A Twist of Things to Come

Elementary is a thing.

*headdesk*

It's not as if there aren't half a dozen characters on American television who are already 3/4 Sherlock Holmes. And this one is to be written by the brain trust responsible for Medium.

*sticks fingers in ears and hums*

*breathes into paper bag*




That helped a little.

I had a horrible headache and crippling angst on my day off. I made some notes for my chapter, but really couldn't much stand to look at a computer. My Beloved fed me and petted my head and generally did his darnedest to help, but not writing on my day off filled me with angst and FAIL.

I think I'm over it now. Once I realized I just couldn't open my eyes and let go of my preconceived idea of what was supposed to happen, it was better. I mean, it still sucked, but it sucked less once I accepted that I am not always going to be in control of every little thing. *sigh*

***

My littlest Big Guy has a friend over now, and one on the way. They are both going to sleep over. Tomorrow I take them home and we all get to see Jack for teh first time in several weeks (for me) or nearly two months, depending.

I miss my cat.

It's really frustrating that I'm not any closer to getting him back than I was in August. Well, that's not true, but it feels true.

***

I got up with the hubby, who had to take the bigger Big Guy to ROTC orienteering this morning. I worked my four hours in my dressing gown. The hubby brought me my smoothie up, and one of the party guests arrived before I had my shower, but it didn't seem to bother anybody. (This is one plus of having a son with a slight social impairment -- he gets on with other kids with slight social impairments, and they don't seem to think twice about seeing a grown up in a bath robe at noon. LOL)

I made cupcakes, and the hubby watched a bit of Luther with me. He really enjoyed the first episode, but felt the second was full of plot holes. (He was right, but I was hoping he hadn't noticed on account of I like watching something with him.) He will watch the third episode, he says. The entire show is six episodes, but I don't think he'll watch it all with me. :P He's such a perfectionist when it comes to media. Everything, really, except for me. He's apparently convinced himself that I'm perfect. (I do not mean to sound like I'm complaining, mind. It's just... odd.)

Today, I made turtle brownies:



I have been threatening to do this for weeks, but I finally managed it. Also, so as not to feel a completely horrible mother, I cooked a great dinner, too. The Turtle brownies were served with ice cream for afters. ;)
( More pictures of food below the cut. )

We had talked about going to the Fake Jazzfest as extras for Treme, but didn't in the end because it was chilly (63*F in New Orleans in MAY? What the HECK?) and I had gastric distress of a kind best not mentioned.

***

Instead we stayed in and my hubby tried to school me in music, which is kind of funny. See, I've had more music classes than he has, but he can pick out any tune, by ear, on mismatched spoons or a rusted garden gate. His ear is supernatural. And there he was, basically trying to teach me to play a simple jug band sort of tune by feel. I really sucked at it, but it's going to make a great Thing for later in the week.

Then he curled up with me and we watched "Game of Thrones" (what there is of it so far) and he said he would be interested in watching the rest with me. It is a big deal when he likes something from television enough to watch it. Period. I mean, he won't watch Doctor Who or any of my crime shows, and he was underwhelmed by Sherlock. (!) We have been re-watching Farscape with the boys, though. It's been long enough that the re-watch is particularly fun, and it's a nice follow-up to the Firefly re-watch last fall.

***

Oh, and if you're enjoying my Things, you should check out narniadear's and new participant *waves* goody_scrivener's Things, too.

So much going on, from all sides. Here's a short list:

1. Sister rolled her SUV on the ice yesterday. She drives a longish way over twisty mountain roads to work every day, and the accident happened on the way home last night. While dangling upside down form her seatbelt, she collected her phone and computer before exiting the vehicle. *snrk* Those are some familiar priorities. She's okay. Possible mild concussion, but they checked her out in the hospital.

2. Some nutter shot a democratic congresswoman in Arizona, one who had been targeted (with actual little target symbols) by certain elements prominent in conservative circles. I blame the disturbed individual who pulled the trigger (18 people were injured, six known to be dead). But I cannot help thinking that this is exactly the sort of thing that happens when the rhetoric gets as radical as it has in recent years. I am... vexed.

3. Finally got around to consuming the entirety of the BBC The Office. Both series and the special. Found it oddly... infuriating isn't the word I'm after. Pretty sure I just don't fully appreciate Ricky Gervais, am not capable of it. He was funny, and all, but it was everyone else that really made me giggle. There were also a lot more sex jokes than in the American version, but that is no surprise.

4. I've also just discovered Black Books and Dylan Moran, which are both quite amusing. Black Books is kind of a one long drunk joke, and I'm only three episodes in, but I really enjoy Moran's stand-up. Here's a taste of it, ripping on Americans:



Also under the heading of Tousle-Headed Men Who Amuse Me, here's Josh Groban singing Kanye West's Tweets:



That's just too funny, and is right up there with James Van Der Memes for the self-deprecating humor, which is awesome.

