Why can't I just get a cold like a normal person?

[bironic]

Feeling Scrooge-like, between the lack of vacation others are enjoying and the unending stress of this project at work and application prep and the unapologetic emphasis on "Merry Christmas"es this season and the week-long (and counting) cold/sinus thing that left me with a drug-resistant headache for four days, all of which has made me unfairly resentful of people who get to relax and write and have fun and travel and go into raptures over Yuletide, I haven't been on LJ much. I'm expecting that things won't let up for another few weeks, and so I think Memoryfest may run from Jan. 15-Feb. 15 this year instead of Jan. 1-31, since its purpose is reflection and community, not anxiety. Also, I owe a bunch of people emails/comment replies (what else is new?)—sorry about that. I'm trying to get to them.

Not that it's all been bad; on Christmas Day, which I did have off, my sister and I camped out in front of the TV and watched favorite movies from our childhood, including A Simple Twist of Fate (oh, and how wonderful a fic would that make with John as McCann and Rodney as April Simon? Or vice versa? Ford could be the drugged-out brother, and...) and Little Women. Last Friday was our office holiday party, the highlight of which (besides a compulsory cornhole tournament) was an animal show in the president's office for the kiddies; some of the grownups squeezed into the room for that, including yours truly, who greatly enjoyed holding a gecko and a tree frog and a tarantula and watching a sugar glider squirrel pee on the carpet. It smelled like a zoo afterwards. I never thought I'd see the day.... And also, being sick means there's been time for SGA reruns (or SGA commentaries, when I wasn't even feeling well enough to keep my eyes open), so I watched a bunch of episodes I hadn't seen more than once, like "Epiphany," "Irresistable," "Conversion," "The Long Goodbye," "Instinct" and "The Hot Zone." Paradoxically, they're mostly better when you know how awful they're going to be. I also caught some House reruns on Fox and USA—"Daddy's Boy," "The Mistake" and half of "Hunting"—which make me remember just how much I loved this show in its first couple of seasons.

This weekend, finally, I'm feeling mostly healthy and fairly cheerful again. I managed to make it up to New Haven yesterday to see maddy_harrigan and catilinarian at M.'s house before they went back home to London, which was lovely. Presents and stories were exchanged, bookstores and godparents visited, tea drunk and food eaten, and family members and pets met (they have an adorable beagle and also a guinea pig, which I happily cuddled while M's sister cleaned its cage; give me rodents over cats and dogs any day). Cat got me Since You Asked by Cary Tennis, and thanks to M. I now own an Oscar Wilde action figure. Despite my decision not to buy any books, I couldn't pass up Lord Byron's Doctor by Paul West at the used bookstore; unfortunately, I thought it was scholarship about Polidori, and only this morning discovered that it's a novel. Alas. But I also bought The Future of Spacetime (because if you're going to get one book, what's the harm in a second?), and I think that will make up for the mistake.

Before I drove up there, I poked around on YouTube for some Joe Flanigan clips. It's funny—when I was getting into SGA, Rodney was my absolute number-one guy; I didn't think JF/Sheppard was all that attractive, I'm not into the military thing, and I couldn't, or didn't care enough to, get past his strange attitude and expressions. Recently, though, my attention has been shifting over to him, both on the show and in fics/vids/picspams/etc. Is this a natural progression for people in the fandom, I wonder? Adoring Rodney, who's easy to sympathize with, and then gradually becoming interested in Sheppard, who's a harder nut to crack? And wanting to see the actor in more things as you delve into his character? Hm. I never really had the urge to see David Hewlett in his other shows or films.

Anyway, some of the clips/vids I liked (which possibly all of you into SGA have already seen, but just in case) were:

- JF on the show "Profiler" (with Robert "Kolya" Davi, heh), making out with the main character in her kitchen. I love that I found myself staring at his neck and then came home last night to find a JF neck worship 'fest in full swing.

- Brief SGA Season Three promo.

- JF mock-kisses Torri Higginson at a con.

- JF hosts a short TV Guide featurette on SGA, with manhandling jokes and cameos by David Hewlett.

- Paul McGillion imitates his co-stars.

- A Sheppard fanvid set to a French song, "L'Agitateur." It's... not awesome, but it's catchy, with lots of behind-the-scenes shots, and the repeated clips for the chorus are funny, as is David Hewlett shrugging to "Oh la la."

...And then this came up (yes, under Joe Flanigan):

Harry/Hermione: I Loved Her First

The vidder's notes (you'll need them to even begin to understand WTF is supposed to be going on) are:

Ok well i used different actors for this video so heres a list.

Young Harry- Daniel Radcliffe
Young Hermione- Emma Watson
Hermione in her 20's- Kate Hewlett
Older Hermione- Torri Higgonson
Older Harry- Joe Flanigan
Hermione's dad- David Hewlett
Hermione's mum- Amanda Tapping (shes only in one scene though!)

