Become

Peter Pan

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:32:08 GMT

"...The [fairy] court was not in its usual good temper at present, the cause being the tantalising heart of the Duke of Christmas Daisies. He was an Oriental fairy, very poorly of a dreadful complaint, namely, inability to love, and though he had tried many ladies in many lands he could not fall in love with one of them.

Queen Mab, who rules in the Gardens, had been confident that her girls would bewitch him, but alas, his heart, the doctor said, remained cold. This rather irritating doctor, who was his private physician, felt the Duke's heart immediately after any lady was presented, and then always shook his bald head and murmured, "Cold, quite cold!"

-- J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan and the Little House.

Orientalism Theme

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:17:39 GMT

1:14

Secret Garden

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:04:40 GMT

Clip 1
Clip 2: 8:08

For additional information, check out:

Phillips, Jerry. "The Mem Sahib, the Worthy, the Rajah and His Minions: Some Reflections on the Class Politics of The Secret Garden."

Spring break, new obsessions

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:15:09 GMT

In true ironic fashion, I've spent the last five days of my Spring Break with the flu. No fun trip to Disneyland, no outside whatsoever. Just me, my pillow, and a box of tissues.

Fortunately, before getting sick I picked up the first season of Veronica Mars at the library. It's one of those series I always wanted to watch, but never got around to. I am now completely addicted, and have since spread this new kick to: five of my friends and my mother. I know, I know, staying up 'til three every night watching dvds is a very bad plan to recover from the flu. But I couldn't resist. Logan/Veronica feeds my LoVe of reformed badboys.

Once I'm feeling better I plan to upgrade this page again. There's a beautiful new mood theme I want to use, and apparently basic accounts won't support anything but te standard themes.

sigh Critiquing "The Last Man"

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 07:19:46 GMT

I'm left feeling pretty sad about the whole thing, for a number of reasons. Though there were certainly a number of well executed features.

Please, read my ramblings below. Note: SPOILERS for the finale, if you haven't seen it.

The episode certainly had its strong points:

John's little chat with Lorne at the start.

The desert sand engulfing the city. I'm not great at noticing the intricacies of special effects (other than "Ooh neat") but those images of the sand burying Atlantis were more than intriguing. (On the other hand, Sheppard walking through the red sand storm? Not so believable. Pretty fake, actually.

OldMckay, hologram or not, was charming and a little more mellow than the Rodney we're used to; this worked well for the episode.

Sam "not taking no for an answer," from the IOA or anyone else, was awesome. It's a tribute to how she really is (and could continue to be if she remained) a very competent leader of Atlantis. I really liked the little moments of Carter-Mckay working as a team, as well. And the hugging. Such a bittersweet moment. Come to think of it, this episode makes Sam feel more like the classic Sam I remember than any other Atlantis one yet. She's that perfect blend of humanity and dignity. You can see the genuine emotion in her expression, but she's ever the picture of control.

Oh, and Major Lorne in charge of Atlantis? Someone needs to write fic about this. Too fun, or at least it would be under different circumstances. And General Lorne: so adorable.

Ronon-Todd team. Very cool and something I never expected to see.With all of those "good" things, you'd think I wouldn't be so depressed. But I am.

It's the Michael aspect of the episode that makes me the most sad. And, really, sad is the best word I can think of to describe it. He feels so completely beyond redemption with this ep. And that's a real shame.

I think it's amazing that he's still able to pull off the revenge bit (the "I'm doing this because it was done to me) without seeming pathetic. He doesn't flinch when carryout his matters, and manages to be witty (in a very bitter, but cutting way) without intending to be.

But killing Teyla? It doesn't make sense. He seemed genuinely attached to her in both Kindred's I & II (though I realize that opinion is hugely influenced by my crazy fondness for Teyla/Michael 'ship). I know that OldMckay could be wrong about how Teyla died. She could have died from complications in delivery, or in the experiments related to the delivery, or other things. But to just leave her on the floor like that. It doesn't add up to me.

Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. Villains come back all the time on Stargate, and the longer they're around the more potential there is for development, in one way or another. I shouldn't give up hope. But I do anyway. :(

The Rodney/Jennifer thing was awkward to me somehow, which is strange since I tend to pair up the oddest and most unlikely matches. It wasn't horrible, but it was strange. I was disappointed that Rodney left Pegasus. I don't like the idea of giving up, even though I can completely understand the temptation and in a way, it was Rodney's persistence with the time travel figurations that make any hope possible...

And I have questions about the 25 years thing. Earth seems quite unaffected. For all we know, SG Command effectively forgot about Atlantis, in its neglection of it. I guess Michael never intended to conquer any area outside his galaxy? With the way they described the extent of his power in that time-line, you'd think it'd be cake for him to expand into the Milky Way. Though, maybe that's not his intention. What exactly are his intentions, beyond creating the hybrids and eliminating everyone else? You'd think, being so capable, that he'd have a fairly complex master plan beyond simple extermination. Maybe that's just me, and my not very objective pov.

The actual cliffhanger point seemed more appropriate for a commercial break than a season ender. And they've seriously reused that building one too many times. It would have been more suspenseful to end the episode with John in the chamber, even though it might have been too similar to Kindred II's ending...

I'm so depressed.

So, yeah, console me if you're up to it.

On "Kindred" and Michael in general

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:51:15 GMT

I think Michael has become my favorite character in Atlantis. And not just because of Connor Trinneer (though that's a pretty big part of it).

His past is so sordid. I always worry when Michael appears that he will be reduced to a clichéd villain, out for nothing more than revenge and a little shock factor. His character has the potential for so much more! Considering what he's been able to accomplish (cloning, genetic mutation, "curing" the need for himself to feed), he's cleary a genious. And I know he's evil but I love him. He is just so fascinating.

Though I can't help but comment on how inconsistent his behavior is in some ways. Sure, he's out for revenge against everything. But he seems both crazier and friendlier somehow in "The Kindred" parts one and two than in "Vengeance. Maybe friendly isn't the best word. His animosity towards Teyla seems to have dissipated for the most part. That look he gave her when he promised her he wouldn't harm her child. It almost looked like he was shocked at the implication.

Don't get me wrong, I loved that scene. I realize it'll never happen, but Teyla/Michael just screams awesome, complicated, emotional rollercoaster storylines.

I desperately want to read what you think of Michael... If you know of any reviews of for "Kindred" or Michael fanfics, please post the links.

Back from the dead, or at least a deep sleep

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:33:57 GMT

I should probably offer an explanation for my very, very long absence. In all honesty, though, I can't say it was anything beyond the normal laziness and lack of time.

Lately I've been thinking that I'd like to have a place to chronicle my two cents, and this seems as good a place as any. On a side note, I was sick of the ads so I changed to a rather plain layout. I should create a header, but saying I'll do it seems a bit ambitious for me at the moment.

I still enjoy Stargate: Atlantis (for all my complaints, it's still the best sci-fi out there); I still love The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner; I'll probably always be a Star Trek fan. My interests have changed only in the sense that they've expanded. I'm halfway through Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series and I love it. It's cheezy, I'll admit (but when you're dealing with spy stories it's inevitable). I'm kind of on audio-book kick. Maybe I should review start reviewing them here...

Anyway, hi all. I'm glad to be back.

Fic: Flashback

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 07:06:34 GMT

TITLE: Flashback
AUTHOR: cherryblosomjen
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: It was Kansas they were talking about. What could go wrong?
SPOILERS: Minor details of Season 10.5's 'Bounty'
NOTES: Written for evesharmony

Cam turned the envelope on each of its four corners. He stared at the gold “Class of ‘87” seal as it spun in the center. Turn, turn, turn.

He didn’t want to go; but then again he did. It would be nice to do something completely normal, something that didn’t involve worrying about the fate of the galaxy.

Wait. Who was he kidding? He lived for those kind of crazy impossible adventures. But still, it would be fun to go back.

If he could just get someone to go with him. Carter was in Area 51, Daniel at some foreign museum. There was only one alternative.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

“Come on, Teal’c. It’ll be fun!”

The Jaffa barely looked up from his seat at the other end of the table, his hands busy with an egg sandwich.

“I will not accompany you to your high school reunion, Colonel Mitchell.”

