cosmic_llin: (DOCTOR WHO SJ typing)
So, I seem to have quite a lot to say at the moment on a variety of topics...

ExpandTheatre! )

ExpandDS9 Relaunch Novels - Worlds of DS9/Warpath/Fearful Symmetry (a few spoilers and mention of rape) )

ExpandHuge - the most adorable and perfect TV show I never knew about )

ExpandLife and Feelings and Stuff )

OK, that might be it for now... various fandomy posts to follow...
cosmic_llin: (STAR TREK DS9 fangirls)
At long last, our dear [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo is watching DS9. Unfortunately she's only on Season 2, and she's almost run out of Kira/Dax fic that she can read without being spoiled for later seasons.

So I turn to you, dear flist. First of all, recs? Particularly things that can't be found in the appropriate tag on AO3?

Second of all, drabbles! Ficlets! Epics, if you feel like it! Write them, post them in the comments! Or leave prompts! Either respond to prompts or just write whatever you feel like!

The only rule is it must have some Kira/Dax element, and NO spoilers past Season Two! Have fun!

(long overdue real-life post and comments etc forthcoming once I'm actually back from work...)
cosmic_llin: (WRITING first draft)
So, [livejournal.com profile] mini_hannah, [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo, [livejournal.com profile] carawj and I set ourselves a challenge to post more regularly, so here's my stab at it. Although I actually posted fairly recently. ;)

* Second draft of the novel is coming along bit by bit. I was stuck on a bit that didn't work because of things I changed late in the first draft, and it took me forever to figure out that the whole problem could be solved by the scene in question taking place indoors instead of outdoors. *headdesk* So now that's sorted out - onward!
* Also working on a new project, a website for kids... still in the planning stages, watch this space...
* Bit frustrated that I suddenly have a lot less writing time, since I'm back working in the office, which means three hours commuting every day. On the flipside that's three hours reading time, but it's not the sort of commute where writing is really possible, or I could alternate. I'm really not enjoying being in the office. Working from home really suited me and going in every day stresses me out and makes me unhappy. I'm going to try to find something else.
* But yes, silver linings etc, I achieved my aim of reading a lot in September partly due to my stupid long commute. It was only ten books, but three of them were the insanely-long Tawny Man Trilogy, which I quite enjoyed but which annoyed me in places. Before that I read some factual books, mostly feminism-related, some good short stories and a couple of new-ish fantasy things I'd been meaning to get around to. Next up are a couple of quick little Star Trek tie-ins before Snuff comes out this week.
* [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo and I joined a choir! It's lots of fun so far and I really have missed singing.
* We went to the Entertainment Media Show (Collectormania) the other weekend, which was a thoroughly disappointing experience, but at least I got my picture taken with some guy dressed as a Klingon? So it could have been worse.
* Spent yesterday having Yom Kippur dinner at [livejournal.com profile] carawj's grandparents' house. I've been there a few times before but this was the first time I've been invited to Jewish Stuff, so I was very pleased (and nervous) to go. I had a nice time and now we have lots of leftovers, hurrah!
* Life shows no signs of getting any less busy - theatre trips, stays with my dad, visits from various friends and family, outings, innings... lots of fannish things coming up over Christmas... not going NaNoWriMo this year so I'm sort of looking forward to a bit of a quieter November than usual...
cosmic_llin: (RANDOM London)
August has contained many things. Among them a trip to Cornwall (sunny! Scone-ful!), picnics (delicious! Croquet-tastic!), a weekend in Edinburgh (fringe-alicious!) and various other delights. Plus [livejournal.com profile] carawj are moving house on Sunday! We're not going far, just up the road, but we'll have lots more storage space, and a little garden!

The summer has been so busy that I'm getting a bit worn out, and so I really want to try and have a quieter September. As part of this, I've decided to make September my month of reading. I haven't read much at all lately - admittedly partly to do with short attention span due to sadness - but I'm getting back into a reading sort of mood and I want to really try to read a lot in September. Anyone is welcome to join me!

