meitachi: (Default)
★mei ([personal profile] meitachi) wrote2010-06-10 06:21 pm

some recs and some TMI

# Awesome Bonamana drum cover is awesome

# The Spoon Theory - If you click on nothing else in this post, please click on this. 2 pages to make you think.

# Top Chef Masters' finale last night thrilled me.
I really was so torn about who I wanted to win because they were all so talented. I loved that they were all friends and clearly respected and admired each other; very professional with none of the stupid drama that happens on the regular Top Chef. I also love that they were battling it out to win money for charity, because that makes me even more happy to root for them. So I am pretty pumped that Marcus won because, dude, he's young, he specializes in world cuisine, he had an amazing journey and story, and he had a great cause to fight for. But I'm also really glad Susur Lee made it up there because, hey, Asian solidarity, right? His story made me wibble a bit too. And Rick - less childhood struggles, I think, but very very impressed with the way he cooks and the way he challenged himself to step outside of his seafood comfort zone. Awesome all around. :)

# The Wonder Girls/2AM concert in STL in July was just cancelled and I am more disappointed than I expected considering that it was my ex who suggested we go (with a group of others), since I had no idea they were even coming. I confess: I know and care very little about 2AM but Wonder Girls. A chance to see Sunye live! :( And I've heard sweet things about Sohee-in-person and I love Ye-eun and now I am :(! On the other hand, Adam Lambert is in town in early August. Hmm.

# SPN is being turned into an anime; I know you've all heard about it but I will reiterate it anyway. At fist I didn't know how to feel about it, then I was horrified, and now I am just loling imagining how exponentially batshit the fandom will be afterwards. Samu to Deen wa CHO KAWAII desu! ^__^ THEY ARE SO BISHIE.
[Supernatural the Animation] will be a 22-episode season that will cover the storyline of the live-action version's first two seasons.

The anime project will not only remake the best episodes from the live-action version, but also depict original episodes not seen in the live-action version. Those original episodes will include prologues of the Winchester brothers' childhood, anime-only enemies, and episodes featuring secondary characters from the live-action version.

(some links)


Also:
(11:44:07 AM) meiface: oh god i have forgotten all my fangirly japanese ):
(11:45:00 AM) meiface: i'm trying to think of the japanese for "very" as in "very cute" and i keep thinking in Korean. ;__; jinjja kawaii. yay for mixing languages


# Today I bought a miniature coffeemaker (it brews 5 cups, is digital and programmable, and IS ADORABLE). It has brought me much caffeinated joy. Everyone should celebrate with me.

# And now 2 fic recs from [livejournal.com profile] spn_j2_bigbang. They are predictably Sam/Dean and and J2. [livejournal.com profile] 2naonh3_cl2 questions why we are even fandom friends (she ships the blasphemous gay pairing rather than the fraternally incestuous gay pairing :3). I don't know either: she spent the afternoon reading Pillar Pair. I was stunned and appalled and told her righteously that Tezuka has all the emotional passion of a brick wall trying very passionately to obstruct the way or hold up a roof!

Actually, no, because I am really not at all emotionally invested in ship wars from a fandom long past, but I was amused.

So these are my 2 recs!
Supercross by [livejournal.com profile] lazy_daze
Sam/Dean | AU | NC-17 | 51k
Summary: Set in a world where competitive team stunt biking shows – explosive entertainment performances full of tricks, talent, fireworks and music – dominate the world of freestyle motocross biking, this story follows Sam and Dean Winchester as they deal with their lives, bikes, flips, tricks – and love.

Orphaned as kids when their father crash-lands a double backflip attempt, Sam and Dean grow up as part of his stunt team Winchester's Hunters; adopted by the group as family and rising to be the best two riders on the team, they grow up in this isolated world, where there is nothing more important in the boys' lives than biking and each other.

Two things loom on the horizon to threaten Dean's perfect little world: the new stunt team rising on the scene threatening his team's chances at the ultimate competition; and the strange new crippling tension between him and his brother that threatens to change – or even ruin – everything he holds dear.

