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Howdy, friends and strangers!
This is my intro post. I figured I'd better have one.
This journal is a mix of fannish stuff, ponderings, computer geekery, art and random cookery experiments. More personal posts are friends-locked, some with tighter filters than others.
( things you should know about me )
( other sites of mine )
If you want to write fic for me, here is my Generic Ficathon Elaboration Post.
If you have friended/subscribed to me, I would appreciate it if you drop me a comment here, saying hello and what brought you here.
The Art and Science of Ice Cream
Sat, Jan. 28th, 2012 14:55People have upon occasion asked about the strange chemical-sounding things I put in my ice cream recipes. Now, part of that is because for some things I prefer using the chemical name because it has many different brand-names depending on who is selling it, so for those things I think it will be less confusing if I use the chemical name. But that begs the question of why I'm using those substances in the first place.
So bear with me while I discuss ice-cream making, and the reasons behind my choices of ingredients.
( the quest begins )
Onward! Upward! The quest continues!
So bear with me while I discuss ice-cream making, and the reasons behind my choices of ingredients.
( the quest begins )
Onward! Upward! The quest continues!
Sherlock 1x01: The Blind Banker
Thu, Jan. 26th, 2012 18:13Now ![[livejournal.com profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dawnmist and I have seen "The Blind Banker", which I gather from fan reaction was supposed to be terrible. I was therefore pleasantly surprised that it wasn't terrible. Mind you, it was weaker than the first one in a few ways, and perhaps that's all that folks meant.
( spoilers will graffiti you )
dawnmist and I have seen "The Blind Banker", which I gather from fan reaction was supposed to be terrible. I was therefore pleasantly surprised that it wasn't terrible. Mind you, it was weaker than the first one in a few ways, and perhaps that's all that folks meant.( spoilers will graffiti you )
Sherlock 1x01: A Study in Pink
Thu, Jan. 26th, 2012 15:39Just seen "A Study in Pink" with dawnmist.
Now I understand why people love Sherlock - it's the characterisation.
As well as the scintilating dialogue and the actual Mystery and brilliance of Holmes - but it's the character dynamic between Holmes and Watson that make it a cut above.
dawnmist.Now I understand why people love Sherlock - it's the characterisation.
As well as the scintilating dialogue and the actual Mystery and brilliance of Holmes - but it's the character dynamic between Holmes and Watson that make it a cut above.
Temporarily Off The Air
Tue, Jan. 24th, 2012 10:51If you've been trying to email me, or access my website (http://www.katspace.org) don't be surprised if it bounced or vanished... because I recently changed plans with my ISP, but they didn't inform me that changing plans meant that I lost my static IP... which meant that my mailserver and webserver could no longer be found.
I've now changed to a different plan, with a new static IP, so I have to (a) wait until the change of IP goes through (b) update all my DNS records to the new IP and (c) wait until that change percolates through the internet.
In the meantime, my LJ, DW and twitter are still working fine, I'm just not getting any notifications.
I've now changed to a different plan, with a new static IP, so I have to (a) wait until the change of IP goes through (b) update all my DNS records to the new IP and (c) wait until that change percolates through the internet.
In the meantime, my LJ, DW and twitter are still working fine, I'm just not getting any notifications.
The Return of the Revenge of the Mad Scientist
Sun, Jan. 22nd, 2012 22:31The ice cream is back! There were some experiments I did last summer, but I don't have sufficient stuff written down for them to be worth recording. But yesterday I made the first ice cream experiment of this summer.
( If they're called Kurds, where are the Wheys? )
( If they're called Kurds, where are the Wheys? )
This Black March Thing
Sun, Jan. 22nd, 2012 10:43Okay, so someone had this idea to boycott the Hollywood moguls who are behind SOPA/PIPA by refusing to buy stuff in March, and decided to call it "Black March".
Really unfortunate name.
