really enjoy seeing Sarah trying to be a conventional tv girlfriend) - she had no idea that Chuck had broke it off with Hannah. And for what reason? Simple - Sarah's near death shook him out of his little, carefully crafted world safe of anything real and thus potentially heartbreaking. It comes with the spy territory, doesn't it?

- I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that in what seemed like her last moments, Sarah was staring at Chuck. And not to mention all the little face changes in other scenes that Yvonne Strahovski do so, so fantastically well. Chuck not being able to flash when Sarah's in life-threatening danger was ominous, too. I don't know, I may have to think more about that one when I rewatch it.

- The excessive Chuck/Hannah PDA, I can do without so much! However, that towel and Ellie scene was pretty awesome. Ellie is such a Chuck/Sarah loyalist, and I appreciate that. Also, Casey is #2 shipper, don't even deny it.

- Speaking of awesome, that Ellie/Chuck talk is pretty awesome. Chuck knows he's hit rock-bottom, and he needs someone to rein him in from what he could become. Chuck has been plenty cocky with his abilities this season (I even agree with the Shaw slap) and this is the deepest he can go. I'm certain that the following episodes leading to 13 would build his character and find a balance between old, and new Chuck, and I am very very excited for that. :)

I think what we have to remember is that this is episode 8 out of an epic 13 episode arc. To get to that epic-ness from 9 onwards (for both the spy mythology and for the Chuck/Sarah relationship), we need to have something on the line. The heavier the stakes, the better the payoff. I think it's safe to say that it's firmly established that Chuck and Sarah will find their ways back to each other (to take the words from a critic, I forgot which - Alan Sepinwall, maybe?), they've walked past each other in the room and completely missed each other. Now, with all the build-up for that done, it's time for them to retrace their steps and get on the right course.

I got out of bed at 6:50AM to watch the video. THE THINGS THE SHOW DOES TO ME.

2010-02-23T23:51:05Z

stumbled, started to slip and fall (maybe for you, now)

2010-02-01T16:20:49Z

GUYS. I'M ALL DONE AND POSTED.

stumbled, started to slip and fall (maybe for you, now)
Chuck, rated R for sex (whaddya know, it's a surprise, porn battle and all), 3205 words, Chuck/Sarah

( The world doesn’t end, doesn’t come crashing down when she kisses down on his lips so hard, she almost tastes the sweet lace of blood on her tongue. But she’s getting ahead of herself here. )

It's a fake-cut to my writing community (flowcharts) because I, being the undecided person that I am, can't figure out if I want to post fics here or there, and settled with there on this one. BUT ANYWAY. If you could let me know what you think, I'll love you forever. (If you want to leave a comment at the challenge post itself, the comment is here!) I'm kind of bummed I didn't write fast enough so that I can fit other fandoms in it, but I might just see what I can do after the challenge closes.

maybe these ruby shoes are a little cumbersome for you

2010-01-29T15:36:44Z

1060 words, and no porn in sight yet. What is my life? I'm trying to write PWP and it's turning out to be without plot and without porn. It's a W. Just a W. But anyway, who wants to beta Chuck/Sarah for me once this is written? Possibly hopefully in 12 hours from now. You're going to have so much fun times with commas and semi-colons. :D

i think maybe i need to stop playing my chuck playlist

2010-01-25T01:54:31Z

Someone talk me out of writing Zac/Yvonne and/or Chuck/Sarah for Porn Battle IX. Mostly because I know myself and I know that the porn won't write itself, and it'll defeat the entire purpose of the challenge. (Although, this is also a nudge to the writers on my flist - Get to it!)

:)

2010-01-24T06:40:48Z

The first ten people to comment in this post get to request that I write a drabble of any pairing/character of their choosing. In return, they have to post this in their journal, regardless of their ability level. (Or not, I don't really mind either way! Check my profile for fandoms and pairings. And also, I'm itching to write fic, so "drabble" could turn into a full-length fic, depending! Prompts would also be great!)

4/10 left!

random thought - this is reason #2843289 why i love chuck:

2010-01-18T13:35:06Z

I Can't Make You Want Me, by Tim Brantley, used in that promo (oh, you know which one I'm talking about) being an almost complete foreshadow to Chuck/Sarah and everyone got whacked in the face with it with not realising until later. Or I know at least it did to me, when I listened for its lyrics! It's still stinging, okay. Here, let's italicise the relevant parts.

Here's the thing: I can't give you something you don't need.
It's out of my hands again.
There's no one else,
They're holding on to how we'll still be friends;
You can't let that pull you in.

"And I can't make you want me," she said,
"But I can love you enough for the both of us."

Well here's this thing
I can't give you something you don't need
You know it's out of my hands again.
An idle one, every single line of beauty that you've hurt
Is bringing it back again.

"And I can't make you want me -
And I can't make you want me -
And I can't make you want me," she said,
"But I can love you enough for the both of us."

And let's not even delve into how Backwards Walk and Model Homes are entirely appropriate songs. If I used my last.fm, these three songs (well, okay, along with Greg Laswell's Your Ghost for its involvement in that Dollhouse episode; which reminds me I need to rant a little about it eventually) will be scrobbled so often the site would probably think it's a bug.

Interestingly, all three songs are from Sarah's POV. I likey. :D

ANYWAY. CANADA. You're on notice; you failed me today with no torrent. But I also want to hail technology and whoever made live streaming tv channels possible so I don't have to wait for hours after it airs to get it! I've never watched anything on a live stream before the premiere, and I'm not sure how I'll be able to go back to waiting for shows again, except for maybe HIMYM, I guess, since it's on at the same time as Chuck and eh, I know where my loyalties lie.