Semi-relatedly, on the train back from Edinburgh on Monday (having been inspired by a Neil Gaiman talk at the book festival, and some good chats with Manda) I finished the first draft of my YA fantasy novel. I'm now starting the second draft, wheee. Fun times.
cosmic_llin: (RANDOM Russia)
Off to Russia again early on Wednesday morning. I am now in the excited/panicky/ambivalent stage of preparation. Excited because I love it there, panicky because there's too much to do before I leave, ambivalent because I'll miss [livejournal.com profile] carawj.

ExpandRambling )
cosmic_llin: (DOCTOR WHO happy sj)
I still can't quite believe she's gone.

Elisabeth Sladen shaped my fandom life for years, and without knowing it, she had a huge influence on my life in the 'real' world, too. As Sarah Jane, she inspired my wardrobe choices, my writing, and my very first fanvid. I devoted hours, days and weeks of my life to chronicling her appearances in Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures for my website. I watched her episodes of Doctor Who and SJA whenever I needed to relax, or cheer up, or feel a bit closer to home. I even bonded with the Russian children I taught over showing them SJA in class.

Not only that, but having Season 2 of SJA to focus on and get excited about helped me to deal with my own mother's cancer diagnosis, and watching The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith helped me to come to terms with some of my family issues.

Most importantly of all, through Sarah Jane fandom I met some lovely people, many of whom are now an important part of my life. Including my BFF and Awesome Twin, [livejournal.com profile] ladyvivien, without whom I would never have met my wonderful [livejournal.com profile] carawj, and [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo who has become one of my very favourite people.

She never knew me, but the gifts she has given me will stay with me for a very long time.
cosmic_llin: (RANDOM well behaved women)
So, 2010, not so great for me in some ways. And probably when I think back on it, all the stuff with Mum is going to be what I remember most. Possibly, in a lot of ways, the worst year of my life so far.

But then, 2010 was also the year that I celebrated my first anniversary with [livejournal.com profile] carawj, did Princess Laserquest for my birthday, was immortalised in a museum, went to a Prom and a folk festival, wrote most of a novel from scratch, saw more theatre and comedy than ever before, went to dozens of picnics, parties, games nights and food-themed gatherings, went to Russia for the umpteenth time, got back into Star Trek fandom, holidayed in Italy and Cornwall, came out to my Welsh family, and got closer to a lot of people I really enjoy spending time with. And you know, I'm really sad right now, but apart from the sad stuff, my life is pretty awesome.

In 2011 I hope for more awesomeness and less sadness. [livejournal.com profile] carawj has already started the awesomeness off by paying for us to go to [livejournal.com profile] vidukon as my Christmas present! *bouncebouncebounce* Also, I'm planning another Russia trip, hoping to take another exciting European holiday, determined to see lots more theatre, planning to write lots and lots, and looking forward to spending time with my terrific friends. 2011 is all fresh and new and I'm excited to fill it with memories.
cosmic_llin: (HAPPY cagney and lacey lolz)
Still seems very peculiar to reach September and not be going back to school. A lot of people I know are either still in education or going back this year, and it’s a funny feeling to still be doing the same things I always do while they’re dealing with starting new courses and getting their reading lists and all that fun stuff.

Still appreciating the September-y feeling, though. If nothing else it means I can break out my winter wardrobe again. The sundresses and shorts and things have been fun, but I’m always a bit more comfortable in thick tights and wool skirts and sweaters.

It’s been a good summer, too. Probably one of the best of my life. I did all the proper summer things – I picnicked, went to music festivals (Cambridge Folk Fest – The Burns Unit are amazing!), went to the Edinburgh Fringe, and to Cornwall where I surfed (ish) and ate pasties. I played croquet and went to a sci-fi convention and the Pride parade and outdoor theatre and barbecues. It’s been wonderful, especially in contrast to last summer which I spent mostly miserable, broke, and travelling up to Edinburgh as often as possible to see [livejournal.com profile] carawj who was miserable and broke also.

