Confessions of a Fannish Dinosaur

Yesterday I should have done my 30th day in my 30 Days of Blogging but I was feeling crummy at work and when I got home, just went straight to sleep. I woke up around 9:30 and went online a bit for chatting and then signed off with still some time left before midnight, but by then I'd developed a definite migraine.

I do plan to keep on posting regularly, perhaps as corvidology suggested, three times a week. I'll be commenting on the new episodes of Person of Interest on either Tuesday nights after they air or the following day when I've had a chance to collect my thoughts as well as trying to find interesting stuff to blog about, whether its fandom or my RL activities, crafts or anything else that seems to be not too trivial


I've really enjoyed doing this, and I know that some of the time I didn't exactly blog but only posted a fic that I'd done, but hey... it was something, right?

It's Saturday and I haven't had much to do. I'm watching "BUtterfield 8" which Elizabeth Taylor won an Academy Award for, though she and Eddie Fisher hated the film. She plays a call girl or "slut" as she refers to herself, whose phone exchange is Butterfield 8, hence the title. Susan Oliver plays Liz's character's childhood friend, played by Eddie Fisher. I met Susan Oliver at Bi-Centenial-10 Convention in NYC in 1976. It was the first performance of the Omicron Ceti Three and we won a third prize trohpy for "You're My Home, Entereprise" to the tune of John Denver's "Country Roads" in the Costume Call. When we took the stage again to get our trophy -- to the applause of 5,000 fans in the ballroom, I might add, Susan Oliver who was one of the judges complemented us. "Your song lyrics were so sincere," she told me. And I replied, "Star Trek fans are very sincere about the show," or some such. Not why I'm watching the movie, it's just what's on TMC right now. Lawrence Harvey is all brooding and his wife is Dina Merrill, trying to deal with his clandestine love for Liz Taylor. But it did bring back that memory of meeting Susan Oliver.

Here's a little pic I thought I'd share. I think it proves that the phenomenon of photo bombing isn't a new thing after all.

I thought the episode was really well done, especially since we didn't have a season cliffhanger (except for Root's phone call at the end of God Mode) and it was great to see all the characters involved, to greater or lesser degrees. (Actually, nobody decrees that all final eps of a show for the season have to be cliffhangers. Before "Who Shot J.R.?" they were just regular eps that happened to come last and weren't even considered "finales.")

I was thoroughly enthralled by Root -- she reminded me of Sarah Connor in the psychiatric hospital in Terminator 2. Her shrink, who like Carmichael, doesn't fully grasp what his patient is driving at, kept trying to intimidate her, promising her a visit with her son, only to put her back in solitary, while she kept saying judgement day was coming, all the while doing chin ups in her cell and eventually taking him hostage when she made her escape attempt. That chilling conversation she had where she started enumerating facts about his life and his face got more and more shocked was great.

I liked Carter in the episode and was glad she got a change of clothes, or several of them. I didn't see any flirting or the like between her and Reese, just the usual friendly talk and him being concerned about her demotion. I'd say telling her she looked "badass" wasn't the same kind of compliment than if he'd told her admiringly how hot she looked. At the bar, she flirted with the guy who wanted to buy her a drink and was all business with Reese. I half expected a guy to be in her bedroom when she got home -- thinking, whoa, that would be a shocker! But alas, in her closet was only her own wall of crime, much like Finch's, and it looks like she's got her own agenda going and is still investigating Beecher's death and the other unsolved murders. I do worry that when she learns who really killed those two cops, some serious s*** will be hitting the fan.

When Reese in essence offered her a job so she wouldn't have to walk a beat, she turned him down, with the comment that she's a cop. I think she still prefers the idea of being a cop than being a vigilante. And she wants to bring down those resposible for the deaths and her demotion. Which is probably why she's kept Elias tucked away. I loved her scene with Elias and Scarface -- and Scarface thanking her for saving his boss. One of the reviews I read asked "is it bad that I now ship Carter/Scarface?" lol

I liked the number too. I've seen some comments around here and the web about some numbers not being as interesting or compelling... and yes, they aren't all that way. But I think the thing to remember is that the Machine tells about "irrelevants" about "ordinary people" who will be the victims of crimes, so expecting them all to be fascinating, compelling individuals or important people in their own right is kind of besides the point. This guy was honest and true to himself, as Reese said, and the Machine noted the connection he had to his less than honest buddy, thereby giving us his number. I loved finding out that Reese had his own reasons for going into the military, that we still don't know the full details on and how he counseled Salazar that when the CIA came calling, to say no.

Loved Reese's dead pan humor all through the ep. "Are you guys closed?" recalled his "have you seen the men's room?" to Anton and company back in the pilot. He was hilarious when he realized he was in the midst of a bar fight that he hadn't started. Loved the shoot out at the pawn shop -- that shot of him on the floor, legs spread while firing was one we haven't seen before. He identified with the number, again telling Finch he liked him, and he wanted to see him succeed and get out of trouble. Loved the way he complained about the nearly kidnapped diplomat's son at the beginning: "they never say thank you" and then us getting to see Salazar thank him with a handshake.

