mix the fanfic with the thinky...

[minxy]

eliade via zoetrope has discovered something called the uncyclopedia. She pulled a number of Atlantis references as well as David Hewlett worshipfulness quotes and entertained me muchly here.

janedavitt discusses whether there's a place for POV shifts in good fanfic (and books).

A number of marvelous conversations seem to be popping up all over regarding the rather bizarre racial politics of science fictions shows, notably SG-1, SGA and Farscape. My favorites are at sugargroupie's and ladyjax's here and here, thanks to RW for pointing me to both. Fascinating discussions. There are also discussions of writing race into fic, epithets like 'the dark man' as opposed to 'the older man/younger man' of Jack/Daniel slash, of eroticizing the exotic, about white culture and race as the default common experience, and about characters of color = aliens (or becoming an alien junky). Of why it's all about skin tone represented on Earth and not about the gold paint, tattoos, pouches, scars, wacky facial hair or something otherwise, you know, alien. Shockingly underthunk by TPTB, it would seem.

This entertained me probably too much: the Online Tarot Reading.

I read a John/Rodney piece last night in which there was a really nice thread of Rodney not being able to let go of Cadman and the 'ship with John just being a sort of relevant supporting storyline. It was quite awesome, to my sleepy mind. Letting Go by gaiaanarchy.

Wordgeek has posted the last installment of The Mind Doesn't Decide series. Jack/Daniel, NC-17, S8. The stuff is like crack, it's so addictive. That's your warning.

finisterre, whom some of you may know from her X-files fanfiction (as Marasmus), has posted two extraordinary Harry Potter fics, both gen, both marvelous: The Grangers and the War, and Untitled 1000 Word Fic. Seriously. Thanks muchly to cofax7 for the rec.

Updates from Pepe's Place include some extraordinary challenge responses in short story form from Pepe (April Fool, NC-17) and Berty (April Showers challenge) called Raindance. Both Jack/Daniel, NC-17.

A marvelous NCIS/Dark Angel crossover snippet from nixa_jane, pretty gen, teen. I must encourage these thoughts. Mmmmm..... (eta: link now goes to an unflocked comm, so everybody can read the goodness!)

dustandroses posted a Jack/Daniel smut day fic called 'Eat Dessert First' on the whacked euphemism prompt of 'spelunking sausage' and it's just so endearing what she did with it. Add in phosphorescent spores and I'm enchanted, man. NC-17.

surrealphantast continues her iconficcing with a Sam/Daniel and Cameron/Daniel that I loveeeeeed. Yum. God is in the details. Both PGish, I think.

Also got pointed by thefourthvine to a genderbending, femmeslashy, defies categorization Jack/Daniel fic from last year's ficathon. This is the Alternative by scrollgirl. Who'd'a thunk? Hotness. NC-17, J/D.

Thoughts on Alias: Before I knew of Firefly or the fantasticness that is Zoe who could break you with her little finger (thank goodness she's on our side), I knew Gina Torres as Anna on the first season of Alias (because when she's not on your side? Dangerous badguy and totally worthy of much respect). When they talked about her showing up again in later seasons? I was THRILLED. When she walked into Will Tippin's house and had a scene with Bradley Cooper? My two favorite recurring guest stars suddenly and unexpectedly in a scene together?

I hate that Alias has been cancelled, but I love that they're bringing back these great people as part of the send-off. (also? They let Gina speak with an American accent! And they didn't make Bradley dye his hair! *shallowly gleeful* Not that Gina + accent isn't possibly the most amazing thing ever.)

Thoughts on an NCIS allllll about Abby: I love how independent that girl is. Love that they have a quirky character with faults and vulnerabilities and a life outside of what you see on the screen. Also really adore her interaction with Gibbs. Love that.

Comments

[rydra_wong]

To add to the thinkiness, here's the discussion of epithets:

http://xayeidemon.livejournal.com/129632.html

I think some of the current conversations were sparked by the huge debate that blew up about race in SGA here:

http://tielan.livejournal.com/49532.html

Which precipitated an important post from ladyjax here:

http://ladyjax.livejournal.com/403324.html

And there was the "Absence of Color" panel at Escapade before that - here's a report and a link to the handouts:

http://kassrachel.livejournal.com/371553.html#cutid3
http://community.livejournal.com/escapade_con/17378.html

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

I must admit to hesitancy about reading anything that blew up, but I'm really curious about the Escapade panel...

Thanks for the links, this is awesome.

[stellahobbit.livejournal.com]

Wordgeek has posted the last installment of The Mind Doesn't Decide series.

No way. NO WAY!!!111!1!!

