Diary of a Suburban Squeen

So, not that this makes me feel in any way better about the FUCKING-KRIPKE-DIE-DIE-DIE-ness of Abandon All Hope, but this episode coda by maychorian is absolutely beautiful. SPN peeps - go and read!! Now! Good Times.

Last night, Katie, Emma and I went to see Snakes on a Train at the Bad Film Club. So, yeah. There were snakes. On a train. Involved in some barely explained Mayan curse. There was also a drug-smuggling subplot that made little sense, and at the end the woman turned into a giant snake and ate the train. Good times.

In other news, I go on holiday on Sunday!!! I am sure you have all been on tenterhooks waiting to hear about the ticket situation, but rest assured it has all been resolved, by dint of me ringing the train company and LYING with neither blush nor shame. I will be picking them up at Paddington on Saturday (a day early, mark you, in case of any problems – how practical am I?) and all will be well. Holidays!! Currently I am trying to work out how many books I can take. Normally, of course, I’d take a dozen or so, but I am hampered these days by having to take the tiny tiny shiny laptop, phone, MP3 player, and, more to the point, all their respective chargers and cables etc. So, what with them and some clean knickers, I’ll be lucky to have space for any books. Ho hum. I will think of something.

In other news, my black nail varnish is chipping and I didn’t have time (OK, whatevs, I forgot) to do it last night. I look like a Gothy tramp. Must remember to do that this evening.

So, I’ve been watching some original series Star Trek (always a treat). I watched Amok Time and heard, for what would have been the first time ever, the magic words ‘pon far’. Little did the random bloke who came up with this meaningless collection of letters imagine the impact it would have on fandom, I’m sure. However, I was telling Emma and Katie about that particular episode on the train home last night, and about T’Pring challenging etc, and Spock giving her to Stonn, and Katie remarked upon the total gender fail! in the concept.

Which leads me to a fic rec. Or, rather, an author rec. Pat Foley has a series of Amanda/Sarek-centric fic on her ffnet page and her own fic page (link on the ffnet page). I read these stories quite a long time ago, and have been re-reading them in light of my renewed Star Trek love. They look at Sarek and Amanda’s relationship, their relationships with Spock, T’Pau, the rest of Vulcan society, and the press, amongst others. It’s not always easy reading, because the author really highlights the point that although, as Human and Vulcan, Amanda and Sarek have a lot in common, and are happy in their marriage, there are massive differences in their cultural backgrounds and cultural understanding that cause huge problems, chief of which is how husband and wife interact, and how a wife should submit to her husband. The idea that, due to biological imperatives, a Vulcan wife must be submissive, or at least passive, with regard to her husband, is interestingly explored, particularly because that is so contrary to Amanda’s character and background. I would really, really recommend all her fic, but please note that while some of it is normal gen, even a bit fluffy, some of it could be a bit distressing in terms of sexual themes. But yes, very good, and really fleshes out Vulcan society and characters. Ace work. (Also, she has an indulgently good H/C story where Spock turns into a kid and McCoy has to look after him. Spock joins the Pony Club!!)

CBB Summer Frolick

However, enough of such fol-de-rol! Frolick time! CBB peeps who haven’t been on the board, the Summer Frolick this year is taking place on 22 August in Derbyshire and it’s going to be AWESOME. Maybe even AWESOME SQUARED. The programme and venue details are in the Gathering forum, so bop along. To the forum. But to the Frolick, too. Frolick FTW!