I have finally emerged from the glorious goodness of Kung-Fu: The Legend Continues. Since David Carradine's death in June, I have been making my way through all four series of the show and loving every minute of it. It's an action cop show, yet is also a study and exploration of spirituality, of how we live our lives. It's full of questions and challenges and it's pretty stunning. Also I adore the cast of reoccurring characters. Kermit Griffin is my favourite - ex-mercenary with a very mysterious past, possibly has a son, and never takes off his dark green sunglasses. If this show had come out after fandom exploded, it would be HUGE and Kermit would be everyone's favourite to fanfic. But the others are all so good too. There's so many to write about and explore. This quote made me cry in the final episode. It's poignant, especially after Carradine's death:

Peter: (to his precinct colleagues) When I was a very young boy, my father came and told me that my mother had died. I ran to the pond to look for her reflection standing over me. But it wasn't there and I learned to swim alone. As a cop, whenever I was in danger, I'd look for a reflection and I'd always see one or all of you standing behind me and that gave me the courage to go on. I'll be around, but if you ever need somebody, look for my reflection.

I urge you, look this show up on hulu or youtube. All the episode are there and they are made to be enjoyed. I cannot recommend this show enough, really I can't. Also a young David Hewlett is in the reoccurring cast and is a delight.

Fave fics I've found so far:
A Day in the Life - a day of Paul Blaisdell's life and all he faces as Captain of the 101st Precinct and Peter's foster father. Captures the squad room so perfectly.
Promises to Keep - another dragonswing is formed, with Kermit and Peter looking to rescue Blaisdell. Intense and really nails the feel of the show, especially the dragonswing episodes.

Caine: Try to think of tonight as its own remembrance.
Peter: Why?
Caine: Because it is all that separates us from tomorrow.

This is a Month of Lust for me.

Firstly, I've been getting into UFC more and more thanks to Anthony's mad love for it and since I got into wrestling over a decade ago, I have adored tough guys with muscles and tattoos. We're making our way through Anthony's growing PPV on DVD collection. I'm reading Chuck Liddell's autobiography (I recommend Tito Ortiz's too). And this week marked the beginning of the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter. So I am up to my eyeballs in my fantasy type of man. Makes me all kinds of breathless and impressed.

Also I admit it, America's Next Top Model is one of my guilty pleasure favourites. And I have a girl crush on Tyra Banks. It's not just 'cause she's all sleek deep hotness, it's because she's goofy and silly with it. She makes me laugh and I admire how much she's accomplished - yes, she modelled, but she's not just a model. So as the latest cycle started recently, I am a happy woman with weekly doses of Tyra to moon over.

It's a good month.

Our weekend in Coventry didn't start out brilliantly - my bank card disappeared, meaning I couldn't pick my tickets up at the station so Anthony had to buy me a pair. Then he couldn't find the codes to retrieve his own reserved tickets, he did find them, and then our train was 45 minutes late which got him really het up. I cancelled my card and ordered a new one so that's all good. A pretty awful way to start a weekend away though.

The weekend itself was wonderful. I got to meet the last of Anthony's really close friends, Stu and Kerry who are marrying in June next year. And got to spend time with a couple I'd met before who were all awesomely welcoming and very fun. They're all hockey obsessives so they accept my own obsessive nature totally fine, which is great. And we had a great night out at a pub inside a church spire, all that remains of a bombed church, and Kerry was a wonderfully sweet and happy drunk. However, Stu's snoring could be heard through the walls which made getting to sleep a bit of a challenge.

We've already started planning Christmas - Si is coming home for it and so Anthony and I will be hitting Cornwall for the occasion. So exciting! Mum is quite overcome with the thought of a full house for the festive season as she and Dad were planning on going away. She's utterly thrilled. It's gonna be incredibly emotional and mostly very cool :)

Supernatural gag reel season 4 - a timely reminder of the adorably dorkiness of Jared and Jensen and the sheer geeky awesomeness of the entire cast and crew.

Phantasmagorical! I went out with the parentals, Ali, and Anthony last night to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the theatre and it was so very awesome. A beautiful fun family musical. Gorgeous glorious fun, all the singing and dancing was great, and I kinda fell in love with the Caraticaus Potts and Truly Scrumptious sweet love story. No fanfiction to be found though. Gah. Always the way. I want to come back later this year for Round the Horne and White Christmas. Yep, planning early pays off :)

It is tipping down with rain here, really vicious and soggy. Of course, tonight is when Chris is planning a BBQ. But apparently there are other plans afoot. Good news. It'll be lovely to see everyone before heading back to Soton tomorrow. And yay, Jeremy has emailed me with the news that my laptop is fixed. The part that got damaged is much weaker than before so it'll have to be replaced at some later point I expect. I'm just grateful he's been able to work some of his technological magic on it.

