Productivity Levels at All Time High

I had the day off today.

That means I did not get dressed until after 12pm. But you can hardly blame me, since I now own Christine’s Dressing Gown (mine is fuller and more luxurious than Stage!Christine’s!!!) and why would any woman person with a human soul ever want to put something else on?

It also means haven’t finished my daily word count yet, but I have watched about three hours of Eat Your Kimchi videos!

Also, I went Yoona with the skin care.

Dad: Don’t ever scare us like that again.
Lee Shin Dongsaeng Pabo: That. is creepy.

I will respond to them in picture form…

It was an avocado and oatmeal mask and smelt faintly of mint. ‘Twas nice upon my face.

Once Upon a Fandom

I did this back in October and am just now posting it. Big time fail.

The first part of this blog entry is titled: Things I Should Be Doing Instead of Making This Post
…and they include, but are not limited to…
Cleaning my room.
Finishing my Secret Garden Kdrama review.
Watching one of several episodes of several Kdramas I started at once.
Writing in one of several stories I have going at once.
Editing my best friend’s paper.
Replying to a Facebook message from Le Tim.
Watching Tangled. Because I feel like it! Also, because the internet was down last night and in desperation I watched the really creepy, cheesy, and hilarious animated Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics version of Rapunzel, and now I need a brain cleanse.

But I’m doing none of those semi-productive things and filling out this fandom quiz, instead! Woo!

List 12 Characters From Your Favourite Fandom(s), In No Particular Order:

1. Benjamin Davidson (Felicity: An American Girl)

2. Felicity Merriman (See Above)

3. Cleo (H2O: Just Add Water) – I almost wrote that as “woodah” since that’s how they pronounce it in Australia-land.

4. Rikki (H2O)

5. Emma (H2O)

6. Erik, the Phantom (Phantom of the Opera)

7. Christine Daae (Phantom of the Opera)

8. Raoul de Chagney (Phantom of the Opera)

9. Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice)

10. Carlisle Cullen (Twilight)

11. Mr. Knightley (Emma)

12. Maddie Ross (True Grit)

1. Have you ever read a 6/11 fic? Do you want to?

I can’t… in any universe see Erik and Mr. Knightley in the same story. So no.

2. Do you think 4 is hot? How hot?

Hehehe! Rikki is so hot. Especially when she’s “dencing! with Nayte!” “Nayte’s HOT!”

3. What would happen if Twelve got Eight pregnant?

HAHAHAH!! It is biologically impossible for Maddie (a girl) to get Raoul (a victome/man-person) pregnant. However… if it was the other way around… I think LaBoeuf would keel him in a duel. Or just keel him.

4. Can you recall any fics about 9?

Mr. Collins? Yes, I wrote it. Collins/Lydia. I’ve been asked to write more, because it made more sense than it had a right to.

5. Would 2 and 6 make a good couple?

HAHAHA!!! I’d say yes, just because I have a strange obsession with huge age gap stories… but I think Erik and Felicity would fight too much to make a good couple. She’d never be willing to try like Christine. Well, maybe! Maybe I should give her more credit! Maybe someone needs to write that crossover so I can make a final judgement!

6. 5/9 or 5/10? Why?

Emma and Collins or Emma and Carlisle? Wow. Just… wow. I suppose to be kind to Emma, I’d have to say Carlisle. 5/10. Although one of their worlds would have to go VERY A/U to make that work. Wait. A vampire doctor and an Australian mermaid? Maybe not so A/U! Hah!

7. What would happen if 7 were to walk in on 2 and 12 making out?

Christine… I… no. Not even going there.

8. Make up a summary for a 3/10 fic.

Cleo is pregnant, and terrified of the effects her transformation could have on the baby. Her husband, Lewis, can’t persuade her to see a doctor, as she fears they wish her more harm than good. That is, until word reaches them of a Doctor Cullen who specializes in the supernatural. (Shoot, this could be an actual fic!!)

9. Is there any such thing as a 1/8 fluff?

There are many fluffs of each of them separately. In fact, Ben/Lissie and Raoul/Christine are the two most frequently read fluffs in my FF history.

10. Suggest a title for a 7/12 hurt/comfort fic.

Lark and Sparrow
In which Christine Daae and Maddie Ross flee abusive households; Christine from a wealthy father with unrealistic demands of her musical gifts, and Maddie from a drunkard of an uncle. They cross paths at a saloon where Christine earns a living singing for the gents, and Maddie becomes a regular, beating all the customers at cards. And of course, Erik and LaBeouf would show up at some point, rescue them, and marry them, because a story isn’t a story without romance and weddings.