3.03 Chuck vs The Angel de la Muerte (Chuck/Sarah scenes; picspam)

2010-01-17T15:38:40Z

Ellie: Oh, I'm sorry, of course, of course, this must be really hard for you guys.
Sarah: Yeaah. It is.
Ellie: I mean, one minute you're broken up, and then the next minute you're on this incredibly sexy date.
--
Devon: So what's the deal with you guys? Not to be crass or anything, but you and Sarah ever, like, you know.
Chuck: No.
Devon: Never?
Chuck: No.
Devon: Huh. I always thought you guys were like a real couple.
--
Ellie: Sarah, do you still have feelings for my brother?
Sarah: No, no! We're - Chuck and I… are just friends.
Ellie: Sarah, please, look at yourself right now. I mean, look at the dress. Look me in the eye and tell me that you guys are just friends.
--
Chuck: Yeah, it's our job to fool people like you.
Devon: Wow. That must be hard. And not just the not having sex part, that must be excruciating. But having to fake like you're in love with someone for almost three years - especially someone like her. How do you do it, Chuck? How do you not fall for her?
--
Sarah: I don't think that you understand our situation.
Ellie: I understand completely. I do, you know, you go through hot and cold patches. When Devon and I got married, we kind of put the passion on hold but being here, in a place like this, it's just - it brings it all back, you know? Feels like it did in the beginning.

And she really looked down at her hands. AMAZING. Basically, I want to echo everything Ellie said and say 'Word.'

Equally interestingly is Chuck's reaction to Devon's question if they have had sex before, the speed of which he denied can be taken in just one way in my sad little shipper mind: after the rehearsal dinner. Because you know they totally did it then, before things got complicated and before he threw away everything she worked hard for for him.

Sarah: Chuck?
Chuck: Just follow my lead, huh.

TAKE-CHARGE!CHUCK. THAT IS ALL. And they're so in sync with each other -- and I'm not just talking about dancing. The exchange earlier, when they were spotting the false alarm: That was lovely. Also, her WTF face - HAHAHA. I love it so hard. That and her OMG face. She makes the best expressions.

And of course there's the callback to the forbidden dance with Bryce when Sarah wouldn't let him lead... And she let Chuck do it without even as much as a protest, even a weak one. I was dying when she kept spinning though, like literally giggling. And for someone who doesn't know what Chuck is doing, Sarah matches him move for move, step for step.

And finally: I just spent like the past few minutes just rewatching that scene. Dancing kink, I has it.

Sarah: What the hell do you think you're doing.
Chuck: I don't know, what the hell do you think you're doing?
Sarah: Bringing a civilian in here? You have any idea how far up the reservation you've gone?
Chuck: Oh yeah, and what do you call invading foreign soil against orders?
Sarah: I have no choice.
Chuck: Well, we're coming with you.
Sarah: No, trust me, you don't want any part of this and neither do you. What happened? I thought you didn't want your family getting messed up with the CIA.
Chuck: Okay, look, before you say anything else and before you go running off and getting yourself shot, Devon thinks he can get us into the consulate. The premier has invited him to be his personal physician.
Devon: Okay, here's the plan -
Sarah: Stop right there. I am way ahead of you.

I can't begin to say how much I love seeing Sarah packing and Chuck unpacking what she just packed inside the bag. They play off each other so well, guys! And I totally dig when Sarah has the liberty to be pissed at him for good reason (Chuck vs. The Lethal Weapon comes to mind, when she took the clip board and got all pissed and shoved it at the nerd herd desk and glared at him.)

AND HIS SMILE.

Devon: You and what army?
Sarah: Ah, that would be Sarah, and uh, her fists.
--
Sarah: Let's go.
Devon: That's some woman, bro.
Chuck: You have no idea.

Heeee. :D And I realized I forgot that previous scene when the same thing happened at the ball, only with them being like, 'She's good.' 'The best.'

Chuck: Uh, listen, I've been um, I've been meaning to ask. What do you think our cover should be, you know, moving forward.
Sarah: Well, I think we should keep it simple, so… how about friends?
Chuck: Friends, huh? Yeah, that could work. I suppose I could fake being friends with someone like you.
Sarah: And I don't find you completely repulsive, so…
Chuck: Thanks.
Sarah: So yeah, friends.
Chuck: Yeah, yeah, friends.
Sarah: So, what exactly do friends do?
Chuck: What do friends do? Uh, what is it, Friday night? Friday night, Morgan and I will normally gorge ourselves on some processed food and video games.
Sarah: Maybe we're not quite there yet.
Chuck: Okay, we can work out some other options.

So, what exactly do friends do? Well, friends do not gaze so intensely into each other's eyes, if that's what you want to hear, Sarah. But also I love that you can totally see that Chuck wanted her to maybe suggest that they'd slip back into the same cover, but this is so much lovelier, because it's not a cover. They're really friends, beneath it all (and I can even argue that Chuck is (one of) Sarah's best friend(s, Carina being the other), ala what we saw in Chuck vs. The Best Friend) and I firmly believe that this will solidify the bond they have with each other.

Which brings me to something I wanted to say, which contains spoilers so don't read on if you don't want to be spoiled at all! Was I worried about Shaw (and to a lesser extent, Hannah) when I first knew of the writers' plans for the season? Yes, yes I was. Did the writers completely fulfill my condition of "do[ing] a really good job convincing me that they'd be in the right mindset to be interested in other people"? Absolutely. Well, okay, maybe not quite exactly in the way that I thought it would go, but I'm definitely sold on the idea that they can now ride on their 'friends' status and be interested in other people to test the waters, so to speak. Would it be excruciating for us to watch? Yeah, I think pretty much, but if the pay off is them having such a solid foundation for when they do actually get together, I'll take it.

