Happy Birthday,
Oct. 21st, 2017 07:35 pm
On how movies make not okay things seem okay
Oct. 21st, 2017 02:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vvalkyriPosted over on FB,
I'm trying to remember how to upload photos to dreamwidth because it isn't part of the rich text interface.
*The latter . . . has issues - ferex, I don't think Stardust belongs on there as it's explained. It has its own problems, but 'he kidnapped the Star to woo her!' is not accurate.
Related to #metoo and especially #ihave, it's worth remembering how lots and lots of movies demonstrate that stalking is how to find love. And then there's the movies that demonstrate that grabbing the girl and kissing her means she'll like you, or is at least a great way to get her to stop being angry. One of the things demonstrated in that screengrab I posted the other night (I'll add it in the comments) is how much stuff it's easy not to notice, or easy to not realize is not okay until looking back with more modern eyes. And I don't mean more modern than 50 years ago. I mean more modern than 30 years ago or even 20 or 10 years ago.
When I see #ihave posts all I know is that someone has given some thought to what they could have done better in their past and are trying to do better now. It tells me little more than that.
The Atlantic: Romantic comedies - where stalking meets love, which I found as a link off Bustle: 17 romantic movie heroes who actually sexually harassed the heroine.*
I'm trying to remember how to upload photos to dreamwidth because it isn't part of the rich text interface.
*The latter . . . has issues - ferex, I don't think Stardust belongs on there as it's explained. It has its own problems, but 'he kidnapped the Star to woo her!' is not accurate.
hey I just made myself read an important document thing
Oct. 21st, 2017 05:14 pmrydra_wongwhich I have been hiding from for nearly a year owing to its close temporal (and partially causal) association with my major mood dip at the start of the year.
Because I am in no way MASSIVELY AVOIDANT or anything, no why would you think that.
I will accept praise and validation.
Because I am in no way MASSIVELY AVOIDANT or anything, no why would you think that.
I will accept praise and validation.
Shadow Unit: Down the Rabbit Hole
Oct. 21st, 2017 09:25 amtruepenny[A/N: So I wrote this for Lewis Carroll's birthday in 2009. It's an AU (alternate universe) of Shadow Unit, in which one of the main characters, Chaz Villette, is imagining what his life would be like in an alternate reality where he wasn't quite who he is, and since it currently exists only on LiveJournal in Chaz's blog, I'm posting it here as well, so that it doesn't get lost. I'm very fond of it.
[If you don't know anything about Shadow Unit: (1) this stands on its own; (2) go check it out! Buckets of free fiction from me & Elizabeth Bear & Emma Bull & Amanda Downum & Leah Bobet & Will Shetterly & Steven Brust & Chelsea Polk.]
***
( Read more... )
[If you don't know anything about Shadow Unit: (1) this stands on its own; (2) go check it out! Buckets of free fiction from me & Elizabeth Bear & Emma Bull & Amanda Downum & Leah Bobet & Will Shetterly & Steven Brust & Chelsea Polk.]
***
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Oct. 21st, 2017 08:55 amskygiantsAfter reading Ann Leckie's new book Provenance I went on Twitter and asked what you call a screwball plot if it isn't necessarily a comedy.
Like, Provenance, while frequently funny, is not a non-serious book -- it concerns itself with classism, wildly unhealthy family relationships, interstellar warmongering, fetishization of cultural artifacts, and inhumane conditions of incarceration, not to mention murder -- but the structure of the plot is very classic screwball. Misunderstandings! Mistaken identities! Brilliant[ly ill-advised] schemes colliding with each other and blowing up in everybody's face! The faint air of Yakety Sax playing frequently in the background!
Honestly it feels a lot like Ann Leckie channeling Lois McMaster Bujold, with less intense character dynamics but also fewer moments of side-eye.
Our Heroine Ingray Aughskold is the foster daughter of an elected official who has been locked in competition with her foster-brother since they were both small for the eventual goal of inheriting their mother's position. Ingray comes from a public orphanage, while her asshole abrother is the son of a wealthy family, which gives him an edge that Ingray has never quite been able to best.
