Room Eleven

Recs, of a sort

2009-11-03T03:54:07Z

It's been a while, is everyone all right? Healthy, happy... in a post-Halloween sugar-stupor?

Firstly, I read a story yesterday that is utter madness and so completely enjoyable, it defies description. It's H/D and the last offering for the The Big Harry/Draco Career Fair, a really clever fest that puts Harry and Draco in unusual (for them) occupations. If you like to read well-written hilarity that touches on politics and the ridiculousness of bureaucracies, as well as delightful banter of a very British-y nature, then this is the fic for you. Seriously, it's soooo much fun! Little Red Courgette * giggles* You'll love it, I swear. Absolutely nothing squicky... unless you're adversely affected by vegetable puns.

Movies wot I saw:

Recently, we watched a movie that I loved, well, several to be precise, but one in particular I loved a lot. It's called: 'August Rush'. It's not a brand new movie, and I remembered thinking it would be good when it was playing on the big screens, but I never got around to it, so when it came on one of our cable channels, we took the opportunity. I'm thrilled that we did. The movie wasn't what I expected. In fact, it ended up being so much better than I'd imagined. The story is told in a sort of non-linear fashion, but it's not at all confusing. It starts with a little boy (Freddie Highmore, who is wonderful and adorable in all that he does) named Evan who can hear music in everything around him. He's not exactly popular with the other kids at the orphanage, being different. The other story line is a cellist (Keri Russell) and a guitar player/lead singer for an Irish band (Jonathan Rhys Meyers - who is delicious), a pair of moon-crossed, and as one might guess, ill-fated lovers. Anything I put here will hardly do the movie justice: Evan runs away from the orphanage and gets involved with a Fagan type character (played by Robin Williams), who gives him the name August Rush and the lovers are torn apart by the cellist's controlling father. Evan's adventure is the bulk of the movie, which is touching and hopeful and filled to bursting with beautiful music, including Jonathan Rhys Meyers singing Moondance to Keri Russell on a rooftop. Highly Highly HIGHLY recommend this movie. *sighs*

Another movie I've seen recently, one that is as different from 'August Rush' as possible, is called "rocknrolla'. If you like Guy Ritchie films with their obligatory guns and quirky plots where the good guys are amiable criminals and the dialogue is fast with a range of sometimes unintelligible accents and Gerard Butler is a sexy sexy beast (well he is, there's no denying it), then you'll really enjoy this one. A movie which comes complete with a Pulp Fiction-esque dance scene involving Thandie Newton. I didn't expect to, but I actually loved it. Helped, no doubt, by the fact that the narrator and main protagonist, Archie, is played by Mark Strong (Septimus [Mmmmmmm!] of 'Stardust', another delightful movie), who is one of my very favorite actors. It's probably not for everyone, but certainly for many of you, and I found it highly entertaining. There's even supposed to be a sequel.

There've been a couple more movie viewings, but those two stood out. I can also recommend 'Wolverine', which I think might be the best of the X-Men movies to date, and a film called 'Eagle Eye' with Shia Labeouf, who's growing up quite nicely, I think. Both unexpectedly enjoyable.

Which makes me wonder if I'm setting my expectations too low, when I'm so constantly surprised. *shrugs* Dunno, but better to be pleasantly surprised than let down, I guess. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised too.

Yay Snitches!

2009-10-05T18:14:25Z

2009 SNARRY GAMES Team Snitch Gold Medalist!

Congratulations, Snitches. For two years running, I've had the great good fortune to be a part of an awesome team for the Snarry Games. Congratulations too, to Team Cauldron for excellent competition.

And I'm extremely pleased with my individual score, so thank you very very much to everyone who voted for being so very generous.

Yay artses!

2009-10-03T23:59:03Z

The absolutely wonderful veridian_dair has made artses for me again! If you read my Dystopiary Deluxe and wondered what the Dystopiaries might look like, Veridian plucked it out of my imagination, so you can see it too:

Dystopiary

And the best part is, there is no pairing in the scene, so EVERYBODY can safely go look at it. Don't forget to say nice things to Veridian!

Sights wot I saw...