Look, folks, this boycott is not going to work. (And I'm not the only one who thinks so)
( there are a lot of reasons )
(Screening comments from folks not on my flist, because I learned my lesson from the last time I voiced an unpopular opinion)
Really unfortunate name.
Look, folks, this boycott is not going to work. (And I'm not the only one who thinks so)
( there are a lot of reasons )
(Screening comments from folks not on my flist, because I learned my lesson from the last time I voiced an unpopular opinion)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 12
Fri, Jan. 13th, 2012 07:01Day 12
One of the frustrating things about going over old net-fic recs is discovering that the story you loved is no longer on the internet. I had a few different stories I wanted to rec for this day, such as "Path of Strangers" by Olwyn Mitchell, only to discover that they no longer exist. 8-(
So I think I'll link to Jeri Massi's Third Doctor stories instead. Yes, Doctor Who isn't exactly a small fandom, but it has such a huge canon that people tend to stick to particular sections of it, such as particular versions of the Doctor... and the Third Doctor doesn't get much love. Jeri Massi managed to singlehandedly change my mind about the Third Doctor, changing my attitude from "meh" to great affection.
So I invite you to read, and change your minds too.
(and, regarding my previous post - nobody has recs for me?)
In your own space, rec at least three fanworks that you think would make a good intro into XYZ fandom. Rec a fandom overview, a introductory picspam, stories that define and shape the fandom. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
If at all possible, try to pick a smaller or rarer fandom, one that maybe doesn't have the following you feel it should. Small fandoms need love, too, right?
One of the frustrating things about going over old net-fic recs is discovering that the story you loved is no longer on the internet. I had a few different stories I wanted to rec for this day, such as "Path of Strangers" by Olwyn Mitchell, only to discover that they no longer exist. 8-(
So I think I'll link to Jeri Massi's Third Doctor stories instead. Yes, Doctor Who isn't exactly a small fandom, but it has such a huge canon that people tend to stick to particular sections of it, such as particular versions of the Doctor... and the Third Doctor doesn't get much love. Jeri Massi managed to singlehandedly change my mind about the Third Doctor, changing my attitude from "meh" to great affection.
So I invite you to read, and change your minds too.
(and, regarding my previous post - nobody has recs for me?)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 11
Thu, Jan. 12th, 2012 22:15Day 11
I'm always looking for stories featuring psi powers, especially telepathy and/or telempathy. I don't care if the powers are based on magic or science, I just love telepathy. In any of my fandoms, whether telepathy is part of the canon landscape or not. Whether it be a major part of the universe (Tomorrow People, The Omega Factor), a minor part of the universe (Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Harry Potter, Sapphire & Steel, ST:Reboot), mentioned in passing (Stargate, Highlander, Buffy) or not really part of the universe at all (Sentinel, House, Labyrinth).
Recs, please?
(Note for folks who may have come here via the fandom-snowflake post: I don't read slash.)
In your own space, ask for recs. Something as simple as "I like XYZ (where XYZ is a kink, a pairing, a trope, etc) - please rec me some." Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
Remember that your rec list doesn’t have to be fic if that’s not what you’re looking for. Some of you might be yearning for good vid recs or fanart or fanmixes or meta or... well, you get the picture, right? ;)
I'm always looking for stories featuring psi powers, especially telepathy and/or telempathy. I don't care if the powers are based on magic or science, I just love telepathy. In any of my fandoms, whether telepathy is part of the canon landscape or not. Whether it be a major part of the universe (Tomorrow People, The Omega Factor), a minor part of the universe (Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Harry Potter, Sapphire & Steel, ST:Reboot), mentioned in passing (Stargate, Highlander, Buffy) or not really part of the universe at all (Sentinel, House, Labyrinth).
Recs, please?
(Note for folks who may have come here via the fandom-snowflake post: I don't read slash.)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 10
Thu, Jan. 12th, 2012 21:48Day 10
It was hard to choose for this, since there are so many awesome folks in fandom. But I shall chooserj_anderson.
