| Just sayin' |
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| 10:09am 25/05/2012 |
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Lia has the best crackpot crossover theories about what happened to Sapphire and Steel and how it relates to Doctor Who.
I LOVE THEM. |
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Read 3 - Post |
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| Tonight's reading |
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| 07:16pm 23/05/2012 |
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I'm finally going to read On The Beach. I've read two books by Nevil Shute before: Kindling and The Legacy (a.k.a. A Town Like Alice. My overwhelming impression could be summed up as "strong women" and "economics porn". These days, having heard of Ayn Rand a little, I would add "what Rand would have written if she cared about other people". Because the heroes are brilliant and perfect and unbelievable but, you know, socially conscious. I haven't a clue how the hell that will extend to a post-apocalyptic story. Let's do this thing. |
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Read 6 - Post |
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| Eclipse pictures |
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| 07:01pm 20/05/2012 |
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These are all indirect since I have no special equipment. I really like the lens flare one though.
 
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Read 1 - Post |
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| The Lingering Feminist Issue |
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| 11:17am 20/05/2012 |
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mood:  Really wanted to just hit him
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I was going to write a long and eloquent post about this but sometimes simpler is better.
Being a reasonably attractive female is a pain.
Last night, I told off a stranger for smoking in Embarcadero Station. He stood there, holding his still lit cigarette for a couple minutes while I told him to put it out and his friend said, patronizingly, "I apologize for my friend," as if he didn't mean to apologize at all. When I pointed out that he still hadn't put out the cigarette, the guy gave an insincere apology himself and dropped it, without putting it out. So I stamped it out with my foot.
You would think that would make me at least a little unattractive to him. But he came over a few minutes later and sat next to me. With breath even more scented by beer than the cigarette, he insisted on talking to me even though I was clearly more interested in my computer, to the point that he commented on it and I suggested that that meant he should stop talking to me. He said he was trying to apologize, and attempted to put an arm around my shoulders, at which I pointedly scooted away. He only wanted to talk to me, he said, and that shouldn't be a problem even if I was way more educated than he was (at this point, all he had to go on was his own imagination. He overestimated my education level and suggested I was like Sheldon. I laughed and almost felt flattered, and told him he was wrong. Then he asked what I studied in college and I said physics and he felt vindicated in his judgement. What I wish I had said was "That doesn't make you a male version of Penny, mister." Next time.) He kept guessing things about me and I kept telling him he was wrong. When the train arrived he said we could keep talking on the train, so I made sure to go down to the next door to get on.
I went to the other end of the car and picked a seat where guy and friend would have to sit next to someone else if they wanted to sit near me. All the same, guy came over after five minutes. I reminded him that I wasn't interested, and he asked in beer drenched breath if he could just sit there in peace. I said, in a clipped manner, yes, if he could leave me alone that was fine. Which he did for five minutes.
And then someone in one of the other seats got off the train and friend came over and started laughing at him for striking out. He tried to strike up conversation again, and I reminded him that I had already refused, and his friend continued to laugh at how completely I was shutting the guy out.
And then he tried a variety of insults, starting with the Sheldon thing again and ranging to suggestions that I had never had fun in my life like him and that my parents never paid attention to me. I couldn't focus on my writing and I had a headache from sunburn and I was tired, so I'm afraid I lost my temper.
I raised my voice. I stood over him and stared right in his eyes and told him precisely what I think of men who don't know how to take no for an answer. And I moved to the other end of the train car, and listened to him and his friend laughing with another group of people they'd struck up conversation with and wondered who won.
This is not okay, and drunkenness is not an excuse for such behavior. But everyone who reads this journal already knows that. |
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Read 3 - Post |
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| hee hee hee |
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| 04:59pm 19/05/2012 |
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Well hello ubiquitous spiral staircase. I didn't expect to see YOU here.
I kind of really wanted to be wearing a suit the moment I saw this thing. |
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| Fireboat Ride Along |
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| 04:19pm 19/05/2012 |
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Oh man, it was so cool everybody! My cheeks hurt and I can't stop grinning.