CUE: Brilliant[ly ill-advised] scheme! Ingray decides to attempt to break a fellow political foster-kid, Pahlad Budrakim, out of Compassionate Removal (i.e. terrible jail) in order to learn the location of the highly important cultural artifacts which Pahlad has hypothetically stolen.
Complication: Pahlad is possibly not Pahlad, and is certainly not inclined to be cooperative.
Complication 2: The space captain who Ingray hired to get them back home is wanted for theft by an alien ambassador, who Does Not Understand Humans, and whom everyone is panicked about offending due to some Very Important Alien Treaties.
Complication 3: Meanwhile, what Ingray's mother would actually like her to be doing with her time is shepherding around some other ambassadors, human ones from a different planet, who want to do politically-motivated excavations in a local nature preserve
Complication 4: Also, someone is about to get murdered!
Complication 5: And the cop in the case has a crush on Ingray!
Complication 6: And MANY OF THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT CULTURAL ARTIFACTS HAVE DISPUTED PROVENANCE AND IT'S VERY DISTRESSING (for everyone but me, because the minute I heard that title I was like 'this had better be about cultural heritage' and LO AND BEHOLD)
((...though I did want to see a little more documented archival paperwork and process surrounding the question of the authenticity of the artifacts, but I mean, ignore me, it's good, it's fine.))
My favorite character was definitely possibly-Pahlad, with their bitter cynicism and constant challenges to everyone else to do better; wanting More Pahlad all the time was probably my biggest complaint about the book.
My other favorite character was the almost entirely useless Radch ambassador, who just did not want to be there that day. Everything about the treatment of the Radch in this book delights me. "So weird to hear this totally clueless woman speaking with the accent we're used to hearing from villains on the TV!" You definitely don't need to have read the Imperial Radch books to enjoy Provenance, but I suspect it does probably make the few Radch cameos five times funnier.
Like, Provenance, while frequently funny, is not a non-serious book -- it concerns itself with classism, wildly unhealthy family relationships, interstellar warmongering, fetishization of cultural artifacts, and inhumane conditions of incarceration, not to mention murder -- but the structure of the plot is very classic screwball. Misunderstandings! Mistaken identities! Brilliant[ly ill-advised] schemes colliding with each other and blowing up in everybody's face! The faint air of Yakety Sax playing frequently in the background!
Honestly it feels a lot like Ann Leckie channeling Lois McMaster Bujold, with less intense character dynamics but also fewer moments of side-eye.
Our Heroine Ingray Aughskold is the foster daughter of an elected official who has been locked in competition with her foster-brother since they were both small for the eventual goal of inheriting their mother's position. Ingray comes from a public orphanage, while her asshole abrother is the son of a wealthy family, which gives him an edge that Ingray has never quite been able to best.
CUE: Brilliant[ly ill-advised] scheme! Ingray decides to attempt to break a fellow political foster-kid, Pahlad Budrakim, out of Compassionate Removal (i.e. terrible jail) in order to learn the location of the highly important cultural artifacts which Pahlad has hypothetically stolen.
Complication: Pahlad is possibly not Pahlad, and is certainly not inclined to be cooperative.
Complication 2: The space captain who Ingray hired to get them back home is wanted for theft by an alien ambassador, who Does Not Understand Humans, and whom everyone is panicked about offending due to some Very Important Alien Treaties.
Complication 3: Meanwhile, what Ingray's mother would actually like her to be doing with her time is shepherding around some other ambassadors, human ones from a different planet, who want to do politically-motivated excavations in a local nature preserve
Complication 4: Also, someone is about to get murdered!
Complication 5: And the cop in the case has a crush on Ingray!
Complication 6: And MANY OF THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT CULTURAL ARTIFACTS HAVE DISPUTED PROVENANCE AND IT'S VERY DISTRESSING (for everyone but me, because the minute I heard that title I was like 'this had better be about cultural heritage' and LO AND BEHOLD)
((...though I did want to see a little more documented archival paperwork and process surrounding the question of the authenticity of the artifacts, but I mean, ignore me, it's good, it's fine.))