It's not just because her fanwork appears multiple times on my Best-of recs page, in more than one fandom. Though that's certainly one of the reasons. I can't remember which of her works I read first, though I think it was probably her author-created-11th-Doctor stories (taken down a while back for Reasons). Every word was polished like a jewel. And then there's "Possessions", her awesome X-Files story, which is again vivid and deep.
But I just realized, in looking back at some of my reviews of her fanwork that she's been responsible for changing my mind about characters - more than once. And one of those characters was Severus Snape, and not only that, Severus Snape in a romantic context (in her "Darkness and Light" series). Which means that she's indirectly responsible for my current love of SS/HG.
Here's to people who make us love the characters even more!
(Of course, she isn't writing much fic nowadays, because she's Gone Pro. But I don't begrudge that, because that's more awesome stuff that she's writing that I can read!)
In your own space, talk about a creator. Show us why you think they are amazing. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
Make a recs list, create a Fanlore page for them, link to their archives or masterlists or websites. It can be a detailed, thoughtful analysis, or a squeeful, joyful post. Or maybe a combination of the two.
It was hard to choose for this, since there are so many awesome folks in fandom. But I shall choose
rj_anderson.It's not just because her fanwork appears multiple times on my Best-of recs page, in more than one fandom. Though that's certainly one of the reasons. I can't remember which of her works I read first, though I think it was probably her author-created-11th-Doctor stories (taken down a while back for Reasons). Every word was polished like a jewel. And then there's "Possessions", her awesome X-Files story, which is again vivid and deep.
But I just realized, in looking back at some of my reviews of her fanwork that she's been responsible for changing my mind about characters - more than once. And one of those characters was Severus Snape, and not only that, Severus Snape in a romantic context (in her "Darkness and Light" series). Which means that she's indirectly responsible for my current love of SS/HG.
Here's to people who make us love the characters even more!
(Of course, she isn't writing much fic nowadays, because she's Gone Pro. But I don't begrudge that, because that's more awesome stuff that she's writing that I can read!)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 9
Thu, Jan. 12th, 2012 14:43Day 9
Well, since rec lists and fulfilling wishes both counts, I'll put in here the links to the wishlist answers I gave to various people...
http://sophia-gratia.dreamwidth.org/457
http://leoraine.dreamwidth.org/52749.ht
http://iiskaa.dreamwidth.org/195292.htm![[livejournal.com profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
writingbuds
http://tuesdaysgone.dreamwidth.org/6043
http://missvmarigold.dreamwidth.org/708
But I sort of feel as if I didn't do anything... 8-(
I may come back to this later.
In your own space, create a fanwork. A drabble, a ficlet, or an icon, art or meta or a rec list. A picspam. Something. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
At a loss for ideas? Why not scan through the Day 7 posts and see what wishes you can fulfill? You can quick reference the Day 7 participants here and bring some joy to a fellow fan. Have fun!
If you created something for someone on Day 7, feel free to count that for Day 9 as well.
Well, since rec lists and fulfilling wishes both counts, I'll put in here the links to the wishlist answers I gave to various people...
http://sophia-gratia.dreamwidth.org/457
http://leoraine.dreamwidth.org/52749.ht
http://iiskaa.dreamwidth.org/195292.htm
writingbudshttp://tuesdaysgone.dreamwidth.org/6043
http://missvmarigold.dreamwidth.org/708
But I sort of feel as if I didn't do anything... 8-(
I may come back to this later.
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 8
Thu, Jan. 12th, 2012 14:26I'm quite behind on these...
Day 8
Well, yes, I'm good at stuff. And usually when people talk about "talents", they talk about artistic/creative talents. And I could do that. But I won't. I'll talk about another talent I have.
I'm good at explaining things to people.
Perhaps that isn't a talent so much as a skill, but if so, it's a skill that requires certain talents of intelligence, imagination and empathy - yes, empathy. Because the first question I ask someone when they ask me about "X" is - "what do you already know about X?" Because one can always explain something more effectively if you know where the other person is coming from. Imagination? Yes, because imaginative (but precise) metaphors can help people understand things too.
