charts, facts, figures

So, in one of those "I started out on someone's journal and eight clicks away ended up here" kind of moments, I found an amazing and awesome and long AU of the first season of Supernatural and have to tell you all about it.

Metaphysical by cjmarlowe (AU, gen, R for violence/language, ~80,000 words) - Three years after he turned in his horse and scattergun for frock coats and textbooks, Sam Winchester is tracked down to upstart Stanford University by his estranged brother Dean, who arrives with the news that their father has gone missing. His disappearance turns out to be only the first of a series of events that takes them all the way across an alternate America circa 1905, from the death of Sam's girlfriend to a haunting in Nebraska, from demonic omens to spiritualists to hijacked airships, and inevitably a long-delayed trip home.

John Winchester isn't anxious to be found, but his sons are convinced that the family is stronger together than apart and don't let anything stand in the way of their pursuit. Especially once they realize that pursuing their father means staying on the trail of the demon who killed their mother. A demon who isn't finished with the Winchesters just yet.

Gotta love the idea of a steampunk re-imagining of the first season (with art!), so go read it. And don't worry, it doesn't follow exactly to canon, so there will be enough surprises to keep your interest.

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I made many to-do lists today and actually did a rough completion of all of them, which mostly means that I had lots of cleaning tasks that I did a haphazard job on. Except for the bathroom; that might be tomorrow's mission. But I can see my floor and the living room looks less like a bomb hit it (scattering pillows left and right) and the clean dishes are now in the cupboard like they belong (as opposed to sitting forlornly in the dishwasher, yearning for independent mobility) and I updated my links to Remix VII fic... not that that was a vital part of the list, but hey, progress.

In totally random news, want to name Laurie R. King's next Holmes/Russel mystery? You can! XD

Okay, so I'm frequently behind the curve on fannish things, especially with summer camp (and everyone laughs when I tell them how tiring it is, but not only is it being on all day, it's being on in a bizzare way because they are kids and that kind of energetic interaction is always taxing to the brain in a different way) and the resulting fallout. But I come bearing gifts!

First:

* Second City Torchwood

I know I recced this once a bit ago, but I needed to link it again because it will be helpful for rec number 2. Basically, it's the idea of Torchwood instead being set in Chicago instead of Wales, and David Tennant (aka Dr. Who 10) being cast as Jack Harkness instead of John Barrowman (who is instead the Doctor). With me so far? So it's the plot and the the story arc and some meta and meta of meta and it makes my little English major heart just jump with joy (which sounds painful, but still ;o) ). Awesome. Then, go read:

* Edgar van Scyoc Presents: Doctor Who

In this universe, Torchwood came first, so Doctor Who gets to ride the fannish coatails. Because we're US now, not British tv, one of his traveling companions is a very familiar military colonel. And we're back to the meta-meta quality of fanfic excerpts and byplay of Edgar (and Sam's favorite literary genius, Ellis Graveworthy) and it's just fascinating and fun and awesome as a fictional romp, all television ties aside.

***

On a different tangent, here is a fic that apparently is widely read in Supernatural fandom, or rather the Jared/Jensen sector (which gets shortened to J2, which is kind of cute), but I'd never heard of it until setissma linked it.

* Nosce te Ipsum

As an alternate view of Jared and Jensen is fantastic (welcome to my self-outing as a Jared/Jensen RPF fan *hangs head*) but honestly? The world-building here is so absorbing and captivating and addicting that is is self-contained fiction. I haven't read "alternate history" stories in years (though I still remember picking up a book where General Lee won the Civil War with automatic weapons... wow, that was strange), but if you've ever wondered what happens to civilization if the Roman Empire never really declined and you want a cool, entertaining plot to go with it (with the added benefit of the great mental image of Jared Padalecki being pretty hot) go forth and enjoy heartily. I know I did.

--

Fanfic is a very interesting beast, as a concept. What is it in us that drives a writer (I count myself in here too, but generalized it for a better sweeping statement) to choose to play in another's sandbox, as it were? Is it the 'ready-made' audience ready to receive and kiss and hug and call George shower accolades upon you? And, of course, coming up with the story after or before or in between the pieces of canon, or taking what you know and twisting it around (*points above*)

There's something in fanfic that is internet dependent, to be sure, tangled up with the idea of "publishing" a story about Rodney and John's reconciliation after an angsty near-death experience (people should write me one of these, please) thanks to one click of UPDATE is easier than offering up an original fic (or novel-length text) not made "legitimate" by "official" publication.** Did the people who wrote the Star Trek novels (or the Buffy tie-ins, or hell, the movie novelizations) have this problem too? I dunno...

