You can have it all

Today was the last day of a quasi-archaeological exhibition in the University Library on the early settlements on the right bank of Wisła. Being me I failed to see it earlier. I also failed to check the summer opening hours. Till 16:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Guh! But I was on errand from my work today and I decided to do a little detour. I asked the guards where the exhibit is and the guy said they closed it today at 10:00 He was very amused and said that there were several groups in here today to see it. I'm going to complain *snerk*

So how about a little concert in the evening integrated with lecture about baroque music? There was a lecture all right, but no music because the sonnets were meant to be played with an accompaniment and guy's basso continuo didn't make it. pffft

So how about a nice chit-chat?

"Doctors are in fact charlatans. This is the only profession that takes money for something they don't know and can't do. It's a corporation, a clan blah-blah-blah"

"What are you on about?"

"Let's take Alzheimer or any other genetic disease. They will tell you that it's genetic, oh yes. But which gene is actually responsible, that they cannot tell. And forget about curing it. They will treat the symptoms." *accusing stab of his finger*

"From what I know the cause of Alzheimer isn't known, so how can you cure it?"

"Exactly!"

"Exactly what?"

"They claim they can cure people and in fact they are cheats!"

"Who claims that they can cure Alzheimer?"

"Not Alzheimer, and not many other diseases. But they are specialists in medicine and who should know that things if not them?"

"Nobody knows it. How can they practise something that isn't known to any human being?"

"That's not the point. They don't know it. Imagine going to the engineer and telling him that you want to have a bridge built. He takes full responsibility if the bridge collapses. And doctors? You might die and nothing happens to them."

"Bridges and people aren't the same."

"They are. On a quantum level."

"Do you go to a doctor on a quantum level?"

"That's not the point. Aristotle said-"

I don't know what was the point. The discussion changed the course and it ended with him learning that there is a way of being granted medical services from your insurance even if in your local clinic they say that they don't have free places this year. You simply call the insurance and they give you addresses. He seemed satisfied and didn't discuss Aristotle and bridges any more.

I rarely had the sense of unreality this strong. At first I was suspecting that he's joking, that this is some kind of Monty Python sketch, but it wasn't, he was serious. What I wrote doesn't render his speech in its full glory.

Do I even want to go to work tomorrow?

hp_wishes works like this: people post their wishlists (pairing, genre, prompt) and fulfil other people's wishes. I'm going to try, but first I try to write something for someone and only then post my own wishlist.

---

Estee Lauder's nail polish no 88 FTW! Smoky plum with a hint of dark chocolate, not quite warm and not quite cold.

---

I can't write Ginny/Sirius smut for the life of me. I tried three different scenarios and it all turned out R at best. I know exactly what I want to read, what I want them to be but as I sit down and write, it all goes to hell. It's either mellow or completely bland.

This pairing just asks for plainly wrong kind of completely twisted and fucked up relationship.

Sirius never grew up mentally but now, as an adult with a lots of money, he can do whatever he wants. And his 'wants' were always quite harmful. The death of his Siamese twin best friend and his own imprisonment only made it worse. Being locked at Grimmauld Place must have made him quite deranged at times. That's enough for me.

Ginny's penchant to live on dreams: of the hero, of the best friend; ignoring reality when it's not how she'd like it to be, trying to distract herself with temporary solutions to fill the void, to numb her feelings. She uses people like she feels she's been used, dumping them like she's been dumped (I don't think she does it with cold blood, planning, etc, she just does it as she goes, she realises it but can't help it? doesn't want to help it?). Her 'adventure' with Tom dramatically and probably permanently deflated her self-esteem. Being the seventh child after the six boys made her need to prove that she's as tough as they are.

What else do you need to write a smutty, little piece, ah? Man of lax moral standards and a reckless girl, who's trying to prove that she's mature enough and can take care of herself, thank you very much. Well, somehow it's not enough for my muse *curses*

Berries and green things posted in virtualgarden

I posted three photos at day_on_earth here here and here. I wanted to do a picspam but it's midnight again and instead I say goodnight.

