drakyndra

Well that's what happens when your fandoms die off for a bit, at least in the LiveJournal region. (Though I suppose things will pick right back up again once Doctor Who gets going shortly)

I've still been reading things a bit, so sorry if I have lurked unforeseen, though I've currently been a bit more active on twitter or tumblr (if reblogging stuff counts as "active"), so if you want somewhere I am a bit more... participatory, you could try those. Or Facebook, but that's mostly IRL stuff, so if you would like to Friend me try asking over LJ PM.

But yes, my life has recently been filled with my volunteering, not hearing back from job applications, the occasional social event - I was at Manifest last weekend, which was fun-ish. I had Gendo sign my Death Note - and just... stuff.

The temporary housemate is due to move out this weekend, so hopefully one of the people who are coming to look at the room on Sunday will take it, or we may be in trouble. On the other hand iiNet has decided to upgrade out internet plan since the one we were on has now ceased to exist, so yay downloading things?

Also, both my parents are currently overseas. Naturally, when my Mum arrived in Turkey, the first question she texted was to ask if I wanted her to buy me a hat. As one does.

Oh, and I got a ridiculously overdue haircut yesterday.

So yeah, life.

Well, I just spent most of the last few days at this years Supanova.

I normally only go in for one day, so the whole weekend thing was a bit new (and a bit exhausting), but then again I've generally had actual things on during the week, which I need the chance to sleep in a bit more. At the moment... well, I can sleep in tomorrow.

I didn't end up getting any autographs or photos with anyone - sorry, I just find it all so very over-priced - but I did see a bunch of panels. Summer Glau, Morena Baccarin, Wil Wheaton and the Phelps twins from HP. Also Jaimie Alexander (Sif from Thor). Oh, and some of the Cosplay, and the FMA:B movie on Friday night, and caught up with lizbee and connikins and a bunch of other people I know (and some whose faces were vaguely familiar).

Actually I spent most of today wandering around with Connie, who seems to run into people she knows everywhere.

I didn't really cosplay anything, but I did dress up - I'll post pictures if I find any online - both days in corsets and bustles and hats and whatnot. Saturday with my eBay parasol with a sort of black and white and red theme, while today was sort of Queen of the Goths, as I claimed I was dressed as to someone.

Also ended up repeatedly talking corsets with a guy in a dress (and corset) who was very well informed.

The FMA movie was fun enough - I mean, yeah, filler movie, so it didn't exactly add anything profound to the FMA universe (Though the manga is pretty perfect, so it's not as if it needs anything...), but at least it didn't do anything horrific to the characters. And the action scenes were wonderfully animated - I know there was some debate on the quality of the animation as a whole, but I mostly liked it. And plus points for some interestingly morally gray characters (technically, terrorists I suppose) dealing with colonisation.

The main issues were basically pacing - it was sort of ACTION...long period of set-up and exposition... DRAMA AND ACTION - and that when you get down to it the story was more about the new characters than the established ones. Which wasn't necessarily a bad story (and at times had some interesting reflections on the Elric brothers), it's just, you know, you go to an FMA movie for the Fullmetal Alchemist and pals. Not other people.

I do, though, sort of want to see fic about the characters from it. Maybe Julia seeing Ed again post series, or something?

Oh, and pretty typically for a con, I ended up buying a bunch of stuff. Some manga volumes from series I haven't finished; some Daleks to add to my Dalek army (including a plush one that talks when you squeeze it); A plush Threetie from Mawaru Penguindrum; A random book that was going cheap; a Nerv key-ring; a plush tentacle (...don't ask).

So, that makes the first week of the sales job. As I said in the last post, first day was mostly just PowerPoint and paperwork; second involved more listening in to information and the like at the office, Thursday I followed around one of the more experienced types to get an idea of things, and on Friday I went off on my own (and actually made two sales!)

The main thing I've gotten out of it all is sunburn, and a need for sleep. Though that might partially just be because I need to get myself back on a fairly regular schedule.

Otherwise, last night I ended up going to Steam Up, with what turned out to be a rather large number of my friends. I got to wear a corset that I got on eBay which I believe is a Made in China knockoff of some fancier designer and literally just arrived the knight before the event, and had rather a bit of fun watching the shows they had going. Drinks were expensive, too.

I also haven't had a huge amount of time to keep up with everything online lately, so just what's up?

So, today it is Friday the 13th. Somehow this fact managed to escape my notice until yesterday, when someone else pointed it out to me.

And speaking of yesterday, ended up going out for drinks for Ollie's birthday with what ended up being a rather large turn out. So there ended up being a whole mob of us at the Asian bar, having pizza for dinner, as one does. (Okay, the pizzas were cheap for a while).