Wow, this started out as a rec list because I had to tell you about these, and turned into a rant on the nature of writing in the internet age. Huh. Any opinions welcome, of course. Politeness is rewarded with cookies XD


**Note: I am not trying to say that blogs and online 'zines and the like are not legitimate publication, because they are. Electronic copyright, let me show you it. Just trying to sort through the stigma that is attached to "oh, you write fanfic" and how it is deemed less... authentic? professional? worthy? than original stories.

Edited to add the part about the fact that the "sandbox" of another's invention is often REALLY REALLY fun to play in, 'cause I sort of forgot to mention it :o)

Quickly, if you haven't read Death and Taxes by bellatemple, then you need to. It is a bizzarely and awesomely structured SPN fic that is great!

*flees*

Two funny things from the past:

Intros from 80s cartoons.

And then? Intros of many 90s cartoons.

There was a cartoon in the 90s called "Sherlocks Holmes in the 22nd Century". How did I miss that???


Today was a slow paced day because Younger Sister was in bed sleeping off a stuffy nose (she just got over a cold and doesn't want it for Thanksgiving). We're either driving down tomorrow or the next day to the grandparents near San Luis, which will be the first time I've been to the "big" family holiday thing since I was... six? One of the sucky things about living on the other coast from a lot of your extended family. BUT, it's awesome to have extended family. Or any family at all. So it's definitely a thing to be thankful about.

I was thinking about this, and while there are definitely people I'm thankful about, and stuff (i.e., having a job, even though it's not full time, because the people are all awesome), there is stuff in fandom that makes me happy too. So first, the serious, and then the fantastic.

I'm so grateful that I have still have friends from grade school and high school that I keep in touch with, friends who are like family (rhymester, capedcrusader92, kumquat_queen, looking at you). And the highly awesome group of people from college, from my big-sister-in-English-majorness friede, my pals winkingstar, trifes and sadcypress to the newly-Mawrtered setissma XD

THEN, right at the divide between real life and the virtual joy of fandom are the people I've gotten to know through their stories and art, such as aesc (I was reminiscing about your Without a Trace fic the other day), sheafrotherdon, beadattitude and the_oscar_cat.

But I'm also thankful for the fact that Rodney always will use his hands when he explains, no matter the weird looks that John gives him. That whenever Sam's in trouble, Dean's got his back. That Captain Jack Harkness will flirt with everyone, and sometimes, everybody lives. I'm thankful the fanfic I've read recently, that makes me laugh, grin uncontrollably, or get all sniffly by turn. I'm incredibly thankful for the highly talented people who have recorded podfics (I have several gigs worth on my iPod), because there's something about hearing our boys just be themselves that puts a stupid grin on my face. I'm finally thankful that, for most of my fandoms, there are green ships and red ships, but no ships like partnerships.


Off to switch my laundry, but tell me: what are YOU thankful for, in life and in fandom?

Because it's fun, I've opened a window to type all my SQUEE for SPN 3x01

( Spoilers for 3x01, The Magnificent Seven )

Now I'm watching a new episode of without a Trace, most because I really, REALLY want to see Danny and Martin once. Maybe even together, but at the moment? I'm mostly boggling that Spike is an FBI agent now, apparently. *facepalm* Oh, show. You suck kind of a lot (not 'cause of James Marsters, mind you. He's pretty cool).

OH JESUS, Danny, YOUR HAIR. What have they done to you, poor baby? It's like a Beatles bowl cut thing gone horribly wrong. Makes him look so... old. I miss the short fuzzy buzz type thing. Sadness. That's it, can't watch anymore. Oh, and Jack, what the hell? You sound drunk or something. Maybe you need a nap. Sheesh, show, what is going on???

Not to mention I have to clean the house and put out the trash because the landlady is coming tomorrow and so my room should be... slightly more presentable than it is. Sigh.