So in the vid Hermione and Harry are getting married and Hermiones dad is upset because Hermione is his only daughter.

And i know the clips are from Stargate Atlantis a lot of them but just pretend their not just pretend the actors aren't in SGA if you've seen it that is.....they were the only clips i had so i just used that well Enjoy! X

WHAT.

Right. On to today's to-do list, and maybe time for another post later.

Happy almost-new year to you all.

Comments

[roga.livejournal.com]

Um, WHAT. What. That was one of the weirder clips I've seen. I'd comment on specific places, but really, there is just too much WHAT in there to comment on.

Which version of Little Women did you watch? My favorite (whose theme is a constant on my iPod) is the 1994 version, with Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder and Christian Bale (-to-be). I love it so much.

And thank you for the links! I have seen some before, but you can never watch them too many times, can you? Like the Firefly cast vids; they're addictive.

[elynittria.livejournal.com]

*waves to fellow Scrooge while taking a break from work*

I was wondering how you were doing. Sorry to hear about the flu/cold and the other anxieties. Don't worry about Memoryfest: there's no law that says it has to run on specific dates. It'll be much more fun when you're feeling relaxed.

there's been time for SGA reruns

I'm actually quite fond of "Hot Zone," because of the Zelenka/Rodney interactions. (Plus, I can't resist a plot with Rodney in danger.) "Irresistable" is kind of funny in a cringe-inducing way. "Epiphany" and "Conversion" I have only watched once (the first time around) and have no desire to do so again (especially "Epiphany"). Let's see, what was the last one? Oh, yes: "Before I Sleep." It's an Elizabeth episode, so it's not high on my list, but I do like the bit about alt!Rodney's fate.

I'm looking forward to checking out some of these vid clips when I have a free moment. For now, it's back to work!

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Nifty. I don't think I've even seen Firefly cast vids, except what's on the Serenity DVD (Simon swearing FTW). I kind of suck at fannish exploration beyond fic-seeking.

Winona Ryder, Claire Danes and Gabriel Byrne! Everything was so pretty in that movie. The soundtrack was one of the first CDs I owned.

I'd comment on specific places, but really, there is just too much WHAT in there to comment on.

Yes. Yes. WHAT. I was like, Is Jeannie supposed to be Hermione's mother in a flashback?

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Hey there. Welcome back.

It'll be much more fun when you're feeling relaxed.

I think so, too. Work/application dying down will also mean more time for talking with commenters.

I like those parts of "Hot Zone" too, and also the beginning where McKay and Zelenka hover over the dying scientist. :) I remember despising "Epiphany" and laughing at "Conversion," but they did have their moments the second time around -- Rodney rushing to get Sheppard out of the time dilation field, for instance -- and becoming more interested in Sheppard in general did help.

Oh, I lied -- it was "The Long Goodbye." I still skipped "Before I Sleep." Heh. And I watched "Instinct" again, which was the first episode I ever saw, and hadn't seen since.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

I also like the clip where Joe talks about his hair. So fun. : )

Glad you are feeling a bit better because you deserve to feel great. Your visit to New Haven sounds fun. Hmmm, offline life, maybe I should get one of those.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

RL is overrated. :D

SPROING!

These were just the links to clips/vids I hadn't seen before. JF on Cupid and CSI: Miami are also delish.

[roga.livejournal.com]

I love Claire Danes just from that. Now newly renewed through Stardust.

And Jeannie is supposed to be Hermione in her 20s! How could you not get that? Isn't it OBVIOUS? It's all about Daddy Rodney having trouble letting her go for her one true love, Shappard.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

I love how Daddy!Rodney doesn't age through the whole vid, so eventually he's about the same age as Harry. I guess that makes him a vampire? And SGC civilian/military uniforms are nouveau wizarding robes?

[roga.livejournal.com]

And then, the one scene Hermione's "mother" is there, her only role is for Rodney to sneak a peek at her ass. And oh yeah THERE'S A STARGATE.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's like a giant overturned Pensieve.

[roga.livejournal.com]

Man, you should totally be hired as a WTF?YOUTUBE interpreter. You have a knack for it.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

:) I was going to say that Rodney Granger could be the head of the Ministry's Department of Magical Innovations, except (a) wizards don't like new things, and (b) Hermione's parents were dentists.

[lanthano.livejournal.com]

It actually took me a little while to warm up to Rodney—when I first started watching I could see the interesting things David was doing with the character, but I couldn't get past my automatic ugh-arrogant-bastard-academic reaction. I definitely got over it (though I'm still frustrated when the writers have him play the clown) but at the beginning I was way more fascinated by Sheppard. Maybe it's because I am more interested in military figures, so the performance was intriguing rather than off-putting.