2009-09-25T04:09:09Z

I think it's obvious by now that I'm not a chatty person. Rarely do I think I have anything share-worthy or even mildly interesting enough to put down here. And I'm not sure any of this qualifies as interesting, to be honest, but I've been sort of making note of things for a little while and so I thought I'd share anyway.

So.

Maybe I should preface this by confessing that I'm not a religious person (rather the opposite is true, though I won't be discussing why that's true here. Or, er, anywhere.), but I can appreciate humor when I see it. Every day, my bus passes by a church. It's not your traditional denomination: no time-worn stones or high-peaked steeples, just what appears to be one of those DIY outbuildings. In green. They have one of those rental type signs out front, you know the ones---they often announce "It's a Boy!" or "Lordy Lordy Look Who's Forty..." though this one is a permanent fixture on their lawn, as far as I can tell. Anyway, for the longest time (and here I have to admit that it took me a little while to realize the humor) the sign said:

Now Open Between Easter and Christmas!

Once I realized they were kidding, trying to remind their flock they should maybe think about coming in on the 'off season', I had a giggle over it.

It was that way for months, until one day the bus rounded the corner and I found that the sign had been changed to read:

Repent Now!
Avoid the Rush

I think I giggle-snorted when I read that one.

Then, a few days ago, it changed again. It now reads:

Forgive your enemies--
It messes with their mind

Likely that one came from a joke book or some such, but it got an LOL from me. Mostly because it's completely unexpected church advice, I think.

I can't say that any of the signs has enticed me inside, but I do have to give two thumbs up for effort and creativity.

Heh. Hopefully you got a giggle or two out of it, as well.

Fic Rec

2009-09-21T20:42:23Z

I've started and restarted this rec so many times my fingertips hurt. Likely, it's not even necessary --- I think it's been rec'd to pieces in the last few hours. So the necessity is entirely mine, I think, if only to express what is overwhelming me.

Squeeing over a delightful fic is a common enough thing, and though I'm slightly biased, I happen to believe that the Snarry portion of the HP fandom has an absolute abundance of incredible writers. So the Squee opportunities are wide and, because of personal tastes, often varied.

Every once in a blue moon, a story comes along that sweeps through Snarry-dom that is so breathtaking, it almost rocks the pairing on its foundations. The kind of story that, although it sounds trite, brings the phrase "instant classic" to mind, the sort of story that will inevitably be included with the short list of Greats, of ship-defining, universal favorites.

mia_ugly's Rapture is that sort of fic.

The premise is that Harry receives the gift of a time-travel gadget (very well chosen) from a well-intentioned Dumbledore (bequeathed posthumously) with no note telling him what he's meant to do with it, or instructions on how to operate the thing, and in typical Harry fashion, stumbles blindly into a twenty-five-year old Severus Snape's miserable existence. I'd hate to give too much away, but what follows is breathtaking and desperate and heartbreaking and hopeful and ultimately extremely, wonderfully satisfying.

Mia is a master, and her writing style is such that the words leap of the page and assemble themselves into beautiful, vivid images. The way she manipulates words is uncommon and incredible while being... economical, there's not a wasted scene or moment. And the history that she gives Severus Snape is wrenching and fully rounded and so completely believable for the man he becomes. Watching Harry slowly breach Snape's prickly armour, when their banter offers some needed humorous relief, is a treat.

Please go read this story and then shower Mia in the praise she so richly deserves.

Snarry Games

2009-09-20T20:35:57Z

Support Team Snitch - Reaching for Gold!

Today is the last day for snarry_games posting, but that doesn't mean it's the last day for reading! There's still plenty of time to read and vote! (And this isn't an official rec because I'm way far behind on the reading myself, but today's Snitch entry, our last offering for the competition portion of the Games, is a magnificent work by the incredible mia_ugly. Truly saving the best for last.)

REC of pure delight

2009-09-17T01:07:41Z

I know this has probably been rec'd everywhere under the sun by now, but I'm a tad behind on my reading, so I just finished it today.