I enjoyed Shaw... I think that more than her being there to keep JC from having to do as much of the heavy lifting stunt-wise, they can put Reese into situations that even someone as skilled as he might have difficulty getting out of by himself, like the pawn shop. And her banter with Finch, Reese and Fusco was funny.

I liked Fusco being called to help and to defuse the bomb -- I'm sure they wouldn't have left him if Finch hadn't first learned he knew what he was doing. He was hilarious all mad at being a human shield for Shaw too, but I still say they make a cute couple. I think they'd be an even more adorable odd couple than Reese and Finch do.

Finch wasn't stuck in the Library, he got out and about more than once, which I liked. Loved him hacking into the bad guys' computer on the steps, walking Bear at night and with Reese as they passed by the ship and seeing him drink his boiler maker.

That leads me to saying that most of all I was so happy to see Reese and Finch together again. Just seeing them in the preview scene was enough to make me smile, at seeing our heroes on the job, back to what passes for normal with them since the events of God Mode. That's what was best about this episode, I think. Not just the two of them, but for new and old viewers alike to start the new season on its new night seeing more of the team effort and how the characters, old and new, are fitting together.

But it was an episode where the closeness between Reese and Finch was perfect. They were walking Bear together and discussing the new number. Reese teased Finch about the Fleet being in and what sailors so on shoreleave, to Finch's distaste. And they worked together to save Salazar's friend when he was strapped to the bomb (bombs are a squick of mine and this got to me nearly as much as Reese' bomb vest in Dead Reckoning). Then, at the end, they were together in the bar, having a drink. I'm not sure I totally believe it was Finch's first boiler maker -- it could be but then, I can imagine Nathan trying to convince him to drink one. And Reese's loving smile at Finch when he did pick it up! When John responded to Harold's comment about how he got into the service with that teasing "I never told you" his tone of voice did me in! So they're in a bar, doing what sailors do... what's next? Matching tatoos? They could get each other's names... wait, they don't use their real names. It'll have to be "John" and "Harold."

I am glad to see most fans enjoyed the episode and are glad to be having the show back again.

Darn! I completely forgot to set my dvr to record the Emmy's. When Ian came to pick me up from work he said that Carried Preston was a presenter! She'd won an Emmy for her guest starring performance on The Good Wife last week at the creative arts Emmys. Bob Newhart did too, and Ian said that he got to present too, with Jim Parsons who plays Sheldon. I figured they might show Carrie Preston and I'd really wanted to watch them when I got home. Shoot. Well, I guess I'll see some of them on YouTube soon.

I finally got to see Richard Burgi's performance on "Devious Maids." He's in episode 4, "Making the Bed" where he plays the brother of Susan Lucci's character, who romanced their maid 20 years ago and then dumped her to marry a rich woman. Now he's divorced and back for a visit, but she's too smart for him this time. Richard plays another not so lovable cad -- wish he wasn't so type cast in these kinds of roles. And he didn't even take his shirt off!

So the "Devious Maids" marathon kept recording but no Emmys. Sigh. At least I've probably got the episode where Brett Cullen is naked.

After writing the 10 fics in 10 days, I feel a little burned out here. And I don't have much to blog about tonight.

Today is September 20. It would be my dad's birthday. He died in 1980, but if he was alive, he'd be 100 today. His birthday's today, my ex husband's is next Friday and mine is the following Friday. We were all in a line, back then. I don't celebrate with my ex anymore, obviously. But I spoke to my son today and said I'd like to go out on my birthday and see that new Sandra Bullock/George Clooney movie, "Gravity" since it's opening on my birthday. So I think that's what we're going to do. I'm not into counting years or anything or having a big do, but going out with family is always nice.

I found out that the Person of Interest cast will be doing autographs at ComicCon -- and to get them you have to be selected in a lottery they are having on FB. You go to the ComicCon FB page and register on Sept. 25. I didn't even see their autograph sessions listed, but I think since they are special -- i.e. the lottery -- they must not have been listed. The big stars like John Barrowman and Shatner aren't on this lottery system. So that is making me feel a little stressed. I think if you don't get in the first time there's a "second chance" lottery. Sigh. It would be nice not to have to stand in a line for hours though, so I'm going to try. I'm not usually an autograph seeker but in this case, I would like to do it. It's not real easy to get a chance to say 'hi' to this cast. When I was watching them film back in March, I didn't approach Jim Caviezel, so if I do get in, it will be nice.

Off to bed to continue to rest up from the writing marathon.

I've reached the end of the Ten in Ten challenge! This one was suggested by Esteefee. It's light and sweet, a first time with Bear's help.

Bear Knows Best

Today was nice and chilly, starting to seem like fall. It was a good day for a Monday. I came home and read a couple of fics that have been posted and enjoyed them. Then I did break down and watch the first ep of Dancing with the Stars. There was something really wonderful about watching Valerie Harper's dance. Here's what a USA Today article said:

Valerie Harper said she had a problem this week. "Not the cancer," she said. "My sore knee!" She added, "Nothing serious, but strained." She jokingly blamed her "slave driver" partner Tristan MacManus. Harper explained to cameras that she has "always loved dancing" and is happy to have a chance to "perform for people" again. She and Tristan danced a sweet foxtrot, with Valerie smiling and swirling around the dance floor. Of course, they got a standing ovation. "It's good to be alive -- and it's even better to be dancing," she said.