Meanwhile, Vala sauntered into the mess hall, still clad in her robe. She zeroed in on their table, her ears perking up at their conversation. “What’s this now – a reunion? I love reunions.”

Cam ignored her, concentrating his efforts on the Jaffa in front of him. “You know you want to.”

“I do not.”

Cameron shook his head, letting out a frustrated breath. He jumped when a dark mass that was Vala’s left pigtail whipped him in the face.

She bounced closer to him, “Ooh, I want to go. I want to go!”

He was skeptical so she continued, “I’d make a much better date than muscles over here.” She nodded in Tealc’s direction, “No offense.”

Tealc’s only reaction was to raise an eyebrow and continue with his breakfast.

Cameron, on the other hand, was seriously thinking about it. She had a point.

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

General Landry’s brow furrowed when Cam approached him for clearance. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” he said.

“General, I know I can be little reckless sometimes but I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about Colonel.”

Landry’s gaze shifted to the door at the sound of screeching metal. Vala stood in the doorway, tugging behind her three very large polka-dotted suitcases, one apparently with a bad wheel.

“I’m good to go,” she announced, “as soon as I find my solar glasses, that is.”

“Sun glasses,” Cam corrected her. “See, Sir. She’s all ready. We’ll back here before you know it.”

“You needn’t worry, General. I’ve left you all a special present to remind you of me until we return.”

Landry shook his head, “I don’t want to know.”

“And I’ve already promised Daniel, that I won’t allow myself to be drugged, captured…”

She stopped when she noticed Cam’s eyes, squinting at her in a ‘you’re-really-not-helping’ look.

Satisfied that his death glare actually worked, Cam returned his attention to his CO. “Come on, General – it’s Kansas. What could go wrong?”

o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o

To Be Continued...

Hemingway

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:14:18 GMT

Fic: Hemingway
Rating: PG
Pairing: Cam/Vala
Teaser: Completely AU. Cam is partnered with Vala on a school project.

“Settle down now – we’ve got ten minutes until the bell rings,” Mr. Jackson’s voice projects over the clamor of students, who can smell the weekend waiting for them. “Remember, these Hemingway projects are due Monday. So begin your work on them now!”

Mr. Jackson looks around the room, agitated. “Who doesn’t have a partner?”

His gaze zeroes in on me. “Right. Cameron, you’re with Vala.”

I look behind me and she’s smiling at Mr. Jackson, a big toothy smile. When she sees me, she winks.

I'm only a little worried.

Vala’s one of those girls who's hard to put in a category. She’s smart – she knows the answer to most questions, even if she doesn’t always raise her hand, and it’s not just the “two plus two,” “in what year did this happen” questions either. She’s beautiful – in an out-of-this-world, “how can anyone be so adorable” kind of way. But there’s something about her that makes her off limits – something different (like I said, it’s hard to explain). It’s nauseating, irritating and intoxicating all at the same time.

We make our way through the asphalt jungle, other wise known as the George Hammond High School parking lot when she asks, not for the first time, “You’re sure you want me to drive?” while digging through her purse.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind.” It’s been a week since I vacuumed my truck and I’m not about to let her see the days of caked mud and straw from hauling feed, that lines the floor.

Having found her keys, she starts to point aimlessly in one direction than another – her thumb clicking down hard at each angle. An alarm blares a few feet behind us.

“Found it,” she says, clicking the button again to stop the noise.

“Do you lose your car a lot?”

“Not since they invented the panic button,” she smiles, and it’s really a nice smile. “Once I spent twenty minutes in the mall parking lot looking for my parent’s station wagon. I finally gave up and called my dad to come get me.”

I try to think of what my dad would do to me if I got lost in a parking lot. It’s not a pleasant thought.

My senses flood the moment I opened the door. I can’t pinpoint the smell – it’s super sweet like roses and daisies and vanilla, but not quite.

“That’s some powerful air freshener,” I say, trying not to sneeze.

“Oh great!”

She picks up a Victoria’s Secret bottle with purple lotion that seems to have exploded all over my seat and throws it in the back.

“Can you grab me some napkins from the drawer thing?”

I reach into the glove compartment and pull out a packet of Starbucks napkins, wedged between two mascaras, a twinkie, and ‘The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy’ I’m hoping we don’t break down and actually need the car manual.

