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Below are the 25 most recent journal entries.

	2012.01.26  20.48 HP FIC: Saviours' Night [Evan Rosier, PG-13, gen] After weeks of silence, at least I return with fic :). This was my hp_holidaygen entry over at LJ. Title: Saviours' Night Author: kennahijja Characters: Evan Rosier, others Rating: PG-13 Warning(s): some disturbing themes, perhaps? Length: 6200 words Summary: Evan Rosier attends a masquerade ball at the Blacks' residence... Author's Note: Written for alley_skywalker in hp_holidaygen 2011. With lots of love and thanks to lazy_neutrino for the excellent beta! ( Saviours' Night ) Mood: blank Music: Propane Nightmares, Pendulum

	2011.12.23  17.21 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As it says in the subject :). Have a great holiday season, all very best wishes for the New Year, and much, much love. (and yes, 'posting more often' is one of my New Year's resolutions as soon as I have an internet connection instead of carrying Hedwig the Netbook to the internet cafe...) Mood: sleepy Music: none

	2011.10.27  01.23 Decriminalising Homosexuality (Commonwealth) and Equal Marriage (Scotland) Here's two current petitions that I think would benefit from as much support, publicity and participation as possible. Calling on the Commonwealth to Decriminalise Homosexuality Originally posted by the lovely lokifan in Calling on the Commonwealth to decriminalise homosexuality. The petitioners would like for as many people as possible to sign in the next 48 hours - especially those from the Commonwealth. Scottish Government Consultation on Equal Marriage On a related note, if you're resident in Scotland, the Scottish Government is currently conducting a consultation (until Dec 9, 2011) on the introduction of equal marriage in Scotland, and it would be extremely good if people would submit their views. Because while most of the noise is coming from religious hierarchies opposed to equal marriage, surveys show that this doesn't reflect public opinion even among believers, but always threatens to drown out those dissenting voices. (Full Consultation Document, Online Response Form or Downloadable Word Document). Mood: hopeful Music: Cry for the Moon - Epica

	2011.08.14  03.01 SF Book Meme (filched from midnitemaraud_r) Top 100 SF and Fantasy Books (I found the summaries really useful. And yep, there are some glaring omissions, but the list seems to have been fairly nominated and voted for) Bold for read Italics for intending to read Underline for partial read series/books Strikethrough for never ever reading ( Lots of Books ) Mood: sleepy

	2011.08.01  22.31 Canterbury in Books Diacon Alley in Canterbury was dotted with a lot of book shopping, as placing Hijja in a town with used book shops usually is. And once again, the magical 'books find me' phenomenon cropped up. ( Read more... ) Mood: working Music: The Ballad of Sacco & Vanzetti, Joan Baez/Enrico Morricone

	2011.07.29  01.25 Surreal Hogwarts Moments When I stepped out of work this evening, I walked right into a group of about 30 late primary school age pupils on their way to the nearby park. All with wee black cloaks down their backs, and carrying small broomsticks. Accompanied by a handful of adults, also carrying broomsticks. It was definitely on the cute end of surreal, and looked like Hogwarts' first years heading towards the Quidditch Pitch for their first flying lesson. Utterly adorable, and quite proud and excited :). I might have had to sit down at the bus stop with an attack of the suppressed giggles. Wish I'd asked what the occasion was ;). Mood: bouncy Music: A Return to the Sea, Nightwish

	2011.07.27  20.19 Livejournal and DW Codes Honestly, I almost never have anything to say, and the one time I actually want to post, LJ goes down. And not just down, down for days! I'm sympathetic that they're suffering from a DDoS attack, obviously, but it took them almost two days to say so, which is really pitiful :(. And inspired by the occasion, I do have a handful of Dreamwidth invite codes for orphaned souls looking for an emergency home. Let me know if you pick one, so I can take it out, ok? 7HHD6PMT78CERAAAR6VC S9WS9QPQM7NDKAAAR6VD 9HCSXGW52A4A3AAAR6VE N4AAQC445NVC6AAAR6VF G6G79V4AFQFVEAAAR6VG Mood: annoyed Music: The Old Ways, Loreena McKennitt