-- END SPOILER TALK --

Also: HAND PORN. Unf.

And I'll like to see Sarah play video games with him, to be honest. Make her completely suck at Call of Duty, and Chuck has to hold her hands from behind to guide her with the controller...

Chuck: Hey! Changed your mind about tonight? What? What is it?
Sarah: Devon's been (SOMETHING, SOMETHING.)
Chuck: Oh my god.
Ellie: Hey guys, have you seen my husband?

Faaaces. :( The relationship was theoretical but the concern is real. I do love that she reaches for a hug without even hesitating, and the way they looked at each other after Ellie saw them. OTP OTP OTP, BASICALLY.

Other things I loved:
• Sarah and her teasing Casey. :D The parallel to 'Just like Prague, huh?' is in a word, awesome.
• Sarah being a BAMF.
• Devon's expressions. He slays me, fact.
• If the budget cut is making it very obvious that there will be Family episodes and Buy More episodes, I want to stake claims on the former and cling to them!
• The crossed arms stances that Casey and Sarah sport, oh my goddd, hilarious.

Things I didn't love :(:
• They need to give Ellie more to do (ahem, LET HER KNOW CHUCK IS A SPY) because I feel bad that she's literally the only person in the family who isn't in the know.
• I... think I may be still in the honeymoon period because I still love everything!
• HAVING TO WAIT A WEEK FOR NEW EPISODES NOW.

If you're looking for more of my scathing commentary with pretty pictures (all credit to the pretty people, really), you should follow my tumblr! Okay, so you won't get scathing commentary or anything really exciting, but I can promise you unrelentless fangirling! (And: one more day to new Chuck, awesome!)

i am obsessed with in-flight safety's model homes, fyi. obssessed is mild.

2010-01-15T14:04:22Z

http://straylighting.tumblr.com
Hi, my name is Jay and I'm new at tumblr and lost! Who wants to hold my hand? I mean, I get the re-blog and the fandom-y things to do, but what's the tumblr etiquette? Do I just follow anyone I find interesting? (PS, as long as I remember you have a tumblr, I've followed you! And if I haven't, leave me a link in the comments, please and thank you!) Who/what are the must-follows? What should I be doing first? What is the spoiler policy? Why does this mood theme image crack me up so hard? Help me, Obi-flist Kenobi, you're my only hope.

3.02 Chuck vs The Three Words (Chuck/Sarah scenes; picspam)

2010-01-13T16:43:31Z

Carina: So, why are you still here? How long can you possibly have to protect some doofus at a stereo store?
Sarah: You know, I don't really want to talk about work.
Carina: Ah. So you're sleeping with him.
Sarah: We have a very professional relationship.
Carina: Oh.
Sarah: What?
Carina: Nothing. You're just really into him, that's all.
Sarah: Can we please not talk about Chuck?
Carina: Oh my god, Walker.
Sarah: What?
Carina: You broke the cardinal rule of spying, didn't you?

I'm gonna put it out there - I love Carina. I was really excited about her coming back, and this episode really didn't disappoint. I love how Carina is the one person who's able to call Sarah out on her bullshit and read her like an open book (back in vs. The Wookiee, she knew long before anybody did that Sarah wanted Chuck. And, oh yeah, Sarah wants Chuck real bad. :D) Still, this is the first time out of a few this episode that Carina gets a rise out of Sarah, so that's always good.

ALSO. SARAH BOPPING LIKE A CUTE THING AT THE START OF THE SCENE. I WAS DYING. I don't know if it's Sarah just awkwardly bopping and bouncing to the music, or if it's Yvonne awkwardly doing that to no music therefore being awkward, but it's the cutest thing.

Sarah: Chuck. What are you doing here, you spying on me?
Chuck: I don't - no, I'm just here for an innocent evening. With an old friend. Yeah, we're just here, soaking in the sights and sounds and whatever the evening may bring.
Sarah: Great!
Chuck: Great!
Sarah: Good!
--
Carina: Sarah Walker, my best friend, and Chuck, the boyfriend.
Chuck: That's right, Chuck the boyfriend, that's me!
--
Chuck: What about me, love? Oh, love, yeah, love is a powerful tonic, isn't that?
Sarah: Huh.
--
Carina: What, you think I'm an idiot? It's the cardinal rule. Spies don't fall in love.

First two caps - look at the mirroring perplexed looks on their faces. But how cute is that little scene? That offended look from Sarah when she asked if he was spying on her, Chuck babbling away, and then Sarah's like 'Great!' and he's like 'Great!' and she's like 'Good!' and it would have gone on and on if Carl hadn't appeared. And arm over shoulder, and just how awkward they are, but look at their (fake) happy grins! Then at the end, when Carina goes on about the cardinal rule, Sarah looks pissed off.

Carina should come back more often. (There's still time to fit her in that last six episodes, right? ;))

Carina: Hm. Here, this charm bracelet looks like something a sucker in love might wear, hm?
Sarah: Uh, no. It's not really my thing.
Carina: You wanna talk about what happened with him? (stony silence from Sarah) When we wrap this mission, maybe you should come with me to my next assignment. I know it's not Burbank, but ah, you could make the best of St. Tropez, right?
Sarah: Do you ever wonder about a different life?
Carina: You mean like, if all these was real? If we were really getting ready for my engagement party?
Sarah: Yeah.

I don't know if it's obvious yet but I LOVE CARINA. Sigh, the charm bracelet. Also, this is the second time Sarah's asked someone about a normal life, the first time being with Casey in Chuck vs. The Crown Vic - "Do you ever just wanna have a normal life? Have a family, children?" Anyway, it's heartbreaking how she's pushed her feelings down so that the job comes first. But also ee! That the bracelet is in her little box.

