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I announced to the room, as we were watching Eddington and Einstein, that I couldn't see people at Oxford, pre-1930, in their dress without thinking they're gay; approximately a minute later, R announced that Eddington was in fact gay.

I'm not sure what to make of this (except maybe cry - David Tennat is such an amazing actor, something I think I underappreciated when he was playing Who).

I'm faintly annoyed that Eddington & Einstein didn't come out before the yuletide deadline; I can't help think you could write some excellent stories inspired by it.

Speaking of yuletide (but not my story, which I have yet to start), I really want to get to the archive and see if they have any Donald Strachey fics. Because apparently, the way to deal with dissertation stress is to watch pulp-y gay crime thrillers. It's very entertaining and I massively adore the relationship between Donald and Timmy - mostly Timmy, because he's so sweet and long-suffering. But then again, I always have a thing for the partner. And the films are just - not pointless fluff, exactly, but romps, crime romps, entertainng to watch and not demanding too much energy.

Which is good, 'cause I have very little.

In other news: Warwick kind of fails on a number of levels, and I'm off to Newcastle on Wednesday. Whee!

We're having a weird summer period here; it's incredibly hot and humid - perfect for sitting in the park and reading. Which I didn't do today, sadly; I did gain a top score of 191 in Wii bowling, cook Gemma lunch and do two hours of revision though, so my day wasn't completely wasted.

It's been such a ridiculous week - I've been having mood swings all over the place and unable to be happy for more than an hour or so at a time, even though there's nothing specific to be sad about. Work is dull and repetitive; my academic life is currently making me less happy than it normally does; I still haven't finished Critical Theory and I need to start revising for exams. But I've dealt with this before, and - crucially - none of these things are immediately stressing me out. And yet, I'm just - not happy. It may just be a crash period, of course - it feels like it's been ages since I've had one - but that's just a new level of annoyance, because I don't know how to make them stop, all I can do is wait it out. Or possibly it's just a cycle of sadness.

Oddly enough, in my current state this clip is making me very happy:

From Latter Days. Plot lines spoilers.

Not the entire thing, of course (I am not actually a horrible person), but just his smile at about 0:40-0:51; that sense of *happiness* despite everything that's happened to him just does something to me. (Incidentally, I very much recommend the film; I watched it at least partially to satisfy my 'religion vs. love' interest and it definitely deals with that - and quite well, if not entirely to my liking, but that's a different kettle of fish - but it also has some rather lovely supporting characters. And hot sex! So, there's that.)

Speaking of films, I watched Enchanted last night and wasn't as charmed as I expected to be, which makes me sad, because it felt like I should love it - all the other Disney geeks I know adored it. And I can see why, I really can, but there was part of me that kept going "But that's not what my Disney was." I think, in the end, it's a homage and pastiche based on the Disney films of the creators' generation rather than mine, and I wasn't expecting that. It is a sweet film with many redeeming qualities (and some really catchy tunes), but, you know, it wasn't my Disney.

So, you all remember how much I love Yossi & Jagger, right? Well, green_queen had a link to what she called "a movie about a gay Israeli-Palestinian love affair". And of course the first thing I think is, wonder if either Yossi or Jagger are in it?

First of all, yes. Ohad Knoller who played Yossi is indeed in the movie (playing lead character, Noam). Second of all, it's the same director, who in fact seems to be making a trilogy of movies about homosexuality and Israelis. Which, really, is to say that he's made two other movies, which look really, really good. The first, Walk on Water, which someone needs to buy me. And not only does it concern homosexuality, it also deals with the issues of war criminals and, err, Mossad. Want. Want now.

And then there's the aforementioned movie, The Bubble, which seems so good and seems to have a pretty lesbian subplot (at least, it does in this collection of clips). So yes. I am obviously going to need to get my hands on these.

*glees all over the place*

I'm in this very strange mood. I *feel* like it's autumn, which I suppose it is, but I feel like autumn- slow-moving and nostalgic and searching for something. Or maybe waiting for something. I'm just...it's not quite being pensive, and I don't think it's melancholy, it's just...I feel sad and I don't know why, I guess. And I'm tired, homework's piling up and I just don't know. It's all strange right now, like I'm not quite all here.

Meanwhile, I think I have a Veronica Mars addiction. And there's a show perfectly suited for the mood I'm in.

ETA: And now I'm watching ER, Kerry just came out to her biological (and very Christian) mother and made this speech about the people you love, that you choose to love and now I'm crying. Dear hormones, stop. Thanks.

Finally, some good news. It truly is, though; not just because it's wonderful for gay people in Spain to get rights, it's also a step that aknowledges that in the eyes of this government, homosexuality is not a sin; in a Catholic country, I find that pretty cool.