	2011.07.26  20.38 Diacon Once More Back from Diacon Alley after a day of sleep, and with a heavy heart because it was awesome, and it's already over. I got to meet so many wonderful people again or for the first time, and I treasure every moment of it! I'll probably have to sneak around and friend a few unsuspecting souls in the near future :). It was the perfect con really - a *lot* of Potter fandomers, but small enough not to feel overwhelming, one strand of programming so you didn't have to make hard choices, with a venue close enough together not to scatter people too badly. Plus, I just love staying in student accommodations because you get a *desk*. Everything in life is easier with a desk! The programming itself was excellent. I particularly loved the women- and fandom specific panels, which gave me a lot of things to think about and quite a few insistent plot bunnies. We got to go see DH2 by Knight Bus, and it is a pretty damn good movie, although I think I liked the first part a bit better. And we had the victory ball where everything from costumes to dinner to atmosphere was just perfect. And best of all, there was a fifth column of Alex Rider fans among the crowd, so we got to have a meetup and lots of chatting about my two favourite fandoms ever all at once :). I spent the Monday wandering around Canterbury, visiting their great Roman Museum, sitting in a street cafe writing Minerva/Alecto 7th year fic, and got back to E-Town at midnight after finally finished my long-term WiP on the train. Still exhausted now, but very happy and grateful! Mood: rejuvenated Music: The Clouds Pass, Doctor Who Soundtrack

	2011.07.20  07.50 DiaCon Off to Canterbury in the rain! I'll see quite a few of you soon :).

	2011.07.04  03.51 Alex Rider Beta? Um, would somebody be interested in beta-reading 23,000 words of Alex Rider fic (i.e. my spy_fest contribution that would very much benefit from a second pair of eyes with better English than mine)? Yassen/Alex, NC-17 (but not too much of it), with quite a bit of violence. Anyone? Not that I'd blame you for rapidly backtracking in the opposite direction ;). Off to bed now. Mood: tired Music: Streaming Doctor Who

	2011.06.25  04.47 Yes! *thumbs up to New York* Mood: happy Music: The Voice, Celtic Woman

	2011.06.23  19.39 Random Thoughts while Watching Doctor Who Yep, I am mildly preoccupied at the moment ;). Two thirds through the first season (of the 2005 version, that is). Rose reminds me a lot of Buffy. Not just looks, also behaviour. That aside, I quite like her. I always thought that 'Daleks' were the most stupid-looking 'evil robotic species' in SF Star Wars Phantom Menace thingies *not* included. They're still the most stupid-looking evil robotic species, but they're frigging *scary*. That entire episode was. Actually, the Doctor was scarier than the Dalek... I absolutely love the time-travel mix between future, present day and past. It's like getting three of my favourite genres at once. And on a different note, I'm going to see the new X-Men movie tomorrow, and am sort of excited about it :). I'm not reading the comic any longer, but I did for many years until the late 1990s, and have still a hugely soft spot for it. Mood: hungry Music: Nightfall on Marsco, Runrig

	2011.06.21  01.07 Doctor Who I've watched my first few random Doctor Who episodes over the past days, and omg, why did nobody tell me it was that much fun?!? Or rather, why didn't I listen to anybody who said it was good? Seriously, it's more whacky than Farscape (which has been my crack-in-space benchmark so far), and it's awesomely different from your average pseudo-military SF series (not dissing Star Trek, I swear love it, but it's nice to see something else). And the best about it is that there's a *lot* more to watch :). Mood: cheerful Music: This Time of Year, Runrig

	2011.06.13  19.13 Weekend This has been a *very* good weekend! I went to see Iona (the band, not the island!) on Saturday night and it was damn awesome, although I'm so not the target audience. (And although I have huge issues with monotheism, perhaps there's a tiny bit of a redeeming element if it manages to inspire that sort of beauty.). And when I came back, my neighbour's adorable black tomkitten had escaped into the stairwell, and played with me for a while. I had the hardest time escaping into my flat :). Then lazy_neutrino dropped by for a visit on Sunday which absolutely would have made for an awesome weekend all on its own (and also provided inspiration for a bout of house cleaning I was procrastinating over for, um, weeks). And working four days a week now gives me Monday off, which is very, very nice, especially since it's been my least favourite day anyway. Yay for sleep and books and stuff :). Mood: peaceful