I guess I'm also good at it because I have a passion for understanding people and helping people to understand things.
So that's my talent du jour.
Day 8
In your own space, talk about a talent (or talents) you have. Everyone's got something they're good at. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
Well, yes, I'm good at stuff. And usually when people talk about "talents", they talk about artistic/creative talents. And I could do that. But I won't. I'll talk about another talent I have.
I'm good at explaining things to people.
Perhaps that isn't a talent so much as a skill, but if so, it's a skill that requires certain talents of intelligence, imagination and empathy - yes, empathy. Because the first question I ask someone when they ask me about "X" is - "what do you already know about X?" Because one can always explain something more effectively if you know where the other person is coming from. Imagination? Yes, because imaginative (but precise) metaphors can help people understand things too.
I guess I'm also good at it because I have a passion for understanding people and helping people to understand things.
So that's my talent du jour.
This one's for temeres
Mon, Jan. 9th, 2012 22:39This morning, I trundled into my shower as usual... and it wasn't until I'd already almost finished that I noticed I had a visitor, because, well, it was kind of hidden by the towel hanging over the side of the shower cubicle.
( do you dare to click the cut-text? )
So,temeres, what do you think?
( do you dare to click the cut-text? )
So,
temeres, what do you think?
Help Me Obi-Wan Friends List
Mon, Jan. 9th, 2012 10:48I'm wondering if I should get a Pinboard account. (http://pinboard.in/)
At the moment I just do all my bookmarking in Firefox, and then export a subset of that to my Links Page on my site every now and then (using a combination of a plugin, a web-dav server, and a script I wrote myself). It's okay, there are pros and cons to it. Even though Firefox has bookmark tagging, it's really not very friendly, so I just organize them by folders. Doing my bookmarks in Firefox and on my site means that I have control of them. But it would be nice to be able to have publicly available bookmarks that have nicer tagging features. (Yes, I investigated various bookmarking web applications but they were all more painful to set up or use than simply using Firefox's native bookmarking).
Now, I know that many fans have adored Delicious bookmarking (which I never used, myself) and also that Delicious has gone downhill since it was taken over. Hence, my question: should I get a Pinboard account? Anybody here use it? What are the pros and cons?
At the moment I just do all my bookmarking in Firefox, and then export a subset of that to my Links Page on my site every now and then (using a combination of a plugin, a web-dav server, and a script I wrote myself). It's okay, there are pros and cons to it. Even though Firefox has bookmark tagging, it's really not very friendly, so I just organize them by folders. Doing my bookmarks in Firefox and on my site means that I have control of them. But it would be nice to be able to have publicly available bookmarks that have nicer tagging features. (Yes, I investigated various bookmarking web applications but they were all more painful to set up or use than simply using Firefox's native bookmarking).
Now, I know that many fans have adored Delicious bookmarking (which I never used, myself) and also that Delicious has gone downhill since it was taken over. Hence, my question: should I get a Pinboard account? Anybody here use it? What are the pros and cons?
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 7
Sun, Jan. 8th, 2012 19:04Day 7
Hmmmmm.
1) If someone with vid-making-fu could make a Doctor Who (classic and new) vid about the Doctor and the Daleks to "Live and Let Die" that would be awesome.
2) Podfic of any of my stories (well, apart from the two that already have podfic of them).
3) A story based on a piece of my digital art, particularly one of these ones:
ETA:
4) For enough people to join![[community profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
icon_style to get it running again.
In your own space, create a list of at least three fannish things you'd love to receive, something you've wanted but were afraid to ask for - a fannish wish-list of sorts. Drop a link to your wish-list in this post. Maybe someone will grant a wish. Maybe you will grant a wish. If any wishes are granted, we'd love it if you link them to this post.
Go ahead and post your wishes over at your journal. Be specific.
