Peering out at the Infinite

The setting for this is modern day, US, probably California.

Googled 'degenerative brain disease' but the results were all about the elderly. Googled 'diminished mental capacity'/variations but what I came up with was about how it pertains to law. And I'm not really sure how to go about researching something like this with the specific but broad criteria I have.

Basically, I need an injury or some kind of disease that could cause diminished mental capacity in a previously relatively healthy late teens/early twenties male. It can be caused by any number of things: disease-as previously mentioned, drug OD, car crash, fight, suicide attempt (character has a history of depression), etc. His background is changeable based on what I decide to go with.

I would prefer that he retain relatively functional motor skills, or at least be able to regain them through therapy in the case of an injury. If it's a result of injury I would prefer it not leave him massively crippled, but recovery time being long isn't an issue. In patient/out patient time in a hospital/therapy doesn't matter, actually I'd prefer something that keeps him in it more.

I can do further research on my own, I just really need the basics for the possibilities for this because I have no idea where to start.

I'm writing a fanfiction for the manga Blade of the Immortal, a story taking place in Edo period Japan. One of the characters have worked as a geisha and is a skilled shamisen player and singer (with her weapon hidden in her instrument. Naturally).

I want to write a scene with her singing and accompanying herself, but since I'm not very familiar with traditional japanese culture or music at all, I'm having some problems.


My question: Can I find translated Nagauta lyrics anywhere on the net, and preferable some audio clips or downloads as well?

I have tried googling nagauta, shamisen, geisha musicians, kabuki etc, but mostly ended up with descriptions of how the genre evolved and reviews of books that would be very useful if I could afford bying heavy volumes just to write a silly fic. I've also searched through the music section of the city library. Nothing useful there.

I'd love to be able to include parts of the lyrics into the text and be able to describe her performance in more detail, as it's a crucial part to the scene.

Anything else you can tell me about Nagauta when not performed on the Kabuki stage but in more informal settings would be very useful as well. Thanks beforehand!

20 minutes until the dining hall opens. I'm back to relying on a dining hall, 'cos damned if I'm going to spend $50 to use the kitchen. I am dehydrated and too hungry to read about Marx, and the career services website is slow and won't let me register for Super Saturday (and didn't the registration deadline pass anyway?), which is... kind of a relief, because my eyes glaze over at the mention of finance & consulting, but I reckon I ought to go because it is a Good Opportunity and I might Learn Something.

On the way to pay my bills, I ran into a gargantuan clubs & activities fair on the quad. I wandered around, signing up for community service and culture clubs, but the part where I got most excited is when I signed up for banging drums, board games, and socialism. I wonder how many of these I'll follow through on. I'm a fucking graduate student too; it's not like I will constantly have nothing to do. Undergraduate living is wasted on undergrads.

Soon I'm going to collate my commentfic and put it up here, but for now, have some links. Actually, though the length of this entry may not show it (due to my attention span and the multiple tabs on my browser), more than 20 minutes has passed and I am off to eat and hopefully borrow a 'business attire' blouse from someone.

Why don't YOU give me links? Whatever strikes your fancy.

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

A really long time ago I appealed to the wisdom of the friends list to get me something new to watch on TV. You guys talked me into Heroes, which was awesome. (In the first season, anyway. The second season disappointed me, but most of my problems with it were at least recognized by Kring.) So I come to you again for advice!

So here are things to know about my TV viewing habits:

1) Almost any show involving politics in a major way will get me to watch at least once. (The most notable exception was Commander in Chief. Not a Geena Davis fan, and at the time I was toying with an original work involving a woman elected president. It, um, fell apart a while ago? The plot was never strong enough and I'm easily distracted.)

2) Scifi! I'd really like to see another good space-based show sometime, but the Eureka style works well too.

3) I do not watch medical dramas. I've tried House, and I wasn't impressed. (Medical comedies are another matter.)

4) The last time we had this chat, I probably said I don't watch procedural shows either. However, in the last few months I got completely hooked on the original Law & Order. *facepalm* But still, I'll try a procedural if it's quirky.

5) I'd rather not pick up a show that has several seasons of canon to catch up on, but if the show is good enough I'll consider it. (Or if episodes are available on Hulu.)