We rode out past all the touristy piers and waved at people. Then we went around Alcatraz (one of the firemen pointed out to me where their firestation had been.) Passed a lot of ferries and cruise liners and such, and I waved at people again. When we came in, just for fun, we went over to the ballpark to wave at people there too. The crowd sounded like they were having fun.
I just couldn't help thinking to myself "I am doing a cooler thing than any of you, and it was last minute and free!" Oh man.
They told us stories of the Phoenix and of the fire station and when we were out on the water we got to just talk to the firemen. One of them was getting his first ride on the fireboat in 12 years on the force, and was taking pictures along with the rest. (Oh yes, there are pictures. I took SO MANY pictures.)
And they gave us a tour of the boat's engine room when we came into dock! It was wonderfully warm after having been on the bay. They have three engines, all of which can pump water, two of which can also run the propellers.
Aaah, mind is sort of jumpy and distracted cause I am in just too good of a mood. EEeeeeEE! Hee hee hee hee hee. |
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| It is already an awesome day |
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| 02:03pm 19/05/2012 |
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I am at the fireboat house. All we have done so far is sign release forms (they accidentally gave a couple guys children's permission slips instead, ha) and he's giving us lectures and THIS IS BRILLIANT! Oh man I love the Obscura Society. They have the last spiral staircase in a fire house in the city. They have beautiful old desks with an incongruous plasma tv over them. Ah, time to board the fireboat! Eeeeeeeee! |
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| More fannish stuff |
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| 10:31pm 17/05/2012 |
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While reading a story in The Kuryakin File, I came across this: "the town of Walnut Creek, nestled at the foot of a looming dark mountain" Huh. Mount Diablo has never struck me as especially dark or looming. I mean, I suppose the vegetation does darken it somewhat, but mostly I just think it looks like one of the hills had a growth spurt. And the lady's house could totally be where Matt Dixon used to live. Except that part of Walnut Creek isn't exactly nestled againt the mountain. But I'm having trouble thinking of any parts within a couple blocks of restaurants that ARE. Hahaha, taking stories too literally.
*********** A few days ago on Channel D someone suggested Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk for Napoleon and Illya. It seems so wrong, and yet..... Well, suffice to say I could imagine it and it gave me an idea for a funny scene. And then I thought it would be extra funny if there was a cameo of NPH and Felicia Day as Mark Slate and April Dancer. Which would cause much jubilation from Whedon fandom. But that would probably mean Whedon would be involved. And that would mean he would be severely tempted to kill Wash again. Except this time it wouldn't be Wash but another dearly beloved character being played by the same actor. Or maybe he'd just settle for Penny again. So there go my happy thoughts of THAT dream team. Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. |
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| ... |
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| 07:12pm 16/05/2012 |
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Someone on tumblr posted a gif of Ducky walking along the beach that looked so very much like the Second Doctor and that made me think about The War Games and now I'm sad too darnit.
*sniffles*
Mean old Time Lords. |
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| Fannish stuff |
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| 12:31pm 16/05/2012 |
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I got my copy of The Kuryakin File last night and eagerly started to page through it even though it was late and I needed to get to bed. I was delighted to discover my story was placed at the very front. A nice, rather brooding little drawing of Illya was included at its end, which I took a moment to admire... and then realized that the large image border had masked the last few lines of my story. So I had a good laugh about the perils of formatting and sent Lisa Madden an email to let her know about the printing error.
*********
Judging by the state of the internet over its season finale, perhaps it is lucky that I do not watch NCIS. On the other hand, I watch Doctor Who and they do that sort of thing to their main characters all the time. So I must guiltily admit a little bit of amusement as people reassure themselves that Ducky won't actually die because of the contract and spoilers for next season. Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone. |
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| *sigh* |
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| 10:05am 14/05/2012 |
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I know it wasn't around for long, but I'm going to miss Krosp's hat. |
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Read 1 - Post |
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| I swear I didn't plan ANY of this. It just happened. |
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| 10:15am 13/05/2012 |
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I woke up this morning thinking of Illya complaining about Napoleon to a fellow agent. It became a married female agent based heavily on my sister Victoria (who is terrifying when she needs to be), and when I realized that I was basically turning April into Lisa Rogers, I figured I ought to just make it Lisa Rogers.