So now it’s autumn again – 94 sleeps until Christmas! Before then I have plenty to look forward to – visiting and old friend in Nottingham this weekend, staying with my dad in Wales the weekend after, trip to Italy soon after that, Sarah Jane Adventures preview screening the day after I get back, Hallowe’en, Bonfire Night, and tickets to see Dar Williams in December… a couple of years ago I couldn’t have imagined having a schedule this busy – it’s almost too busy, I feel as though I hardly have time to breathe, but there’s nothing I want to let go.

In short, I’m a little bit exhausted and over-stretched, but generally life is good today.
cosmic_llin: (RANDOM sam get a life)
Ack, I am exhausted. It's been a really fun few days though:

* Went and had Maids of Honour with [livejournal.com profile] carawj, [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo[livejournal.com profile] jakera, and  [livejournal.com profile] jakera's very nice siblings. I'd never eaten a Maid of Honour before and it was very tasty indeed. And we were apparently just down the road from the scrapyard from An Unearthly Child, but we didn't go and see it this time.
* On the same day, did churchy things (quite interesting and not at all like going to chapel when I was a kid) and had nice brunch with [livejournal.com profile] carawj 's family. Which was lovely! And her dad gave me halloumi. I like when people give me halloumi. :)
* Yesterday we went to karaoke again, it was awesome as ever! And lovely and cheap thanks to a combination of several discounts and offers.
* Over the last week or so, I've written about 13,000 words of original, not-fanfiction stuff. Quite pleased with this, wondering how long this level of productivity can last.
* My dad is coming to town. Which is lovely. His visit clashes with Pride. Which is a bit unfortunate. Not that he would have a problem with it, but now I'll have to juggle family things and friends things, but we'll see how it goes! He's passing through on his way to Easter Island, which is rather exciting.
* [livejournal.com profile] carawj and I finished DS9 quite a while ago, but we skipped quite a few of the duller episodes early on, so now we're going back for them! Move Along Home looks a lot better when it's all you've got. Well, a bit better. Well... at least Kira's in it being feisty.
* I am sleepy. Early night tonight, methinks.

Oh! I almost forgot to say! Only a few days left until the Day of not-Classic Trek. There's still time to prepare something, it can be as little or as much as you like.

Zoo!

Jun. 12th, 2010 07:44 pm
cosmic_llin: (RANDOM zebra hug)
So, [livejournal.com profile] carawj, [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo, [livejournal.com profile] id_doomer and I went to London Zoo today!

It was pretty fun, we saw penguins, and reptiley things, and okapis, and a little red panda thing, and awesome gorillas, and we took a picnic, because zoos and picnics go together, and it was generally lovely and nice!

One of the cool things was that they had lots of info and interactive exhibits and stuff about the conservation work they're doing and how they're improving quality of life for the animals. They even had a voting booth thing where you paid a pound to vote for what kind of project they should do next to support gorilla populations, and they'd put the money towards it, and then you got a badge!

[livejournal.com profile] carawj and I both had a go, but before we went there were a couple of kids there with their mum, and the little girl saw it and wanted to give a pound to the gorillas, and her mum just said no, because she should save her money for the gift shop.

?!?!

I mean, yes, a portion of the profits from the gift shop goes to charity anyway, but when your small child wants to give their own money to help a good cause, should you really be encouraging them not to bother?

Eh, whatever. The penguins were cute!

Tomorrow is stuff with [livejournal.com profile] carawj's family, and then on Monday we're going to karaoke!
cosmic_llin: (RANDOM new salad)
Busy weekend was busy! Lates at the V&A, British Museum and Sticky Fingers and Avatar with [livejournal.com profile] carawj's dad and little sister, then lots of awesome hanging out with [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo and [livejournal.com profile] jakera and baking of cake and writing of pitches for Big Finish. And now I'm in work again? What is this? Surely that wasn't the whole weekend?!