FINALLY went for a walk again. Even went to Color Me Mine to pick up the adorable lion mug that my friend made... and the amazingly awful coffee cup I painted. Next time I decide to free form paint STRIPES on a mug? Remind me it's a bad idea. *sigh*

Still, it's a warm, lovely Monday after last week's cloudiness, I got to meet my landlady's adorably flirtatious father (who brought us lots of BBQ meat from his restaurant, OMG so excited! And thus my icon is so apt!). AND. I might be going back down to Souther CA this weekend, because my parents are going home. I could get my bike!

My excitement today knows no bounds. Even though it's Monday! *scampers about*

Alsoalso. FRIDAY IS SEASON PREMIER OF STARGATE: ATLANTIS. Cannot wait. Except have to *sulks*

If I am highly productive the rest of today, I might go allll the way to Target to get the second season of SPN, like I meant to this weekend. Maybe.

Also (alsoalsoalso?) I will tryyyyy to call capedcrusader92 tonight, if you are around. And I still remember. Will try very hard. *nods furiously*

This started as a bizzare list where first I just wanted to list some generative random bits of several characters' canon (or personal fanon), but instead... it became this. Let me know what you think.


Title: Six Degrees
Fandom: SG:A, O11, Supernaural
Rating: gen
Characters: Danny and Rusty; Sam and Dean; John and Rodney
Word Count:: 1,270
Summary: People are made up of more similarities than differences.
Disclaimer: These boys belong to Steven Soderbergh, Eric Kripke, and Brad Wright. Not mine!


( Six Degrees )

I've had an apostrophe epiphany, and I'm pretty sure it's not because I whapped my head on the front door (ow). It's for my spn_harlequin fic, wherein the prompt is thus:

From Texas, With Love

Will McCabe arrives in New York City with specific instructions-bring Samantha Holmes back to Laramie, Texas, for her estranged brother's wedding. Reluctantly she agrees to go with him. But Samantha's determined not to stay…and not to fall for the irresistible Will.

Convincing the fiery brunette to come back with him is one thing. But Will realizes he does want her to stay in Laramie-and convincing her to do that is another thing altogether.

To Samantha's surprise, life in small-town Texas is beginning to grow on her, and so is Will. Does that mean there could be two weddings in Laramie?

I was kind of stalled (beside the awesome fact that Samantha would totally run away from Dean and have to be brought back, and I'm still unsure where I want to make it het or m/m slash) but then remembered the bunny for the SPN AU that I had... and this could dovetail together nicely. Maybe it's because I've been reading so many "set in such-and-such universe" fic lately, and I'm hooked. Expect a long post about the pleasure of reading lengthy good fics all hooked together. Promise.

But now, bed. Hurray. And also, SG:A GIP. Mmmmm. And I've done it, I officially have a stargate: atlantis tag. Whee.

I can't believe I never linked to this, but back when there was Remix Redux, I got a chance to play with Sam and Dean, which is way fun. So here's my fic at long last. Also, if you're looking for entertaining fic, go to remix_redux because they're all awesome.

Title: In Nomine Patris (Latin Dance Mix)
Word Count: 1,381
Summary: Silence is golden, unless you ache to speak.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Eric Kripke and those at CW. None of those are me.
Notes: Remix of Falling Short by meredevachon for remix_redux V


*
(Dean’s never been a fan of absolutes, all those trite sayings that only belong on drugstore greeting cards and at the end of chick flicks.)

Somewhere between the end of the season finale of Supernatural and the last five minutes of the (season finale? I assume?) of Grey's Anatomy, I got all sad feeling. Maybe it was the emo-dump that is Grey's. Should I watch it? Is it a good show? I need opinions, people.

Clearly, all this teary feeling, while I'm sure in small part to the bizzare feeling of closure-shock after graduation (and I got issued my credential... this morning), requires that I type up part of my Due South fic that you can totally blame rhymester's city-in-a-bowl icon on. It's great and was why I was up so damn late last night.

It wasn't the wine. Except when it was.

And OMG OZ is on. Wow, I should not have been watching this show when I was as young as I was. Somewhere between the NC-17 X-Files fic and the graphic violencesex of this kind of show? Although oh, Keller and Beecher break my heart. So much so much. See? *melts in large puddle*

Off to find my story notes. *scampers like a scampery thing*