Happy new year everyone! May it be beautiful and fulfilling for you all. I pray that you all are blessed.

I rung in the new year with one set of my in-laws to be, watching the chaotic wonder of Jools Holland's annual Hootnanny. We all snacked gloriously and Anthony's Mum let the old year out the back door and the new year in the front. A nice idea. I may try to do that in the future. Anyway, it was a lovely low-key way to finish off one decade and usher in another.

Anthony and I went into Bath yesterday, took a bracing open-top bus tour and then hit the shops for the sales. Anthony got The Seeds of Death - a Patrick Troughton Doctor Who episode - and Something, Something Dark Side, the Family Guy riff of The Empire Strikes Back. I got St Trinian's, the only one of my 'films I want to buy on DVD 'cause I love and watch them so many times' that I could find. I was close to buying a copy of The Muppets Christmas Carol but I know the DVD hasn't got the 'When Love is Gone' scene in which upsets me. So I'm holding out for when maybe its released with that song intact. Also considered The Dark is Rising as its got Christopher Eccleston in and looks like the sort of film that makes for great fanfic. Must see GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra for the same reason.

So I've had some time to think and I might be able to now put into words my thoughts on the latest and almost last Russell T Davies Doctor Who effort.
( Spoilers for The End of Time Part 1 )

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.

Title: Axis
Fandom: Supernatural
Characters: Castiel, Dean Winchester (pre-slash)
Disclaimer: It's all Eric Kripke and The CW
Rating: PG
Summary: Castiel looks for God. He finds his feet and something more instead.
Author Notes: My first Supernatural fic! Scary times. Huge thanks to Claire for beta-work and constant encouragement and to Star, whose own work never stops inspiring me to reach out and try!


( Even though he knows the pendant is not growing hot, that he has not found God, he is sure that, sometimes, he can feel it burning. )

Another November wrestling show on Friday! I was sad that I didn't get to see Frankie or Robbie, but recently a very loved English wrestling promoter died and so lots of the boys were at the funeral. We did get to see some incredible work though - there's some awesome young wrestlers with astonishing moves. And Anthony got to see Mikey Whiplash, his favourite, who is now a face. No idea when that happened. And we had front row seats in a different area which was very cool. We had a picnicy dinner as we waited for the show to start. It was just a lovely evening.

Edward Woodward 1930 - 2009
A terrific actor who mastered the art of coiled rage. He will never be forgotten thanks to his lead role in the cult horror film, The Wicker Man, and as the title characters in TV classics Callan and The Equalizer. I will love him forever for his Harry Malone on short-lived show CI5: The New Professionals. He died peacefully in Cornwall surrounded by friends and family.

Tribute to Edward Woodward by Edgar Wright - who directed him in Hot Fuzz. Truly heartfelt and lovely.

My laptop mousepad refuses to respond so I'm forced to use a normal mouse all plugged in. I am scrambling to find someone to fix it. Maybe Jon's housemate who has so much computery knowledge?

Spent the past weekend in Cornwall with the parentals and went to see White Christmas at the theate. It's a wonderful traditional musical, adapted well from the awesome film. And they made it snow indoors! I was delighted. Go and see it people, either in Plymouth or when it moves to Salford soon. A great way to get into the festive spirit.

A happy Halloween to all who celebrated. I stayed in, lit a candle, and watched The Crow. As is my tradition. I try not to watch it too often, I don't want it to lose its power, you know? And the closing narration made me cry, as always:

"When the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever"

Continuing the Halloween theme:
Rama Lama - the infamous Emmy-winning routine from So You Think You Can Dance? season 2. Creepifying and perfect. Seems like the right mood.

I have discovered White Collar, thanks to a positive review from marcicat . It's a delightful show, with great charm and wonderful interesting characters and fun twisty plots. And Matthew Bomer is wonderful, as he was in Chuck. Seriously, check it out.
My favourite White Collar fic so far is: Kate, Short for Kevin by moonythestrals
Barty is getting sicker. He is at the vets, possibly suffering from anemia. He hasn't been eating and looks miserable, sitting in his cage as he heals. I am worried.

A couple of nights ago, Anthony showed up, soaked to the skin, and with pink roses for me. It made me go all giggly. For someone so passionate about what's wrong with the world, he's also incredibly sweet. We watched more of The Ultimate Fighter Series 1 and lamented The Daily Show with Jon Stewart not being on. Yay, Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz fight next month.

I may be close to finishing my first attempt at a Supernatural fic. I just wanna be sure I've done the characters justice. I'm gonna send it off for betating. Also almost done with a Dom/Fran Jungle Fury fic I've been fiddling with for a while. Fingers crossed.

The weather is cold and crisp and smells like winter. Smelling bonfires makes me think of Grandpa and Millstream. So it's all of the good. Chrismas is coming :)

The autumn season of TV has begun in earnest, which leaves me cramming in hours of awesome new episodes and being grateful for a very tolerant fiance! Supernatural's new series is giving me much joy so I thought I'd share it:

( spoilery spoilers for 5x01 & 5x02 and speculation )

And for your edification and delight, one of the best Supernatural fics I've read:
A Wincest Story by trinityofone Dean/Castiel, Sam, futurefic