Grey Bard's Journal

9:19PM - Watch the damn episode.

In regards to last night's Criminal Minds episode "Minimal Loss", the ranch in question was formerly Libertarian. Then it was taken over by a pedophiliac religious nutball, and became a non-Libertarian cult of personality insane suicidal freaking cult. 

When the Libertarian guy was in charge the worst thing that happened was some tax evasion. Okay, and assault on an IRS agent.

Two different things. In the actual episode this distinction was drawn.  

The Libertarians were not the crazy cult run by a pedophile.

Dear fellow fans with poor listening comprehension: this Libertarian says "Bite me".

12:23AM - How much is that AU in the window...

Normally, I'm not much of a memer, but this one looked like fun. Any takers?

Gotten from misspamela

The Hypothetical AU Meme: Take any one of the fandoms you know I write in (or think I should), and give me a type of AU (space opera AU, pirate AU, superhero AU, Ancient Rome, etc). I will then explain what story from your chosen fandom I would write for your chosen type of AU.

ETA: No, I don' need to know you. If you're even the slightest bit interested, feel free to toss me a prompt.

9:33AM - A Note from a Third Party Observer

I'm a third party person with relatives and friends on both sides of the two major American parties. What's more, I live in a swing state, in a swing district, and I grew up there. So maybe my perspective is a little different.

I know we tend to couch our major philosophical questions in this country in terms of which party do you belong to, are you red or blue and so on, which obviously leads to understandably strong feelings on the subject of politics. Especially understandable in election years such as this, when the direction of our country is so much at issue.

But frankly, a lot of people on both sides of the aisle - good people, sensible people - are losing sight of the basic humanity of their rivals.

All I can say is - do you really think that the other almost half of the the population that belongs to the other major party is entirely made up of villains or dupes? Just about half of the perfectly ordinary citizens living their lives all around you? Is there no room for "I think you're wrong, but I know you're not the Devil"?

Political parties are not some vast communal hivemind sapping the will of their constituents and implanting them all with the same solid block of predigested opinion. If it works that way for *you*, you're doing it wrong.

Hoping deeply for one party to win, dreading another's success, or simply believing someone else to be wrong is a sane and healthy response, but the villification cycles I see around me, I find deeply worrying.

*Think*. What seems more likely to you, what makes more sense - that most people who belong to another mainstream political party are ordinary human beings such as yourself, making what they honestly feel is the right choice? Or that they are slavering evil fanatics hungry to destroy all you hold dear?

Hey, maybe I'm wrong. In which case, feel free to tell me you told me so when they come for me in the night with flaming torches.


P.S. No, please don't comment to tell me why your political views are the right ones. I'm an adult living in a swing state who has an internet connection. I probably have heard your philosophy, I may or may not agree with you and you're totally missing the point.

Don't worry, this is the last I have to say on the subject.

3:27AM - Does anyone have the dirt?

So, I hear David Weber imploded over on the Baen's Bar web board at some point in the last week or so. That is literally all I have heard. I am fascinated, anyone have the details? Spurious speculation?

I've been combing the board, but it's a pretty active place, and I have no idea even where to start.

3:20AM - Wow, so. Miami Vice

I heard it had a small but healthy slash fandom, but never watched it. Just watched the two part pilot and...

They set a long moody moonlit car ride between Crockett and Tubbs to the Risky Business subway sex song. It even has a lot of the same sort of gleaming moving vehicle imagery.

And yes, the movie came out the year before.

I. Just. What?

12:27AM - Goofy girl-buddy antics - What were yours?

I just read a feminist blog positing: "Young girls simply don’t have “buddies” the way boys do... She watches to insert herself into the goofy buddy narrative she is denied in life."

A *feminist* blog*.

Denied in life?!?

Young girls don't have goofy buddies and goofy buddy fun? Really? Since when.

Personally, my fondest memories of childhood and my teenage years were *all* goofy buddy fun. Filming and narrating an off the cuff trippy dream sequence dance film (with my friend as the trippy dancer) and then proudly dragging it in to elementary school for show and tell.

Getting into an elaborate revenge water fight against another friend's brother in which we cunningly stinkified the water before soaking him.

Running around pretending to be hiding from Killer Enemies on the playground in first grade.

Running around pretending to have psychic powers on the playground in fifth grade.

Making up an almost super-antiheroic identity - "Ferret Girl!" - for my (now and forever) best friend's bouts of gleeful manic antics and cheerily crazed laughter.

Somehow, I don't think we were alone in this. Girls don't have goofy buddy fun? Come on. What were yours? Share the joy! What were you guys up to as kids?

* In context, it was part of a series of essays making the case that obsessive fannishness of teen and tween idols is actually a positive experience for young girls and as much about bonding with other girls than it is about guys. Which I agree with and support. But you know what? That's not the only way girls have fun together. BUY A CLUE.

2:28AM - Horrible thoughts

12:46AM - Open letter to Paramount

Dear Paramount,

So. You have made the *brilliant* business decision that what you *really* needed to do to sell more Star Trek: the Original Series dvds and syndication rights is to spend squillionty dollars converting all the lovely period effects into state of the art boring CGI.

