...said the spider to the fly

 

I know I'm spamming y'all tonight, but these totally deserve it!

I'm not really one for trolling the fanvid part of fandom, but every now and then someone on my flist will rec something, and if I like it, will go in search of more of their stuff.

Tonight's rec-fest started with...

Papa Don't Preach by fan_eunice and greensilver
It's DW/TW, and I'm just surprised that no one's put Captain Jack and Madonna together before. They actually started this before Something Borrowed aired, and took that episode as a sign from fate.
(Note: If you haven't seen the end of S3 of DW and don't know who that blonde guy is...just know he's evil.)

Next I found something for all the Richie fans on my flist: (should make you all squee and whimper at the same time)

Scroll down to Forever Young by fan_eunice
I swear this one should be used to introduce all newbies to the joy that is Richie Ryan.

Then I found this gem, for the Giles fans on my flist (though there aren't a lot of you):

My Generation by greensilver
It's the BtVS episode Band Candy in all its glorious delinquent fun!

And that is all.

(Though if you want to get your SPN creep-factor for the *year* check out War Drums by izzerial and Ritual Habitual by popcornleader)

So, first there was the unannounced removal of Basic journals. The big kerfuffle over this was not that they removed them (even though when SixApart bought LJ they specifically said they wouldn't), but about the fact that it wasn't mentioned. The same day they got rid of them was the same day SA did the big '100 days' post in announcements, yet not a word about losing Basic accounts was mentioned.

They have since apologized...sort of . I think. Someone posted a big 'wow, you guys are loud' post in announcements but didn't actually say anything useful. Or, you know, at all.

Next, it was the discovery that the popular interests page was being censored for 'hot topic' words like sex, boys, bondage and fanfiction. And depression, which is right up there with fanfiction for the stupid interests to censor.

This has since been fixed, mostly. I think.

The latest one - LJ is grabbing personal data on you through the Plus accounts. Go here and see how it's LJ's very own version of BEACON, and we've all been affected.
ETA: The post in question has gone to friends only (of which I am not one). I can try and remember what command to use in the admin console to limit the damage, but you might be better off googling it.
From the post:

...anytime you visit an LJ page with ads on it, your gender, birth date, country, 10 most popular interests and the content of your first public post are sent to an ad-targeting server. If none of those things are available, the server starts scanning the public content of your journal. You don't even have to have a Plus account for this to happen; if you've ever visited an LJ page with ads on it, or even have someone with a Plus account on your f-list, they've done this to you already.

The post details how you can limit the information shown, but that's about it. There's nothing you can do about it, unless you defriend every Plus account and never visit any in the future. Though, now that they've gotten rid of Basic accounts, that's going to be harder and harder to do.

Personally, I'm annoyed by all this, though it's mostly the lack of communication (which they still don't comprehend, even after all the events of last year) and the data they collect on me. Plus accounts have never bothered me, but that's because I have Ad Blocker Plus and NoScript, which hides ads before I even realize they're there. I honestly don't know what an LJ with advertising looks like, and I'm glad.

I'm also considering not friending any one who has a Plus account, and making a special flist filter that doesn't have any of them, either. I don't know if maybe that's going too far, but tough. I don't want Google knowing what sites I search for, and I don't want LJ to know my birthday or where I was born. I'm very careful about what personal information I make public, and the only reason I did that on LJ was because I understood that the only people who would use that data was either LJ - for internal statistics(maybe) - and people on my flist or people who want to join my flist.

In no way, shape or form did I agree to having it sit on some advertising server just waiting for a marketing monkey to use it to tell me what I want to buy next.

Title: Unexpected Proposition
Series: Immortal!Kate
Author: lyl (lyl_devil)
Fandom: Highlander, NCIS
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own either show, I just like to play in their sandboxes.
Words: 2189
Summary: First impressions are always the most important. (ie. How Kate and Methos met.)

Huge thanks to strangevisitor7 for the super helpful beta.