Draco and Harry by _lile. Worksafe. I adore her art for serenity, calmness and solace. I don't want to tear my eyes off of them.

Title: Monsters, Livid With Desire
Author: musesfool
Characters: Ginny/Sirius
Rating: NC-17
Words: 2,000
Warnings: underage, darkish
Summary: He remembers being young and strong and beautiful. And sometimes, over the summer, Ginny looks at him as though he still is.

With a twist right up my alley.

( in five <s>acts</s> screencaps )

x-posted to wolfshead here

Old news but I was busy with LE/SS exchange:

A unicorn! In fact a deer with single horn in the middle of its forehead: photo and video.

I remember scientists saying that people got this image of unicorn from a narwhal. I could never understand why take a horn from a fish-like creature and attach it to a horse/deer/some other hoof-legged one. Why not monkey? Why not pelican? Why not bear, dog, anything else? Now I know why *g*

Um, speaking of narwhals, from Wiki: The purpose of the tusk has been the subject of much debate. Early scientific hypotheses suggested that the tusk was used to pierce the ice covering the narwhal's Arctic Sea habitat. Others suggested the tusk was used in echolocation. Scientists recently discovered that the elongated tooth is packed with nerve endings, making it extraordinarily sensitive. The whales may use it to determine the salinity of water and search for food. Male narwhals are also known to rub their tusks together, presumably because it gives off a unique sensation <-----I can imagine *snerk*. In yet another theory, some scientists believe the tusk is primarily used for showmanship and for dominance: males with larger tusks are more likely to successfully attract a mate. This hypothesis was suggested by the activity of "tusking", in which two males rub tusks

A Greek machine sometimes called the world's first computer could have helped sports fans track the cyclical schedule of ancient athletic contests-including the Olympic games, new research reports.

Ancient Greek Computer's Inner Workings Deciphered

the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project

Neanderthals Didn't Mate With Modern Humans, Study Says. Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans likely did not interbreed, according to a new DNA study.

----

Apparently flimsy's journal has been purged and name made available. For a moment I thought she returned but I checked and I don't think so. If you have anything credited to this name you might want to change it.

----

I got rid of the old creep. Easy. Show yourself with young and handsome guy while ignoring said creep. He stormed out of the room and later avoided me in the corridor. :D

---

I saw Batman and was disappointed. Cillian Murphy had 3-second scene. Well, longer, but I didn't know it was him, heh. Then there was that scene with removing the headcloth and I gasped. You cannot expect me to be cool, calm and collected when I'm suddenly exposed to the innocent blue eyes of his. *gasps at the mere thought*

Batman's (and Two-Face's) girlfriend was a major letdown. Fugly-Face and Two-Face. Pug-Face and Two-Face. It's a comic, for Christ's sake! Why couldn't they have chosen someone attractive? Or at least not.so.ugly? When Joker called her 'beautiful' I thought "Rubbing it in, you bastard."

ETA: Check out this post in abandonedplaces. Be sure to see all pics *snerk*

can be found here, waiting to be turned into a lolcut.

I'm not impressed with it. Not that I expected that I would be.

The most important figure: Tom. I don't have a very clear image of him. It's vague good-looking, dark-haired, dark-eyed kid who, with his facial expression only - sometimes only with his eyes, can indicate that he is capable and willing to do cruel things. Many a kid could play this part appearance-wise but talent and acting ability? Nope. And I don't think Yates lead Hero-what's-his-name-Fiennes in the right direction.

Canon!Tom was alone in his room, reading a book - indicating that he was not associating with other kids but he wasn't idle, either. He was intelligent, gathering knowledge, actively seeking remedy to his condition (poor, orphaned kid with no power). At first he was neutral, almost polite, he was testing the water and then when he thought he was being transferred to an asylum - aggressive and arrogant because he thought he was dealing with another weak and easily influenced man. When he learned the truth and believed it his whole stance changed. At least, he tried to change it. It's not so easy when you were getting away with all things you've done for years. Tom's reaction for setting his wardrobe on fire was described as 'shock and rage' and later he 'rounded on Dumbledore'. All 'his' 'treasures' were there. Besides, in his world when somebody did the show of strength it was the last warning or not warning at all just groundwork for harm.