Also, some countries, who pride themselves on their ingrained democracies, their fights for civil liberties, civil rights and let's not forget freedom, should look at this country, with it's less-than-forty-year-old democracy; a country with state sanctioned religion.

America, I'm lookin' at you.

Hello, and thank you for your patience during the hiatus. We now return you to your regularly scheduled 4th season.

Oh, and for reasons unknown to even the author, this is done in titles; however, you will not notice a single LJ cut.

Various and assorted asides pertaining to my vacation, fandom and politics

Notes regarding politics (and a diverse range of one franchise)

Bear in mind that these were written by a girl zonked out on painkillers, gatorade and quite possibly too little sleep. Also, that I am quite possibly the least objective person in the known universe. And my family isn't a tch better.

I hate that people seem to regard being Liberal as a bad, bad thing. Because, would we actually go anywhere if the whole world were Conservative?

I don't understand why people prefer Edwards. I love Kerry, from the few interveiws and clips I saw while over there (in between the terrifying amount of Law and Order I watched while ill; as it happens, everyone on SVU is either attractive, terrifyingly awesome or both, but on CI the protagonist (who's name I forget because well, painkillers) is the most irritating, arrogant, pissannoying man known to the world. And to top it off he's ugly too. But SVU? Marvellous show. They should show it here. At other times than 4 am or whenever)...errr, point, point? Right, Kerry. I like Kerry. I find him intelligent, committed, rather dry and sweet. Edwards speaking gives me the jeebies. He's nice-looking, nice-sounding and I like his stance on various issues, but when asked he evades answering and sounds just a little too smooth sometimes. Though he is cute.

Bush is annoying, asshat-ish and a complete prat in all other ways as well, but his ending at the debate, when he talked about his family? Made him seem more real, more sympathetic than anything else I've seen him do, ever. None-the-less, he's an idiot and needs to stop harping on education when he underfunded the NCLB-act. And no, wanting more money for schools doesn't make you screamingly liberal. Moron.

The comment about Kerry-voters being queers, communists and terrorists (what's the name of the guy who made that comment?), while very amusing, obviously comes from someone listening to the Jerry Falwell school of McCarthyism for the 21st century. At least it makes Republicans look rather bad.

Which, by the way, was another thing I was going to note: 'How to talk to liberals if you must' (Ann Coulter) is possibly the most idiotic thing I've heard of. I'm wildly, passionately liberal, but I still realize that Republicans aren't all the anti-Christ (They cannot all be Rupert Murdoch, after all) and I don't mind talking with them. Hell, some of my best friends are Republican! (Ed note: Not really true, but my gran is married to one, and Meredith is dating one. So maybe by proxy).

Random Encounters

I got into a friendly arguement with a cab driver, who said the gap between my teeth was sexy, over the politics of George Bush. He was totally sweet, took half of the fee off when he heard I was a student, offered me a free cab ride if I ever came back to Washington, very corteous. And no, he wasn't trying to put moves on me; he was much older than me and wearing a wedding ring.

On the train down to Va. I talked to this kid, my age, who talked some serious shit and then got into a conversation with a man about principles, that ended with him telling me that we are in end times. It was all fun and rather good opportunity to people-study, but I don't think I'll be taking Amtrak anymore. Because the last half hour where the kid kept propostioning me was way strange.

Why Disney is Still the Coolest Thing Ever

Because their new ride, 'Mickey's PhilharMagic'almost made me cry. It's one of their 3D gimmicks, involving various Disney songs, including songs from The Little Mermaid, Aladin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasia. I don't know why, it just made me think about the movies, and when I was younger, and England and just sigh.

Disney also rocks because they sold me my adorable Kermit the Frog doll (Be afraid Sofie, be very afraid).

Why I Suck

I didn't tell Meredith about Freya or my sexuality, despite having multiple chances to do so. Yeah. Instead I regaled her with tales of my ongoing Alan Alda thing which she (strangely) supported. My weirdness is starting to spread.

Fun in Small Town, USA

There was a Seafood Fest while I was in town. In our small, vair, vair conservative town. I lent Meredith my Kerry/Edwards pin, wore my own Friends don't let Friend Vote Republican one, and then we went to the fest, headed straight for the Kerry/Edwards booth, donated two dollars each and received stickers and more pins.

I may have just been imagining the look of outrage on peoples faces. Probably not though.

Why You Should Go See 'Shall We Dance'

It has Susan Saradon and Richard Gere. This alone should make you want to see it. However, if it doesn't? The storyline is decent, the romance and, somehow, honesty of the relationship, coupled with the dancing makes for a good, romantic, sweet time. Plus it's established relationship-bringing-back-the-happy-we-still-love-each-other kind of sweet movie that I adore. Too many people make movies about young people falling in love, or older people falling out of love.

Also, cute gay subplot ahoy!