As the subject line says, this story is pure delight. Here's the particulars:

Title: The Fourth Deathly Hallow.
Author: gingertart
Genre(s): Fandom Crossovers and Literary and/or Historical
Prompt(s): Code of Honour
Rating/Warnings/Kinks: PG; None

Summary: From the private journal of John. H. Watson MD; not intended for publication. Being an account of the strange case of the Fourth Deathly Hallow; in which Dr John H. Watson and Mr Sherlock Holmes save a life, discover the true secret of Professor Moriarty, unravel a time loop or two, encounter a femme fatale, imbibe potions, break into and out of a wizarding mansion, hide in a male brothel, go shopping, track down a magical artefact, almost attend a ritual sacrifice, fail to be Obliviated and totally ignore the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1692, all in the company of a lank-haired, irascible but secretly besotted schoolmaster, a bemused aristocrat and an increasingly perceptive and enamoured young hero.

If that summary doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will. Because it's that and sooo much more. Well written, well thought out, well paced, clever clever plot, excellent mystery, excellent characterizations all around, one of the most brilliant 'Snape Lives!' scenarios I've ever read, and the two worlds fit so beautifully together. And more than anything else, it's delightful fun. I'll admit I'm no expert, but gingertart seems to have a great handle on the Holmes's England and all of its inhabitants. It's truly a wonderful tale and I plan on visiting this one often.

As the warnings will tell you, there's nothing scary in this one, not even for the non-Snarriers amongst you. It's truly a wonderful read for everybody.

Go read: The Fourth Deathly Hallow and then go give gingertart the love she so richly deserves!

Hungarian, even!

2009-09-13T18:40:53Z

I have been translated.

Well, not me, actually, but my story: Shifting. This was my very first attempt at Snarry and I feel pretty good about it. It ended up with a 2nd Place win for the Challenge that inspired it. Written pre-DH, it's the story I think might help people who don't get Snarry maybe understand a little better, as the premise of the story is to convince a third party (whose first person POV is the story) of the match.

The very lovely yatze contacted me a while ago and asked if she could translate a couple of my fics, and I was thrilled and flattered, but assumed, like the other two people who'd asked the same thing of me, that I'd never hear from her again. I'm so glad I was wrong!

So, if you read Hungarian and would like to check out her translation, go here: Váltások

The reviews are lovely---I had some fun with the Google translator, but I think I got the general idea.

If Only

2009-09-12T02:58:30Z

I'm a tad behind on reading the Games fics so I don't have any recs today, but I just realized that I neglected to mention that my own fic posted.

So, if you aren't following the snarry_games (Why???) or you don't normally read Snarry but might read mine, or if you're finally ready to take that leap (and truly, my fics are generally pretty safe, I think), or if you're just bored silly and willing to distract yourself with just about anything, even if it's something you never read, then maybe you'd like to give my offering a try:

Title: If Only
Team: Snitch!
Genre(s): Time Travel
Prompt(s): Consequences, Seeking Knowledge
Rating: Rated NC17
Word Count: ~13,500

Summary: Things look rather dire for Severus Snape, until he awakens in a strange room, where he learns 'What Might Have Been' and whether or not he has the mettle to embrace 'What Could Be'.

If Only

Fic Rec

2009-08-31T17:13:25Z

Confession:

I have a thing for Ancient Egypt. It's true. I should've been an archaeologist or an anthropologist and studied it formally. Alas, that never happened. And admittedly, my limited knowledge of the history and culture is based largely on fiction (science or otherwise), namely various movies, as well as the Amelia Peabody novels by Elizabeth Peters.

That being disclosed, you'll know that dacro had me at hello.

But truly, you absolutely do not have to be an amateur enthusiast for the vast and rich history and culture (or a professional for that matter) to love this story. dacro presents everything you need in a very natural unfolding, helping the reader to make an easy jump to another place and time, while still keeping the characters we know and love recognizable.

Here's the summary: After using accidental magic to turn Pharaoh's would-be assassin to stone, an orphan suddenly finds himself with new rooms, new clothes and a new title: Palace Magician. When told he must choose a personal servant for himself, he selects someone who doesn't seem long for the world – a former priest and healer accused of murder.

Go read She Who Knows the Orphan by dacro

Then show her the love she very much deserves by voting high and singing her praises in a comment.

Rec and Stuffs...