Film!Tom is frightened not arrogant, and when he sees the fire he seems cheered and amused as if he saw a trick in the circus. When he enlists the things he can do he seems frightened again and when he claims he can talk to snakes it seems as if he was trying to stop DD from leaving, trying to tell him something interesting to make him stay a bit longer *shrugs* I felt sorry for the kid but I didn't get the impression that it's Dark Lord in the making. On the other hand I saw the guy who is gonna play the teenager!Tom and he was much worse. Much, much, much worse. On both pictures he had a Photoshop-made smile. If it's his natural than he should play some person related to Radcliffe!Harry. So maybe in the end I will praise that orphanage scene *snorts*

Hero is not similar to Ralph (as Yates claimed), all the more to Voldemort. And why would he be? It was important in the books that Voldy didn't remind anyone of Tom. I don't think Hero (is it common name in England?) was chosen for any other reason than the fact that he is Ralph's nephew. Or some other relative, I don't care.

Middle-age!Albus is actually old with shorter hair, that are not auburn. Unfortunately, he looks like the scavenger in my area, the only thing lacking is the cart. Does wearing a scarf indicates that you're gay? Meh.

Oh, and we can have another old character playing the role of much younger man but not Chris as post-Hogwarts!Tom. Yay, consistency!

( HBP trailer 1:30 )

Harry jumped from around the corner and shouted three spells in quick succession, sending two figures flying. The third one, whom his spell had missed, tried to dive behind the boxes littering the dingy street. Before he got there, a sickly yellow light reached him. Harry turned around. A pale hand gripping the wand was still protruding from around the corner, the wizard in black, hooded cloak attached to it on the other end. The grey eyes narrowed in anger.

"Do it again, Potter, and I'll kill you if they don't!" he spat.

"Hey, I knew you were behind me!"

---
I need 7th prompt, puh-leaze.
---
x-posted to harrydraco here

Harry didn't put his jacket on and Draco didn't take off his hat. This way they showed their mutual disrespect without resorting to insults.

"I'm not taking any case from you, Malfoy. Forget it."

Slim fingers played with an unlit cigarette. The way Harry looked at it suggested that he was waiting for Draco to light it only to have an excuse to throw him out.

"The Lestranges escaped yesterday." The voice lacked its usual haughtiness, the lips didn't smirk. The wrist propped against the edge of Harry's dusty desk seemed surprisingly fragile.

"Bring the locket," Harry heard himself saying.

---
x-posted to harrydraco here

"Look, it's changing colour!" The messy-haired boy hopped excitedly.

"Of course, it is. You've just added gentian roots."

"I never thought it would work."

The blond shook his head in exasperation. They were using The Potions Book, older than the oldest wizard, its origin lost in the mists of time.

Harry carefully measured out the dried verbena leaves into the cauldron. Suddenly, the froth covered the entire surface of the brew.

"What! I followed the recipe!"

"It says nothing of soaking one's sleeve in the potion." Draco fished out the edge of overlong, dripping fabric and held it out accusingly.

---
x-posted to harrydraco here

"It won't change anything between us, Draco."

"Why would your marriage change anything?"

"This is only to keep up appearances."

"I don't know if I want to keep up appearances. Maybe I should find myself another lover, not so clandestine for a change."

"Don't you dare!"

"I have to be sure you won't leave me."

"How?"

"The Unbreakable Vow."

"It's Dark magic. Besides, we would need a bonder and we can't risk telling anyone about us."

"There is other way to bond us together forever. It will only require your and my blood."

"Fine. How much?"

"To the last drop."

