Living Loz

The Cat Empire - Steal the Light, a livetweet:

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:10:31 GMT

Loz ‏@lozenger8 39m
I haven't had a good chance to listen to the whole of The Cat Empire's new album "Steal the Light" yet, but what I have heard I've liked!

Loz ‏@lozenger8 39m
"Sleep Won't Sleep" so far is my favourite, because it's a proper cha cha track. (ETA: Actually, I think it may be a salsa track. Uhm.)

Loz ‏@lozenger8 34m
Oh wow, I am so far also loving "Go". I am wondering if Harry has learned how to sing. I kind of miss his old singing, tbh.

Loz ‏@lozenger8 31m
"Open Up Your Face" makes basically no sense, but it's really beautiful. #apparentlylivetweeting #notgoingtorefertoitas #analbum #damn

Loz ‏@lozenger8 28m
"Like a Drum" is another awesome dance track. Oh my gosh, I will have so much fun next time they perform live in Adelaide :D

Loz ‏@lozenger8 18m
"Wild Animals" is ADORABLE. This record is awesome. It's just a great collection of music from around the world you want to move to.

Loz ‏@lozenger8 18m
Also, Harry really is singing about 9 times better than he used to in the past.

And it concludes:

Loz ‏@lozenger8 12m
THIS RECORD IS MY LIFE. Just. Go buy The Cat Empire - Steal the Light if you like music to move to + lots of instruments played awesomely.

Doobie doobie doo...

Sun, 19 May 2013 07:37:48 GMT

Dear Livejournal, my brother Nick now lives with me. We share our external hard drives full of entertainment with each other, because we are kind siblings. I saw a folder entitled "dude's movie's". I knew I shouldn't click, but curiosity killed the cat and all that.

Should I be worried that, in that folder, some of the titles were: "MILF", "Due Date", "The Tortured", "Hardcore Pawn" and then "Mythbusters"?

o_0 I...

I just keep thinking about how bad Nick is at categorising. Hardcore Pawn and Mythbusters are TV Shows, dammit.

I ended up saying a lot more than I thought I would...

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:32:14 GMT

Things about me:

1. I am mostly fine! Working a lot, walking a lot.

2. Tonight I'm going to go see a play starring Darth Vader and Jessica Fletcher. I am excited.

3. I went to see Star Trek 2: Electric Boogaloo, the following are my scattered thoughts:
A) I enjoyed the movie for the most part, although I did laugh a lot at Kirk's dying scene. My brother Nick was seriously pissed off with me for how funny I found it. I'M SORRY. IT WAS SO CLICHE. HE DID A LITTLE COUGH. I did bounce around like a spring when they did the hand thing, though. That was kind of gorgeous. Expected, knowingly referential, but gorgeous.

B) I appreciated the humour. The trailer made it look there wasn't going to be any, so I was glad there was. Some of it was funny, too, which is always a plus.

C) I was REALLY disappointed in the score. I adored Giacchino's first reboot soundtrack, but not enough to want to hear it again without any noticeable change.

D) I felt like there was TOO. MUCH. JEOPARDY! all the way through. I think the first reboot movie is like that too, but I was willing to ignore it barring the stupid monster chase scene, because it was the first reboot, and I was stupidly charmed by everyone's faces, but here I found it super grating. I wanted more of the character moments, because I thought they were done pretty damn well. By the end, I was kind of plot twist and jeopardied out.

E) I didn't like that Benedict Cumberbatch was Khan. The fact that Abrams lied about it annoys me, but the thing I mostly found was that it was unnecessary. I love Benedict, I think he's a great actor --- just look at the original pilot of Sherlock and the actual series to see how nuanced and clever he is, but he didn't bring anything particularly special to the role, so I really didn't see why he had to be cast over an actor of colour. I subscribe to the idea that it was always awesome that a superhuman, brilliant villain was played a person of colour. Because, yes, villain, but not a Caliban, not the stereotyped portrayal of a villain of colour being a savage thug: a preternaturally extraordinary example of excellence. If you're going to fuck with that, at least have the actor you use be the most amazing thing ever. But he wasn't. I was just kind of --- eh --- about him the whole time, and I really don't think I should have been.