Previous stories in the series can be found [here]

( Unexpected Proposition )

So, from the post here where I literally begged for writing prompts (and am still accepting, because they're going so well), I give you my answers.

dragonydreams asked for:
Numb3rs - Don, sunglasses, gum

tarlanx asked for:
Torchwood - Jack, Ianto - coffee, aliens and 'the end of the world'

strangevisitor7 demanded:
Mag 7 (of course) Ezra - Hat, late, unexpected visitor - Part 2

kallie_kat wanted many things, but I found I could only do one:
Tell us how Willow got vamped in the Wishverse, or describe her first meeting with Spike.

...actually, it's been a few days, really.

I have the desire to write - nay, the need to write, yet nothing interests me. I have a long list of stories I would desperately like to finish, but I can't seem to make myself.

So...prompt me. Any fandom I have ever written in, give me a few words and a character or two and I'll see what I can do.

Please?

ETA: I feel like a drug addict as I say this, but 'MORE'! I'm practically begging here...send me prompts! When I'm in moods like this, I sign up for fic-a-thons. Lots, and lots, of fic-a-thons. I'm eyeing SGA Big Bang, people! And a Rose/Nine fic-a-thon (which has a better chance of being finished).

...otherwise known as 'My TV-Boyfriends'!!

Snagged from strangevisitor7 cause I apparently have nothing better to do.

List ten fictional characters you would have sex with (in no particular order) and tag 5 people to do the same. (I won't tag anyone, cause I wasn't tagged and I apparently suck at this whole 'tagging' thing, as proven by the last tagging meme I did.)

So pay attention as I drag you all down the road called 'TV shows you've never heard of - and one or two you have!'.

1) Methos - Highlander
Do I really need to explain this one? The sarcasm is legendary - a proven lure for my fangirl heart.

2) Ezra Standish - Magnificent Seven
Gotta love a gamblin' con man, though the rest of the Seven are high on my list.

3) Alec/494 - Dark Angel
I love Dean (SPN), but only because he was Alec first. No amount of gun toting ghost hunting beats genetically engineered super soldiers. Especially ones who like to cage fight shirtless!!!

4) Jarod - The Pretender
Come on! Non-violent superhero, but without the super powers (sort of). Jarod/Ms Parker was my very first OTP!!

5) Lex Luthor - Smallville
This is the Lex from the first few years, where you could delude yourself that he wasn't quite so evil. He had that edge of darkness that was captivating, and made you think everything he was doing was for the good of the people - then the show went to crap and I couldn't take whiny Clark anymore, so stopped watching. (Don't get me started on *why* I can't watch it anymore...seriously.)

6) Victor Mansfield - Once A Theif
One of my very first TV boyfriends - yes, from before my fannish life ever began. He's a good cop who got framed, and now he's a SPY!! What more do you need?? (I will watch anything this actor is in, no matter how horrendous the script.)

7) Don Eppes - Numb3rs
He's hot. Nuff said.

8) Malcolm Reynolds - Firefly/Serenity
I love a good anti-hero, especially one who wears tight pants and a gun-belt. :D

9) Leroy Jethro Gibbs - NCIS
Really, if this comes as a shock to anyone on my list, you obviously haven't been reading Connections.

10) The Doctor (9) - Doctor Who
He was angst and danger in black jeans and a leather jacket. Ten is bouncy and fun, but I prefer the tall, dark and tortured.

Just for added value....the runner-ups: Dean Winchester (SPN), Chris Larabee (M7), Vin Tanner (M7), Mac Ramsey (OaT), John Sheppard (SGA), Cameron Mitchell (SG-1), Alex Krychek (XF), Spike (BtVS), John Critchon (Farscape), Sark (Alias)....I could go on, but I need to work in the morning. :D

I committed flashfic!!

Title: Big Sky Country
Author: lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Highlander, NCIS
Disclaimer: I don't own either show, I just like to play in their sandboxes.
Words: 2384
Summary: Driving across the country has its hazards.

Written for: Quickening challenge at hl_flashfic.

Note: This is a sequel to Saving Me, which should be read first.

( Big Sky Country )

Title: Rally the Troops (Willow/NCIS)
Series: Connections #35
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes occasionally.
Prompt table -> HERE
Prompt – 002: Death
Words: 1500
Summary: Willow didn’t call him at midnight unless it was important; important enough for her to be awake at 3am in DC.