---
x-posted to harrydraco here

The forefinger and middle finger massaged the inside of the wrist. The veins protruding over the tendons were pulsing wildly with blood.

"You said you didn't want to do it ever again." The voice wasn't accusing, merely sad.

"I'm still saying it."

"Why did you come, then?"

The wrist was roughly wrenched from the tender grip, the outline of the stiff shoulders and flaxen hair visible against the light pouring through the door left ajar.

"Maybe- Maybe I wanted to check if sober I would see the same in you."

"And your verdict is..."

"It isn't safe to meet here."

---
x-posted to harrydraco here

I have submitted my two cents two prompt requests at hd_fanart . Have you?

If not, then go here. You still have about 18 hrs left.

The glint, the hint, the rustle.

Out of the corner of his eye, on the periphery of his field of vision, almost there... Draco stops, turns around and waits. Nothing, as usual. But just let him move and continue on his way and the shadow, the feeling at the nape of his neck will be back. Another ghost in the castle, this one completely invisible. This one causing the waves of heat to travel through his body, instead of the cold freezing blood in his veins. The shimmer and fingers close around Draco's wrist.

The kiss, the sigh, the moan.

x-posted to harrydraco here

I've been so happy that I finally got to have some time to myself that I decided to make an icon with my initials. I love them fancy letters and I wanted to try all that looked interesting. They are all made to suit my LJ layout. Here's what I've got:

- -

( Read more... )

Click here rather than on the cut

If you'd like to have similar, matching your layout, comment with the number of icon you liked, give me letter(s) and I post it for you tomorrow.

hp_darkfest



When you sign up, list several preferred pairings and one special word on which you'd like your prompt based. We will then assign you a measure of poetry or verse that either includes or evokes that word. That will be your prompt. You will have the option to reject your prompt and receive another one if you can't do anything with the first one. --> for more info click the banner

Sign-ups: August 1-8
Works due: October 17

Here's a baker's dozen of recs for fangirl_tour. HP fandom, art and fic, slash, het and gen, different ratings.

( Read more... )

Harry/Draco Art Fest! hd_fanart

prompt requests - July 17-24

Anyone can request two prompts! *squee*

Details here

hp_cross_fest


All pairings/threesomes/moresomes will feature participants who are separated by a generation gap. So, there's the obvious pairings – Lucius/Hermione and Severus/Harry – as well as the newer pairings, such as Harry/Scorpius and Draco/Rose.

Sign-ups close on July 13

The radio is playing "Love Is A Stranger" but shouldn't it be "Sweet Sixteen"? *snickers* I am so, so tempted but time! I want my holidays! The sun is shining, dammit! On the other hand Ginny/Sirius, Pansy/Walden, Tonks/Scrimgeour, Hermione/Fenrir and Hermione/Lucius! *cries in frustration*

parsel_fest § parsel_fest § parsel_fest Come join us for the gift exchange celebrating the pairing of Harry Potter/Tom Riddle-Lord Voldemort! All ratings and threesomes, moresomes, and other pairings welcome, as long as Harry/Tom-Voldemort is the focus pairing. Sign ups June 29-July 13; posting starts on the Autumn Equinox. Rules and more information

founders_gifts


This particular exchange focuses on the Founders Era of JK Rowling's Harry Potter series,
which includes the following characters: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, the Bloody Baron, and the Grey Lady.

Sign-ups are closed now, alas! The submissions are due on August 10, so the posting will probably begin in late August. I know I will keep an eye on it.

also the_foundry new community, not much posted there but we'll see.

Title: Don't Call Me Coward II
Artist: nataliariddle
Characters: Severus Snape
Rating: G

I can't believe nobody commented nor favourited this art - it's up for almost a year now. Snape's anger is palpable, his grimace of hatred couldn't be more pronounced, and the perspective and light effect make it all more powerful.

First and foremost I have to rec this:

Severus Snape Sends His Regrets by tjwritter (NC-17, ~7,000 words, warnings).