F) I wasn't keen on how they underused both Carol Marcus and Nyota Uhura. Considering the fact they were the only two significant female characters and that they're awesome characters in their own rights, I was pretty pissed that, well, Carol was shown in her underwear for NO REASON AT ALL, got fucked over by her father, and then was grievously injured by Khan --- that, while being awesome with her linguist expertise, Uhura almost got grievously injured by a Klingon, that she served as an annoyed love interest for a huge portion of the movie and then her rescue of Spock was shoved aside and hugely downplayed for a Kirk/Spock scene (and I am usually DOWN with Kirk/Spock scenes. I don't OTP them, but I appreciate them.)

G) It comes down to me having to reconcile that I was quite entertained for two hours with all of this other stuff, particularly regarding representation. Because, no, the Star Trek franchise has never been perfect, but fuckdammit, it's got a long tradition of being better than the rest when it comes to casting people of colour, of having awesome characters that are male and female, of being philosophical. I feel like some of the philosophy has been shoved aside for some flash and bang and I like flash and bang well enough, but I don't connect with it. Star Trek is something I hold dearly because it speaks to outsiders, courts them with characters like Spock, Uhura, Data, Geordie, Worf, the Siskos, Odo,Janeway, Seven of Nine, B'Elanna, The Doctor, T'Pol and yes, even Khan. Because differences are shown, and usually not shown to be a bad thing. Because, as the great Philip J. Fry once said, because it... it taught me so much. Like, how you should accept people, whether they be black, white, Klingon or even female... But most importantly, when I had no friends, it made me feel like maybe I did.

(I just really feel like the reboot could do so much more, and it relies upon THIS EXCITING CHASE SEQUENCE WITH A SWIRLY COAT, this casually sexist scene, this mandatory catchphrase, this white British-sounding villain like all the white British-sounding villains that have gone before.)

As based on a comment I just got on one of my fics...

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:10:53 GMT

Fanfiction is purely for escapism and reality has no place: discuss.

I disagree. Fanfiction, like all fiction, has a range of modes, genres, and atmospheres. Some stories are total escapism, some stories are gritty realism, others yet combine the two.

We know Major Tom's a junkie...

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:05:30 GMT

People on fandomsecrets are saying Ashes to Ashes is a better show than Life on Mars.

... I don't get that AT ALL. Even if you like it more? It is, in no objective way, a better made show. The beginning was dire, both Ash and Matt admitted that the tone was off in S1, the way it was shot up until S3 was awful, the plot holes were many and gigantic, the level of quipping and emotional resonance were lacking in comparison to LoM.

Should I always read "so and so is a better show" as "so and so is a better show for my tastes"? Probably. I just... there are lots of things I adore but I can always objectively say, "oh yeah, this is technically more adept in comparison, but I loooooove [x], [y] & [z] of that more."

Some people do still have fax machines, we don't...

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:00:59 GMT

I've been back at work this week. I really don't know where this break went. (Sleeping, eating, writing --- in that order.) Monday was training, Tuesday I did the big stationery shop & resource making, Wednesday I went in to set up my classroom, today we start our two days of planning days.

Next Monday there's no school as it's a bank holiday due to it being Australia Day on Saturday, so school starts Tuesday. 10 weeks with new students --- which sounds both tiny and interminable, depending on how it goes and how much I manage to cover.

Life on Mars Artathon!

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:24:19 GMT

Sometimes I want to rub my face all over Life on Mars fandom's faces.

basaltgrrl is running an Artathon! And even people like me who can't actually draw can join in, because digital graphic work such as icons, gifsets, wallpapers and photo manips are eligible. But also, eeee, seeing the work of all the artists in the fandom is going to be amazing.

MJN air...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:01:50 GMT

FINNEMORE! \o/

It was brilliant as usual. When we got up to 'camel camel' I'd pretty much sold my soul to Finnemore. And Douglas pointing out that something had only been repeated once when it had been said twice (at this point, it would've been kinda great if Arthur could have popped in just to hear the tail end of that and been all "does that mean if you say something once you're peating it?") Martin actually working with Douglas! Arthur and his knowledge and erudition!

Just. OH. The cleverness and the overall sweetness of the humour and the puns, yay, the puns. Comedy after my own heart.

Nocturnal!Slob!Loz in the summertime...

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:26:02 GMT

How sad is it that I showered literally for the sole reason of ordering pizza and having it delivered?

Happy New Year!

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:14:09 GMT

I totally forgot to pretend to be from the future and post Happy New Year when it became one in Adelaide, but Happy New Year everyone! Sorry for falling asleep on you!

I hope 2013 sucks less for you all than 2012, and if 2012 was a good year, I hope it's even better. ♥ ♥ ♥

I really wish more of you watched Teen Wolf...