The bar also had Ladies Night, which meant $1 glasses of champagne for women (or men who dressed as women, as the sign pointed out).

Yeah, lots of cheap champagne happened. Also, some guy tried to talk me into having a threesome with him.

Ah, social life.

Incidentally: if any other Melbourne types have plans for anything coming up, can they please not be for the 21st of January? Everyone keeps sending me invites to things on that day, which means I have to turn down lots of things I'd want to do.

On the anime side of things, I see that Code Geass fandom has got a bit of flailing going on because TPTB have finally gotten off their arses and announce details of the new projects. Well, we still don't know whether that Akito thing is an OVA or TV series, and to be honest the trailer didn't really instantly grab me, so we shall wait and see.

On the other hand, after all my flailing we will finally get that Geass Musical I was hoping for, which fills me with great glee (Though some slight WTF at the all male cast). The Nunnally in Wonderland thing seems like it'll just make for some fun crack, there's some Knightmare related manga thing which I am less interested in. As for the supposed Geass movie remake, apparently having movies is the current big thing for popular anime series.

So, Code Geass attempting to become the next Gundam: Y/N?

And a few random links of things that have amused me lately:
- Is Draco Malfoy A Git? The transcription of a court case in which Malfoy is attempting to sue Ron Weasley for libel.

It so figures that when I was looking for decent HP fic a while back I couldn't find it, so naturally I stumble across this author completely by accident. This one-shot is a fun stand-alone fic (which has fun with the whole UK Libel Laws and how they don't apply to true statements). The rest of the author's fics are mostly in their own personal post-series (and mostly interview compliant) canon, and they have an interpretations I mostly enjoy - it manages to be different and creative without destroying everything I liked about canon. A personal fave is their WIP Strangers at Drakeshaugh, which can basically be summed up as "Harry and Ginny move to the country so their kids have space to play and can go to a Muggle school, as told from the perspective of a Muggle neighbour who makes friends with Ginny". I do love outsider perspectives on things.

And over on YouTube, I've found The Amazing Art that can be made with packing tape, and The Joy of Books, which really needs to be seen. Not only does it look great, imagining the work involved seems pretty mindblowing.

Also, The Page Turner, for those of you who like Rube Goldberg machines (like me).

Today I come bearing news. And random sciencey videos from YouTube. (It's what I do when I'm bored, okay?)

- So, they found a corpse on the Queen's estate. I think I can hear the conspiracy theories coming into existence as I speak. Type. Whatever.

- In the latest casting news from the upcoming Star Trek movie, both Noel Clarke (aka Mickey from Doctor Who) and Benedict Cumberbatch have been given roles. Which, as I commented on Twitter is going to cause so many BBC crossovers to come into existence.

Also, so much fannish crossing of the streams, really.

- Have the 10 most common New Year's Resolutions in the form of... Cat Macros. Eee, stackable cats!

- I highly approve of this art exhibition, which I wish I could have seen. It starts with a pure white room (including furniture). Then kids are given coloured stickers to place wherever they want.

...Actually, be careful of that site. Some of the art stuff they show is amazing.

- And some arty/sciencey YouTube videos: Non-Newtonian Fluid on a Speaker Cone (IT'S ALIVE!) and Fluid Sculpture (To quote one of the comments, "Best silly straw ever!")

Yes, finding this is the kind of stuff I find online. But it's fun!

In other news, I will apparently be going to see Sherlock Holmes 2 tomorrow with neo_leviathan and ...others, and then Dresden Dolls is on Sunday. Hey, connikins, ephant, you feel like having dinner somewhere before the show?

ETA: So, I couldn't not link to what is possibly the greatest actual headline ever. (Note: This is not a joke report.) Airline Pilot Startled by Flying Shark

I see it doesn't take much being in Melbourne time for there to be stuff going on. Hooray for keeping busy.

Because courtesy of the great resource that is twitter, yesterday afternoon I heard that there was going to be a free ninja gig at the city library with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer.

So, I rushed down there with one of my housemates (and, later, Grace, whom I had known until then lived that close by on my tram line) to see them. Didn't manage to show up early enough to get a seat, but I could see fairly fine, and so got to hear two short story readings from Neil and ...several songs from Amanda. And her ukelele. I'm sure they'll show up on YouTube sooner or later.

And then after I got Neil to sign my copy of Good Omens, and got a picture with him (...which is on my camera, so not yet on the computer), and had Amanda sign my metcard. Because, you know, I had it in my bag.

Then I went with some people to have dumplings for dinner. The end. Huzzah!

But it was a fun way to fill an afternoon. I approve of this ninja gig thing.

...Though I am also reminded that I need to chase up ephant so I can pay her back for the Dresden Dolls ticket. Which is only a bit over a week away, now I think of it.

