You give it all, but I want more.

Dear Yuletide author,

First of all, I'm so so so so so sorry it took me this long to write this. I have a bit of a problem with procrastination (and life has also been insanely busy, but mostly it's the procrastination thing), in case you couldn't tell.

Second of all, thank you so much for doing this! I always love fic exchanges, and Yuletide is always tons of fun (even if I've only participated once before this). If you're writing a fic for me, you probably watch at least a little bit of TV—or, who knows, you're a TV addict like me! *grins*

In general, I'm interested in character studies and fics that explore motivations, backstory, and just generally look at what's under the hood. Especially for TV shows, where pretty much everything we get is what we see, I always find it interesting to go deeper into the heads of the characters to examine why they're doing what they're doing, what they think of both other characters and the situations in which they find themselves, and so on and so forth. For a better idea of what I read/like to read, anything on christycorr's pinboard is a good guideline—she's my best friend, and we have very similar reading/fanfiction tastes. (I'd direct you to my pinboard/Delicious, but they're both epic messes, so really don't go there.)

In terms of specific likes/dislikes re: fanfiction: I read…almost everything. NC-17 is fine, I read more slash than I do het (but I have no real preference either way), but I'd prefer that generally triggery stuff—particularly non-con—stay out of the fics I've requested. I love love love witty/sarcastic banter/writing, especially when it's full of references to other things I like (my tumblr and my Livejournal/Dreamwidth user info pages are good places to go to get an idea of my tastes and fandoms). As I think you can guess from the above paragraph, good characterisation is always something I will love (especially when a fic has strong female characters).

( Specific detail re: the prompts themselves )

Honestly? If you feel stymied by any of these prompts or anything I've said, or if a random plot bunny hits that drags you in a different direction than the ones in which I've pointed you, feel free to just…play around. I'm mostly just excited to be participating in Yuletide this year, and I can't wait to see what you come up with! Again, thank you for doing this!

<3

firstlightofeos and writing_freak88's combined review of the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie (X-posted in writing_freak88):

writing_freak88 says: A long, long time ago in a land far, far away, there was the Girl Who Lived And Happened To Work In A Movie Theatre. And she happened to be bullied into taking a 4'10" midget to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with her when the staff screened it early. After some bullying by her fellow coworkers (which nearly gave them heart attacks), a quick showing of Ratatouille, and some pink lemonade+, they saw it. And this is their very comedic review.

( Cut for spoilers )

1. Everyone has a soft spot.

2. Hugs are even better than chocolate.

3. There's no such thing as too many kisses.

4. Love is supposed to wear out your fur a little.

5. There's nothing like a "warm fuzzy."

6. One good cuddle can change a grumpy day.

7. Bear hugs make the friendliest greetings.

8. Listening is as important as talking.

9. A true friend can bear your faults.

10. Everyone needs someone to hold on to.

11. It's okay to let your inside stuffing show now and then.

12. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.

13. Someone's got to keep their eyes open all the time.

14. Happiness is found in the "bear" necessities.

15. There's no friend like an old friend.

Some day, I will write a story based upon this song:


I can hear the soft breathing of the girl that I love,
As she lies here beside me, asleep with the night.
And her hair in a fine mist floats on my pillow,
Reflecting the glow of the winter moonlight.


She is soft, she is warm, but my heart remains heavy,
And I watch as her breast gently rises, gently falls,
For I know at the first light of dawn, I'll be leaving,
And tonight will be all I have left to recall.


Oh, what have I done, why have I done it?
I've committed a crime, broken the law.
For twenty-five dollars and pieces of silver,
I held up and robbed a hard liquor store.


My life seems unreal, my crimes an illusion,
A scene badly written in which I must play.
Yet I know as I gaze at my young love beside me,
The morning is just a few hours away.

Mm. Since a friend of mine did this:

Post anything that you want (in comments), and post it anonymously. It can be anything: a story, a secret, a confession, a fear, a love–whatever you want. Be sure to post anonymously and honestly. Post twice (or more than that) if you'd like.

Then, put this in your LJ to see what your friends (and perhaps others who you don't even realize read your LJ) have to say.

Having been bored with my journal, I've decided to make some changes. Most obviously, the journal's title and mood theme have changed; I've decided to base everything off of Johnny Mercer's song, "Dream":

Get in touch with that sundown fellow,
As he tiptoes across the sun.
He's got a million kinds of stardust;
Pick your favorite brand.
And...

Dream,
When you're feeling blue.
Dream,
That's the thing to do.

Just watch the smoke rings rise in the air;
You'll find your share of memories there.
So...

Dream,
Ahen the day is through.
Dream,
And they might come true.

Things never are as bad as they seem,
So dream, dream, dream.






C'est une très belle chanson, n'est-ce pas?

Anyways. Life in general is going all right...tired, a bit stressed, but in general, everything's a-okay.