6) If there's a show coming out with scifi politics, that would be awesome.

7) I also don't care much for paranormal stories. Just me.



So I think that's it! But overall? I want something good to watch this fall.

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Gen, but there are various relationships (slash and het) in the background.
Length: 300,000-plus words (yes, it's very big!)
Author on LJ: gatewaygirl
Author Website: Stories by Gatewaygirl at The Archive
Why this must be read: Back in 2001, a fan named Severitus issued a challenge, the main feature of which was that "Severus Snape must be revealed to be Harry's father." Over the years, many authors have taken up the challenge, but none so well, in my estimation, as GatewayGirl did in "Blood Magic."

Started before Order of the Phoenix was released, this novel-length story still holds up brilliantly. Unlike the other stories I'm reccing this month, "Blood Magic" is gen, meaning that the plot centers on something other than a romantic or erotic relationship (note: there are m/m, f/f, and m/f relationships in this story, but they aren't the focus of the story). However the emotional intensity of the various relationships - particularly the initially-uncomfortable one between father and son - makes this a very satisfying read from beginning to end.

( A tiny taste of the story... )

"Blood Magic" is smart, clever, and engaging enough to have held my interest all four times I read the 84 chapters. You have a weekend stretching out in front of you...give this story a try!

"Blood Magic"

Fandom: STAR WARS
Pairing: Obi-Wan/Anakin
Length: Approximately 600 words.
Author on LJ: yxonomei
Website: sy_fanfiction
Why this fic must be read:

Obi-Wan has been thinking of acquiring another Padawan and the result is quite different than in the Clone Wars movie. In This Land Of Sinners by Yxonomei tells us in raw prose what we realize subconsciously: that Anakin Skywalker makes demands on those he loves. Warnings for non-con and blood.

In This Land Of Sinners

Fandom: Bandom (mostly MCR, but w/ Pete Wentz flavoring)
Pairing: multiple (mostly Pete/Mikey, Frank/Gerard)
Author on LJ: fluffontop
Author Website: peace through superior bees
Why this must be read: I can't believe this hasn't been recced yet. I'm working through me folder of “fics I bomb people with to trick them into this fandom.”

This one's a huge gateway drug. It's a high school AU based off of My Chemical Romance's video “I'm Not Ok.” The video itself is an ode to high school violence (whatelse?) that did a lot to launch the band's career as the face of teen anger. (The video itself is must-watch if you're dipping your toe in this ocean—the link's embedded in the story.)

The story is sprawling and introduces you to a lot of the traditional characterizations of the various dudes. That comes off sounding douchey but what I mean is that it's extremely satisfying and brilliantly rendered. (Traditional characterizations including: Gerard the angsty alcoholic, Mikey the awkward weirdo, Pete the force of nature, Frank the off-kilter rock). It's also super long, so it's a whole world you can fall into and ignore that pressing spreadsheet or doing the ten loads of laundry you have.




The Holly Golightly Club

Fandom: ANGEL
Pairing: Gen, with a hint of Cordelia Chase/Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
Length: 8,889 words
Author on LJ: yahtzee63
Author Website: FanFiction.Net Account;
Yahtzee!
Why this must be read: Here's the thing about yahtzee63: My favorite fics of hers seem to be the ones that no one else is reccing. There are a few of her stories that have appeared on ever single recs list since the beginning of the Internet. My reaction to those is often "meh." I tend to prefer her smaller, more delicate pieces, like this one, in which Cordelia re-examines her feelings for Wesley, after he is injured. Then again, I was one of three people who actually liked the idea of Cordelia and Wesley together, from Season Three of Buffy onwards. Plus, Phantom Dennis!