Why the New York Times Rocks More than You

Because, while commenting on the vortex that is the current West Wing, they slipped in this offhand comment: will the love between Leo and the president ever be consummated?

It's official and everything! Hee! (This made me crave West Wing, of which I watched some of the older (s1) episodes while in America, so I put on ItSoTGM. So much adoration and love and dear God, why isnt this reality?)
Complete Article

Why I Should Possibly Consider English as a Major

Had a minor fit in Planet Hollywood when [1]They didn't bother to capitalize Indiana Jones on the big screen and [2] I realized that the menu said Planet Hollywoods Famous Fajitas. Seeing that missing apostrophe? See it?

My dad then went on to completely mispronounce fajta and quesadilla.


Random Endnotes and Recs

My girlfriend is an exquiste, intelligent, amazing, snarky, wonderful, adorable person, and I don't tell her that enough.

You all rock. Just so's you know.

There is not enough Trapper/Hawkeye in this world, and now there is even less since Anne Marsh is down again. *sniffles* This is very cruel, and therefore all of you should rec me stuff.

Tonight I am going to a birthday for someone I don't particularly like. I am mostly doing it because it's an opportunity to excersize my willpower. Also because I couldn't think up a good excuse fast enough.

I have way, way too many books, in-so-far that I've had to put all my new ones (all 15 of them) in my suitcase because there is *no* room anywhere else. However, I won't stop buying them anytime soon.

I am the owner of a fedora. Joy!!

The Red Sox beat the Yankees and there was much rejoicing.

And there was much rejoicing.

And then there was even more rejoicing, because, hey, the Red Sox beat the Yankees.

Reccage (which sound like wreckage when pronounced. Coincidence? I think not!)

Sherlock Holmes:

This isn't a completely new fandom for me (it's quite possibly The Oldest Fandom in exsistence); boredom drew me in this summer. However, it has now appeared on crack_van and there was much rejoicing.

My first rec has lovely Holmes/Watson slash, wonderful characterization and what might just be the best written femslash sex scene. It's so sweet, descriptive, wonderfully hot and it just feels *right* because it perfectly describes the sensations.

It also has romance, intrigue, plot, Victorian history and perhaps best of all - it has Oscar Wilde.

An Ideal Husband by Irene Adler

My second rec...how to put this? It has Holmes disguising himself from Watson as a way of amusing himself during a slow period. But it's much more complex than that because Watson knows. And it's excellent. And sexy. Dear God, it's sexy.

The Maiden Voyage of the Tiresias

The Sentinel:

I've always largely ignored The Sentinel - it's a difficult fandom to access from here, having no DVD's, the show is never shown on Danish televsison and it's undownloadable. However, yesterday I had a craving for slash (well, you try to cope with only 3 fics, see how you do) and The Sentinel was there.

And now I'm sucked in.

The first story is just hot. Possibly hott. But don't just take my word for it, go here to see what various other people have said (my personal favorite is gothphyle's comment: -- Asbestos underwear couldn't survive the melting inferno that is "Out of Whack".

Out of Whack truly is hot, but it's also sweet, adorable and awkward.


This story amuses me, but it's also very down-to-earth and sweet in it's innocence(ish). It has adorable, lovable characters, humour and sweetness. Go read.

Quack

Okay, I am done. I think. Though all of you should go download 'Hurricane Eye' by Paul Simon and 'Something so Right' same guy. They're both just amazing.

I really am done. Swear.

Is it just me, or does this seem like the coolest idea for jeans ever?

Should quite possibly be reading Spanish, but have pretty much already read the scenes I need to - should maybe try reading them aloud though, improve my pronounciation.

Oh. Downloading episodes today, I came across a M*A*S*H ep named George dealing with the discharge of a gay man beaten by other memember of his unit. I don't know why it continually surprises me to see positive gay images on 70's-80's show, but it's just...I'm so used to the abuse that gets tossed around today even, and it must have been much, much worse back then. I realize the gay images of then were much more de-sexualized than they are today (though I still think Will on Will & Grace takes the prize for that. I think a great deal of us have just given up on him ever getting anything remotely like a boyfriend), but they are positive images. George wasn't portrayed as flamboyant, or weak. He did, in a way, blame himself, and he did seem resigned to hiding himself forever, but at the same time, he wanted to get back to his unit to prove himself, to prove to his unit that gay didn't nessecarily equal weak, or sissy. And the way the characters dealt with it was interesting as well - Frank, the unsympathetic character, was of course morally outraged, but Hawkeye, Trapper and Henry, the characters we're supposed to sympathize and like, were more affronted by Frank.

It's an interesting glimpse of history. Remember, this was in '73, which amazes me, even if M*A*S*H is a reasonably liberal show. I realize George was a 1 in 100 character, maybe even a PSA of sorts, but it still makes me happy to see a character like him.