And the rest just sort of... *shakes head and laughs* I didn't even realize that it's Mother's Day until just now.
I'm really enjoying it, honestly.
( Work in Progress ) |
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| Last night's story |
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| 08:15pm 11/05/2012 |
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Writing circle started late and ran late last night, but I had this story bouncing around my head from the night before.
I had been walking home, and picked a rose, and thought of Beauty and the Beast and of the Santa Clara rose gardens.
( Mission Roses ) |
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| The perils of Facebook |
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| 01:55pm 10/05/2012 |
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...
Andy dressed up as captain America
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It was bound to happen eventually
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>.>
...
Um. |
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| You know you love your job when... |
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| 03:45pm 09/05/2012 |
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I keep accidentally trying to leave before my students pay me.
"Hey wait!" *student digs frantically into wallet*
It's always an awkward moment. And delightful. |
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| No Fair |
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| 11:57am 09/05/2012 |
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I was minding my own business, going to the library to hang out for a few hours before meeting my first student of the day.
*BAM* Library book sale.
I put back SO MANY books, you guys. But resistance is futile. Here's the list:
Scenes From the Bathhouse and other stories of Communist Russia by Mikhail Zoshchenko
The Bat-Poet by Randall Jarrell, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Hopes and Impediments by Chinua Achebe
Men and Women by Robert Browning (needs some mending which will be simple enough)
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
The Complete Works of Tacticus
Of the Nature of Things by Lucretius (I know nothing about it, it just looks cool) |
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Read 5 - Post |
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| Counterpoint |
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| 03:44pm 08/05/2012 |
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In light of my earlier story of being followed, an incident of a few minutes ago is more troubling than it might have been.
The circumstances were different. It is bright sunny day today, the place was San Jose by the Cupertino border and the path I just followed the only way from one side of the freeway to the other without detouring in a no-trespassing area (which I frequently choose, actually.) And while I noticed the young man near me at the very beginning, he never made me nervous.
Shortly after the freeway I noticed he was close behind me again, but as I said, bright day and only way past the freeway: no triggers there. And yet when I turned my head to check that is was safe to cross the street, he suddenly burst out with "I'm not following you!"
I blinked, and replied with some dismay, "Oh God, no I didn't think that."
The young man was visibly Latino and wearing a sleeveless shirt. He looked a bit like a stereotype of a gang member. I suddenly remembered that when I told a neighbor the incident in Castro Valley, not having given any indicator of race beyond that the guy had tried to pretend he didn't speak English and yet had a clear American accent, the neighbor had said "Mexican, right?" Looking at this young man, I felt awful for him, because the only reason I had given him for thinking I was alarmed was standing in front of him and turning my head vaguely in his direction.
He started to stumble over reassurances and I just interrupted him with "Oh no. No, I... I'm sure people judge you that way all the time, but not this time."
Stereotypes are what people use when they don't have reliable judgement or instincts. I wish I could make things easier for young men whose appearance alone is a trigger. |
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| I don't even know. |
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| 02:48pm 07/05/2012 |
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I just had one of those "Did I really just DO that?" moments.
There was a very pretty guy on the bus. On a whim, I decided to tell him so.
I got out a piece of paper, wrote "You really are a very handsome young man" on it, and included my first name and email address.
And then I noticed the text book he was reading. So I added a bit.
"P.S. Ooh, linear algebra!
[a conjugates
about joke]
...that doesn't really work, does it? oh well."
- for the unenlightened, the bit in brackets comes out to (a joke) - (about conjugates), which is only a problem because of the minus sign. I probably should have gone for "- about"
ANYWAY
And then I handed the note to him.
Boy: "Is this for somebody else?"
Me: *shakes head, smiles, turns away*
Boy: *reads note, turns back to me and smiles* "Thank you!" *goes back to reading his math book*
...so that was probably fortunate. I really suck at this "I'm not planning to really date anyone if I can help it" thing. Ha ha ha, so silly. |
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mayamaia's journal