My favorite character was definitely possibly-Pahlad, with their bitter cynicism and constant challenges to everyone else to do better; wanting More Pahlad all the time was probably my biggest complaint about the book.
My other favorite character was the almost entirely useless Radch ambassador, who just did not want to be there that day. Everything about the treatment of the Radch in this book delights me. "So weird to hear this totally clueless woman speaking with the accent we're used to hearing from villains on the TV!" You definitely don't need to have read the Imperial Radch books to enjoy Provenance, but I suspect it does probably make the few Radch cameos five times funnier.
[MA, gastronomy] Moar Ghoti?
Oct. 20th, 2017 08:51 pmsidereaLocals,
I have a friend coming from out-of-town – from one of those more landlocked places – who would like to go out for seafood. I'm abashed to admit, my answer to the question of where I go for seafood around here is "New Hampshire", which is not compatable with our plans. I am nursing a grudge against Legal, and just about all the places I used to go are out of business.
They're a foodie, will be staying in Somerville, and will be getting around on the T.
Where should we go?
I have a friend coming from out-of-town – from one of those more landlocked places – who would like to go out for seafood. I'm abashed to admit, my answer to the question of where I go for seafood around here is "New Hampshire", which is not compatable with our plans. I am nursing a grudge against Legal, and just about all the places I used to go are out of business.
They're a foodie, will be staying in Somerville, and will be getting around on the T.
Where should we go?
[Oct. 20, 1962] Yes, please! (The first James Bond movie, Dr. No)
Oct. 20th, 2017 05:18 pmgalacticjourney[if you’re new to the Journey, read this to see what we’re all about!]
By Ashley R. Pollard
With the days drawing in, marking the beginning of Autumn, and the evenings becoming longer, I know I look forward to going to the cinema more. I was very fortunate to be able to get a ticket to the premier of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, which was shown at the London Pavilion, and therefore I saw it three days before its general release to the rest of the country.
There was quite a buzz surrounding this film, but before I go into my piece let me give you some context to the books behind the movie: Ian Fleming's James Bond series.
It may be confusing to some Fleming fans to see Dr. No presented as the first James Bond film, because the title and plot are from the sixth book. So six is number one, but chronologically the first James Bond novel was Casino Royale, which came out in 1953. I understand that Casino Royale was adapted as an episode of an American television called Climax! (which sounds rather racy to my ears) and that the rights to the name of the first James Bond book are therefore tied up.
Anyway, in Britain, Ian Fleming's books have always sold well, and Fleming may rightfully be described as the inventor of the Cold War spy thriller genre, which while set in the mundane world has themes that require elements of science and technology for the plots to work.
Up to now Fleming hasn't taken American by storm, but I think that will change when Dr. No is released in America next year. It will not probably hurt that President John F. Kennedy has been quoted as saying that Fleming's fifth James Bond novel, From Russia, with Love, was one of his top ten all time favourite books.
Given that the title of the next James Bond movie is From Russia, with Love, I fully expect American audiences to take to reading James Bond as readers over here have. Last year, the ninth book in the series, Thunderball, featuring the capture of a NATO fighter, sold out of its initial print run of 50,938 hardbacks and has had to be reprinted to meet demand. Reviews have said it is the best since Diamonds Are Forever, the fourth book in the James Bond series.
To say Ian Fleming is prolific is I think over-egging it a bit, but he can certainly write, and his writing improves with each book. I have watched Fleming adding depth and character, to what would otherwise be a cipher who only served the whims of the author. Fleming has made James Bond more than that. He's the man every man aspires to be, and the bad boy that every woman wants to be chased by.
And here I am, and I haven't even started to tell you all how wonderful Dr. No is...
(see the rest at Galactic Journey!)
By Ashley R. Pollard
With the days drawing in, marking the beginning of Autumn, and the evenings becoming longer, I know I look forward to going to the cinema more. I was very fortunate to be able to get a ticket to the premier of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, which was shown at the London Pavilion, and therefore I saw it three days before its general release to the rest of the country.