She wipes the purple globs from the back of my seat.

“Sorry about that,” she says, smiling again. “At least now you smell like ‘Pure Seduction.'”

I blink. Maybe I should’ve offered to drive, mud or no mud.

“Anyway,” she says, reversing onto the road, “Where do you want to start?”

“The library?” I’m clutching my seat a little too tightly.

“I don’t know – everyone will be at the library.”

“The museum?”

“Too predictable. We need something that will make our project come alive. Something that really gets to the bottom of who Hemmingway was – something no other group will think of.”

She’s up to fifty seven now and I’m pretty sure this is still a twenty-five mile zone. “What are you thinking?” I ask, a little shaky, but getting used to the craziness.

“I’m thinking Florida.”

She looks over at me and I know she’s serious.

Mckay and Mrs. Miller

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 05:32:21 GMT

It may be because I haven't been in the best of moods as of late -- but I was not thrilled with the episode.

There were moments I enjoyed -- a bit of the banter between Mckay and his sis (""), the team bonding at the end, Teyla teasing by Shep and Ronon, replaying Rodney's Letters from Pegasus comments. But yeah -- I think that's about it.

Reasons for cbj's displeasure:

1. Jeannie referring to Rodney as "Mer" was wierd the first time. Hearing it 14 times more throughout the episode? Mind gratingly irritating.

2. Why would they assume that the alternate universe they tapped to would be uninhabited? Past experience alone should have suggested the opposite (ie SG1's "Ripple Effect" last season). How could they even take the chance -- jeapordizing the lives and worlds of an entire universe of people. Maybe if there was someway to ensure that the universe was not inhabited, but there was no attempt. I don't know why it bugs me so much, but it's reminiscent of the (im)moral decisions made at the start of the season with regards to certain wraith.

3. Rod seemed way too easy going about the notion of staying at first. True, he was uber easy going about everything, but there wasn't even the slight mention (that I recall anyway) of the threat of temporal entropic cascade failure (a la "Point of View").

4. The ZPM is dead. Bah! After all that work to get it? Yeah, I'm not happy about it.

Sateda

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 07:27:22 GMT

I'm not one to review episodes, at least not on livejournal. I'm usually content to scan through other users posts, commenting when I agree or disagree. But, alas, after constant refreshing tielan, allisnow, and seldear's pages for their comments on Sateda and finding none, I've resorted to posting my thoughts, disorganized as they may be.

Sateda was simply brilliant.

The promo had me a little concerned. I couldn't figure out how the team would leave Ronon behind, but of course my fear was unwarranted. We got to see how self-sacrificing spirit from each of the characters in a way that was unique to their own personailtys.

I'm a J/T shipper, so their moments together were lovely (especially the conversation on the ship) but, ultimately, only icing on the cake. The emotional complexity of the episode, which if done wrong could've been completely sidestepped for the sake of bam-bam action, was raw, real and touching. TEAM Power resonated from the episode more so than in any other I've seen.

Although some seem to disagree -- I found the few lighthearted moments to be refreshing and a perfect go-between for the other intense dramatic scenes. I love the fact that Rodney had lemons on his boxers (tielan, are you sure Rob isn't reading your fanfiction?), the Mckay/Beckett banter, and John's version of how many Wraith he shot.

The first Wraith to land on Sateda seemed a little too Matrixy to me -- and his weird little glasses were disturbing. But that is my only complaint.

Ronan was amazing -- utterly amazing -- but each character had a moment to shine. There was more character development in this one episode than in many others combined. And the end with all its mushiness left me with a feeling of pure contentment.

So basically, I liked it. Can you tell? The one thing I am craving to see now is fanfiction exploring John's past and what lead him to seek such solitude. Of course, I also want happy references to his new family... etc. Anyone up to writing about some of the team going back to Earth and confronting people from John's past (who nothing of where he's been, or his connection to Stargate program)?

Michael

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 22:31:00 GMT

Well, it's been a while since I posted anything. Shocking, I know. ;)

The layout needs some serious revamping but, knowing me, its unlikely to happen any time soon. I barely have the energy to add icons, although I do need/want some new ones.