(I know this has been going on for the past two years, but work with me here, I just saw how much you're charging for the remastered dvds, and how boring your shiny new remastered versions look.)

Yes. That is a good use of squillionty dollars. In no way will you lose money on that. Good luck on *that* one.

Now, to be fair, unlike Star Wars, you aren't changing any character actions or plot - no guns into flashlights, added new scenes proving Spock is actually secretly a replicant, etcetera. Good call there!

However you could have gone a step further and just CGIed... Nothing.

I'm not just saying this as a fan. I'm saying this as someone who has seen many people lose giant piles of money doing obviously stupid things. And in that capacity I say... Captain! There appears to be an idiotic idea in sensor range!

Here's why:

A) Do you really think that anyone who hasn't bought Star Trek dvds has held off because it lacked CGI?

Hahahah. No.

How about making them less absurdly overpriced? Paramount is not starving, and dvds are physically cheap. Stop charging $70 a season, when other shows are $40 - $20 a season.

I know that's why I haven't bought them. Now, I understand it's your show, your dvds, and you can charge whatever you think the market will bear. But if you feel something needs to be changed to attract more buyers, price might be a good place to start.


B) Why, exactly, do people buy original Star Trek? Why do they like it? What have people loved about it for over forty years? Is it for the CGI?

Oh wait! CGI wasn't invented.

Clearly, the gigantic audience of obsessive fans are obsessed for some other reason.

C) Adding a lot of CGI will not make the show "Less dated". Sorry.

Not while they're all wearing 60's makeup, and keep meeting Misguided Star Hippies.

Also, we all know Shatner is an old guy now. We're okay with that! Really!

Finally, Paramount, do you really think that the number of people who will go "Well hell. Now I'm going to have to buy the whole dvd set again!" will be enough to pay for the squillionty dollars you spent on boring brown state of the art CGI?

Really?

I mean, there are some completists out there, but honestly.

Maybe I am wrong about your financial models, Paramount. Maybe you really do know something I don't. But frankly, this strikes me as a silly idea driven by a kneejerk need to "fix" things that aren't broken.

Oh, except the dvd set prices. Feel free to fix those.

No love,
Me

12:29AM - Public Multiverse Apology (Mea Maxima Culpa)

I just wanted to apologize for totally whiffing this to my unnamed would be recipient, and whatever poor fool might have written my request.

No, I will not be getting this fic done, I feel like total scum, but fact is, I got the deadline wrong. Thought it wasn't due for another two weeks.

I've always loved Multiverse and never would have intentionally skipped out on it. I did not mean to screw you over, I just remembered the date wrong. For future ficathons, I will be using the time-tested post dated private livejournal entry method. Sorry for my idiocy on this one.

7:04PM - Totally off topic, but help me out here

Is anyone else having trouble with Google? For the last two days, no computer using my internet connection has been able to load the site.

1:17PM - Stark Industries in person at Con.Txt, Also, comics room party

Stark Industries Room Party, Room 621 7pm - Special Guest Elspeth Dixon! All Iron Man, all the time.

Comic Room Party, Room 621 post vid show (Elspeth Dixon also there) FREE COMICS.

Yes, we have comics!

(Also, we're going out to dinner at 5:30, all are welcome, we're meeting at the comic table in the con suite)

10:07PM - Con.Txt NEW PLAN - Anyone looking for a ride from PA, NJ or MD?

While still *also* interested in catching a ride with someone, there's another possibility.

I would drive down from the Lehigh Valley along the PA turnpike, I 95 and 495, if only I had someone who wanted to come along. 

It turns out the route is a whole lot easier than I originally thought, so I could totally drive it, no problem. I still need a passenger, though.

Long story short, my mother is pitching a fit about a woman driving alone so far, she would worry, etc etc don't give your old mother a heart attack, hence the most of the whole ride share thing in the first place.

So. If you live in Southern PA (will be passing Philly, arrangements can be made) New Jersey or Maryland and want a fannish ride for free, no strings attached, let me know. I'll even let you pick the music, and buy you coffee and donuts or something for the service of helping me not have my mother pass out from a heart attack.

No, I don't need to know you. Or your friends or your dog. I don't need to have even have heard of your fandom. Just let me know, okay? You'd be doing *me* a favor.

I'm a non-smoker, I drive a hatchback with a comfortable back seat and a reasonable amount of room to cram stuff in for a smallish car.

2:30AM - Your chance to make me write crackfic to order!

Okay guys, what fandoms and characters do *you* think would be funniest / best / most cracktackular in a reincarnation revenge comedy?

Anyone? Anyone? This is open to anyone reading this, even if I don't know who you are.

8:15PM - Fannish Comic Book Library at Con.Txt current library catalog

This post is only for confirmed books. If you think you *might* bring a comic, do not comment here. If you are considering bringing a comic, do not comment here. If you're bringing a comic if you are able to find it under your bed, do not comment here. This is only for confirmed comics so that no one wastes luggage space on repeat titles.