***

The Funny helps with the ARGH, it really does.

***

Wee Boy tested today for entrance into the Lusher School, where his brother attends. I'm just sort of glad it's over. Whether or not he gets in, the pressure is off for now.

***

I'm over 100,000 words on my novel, right down to the climax. Then the Massive Edit of Editingness begins. I'm looking forward to that, because it will mean that I'm DONE with this draft. Almost there.

Okay, this is a fun bit from the new BBC Sherlock. I liked it because it starts off with them being mistaken for a couple, and the awkwardness that seems perfectly reasonable in the modern world when dealing with a possible roommate. Also, the running is awesome, and the bit with the police. Plus, none of it gives away the plot.

A friend asked whether they were playing Sherlock gay, and I admit I hadn't even considered the possibility. I thought they were playing him a tad on teh asexual side, which to me seems appropriate for the character. Not to say that I don't love me some subtext, 'cause, yanno.

Anyway, here it is:



Some kind soul put the whole thing up, evidently.

First, there's the awesome Twilight Saga: Eclipse: With Cats over at Pop Suede. I love how they photoshopped the Edward Cat's eyebrows.

***

Oh, here's another thing I found interesting, if not particularly fun:
ADHD and School: The Problem of Assessing Normalcy in an Abnormal Environment.

***

The more stuff like that I read, the less happy I am about my Big Boy going going back to school, no matter how awesome and prestigious a school it is. Then again, it seems so providential that he was accepted to this amazing school that I can't really toss the opportunity aside. The staff there have a reputation for being very nurturing and helpful. Involved. I think he may well thrive there. I have to let him give it a go.

***

I submitted "The Sanguine Philtre" to the writing group this week. In part because I didn't want to burn them out on my novel too fast, and in part because I really need to get that puppy out in the world, and I figure one last brush-up couldn't hurt.

Then, last night, the group organizer emailed to ask if I could guide the next meeting in her place, since she's ill. O_O I'm happy to do it, of course, but surprised she asked me. I mean, K. is an MFA creative writing student, and probably has more experience with seminars, etc. than I do. Plus, she's older and all. Maybe she's not going to be able to be there, either.

***

In between writing things, I seem to be moving into a 'feeding' phase -- spending more time than usual on the consumption of stories. I moved on to Wire in the Blood season 3 this weekend. It managed to surprise me by not being as facile as Season 2. I was hooked by this show because the first story of the first season was so stunning. And by stunning I don't mean anything other than the literal feeling of being stunned by it.

Subsequent stories veered toward the puerile, had less than believable mental leaps and played very fast and loose with what it tried to pass off as "psychology" - especially in season two. But Season 3 was better.

Then there was Kurosagi. When I told my husband about the premise (it's about a swindler who makes his living swindling people's money back from swindlers), he said, "I thought that show was called Leverage." Snarky man-beast. It's not really like Leverage at all, though. The protagonist is a kid whose father killed himself and his whole family (except for him) because he was swindled. With the help of the swindler who stole his family's money (!) he sets out to destroy other swindlers. The old swindler who 'helps' him seems completely aware that the young pup intends to do him in, but he's sick and old and either doesn't care or is playing a long game on him.

Enter the young, poor girl who wants to be a prosecutor, and frowns on Kurosagi's methods even while she swoons over his sweet, pouty Asian lips. *loses train of thought* Erm, where was I? She disapproves even but falls for him, even though he gives her no indication at all that he might like her. In fact, when she unwittingly rents an apartment he owns, he tries to evict her. I pretty much always find female characters in Japanese dramas terribly annoying, and this is no exception. OMG, there are TWO pretty girls, friends in the beginning, who end up fighting because they both like him, while he deliberately ignores them both.

Even when he's beaten up by a cop and the girl who lives in his building takes care of him, he's a total bitchwad to her. Bitchwad boys are apparently very attractive to Japanese university student girls, for some reason. Also, these girls fight with each other largely because the one saw the other leaving his apartment (after she looked after him when he was beaten up) and thinks they got it on. Apparently, these BFF's are allergic to talking to each other like normal people.

*sigh* But the lead has pretty lips, gets beaten up/cries prettily, and I want to know what happens, and what the old/dying swindler is really up to. So I keep watching.

My reasons for this (and, let's face it, most anything) are at least 70% shallow. I rarely watch shows in which I do not find anyone attractive. Who was it that said TV is about watching people you'd like to have sex with doing interesting things? So true. That's probably why I loved Life on Mars but hated the American version. The lead in the American version held no appeal for me, while I would totally tie John Simm to a chair on the second date.

... but getting closer. :)

I've been a bad webmistress and have neglected my pimping duties. So here's a run down of the recent stuff up on GeekaChicas.