11. If you wrote a song-fic about 8, what song would you choose?

For Raoul… All I Ask of You is the obvious answer. R/C fluff!

12. If you wrote a 1/6/12 fic, what would your warning be?

Caution: I was on drugs when I wrote this. That’s the only possible explanation for me writing a Ben/Erik/Maddie fic. I could see Benjamin and Maddie becoming friends in some kind of… strange… mix-up, but Erik doesn’t make sense in that scenario. Sorry, Erik.

13. When was the last time you read a fic about 5?

I don’t know that there are any! Most of the fics I find with enough Cleo/Lewis to keep me interested choose to boot Emma and put that stupid new girl, Bella in. I don’t like that. I like Emma!!!

14. Would 1 look if 2 got lost?

*sniffles* Yes!!! Ben would not just look for her, but he would find her and hold her and marry her, because he is a wonderful apprentice lad who cares for his Lissie!!!

15. What would 3 say if 4 killed 9?

“Rikkeh! I towld youh noht to look at the mune!”

16. 12 goes to break up 10 and 8′s wedding. What is their dialogue/ trialogue?

Maddie: What in the name of all that is holy are you two thinkin’?
Raoul: Christine send me a note instructing to meet her here but when I arrived the chapel was empty, save for this strange man.
Carlisle: I have one from Esme, stating the same.
Maddie: Well, you both have been bamboozled by a man in a dark coat and expensive leathers. I brought two fast horses and powder for your pistols. Now go get yer ladies!

17. Why is 6 afraid of 7?

Because she has the power to spurn him, crush his soul, and make him die of a broken heart. Which, in the book, she actually does. So he has good reason!

Listen to this stuff

Here are some songs that will console you while I’m in a faraway country. Listen, watch, and think of me fondly.

Speaking of which…

1. Think of Me

2. What Sara and I are Like on Vacation

3. Since I Love Korean Stuff You Should Sing This in My Honor

I even found you the one with romanized lyrics so you can totally learn it for reals, yeah? Or just do what I do and go around singing, “MEEESSSING YEW, AHM MEESSSING YYYEEEW!!”

4. An Educational and Britishy Song

This whole song is just made of epic win, but my favourite parts HAVE to be, “People hated us, and we hated them tooo!” and “Me, I would have been more at home in a… *inappropriately high note* zoo-oooo!” I sing that last line at work all the time. Makes my coworkers go, “What? o.O”

5. Because It’s Phil and Lord of the Rings

This will be the audio of choice during very long car (and possibly train) rides. So if you want to listen along, you may think of me listening too. In a country you wish you were visiting. But can’t, because you are not me. Wow, I should stop being so smug. I’m going to lose all my readers to envy. I’M SORRY, COME BACK, I LOVE YOOOOU!!!!

On Holiday!!

Monday, the 21st of May, I’ll be leaving for a three week holiday to the UK with my best friend and her parents. We’ll be predominately in England, but we hope to travel into Scotland by way of train. Due to my blissful departure, (I say that as if this entire week isn’t going to be off-the-wall hectic and stressful) I will be even more absent from my blog than I have been.

When I return, I hope to have a working computer. But I won’t know for sure until Best Buy gets back to me… or my mother who will direct the news to me via international phone. Which I still need to set up.

I’m very frightened of how many emails I’ll have. It was up to 180 last time I checked, and that was from being out sick for a mere four days. *shudder*

But just so you don’t feel left out, I’m giving you images of some of the grandest things I’m looking forward to on this trip. (Meaning, I want to make you all jealous. Bwahahahaha!!!)

Longleat Maze, Safari, and Orangery

Lyme Park of Pemberly renown

Highclere Castle, site of Downton Abbey

Coombe Abbey; 12th century Cistercian abbey we’re staying in

…IN LONDON.

I’d say I’ll miss you all, but considering where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing………

Oh fine. I’ll miss you all. “ARE YOU HAPPEH NOW??”

If anyone gets that quote, I’ll be stunned. Really. I challenge you all to figure it out in my absence. Get back to me with your best guesses. Hehehe.

Thems Be Words

Polonius: What do you read, my lord?
Hamlet: Words… words… words.