Ever wanted a header for your journal centered around your fandom or favourite pairing? What about art for one of your stories? How about a fanmix that reminds you of the way Character A and Character B in your favourite movie keep making *heart eyes* at each other? Would you love icons? Podfics? Fanvids? Wallpapers? Paper dolls? Cupcakes?
Hmmmmm.
1) If someone with vid-making-fu could make a Doctor Who (classic and new) vid about the Doctor and the Daleks to "Live and Let Die" that would be awesome.
2) Podfic of any of my stories (well, apart from the two that already have podfic of them).
3) A story based on a piece of my digital art, particularly one of these ones:
ETA:
4) For enough people to join
icon_style to get it running again.Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 6
Sat, Jan. 7th, 2012 21:41Day 6
I thought I would be hard-pressed to find more than one rec to fit this challenge, but I managed to find more than three!
( surprising recs ahead )
In your own space, rec at least 3 fanworks you thought you wouldn't like (because they weren't your fandom or they pushed against your boundaries or you thought you just wouldn't be interested) and that you ended up loving.
I thought I would be hard-pressed to find more than one rec to fit this challenge, but I managed to find more than three!
( surprising recs ahead )
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 5
Sat, Jan. 7th, 2012 11:59(days 3 and 4 didn't involve making posts)
In your own space, share something non-fannish you are passionate about with your fannish friends.
I was going to post about crochet, since it's been so new and shiny and fun, but what![[personal profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cesy said in her post struck a chord with me:
Perhaps one reason I don't talk about my faith a lot in my journal is that it would be like a fish talking about water: it's always there, at the back of everything.
So I invite y'all: ask me questions about what I believe, and I'll answer them as best I can. I know that religion can be an inflammatory topic, so I'm trusting y'all to be polite and respectful, and in that trust, I'm not f'locking this post. Please don't give me cause to regret that.
In your own space, share something non-fannish you are passionate about with your fannish friends.
I was going to post about crochet, since it's been so new and shiny and fun, but what
cesy said in her post struck a chord with me:But actually, a lot of those, I'm not passionate about - they're just fun hobbies. I guess the biggest non-fannish thing I'm passionate about is my faith, but I tend to avoid talking about religion on my journal. We've got a wide variety of views represented in my DWircle, and I know that for some people, anything I say is going to come across as preaching.
Perhaps one reason I don't talk about my faith a lot in my journal is that it would be like a fish talking about water: it's always there, at the back of everything.
So I invite y'all: ask me questions about what I believe, and I'll answer them as best I can. I know that religion can be an inflammatory topic, so I'm trusting y'all to be polite and respectful, and in that trust, I'm not f'locking this post. Please don't give me cause to regret that.
Today was the last weekday of my holidays.
( and there was good and bad )
So that was today. My feet ache and my knees ache and I am exhausted, but there were quite a few good things too.
( and there was good and bad )
So that was today. My feet ache and my knees ache and I am exhausted, but there were quite a few good things too.
Spontaneous Filking
Fri, Jan. 6th, 2012 10:59(inspired by looking at a particular food packet)
You've got to know when to toast 'em
Know when to roast 'em
Know when to boil away
Know when to grill
You don't count your chickens
Before they've been a-hatchin'
There'll be time enough for countin'
When you've had your fill.
(smirk)
You've got to know when to toast 'em
Know when to roast 'em
Know when to boil away
Know when to grill
You don't count your chickens
Before they've been a-hatchin'
There'll be time enough for countin'
When you've had your fill.
(smirk)
Fandom Snowflake Challenge Day 2
Tue, Jan. 3rd, 2012 20:24Fandom Snowflake Day 2
In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Drop a link to your post in the comments. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom and maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.
( here be appreciation )
In your own space, post a rec for at least three fanworks that you did not create. Drop a link to your post in the comments. See if you can rec fanworks that are less likely to be praised: tiny fandoms, rare pairings, fanworks other than stories, lesser known kinks or tropes. Find fanworks that have few to no comments, or creators new to a particular fandom and maybe aren't well known or appreciated. Appreciate them.
( here be appreciation )
