Leave me a comment saying "Resistance is Futile").

• I'll respond by asking you five questions so I can satisfy my curiosity
• Update your journal with the answers to the questions
• Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions

These questions were asked by eumelkeks

( 5 questions... )

Today we went to the swimming pool in a nearby community. P, the AEW I work with, drove the bus like a champion; on a dirt road that's really not very good at all. I hadn't worn any form of swimming costume, but after twenty minutes of watching the kids swimming, I thought 'what the hell', asked if I'd be allowed in wearing my jeans. I was, so I went for it.

It was so much fun. I took the little kids for rides, I played chasey with older kids. B was a shark that was going to eat me! On the bus ride there and back we sang all the songs we know as a class, both in Pitjantjatjara and English.

Of course, after my 30 minute dip, I was soaked through. I kind of assumed I'd dry out really quickly, but denim actually takes a long time. Luckily, when we got to school I was on non-instruction time so I ducked home, had a shower, got changed, and made it back in time to clean out the bus.

Today was one of the things I love about being a teacher.

White Collar 1.05...

( Portrait )

Way back when the ITV television series Doc Martin began airing on the ABC in 2005, I frowned at the screen and said " ...they're advertising this as a brand new series, but haven't there been commercials for this years before now?"

The answer, I discovered a month or so ago was, "well, sort of."

'Doc Martin' started out as a couple of Sky Television telemovies based on a character Martin Clunes played in the film Saving Grace - Doctor Martin Bamford. The films were 'Doc Martin' and 'Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie'. Sky Pictures was planning on making six telemovies, however they folded after the first two. Martin Clunes took the idea to ITV, at which point the television series was commissioned --- but with not without significant changes.

What I find fascinating about this story is how the narrative and the character of Martin changed, and how I found myself responding when I finally caught up with the original Sky Television films.

( The strange tale of Doc Martin )

I actually really love it when Dappy's on Never Mind the Buzzcocks. He seems to have a healthy sense of humour about himself and he cracks my shit up. I am now wondering if he was utterly genuine in thinking Martha Wainwright was Cerys Matthews, but I think he may have been. Poor boy. It's one thing to be intentionally dumb on a show, quite another to be so accidentally stupid.

Also, I kind of want a tv show that features Martin Freeman, Jonty Bankes from the UOGB, Simon Pegg and John Simm as brothers who form an unlikely pop-band because they've all gone broke in their respective careers and/or split up with their partners. Initially performing acoustic versions of well-known songs, they gain a following. They gain notoriety when they start to write their own tracks about their lacklustre lives. With such hits as "Another Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tonight", "Oh No, My Umbrella's At Home", "Lost My Job Coz I Lost My Mind" and "She Never Really Meant to Scream (It May As Well Have Been Another Wet Dream)" they take over the UK charts.

Some of you may remember the Doug Anthony Allstars (1985 - 1994.) They did very well internationally. Made up of Paul McDermott (an angry, angry little man), Richard Fidler (the guitarist) and Tim Ferguson (later to be a super obnoxious gameshow host), they were a cheeky Australian musical comedy act that liked to push boundaries. The thing I love about them is that, like Tripod, they were actually super talented musically. The thing I don't love about them is that a lot of their humour is not my humour, because they ping my humiliation squick like crazy. Below the cut are some of my favourites of theirs, including three beautiful arrangements of pre-existing songs.

( DAAS )

I know for a fact that a few people on my friendslist would have seen this (possibly live!) but some of you probably haven't.

This is, without a doubt, the best non-Bowie version of the song Life on Mars.

( Fighting in the dance hall... )

No, seriously, John Simm is making my week. (On his influences for the Master.)

"I also used a bit of Caligula and a bit of Tony Blair. But in this, The Master is off the leash. Unhinged. Totally unplugged!"

BAM. POW. HAHAHAHA.

Okay, I'll stop.

(More ham acting! Love it!)

This just in people: John Simm adores Phil Glenister.

AND I AM DONE.

♥ ♥ ♥

(Okay. So I already knew this. It was obvious. Stop slashing yourself, Simm, you're making it too easy. I know, I know, it's guy love not gay love. STILL!)

