Exploding Poohsticks

So, I saved up all three Torchwood radio plays and listened to them this afternoon. I think, though my finger's not precisely on the pulse of fandom just now, that there's been less fuss about these radio plays than Lost Souls. Possibly because there's three of them, or because they're coming so close to S3, or possibly simply because Lost Souls was not very well-received so we were all skeptical about these.

Anyway, here are nine things about the radio plays ('cause 3a never counts!). Spoilers, of course.

( Asylum, Golden Age, and Dead Line )

So, overall, I thought Asylum was a charming story with some uneven characterisation, Golden Age was an interesting seed of an idea with appalling execution, and The Dead Line had funny writing but replaced Ianto with a pod person. Of the three I'd have to say Asylum kept me most engaged, but that's not really saying much.

IN OTHER NEWS: I was shopping on PeaPod earlier and I found pancake batter. In a can. SPRAY PANCAKES.

OF COURSE I BOUGHT SOME.

It's early and I feel like chatting snupin, come on it and hang out!

I had a bunch of recipes I was going to test-kitchen today in addition to the usual weekly stuff I make, but then I realised most of them required milk, and the milk in my fridge had a sell date of late May.

So, I made Improvisational Cheesy Bread instead. :D

( Improvisational Cheesy Bread )

I cooked while listening to the first two Torchwood radio plays, Asylum and The Golden Age, and I'm about to settle in for the third. Three things a bit later...

Master, bless.

My deeply cherished ones,

I did a bit of shopping this afternoon... Namely, for props that Diane and I shall use on sunday.

As I have oft repeated lately, I am in a playful mood. Either that, or my writing is putting me under more pressure than I realize.

Photography will help me to relax.

There is something I have been wanting to do... An image I have longed to create. To put it simply, I have been longing to give something to our dear Professor Snape, something which he never got (at least, it was not described in the books). If it works the way I envision it in my mind's eye, that particular set of images will be very theatrical, majestic and poignant.

It will involve [highlight to view spoiler]: a massive arrangement of white flowers.

I have taken pictures of the items in question, should you be curious...

( I think this may turn out to be very beautiful. )

Heavens. I am a hopeless Romantic, I tell you.

It has been so long since Diane and I did this, I would not be surprised if we took three hundred photos. I have no doubt that our efforts will yield a few very nice pieces for you, most beloved.

I am kissing your precious hands a thousand times.

Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Title: Hard Habit to Break
Word Count: ~330
Characters: Severus, Lily Luna-implied Severus/Harry pre-slash
Rating: PG
Warnings: Fluff, smoking
Disclaimer: Not mine. They belong to JKR.

( Hard Habit to Break )

Master, bless.

My most precious ones,

I am about to have lunch with my mother, but I thought I would share more memories with you this morning...

God bless you for your loving words, which are melting my heart like wax. God bless you for encouraging me as you do. Your kindness infuses me with strength; I have no words to express my gratitude. I am bowed at your feet.

Diane and I took these in july 2004, a couple of months or so after our session at Beechwood. They were taken at another graveyard. I had called this session, "The Peace Garden."

I also did a bit of cosplay... I had just received my Whirlwood wand. I had gotten my hair dyed dark brown, and would soon be getting it dyed black. A new coat was on the horizon as well, coat number two. The one below was coat number one.







Man alive! That takes me back...

Goodness, I must dash.

Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Good morning, sunshine people! I HAVE THE DAY OFF. I intend to stay in my bedroom with the air conditioner on and watch videos and vegetate.

iamshadow reminded me yesterday, amidst the chaos, that I had TOTALLY FORGOTTEN to help her out by putting a call out on the Cafe for fluent Russian speakers. She's just had someone translate a fic of hers into Russian and would just like someone to look it over and make sure it's readable, as she doesn't speak Russian herself. Any takers? You can drop a comment on the Livejournal mirror of this post if you're interested, she'll see it.