I am overwhelmed by the pure geeky joy that is Star Trek. What a wonderful amazing film. So affirming and like visiting old friends. It just made me smile so big. The Original Series is a huge part of my childhood and I was glad to see them all again. I reccomend it to everyone. The cast were uniformly excellent and I am already looking forward to owning the DVD and seeing the sequel. I have already read a treasure trove of fics for it and can't wait for more. See it, people. Truly beautiful.

Best. Fiance. Ever. He gave me a present today, that he bought yesterday with his first paycheque from his new job. It's a Supernatural novel. He said I've been going on about the show a lot recently and have been reading a lot of fics online so he figured I'd like a book. He knew I wouldn't want the magazine. Another reminder that he gets me so completely and I am very lucky that I have a man as geeky as me and so understanding. He also knows that he is feeding my obsession and doesn't really care :) He may regret that later.

Thoughts on first episode of Law and Order: UK. (not under the cut cos I don't think anything I say can count as spoilery, correct me if I'm wrong).

I was prepared to hate it, as I adore all three Law and Order shows and couldn't imagine them with British actors and setting. But the format and style is the same and it works I think. There's an older detective and young one and their older female boss, a lawyer with a pretty young protege and older wiser boss. It all worked really well I thought. Freema Agyeman was also really good, more grown-up and convincing and I actually warmed to her more than I did in Doctor Who, which is weird cos I adore Martha. I was absolutely pleasantly surprised and shall be watching next week. I recommend it. Get people watching as Dick Wolf, the L&O creator in the States, thinks a spin-off with one of the American shows would be a good idea and I'm totally loving that thought.

I'm in a total Supernatural place right now, making my way through series one as well as keeping up with series four. The show I said I'd never watch cos it was too gross and scary with the monsters. Count me converted, really and truly. Conversely, I'm reading a ton of Jenson/Jared fic which I'm absolutely loving. I love being reminded what talented writers are around in fandom. Aren't we lucky? I really feel abundantly blessed.

I am finally wearing my engagement ring. It has been resized to fit my teeny finger and it feels most odd to be wearing it. It's gonna take some time to get used to it. I just know I'm gonna lose it, I'm so absent-minded. Still, it's very pretty and sparkly and it's nice to have it at last. Anthony took a pic of me wearing it for my Facebook profile as people have been asking about it. It's good to have some proof lol.

I love this song. I've been listening to it almost constantly for a week. It's just a piece of beauty.

I am slightly overwhelmed by the flood of good wishes that have slid my way since the big announcement of my engagement. Thanks guys, for all your kind words and sparkles and great enthusiasm, it's really made me smile. I don't feel grown-up enough for this at all, but I feel that way about every big step in my life so no change there. All we know so far is that we're definitely marrying in Southampton, no ideas on dates yet. I'll keep you posted.

Mum got tearful on the phone when I told her, saying she needed a lie down lol. Dad was cool and calm and very happy and Ali wanted to know what colour her bridesmaid dress is gonna be before I even asked her to be my bridesmaid lol. Anthony's family, both sections, are very pleased about the thing too. Baby Mel, his sister, has been super lovely about it. Also all friends back home in Cornwall have been delightful, it's so touching to recieve such joyful messages from people I've known almost my whole life, and my work buds too. I don't think it'll feel real til I get the ring on my finger properly.

It looks like we're heading to Winchester next month, the day after I get back from London trip with my folks, for the Christ Church Ball. Which means I get to see my Winchester friends before Kate and Lerys wedding on my birthday this year. That day is gonna be chaotic. Poor Anthony's not gonna know what's hit him :)

Most surreal evening ever. Anthony proposed and I said yes. I totally wasn't expecting it, but there we were, in our church cemetery and he was down on one knee and all I was feeling was 'I am not old enough to be engaged!' Then we went out for Pizza Hut, because we were both hungry and love to eat there. The ring is pretty and sparkly and too big for my finger, so we're gonna get it resized next week. I wanted to share with y'all coz you're important people in my life :) Not that many people out here know yet, so it's all rather exciting!

I have a fiance. Weird.