Of course, sitting in a room with a bunch of fangirls extolling the glories of Rodney's ass, hands, solid body, etc. etc. didn't hurt any.

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

Is this a natural progression for people in the fandom, I wonder?

It very well might be. David Hewlett got me into SGA in March of this year and I still adore Rodney more than anything, but slowly I've discovered the Sheppard/Flanigan love. It's this season that's doing it, though, because I like Joe in his other roles however he's a facial actor and SGA (before S4) wasn't really shot for facial acting. This season? YEAH! Emote, baby.

Hm. I never really had the urge to see David Hewlett in his other shows or films.

Oh, but you should. He has a WIDE variety and it's funny to compare the choices with Joe because Joe picks his roles carefully and has a certain acting style and they're all facets of the same character. With David, he's all over the place. He will do good roles and bad roles and roles in things so bad it makes them good. Joe's one gay role was his first role ever and there was no nakedness or kissing and pretty much just alot of hugs. With David's gay role he's like "there will be hot kissing and nakedness and sex." Considering the times David's disrobed on camera (Century Hotel, Dog's Breakfast, Where the Heart Is, ehh...Nothing's close since he's in jockeys, and then SGA even though he had to tell us he was naked behind the sheet:) at this point we've seen more of his body than we thought possible :P

[thedeadparrot.livejournal.com]

Man, I should have watched that clip without reading the vidder's explanation, because I would have been completely mystified, instead of just cringing and laughing hysterically.

And I sort of felt the same way about the whole getting sucked into John and his issues. I mean, at first, I was somewhat indifferent, and then I got sucked into Rodney's Rodneyness, but I've become more intrigued by John and his Johnness lately.

Also, I kind of love Hewlett in Traders, as the spacy sort of awkward genius that is utterly adorable.

[maddoggirl.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year! Which Little Women did you watch? I love 'em all :D

[maddoggirl.livejournal.com]

And lol, I just saw you answered above. Gabriel Byrne was smokin' hot in that movie ;D

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm, yes. As he was in A Simple Twist of Fate, too. Those eyes -- that hair -- that voice -- yum. Although we did discover that his German and Southern accents were far more believable when we were young than they are now.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Is that the one where he has a goatee? I think I've seen pictures.

I would have been completely mystified, instead of just cringing and laughing hysterically.

:D That was me the first time through. I thought Rodney was Ron and he was fighting John-Harry for Hermione's love. Then Jeannie showed up, and WTF ensued.

and then I got sucked into Rodney's Rodneyness, but I've become more intrigued by John and his Johnness lately.

Same. I think it's easier to get sucked into Rodney first -- he's louder, he's wackier, he's more present, where John is subtler and more complicated. Not that Rodney's too simple, just that he just puts himself out there a lot more.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Heh. Rodney, like House, is definitely a character better appreciated on screen, in fiction, than in reality. My sister was watching Miami Ink the other day, and a young woman studying "rocket science" came in for a tattoo. She spent most of the consultation and inking time talking down to the artists ("It's f=ma. You don't know what that means? I thought everybody knew that," and then not explaining it to them, or not being able to explain it; and saying things to the camera like, "Obviously I'm smarter than these guys.") and was generally obnoxious about her intellectual superiority, much the way Rodney is -- and it was thoroughly uncharming.

Maybe it's because I am more interested in military figures, so the performance was intriguing rather than off-putting.

Makes sense. Just wanted to clarify that I wasn't off-put by John or his being a soldier so much as uninterested. But it has been growing on me.

[bironic.livejournal.com]

Heh. I've seen some clips of David Hewlett in his other films, and listened to the commentary on "Duet," and I know what you mean about his reputation for dropping his drawers at ... the drop of a hat? I guess that in itself just doesn't make me want to watch, though.

I like Joe in his other roles however he's a facial actor and SGA (before S4) wasn't really shot for facial acting.

I remember hearing people talk about JF talking about how he's trained to do subtler facial expressions suited to cop shows instead of larger body movements suited to sci fi, and I do wonder if anything has changed in the way S4 is shot that brings that to the forefront, or if people are just paying more attention to his face now, or if he's getting better at the body stuff with three/four seasons of practice. Watching his face in "Condemned" in the shack when the leader guy rags on Rodney, I still have no idea what he's trying to convey. :)

[thedeadparrot.livejournal.com]

He does have a goatee! He talks to pidgeons! He demands payment in chocolate bars! He tries to get himself laid off! And fails! If you're interested, his scenes have been YouTubed.

[maddoggirl.livejournal.com]

I was just saying that to my boyfriend yesterday. Touch of the Dick van Dyke Cockney, methinks.If you've seen him in Defence of the Realm, his English accent has to be seen to be believed. It comprises every accent between London and erm ... Dublin ;D

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

They're shooting this season differently, with a different tone and concentration, so it's really highlighting Joe's facial acting more.