Carl: I'm sure you're going to be next up the altar.
Chuck: I'll be the happiest guy in the world.
Sarah: He really would be. HAHAHAHAHA.

AND THE AWARD FOR MOST HILARIOUS REACTION IN A SCENE THIS EPISODE GOES TO... drumroll please! Sarah's laughter about killed me. It's like she thinks it's the most hilarious thing ever. But whatever it is, Strahovski is killing me with adorableness already, how am I going to get through this entire season??

Chuck: Sarah, listen. I feel like there's been this - this thing, hanging over us. You know, ever since Prague. I mean. I miss you. I miss this, I miss us.
Sarah: Carl's on the move.
Chuck: Look look look look. What I'm trying to say is, even though we're on a mission, it feels good to hang out together, to talk as friends. You know, kind of like we did before. What do you think?
Sarah: It's just a cover, Chuck.

Again with the vs. The Crown Vic callback. Which is really fitting, because in vs. The Imported Hard Salami, she threw everything up in the air and kissed him when she thought they were gonna die, whereas in vs The Pink Slip, she threw everything up in the air and opened her heart to him, only for him to break it and then stomp on it for good measure. I don't blame her for being cold and frigid to him at all this time, because he deserves it after what he did to her in Prague.

Carina: What the hell are you doing to my mission? You and Sarah are supposed to be a happy couple.
Chuck: Look, ever since I came back from Prague, Sarah's been so cold.
Carina: You idiot. The reason Sarah's cold is because she loves you.

Preach it, sister. Basically I love how everybody on the show ships them, really.

Chuck: Sarah, hey, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Carina said something to me and I know it's not the best time but I really need to talk to you.
Sarah: Okay, Chuck, we need to focus on the mission. Carina is getting the key. Come on.

Heee, hand holding. ♥ (I'm so easy.) On to my one gripe about the episode: Chuck badgering her about it seems almost like S1 Chuck, the Chuck who bumbles along missions. Heh, in fact, the same Chuck who badgered Sarah relentlessly about Bryce in vs. The Wookiee, too. You'd think that the Chuck right now would know better than to deal with personal matters during a mission.

Chuck: I'm not flashing, Sarah. Maybe if we could just talk, for a second.
Sarah: Okay, Chuck. I am right here, and we can talk about whatever you want to talk about later. We just have to get our hands on that weapon first. We'll talk. I promise.

Yes. Hello, gratuitous cap of Chuck taking his jacket off. Also, I love how confident Chuck gets when he flashes. And look at how impressed Sarah is! It's like, she probably hates Intersect 2.0 but she can't help but find it sexy, am I right?

Chuck: Sarah. Sarah, I don't want to regret not telling you everything that I wanted to tell you. I'm not a normal spy, you know that, I know that, I'm a regular guy who works at a Buy More. The decision that I made in Prague, I know what it looks like, I know that it looks like I chose being a spy over, over being with you but that's not what happened. What I felt about you is real, very, very real, and I know that you know how I felt about you for a long time, you know when Carina told me what you said, those three words that I waited to hear for so long… Look, Sarah, I know you're probably very hurt, you're probably hurt that I didn't run away with you in Prague -
(SARAH KICKS ASS!)
Chuck: Sarah. I love you.

(Full Chuck speech at the end when Sarah views the video, by the way!) That shocked look on her face says it all. Remember when I said in my picspam commentary for the premiere episode, that it's very odd for these two episodes to play back to back? Here's why, for me: In that episode, Sarah very pointedly told Casey ("I promise you, he is not in love with me.") Now, I think it will work perfectly if it was aired a week after, like it was planned, meaning it'll send us shippers into a tizzy. Not that we don't already know he's still in love with her. I think the pay off would be so much grander if the revelation was a week apart though, since we don't find out his reasons why he left her in Prague in the premiere, and only 30 minutes later we find out why. Still, I love it, and while his reasons are very noble and Chuck-like, I still don't blame Sarah for being hurt.

General Beckman: Agent Walker. Is everything okay?
Sarah: It's about Chuck's safety.
General Beckman: I thought he just needed some sleep.
Sarah: Well, it's about me managing Chuck and keeping his emotions in check so that the Intersect can work. I'm beginning to think I'm more a part of the problem than the solution and I think a different agent might have more success in training him.
General Beckman: Let me be clear, Agent Walker. I don't know or want to know what happened between you two, but this is your job and Chuck's safety depends on you. So get over it and teach him how to be a real spy.
Sarah: Well, time to train, Chuck. Let's go.

SHE IS SO PRETTY. I DON'T GET HOW.

Sarah: Lives are on the line. We need to get the 2.0 working right. You want to be a real spy, you need to act like one.
Chuck: I am a real spy.
Sarah: A real spy would have flashed on the bo. Been able to defend himself. Come on, Chuck. The program is in the 2.0. You can do this.
Chuck: It doesn't work, it's not working. I'm - I'm too emotional. But if we could just talk, really quick -
Sarah: You need to learn to ignore your emotions. Spies do not have feelings; feelings get you killed. You need to learn to bury them in a place deep inside.
Chuck: Sarah. Stop.
Sarah: Come on! Flash! Show me your attack skills! Come on, Chuck! Flash! Show me!
Chuck: No.
Sarah: Why not?
Chuck: Because I don't want to hurt you.
Sarah: Don't worry, Chuck. You can't.