Reaction: First, because it is the first thing that will strike you: FUCKING BREATHTAKINGLY GORGEOUS ART. Even if you do not read this or ship this all, CLICK THE LINK TO SEE THE ART. Omfg.

Okay, next: Sam/Dean AUs are usually not at all my thing, but I was intrigued by the premise and I trusted [livejournal.com profile] lazy_daze to do a good job. I love AUs! So, um, this was totally and completely worth it. It wasn't hard at all to get into the universe and there was a wee bit of infodumping/worldbuilding at the beginning, but it smooths out as the story progresses. It's very engaging and actually got me excited about the competitions.

The Sam/Dean is a little too easy in my opinion but since it's sharing the spotlight with the world and the plot, I don't mind that it's not a front and center Dramatic Piece About Why I'm Fucking My Brother, Part XI. [livejournal.com profile] lazy_daze manages to work in enough doubt and Dean headspace to keep it mostly credible. There's also a very strong family dynamic built up with the team and solid OCs that are very much individuals but don't overshadow the main plot points (i.e., the competitions and the SamandDean). Also, the sex is hot, but not even the big draw for me here. It's the worldbuilding and the plot and, omg, the outrageously good art.


In Becoming Who We Are by [livejournal.com profile] elizah_jane
JA/JDM, J2 | AU | NC-17 | 82k
Summary: Fresh out of school with a degree from the University of Washington, Jensen meets and falls for Jeff Morgan. He may not know what he wants to do with his life, but for the first time since leaving Texas, he feels like things are coming together. Jeff seems like the perfect guy, right up until it all falls apart, and Jensen is left wondering where he went wrong.

A couple failed relationships and a few years later, Jensen's decided that one-night stands are preferable to dates. He's got his friends and his roommate, Sophia, for everything non-sex related, after all. Until Sophia decides to move in with her boyfriend and Jensen's stuck trying to find a new roommate. At Sophia's insistence, Jensen meets Jared Padalecki and the two become fast friends. Only, the more they get to know each other, the more obvious it is that there's something there. But Jensen is unwilling to risk losing Jared's friendship for the possibility of more. Unfortunately, if he doesn't get things figured out, he might lose Jared anyway.

Reaction: (Basically c/p-ed from my stupidly long essay-length comment - yes, guys, I FUCKING DELURKED AND LEFT A THESIS BECAUSE THIS FIC WAS THAT DESERVING OF IT. Think of that what you will.)

I was immediately turned off at the beginning because Jensen/JDM is so much Not My Thing, but I gave it a shot because I know I've enjoyed the author before and I am a total sucker for lengthy fic (over 80k, unf).

So I admit I did sort of make faces at Part I. Uh see here:
(2:10:53 PM) meiface: oh my god jensen/jdm sex scene oh my god WHERE IS MY COFFFE
(2:10:59 PM) meiface: SKIMS URGENTLY


BUT I kept going because [livejournal.com profile] elizah_jane told a wonderful story. Her writing was engaging, her Misha and Clare were hilarious, and she even had me buying into the JA/JDM romance (with reserve haha). But once I hit Part II, I was practically curling my toes with glee because I knew I was committed and I knew that the fic would deliver. It so absolutely did. :D

[NB: If JA/JDM is really really really not your thing, you should be able to skip directly to Part II (i.e., 4/9) and just read the J2 bits, but I think it's a more emotionally fulfilling fic overall if you read the beginning too because you can actually see how Jensen's changed/grown.]

The ease of the friendship between Jensen and Jared made me so happy - to the point where I think I would've even been okay if they hadn't ended up together! Blasphemy, I know. But even though I as a reader knew what the author was doing with the conflict and crossed wires, it was such a fun and emotional ride to see them slowly figure it out. (I love the rom com storyline, I admit it. It's emotionally satisfying for me when done well and it was done really well here.)