I have to go get a haircut now! How can I leave the house!

I really, really love this story ;-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

And, like one's love for the very best crack, we'd give up even pampering to have it. *g* There is something about The Mind Doesn't Decide, isn't there? Doesn't matter if you think you have squicks, if you think you won't like it, because you'll start reading, and then you won't be able to stop. Ever. Heh. Except the Galactic Thingy is done now. *pouts*

I promise the story will still be there in all it's long, satisfying glory, when you get back. *grins sympathetically*

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Dark Angel, but I've been curious about it since I started watching NCIS. Too bad this fic was a one shot deal. I liked the idea of Tony being not quite what Gibbs and Kate thought.

And I just loved this last week's NCIS - Abby is so freakin' cool. And her interaction with Gibbs was wonderful. I usually don't enjoy much het, but I can really see the two of them together. Of course Rebecca makes it easier, doesn't she? *g*

I've bookmarked The Mind Doesn't Decide, but I can't start it yet, dammit. I have to get my Teal'c piece and my Dooooooom! story under control by Monday! Aaaahhh!!!

Oh, btw...thanks for the rec. :::blush:::

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Dark Angel... well, the first season, with it's kick ass and who the hell cares about names? heroine and really, really attractive guy in glasses, plus incindiary chemistry between said duo, plus fun supporting characters and an inventive premise... was amazing. The second season... was *meh*, despite the appearance of Jensen Ackles, later of Supernatural fame. Rent the first season and watch it, though, if you get a chance, it's amazing. The second season is a different show, but there you are.

Also? Nixa Jane said that she always intended the fic to be a part of a larger story, but after letting it languish unfinished decided to post as a one off. No telling whether she'll continue or not, but it's a possibility.

Have you been following the Mind Doesn't Decide? Stuff is like crack, I'm telling you.

The elevator scene with Abby? Was so fantastic. Where Gibbs puts his arm around her and the doors open and whatshisface looks down at them and Gibbs is all, what? Loved that. Loved particularly how honest Abby is as a character. And independent and wonderful. Normally? I love the slash, and I'll read anything of Rebecca's, but Abby is my in on that show, she's the one I'm watching for. Did read a NCIS/SG-1 crossover, though, where Tony was hurt enough after the Dinner that Gibbs and Ziva threw and didn't invite him to that he skipped town and went to see Daniel, old lover, still friend and occasionally fuckbuddy (sadly, of the vanilla, fade-to-black variety. I can't tell you how much I thought the 'why didn't we make it?' conversations was going to go to the 'we're both subs, duh!' place instead of the 'eh, we were young!' place.) Of course, seeing them together gets both Jack and Gibbs to pull their heads out of their asses and make a move, which is convenient. *g*

Need help with the Teal'c piece? I can beta if needed. Turned mine in already for extra credit. *is proud*

[stellahobbit.livejournal.com]

Well my hair looks fabulous, and I've just reread the previous chapter to get me back to date.

::settles in to read over 500k of quality crack::

It's like the Christmas porn fairy has come early this year!

[rydra_wong]

Well, it "blew up" mainly in the sense of becoming HUGE - at least in the bits I followed, it stayed pretty civil. Albeit, for me and various other people, extremely frustrating at some points.

[bertybertle.livejournal.com]

*beams stupidly*

Thanks for the rec!

*wanders off - still beaming stupidly*

[dustandroses.livejournal.com]

Well, once I get my fic in shape I may just have to check out Dark Angel. And no, I haven't seen any of The Mind Doesn't Decide, so it looks like I'll have my hands full when I finally get some time to myself.

I've only seen the one NCIS/Stargate crossover (Stardust), is the one you're describing worth checking out, even if it is pretty of vanilla?

I might just need help with the beta - it seems my regular beta has a fic due Monday, herself, and is out of town until then, anyway. But to be honest, I can't say as I'll be ready by then. I'm having trouble getting my fic together. I wrote about 1000 words last night, but there's still a bunch to go, and one pivotal scene just won't work, no matter what how I plead with it. Sigh...I always end up doing this. I rarely if ever manage to get my fic done by the deadline, I'm always a day or two late.

:::headdesk:::

I noticed that your fic was done already. :::pats you on the back::: Wish I had time to read it. I actually may end up taking a break from beating my head against a wall, and read some of the other Teal'c fic. Hopefully that might inspire me? Who knows. Something's got to... I have read a few already, but they've mostly been Teal'c/Cam, since that's the pairing in my fic. I decided to save the others until later.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

You're welcome! *notes handle* Coooooool, more listsibs on the LJ (my primary obsession, must admit).