Judges: Bruno said, "How can you criticize a national treasure? You are an inspiration to the nation." He said she was "radiant," and added some suggestions about her frame. Weepy Carrie Ann said she was "setting an amazing example... Yes, you have to work on your spots, but you brought me to tears with your courage." Len praised her "ease and elegance." Scores: 7, 7, 7 = 21

I also enjoyed seeing the Jersey Shore's Snooki, who is using her real name of Nicole now that she's a mom... she's a young girl who's grown up a lot and though I haven't been a fan, who hasn't heard of her. I think she's really showing a classier side of herself these days.

Here's the whole article in case you're interested and missed the show: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/09/16/dancing-with-the-stars-kicks-off-season-17/2823837/

I thought I'd get an entire chapter of my "Turning Like the Sky" fic done today, since I got home and didn't have other stuff to do, but I realized I needed to do some research on the next part and that took some time. The chapter is turning into a case fic, it seems. I posted what's really the first part of chapter two tonight, still a decent length at around 1600 words: http://archiveofourown.org/works/968828/chapters/1905247

I had an easier time of things today. Though I didn't start writing until evening, I knew where I was going and the fic came easily. Not a first time, this one shows us Harold's more private reaction to the watch Logan Pierce gave John. This is just Harold's pov... I don't totally subscribe to the John willingly always submitting to Finch, but that he's glad to when it suits him and when it's good for Finch. On other occasions, if I were to continue this universe, I can see them taking turns, so to speak. Enjoy!

One Percent Genius...

Well, I'm half way through the 30 day challenge and hanging on by my fingernails with this 10 in 10 challenge. Fell asleep last night before I got this posted but I don't feel I'm cheating, lol. Just a little Reese POV drabble from God Mode today:



"You know almost everything that’s happening and you won’t tell me the one thing I need."

I hear Shaw saying something about taking me to the funny farm, but she’s not important. Nothing is, but him. And again, you won’t help me. I said if she calls, don’t answer. But he answered. Sent me to Thornhill’s… to have me arrested to keep me away. But it won’t work and he knows it. He has his reasons. I know that. I trust that. I trust him -- Don't know what this is doing to me? Dammit,help me find him!

This is the next story in my Ten in Ten series, a direct sequel to "Head Games"

( Somewhere Between )

On this date, 47 years ago, Star Trek the classic series premiered. I didn't get into Star Trek fandom until 1976, or even start watching the show until it went into syndication while I was in college, but the show changed my life and the lives of many of the people who are closest to me.

Fandom existed before Star Trek, but it was Star Trek that started fandom on the path that made it into what we understand it to be today. Fans wrote meta essays in those days, drew simple line art and published them with letters of comment in fanzines, but it was Trek fans who began publishing fanfiction so profusely that fanfic took over zines and became one of the main areas of fannish expression. We wanted more of the show we loved and so, in the absence of new episodes, we created more ourselves, taking the Enterprise crew to places our television sets, even with the imagination of Gene Roddenberry, couldn't or wouldn't take us. Into situations that they might not recover from by next week's show, into their bedrooms and of course, not just into the bedrooms occupied by the opposite sex.

I heard about slash on one of the first visits I paid to my fannish mentor, Bev Volker, who became my best friend and along with her sister, Nancy Kippax a collaborator in writing and exploring the then uncharted waters of fan publication, putting on conventions and all things fannish. Bev showed me a "drawer fic" as we called them in those days -- an unpublished story written by "the Austrailian fan" that had been sent through the mail from fan to fan but was hidden and secret. I remember exactly where I sat in Bev's basement office as I read it... no names were given in the fic, but it was clear who was Spock and who was Kirk. It involved a lot of touching, a sensual backrub with oiled fingers that brought completion. Bev and Nancy's zine, Contact, celebrated the friendship between Kirk and Spock and it took off like gangbusters, tapping into the one theme that so many Trek fans found the most interesting, or should I say, fascinating aspect of the show. The all slash zines came later but the pioneering influence of "Contact" cannot be denied. I did not write K/S, preferring back then to write about the deep emotional bond between Kirk and Spock. It was only later when I got into Starsky & Hutch that I became a slasher. Still, even now, when I look at the relationship between Reese and Finch in Person of Interest, I can not only enjoy the slashability of them, I can enjoy, read and write them as pair bond who don't necessarily have to have a sexual component to their relationship. And their love, their slash relationship, is predicated on their deep emotional bond. That's still what turns me on, what attracts me to a fandom and at this point, I'm pretty sure it always will.

ETA: Bev and Nancy, God rest their souls, used to sign their editorials in "Contact" and their fannish letters in a way that signified that they understood how others felt about the Kirk/Spock relationship and I think that applies today when we meet others who are like-minded in fandom and make online friends with those who love the relationships we also love. "We are one; we reach."

So Happy Star Trek Anniversary and may fandom always be my way of life! FIAWOL, everybody! Star Trek Lives!