Note: As promised, a longer part this time. Also, please remember that Xander is working a construction job in San Francisco for the summer, as mentioned in Long Distance Battles

( Rally the Troops )

Title: Tears (Willow/NCIS)
Series: Connections #34
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes occasionally.
Prompt table -> HERE
Prompt – 019: Pain
Words: 127
Summary: She didn't care that people were watching.
Note: I apologize for the shortness of this one. The next part will be longer.

( Tears )

It's the Day 14 of 14valentines and the final topic is V-Day & International. The post can be found -> [here]


Title: The Rumour Mill Grinds to a Halt (Willow/NCIS)
Series: Connections #33
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes occasionally.
Prompt table -> HERE
Prompt – 099: Torture
Words: 358
Summary: The NCIS gossip grapevine was always a good source of amusement, tales ranging from the odd to the obscure to the unbelievable.

Warning: It's THAT episode people. The KATE episode. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go check out the last minute from the last ep from season 2.)

Spoilers: Twilight (end of season 2)

( The Rumour Mill Grinds to a Halt )

It's Day 13 of 14valentines and the topic is Arts & Athletics. The post can be found -> [here]

So close to the end, and I'm lagging. My carefully worked out schedule has empty slots for today's recs, so I decided to simply list some of my favourites that are the only reason I ever return to some fandoms.

A Thin Line & Friend or Foe? by LittleBit
Alias/Roswell - It's several years after Liz left Roswell behind (mid-season 3-ish I think). She's offered a job at Credit Dauphin, and ends up meeting Sark. (Liz/Sark)

Finding Ulysses by Peachykin
Roswell - Several years after the end of the series, and Liz finds Michael in New Orleans. (Liz/Michael)

That's Dame Rose Tyler to You by aibhinn
Doctor Who - Rose saves the Doctor. (Excellent Rose piece.)

Dark Directed by Fearthainn
Harry Potter - A chance encounter tangles Ginny Weasley's life with that of the most unlikely of people--Draco Malfoy. (Draco/Ginny)

Hok'taur by spastasmagoria
Doctor Who/SG-1 - Nirrti's experiments into building a super-host have lead her to a certain Time Lord. SG-1 and the Doctor stop her from creating a host capable of command over time and space.

Eight Days a Week & Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds by skidmo_fic
Torchwood/SGA - While in Cardiff, Lorne meets some interesting people. (Ianto/Lorne)

In The Mood by chicafrom3
Torchwood - Jack and Tosh are stranded in the '40s. (Jack/Tosh)

And that's it for today. I have no clue what I'll be posting tomorrow, but my recs are done.

If you've found you want more, check out my del.icio.us bookmarks.

It's Day 12 of 14valentines and today's topic is Economics & Work. The post can be found -> [here]

Title: Most Important Meal of the Day
Series: Spy Life #2
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG
Character: Ezra Standish – Magnificent Seven
Fandom: Alias
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes occasionally.
Prompt table -> HERE
Prompt – 056: Breakfast
Words: 479
Summary: Someone had sold him out. He would find them, and make them regret ever betraying him.

( Most Important Meal of the Day )

It's Day 11 of 14valentines and today's issue is Voting. The post can be found -> [here]

( Recs: BtVS )

It's Day 10 of 14valentines and today's issue is Peace Movement. The post can be found -> [here]

Title: Five Things the TARDIS Did That the Doctor Never, Ever Talks About. Ever.
Author: lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG-15
Fandom: Doctor Who (multi-era)
Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who (in any incarnation). I only like to play in the same sandbox.
Words: 2275
Summary: The Doctor and his TARDIS have a very *unique* relationship.

( Five Things the TARDIS Did That the Doctor Never, Ever Talks About. Ever. )

It's Day 9 of 14valentines and today's issue is Politics. The post can be found -> [here]

( Recs: Crossovers )

It's Day 8 of 14valentines and today's issues is domestic violence. The post can be found -> [here]

Title: Saving Me
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG-15 (for some disturbing imagery)
Fandoms: NCIS, Highlander
Disclaimer: I don't own either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes.
Words: 1665
Summary: “Well, this is a fine mess you've gotten yourself into.”