Found a Russian podcast that's just the sort of thing I need - short-ish news items, complex enough that I have to listen two or three times and maybe look up a word or two to get everything, but not so much as to be horribly daunting. And I'm also finding that my Russian music on my iPod is helping already. If I can keep this up then I should be well up to speed by the time I go to Kitezh again in May. Fingers crossed!
cosmic_llin: (Demonstrably fine)
1. FYI, Deanna does not actually crash the ship in Star Trek: Generations. She does a very good job of flying the ship in the middle of a battle, and by the time it starts crashing she’s lost helm control and Data is the one who eventually gets control of the thrusters. Also in this movie she wears sailor drag and is all perceptive and in charge of things. Why have I not seen this more times?
2. I am TIRED.
3. Remember Kerry Weaver on ER? Wasn’t she AWESOME?!
4. One of my Christmas presents was a cookie jar in the shape of a certain Doctor Who character. Now when people come over and want biscuits we ‘fetch the Davros’. This tickles me.
5. On a similar note, used our lovely new teapot from [livejournal.com profile] bunnyvon for the first time the other night, to much acclaim.
6. Strategies for passing time at work becoming sillier. This morning M and I chose new names for everyone in the office.
7. I have new glasses! They are red. I am told they make me look like a crime-fighting librarian.
8. These new headphones are not as good as my old ones. My old ones are, ALAS, broken.
9. I want January to end soon, please.
10. There is nobody in the world like [livejournal.com profile] carawj. She is incredible and I love her WAY MUCH. I know this is soppy but I don’t care, the world should know how amazing she is.
cosmic_llin: (cagney and lacey lolz)
Three days into a new year already - gosh!

Christmas, as expected, was a bit upsetting and miserable, but had some lovely bits! Quite a few people got me presents to share with [livejournal.com profile] carawj (thank you, those people, for cushions, teapots, spice racks etc! :D) and my brother got me a Davros cookie jar, so, awesomes. And then when I got back to London we had a little Christmas of our own and I had a stocking with jelly beans and bubbles and poetry and biscuits and it was very lovely. :)

As to my feelings on Doctor Who... mostly disappointment and betrayal. I might post properly another time.

So anyway... 2010, eh?

Where I am now is nowhere near where I imagined myself this time last year. And 2009 in a lot of ways was a difficult year, but it was also a year filled with loveliness and awesome, and one in which I think I've grown a lot and learned a lot of things about myself, so I'm counting it as a win overall. I have a lovely home and girlfriend and a wonderful circle of friends both near and far who mean the world to me, and if I don't have a job I love, I at least have one that pays the bills and lets me wear what I like and listen to my iPod in the office, which could be a whole heap worse.

I'm not sure I want to make a list of resolutions, but as a general thing I want to spend more of this year doing things that are important to me, and I want to make more progress towards my goal of making a living from writing. Although technically I do that already, it really doesn't count.

Today I'm sitting in our nice tidy flat, we've shopped and eaten proper food, I've been doing creative things all day and even if I haven't made the best possible use of the Christmas break, I have really enjoyed it. So I think this is a good way to start the year. *nod*
cosmic_llin: (DW romana flappy hands)
[livejournal.com profile] deccaboo and Patrick are staying with us! In preparation for seeing Nation tonight! It are exciting! I wish I could have taken some time off work to actually hang out with them during the day, but this is still fun!

At the weekend, [livejournal.com profile] carawj, [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo, myself, Sasha, Josh and 55,000 other people went to the firework display in Alexandra Palace. It was shiny. Like, super shiny.

In addition to that there was a party and a write-in and a movie and all sorts of things, and life in general continues very busy! Off to Nottingham this weekend, muchly looking forward to it, but also really looking forward to the next weekend where currently there is nothing on the calendar. Would really like it to stay that way.
cosmic_llin: (cagney and lacey lolz)
Phew!