I also wanna say that the fic really, really hit a believability kink for me when Jensen was jealous but not being a total douchebag about it. I am weird about how jealousy is handled in fics a lot of times because while it can be hot, often it just makes me uncomfortable because the author's actually unintentionally showing how much the two guys don't trust each other or don't actually want the best for each other despite the "of course they're meant to be!" brush the fic is supposed to be painted with. So I'm very, very happy that was handled so well.

Um, the UST was scorching and a lot of times I'm bored by the time the actual sex happens, but not in this case. By the end of this fic I actually was curling my toes in glee because the fic progresses past Jared and Jensen getting together and does the work of showing us that they were really good together beyond just the sex.

Also, the fic did not drag on at any point because the pacing was pitch-perfect, imo, and flew by. This is going to be one of my favorite J2 fics of all time. ♥!


SO THE TMI GOES HERE:

fuck, that left me shivery and emotionally satisfied. like how i think amazing sex is supposed to feel like? no cuddles afterwards though D:

but worth it 110%. my standard's been raised: i will expect amazing sex to top this this feeling or it will not qualify as amazing.




...I think that is a ringing endorsement, right?

/wraps up post, mops up after self.

[identity profile] emeraldcrystal.livejournal.com 2010-06-10 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL OMG YOU HAVE MADE ME TERRIFIED FOR THE FATE OF THE SPN FANDOM. At first I had only thought, "Oh, they're going to be cute *_*," but now I'm as horrified as you.

YESSS RECS. Thanks! asdflj the JA/JDM will be hard to read through... :x

I just read The Spoon Theory. That's a very very good analogy. Thanks for sharing. :]
Edited 2010-06-10 23:55 (UTC)

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
It will be batshit but funny to observe from a distance, I've decided. I plan to observe from a very faraway distance.

Get through it and I promise it is well worth it! Part I really helps establish Misha as a character, too. Or if you try and find that it is very difficult, it is okay to skip to Part II. So long as you read it. /bias

I like sharing things I have learned in hopes that more people will also learn. :)

[identity profile] celerywench.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
♥ILU

I read the Spoons Theory link and totally cried ;~; But it was a good, stop taking your life for granted and get off your fat ass bitch look at what others have to go through!, kind of cry. (Like when I read the Chinese paper about a girl who was poor and blind and suffered in her life and got into Harvard and was successful and I was like ...damn. i suck.)

Also! For the rec because !!!! ♥ IDKY but I totally have a thing for great relationships that dont work out - more realistic imo- and an author showing that part while also moving towards the right relationship, but slowly because you do get a little bit broken everytime a relationship ends, in a drawn out, UST, friendship strong way is soooo what I'm looking for ♥

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. It's good to be reminded of what we have and not take it for granted. :) ♥

Also yay, I'm glad you are not turned off by the JA/JDM. That should make reading it even more awesome for you. :D I think you're right about how it can strengthen the main pairing and if it were original fiction I think I'd support it even more - hell, I do support it, in theory. It's just JA/JDM in particular that squicks me a bit, lol. I wouldn't have minded JA/Tom or JA/Dannel or any range of other pairings. I think it might be the age gap, honestly. Apparently I'm okay with fictional incest but fictional age gaps are less okay, I don't know. I don't try to understand my squicks, lol.

[identity profile] celerywench.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
LOL I think I'm just really desensitized to age gaps so long as both parties are far over the age of consent. 22-34 doesnt bother me because ngl I wouldn't mind myself a sexy 34 yr old ;P (I mean by then he's already established in his career and life and there is no worry that he's going to be a flake in that regard)

I just finished the fic and OH MY GOD. SO FUCKING GOOD. OMG. ♥ This is exactly what I wanted 8D Glorious glorious UST and I totally teared up at the scene with Jeff and the park because D; JENSEEEEN. and Jared being such a good (pretend)boyfriend!

& I am totally imagining a side story where Kristin is bffs with Zach and his bf Chris because there should be no world in which Kristin & Zach arent bffs ok!