The Other Half Lives

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Title: POSTCARDS
Characters: Chitose Miyuki [Shitenhouji] + Tezuka Kunimitzu [Seigaku]
Rating: G.
Author on LJ: "Muzy" muzivitch
Author Website: Pr0n Interrupted
Why this story must be read:

Het pairings in PoT are so rare, not to mention Shitenhouji fics, they're almost like finding a California Condor in the wild. Not that anything so explicit as an actual pairing takes place in this short gem about Miyuki and the target of her attentions, Tezuka. Takeshi Konomi started to run out of creative steam when Shitenhouji showed up at the Nationals, birthing plots and characters filled with crack, in most cases frayed from threadbare characterizations and overuse. With a light, easy touch, Muzivitch crafts glimpses into the personality of a girl too young to spend her summers away from her family, but old enough to long for something larger, something which gathers strength and clarity, then drops rather ominously upon Tezuka. The story creates such a natural and sympathetic rapport between the young girl and her stoic champion that it even catches Tezuka off his guard.

POSTCARDS

Help! I really need a Grimm fairy tale in which blindness is a crucial part of the plot, but neither my memory nor Google is coming up with anything (except blind mice and that is not helpful).

I *really* want a blind princess, or failing that a queen. I found that Italo Calvino's collection of Italian folk tales has one called Three Blind Queens, but for various reasons I need the Brothers Grimm (or a German folktale).

If I can't find anything I'll adapt TBQ but any suggestions will be welcomed.

ETA: I'm going with Rapunzel, and there are additional blind people in Cinderella (in some versions) and Hansel and Gretel. Thanks!

Title: Me and My Shadow
Fandom/Characters: Dark Angel/SPN :: Alec/Sam
Words: ~2000
Rating: Adult (explicit sex)
Spoilers: none
Enticements/Warnings: rimming, sloppy sex
Disclaimer: no I don't own them, you can keep the profits, I'm just having fun.
A/N: For thehighwaywoman who requested porny or schmoopy Alec/Sam over at the Fall Fandom Free-for-all.
Summary: Alec's in heat and he's not going to let the tall mysterious stranger following him get away.

Me and My Shadow

Volume 003, Issue 086
This issue covers September 4th in crossover fandom.

All fan fiction has been listed at least twice, once for each fandom represented in the story. As the lists are very long, lj cuts have been implemented. Enjoy!

( Crossover Fan Fiction )
We don't pretend that what you see in this newsletter covered everything in the world of crossovers on Live Journal for the dates in question, though we have done our best. Please feel free to comment with suggestions on ways to improve the newsletter. Also, please let us know of any content we have overlooked or if any of the links are broken.

~Your editor,
st_aurafina

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Fandom: NCIS
Pairing: Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (implied - can be read purely as the friendship we see on the show). Leroy Jethro Gibbs/Hollis Mann (again only implied).
Length: 1,851
Author on LJ: timothy_quinn
Author Website: The Last Vampyre (Requires an age confirmation to access it)

Why this must be read:

Hollis Mann has disappeared and Gibbs is desperate to find her and of course his oldest, closest, dearest friend, Ducky, will do all that he can to help him - or will he?

We all know Ducky, don't we? Kind, gentle, a gentleman and a gentle man, a man who has time for everyone, a good word for everyone, who merely smiles when Gibbs interrupts him, who is courteous and caring, who clearly loves his 'family' and who looks after and provides a home for his elderly mother who is suffering from dementia. A man who wouldn't hurt the proverbial fly - and yes, this is Ducky; this is the man we see week in week out. But . . .

But there is also another side to Ducky, one we have a handful of glimpses of in the show. And it is this Ducky whom Tim taps into. Tim herself calls this 'Dark Ducky' and her words are true. She gets inside the man we see, she finds the darkness that I suspect we all have and she utilises it to perfect effect; she takes it and she moulds it and she gives us Ducky Mallard.

And what is so frightening, so chilling is how easy it is to believe in her 'Dark Ducky' and that is because Tim writes him with so much skill. OOC? Yes, but equally a resounding 'no'. Not many writers could pull this off, could take the affable man we see and twist him and still make him the Ducky we see - but Tim is a highly skilled writer and so she manages to do it and do it so very, very well.

As I said to her: 'This is really is such a good and chilling story, my dear Tim, and what makes it all the more chilling is how utterly believable it is. Horrific to say, but our beloved, sweet, gentle, caring Ducky does have a steely side and I'm sure a dark side too - at least when it comes to dealing with people who might hurt and/or interfere with those people he loves.'