Sorry about locking comments on my poll post last night, btw. Not intentional, not sure what happened there. As I said -- six years, still getting the hang of this "livejournal" thing...I did end up ordering sushi, which was in the lead at the time. I try a new piece of nigiri each time and so far have discovered that I love salmon, like the taste but not texture of creamy scallop, and dislike the snow crab and sweet shrimp options.

I think it might be cool enough this weekend for me to cook stuff. I shall have to plan a menu of 1. edible staple recipes I always make and 2. bizarre new recipes that may fail excitingly. Hooray!

According to airisu7425 at LJ's Youka Nitta comm, Digital Manga will be publishing Otodama in English in February 2010, under the DokiDoki imprint.
This is airisu7425's source: http://www.801media.com/blog/?p=326

Is anyone on my flist in contact with Spidermoth? If so, could you ask her to give me a wave here, because I've just remembered I owe her a fic. *pales with horror*

This fic was promised just before I lost the plot - and sadly it fell out of a hole in my mind.

Spidermoth, I'm truly sorry to have forgotten my promise to you. It's a terrible thing to do, and there's no excuse. What must you think of me? Sorry, sorry, sorry.
I'll start working on the fic - it was a mer-Snape/Charlie, I think??

Master, bless.

My most precious ones,

oh goodness, I am so excited.

Diane and I just confirmed that the photo shoot on sunday is taking place. The weather will be absolutely perfect: cool (around 18 degrees Celsius), with sun and clouds. We are going to Beechwood cemetery, the place where we took pictures for the second time, back in... 2004? My. Time flies when you are blessed...

Here was one of them. Remember, most beloved?



These were nice ones, too...





So we are returning there on sunday, armed with Diane's powerful camera. We can hardly wait. I am feeling very playful and immensely looking forward to creating more images for you.

I am also very much looking forward to seeing The Half-Blood Prince. It looks like it will be utterly amazing.

I have been working on the third essay. It is going well. I am terrified. I alternate between feeling joy, holding my face in my hands, laughing nervously, and taking deep breaths.

Poll #3871 Your professor loves you.
Open to: Friends, results viewable to: None

My dove, let me hear your voice. Tell me something sweet...

You have all been such a treasure in my life, such an undeserved treasure. You have watered my soul; you have ennobled me, purified my heart, made me better than I was... You have made me smile, you have filled me with happiness. You are my sunshine.

Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

And in re-Askworld related news, we assembled a soundtrack that could not be posted earlier due to technical difficulties. It's posted at Gwen's Journal.

Enjoy. :D

Ok, so obviously "rec of the week" is going to be a better fit for me than merely "Tuesday". Today, I'm giving you a nice, long read to carry US readers through the long weekend.

The Strength of Love by Shanti. Snape/Lupin, NC17, About 42,000 words.

Summary: Post DH Angst and H/C: Remus and Severus have survived the final battle, but Severus is a physical mess, taken in by the Malfoys and barely living. Draco hired Remus to take care of Severus.

Thoughts: You know, hurt/comfort is a genre of which I rarely take note. I think a lot of scenes in fiction are hurt/comfort, maybe because I like to read plenty of action/adventure fiction. But even Austen had her moments where a fainting heroine needed to be doted upon by not only her estranged family, but her erstwhile suitor as well, leading to a deeper understanding and need of one another all the way around.

So, to me, H/C happens and I am usually properly moved by it without really realising that I'm reading the genre. Fandom's need to specifically write it or note it has always seemed odd to me. The Strength of Love, however, might be one of the few times I've not only recognized H/C, but prized it as an element. If I had to pick out one H/C fic to recommend to people, this would be it. Oh, wait...ta da!

The reasons I like Strength so much are that the "hurt" of the H/C isn't too dire, and the "comfort" of the H/C is present long after the physical "hurt" is through.

I've noticed that the hurting in some specifically H/C fics tends to be too much for me. If I am spending all my reading time worried and upset for a character, I can't appreciate the romance that might be building as a way of comfort. Then again, if the hurt is glossed over in order to get to lots of sex by way of comfort, I have a hard time recognizing a fic as H/C; it seems more like a PWP to me.