This is the fic I wanted to read since DH. I am so tired of seeing doormat!Snape, Lily's or Dumbledore's. Here Severus is actually reacting to what's happening to him, adapting to the new circumstances, choosing what he thinks is good for him and moving on (in the right or wrong direction it's another matter). This is DE!Snape and he is dangerous. You don't become a DE by wearing a mask and cloak, you become one when you're able and willing to do things that are punishable by law. You have to be careful what you say or do to him, he won't take anything from you and apologise for being alive.

What I loved in this story were the dialogs, especially between Lily and Snape, Snape's famous snark directed also at Lily, Lily's inability or rather unwillingness to decide, her penchant to take what she needs at the moment, without considering other people's feelings. I find Severus' characterisation very believable in terms of general, rl observations. This is how many men behave: less declarations, more action. This is mostly through his acts, not his words we learn about his feelings. I love how they are both portrayed here as youngsters: fierce, naive, a bit lost, believing that their choices are the only right ones. There are so many little details that make reading this a perfect treat for a tortured Snape!lover like myself. And ending. I shook my fist in the air and shouted 'Fuck, yes!'

Call of the Dark by esmestrella (R, ~4,000 words, dark) a consolation prize written for The-Mod-Who-Failed aka me. Dark, sad, moving, beautiful, poetic. Severus' last effort to save Lily, unfortunately not in a way that would be appreciated. The story about the lack of communication, about misunderstanding and parting the ways. Clever use of symbols. Alchemy and potions, decadence, loss.

The Fates by missyvortexdv (PG-13, ~4,000 words, dark) a journey into several alternative realities, that explore Lily's character more than Severus', very rare and valuable approach. What I liked the most about this fic is that IMO it proves that it wasn't so much Lily's impeccable, shiny character but also circumstances that shaped the whole outcome we know from canon.

Why Summer Orchids Wither by xnymphadorax (PG, ~10,000 words) a heartbreaking story about things we know, things we think we know and a sacrifice.

The Place That August Brings by peskywhistpaw (G, ~2,000) a delicate, poetic story about childhood and budding feelings. With an illustration.

If you're in the mood for scorching hot Lily/Sev stories try Summer Shade (R, ~5,000, angst) and Lilies Are Red, Roses Are Blue (NC-17, ~5,000 words, not angsty at all), both by esmestrella. They are simply delicious! Be sure to have a fan and glass of cold water at hand :)

The Lily/Severus fest is over and done with. 2008 master list is up at less_for_you. There are 23 works, some of them have blown me away. I'll be reccing shortly.

I think I've finally caught up on my sleep. The past two months have been one blur of work, rl issues and fandom obligations. I still can't believe I've managed to do it. It wouldn't be possible without esmestrella who offered her help and who did a massive work on this fest. I couldn't have wished for a better co-mod. *hearts*

Now I'm half-way through my riddle_gifts fic, have prepared some ficathon entries to be posted there and I'm considering participation in parsel_fest. On the one hand I'd really like to be able to enjoy what little free time I've got outdoor, without another deadline looming over my head, on the other - it's Harry/Tom! Decisions, decisions!

My hp_rarities fic will wait to be posted outside the fest comm until I've got other obligations finished. I'm not 100% sure that all details work together in a way that is best for the plot. Right now my head is spinning with more urgent things to do.

I had a crappy day but I just realised something. Today is the last Friday of month and it means that Masse de Cretins block the city. Exactly when they were supposed to set off we had a cloudburst and a thunderstorm. I hope they all drowned or got struck and now their rotting/charred bodies flow to the sea. Woot!

I've joined abc_narnia, a weekly icon contest. I've submitted 3 icons for letter A and now there's voting going on there. You know you want to :)

From a fic search group:

Harry's at Hogwarts and he takes over a block of unused rooms to make his own lab area that he uses to creat spells using arithmancy calculations (the spell to counter the killing curse is on a HUGE blackboard).

He also creates magical electricity (magitricity) that he uses to put light bulbs all over Hogwarts.