I love this scene more than words can say, basically. We see exactly how deeply Chuck's hurt Sarah, the raw emotions shining through even when the conversation is about needing to bury them deep. Once again, I think Yvonne Strahovski is one of the best actors on television. Her performances are so layered and complex without being over the top, and it really eats at your heart. Everybody is saying how this third season is Chuck going from man to spy, but I'm equally interested in seeing more of Sarah going from agent to normal girl.

In other news, I WANT MY ARMS TO BE LIKE THAT. :|

Chuck: I get it, man, I get it, okay? You took a chance, you love someone, maybe for the first time in your life. All you've ever done before is, is shut off your feelings, you bury them deep down inside because in your profession, in your line of work, it's a liability, right? It can certainly be a liability. And I know, I know that you think you messed up your life because you opened up your heart, but maybe you helped her to open up her heart in the process. Maybe because you love her, she's learned how to love too.
--
Sarah: Spies don't fall in love.

Say it like you mean it, Sarah. Not with that look on your face.

Sarah: I'm listening if there's something you wanna say.
Chuck: I'm sure there's somewhere else you'd rather be.
Sarah: No, I'm good here. For now.
Chuck: You're right, I'm not a real spy. I'm emotional and that makes me a liability.
Sarah: Not always. You might not have flashed but you did your job. You got to Carl and you got him down and if it weren't for your emotions he'd have killed Carina. It's quite a mess we made.
Chuck: Yeah. I'm really hoping we can clean it up though.
Sarah: Maybe. But you're on your own with the courtyard. I'll see you at work tomorrow.

Huh. She's adorable. It's also the lightest we've seen them this episode, and it made me smile. All the double meanings, (also how cute is her hitched 'No~'?) and cleaning up the mess, and the expressions on their faces speaking volumes more than their words do, and eee. Just precious. ♥

Chuck: Look, Sarah, I know, I know that you're probably very hurt, you're probably hurt that I didn't run away with you in Prague. I get that, I'm sorry. You have to know that you were everything I ever wanted. But how can I do that, how can I run away with you knowing what I turned my back on, you know, knowing that what I have in my head could help a lot of people. And you're the one that taught me that being a spy is choosing something bigger, it's about putting aside your own personal feelings for the greater good. And that's what I choose. I chose to be a spy for my friends, and my family, and you. I chose to be a spy because Sarah. I love you.

Sigh, again with the amazing acting. Both of them killed me here too. My heart, it is broken. As noble and passionate as it is, it still doesn't make it right to break her heart to tiny pieces though. Couldn't you have told her this in Prague itself? :|

Full speech: Sarah. Sarah, I don't want to regret not telling you everything that I wanted to tell you. I'm not a normal spy, you know that, I know that, I'm a regular guy who works at a Buy More. I'm not like Carina, some cold-hearted spy who throws around words like love. The decision that I made in Prague, I know what it looks like, I know that it looks like I chose being a spy over, over being with you but that's not what happened. What I felt about you is real, very, very real, and I know that you know how I felt about you for a long time, you know when Carina told me what you said, those three words that I waited to hear for so long… Look, Sarah, I know, I know that you're probably very hurt, you're probably hurt that I didn't run away with you in Prague. I get that, I'm sorry. You have to know that you were everything I ever wanted. But how can I do that, how can I run away with you knowing what I turned my back on, you know, knowing that what I have in my head could help a lot of people. And you're the one that taught me that being a spy is choosing something bigger, it's about putting aside your own personal feelings for the greater good. And that's what I choose. I chose to be a spy for my friends, and my family, and you. I chose to be a spy because Sarah. I love you.

Other things I loved:
• ...Carina. If that's not obvious. She's the perfect counterpoint to Sarah, and I really want to see her in more episodes if the writers would allow it.
• Sarah being a BAMF.
• Um, basically everything in this episode ever.

Things I didn't love :(:
• I LOVED EVERYTHING. Well okay except maybe Carina/Morgan, because I'm a secret Carina/Casey shipper at heart. But other than that, this episode is ranked up really high on my list.
• OH, I remember what I was disappointed about! We never got to learn more about the show's back story, even if just a throwaway line about Sarah, Casey and Carina's mission in Prague pre-series! I'd have loved to learn more, haha. 'Just like Prague, huh?'

I am totally going to reply the comments on the first episode's picspam, I swear. After I get up in the morning in a few hours! ♥

SPOILERS. ABOUT... COME ON, WHAT ELSE DO I TALK ABOUT.

2010-01-12T20:24:40Z

It's 4:15 AM, I should be back in bed (or, you know, replying to comments like I resolve to, or continue with my Chuck vs The Three Words picspam), but I'm too wired to do so. Why? Casting sides for 3.14.

I MIGHT BE PERMANENTLY STUCK IN CAPSLOCK MODE. SHOW, YOU'RE.... AWESOME. When the additional six was picked up, I was adamant that Chuck and Sarah need at least those six episodes to themselves together, but I think I was only half-joking when I called it. (I think.) BUT OH. MY. GOD. LOOK AT THESE:

'who happens to be traveling with his two thugs on the same train as Chuck and Sarah'

'until it's revealed he's a steward on the train carrying Chuck and Sarah. He brings many room service meals to them in their compartment, and wryly reminds them that the train does have a dining car'

Sarah strikes up a conversation with him in Polish in order to stealthily relieve him of his handcuffs'

IF YOU'RE SEEING WHAT I'M SEEING. I'M FREAKING OUT HERE AND FLAILING WITH JOY. THEY'RE ON A TRAIN TOGETHER. MANY ROOM SERVICE MEALS. NOW OKAY, OF COURSE, I THOUGHT ABOUT IT BEING A COVER FOR AN ASSIGNMENT. BUT SARAH DOESN'T HAVE HER HANDCUFFS AND NEED TO 'BORROW' IT FROM THAT LAST GUY. SO THAT MAKES ME THINK THAT THIS IS A CASUAL TRIP, RIGHT? GUESS WHAT THE EPISODE IS CALLED? CHUCK VS THE HONEYMOONER.