	2011.06.06  23.28 Straying springtime_gen has just posted its Masterlist 2011 (for those of you who enjoy a good dose of gen). And I've spend an extraordinary amount of time reading Dresden Files and Vorkosigan universe fanfic at A03 over the past week. Whoa, there's some great stuff out there ;). Plus, my neighbours acquired the most adorable black kitten, which occasionally gets to escape and amuse himself in the stairwell, where it's flirting madly with everybody who passes. Like me :). *iz content* Mood: content Music: Suilven, Runrig

	2011.05.27  13.57 More Spyfest RECS Have just started working again (in my new/old job of sorts), and already things are going mad. So mad that I didn't get in my last spy_fest recs when everything was neatly anon, damn! Anyway, here goes: Just a Day at the Museum by annephoenix [Alex, Tom; gen; PG-13] Summary: From the school’s perspective, Alex Rider is not exactly a model student on field trips. And it looks like today will be no different. Why can’t things ever be simple? Alex Rider with a carefully (and credibly!) applied touch of SF and superb emotional development. This is the Alex I love - clever, vulnerable, worried about his friends, and trying desperately to balance 'spy' and 'normal life' without much success. The 'school trip' fics that came out of this round of the fest were all awesome :). And finally, I can squee over my own wonderful gift: The Beat of Disillusion (Part 1 and Part 2) by capeofstorm [Yassen/Alex; Warnings; NC-17] Summary: At MI6's insistence Alex goes back to Scorpia once again. He ends up in a situation he never thought he'd find himself in, with people he couldn't trust. Dark and plotty and intense and absolutely impossible to put down even for a moment. The plot is wonderfully complex, with a great tough-but-vulnerable Alex trying to negotiate survival among his enemies, a superbly written Jack and an ending that left me biting my fingers, it's so intense. Great stuff! :) Mood: chipper

	2011.05.15  02.10 Spy_Fest RECS (Alex Rider Fandom) spy_fest is over (*wail*) and we've entered the period of catching up and reviewing... and reccing, so here's my first batch of top favourites: Let It Be by anonymous [Yassen/Alex; NC-17; Warnings; 5800 words] Summary: Curiosity killed the cat This is dark and scary and hot and not for the faint at heart. Alex is superbly in character – resilient determined and emotionally confused. In short, absolutely brilliant. There needs to be more fic like this – it makes my life happy :) Royal Flush by anonymous [Alex, PG-13, gen; 4000 words] Summary: Alex goes on a school trip to the Tower of London – and ends up stealing the Crown Jewels. I don't quite have words to describe this one – but the summary will give you a good idea. It's just... pure whacky fun and action and wordplay and above all, it *works*. Condensed spirit of Alex Rider canon. It made me laugh like the proverbial hyena too ;). The MI6 Agent and the Scorpia Assassin by anonymous [Yassen/Alex, NC-17; Warnings; 5600 words] Summary: Scorpia has agreed to let Alex live. In return, Alex has promised to not work for MI6.Two years after making the promise, Alex is now caught breaking it. I absolutely love this fic! It's clever, it's thrilling, it's deceptive, plot an pacing rock, and it plays effectively with quite a few canon and fanon cliches. It's also awesomely hot! Teaching by anonymous [Yassen/Alex; NC-17; Warnings; 5000 words] Summary: Alex learns that attempting to steal a gun right under Yassen Gregorovichs' nose is a bad idea. But he makes sure Yassen teaches him a whole lot more… Ah... now this is a wonderful twist on teacher-student relationships – it's funny and hot, with lots of delightful double-entendre and humour (Alex's inner voice alone is a thing of beauty). Mood: content Music: Blueprint, Rainbirds

	2011.05.04  16.59 Political Interlude: AV Referendum (for Cats) Today is a very good day to share the video below (found on lolcats), which isn't just cute and hilarious, it's also pretty informative about the UK Alternative Vote Referendum tomorrow. Is your Cat confused about the referendum on the alternative vote on the 5th May? So if you can vote in the Referendum tomorrow, do! AV isn't the perfect solution (what's wrong with plain old proportional representation that actually allocates seats according to, well, votes?) but better than nothing. "Otherwise, the country will go to the dogs!" (*snickers*) (yes, I noticed the historical blooper, but it's still cute) Mood: nervous Music: Dust in the Wind, Kansas