2009-08-27T02:24:58Z

OK, firstly, all y'all need to STOP reading Tira Nog's humongous new Snarry fic and go back to reading the Games fics. Srsly. Tira Nog's will still be there after the Games are over. *taps foot*

That said, I have a rec.

It's a fusion...wait!... hear me out. Yes, it's a fusion, and with a little known fandom (I don't even know if it is a fandom, actually) to boot.

BUT

You absolutely do not have to know anything about Pushing Daisies to understand or enjoy this story. I swear! I know nothing of it and found this absolutely delightful. The story borrows, from what I gathered, the premise of the main character's ability to bring things back to life. Sounds like a gift, but it has a few unfortunate drawbacks. If that isn't enough to deal with, a mystery is thrust upon poor Harry, who's only wish is to be left in peace, just to live his mostly contented if somewhat boring life in the Muggle world, making pies and being anonymous.

Luckily for him, Snape (the only human Harry's ever used this gift on) enters the picture, shaking things up in Harry's quiet life.

This story is a lot of fun and includes a snarky Snape, which is always a plus. Take my word for it, if you weren't told that it was a fusion, you'd take it for what it is: a really clever, really enjoyable Snarry.

Go read gin_tonic's Sweet Surrender. Then vote and show her some love!

Incidentally, I have no idea if the author got the title of the story from this source, but I've had Sarah McLachlan's 'Sweet Surrender' in my head all day. *loves* Oh and, don't go in hungry---there's pie and cake and coffee and many delicious sounding things.

And now, something completely different...

2009-08-15T02:11:14Z

Well not that different --- it's a rec, but it's not Snarry. I swear.

In fact, I'm not going to tell you the pairing at all. It's a rare pair, it's a slash pair and the story is best if you don't know until the end.

Today's daily_deviant fic is by torino10154, the theme being: Personal Ads

Torino does a phenomenal job with it, making something that is hot and yet sweet and the pairing, unexpectedly endearing. I personally think it's one of the best things she's ever done.

Take a chance and trust me. It's roughly 1400 words, a few minutes of your time will be repaid with delight. Go read: Wizard Seeking Wizard

Rec of Hilarity and Awesomeness, Part Deux

2009-08-13T04:50:35Z

Honestly and truly, I had no intention of rec-ing every night---my plan was to just rec whatever really ticked my fancy. Well, apparently my fancy is very ticklish these days.

amand_r is a genius. And her offering has bit of everything awesome.

Here's her summary, just to give you an idea of what's in store for you: There's a man stalking the Wizarding world. Or a bat. Maybe a Man-Bat. Severus is probably having an affair, Harry's tired all the time, oh, and those drunks out in East Anglia are complaining about the green lights. Again.

I can't begin to describe it here and do it justice. Told from poor Harry's POV, we are treated to his wry observations of the world around him, which includes: a randy but still snarky Snape as his husband; a kick-ass Ginny, delivering the sort of banter I imagine canon Ginny, with the influence of her 6 older brothers, would easily dish out; cool gadgets and original spells; and her Ron, having surrendered to the chaos of his children, is utter joy. There's a mystery and a caped-crusader, great dialogue, and despite her warning that it's slightly cracky, I don't think it ever treads into the realm of crack. It's funny, absolutely, hilarious in spots, but the characterizations are dead on and there is an actual plot---it never crosses into absurdity.

Basically, it's the sort of story that I will absolutely read over and over again---the kind of fic you pull out to read when you want to feel good and want a guaranteed laugh.

If you haven't already, you must go read: D For Defender by amand_r

Once again, you won't be disappointed.

Rec of hilarity and awesomeness.

2009-08-12T04:03:23Z

Surely those of you interested in Snarry even a tiny bit have already seen this, but just in case, you must absolutely go look at Team Snitches Art for today.

I love accioslash's art style and she uses it to perfection here, nailing her prompts to boot. It's hilarious, and there's something there for everybody. In fact, even my non-Snarry people would enjoy this---it's that awesome, and perfectly tame.

Go, all of you---srsly ALL OF YOU--and enjoy the artses and then give Accio some love: You Can't Win 'Em All

A very important and late-breaking Snarry Games Rec. Or, why I suck...