Words have reestablished themselves in my realm. I’m reading again! Not quite in a consistent pattern, but enough to give me a push. My lovely friend let me borrow Wilkie Collin’s The Moonstone months ago, and it’s been sitting at the bottom of my knitting/carry on bag until this afternoon. I loved The Woman in White and so far The Moonstone is proving to be just as involved and interesting. It also has me in stitches over the unintentionally comedic steward.

I made one resolution this year with an actual time limit. (Not a “be more blank” or “do more blank-ing”) I resolved to have a story finished. Not perfected, because that perfectionist attitude is always my roadblock to completion. No, this is finish a book in a year so you can fiddle with whatever… but at least it will be done goal. I’m terrified, but very excited.

In celebration of this wordiness, here’s a book survey quiz thing of fun.

[By the way, that paper man hug is one of my favorite random internet picture finds of all time.]

Content Theft Warning: I stole this from her who got it from this.

1. Which [is the] book that’s been on your shelves the longest? Amy’s Eyes–I don’t remember a time when this book was not on my bookshelf, occupying the very left hand side of the second shelf from the top. The blue hardcover somehow kept me at bay for years, but when I finally read it–instant favorite.
   
   

2. What is your current read, your last read and the book you’ll read next? I just started The Moonstone today and earlier in the week, Gideon the Cutpurse. The last book I read was far too long ago, and that was The Game by Diana Wynn Jones; authoress of Howl’s Moving Castle. Next up will hopefully be Sapphique, if it comes to my library soon.
3. What book did everyone like and you hated? (Or the other way around?) I will never understand the appeal of the Twilight saga, nor why anyone not on crack would enjoy The Phantom of Manhattan. On the flip side, Susan Kay’s Phantom had flaming reviews against it on the book site I was frequenting at the time but I enjoyed it very much indeed.
   
4. Which book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t? Nicholas Nickleby – Too much speculation/depression.
   
5. Which book are you saving for “retirement?” I’ll reread all my favorites. Starting with a Robin McKinley marathon. Oh boy, I can’t wait to be retired!! From… my career… as a cashier. (I really love my job a lot, for really reals.)
   
6. Last page: read it first or wait til the end? I only skip ahead in fan fiction. Otherwise, I do my best to stay surprised.
   
7. Acknowledgements: waste of ink and paper or interesting aside? The note to readers, author’s bio and acknowledgments are some of my favorite parts about a book!
8. Which book character would you switch places with? Marguerite Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel. I can see myself making the same kind of stupid, horrible mistake she did and trying just as desperately to make things right. And I love her husband.
   
9. Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time)? Is there a book that doesn’t? Sunshine makes me think of baking cinnamon rolls. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince I associate with riding in the car to soccer games.
10. Name a book you acquired in some interesting way. I… maaay have forgotten to give a couple books back to people. But I’m sure they’re not missed! At least not as much as I enjoy having them.
11. Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person? I made a book of songs for the very friend I’m borrowing The Moonstone from. I think it was a birthday present. I prettied it up like a scrapbook with lyrics and explanations of some of my favorite musical songs.
12. Which book has been with you to the most places? Other than the obvious, which is The Bible (in my head and heart, if not always physically present) it would have to be The Society of S and The Phantom of the Opera. Both were in my purse for access during lunch breaks at work, and being in my purse they get around.
13. Any “required reading” you hated in high school that wasn’t so bad ten years later? A History of European Civilization, or as we students liked to call it, “No, please, not The Red Book!!” And ten years later? I’ll retake this quiz when I’m 28.
    
14. What is the strangest item you’ve ever found in a book? A husband. Okay, I have several of those… from books. Just sayin.
15. Used or brand new? I love reading what’s new to me, but I don’t like owning brand new books. A little pre-wear means I don’t have to fear marring them with my love.
    
16. Stephen King: Literary genius or opiate of the masses? I’ll let you know when I read something of his. ;P
    
17. Have you ever seen a movie you liked better than the book? The only two that come to mind are The Count of Monte Cristo and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1).
18. Conversely, which book should NEVER have been introduced to celluloid? Incarceron, for casting Taylor Lautner. I also hope no one touches any of Robin McKinley’s books because they are too wonderful in word to be toyed with visually. I don’t deny that someone could do it properly, but considering the Narnia movie flops and lack of accurate Phantom of the Operas I won’t believe it until I see it.
    
19. Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take? I’ll “take” anyone’s. Whether I’ll respect it or not is another thing entirely. I’m to curious to completely disregard the advice of any reader.