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Frustrating I can handle, narrow minded and cruel? Not so much, but the eloquence of several reactions I've read so far is extraordinary, perhaps I should go back and read the primary literature?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

LOL. I wish I had fabulous hair, alas... I must be happy with my early Christmas porn fairy gift.

I was actually at a party last night with a bunch of girlfriends and the only genuinely straight-haired person there. I spent a fair amount of the hair discussion portion of the evening boggling about the idea of putting oil on one's head. On purpose. Hee! Hair.

[stellahobbit.livejournal.com]

I too suffer from limp locks :-(

You could put a can of hairspray on my head and a curl will have a lifespan of about half an hour before it goes straight again. My frizzy-haired friends are so jealous, whereas I could only get hair like Shep's if you electrocuted me.

When I said fabulous, I meant cut :D

I liked the way Wordgeek finished the series. I've been worried since the last chapter about how she would handle Kerry Johnson because WG is pretty good when it comes to following canon (except for the special hidden slashy bits that we know are there, of course) so I was pleased. And thank goodness it strayed away from the mpreg - I was getting a bit freaked out towards the end.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yes, lovely fic is done. I'm quite pleased with it, but I did end up finding the plot whilst discussing the first 1/3rd of the fic with my alpha/beta on AIM as she went through and said, well, I'm interested in learning more about X, as opposed to Y. Plus all the usual lovely cheerleading. I'd be happy to help in any way that would serve.

Mind Doesn't Decide is a rollercoaster of crack. You may think you have squicks, but you'll read right through them. I'm pretty sure I read it as a WIP and out of order, through coding and spelling errors that normally would have tripped me up, through squick and objection and bizarre kinks... CRACK. It's addictive, so make sure you have time to read it all, just in case you get addicted.

Dark Angel is worth a watch, really, if for no other reason the amazing premise, and having a young kick-ass woman as it's protagonist, one with flaws and skills and great friends.

[rydra_wong]

There was one thread in particular that made my head go all desky, but there were also a number that were civil albeit extremely frustrating.

IIRC, the point when I cracked and had to walk away was when there were simultaneously people claiming that the SG PTB couldn't cast black actors as scientists because there weren't enough black actors in Vancouver, and that they couldn't cast white actors as alien warriors because there were't enough white actors with fight training.

Or something.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yes! That's me with the lack of curl. Maybe 20 minutes if I'm lucky. My friends (well, three of them) are all going for the natural look after having chemically straightened hair since they were teens, and they were talking about getting used to twists and braids after so mercilessly flattening their hair for so many years. I kept going 'wait... on PURPOSE???' and they laughed at me. They are really into low maintenance hair, though, which is my entire mantra with my hair: I'll wash and blow dry, possibly use products, or *handflaps* brushes, but I will not try to convince my hair to be anything other than what it is. If I every have a curly-haired child I'm going to have to do some research.

Yes about the mpreg. I was starting to get concerned about that. I really like how she manipulated canon at the end, though. Just as I would get bored with the idea that we were going to have to tangent into Teal'c's apartment and the stupid Trust issues, she'd leap around a bit and it was great. Just enough of an anchor to remember canon, and see where she was taking it. Cool.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Vancouver being an incredibly diverse city, wouldn't possibly have any black actors? They could call me a couple of hours South and I could hook them up with some *actual* scientists who are black or otherwise darkskinned... And for whatever reason, my martial arts class is mostly white. HOWEVER, I find that argument really incredibly spurrious since there is little actual fighting done by the actors.

*shakes fist* See? Don't know if I want to get into it after the fact, I'd just fume. Stupid people thinking they're colorblind but really just turning a blind eye are almost more frustrating to me than people doing something clearly over a line and being called on it. It's so insidious.

Here's a question for you, though: why do you think the GBLT community has a term for friends of the community (allies) but a similar concept doesn't exist in a racial discussion. I was noticing this in LadyJax's post about how sometimes she just doesn't want to deal with white people as a group even though she knows some are really cool... there's no term for friends/allies/people who aren't defined by the community but are supportive and... whatever allies are. Not making things harder. [side note: I'm thinking about some other experiences on the periphery of communities, and there is usually some way to quickly indicate whether someone signs or adapts or an ally, some way to indicate quickly to the community that this person is going to be gracious without having to prove oneself on an individual basis every time.] Race is one of the most difficult things to have a discussion about, I think, partly because there are so many words that have been twisted into something hurtful that it's a minefield and we don't have a vocabulary to communicate with; makes me that much more impressed by the elegant way people were expressing themselves in the posts I've read.