( Saving Me )

It's Day 7 of 14valentines and today's issue is Sexual Assault. You can find the post -> [here]

(PS - I totally didn't realize what today's topic was when I decided to rec the last fic. Just for reference.)

( Recs: SGA )

It's Day 6 of 14valentines and today's issue is Motherhood. The essay can be found -> [here]

Title: Business Meeting
Series: Spy Life #1
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG
Character: Ezra Standish – Magnificent Seven
Fandom: Alias, M7
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes occasionally.
Prompt table -> HERE
Prompt – 001: Beginnings
Words: 1033
Summary: Sark makes a new and interesting friend.

Note: I actually wrote this before Black Market Favors (xover Burn Notice), so please ignore any similarities. :)

( Business Meeting )

It's Day 5 of 14valentines and the issue is Sexuality. Today's post can be found -> [here]

( Recs: NCIS )

Day 4 of 14valentines is about Reproductive Rights. The post can be found -> [here]


Title: Revelations
Series: The Vala Chronicles #4
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: PG
Character: Ezra Standish – Magnificent Seven
Fandom: Stargate: SG-1
Disclaimer: I don't claim any rights to either show. I just like to play in their sandboxes occasionally.
Prompt table -> HERE
Prompt – 069: Thunder
Words: 883
Summary: None of them understood just how hard this was for her.

( Revelations )

Day 3 of 14valentines is about Health, and the post can be found -> [here]

Today's recs are non-standard pairings/characters, so be prepared. :)

( Recs: SG-1 )

Day 2 of 14valentines is about Hunger. The post can be found -> [here]

Title: Dogs of War
Author: Lyl (lyl_devil)
Rating: R (or A for apocalypse)
Warning: Apocalypse
Words: 4738
Beta: strangevisitor7
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or the characters, I only play in their sandbox.
Summary: Gibbs had seen many things in his life, but this was a first.

Notes: Companion piece to Cry Havoc, which was written for apocalyptothon. It's not necessary to have read it first, just know that Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano that erupted.

Also, I've now given it a name, as it is officially a series, called New World.

( Dogs of War )

It's Day 1 of 14valentines. Today's issue is Body Image and can be found -> [here]

Here's my contribution for the day - some of the best Doctor Who stories I've come across. There are a lot - A LOT - more, but I managed to wittle them down to three.

( Recs: Doctor Who )

Well, I had great intentions for 14valentines this year, but stupidly missed the sign-ups (several times over - this is what procrastination gets you). However, nothing says I can't link *to* them, I just can't post a link from there to here.

14valentines is a community that grew out of fandom, in an effort to promote and bring to light issues affecting women all over. It runs for 14 days, ending on Feb 14, Valentine's Day. For more detailed information, check out the info post here.

Every day there is an essay about different issue affecting women, and everyone who participates in posting on that day, links to the essay in their own journal. You can post whatever you like, fic, art, meta, essay, or do something completely different.

As I said, I decided to take part this year, but due to my inability to actually make a decision, I missed the sign-ups and what-not. But that will not stop me from posting every day of those 14 days.

My original plan was to post fic on each of those days, but that plan was shot to hell when that damn Buffy/Numb3rs fic started eating my brain, leaving little room for any other plot bunnies to try and grow. It's not finished by half, and I don't want to start posting until I'm much, much closer to the end (or finished writing it), so that got nixed from the line-up.

My new plan is this. I'll alternate fic and recs for all 14 days. (Yes, I've been holding back several of my stories for just this occasion. Sue me.) The recs are something I just started putting together, and I hope people will like.

The format for the recs is this: each rec-day, I'll post three stories from a single fandom (one each of gen, het and slash). I'm trying to make them as different and unique as possible, without repeating authors or storylines. I'm also only using the high-quality fics that I haven't recced before.

So, that's my plan and I hope to stick to it. Now I just have to get two more stories finished to complete the two weeks. Wish me luck!