SOMEONE COME AND DISPLAY THE APPROPRIATE EMOTIONS WITH ME.

3.01 Chuck vs The Pink Slip (Chuck/Sarah scenes; picspam)

2010-01-11T15:28:07Z

Chuck: Sarah, did Casey tell you, they're moving me to a training facility, I'm going to be a real spy!
Sarah: I know, I heard. Come on.
Chuck: What's the matter?
Sarah: If you do this, if you go, you're going to be a spy for the rest of your life. Every city is going to be a new mission, and a new identity, and you're not going to be the same person.
Chuck: Yeah, that's a great thing.
Sarah: Chuck, listen. We could…
Chuck: We could what?
Sarah: We could run. Together. You, and me. Go now and we never look back.
Chuck: Are you serious?
Sarah: I have some money saved up, I'd have to get us some new identities, create an escape route. For now, go to the training facility in Prague, and meet me at the Nadrazi train station, in three weeks' time at 7 o'clock, and then I can figure the rest out later.
Chuck: What are you saying?
Sarah: I'm saying I wanna be a real person again. With you. This is what you want, right? I mean, this is it, Chuck. Will you run away with me?
Chuck: Yeah.

UHHHHH, LAFDSJKLASDFKLASDF. BASICALLY. It kills me, absolutely kills me to see Sarah's face lighting up, to see Chuck's doing the same, and for Sarah to even think of this plan so that they can be together and Chuck can remain innocent and untouched. Yvonne is so good at what she does.

Sarah: Hello, Chuck. What are you doing here?
Chuck: Don't worry. This is not about us. I'm purely here for back-up. I need to prove to Beckman -
Sarah: Kiss me.
Chuck: What? Right now? Don't you think we should talk first? I'm getting mixed signals.
Sarah: Kiss me now!

Sigh, what a copout kiss. But do I mind? No, not really. :D The slap and the way the music stopped was aces, though.

Sarah: I - wanted to say a proper goodbye.
Chuck: It's been a pleasure working with you, Agent Walker.
Sarah: You too, Agent Bartowski.
Chuck: I appreciate that, but I think we both know that the whole agent thing didn't really work out. If I could go back in time -
Sarah: Uh, Chuck.
Chuck: Please, Sarah, let me get this off my chest. At least I can live knowing that I at least told you everything about how I felt. You owe me that.

First things first. I can't remember if I've been vocal on my lj about this, but here it is: Chuck Bartowski is a talk-blocker. He's this selfless guy when it comes to everyone... but Sarah. With her, it's almost like he forgets that she's feeling something from whatever's going on between them too, and whatever he's feeling is the most important because he's him, and she's Sarah. Anywaaay, this conversation, it almost embodies what I feel about it. In other news: WHO GIVES A HANDSHAKE TO THE PERSON YOU LOVE AND SAYING GOODBYE TO?? Sarah Walker, apparently.

Sarah: Here is your ticket, and your new passport. Your name is Hector Calderon.
Chuck: Sarah, wait.
Sarah: We have plenty of time to talk on the train. Right now, we have to act fast. Trust me, Chuck, it's all going to work out fine.

Oh my god, my heart. (And also: Hector Calderon? Oh, Sarah.) Also, haha - "right now, we have to act fast, but it's okay if I start making out with you anyway."

Sarah: Uh. That's not the kiss that I was expecting.
Chuck: Sarah, there's an entire facility here, dedicated and designed to turning me into Intersect 2.0. I mean, think about it. Think about me being a real spy, you know, living a life of adventure, and doing things that really matter.
Sarah: It's not that simple. You don't know who you're working for, and it's complicated. Nothing is real. This - this is simple. This is a real life. We have to go, Chuck. This is it. Are you coming?
Chuck: I can't. I'm sorry.

Faaaace. Eyes. Tear-filled eyes. And Chuck's the emotional one? Mhm, okay, Sarah! But god, she is such a wreck. I'll get impulsive and mad if I were her too, and Chuck had treated me that way.

Sarah: Chuck. Don't freak out.

:D :D

Sarah: What are you doing?
Chuck: Zip line. It'll work, I promise.
Sarah: Okay. I trust you.

It's not a big surprise that I get tingly when Sarah trusts Chuck. But what I find really interesting and awesome is that intersect 2.0 works when Chuck needs to protect Sarah, even in its very first act in the intersect room, when Miles was threatening Sarah's safety. Broken down to the simplest denominator, if that - the impulse, the instinct to protect her - isn't the purest form of affection, I don't know what is.

Sarah: Chuck? We should talk.
Chuck: Absolutely. I'll go first. (Sure.) Sarah, they wanted me to be a spy, okay. They told me that I could make a difference. For years I've been kicking around not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, like a loser, and then one day, really important people told me that they thought I could change the world. Me, Chuck Bartowski. It was never about you -
Sarah: Stop. I acted impulsively, and it's a mistake I don't usually make. And it won't happen again.
Chuck: But Sarah…
Sarah: You're a spy now, Chuck. You have to keep your feelings to yourself.

Sarah's 'And it won't happen again' is very, very reminiscent to the explosive 'The Incident' exchange in Chuck vs The Crown Vic. ("What happened was a mistake. One I will not make again.") AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED. It is glorious.