 If there is a comic or manga (or digital comic or doujinshi or fancomic) that you are definitely bringing please comment here with the title or email me to be added to the catalog.

Current Library Catalog of the Fannish Comic Book Library at Con.TXT 

Antique Bakery vol 1
Batman Chronicles 1-3
Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Year 100
DC: New Frontier vol. 1&2
Fake vol 1
From Eroica with Love vol 1
Gravitation vol 2
Innocent Bird vol 1
Justice League: A New Beginning
Love Circles
Musashi #9 vol 1
Outsiders vol 1 & 6
Robin #174
Seven Peaches (The Desert Peach compilation/trade)
The Smithsonian Book of Newspaper Comics
Superman/Batman vol 1
Superman:Birthright
Tek Jansen #1
Treasure vol 1 & 2
xxxHOLiC vol 1-3  
Yuri Monogatari vol 5 

7:57PM - The Fannish Comic Book Library (Slash Edition) at Con.Txt

(NOTE: Feel free to copy or link this anywhere that you like. More publicity = better. That's why I spend this entry talking in the third person.)

The Fannish Comic Book Library at Con.Txt
 
The Fannish Comic Book Library (slash edition) has come to Con.Txt! Gay, slashable and femslashable comics and manga will be available to read in the con suite.

If you have comics you would like to loan and share through the library during Con.Txt that would be wonderful!

 

10:18PM - Anyone for Con.txt? Rideshare = money, fannish good deed

 I'm going to be going down to the Con.Txt slash con* on June 13-15. It's down in Silver Spring Maryland, and it's the replacement for good old Connexions.

The thing is, I don't really feel skilled enough at handling Beltway traffic to drive all the way down all by myself, so I'm hoping to catch a ride with a fellow fan or fans - both ways or one way. 

If you're passing through the tri-state area on the way down, I'd be more than happy to drive to meet you at the convenient pick up point of your choice anywhere in Jersey / Southern PA / Possibly New York suburbs. I'm leaving from Allentown in PA's Lehigh Valley, conveniently on Interstate Routes 78 and 22. I'd be happy to leave for the con on Thursday the 12th or Friday the 13th, driver's choice.

I would be *more* than happy to pay for all gas and tolls as well as food for the driver, and I'm a good navigator.

If you or some fellow fan that you know might be interested in this, please let me know. No, you don't need to know me or be on my f-list.

*(Still taking memberships, by the way.)

1:51AM - Obadiah Stane wishes he had it so good.

Figuring out how to customize a livejournal theme, and then doing it - 3 hours.

Moderating a lively new livejournal fic community - Countless hours.

Buying a rename token in order to use a name abandoned by a previous user - $15

Being able to say "I run Stark Industries"? Priceless.

 

3:53AM - What day is it? FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

Hey, fandom! It's Free Comic Book Day today! 

Go to almost any comic book store today, and they will hand you an absolutely free comic book. No, really. Don't know where your local participating store is? Click here.

I heartily suggest you go. I mean, come on! Free fannish stuff! It's a holiday tailor made for our people.

And incidently, if you're onboard with Girl-Wonder.org, maybe you want to join in for Celebrate Free Comic Book Day With Girl Wonder. Just print a flyer to tape up at your local store, or tell people about the site, or even make a blog post like this one, celebrating Free Comic Book Day *and* Girl Wonder!

More details here.

1:10AM - Overheard in My Genepool

Normally, I don't talk about my family. I don't, not because there's anything wrong with them, but instead because they're happy and sane. Normally. Every once in a while, though, there's a banner day for familial WTF.

My parents and I went to dinner with my grandmother tonight, and she was feeling down on the modern world. Only... in that uniquely vaguely hallucinogenic way of old people who don't really *understand* some details of the modern world.

"I don't know how it could really get worse. With violence on tv and with the computers...."

Apparently because her house cleaner met a guy over the internet during the break up of her marriage, and because she's heard of people meeting people over the internet, she seems to visualize it as some kind of dingy single's bar of sin. Possibly with a few well lit corners for selling books, renting videos and discussing quilts.

Meanwhile, it is my uncle's turn, at long last, to do something eccentric, and for my aunt to be the bemused sensible one.

The man has decided, apropos of nothing, that what his life really needs is chickens. No, really*.

Why? We do not know.

First any of us heard of it is after he sent away for the exact kind of baby chickens (and one rooster) that he wanted. From California.

Mail-order chickens.

Ladies and gentlemen, my family. (facepalm)


*No, he isn't a farmer, he frames pictures.

12:23AM - My Secret Project is all grown up!

The child of my foolishness and obsession, starkindustries is open for business!

Stark Industries is a fanfiction community devoted to Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, and the other characters from his comics, movie and animation in any genre of fic. Discussion, art, recs, other fanworks and resource links are also welcome.

Due to the growing interest in Iron Man as a character, and with his upcoming movie coming out in precisely a month, I felt like the time was right.

It's alive! It's ALIIIIIIIVE!