Bit of a manic weekend – it just didn’t seem to stop!

Friday night was fun. [livejournal.com profile] carawj, [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo and I watched the whole of The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith, and squeaked and cried and jumped up and down like idiots. Then we fetched chips and poked youtube for pretty much the rest of the evening!

Saturday was mostly taken up with getting Halloween costumes ready – I went as Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman, and [livejournal.com profile] carawj went as Ace! Also [livejournal.com profile] silly_cleo went as Rainbow Zorro, which was the best EVER. She came over to ours to get ready, and Maxine came for dinner too, and then we went for Halloween karaoke with [livejournal.com profile] jenepel(Elphaba) and [livejournal.com profile] lazyclaire (Boggart Snape), which was such fun because it was the kind where you get a room to yourselves so there aren’t strangers looking at you funny, and you can just enjoy yourself without it having to be a performance.

We had to have a few drinks first for the confidence, and then we had a few after as a reward, and then we eventually staggered home and had chips again (oops!). There was much drunkenness. I won’t say who was the most drunk, but it was [livejournal.com profile] carawj.

Yesterday was like three days smooshed into one – we went to meet Manda for dim sum (we waited aaaaaages to get in but it was totally worth it), then we went to a NaNo write-in at Waterstones Piccadilly (I decided to be a bit of a rebel and try to make the word count, but finishing off some of my projects that I’ve left hanging instead of starting something new. I need a push sometimes, and I find write-ins quite helpful. I’m already behind, though!), and then we went to visit [livejournal.com profile] carawj’s dad and stepmum and little sisters, and we heard about their holiday and played Guitar Hero and it was fun and nice!

Then we trekked most of the length of the Piccadilly Line home, and made a desperate attempt to catch up on all the stuff that needs doing on a Sunday evening, I belatedly updated the website, we collapsed in a heap, and six hours later we were up again.

Aaaaargh. Why aren’t weekends longer?
cosmic_llin: (Default)
Yes, I suck at updating/keeping in touch/the works. I will update properly sometime but today is not the day.
However, if you give me a fandom and a prompt (a pairing, a word, whatever) I'll write you a drabble! Available to all comers!

A few brief messages:
[livejournal.com profile] seti_fan - Your parcel arrived but I won't be at my Dad's for another couple of weeks, I'll pick it up then! Thank you a million! One is winging its way to you!
[livejournal.com profile] penguin2 - I miss you! Hugs!
[livejournal.com profile] ladyvivien - You = Awesome

Thoughts...

Jan. 8th, 2009 07:31 pm
cosmic_llin: (Default)
1. Sorry for long absence and rubbishness! Soon I shall catch up - I owe lots of people comments and long emails, and you shall get them!
2. Work very good but hardcore! The girl who usually does BBC2 isn't in this week, so I've been doing loads of her stuff. Good for me! Also, got shouted at by a BBC scheduler today! I feel I'm going up in the world. It totally wasn't my fault, though.
3. Commute is killing me slowly. Especially waiting in the cold at Acton Town for the horrible, mean District Line. Can't quite believe that I am daily spending three hours on the tube.
4. New Year was great. Went to [livejournal.com profile] bunnyvon's. It was really great to see all the girls and hang out over the holiday. Miss you guys!
5. Saw Bonnie Langford in panto on Monday with [livejournal.com profile] carawj. OMG!! It was so thrilling! We went to the stage door and I took Jazz at the Theatre to get signed, but when Bonnie mentioned it I just stood there like a freak instead of telling her how I've been listening to it non-stop since Sash got it me for Christmas. I am such a dork. And I'm usually quite calm in the presence of awesomeness.
6. Going to see La Sladen in panto on Sat! Exciting! Both this and the Langford panto are Peter Pan, so [livejournal.com profile] carawj and I will be in a good position to compare...
7. Found a sandwich shop near work that does a cheese ploughman's on white!! That's it, I can never leave Ealing now.
8. Have been salivating over shelves and sofa beds on the Ikea website. Watch this space for pictures of my shiny new room, come payday.
9. Having my first proper piano lesson on Tuesday evening! Yay!
10. I want pie.
cosmic_llin: (DW cute leela)
Had a very full few days!