Alas, on to important matters. Michael. Bad guy? Definitely. Intriguing? Completely. He better be back and soon. I find the relationship, for lack of a better word, that he has with Teyla fascinating with all its mix of angst, compassion and anger.

I've yet to write any Stargate fanfiction but am tempted to for lack of any Michael related stories out there. One exception is tielan's fabulous Man and Wraith.

It's been a while

Sat, 25 Feb 2006 00:25:04 GMT

Well, sorry to have dissapeared for so many months. As you know, it's fairly typical of me.

I made this after reading Megan WHalen Turner's 'The King of Attolia.' It's a fan art cored pencil piece based entirely on the beautiful book cover. I made it for a friend who I've started on the first book in the series, 'The Thief.'

Trying to breathe

Sun, 25 Sep 2005 05:26:24 GMT

All I can see about BSG Friday is that I'm thankful for spoilers. I never saw the advisory warning so the scene with Sharon and evil-freakazoid-rapist-punk nearly killed me. I was shocked, distraught and angry beyond belief. I can't really formulate the words to express how much I hate most of the Pegasus crew that we've seen.

I'm glad that a large number of mboarders (even at sciffy) felt similarly -- even if there are still some idiots that feel that "it's fine because cylons are machines and she deserves such treatment."

Atlantis was great. The episode made me realize how much I miss Ford (although Ronon grows more and more lovable with each episode). I hope he doesn't become an eternal enemy or gets killed off...

SHeesh!

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 19:25:55 GMT

The sciffy boards can really be a breeding ground for anger sometimes.

I had commented that I didn't get the impression that Teyla was afraid in her scene with Sheppard -- flustered and confused but not afraid. I didn't feel the kiss was an act of violence so much as spontaneity. To which I received the response:

And when did you become a therapist? Any woman who has experienced date rape, or abuse of any sort, will tell you that the "kiss" scene, as well as Weir's throat scene, were BOTH acts of male domination over a female. There was no love involved in EITHER act.

I don't mind that she (or he) has a different opinion. I just don't like the implication that I don't have a right to one or that I somehow don't sympathize with victims of abuse. I never said that Teyla "loved" what happened -- I think she was too shocked and confused to know exactly what she was feeling.

I truly enjoy hearing other people's opinion (it's why I like message boards) but I don't appreciate being belittled for my own, which was not stated in a disrespectful fashion. [sigh] I think I just need to rant.

LAST MINUTE spoilers for FINAL CUT

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 23:24:04 GMT

Although it's not linked to directly on Sci-Fi's site, the episode summary and podcast are already up here. Beware of major spoilers.

Reading, Reading, Reading

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 18:52:45 GMT

Lately I've been reading every Boomer/Helo fic I can get my hands on. What's great is that they've been so >i>good</i>! I discovered the memories at Hidden Elysium had scores of stories, which was very exciting. I've been enjoying the angsty tone in a lot of the recent additions.

I haven't downloaded the mood theme yet but I will soon. I'm currently sipping a cup of hot tea, relaxing before I have to leave in an hour.

p.s. You can blame koalathebear and shadowserenity for introducing me to a new secret ship. ;)

Testing -- First entry o_0

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 21:32:38 GMT

Sigh.

Customizing templates has never been my favorite thing to do. I've been messing with the layout and although I'm not exactly satisfied -- it will have to do for now. (Why can't these things just allow direct html? Hmnn?)

This is my first time using a LJ account so bear with me. I'm off to try and figure out icons, communities, friends, and am looking for some cool BSG/ stargate mood themes... etc.

Anyone have general LJ tips they'd like to offer up? I'm grateful for any.

Become

Peter Pan

Orientalism Theme

Secret Garden

Spring break, new obsessions

*sigh* Critiquing "The Last Man"

On "Kindred" and Michael in general

Back from the dead, or at least a deep sleep

Fic: Flashback

Hemingway

Mckay and Mrs. Miller

Sateda

Michael

It's been a while

Trying to breathe

SHeesh!

LAST MINUTE spoilers for FINAL CUT

Reading, Reading, Reading

Testing -- First entry o_0

sigh Critiquing "The Last Man"