But don't take my word for it, please go and read this - but be prepared to be both horrified and fascinated; to both say 'that is not Ducky' and 'that is Ducky'.

( Extract )

---

The Disappearance Of Hollis Mann

I want to preface what I'm about to say with two statements:

1) This arises from some scattered comments on websites, LJ, and elsewhere that accused Sarah Palin of hypocrisy for running for Vip because she's a member of the Assemblies of God and an evangelical conservative ... and they don't believe women should be pastors or be "placed over/in charge of" men. That's wrong/confused, and I'm attempting to correct it.

2) I am not a Republican, an Evangelical Christian, a member of the Assemblies of God, or, most of all, terribly fond of Sarah Palin. She really, really torqued me off last night with her quip about community organizers (as someone who's worked with them). They are so grass-roots it's hard to get more "down there," and if bad-mouthing them isn't elitist, I don't know what is. So the jarring juxtaposition of calling Obama an elistist and then dismissing him for his work as a community organizer irks me no end. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, every single one of these candidates has a weakness or three. Highlighting those genuine weaknesses if perfectly valid, and we'll all end up voting based on how we rank the relative importance of those weaknesses versus a candidate's strengths. My list isn't your list. But talking out of two sides of one's mouth isn't pretty.

So yeah, not defending Palin. But as a History of Christianity scholar, I feel compelled to correct a fallacy being used as an argument against her, and which only makes the one arguing look uninformed. Let's not play the same "Never mind the facts" game, shall we?

( Cut for those who don't care )

Title: She Who Meant So Much
Category: Smallville/Supernatural/Batman (Crossover)
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Drama/Romance
Pairing: firmly Chloe/Dean, mentions of Chloe/Bruce, Chloe/Oliver, Chloe/Clark, and Chloe/Jack (OC)
Word Count: 4,340
Sequel to: 5 Times Chloe Fell For A Hero And The One Time Her Heart Wasn't Broken
Summary: A new twist in their life has Dean meeting Chloe's former loves and while trying to stay firm that everything is going to be okay, he might just have reason to worry.

( Read more... )

WARNING: My journal is locked to those too young to read explicit material. If you are of age, 18, (birth year *must* be shown on profile!) then feel encouraged to add me and you shall be granted access! 

As usual, I am busy and buried. But every day, it seems, I get a little closer to having this millstone hanging around my neck OFF, and the project done. It's not been as terrible as it could have been, by any means, and despite my whining. I'm just tired and ready to have it handed over.

BUT, and the real reason for this post ... I don't often make requests of this sort, but will in this case. It has nothing to do with me. One of my colleagues at another institution was diagnosed with an unusually aggressive form of breast cancer last winter. She went through the chemo last spring, thought is was gone ...

It's metastasized to her liver, lungs and bones by this fall. I don't think I need to tell most of you what that means. This would be a terrible thing regardless. She's a bright, talented scholar working in a very interesting and under-explored area of her field, and has received two fellowshipts/grants for it, one of them a Mellon. But she's also barely 35 and has a 3-year-old, and she's my friend.

If you pray, pray for her and her family. If you don't pray, but do the "good vibes" thing, send those her way.

(Turning off comments because this isn't about me; it's about her.)

I still have absolutely nothing interesting to say, so I'll go with a linkspam instead!

-- In honor of the new TV season, Salon offers snarky clip-guides of the dramas and the comedies. And Tuned In lists the best TV pilots ever.
-- Vulture interviews Sophia Myles.
-- PopWatch asks do you prefer your movie theaters empty or full?
-- (Sad) blast from the past: Any Taylor of Duran Duran talks about his - and the band's - cocaine addiction.
-- Making the rounds: Alison Bechdel talks to NPR about women on television. After you read, check out the blog post for more interesting commentary.
-- Jezebel talks about the "sexy librarian" stereotype.
-- The Times wonders if the cupcake craze will die out.
-- Newsweek lists five surprising benefits of massage.
-- Wired examines Bono's charitable causes.
-- Today's creepy link: ten things your body can do after you die. And non-creepy: ten words that will help you win at Scrabble.
-- And from Slate: Are mechanical pencils better for the environment than the regular wooden kind?