*huggles to everyone*

Tuesday, September 20, 2005. Seventh Period. Last fifty minutes of the day.

The sun is almost completely obscured by the clouds that have been forming all day. The air is brisk–but not cold–and one can almost taste the water in the air.

Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder sounds. The floodgates of Heaven burst open, and water pours down, falling steadily past the window. Intermittent bursts of thunder punctuate the class discussion–fittingly, we are talking about Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby. All around, students are bewildered and upset by this aberration; we are in California. It doesn't rain until November, at least.

At first, I, too, complain. But as the bell rings, and we are dismissed, I feel an urge to run outside and twirl in the rain. Of course, the gargantuan backpack weighing me down prevents such frivolity, as well as Micky's presence right beside me. She's probably the most vocal of all the protestors; she doesn't even appreciate the droplets of water spilling from the sky onto the ground surrounding us.

It is the best sort of rain, the light drizzle with hints of something more powerful to come. The crashes of the thunder and the flashes of the lightning only add to the charm. High above, the sunlight creates a brilliant golden lining for a gap in the pale gray clouds, distinctly discordant with the occasional rumbling of the thunder. It is the kind of rain in which you could stand forever and hardly get soaked–the cleansing, purifying rain. It speaks of new beginnings, of life starting anew, of beauty to come. Puddles are slowly forming, tiny pools scattering the school campus, a hazard for all those wandering around after class. I suddenly feel a longing to be three again, in my yellow mackintosh and galoshes, running all around outside and jumping in every puddle I see...

And still Micky protests that there should be no rain, that I did not come to California from New Jersey just for it to rain in September–and especially not this rain. No; to her, the only decent rainstorm is one where the rain is falling in sheets so thick that you can hardly see, and you are standing outside with your significant other, huddling with them for warmth as you both get thoroughly soaked. I make a reference to Little Women–which, sadly, she does not catch–about being Under the Umbrella, and yet she disagrees with that, too.

Jokingly, I start to sing.

The weather is fright'ning,
The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way.
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day.

The turn in the weather
Will keep us together,
So I can honestly say
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day...
And everything's okay.

Isn't this a lovely day
To be caught in the rain?
You were going on your way;
Now you've got to remain.

Just as you were going,
Leaving me all at sea,
The clouds broke, they broke and oh,
What a break for me.

I can see the sun up high
Though we're caught in the storm.
I can see where you and I
Can be cosy and warm.

Let the rain pitter-patter,
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray;
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day.






Micky then smacks me–I'm still unsure why–but I don't stop. In fact, I don't even stop as I walk home, come upstairs, and turn on that very song.

So here I am, sitting at my computer, the rain beating a light tattoo on the roof, the thunder sounding occasionally, and Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing about being caught in the rain together.

Oh, yes, it's a lovely day.

Your Slanguage Profile

Aussie Slang: 50%

Prison Slang: 50%

Southern Slang: 50%

Victorian Slang: 50%

British Slang: 25%

Canadian Slang: 25%

New England Slang: 0%

...Not too surprised.

Your Aries Drinking Style

Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don't know when to call it a night. Your competitive streak makes you prone to closing time shot contests. You're a sloppy, fun drunk, and you get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting you drunk is a good way for people to get what they want out of you, should other methods fail. You can become bellicose when blotto, but you will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. You can be counted on to do the same for others -- so long as they haven't gone and done anything really horrible to you last night (ahem, sneaky Gemini!)

Your Signature Cocktails

Aries, born under the hot-stuff planet Mars, is the ruler of spicy food and red things -- and for balance, astrologers recommend they eat tomatoes, onions, olives and greens. That's right, Aries, you were born under the sign of the bloody Mary. Aries also rules grapefruit, and they've been known to kick back a salty dog and a sea breeze or two. For extreme hotcha, try a concoction with cinnamon liqueur in it.

Your Celebrity Drinking Buddies

Conan O'Brien, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Letterman, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Jack Black, and Hugh Hefner.

...Interesting. Someone tell me if this is true when I actually get drunk, please.


Stolen from practically everyone on my flist:

RULES:
1. Pick your birth month.
2. Strike out anything that doesn't apply to you.
3. Bold the four that best apply to you.
4. Copy to your own journal, with all twelve months under a cut.

MARCH:
Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

( Months )

Meh. That's enough for now.


ETA:

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

...Scary.

Your Birthdate: March 27

Your birth on the 27th day of the month (9 energy) adds a tone of selflessness and humanitarianism to your life path. Certainly, you are one who can work very well with people, but at the same time you need a good bit of time to be by yourself to rest and meditate. There is a very humanistic and philanthropic approach in most of things that you do. This birthday helps you be broadminded, tolerant, generous and very cooperative. You are the type of person who uses persuasion rather than force to achieve your ends. You tend to be very sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and you able to give much in the way of friendship without expecting a lot in return.

Heh. Suuuuuuuuure.