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-12 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
:DDD yay I'm gald you loved the fic. /piles more love on it. I am totally going to reread it either today or tomorrow just because.

lol you are your pinto fixation. It's awesome. Are KBell and ZQuinto friends irl? I now they were on Heroes together but that's about it.

[identity profile] celerywench.livejournal.com 2010-06-12 12:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh man I totally want to reread it again too ♥ mostly because I dont want to do work xD but also cuz ITS SO GOOOOOOD.

Yes! Totally bffs. They've been friends for like 10 years or something - Zach is actually how Kristen got the Heroes gig~ (They sing Spring Awakening and other musicals in the car on the way to/from work apparently ♥)

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-14 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Oooh I didn't know they were such close friends. That's cute. :D I still say you can link J2 to Pinto via Kbell, even if she wasn't on SPN. They totally know her!

[identity profile] celerywench.livejournal.com 2010-06-14 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
Wait they do @_@? How? The only tie in I can think of them being on the same network and/or being at Comic Con at the same time but I'm not actually sure if that's true lol

*HEECHUUUUULSMOOOOSHES*

[identity profile] peachpastiche.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
w/e I am totally excited about SPN anime ok

and yes, spoon theory is really excellent and something I wish more people knew about.

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
I'm excited! I am prepared to laugh and be entertained. :D Not in all bad ways either.

I want to link the spoon theory to everyone I know. I might do that.

[identity profile] peachpastiche.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
I'm kind of excited they have the Liar Game writer on board!

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Hm I have not seen Liar Game. Anime/manga?

[identity profile] peachpastiche.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, the writer is the one for the drama, and that's the only one I've seen, but I've heard the manga is good as well! I don't think there's an anime, not sure.

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-12 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Oooh it was a drama/manga? What was it about? I should look this up but I am lazy.

[identity profile] peachpastiche.livejournal.com 2010-06-12 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
It's kind of weird! It's about this "game" in which people are forced to participate to win huge sums of money, but the rules are super complicated and creepy, and it's really sinister and stuff idk I don't explain well! And the story is about this really naive girl who gets caught up in it and has to play, and this good looking ex-con man who helps her out. In the drama, it's Toda Erika and Matsuda Shota! It actually ran for 2 seasons and there was a movie that just came out to tie up the finale :3
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
LOL oh I am totally ready to watch the anime and be entertained. :D As for fic, I already depend on quality recs to pick through that ginormous fandom, so hopefully I will not encounter badfic with SUPAA SEKUSHII Winchester brothers in it. Or so I will continue hoping.

(Avoid spoilers but definitely watch! The last 2 episodes made me really happy.)
(deleted comment)

Re: spn anime

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Apparently SPN is very popular in Japan! I didn't know this.
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
;~; I know. ♥

[identity profile] sharona1x2.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
I can't wait to see SPN as an anime. Having Madhouse do it means it's got a decent chance of being good.

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 12:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm definitely excited to see how the anime will turn out! The fandom I am a little more unsure about, but either way it should be entertaining. :)

[identity profile] pregnantcigar.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
82k!! that's gonna take up my whole night... but TGIF! \o/

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-11 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
It actually reads really fast, imo. Didn't feel like it dragged on at all. :D I hope you enjoy~ If I weren't being dragged out for food, I would totally spend tonight rereading. 8D

[identity profile] loveslipped.livejournal.com 2010-06-15 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much for posting the spoon theory ♥

My mom had lupus and I never fully understood the disease. Now I finally understand what she went through.

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-15 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm really sorry for what she (and your family) suffered. The spoon theory has really opened my eyes about what little things I take for granted every day, and I just want to give as many other people as I can the same opportunity.

[identity profile] loveslipped.livejournal.com 2010-06-15 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)


It's definitely opened up my eyes too and now I want to share it with as many people as I can.

[identity profile] meiface.livejournal.com 2010-06-15 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Whenever I find something interesting, funny, or educational, I always go around linking it to everyone I know, haha. On the one hand, I'm afraid I'm obnoxious - but on the other hand, they might learn something or get a laugh too so. :)