Other things I loved:
• Eye of the Tiger training scene!
• The three minutes we got of Ellie and Awesome. Here's hoping for more screentime for them! Personally especially Ellie, because she's aces.
• The weird thing is, I'm not so annoyed at them being back at the Buy More. alreadyletgo and I discussed it, and I think that the difference here is, in the past two seasons/years, Chuck's real job is at the Nerd Herd, but this time, the job is really a cover, much like Casey's own or Sarah's food service job as well. Not glamourous, but not real, and most of all it gets the job done. And for that I think it's awesome, because the spy world is Chuck's real job now.
• CHUCK LEFT SARAH IN PRAGUE BY HERSELF = GOOD BUT TRAUMATIC EVENT. I'm totally okay with that. Besides my reaction being like HOW DARE YOU CHARLES IRVING, WHO CAN RESIST SARAH WALKER? But, yeah.

Things I didn't love :(:
• ANNA, GONE.

And according to my twitter feed, apparently the second episode garnered a lot more reaction from me, so I'll catch everyone up when it's ready. :D

Anyway, I was hoping I'll be able to finish 3.02 Chuck vs The Three Words, which is the episode I enjoyed more, before I go to bed tonight, but it doesn't look like it's a certainty, but here's still an awesome episode and opener! Personally I find it really odd for these two episodes to be played back to back instead of the originally planned week to week case, for reasons I will explain in the picspam for that episode instead. It's nothing bad though, promise! But the bottom line here is, I love how celebratory every Chuck episode is, and I MISS THIS SHOW SO DAMN MUCH. ♥ And I miss my ship, for all of its push-pull action, and I love how the tides have so changed this season and thus giving us the possibility to explore so much more. Most of all, I love Chuck, and how happy it makes me. :D Welcome back, Chuck Bartowski and team!

wordsflow @ 2010-01-09T14:05:00

2010-01-09T06:05:30Z

HOLY SHIT WHAT WAS THAT DOLLHOUSE EPISODE, OH MY GOD, I CAN'T EVEN -

MIND. IS. BLOWN. (NO PUN INTENDED.)

i think last night you were driving circles around me

2010-01-07T14:28:57Z

So, Dollhouse. I'm all caught up. Where to even begin?

Oh, I KNOW WHERE. The part where Echo seems like she has the intersect. WHICH MAKES ME LAUGH A LOT.

• AFOREMENTIONED INTERSECT SKILLS. When I watched Meet Jane Doe and she'd have those... for a lack of a better word, flashes: I died. And then I got started thinking about the intersect technology and what it deals with, as well as the dollhouse imprinting tech, and wouldn't it be fun if Chuck were to meet Echo? ~~(And then have Sarah fret over yet another brunette?)~~ But really though, I enjoy the entire plot about Echo knowing that all her imprints are her, but she isn't any of them. That and she gets to kick ass, and I honestly think that these days, my motivation for watching television is watching people do that.

• Enver Gjokaj. That man awes me with his acting every episode, especially when Victor was imprinted with Laurence Dominick, and then later, with Topher. He's such a delight to watch! Also, when I think 'Dollhouse', I just hear his voice (as Lubov) going "Dollhouse, dollhouse, doll freaking house!" and it makes me laugh a lot, too.

• My favourite doll though, is Whiskey. And that isn't just my love for Amy Acker shining through, but everything about Whiskey is tragic. Claire Saunders, in particular, and her fear of mortality. I'm not sure I ship Topher/Claire, but the first episode of the second season had me howling in laughter, thanks in particular to Whiskey/Claire.

• I ship Echo/Paul! Not Caroline though, I'm not sure I like the actual person. (However, I'm also sure that the writers would find a way to clear that doubt, i.e what she did to Bennett, and switch us to rooting for Caroline eventually, or at least sometime before the events of Epitaph One take place.) I think that the relationship's been written really right (when it could have gone down the creepy and awkward road), and Echo's journey from being a doll and being a real person within ending with the most pure, the empirical form of it - that's what really hits me with this relationship. When Alpha activated his imprint of Ballard and asked Echo to kill him, when Echo cradled him after he (brain)died -- it's pretty powerful to me.

• IVY. I love her. Someone get her more lines, please.

• Speaking of Epitaph One: I. LOVED. IT. Oh, my god. I can't even begin to describe my insatiable love for the apocalypse and dystopia and everything the episode stood for. It's probably my second favourite episode by far, A Love Supreme taking that #1 spot, being mostly everything I talked about Echo/Paul in that previous point. But Epitaph One, oh man. I don't even know the right words to say about the episode. And I decided I don't ship Topher/Claire, because I'm much more interested in Boyd/Claire, and how everything played out to the point of the flashback in this episode, when clearly something is going on with them. It made my heart break that Boyd didn't come back for her like he said he would, and that she stayed in the Dollhouse to be its guardian to the point where losing Claire Saunders is the only solution for her.

Also, how hilariously sad would it be if there are many Carolines/Echoes in many bodies at Safe Haven? I'm in the camp of assuming that Whiskey's done the act a lot of times, thus her doll state knowing exactly what to do. That 'To Remember' wall was really sad though. And Adair Tishler is still delightful.

In general, I love the mythology of the show, still. We've always known that memories and experiences make a person, but the show completely goes around that logic; Echo herself being the antithesis of that. Anyway, here's the song at the end of 2.09 - Stop Loss: Your Ghost, by Greg Laswell. I love it a lot! I'm sad that we're only getting three more episodes, but I trust that we'll be taken on a ride with them.

chuck s2 dvds out tomorrow! and SIX DAYS. SIX.