Hermione, Ron and - I think, Neville - use the area behind Harry's chalkboard as a bit of an art studio for sculpting clay, painting and sketching.

I gigglesnorted when I read this. I love AUs but there must be at least some likeness to canon. For example Lucius cannot be a frightened, shy sheep that twiddles his thumbs with bowed head when asked a direct question.

Harry's not a scholar, he's a lazy, not very bright kid who won't do anything unless he's at wandpoint. He doesn't even know how Arithmancy is spelled.

Do wizards really need 'magitricity'? Wireless works just fine without it.

Ron as an artist? He would Imperio some poor, unexpecting Muggle artist and then sign their works "Roonil Wazlib". Hermione? She would use Arithmancy to create perfect angles and mix colours. Strangly, I can see Neville as an artist.

---

I brought in a box with night-scented stock. It smells like crazy and there are only three flowers blooming. They are teeny-tiny, like forget-me-nots, but with only four petals. :)

ARTS by spicysteweddemon

http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Holmes-and-Watson-69394166
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/At-Your-Service-Watson-Holmes-69652289
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Elementary-74067793
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Holmes-Sherlock-Holmes-74485984
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Domesticity-Holmes-and-Watson-86539060
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Holmes-does-not-do-the-theater-86642048
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Careful-Watson-86842826
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Holmes-is-Always-Right-86876400
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Detecting-is-Hard-Work-87228142
http://spicysteweddemon.deviantart.com/art/Ummm-Holmes-87366610

ART by umino_morskaya
http://umino-morskaya.livejournal.com/14036.html

is an illustration for The Sign Of Change by Katie

For now this list is completely random, it will be updated. I don't have the time to do anything beyond things I should've done 1,000 years ago. Go me! Archeology has always been my passion.

TOKYO (AFP) - A Japanese man puzzled by food mysteriously disappearing from his refrigerator got a shock when he found out a woman had been living in his home for months without permission, police said Friday.
The 57-year-old man living alone -- or so he thought -- in the western city of Fukuoka installed a security camera and called the police when he saw images of someone walking around his home while he was out.
"We searched the house in the man's presence. We found the woman in the closet," said a local police spokesman.
The woman, named as 58-year-old Tatsuko Horikawa, was found in a flat storage space only just big enough for a person to squeeze into lying down.
She had sneaked a mattress and several plastic bottles into the cubby hole, police said, adding that the women had been arrested.
"She told police that she had nowhere to live," the spokesman said. "She seems to have lived there for about a year, but not all the time."
It is unclear how she managed to enter the home undetected. Police suspect she might have been closet-hopping, moving from house to house.

I felt the sudden and unexplicable urge to draw some sea creatures and when I looked at it I thought "Lily and Petunia and Severus on the playground!" Mwahaha! A few warnings: I can't draw and the colossal squid affected me more than it's healthy.

( Lily, Petunia and Severus )

and TMR/HP, an old theme, I can't get over this mirror thing with them. So alike and so different.

( Tom and Harry )

I am a Capricorn and Saturn, associated with time, rules my sign. He forgot about me or is challenging me to overcome my inborn inclination to disagree with his domain. To no avail.

Time is my mortal enemy since I remember. I always thought that it was too early to go to sleep and too early to get up, no matter what time it was. Yet I liked and like early mornings. Then again I liked and still like to be awake late at night. I am either too late or far too early for the meetings. Can't help it although I fight every day.

When I had finished kindergarten I asked my mother when I would go to school. "After holidays." "How long is that?" [I knew it already, kindergartens have the same timetable, but I wanted to be sure.] "In two months." For the first time in my life I tried to grasp the idea of 'two months' in more detail, not only vague 'some time in the future'. I couldn't. The amount of things I would get to do in all that time was impossible to imagine for me [it was how I measured my time - 'after I eat my breakfast and get dressed', 'after the film']. The time moved so slowly, then.

Now? God have mercy. Two months fly like one day.