ALSO; how much do I adore that he almost always changes his tune after a couple of years? A laugh, Simm? Not torturous, the most annoying thing in the world being away from your family? Not painstakingly horrible being in almost every scene of the show? Not Sam being a prick and the shoes being painful? No! A laugh! HAH.

I just love him. I really, really do.

(Thanks so much to saintvic for this. It has made my fucking week and it's only 4.45 am Tuesday.)

... 'Plus, Gene Hunt was such a huge character. There are only so many times you can roll your eyes and tell him off.' *SNERK*...

Title: Gone Far Away Into the Silent Land
Fandom: Life on Mars
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2100 words.
Notes: Written for Ficathon 2009, for fawsley with the prompt: Sam/Gene, Gene's past catches up with him, wax crayons. This became more Sam & Gene friendship than slash. Title from the poem 'Remember' by Christina Rossetti.
Warning: This story revolves around themes of death.
Summary: He missed Stu, when he was learning to be a soldier, and later when he kept the peace in a country that didn't really want him. He'd write, but it wasn't an adequate replacement for the time they'd spend together.

( Gone Far Away Into the Silent Land )

Further to this post, neuralclone thought it would be fun if we compiled a list of songs that probably shouldn't be wedding songs unless the two partners are fully aware of what they're asking for.

( So far on the list... )

Any others?

Dear Yuletide Santa,

Can I start by saying you're so wonderful for writing for me? Thank you! I'm sure I'll be thrilled with whatever you write.

( Further details of my requests... )

'Wrap Your Arms Around Me' by Barenaked Ladies really shouldn't be your wedding song, youtube commenter. The song's quite clearly about domestic abuse. It's one of my all-time favourite songs, I listen to it frequently, but it's clearly about an unhappy, violent relationship.

Do people not listen to lyrics or think about their implications when choosing wedding songs?

After my little freak-out last week, I took several large breaths and asked myself why I put myself through this when I don't have to. It's my life, why torture myself? But the truth is, it's not torture.

It's hard work. I get depressed. I'm not going to lie and say that I hate the holidays because I'm torn away from my students, because obviously I am not that person.

Underlying all of that, I believe I can make a difference. I believe in these kids. I know things will get better with time, consistency and hard work.

Maybe my eternal optimism makes me a schmuck, perhaps I should let my inner realist reign free, but it appears I'm not that person either. The part of me that admits there have been other people before me who have been passionate and loving, but look - some behaviours and attitudes are still there and continually upsetting - gets tamped down by the part that reminds me of kind acts and unnecessarily sweet gestures. Take yesterday, for instance, when my students and I all painted our faces during a patterning lesson. One of my most disruptive students grabbed a washcloth and helped me clean my face. It was... tender and caring and thoughtful. This is the ring leader of some of the very worst behaviours in my class, but he can be so hilarious and so darling --- and here he was, taking care of me, not because I requested it (I didn't. I was happy with green paint all over my face), but because he wanted to.

I'm going to assume the best of people, even if logic should make me wary. I'm going to constantly believe things will be okay. I'm going to wake up tomorrow and go to work and hate some parts, love others. I'm going to keep trying. I'm that person.

I had a really fantastic relaxing weekend in Alice Springs in which I did everything I said I would, and ate pizza at a restaurant and saw Bruce Greenwood in Mao's Last Dancer, so I am feeling pretty good.

Title: Far Too Young and Clever
Fandom: Psych
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 2,500 words
Notes: Shawn/Gus, pretty much of the fluffy PWP variety. There's a very obvious nod to Futurama in this story (as opposed to all those other times where I pretend to be subtle.) Title from the song 'Come on, Eileen.'
Summary: He and Shawn were naked in bed together and they'd done stuff. Intimate, heart-rate increasing, hands in places stuff. Stuff Gus had only ever briefly entertained doing with Shawn before, and even then, had dismissed out of hand because it would make everything too complex.

( Far Too Young and Clever )

I am watching Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home, which I haven't seen since I was teeny tiny, and omg, this film is of the cracky glee. LOVE!