	2011.05.04  04.10 Diacon Alley! This is a post I should have made months ago, and thought I had, but nada... This summer, just in time to coincide with the last HP film, there will be a HP Con in the UK I'm very, very excited about - DiaCon Alley in Canterbury (21-24 July, 2011)! Here's the link to the website, for info and registration and stuff. There have been two newsletters so far (with, omg, butterbeer recipe). For updates on LJ, watch diacon_alley. To tell the truth, I'm due to leave the UK and return home this summer, and the reason moving is going to happen in August instead of June is because of this :). Can't wait! Mood: excited Music: Nightfall on Marsco, Runrig

	2011.05.02  00.15 REC and Squee There will be more and properly done spy_fest recs (I'm already assembling a little list), but allow me a moment full of pure squee. You know how occasionally you come across a fic that's just utterly *perfect* for your mood and utterly *awesome* in itself and has you squeeing over turns of phrases because the writing is so good, and the characters come to life as if filched directly from canon (only better!) and it makes you laugh and cry and when you come up for air in the middle of it you wail because you realise you're already halfway through and you don't want it to be over, ever? I read that fic today :). Stitches (Part 1 and Part 2) by anonymous (obviously) [Alex, Yassen; PG-13, 31 000 words] Summary: When a mission goes wrong and Alex is critically wounded, the fifteen-year-old spy finds himself the unwilling captive (and patient) of a man he believed to be dead. The summary says as much as I'd want to give away, but it's long and satisfactory and emotionally wrenching (that's a compliment!), and while it's not even that much my usual cup of tea, theme-wise, it's just... yes! But have a look for yourselves :). Mood: giddy Music: Once in a Lifetime, Wolfsheim

	2011.04.29  21.20 PSA: springtime_gen is now posting! If you're eager for a spot of gen, head over to springtime_gen, which (as every year) has already posted some truly amazing fic, with more to come! Mood: cold Music: Nightfall, Blind Guardian

	2011.04.29  04.46 Life Sign Holy housecat, it has been months since I last updated, or properly looked at LJ! Well, things have been very interesting (in the Chinese curse variety of the word), but it looks like I'm back :). I've finished my spy_fest fic which I didn't dare hope would ever happen, and can now go on and wrap up the final bit of another project that's been trailing behind for a while. And I can finally read 'Scorpia Rising' which I haven't touched so far, and all the Alex Rider fic I missed. Yay! Anyway, sorry for doing the vanishing act for so long! How have you all been? Mood: guilty

	2011.01.27  00.53 Final Call for springtime_gen Sign-ups will be running for one more day - the final deadline is midnight tomorrow, Thursday, 27 January. It's a nice, quiet, low-key LJ exchange with two full months writing time, ideal for gen fans as well as for people who want to try something new, or give gen a shot - and a few more participants wouldn't hurt :). Sign up here? Mood: okay

	2011.01.22  19.55 Dreamwidth Invite Codes to go, cheep Cleaning out my email accounts, I noticed that I'm sitting on a pile of Dreamwidth invite codes. If anyone's interested, go grab them. First come, first served, but please comment if you take one so I can take it off :). AC6PDDBGMGRRKAAAMARD 7W6CCMAEYQKWCAAAMQKM XXSAZP5HAD9T3AAALGX7 74GEA25CJJKK9AAALGX8 6EJ33YZAHQNBSAAALGX9 (The first two are shiny and new, the latter three are leftovers from an earlier distribution. Should still work, though, unless they have a shelf life?). Mood: busy Music: The Wheel in the Sky Keeps on Turning, Journey

	2011.01.16  00.38 PSA: Springtime_Gen has started sign-ups! I've been back from holiday for a while now, and work is even more insane than when I left... But there's great news today, because springtime_gen (on LJ) is up for another round, and sign-ups are now open until 27 January. Which has me hopping excited, yay! If you're into gen fic, sign up here. The more the merrier! :) This once, I won't leave you with a LOLcat, but with a LotR cartoon I stumbled across (in an Enya-vid of all places), and which is just too funny not to share: ( Read more... ) Mood: excited