2009-08-11T04:10:22Z

I have been horribly remiss!! I'd happily deluded myself into believing that I rec'd this story already. But despite my recollection of composing a rec for it, somehow, I haven't mentioned my Joan's fic. Clearly it's another one of those Only Happened In My Head situations, which I will obviously be discussing with my therapist in my next session.

In the meantime, I'd really like to encourage any of you who haven't already read Sex, Lies, and Audiobooks by joanwilder (aka RaeWhit) to do so now.

Set some time aside--it's not her longest story but it'll take some time, time well spent--curl up on the couch, read it on the bus, or lay out in the sun: you'll enjoy it wherever you choose to read it. (Though I do advise sunblock if your choice has anything to do with the sun...)

It takes place ten years after Dumbledore's estate is settled, and he isn't quite done meddling with Severus and Harry's lives. There's a bit of a twist so I'm reluctant to give too much of the plot away. But I can say it includes a mystery, a journey or sorts, some understanding, literary quotes, a lot of emotional highs and lows, and some well deserved healing. There's even a cat. Snape's profession is unique and clever and well thoughtout and Harry's occupation is something you don't see every day either. I loved what distance and time and comfortable living did for her Severus, and her Harry will wrench and perhaps even break your heart. Luckily, joanwilder mends it for you by the end.

And all of this is set against the colorful backdrop of a place called Lochdub and its inhabitants, borrowed from a TV show called "Hamish MacBeth". It's not necessary to be at all familiar with them; I went in uninitiated, but came out wanting to know them much better. You will too.

I'm going to go beg, buy or borrow a copy of Captain's Courageous, you should go read Joan's fic.

And don't forget to vote vote vote!

Recs. Again.

2009-08-10T01:21:24Z

Well, this is some kind of record, me posting three days in a row (I think---they're sort of blending together). It wasn't my intention to rec so often, but once again I find myself bowled over by something unexpected, and I'd really love to encourage anyone who might still read this journal to go and read it.

The story I'm speaking of is igtow's Connecting the Dotty

As with the last two surprising recs, I once again stepped out of my comfort zone to read this. My reading preferences (and if I'm honest, my writing preferences) tend to be for the newness, the first time or the getting together and the spark and mystery of things just beginning. igtow's story is about a life, or rather, lives well lived. And something I usually avoid like the plague is MPreg (though admittedly, I have read and enjoyed one or two of them over the years) and while this story is not an MPreg at all, it is a key element, as the story demands that Harry & Severus have progeny.

So once again bravely ignoring the warnings, I jumped in, and then was so very glad that I did! igtow's own summary was this: A gentle tale of growing old together. And that's true, but it's so much more than that. It's humorous and poignant and chock full of wonderful things and bittersweet things and everything in between that you would wish for these two to have and see and do in the years that they are together. You will cry a bit, but in a good way, I promise. Likely I'm not doing it justice here, so if you could, at least one more time, trust me and go read this, you will not be disappointed.

Seriously---when have I ever steered you wrong?

And while you're there and feeling sigh-y and yet satisfied after reading the fic, go look at cluegirl's beautiful beautiful art: The Hero's Return

Wordes and Artses Recs!

2009-08-09T00:57:10Z

Snarry Games recs!

Anyone who knows me and my fic preferences, knows that warnings which might include Genderbending and Het Sex would normally get a pass from me. And I have to be completely honest and tell you that I read this story with a sense of duty, though it helped that it was written by synn. Basically, going in I was glad it had less than 3500 words.

DAMN if I wasn't blown away AGAIN, for the second time in these Games.

It was nothing like I had expected, reinforcing my recent realization that while "Warnings" can be helpful, judging a story and it's potential by them is incredibly foolish---something I've been guilty of in the past, but something that I will no longer practice. I would have missed Perfica's wonderful fic, and I would have missed this gem too.

And while I do this little PSA about not putting too much stock in the warnings, I ~~encourage~~ beg you to give this one a chance, if you haven't already. This story by synn (aka ThreeSidedOrchid) is cleverly done and beautifully worded and unlike anything I've ever read before. Took me completely by surprise and won me over, absolutely.

Trust me. Go read Thrice Turned Then show her the love she deserves.