There was quite a buzz surrounding this film, but before I go into my piece let me give you some context to the books behind the movie: Ian Fleming's James Bond series.
It may be confusing to some Fleming fans to see Dr. No presented as the first James Bond film, because the title and plot are from the sixth book. So six is number one, but chronologically the first James Bond novel was Casino Royale, which came out in 1953. I understand that Casino Royale was adapted as an episode of an American television called Climax! (which sounds rather racy to my ears) and that the rights to the name of the first James Bond book are therefore tied up.
Anyway, in Britain, Ian Fleming's books have always sold well, and Fleming may rightfully be described as the inventor of the Cold War spy thriller genre, which while set in the mundane world has themes that require elements of science and technology for the plots to work.
Up to now Fleming hasn't taken American by storm, but I think that will change when Dr. No is released in America next year. It will not probably hurt that President John F. Kennedy has been quoted as saying that Fleming's fifth James Bond novel, From Russia, with Love, was one of his top ten all time favourite books.
Given that the title of the next James Bond movie is From Russia, with Love, I fully expect American audiences to take to reading James Bond as readers over here have. Last year, the ninth book in the series, Thunderball, featuring the capture of a NATO fighter, sold out of its initial print run of 50,938 hardbacks and has had to be reprinted to meet demand. Reviews have said it is the best since Diamonds Are Forever, the fourth book in the James Bond series.
To say Ian Fleming is prolific is I think over-egging it a bit, but he can certainly write, and his writing improves with each book. I have watched Fleming adding depth and character, to what would otherwise be a cipher who only served the whims of the author. Fleming has made James Bond more than that. He's the man every man aspires to be, and the bad boy that every woman wants to be chased by.
And here I am, and I haven't even started to tell you all how wonderful Dr. No is...
(see the rest at Galactic Journey!)
If All of My Friends Jumped Off a Meme . . .
Oct. 20th, 2017 03:49 pmmalkingrey. . . I probably would, too. Some of the time, anyhow.
Snagged fromrahirah:
Tattoos: No
Surgeries: tonsils out; gall bladder out; plate put in broken arm
Broken bones: See “broken arm”, above
Shot a gun: Yes, once.
Quit a job: Yes
Flown on a plane: Yes
100+ miles in car: The nearest town with a proper stop light is a 100-mile round trip from here, so yes. Often. (Also once across the width of the US from Virginia to California, in midwinter when all the passes north of the southern border were closed due to snow.)
Gone zip lining: No
Watched someone give birth: No, unless doing it myself counts
Watched someone dying: No
Ridden in an ambulance: Yes
... Canada: Yes
... to Europe: Yes (well, England, which counted at the time)
... to Washington D.C: Yes
... to Florida: Yes
... to Colorado: Yes
... to Mexico: Yes
... to Las Vegas: No
Sang karaoke: No
Had a pet: Yes
Been downhill skiing: No
Gone snowboarding: No
Ability to read music: Yes
Rode a motorcycle: No
Rode a horse: Yes, once.
Stayed in a hospital: Yes
Ride in police car: No
Driven a boat: No
Seen a UFO: No
Been on a cruise: No
Run out of gas: Yes
Eaten sushi: Oh, yes.
Seen a ghost: No
Snagged from
rahirah:Tattoos: No
Surgeries: tonsils out; gall bladder out; plate put in broken arm
Broken bones: See “broken arm”, above
Shot a gun: Yes, once.
Quit a job: Yes
Flown on a plane: Yes
100+ miles in car: The nearest town with a proper stop light is a 100-mile round trip from here, so yes. Often. (Also once across the width of the US from Virginia to California, in midwinter when all the passes north of the southern border were closed due to snow.)
Gone zip lining: No
Watched someone give birth: No, unless doing it myself counts
Watched someone dying: No
Ridden in an ambulance: Yes
... Canada: Yes
... to Europe: Yes (well, England, which counted at the time)
... to Washington D.C: Yes
... to Florida: Yes
... to Colorado: Yes
... to Mexico: Yes
... to Las Vegas: No
Sang karaoke: No
Had a pet: Yes
Been downhill skiing: No
Gone snowboarding: No
Ability to read music: Yes
Rode a motorcycle: No
Rode a horse: Yes, once.