And now the proof that I don't control it at all. I belong to a library. Some time ago, around Christmas, the library was moving to another place and we were allowed to borrow five books instead of three because there would be less to move we had to live on something.

The moving took insane amount of time. I called from time to time to ask how things were going. Every time the librarian promised me that she would send an e-mail when the library opens. She didn't. Two of my friends took their books and went to give them back 'by force'. They succeeded but I waited for the e-mail. She had promised. I'm Capricorn enough to believe people and stubbornly wait.

Nothing. Nothing in a very long time. The said two friends went again and managed to borrow books even though the library wasn't open yet. Me? Waiting.

People started to go there and borrow books and this way the library became unofficially open. Me? Nothing.

The books lay on my table, only four, I couldn't even remember the title of the fifth. Only two of them read. I even thought once or twice to go and give them back but there was so much to do.

Finally, finally a friend talked me into going with him. I thought it was high time because Christmas were half a year ago. I went and boldly confessed my sin: "I've got five books since before the library was closed and I lost one of them and I don't know its title." "To keep books for year and a half! I can't believe it!" I couldn't either. My first reflex was to correct her 'Half a year, you daft woman! I would never ever keep public books for that long!' but somehow I felt she might be right. I stared out the window, ignoring the fact that my supposed friend behaved like a half-wit, cackling and snickering.

When I came to my senses I asked about the lost book's title. The lady looked it up for me and delivered: "Naked Scout Girl." My jaw hit the table and my friend danced conga. I think he congratulated himself on taking me along. The act of borrowing books has never been so entertaining.

I still couldn't remember anything about that book, even cover, and that's crucial for finding it. My friend suggested that the scout girl got dressed by now and I'll never find her. What a fresh and unexpected joke!

Anyhow, I checked it up on the internets, there is a fragment of white dress shirt with red tie on the cover. The author is Michail Kononov, the book is some sort of derisive, absurd, dream-like re-telling of siege of Leningrad during WWII and for obvious reasons it waited twenty years to be released. Now it'll wait another twenty before I find and read it.

Mick Jagger sings in the background Time is on my side. Now I know who's to blame.

For all Harry/Tom or Harry/Voldemort shippers: on chimeracafe, there is a poll on what to name the upcoming Harry/Tom-Voldemort exchange fest. I'm all for "entwined_souls" because, really, they were. (In my mind they still are *snickers*)

---

I saw Narnia yesterday. SO. MUCH. LOVE. I was so disappointed with "Lion, Wardrobe..." (except for the beginning) that I was reluctant to go and see this one. But. Skandar Keynes. Extremely well played a boy who had learnt his lesson. Who is still a child, but went through something that could break even an adult and is really wiser after this experience.

That's one thing, and the other? I've rarely seen someone smiling as genuinely as he does. Not only with his face but also with his eyes. There is such a mirth, it's bubbling inside him, trying to get out in a heartfelt laugh. Mischief? Look into his eyes.

Skandar Keynes = Tom Marvolo Riddle. Another universe.

I was a little bit disppointed with Lucy, muchly disappointed with Susan. I can't decide about Peter, I like his looks, I'm not sure about his performance.

Caspian for the win. A bit wild (like all Telemars), a bit snotty and/or imperious (like all princes), but all in all a good soul (oh, poetry, I feel you!).

I loved how all Telemars were casted/made up, they really looked like one race. And all those armours, helmets with masks *hearts*

Lucy has a strange affinity for non-humans *insert inappriopriate joke here* Makes me think of Lavender and Firenze, heh.

Peter/Witch/Caspian threesome bound to happen. Edmund will murder them all. Greek tragedy.

Happy Children's Day to my flist! :) They say you have to bring out your inner child but I usually have to look for my inner adult :) Bring on candy floss, baloons and toys, whatever they might be ;)

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Free Flying Month in crack_broom. You have to join, you can post 1 rec of a fic or art that wasn't previously recced. For more info.

I didn't know that December is also a Free Flying Month. o.O

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less_for_you started posting.