Once you're done reading take a look at this delicious work of art. Admittedly, I am biased, as the artist has become a friend and I watched this taking shape, but that bias does not make it any less true that this is YUMMY. Her art is amazing to me, a non-artist: the textures and the shading and the details... I don't know how she does it. And there's frosting. Make sure you gaze at it long enough...

Buttercream by veridian_dair will hit your sweet tooth just right. Mmmmmmmm

Vote high and vote often...

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

2009-08-03T13:29:50Z

No! Not Christmas... Something so much better!

That's right, THE SNARRY GAMES ARE BACK!!!

And while the other team has some nice things in the offering, I wanted to take this opportunity to point you toward the first two TEAM SNITCH entries. The games are mixed this time around, which means we have beautiful art entries as well as some incredible writing to show you.

The first entry is a gorgeous piece of art by the fantastic Ponderosa, and can be found here: A Firm and Fair Hand Heed the warnings before scrolling down to view the beautiful art. It's fantastic---rich and vivid and detailed. Just gorgeous.

The second offering from TEAM SNITCH is a bit of writing that I, admittedly, thought would make me too sad to really enjoy it.

I'm so glad that I was wrong!

The Shadowless Hereafter by perfica is just incredible. I'm not surprised that's it's wonderful, as perfica is a genius, but what I am surprised about is that I can come away from a story with those warnings (the very warnings that I usually avoid emphatically) feeling not only satisfied, but somehow as if I got my requisite happy ending. I still don't know how she did it, and I've been thinking about the story since yesterday.

Go. Read. Vote.

Art recs!

2009-07-27T01:34:30Z

veridian_dair has made some gorgeous artses!! Go see it!

There's a beautiful Snarry bookmark that she made for Azkatraz, and a Ginny/Hermione she did on a suggestion by my very own partner.

You can look at it here: Beautimus Artses

Ficlet: Going Down - 30 Days of Neville

2009-07-14T12:08:22Z

It was my turn to post Neville goodness today. It's not the story I meant to post because of time constraints and lack of ... inspiration, I guess. So the long Neville fic waits in the wings still. Someday.

In the meantime, my offering for the celebration of Neville at xnevillelovingx can be found here: Going Down

Five, six minutes, top, to read it---that's really all you've got to lose and you might just be entertained in that time. *grins*

Happy Happy Day...

2009-06-28T04:55:35Z

I think it's safe to say that I'm notoriously bad about the B-day greetings. However, I couldn't let this one pass without a word. So, to a lovely person and one of the most generous and supportive people in fandom, I must say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, torino10154!!!

And many, many more!
*glomps you*

Words!

2009-06-02T02:12:13Z

Words! More of 'em! Today!

Go me.

In other news:

10,000 BC? The movie, not the year... Unexpectedly entertaining. Plus. Stephen Strait. *sighs* Warren Peace is dreamy even as an unwashed Mammoth hunter.

Gah

2009-05-17T18:52:32Z

Note to self:

Waterproof 45 SPF is not enough on your pasty-ass skin for 3 hours in the swimming pool. This is why you always avoid the sun. Now you're peeling and flaking and want to scratch your red, tortured skin off... literally. Was it worth it?

No. I think not.

Please limit yourself to indoor activities from now on.

SNARRY GAMES!!!

2009-05-07T05:01:43Z

THEEYYYY'RRREEE BAAAAAAAAAACCCCKKK!!!!!!!!

2009 SNARRY GAMES - Team Snitch vs. Team Cauldron!

WOOOOO-HOOOOO!!!!!!!!

OMG ART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-30T01:05:14Z

Someone liked something I wrote enough to make ARTSES for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That someone is the delightful veridian_dair and the beautiful art is here: Expressing the Inexpressible

It is, you might've guessed by the title, a scene from one of my older stories of the same name. If you'd like to read it again, you can find it in my memories, here: Expressing the Inexpressible (the fic)

Now go look at the pretty art and tell veridian_dair how wonderful she is!

ETA: It seems that the lovely Veridian Dair has her journal set at friends only. So. Here 'tis:

If you'd like to say something nice about it (and you really should), let me know and I'll be thrilled to pass it on to her.