In other news, the enormous nature strip TV that the housemates found in my previous post has been fiddled with and is now working fine, sitting in the middle of the living room. Hooray for free TVs!

So fa11ing_away's birthday rather did end up dominating my evening. Both the party itself and preparing for it on Sunday (including my discovery that you can buy bottles of Midori that come in bottle shaped cocktail shakers).

And yes, there was ball-gowning on public transport.

Party was rather fancy, because most people seemed to really stick with the theme, masks and swishy clothes and all. Also, there was a chocolate fountain, which makes most things great.

I ended up sticking around until Ridiculous A.M., and was planning to get an early tram home for shower and sleep, but I think I feel asleep while lying on the floor, which meant by the time I got home and had some sleep, most of Sunday was gone, too.

So much for the weekend.

But today I turned in that assignment I completed online, and then worked on my last assignment. I'm mostly done now, just need to do a statement of intention, and then fiddle around with formatting and editing.

But after I hand that in on Wednesday, I shall be free! At least for a few more months, anyway.

And for today's dose of random entertainment, I give you:
...The Mapping Stereotypes Project. Or, how bigots see the world.
...A UK computer store's Star Wars ad campaign. I have to wonder how George Lucas feels about this.
...Old people in China covering "Bad Romance" on satellite TV. The Internet really does have everything nowadays.

Slightly early, yes, but last night was notalwaysweak's annual Halloween party, so a bit of getting into the spirit of things early. (Also, Halloween is actually on Monday, so...)

This year's theme was Musicals, which meant there ended up being numerous Rocky Horror and Pirate peoples around. Plus two Elphaba/Wicked Witches.

I ended up going (courtesy of "I forgot what the theme was until earlier this week") as Carmen from, well, Carmen. Red gypsy skirt, black lace wrap, pretty easy. Even if I ended up with a few people asking if I was someone from Moulin Rouge.

I had vaguely considered going as someone from Chicago, but seeing as I was catching public transport, out into the wilds of Zone 2 suburbs, I didn't really want to be wandering around dressed like a prostitute.

Anyway, fun party with the expected copious amounts of pre-catered foods and assorted BYO things - such as Darren's gloop. We watched some random old AMVs - emphasis on random and old there, watched through Rocky Horror, sort of, while playing some games, and played Rock Band - I was pretty terrible at it.

Plus the normal, you know, socialising with people and/or their cats. Some of them I hadn't seen in ages, so it was good to catch up. The people I mean, though I suppose it applies to the cats too.

I'm sure there are some photos floating around on Facebook. Anyone else doing/done anything much interesting for Halloween?

And on a seasonal note, I give you a deeply disturbing music video: Big Bad Wolf. It is neither work safe, or brain safe.

My, what an entertaining weekend.

So, on Friday when I was wandering around the city for a bit, I was wooed into buying a dress because the shop was giving out free champagne. Which I suppose works out as a net profit for them. Now I need something nice to go to so I can wear the dress.

Then on Saturday I went to an 18th birthday in the city - yes, I apparently do know people who have just turned 18, it was a surprise to me too - which went rather as most 18th would be expected to go. AKA bar, pub, bar, karaoke bar, in that order.

Okay, the karaoke bar was a bit different, but I can now say I have been to one. Pity those other people went and stole our song. We were going to sing Bohemian Rhapsody.

And today was slightly less active, seeing as I spent the morning sleeping things off, but I did finally get around to seeing this week's episode of Penguindrum. To which my response can mostly be summed up as ( Cut for Episode 14 spoilers )

However, despite it's recent release I am yet to read the new Pratchett book, since my copy hasn't arrived yet. *sigh* At least I have thus far avoided spoilers, aside from a few small ones.

Oh, and I found out via Facebook that my sister's housemate is engaged. That's modern technology for you. Surprisingly enough, I have actually met her fiance, too.

Random question for peoples: Next weekend, I have been invited to an Apocalypse themed party (A friend has their birthday on the 21st, which is supposedly Rapture Day. At least according to that dude who previously said it was in May.) There is a call for Apocalypse themed costumes. Anyone got any suggestions for something apocalypse-themed I could go as? Preferably something that won't take too much effort to make

So, last night after Bistromathics at Uni, I wandered around with Tristan and a few other people for gelati and booze (...not at the same time).

Anyway, one of the places we ended up at was Red Pocket, a new place Tristan had heard of that was Japanese themed and served a lot of sake and sake cocktails.

Included on their menu was one drink - sake and absinthe based - you got which was served on fire.

It was called "Fukushima".

I am still not sure if that is amusing or rather inappropriate.

It has a different name on the online cocktail list, I note.

I have a picture I took with my phone, but the quality isn't really great.