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:28:50 GMT

I wrote more Teen Wolf fic, Scott/Stiles this time, because multi-shipper, yo. Quiet, Heart.

It's mostly character study and quiet reflection, because that is always going to be my default.

Series finale on what for me is Christmas Day...

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 00:41:28 GMT

This started out as some capslocking and ended with some less capslocked commentary.

SO IN LOVE. SO IN LOVE.

TEARS, TEARS. ALL THE AWARDS FOR COLIN.

ARTHUR IS A TOOL, BUT I DO LOVE HIM. AND THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS.

IT'S SO GREAT HAVING A GWEN WITH AGENCY AND PERSONALITY AGAIN.

SQUEAK, SQUEAK, EEEE, OH MY GOSH, OH, OH MY HEART, OOOOOOHHHHH.

AT THIS POINT, IT'S KIND OF A DISSERVICE THEY DON'T KISS. I MEAN, SERIOUSLY. SERIOUSLY.

OKAY, SO, THIS SPRAWLING IS ABSOLUTELY SHAMELESS.

JUST. HOLD. ME.

Arthur at this point is like "I'm trying to fucking die, what is with the weird shouting? Jesus fuck, Merlin, give it a bloody rest."

Poor Bradley, having to be a ragdoll.

Oh. I thought they might do this. Give me hope and then CRUELLY TEAR IT AWAY. I'm inclined to disregard the Dragon. I guess --- I guess I got all of this first. <33333

Colin's crying really is amazing. It makes me cry too. I think I'd be crying anyway. Ow, my heart.

My heart is actually breaking right now. Fucking breaking.

Modern-day hahahahahahhahahaha. Only made better with a shot of Arthur, tbh.

There's been a metric fuck tonne wrong with this show, and this series in particular, but this episode was an example of when it gets things (mostly) right. (I am still of the opinion that they've changed so much of the legend why not just have Arthur live?) And since Merlin/Arthur's one of my OTPs (of which I have exactly three across my many fandoms), I loved it for all of the Merlin/Arthuriness, I really fucking did.

<3333

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:40:53 GMT

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it ♥

\o/

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:36:33 GMT

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, they were very much appreciated ♥

\o/ SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 06:03:38 GMT

Had the last day of the school year. Several of the students gave me gifts and cards, which was really sweet. I wasn't expecting it, but it made me smile.

To be honest, I'm not that sad to be saying goodbye to this class as a class, and I'll still see all the students around the school, so there were no tears from me. I made the kids gingerbread people and gave them awesome pop-up cards.

And now? I am technically free until January 21st (not totally free, because new grade to teach and more planning, but not having to go into work every day.) OH YES.

The killing moon will come too soon...

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:55:20 GMT

I just need to do this where it won't spoil anyone. Regarding the preview for Dexter's season finale...

SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKER. I've been hoping for a Doakes cameo since Dex started seeing Rudy again. I. just. yessssssss.

I've loved this series, but then, I loved last series too, and apparently everyone else thought it was crap and that Colin Hanks was bad (I disagree, I thought he was awesome.) Yvonne Strahovski has been amazing. And I adored Ray Stevenson as Isaac. Dexter is one of those shows that, even when it sometimes strays, remains utterly watchable for me.

Teeeeeaching...

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:32:43 GMT

Part of today was me getting to accidentally listen to a couple of my students point out how cool I am because I get their references (to be fair to everyone, the reference was 'hasta la vista'. My 8 year old kids think they invented the world. But yes, I have a passing knowledge of Monsuno and beyblades, wear fannish yet still school appropriate t-shirts on Fridays, tend to fist-bump and hi-five to congratulate effort, and occasionally call my students 'dude', so.)

And I was standing there thinking, 'holy shit, it only took an entire year.'

It feels like I always go backwards...

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:23:05 GMT

I teach year 2/3s (7, 8, 9 year olds) and have these two students, K and A, who are BFFs.

K joined my class after term one, A after term two. K was quite lonely in my class, because the others had already formed friendship groups, and no matter how much I suggested my other students include him, they would often let him fall by the wayside. As soon as A arrived, K latched onto him and they've been firm friends since. These boys are constantly seen in one another's company during break;- chat amicably during class (sometimes to the point where I have to separate them, or no work will be done.) One of the sweetest things I've seen is them holding hands on multiple occasions. With absolutely no shame, I might add, they just go around holding hands, which fills me with the utmost glee. They're really too adorable. I purposely suggested they be in the same class next year, because they're so supportive of one another.