2010-01-05T01:56:13Z

This is mostly a running list to remind myself, but please chip in with recs on what you think I should be watching/catching up on! The list of shows I already am watching is pretty sparse; running list includes: Chuck, How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Glee, The Big Bang Theory, Dexter, Flashpoint and... yeah, that's about it. And the latter two shows aren't even coming back until September and who-knows-when. Therefore!

• New shows:
[ ] Burn Notice
[ ] Farscape (both per recced by Katie!)
[ ] xxxholic (I don't usually watch anime, but my cousin has been egging me on this one and the premise is exactly something I'm definitely interested in, i.e destiny, fate, karma etc being the driving force)
[ ] Mad Men?
[✓] Castle?
[ ] FIREFLY. I watched the pilot, got the rest of the season, kept forgetting about it. (Forgivable, I think, IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT I'VE HAD IT SINCE 2005.)
[ ] Merlin
[✓] Legend of the Seeker

• Shows to catch up on:
[✓] Dollhouse, 1.07 onward
[ ] Power Rangers RPM, sometime after the twins showed up)
[ ] Lost? Of course, I stopped in season one after Boone died, so, I don't know!
[ ] Buffy? I have the rest of S1 afterall... Shiftyeyes ._.
[ ] White Collar, because while Matt Bomer is very, very pretty, I keep forgetting to watch it. Maybe when it comes to local tv?
[✓] The Office, ditto that. I usually get my Office fix in bulk, like six episodes all at once. I haven't watched past Koi Pond, I think.
[✓] Community
[ ] Modern Family

• Shows to rewatch (!):
[ ] Veronica Mars, because I miss it
[ ] Arrested Development, ditto
[ ] Eli Stone, times three!

it's a luscious mix of words and tricks

2010-01-02T01:56:41Z

This was my first time participating in yuletide, and boy, was it a running display of nerves, anxiety and fun. I only managed to write my main story, but I'm already working on a NYR, so we'll see how that goes! Anyway, I was matched with astraevirgo, and as luck would have it I only had that one request/fandom in common with her. Naturally, I panicked -- she requested a POV of someone married, but for about the few weeks before the fics were due, I had mistakenly interpreted that (don't ask me how) as the opposite. By the time I realised that, though, it was too late because I had the brief (very, very brief) plot in my head, mostly along the lines of LET'S FIX BARNEY/ROBIN.

Or at least, that was what I tried to do, and this in turn is the finished work:
take these leaps and chances - How I Met Your Mother (Barney/Robin, Lily/Marshall, Ted/Mother)

To say that I'm floored with the reception, the positive flow of comments, the people who liked it enough to rec it! - would be an understatement. This is also my first time writing for HIMYM, so I was all antsy if I would be writing them right.

Anyway, I'd definitely sign up this year, if my schedule permits! And maybe even finish early so that I can take on a pinch hit or two, and write faster so that I can fit some Madness in it. :D

oh hey, the date field on this update page is dynamic now. nifty!

2009-12-31T14:14:25Z

Jalyn's fandom/LJ year in review!

• Numbers! Lots and lots of numbers.
January 1, 2009: 764 comments received, 572 comments posted, 80 Journal Entries
December 31, 2009: 1,472 comments received, 1,605 comments posted, 150 Journal Entries

• Fic by the numbers! Nooot a productive year.

Flashpoint
One Step At A Time (Jules/Sam, one-shot)
counting stars on a ceiling (Jules/Sam, drabbles, kind of... failing.)
So Much More (Jules, one-shot)
Life Effect (Jules/Sam, one-shot)
lines we draw (Jules/Sam, one-shot)
Subjectivity (Jules/Sam, cast, series)

Power Rangers
Wouldst That It Were (Kimberly/Tommy, one-shot)
Once A Ranger (Kimberly/Tommy, other canon pairings, (FAILED -.-) series)

And of course, the fic I wrote for Yuletide (whoo, reveal tomorrow!): 19 comments, 483 hits, 4 bookmarks and 4 recs, so I'm happy! And totally floored, let's be honest, because I had so many problems with my own writing ~~all the time~~. I'm working on a NYR piece too, but who knows when I'm going to finish it. Mid-January is my aim! I'm breaking out the asterisks to say... *thinks positive*!

• So, what do I have planned for 2010, online wise? I don't really have specifics (yet), but I'm thinking 200,000 words at least, a handful of fics here and there, and being more accessible and have fun. There are a few (new-ish) fandoms I'll like to write in, and ideas that will be carried from this year to the next; Chuck, The Big Bang Theory and Dexter for certain, and whatever new fandoms may come my way in the new year. I'm also planning on fangirling the hell out of Chuck's third season, so, uh, look out for that too? :D

AND I WILL REPLY COMMENTS. YES I WILL. AND UPDATE MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH.

• But above all else, I hope that 2010 will be kind to me and all of my friends (hi!) and that all of us stay safe and happy. Happy new year, guys! (OH, and eventually, my 2010 Scrapbook can be found within the scrapbook tag, even if I failed around March for this year. I'll try to keep it up for 2010! ETA: Here it is!)

kljsklafd he is. gorgeous.

2009-12-30T02:38:28Z

RELEVANT Magazine, in which Zachary Levi talks about his religion, and while I'm not (or very religious at all), it's a pretty fun read. And look how down-to-earth he is! But really though: PRETTY PICTURES. They're the biggest sizes I could make them go, and it's pretty glorious. There's one where he's all wet, but my personal favourite is the one with him in that horizontal stripped hoodie. (ALSO IT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT THAT YOU CAN SEE HIS PECS AND HIS SIX-PACK IN THAT WET PHOTO, HOLY CRAP.)

Also: CHUCK IN 12 DAYS. And I made my meta data all pretty. Yay!