The Strength of Love doesn't get weighted down by the hurt or the comfort, but, rather, balances them both in a way that is utterly satisfying to me. The first half of the story deals with Severus' physical recovery and the second half, Severus and Remus' journey toward becoming something more. It's hot, smexy, tender, loving, tense, interesting and charming, and not to be missed by any Snape/Lupin fan with a romantic heart.

( Excerpt )

If you get through all 42,000 words, please do spare a couple of your own for the author by leaving her a comment. Nothing would give someone's 4th of July more bang than a comment on an older fic!

love, lore

Title: Slow Ride
Word Count: 200
Pairing: Severus/Harry
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Not mine. They belong to JKR.

( Slow Ride )

I have a secret to share with you!



Yeah, I know. Unsurprised fandom is totally unsurprised.

Well, if you are surprised, good! I love surprises.

If you're confused right now, a brief explanation: since the start of the year, a comedic Torchwood roleplay has been appearing on LJ with anonymous players, inspired and supported by ask_captainjack, the Agony Aunt of Torchwood. There's been a lot of speculation about who the players are, and on Jack's cue some of us have decided to de-sock and give you all a wave now that the game is done.

I thought it might be fun for people to see what went on behind the scenes, so I've done a little writeup. The nature of this game was different to normal roleplays in two ways:

1. It didn't start out as a game.

2. Half the time we didn't know who we were talking to.

We played with each other mostly anonymously, and each new addition was voluntary and totally unvetted (if occasionally encouraged) by the rest of us. Eventually I knew who most of the other players were, and some of the other players knew who I or each other were, but we still flew pretty blind. And we had a hell of a ride.

So here, for you, is the Askworld Chronicle. This is my experience of the game, as Ianto Jones.

( Ianto Writes His Memoirs. )

To my fellow players: some of us may never have talked OOC, but I think we can all agree that we did it for the lulz and were well rewarded. I am making each of you a croissanwich in the kitchen of my heart.

To our readers, both active and lurking, I'd like to give a tip of the bowler hat -- we were always happy to see you!

And finally, a toast to the founder of the game and the reason it held together: Captain Jack "In The Face!" Harkness. It has been a pleasure to entertain and annoy the Torchwood fandom with you throughout the last few months. Building the mad, kinky Askworld was FUCKING AWESOME. And if you ever need a butler, Ianto Bran* Jones and Max-Theresa Harkness Jones stand ready.

With waffles!

* He's a mythological fucking hero, okay?

I'm closing comments here only because it's probably wisest to keep the responses all in one place. Please come say hello over at Jack's Q&A post!

I have this unfinished WIP that was really close to my heart - and still is, in its way, and I'm wondering now whether or not to finish it.  It's a one-shot featuring Harry and  Luna, in my Far Away as Moonshine ''verse, which I love to pieces despite the extreme rarepair-ness of it.  :P

I also have a bunch of prompts to fulfill for my now-defunct but still inspiring table on Luna.
Haven't been feeling the writing bug lately, but now that my ApolloCon stress is mostly done for the year, and I'm gearing up for Azkatraz, HP is back on the brain. (And I just can't do fic for Merlin yet. It took me years to work up to it in HP, maybe someday.)

To write, or not to write? Maybe I'll just keep drawing...

And oh crap, officially less than two weeks to the Con and I need to frame my art for the Gallery and Auction!
And print postcards... And test my DVD cable... And move all the pr0n off the  laptop that's traveling with me.  Yeep.

Heard back from Lulu! Different name on the email this time.

I apologize for the delay in responding to your problem. The issue you are experiencing is the result of a glitch on our system. We have documented your issue and will work on resolving your problem as soon as possible. If there is a quick resolution, we will work on implementing that fix as soon as possible. If not, the fix will most likely be implemented with our next regularly scheduled site maintenance. Because we are a technology-based company, I am unable to provide a time-table as to when this will occur. I apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you very much for your patience and support.

WELL I'LL BE A SON OF A GLITCH.