After leaving work three hours later than I should, all I wanted to do was to go home and finally do some things for less. My bus drove by immidiately and I was already planning what to do. [Już był w ogródku, już witał się z gąską.]

But. Critical Mass. Once a month the bikers block the streets of Warsaw to protest against traffic jams. Clever. When I want to save a forest from being cut down, I cut down another one, just to show them.

All perfectly legal. They even get police protection. Wise.

On their website, I couldn't find any information about their route, just that they usually start at Castle Square but due to the current repairs they start elswhere. Not a word about where they go. I can't avoid them. I can go home by foot. Only I can't.

We will ride till everyday-cycling in Warsaw will be as pleasure and safe as taking part in Critical Mass. Like in 'block other road users'?

They claim that they want rising awarness of bike presence in the city, what is very often forgotten by city authorities at decision making process. Way to go. Paralise the city on Friday evening when the traffic is worst, when everybody wants to go home asap and usually leave Warsaw for the weekend.

I believe in evolution, not revolution. Push them and they will push back. Twice as hard. Organising the action that disturbs half of the citizens, every month, just to get their routes cleared of snow in winter (there are regulations to that, hullo!) and have them all covered with asphalt (I'm against it).

All in all, I see it as an act of hostility, of trying to get something by force. Want to have the bikers friendly city? Bikers, be friendly to the city.

An 800-word Harry Potter prequel is one of 13 card-sized works to be sold at a charity auction in the British capital. [...] Copies of the cards will be collated into a book to be made available at the bookstore and online in August.

Organizers refused to comment on the content of Rowling's Harry Potter prequel, but Hogwarts fans hoping for another book to add to their collection may be disappointed by her signoff.

"From the prequel I am not working on — but that was fun!" Rowling wrote.

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I wanted to buy myself a nice pair of Birkenstock sandals in the only shop in Warsaw that trades in them and what? Only one pair in my size (37 - not so rare, I'd say) in black, and with a flower. I wanted brown or stone. Without a flower. I think I'll end up with Tatami, only they only ship them on request and that means that I have to buy shoes I didn't try and can't return them. And it takes up to two months. Yeah... Flip-flops for autumn.

At least I did a really nice walk. It's summer since Monday and I can't get enough of the sun. Fresh green of the trees and acacias blooming make it so much nicer. I love their sweet scent. I seem to remember that when I was a kid acacias bloomed in July...

I can't decide on summer scent: Grosselina by Guerlain or Cherry Fruit by L'Occitane. Something fruity for sure.

Metallica played in Chorzów yesterday. Some say it was great, some say it was crap. I know I would be disappointed, Hatfield uses his voice in different manner. I've seen them about 10 years ago and I loved it. They had already changed their style but somehow that concert was performed in good old way.

Ummm... I can't think of anything else to write to procrastinate so I think I'm going back to less. Snape's getting impatient. Me, too.

From fic summary. Remus Lupin has a sister. She's a wereleopard.

Title: The Games We Play
Author: ?????
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Ginny/Lucius
Warnings: Smut, oral, mention of past abuse/torture, and if you squint: manipulation.
Word Count: ~2,000
Summary: Even with his trousers pushed down and his cheeks tinged red, he still had the look of sophistication; it was a game he played too well.

Ginny is 20 if anyone is worried :)

On Robin of Sherwood yahoo group there is a discussion on lyrics to "Strange Land". There aren't two people who heard the same :) You can download the song and try for yourself. Hell, I can't upload it. Here's a YouTube version:



( This is what I hear, under the cut to not confuse you. )

What do you think? *goes back to reading*

While I don't think major issues of LJ v. fandom can be resolved this way (or any way, TBH) but some smaller ones, yes.

You can browse the candidates and their short descriptions made by bookshop (found via kennahijja) or a list of only fandom-oriented candidates in fandom_votes.

I think I'll vote for vichan, legomymalfoy and squeaky in that order.


vichan's priorities are closest to mine. (1st choice: 680 votes - 5%)