1. On Friday, Sash and I went to a Q&A with Joanna Lumley. Oh my gosh, she is so cool. I mean, I always liked her as an actor, and I really respect all the stuff she's doing for the gurkhas, but oh, in person, she's so marvellous! Very friendly and sweet, full of useful advice for the actors who made up most of the audience, absolutely hilarious and an excellent speaker all round.
2. The act at work this weekend was a guy called Hans Teeuwen, a Dutch comedian. He's not quite like anything I've ever seen before, and he's terrific. There are some clips of him on YouTube but they're mostly in Dutch, unfortunately for me!
3. Thinking of spending a couple of days in Wales this weekend. Which means, because I'm working Friday night (until 1.30, eep!), that I'll have to go first thing on Saturday morning, and come back last thing Sunday night, for work on Monday morning. Ooh, or, if I ask work nicely, maybe I could work Monday afternoon instead of morning, to have an extra night at home... time to start sucking up, methinks...
4. I've barely been in the house all week, and my room is still a tip. How does this happen? Big tidy-up today.
5. I got a lovefilm free trial, and got By the Pricking of my Thumbs to watch Bonnie Langford (she was great!), and ended up unexpectedly falling a bit for Greta Scacchi - I definitely prefer Tuppence Beresford as a lonely alcoholic, is that wrong?
6. I also got Trial of a Timelord for the commentary - I would like to marry Colin Baker now, please. He may not be as pretty now, but he's so clever and nice and wonderful!
7. I wish there was such thing as a West End Theatres season ticket. If that existed, I wouldn't mind not having any money. Well, I would... but not very much. There's so much stuff coming up that I want to see. Hopefully by Christmas I'll be able to afford at least a couple of things!
8. Hope everyone has had a nice weekend!
cosmic_llin: (Default)
I'm back in London!
When I got into Euston I was so happy I nearly cried... I'm such a dumbass.
But work aren't giving me any shifts because business is bad, and they haven't paid me for the shifts I did before I left... so I'm in London with no money, so as usual I can't leave the house or buy anything, or indeed eat anything but pasta... So pretty much as usual.
Oh, everything was looking so good for a while there... I had a decent medium-term temping assignment and evening work, I was really getting stuff together. *sigh* And now it could be ages before I have work again. I obviously had to go home, but the timing sure could have been better.
I'm so sick of this. I just want a regular income that's enough so that I can have fun sometimes and put a bit away for a rainy day. But now I'm afraid to apply for things because I don't know when I'll be needed at home.
Although, Mum wants to have a go at managing without me there and see how it goes, so I'm in town for at least a couple of weeks, and I may only be going up at weekends. And she's encouraging me to apply for graduate jobs, so I guess she doesn't want to shake up my life too much...
So I'm doing that, but I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get to any potential job interviews without any money for transport. We'll see.

The silver lining in all this cloud is my friends. I've been so touched by how great everyone has been. Thank you all for your supportive comments, offers of cake etc! [livejournal.com profile] penguin2, thank you so much for being all wise and stuff, and for sending me lovely things! [livejournal.com profile] ladyvivien, you are an angel, thank you for all your calls!

Housemates are out tonight, so I'm going to try and spend the evening writing, since that's a part of my life I've been neglecting quite badly recently. I really want to get going with it again.
I'm certainly not going to do what I did last night, and resolve to spend the evening writing, and then instead eat peanuts and chocolate and watch the whole of Caves of Androzani, no sirree!

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