*dies laughing*

Only one grammatical error, I'm impressed. Rather vague about whether he even knows what my problem is, but whatever, I really just can't be bothered to give too much of a damn.

Also, shouldn't a technology-based company be able to give better timetables for code fixes than, say, non-technology based companies? Just, you know, a thought...

>> Paradise and Pith. Severus/Harry. G. Drabble.

>> Cure for Pain. Severus/Remus. Remus/Kingsley. PG-13. Attempted suicide, character death. 750 words. Summary: "You want someone who is alive," Remus whispered.

>> Tea and Sympathy. Severus/Remus. PG-13. Drabble.

>> Better than Chocolate. Severus/Remus. PG-13. Fluff. Drabble.

>> No Temptation. Severus/Remus. Remus/Tonks. R. Drabble.

>> It's Tempting. Severus/Remus. Harry. Hermione. PG-13. Drabble.

>> It's Tempting - continued. Severus/Remus. Harry. Hermione. PG-13. Drabble.

>> Cunning as a Wolf. Severus/Remus. R. Bondage. Drabble.

>> Not Entirely Unpleasant Memories. Severus/Remus. G. Drabble.

>> Filing System. Severus/Remus. G. Character death. Drabble.

>> Belated Birthday Gifts. Severus/Harry. NC-17. PWP. 570 words.

>> You'll Do. Severus/Harry. NC-17. 1430 words.

Master, bless.

My most precious ones,

thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your kind wishes... I am a content forty year old.

I have spent the past three day reading books by Garry Wills. What Jesus Meant was positively exhilarating. I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into What the Gospels Meant and The Rosary. Indeed I have ordered more of his books.

I feel very much like John Henry Newman, who wrote,

"The mind ranges to and fro, and spreads out and advances forward with a quickness which has become a proverb, and a subtlety and versatility which baffle investigation... it makes progress not unlike a clamberer on a steep cliff, who, by quick eye, prompt hand, and firm foot, ascends, how he knows not himself, by personal endowments and by practice, rather than by rule, leaving no track behind him, and unable to teach another."

That is not only a description of my journey this past year, but of my entire life, I would say. It is not so much a question of having believed false things; rather, I am apprehending a clearer vision of a great mystical truth that is beyond words and grounded in Love. The process involves risk, destitution, bloodied hands, yet also the sight of heaven...

The essence of the matter is this:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~1 Corinthians 13

I have always been on the side of the unwanted. To me, that is truly the Way... There is no other. I am with my loved ones in a no-man's-land.

Mankind is my ekklesia: my love gathering, my very self.

Tomorrow, more work on The flawed master. Ah, my dearest ones, may God grant that it be useful and compassionate!

It might rain on sunday, but so far, the odds are that it will be mostly cloudy; hopefully, Diane and I shall have photos for you.

Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Title: Teamwork 13 -- Positioning
Chapter Rating: Hard R?
Chapter Summary: Harry tries to figure out where he stands -- with Gryffindor, Slytherin, Dumbledore, and Draco. Draco is sometimes the hardest.
Canon Compliancy: Through Goblet of Fire
Snakes and Lions: Teamwork is the sequel to Snakes and Lions.
Notes: Thanks to sociofemme for beta work and calanthe for beta work and Britpicking. Deviations from canon capitalization are my own, as are any mistakes.

Previous chapters


( Read chapter 13 )

'Mr Humphries! Are you free?'

'Freer than air, Mrs Slocombe - how may I help you?'

'Have you seen Miss Brahms? Oh, there you are!'

'I'm sorry, Mrs Slocombe, I didn't mean to leave you alone behind the counter, but I was called.'

'Call of nature?'

'No. It was Mr Humphries. He seemed a bit lonely here, so I came to chat with him.'

'Yes, indeed. We were just enjoying a most delightful tea. Please join us, Mrs Slocombe. We'd love to have you and there is so much to catch up on.'

'Well, seeing as there are no customers...'





Heaven is laughing tonight as we are left heartsore.



You are most assuredly missed, dear Mollie. But I am comforted to know you are in the very best of hands.