Stayed in a hospital: Yes
Ride in police car: No
Driven a boat: No
Seen a UFO: No
Been on a cruise: No
Run out of gas: Yes
Eaten sushi: Oh, yes.
Seen a ghost: No
I still exist
Oct. 20th, 2017 11:14 amsubbesWildfires last week. We are all safe.
Mediation turned into restorative justice. I’ve been journaling it out, offline.
In this weird place where my twitter account has 1800 followers but I feel like nothing I tweet is of any importance or value, so I’m surprised when something I post gets retweeted and people pay attention to it.
Mediation turned into restorative justice. I’ve been journaling it out, offline.
In this weird place where my twitter account has 1800 followers but I feel like nothing I tweet is of any importance or value, so I’m surprised when something I post gets retweeted and people pay attention to it.
Post on Omniscient POV
Oct. 20th, 2017 01:34 pmsartoriasPosting on the fly here--workshop still going on.
But recently Cat Rambo read my book Inda and asked me
>for a mini-interview on omni POV. A subject I am always intensely interested in discussing.
But recently Cat Rambo read my book Inda and asked me
>for a mini-interview on omni POV. A subject I am always intensely interested in discussing.
World Fantasy 2017
Oct. 20th, 2017 09:00 ammarthawells
Registration for World Fantasy 2017 in San Antonio ends Oct 21, banquet seats still available until Oct 27, and the final program schedule is now online:
http://wfc2017.org/wfc2017/programming/
Panels include:
Paging Doctor Tavener and Carnaki: Occult Detectives Old and Newly Reinvented
Beards and Intrigue: Queering the Historical Fantastic
Exceptional Characters in Horrible Times
Metaphors & Metadata: Libraries in Fantasy Literature
Molly Weasley Was a Bad Ass: Aged Protagonists in Fantasy
From Angry Fairy Queens to Flying Lizard People: An Interview with Toastmaster Martha Wells [Spotlight]
Exploration of Gender in Fantasy
Calamity Jane Defeats Conan—the Persistence of American Folklore in Fantasy Literature
Kitsune & Dragon: Thoughtful Approaches to Alternate Eastern Asias
Greg Manchess: Short Take on a Long Career in Illustration [GoH Spotlight]
Hild and Hilt: the Female Monk, the Lone Woman Protagonist
Hidden Secrets [GoH Spotlight] ( Tananarive Due will discuss the role of history, especially hidden history, in her work and in black horror in general, which is emerging as a sub-genre in the wake of Jordan Peele's Get Out. How horror serves as trauma narratives, or even healing narratives, to help artists and readers come to grips with the past.)
Borrowing from History: Intention and Appropriation
The Role of the City in Fantasy Settings
Religions of the African Diaspora: Beyond Zombies, Ancestors, and Giant Apes.
Urban Legends in the Age of Fake News (Engaging Our Theme IV)
Everybody Was There: Diversity in Fantasy Then and Now
Remembering Zenna Henderson: A Centennial Discussion and Appreciation
Women Authors That Men Don't Read --- Or Do They?
Reinventing the Fantastic Other
Pulp Era Influences: the Expiration Date
New Graphic Novels You Should be Reading
Today's ambiguity
Oct. 19th, 2017 10:47 pmjames_davis_nicoll"Resent" is both how one might feel about being told an email never arrived and also what one might do in response.
Wait
Oct. 19th, 2017 10:47 pmjames_davis_nicollThe month was only half over last weekend. How can it be almost three quarters over only a week later?
Plugin Problems
Oct. 19th, 2017 07:06 pmjimhinesMy Journalpress plugin is no longer posting things to Dreamwidth. I've seen reports that this is due to a change Dreamwidth made in their site security or configuration, but I'm not sure.
I'll be looking for solutions, but in the meantime, you can always find everything on the website at http://www.jimchines.com/blog/
I'll be looking for solutions, but in the meantime, you can always find everything on the website at http://www.jimchines.com/blog/