First up, there's Kitchen Jedi's awesome review of Dorkness Rising. Looks like a fun rental, if it's half as amusing as the review.

Then there was Pearce's God Bless Shatnerday featuring the now somewhat infamous Star Trek OS video of Ke$ha's Tik Tok. It was up on Saturday, which gives you a hint how far behind I am on this stuff. Bad Wemistress, no biscuit.

Then, we have a book review from Alpha Lyra, Black Blade Blues - lesbian blacksmith, anyone?. I always enjoy Alpha Lyra's book reviews, even when she's not hot for the book, because she always gives her reasons and is a critic quite capable of considering the role taste plays in whether or not she likes a book.

Then we have a fun Geek Parenting article by Kitchen Jedi, Character Creation Is Not For The Faint at Heart. None of my spawn has done the non-video RPG thing yet, but it will be interesting to see what happens when they do.

Nightsky's I'm Sailing Away touches on the recent teen sailor rescue and the trend of parents pushing kids into stunts, possibly for the media coverage, as well as teh trend to do something just so you can write a book about it later. It's certainly some food for thought.

Last but not least, there is my no spoiler review of the new Futurama episodes airing tonight, Futurama: Good News, Everyone!

***

Whew! That was a lot of articles. Remind me not to get so far behind on my duties again.

I have now crossed the Mississippi River more this week than in my whole life before. *sigh* But hanging out on the West Bank has helped me focus, as it has a dearth of things to distract me. Unlike my New Orleans neighborhood.

Speaking of which, two of our nearest home school friends are moving this month. One is not going that far, but out of easy walking distance. The other will soon be on the far side of the French Quarter, just barely within the non-dodgy confines of Bywater. The latter is my older son's best friend in town, so this kind of sucks.

Still, it's New Orleans, which means *no part of it* is all that far away. *sigh*

I still love my neighborhood, though, and intend to stay put until the path to other lodgings is made clear and unavoidable.

***

Up at GC today, we have our first article by new addition Peta Jinnath Andersen, Geek up your kids with this Superhero A-Z. Let's hear it for the next generation of geekdom!

***

In somewhat less uplifting news, CBS has apparently decided to severely reduce the female characters of their hit show, Criminal Minds. One of the best things about the ensemble cast, for me, has always been the presence of competent women getting the job done. Now, they are planning to cut the character of JJ, a wonderful exemplar of a working mother who is competent, focused and successfully juggling motherhood and her career. Wonder how they'll write her out. (Yes, that's sarcasm.) The other female character looking at a drastically reduced role is Prentiss, which pisses me off even more because she's my hero. She's tough without being played mannish, smart and accomplished. Oy.

agirlnamedluna probably says it best in this post, which also has a list of places to make our ire known.

In addition to those listed by Luna, there is a campaign to send CBS lipstick as a means of protest. Since I have a bunch of old lipstick that I hate with a passion, I'm all over it. The address is listed in the link.

I'm genuinely annoyed that they think only men -- or even mostly men -- watch this show. Or maybe they just don't care, because the advertisers are not as interested in the female viewers. Whatever. F*ck you CBS. In the nostrils. With a baseball bat. Wrapped in rusty barbed wire.

Okay, maybe I'm more than annoyed.

So, the next Writing Group meetup is the day after my birthday, even though at the meeting they had agreed upon a week before that date. My guess is that it was to give people time to prepare.

In any case, there are 5 30 minute slots: 20 minutes for reading, 10 for critique. No one has submitted anything yet, possibly because several people will be out of town on that date, and no one really wants to go first.

I went to an online stopwatch site, and timed myself reading the first chapter of Form and Void. It took about 18 minutes, so that will work. I just have to suck it up and jump in.

***

In other news, Yoga starts Monday. I must get a mat and a block. I know I'm not going to be very good at it to start, but I can be dogged in certain pursuits. ;)

***

I heard a song today that very much reminded me of when my mother died/was dying and bawled for a good five minutes. It was surprisingly cathartic

***

I let Hulu sabotage a project today. They rolled out the second series of Wire in the Blood, which I admit is mostly flash (Oh, look at us! We can show boobies!) but is enlivened by some stunning, nuanced performances by the leads (Robson Green and Hermione Norris). I'm perhaps a bit spoiled by Criminal Minds, though, because the victims all seem particularly cliche, and lacking in agency or original thought. They are wholly defined and contained by their victimhood. Still, Robson Green has an interesting face.

I only watched one episode, but fell asleep midway through, which was what screwed me up.

***

Via lotusice, I would also like to point the m/m erotica aficionados on my flist to The Prince's Boy, an erotic serial by Cecilia Tan. New episodes posted on Wednesdays, and there are currently 46 of them.

While we're on the subject, if you stopped checking Male Submission Art because it wasn't being updated much, well, it seems to be being updated again. Woo-ee.