Well, I found out two days ago that A is going to a new school next year. And I honestly think I'm a little bit heartbroken. I'm already feeling a little weepy because it's December and I always seem to around this time of year, but the idea of these two not getting to be together is really bringing me down. I hope they each make other friends, of course, but equally I hope they stay in contact with each other.

GOTYE ! \O/

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:01:54 GMT

Gotye was fucking amazing. If you've been a fan of his for years, it was just the best. (If all you like is his one inexplicable smash hit worldwide, you may have been a little disappointed, as he buried it in his set --- but he did get us to sing along to Kimbra's part, which was nice.) Gotye killed it and his band were BRILLIANT. And this means nothing to you, but everything to me --- he had Barry Morgan from Barry Morgan's World of Organs as a guest star --- which was the greatest of all crossovers ever. ALSO, HILARIOUS. There were a couple of fingering jokes that made me laugh and laugh.

Very close to being the best concert I've ever been to.

:(

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:41:30 GMT

How do people develop a thick skin? Because I've been through a fair amount in my life, lived in a couple of challenging places, and yet I still feel weak and fragile.

A long, long while back, I wrote about a student of mine getting excluded to another school. Well, he came back this term and at first things were almost okay, but then all of his old behaviours started up again. He doesn't do what I ask him to do, he runs out of class, he doesn't attempt a smidgen of work, he hits children during break, he's decided one of the other students in my class is his mortal enemy. Apparently, his mother has been saying to him "you only have her for another two weeks, you don't have to listen."

And I know all of this about him, you know? I know he can be rude and defiant and his mother has many, many issues and for reasons I don't know has heavily taken against me. I cannot think of what I have said or done to make her hate me so much.

I thought I was relatively disaffected. I thought I was over caring. But no, I've just awoken from a night of endless bad dreams of me being considered the worst teacher of all time. Feeling like a failure. Worrying about how I'll do next year if students and parents decide they hate me?

Why do I always remember the two kids I've never got through to instead of the twenty-four I have?

In conclusion, Finnemore!

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:24:51 GMT

John Finnemore! \o/

A recording 'gag reel', courtesy of tumblr. There aren't really any spoilers, but it's about new Cabin Pressure. And it is wonderful.

It doesn't matter how far you've come, you've always got further to go...

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 10:29:51 GMT

We're into the home stretch of the term! Christmas concert on Thursday (and after that, I'm going to go see Gotye at the Entertainment Centre, because I don't care what people say, I've been a fan for years and Wally is still aces in my book.) I am deeply, deeply exhausted and pretty much just want to stay home and write/listen to music/play The Sims 3.

I found out this week that next year I'm teaching year 1/2s and I am over the moon about that, even though I think I finally wrapped my head around 2/3s. I'm also going to see if I can schedule two excursions next year as this year I didn't trust my class enough to take them anywhere.

Young girl, get out of my mind...

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:00:32 GMT

Awesome fucking choices I've made in my online shopping this week:

Banana flavoured syrup (testing it out, and it's so much better than I thought.)
Mini-scones
Icy poles
Popcorn
Cookies & Cream Puddings
Golden Gaytimes! (AKA: best ever name for the best ever ice cream lolly known to man.)

Yeah, I'm an adult. I can eat ice cream for dinner if I want to. I shouldn't. But I can. Coincidentally, I was particularly hungry when I made my online order, so I have this amazing collection of snack foods and proper meal foods.

I really do not mean Perry and Dr Doofenschmirtz, but also not a mortal enemy...

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:01:58 GMT

Does anyone have a person tangentially in their life who they really dislike, and even though most everything this person says frustrates them and makes them want to rant for hours, they find themselves seeking this person out? Like, you will actively orbit around this person and ask how they are from mutual acquaintances, choose to go out to dinner with friends if you know they'll be there, or read their twitter feed or facebook, despite the fact every time you will see or hear another reason to want to commit unspeakable insults.

And I don't mean in an adorable 'oh, actually we're going to get together, it's passion, not hatred' romantic movie way. I mean that you have someone whose various opinions always seem WRONG. Does anyone have a person like that? Or is it just me?

This is a Cabin Pressure post...

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:08:58 GMT

FINNEMORE COMPARED ARTHUR TO DOUGAL TOO. EEEEE!

Now I remember how I wanted to write about them meeting and falling in love (because I think they're both rather narcissistic and it makes sense in my brain, okay?) Also, I loooove his thinking on Arthur, because yes!