(no subject)

[castalie]

I don't know if there's anything creepier than an empty inbox - all this... blank space, it's freaky. You don't appreciate your 253 mails, 124 fics and ### trivia stuff until they're gone, lost into the void for all eternity [/drama queen]

If some of you want to help me fill said inbox again btw, be my guests! lol

To give me strength before leaving for my exam early this afternoon, I'm watching 408 again. You have to take strength wherever you can, right?

And speaking of which, here a little something after all : Like I said, I only downloaded the episode last night, and during all day yesterday, everywhere I look it was Mikey is such a shit, Mikey is such a hypocrite and so on and so forth. Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with saying stuff like that, but you know how it is, some fans are always more vehement than others, so I'm just talking about a portion of the fanbase, namely the character bashers, who were really vocal yesterday - and not just against Michael, to be fair - then again, when are they not? lol

Anyway, as far as my guy was concerned, I was seriously starting to think he'd done something awful to Brian or Justin, or both. Imagine my surprise when I watched the episode and found out that the only thing he'd done was actually show how much he was scared for his best friend.

I mean sure, Michael got on Justin's case to keep the secret and in the end, he's the one who couldn't keep his mouth shut, but Michael meant well. I really don't think he was deliberately trying to keep Justin out of the way to get near Brian himself. Michael is apparently a pretty emotional being, it's not his fault he couldn't keep the charade. Being a very sensitive gal myself, believe me when I say I really sympathised with him lol

I also think we should consider that Michael just buried his uncle, that his lover is positive and that yes, he may have some difficulties facing the fact that the one man he's counting on always being there with him could die. It's a lot to take, I think. His timing might not have been the best, granted, but I don't think he deserved the abuse I saw through my flist *pets him*

Likewise, I don't see why some people started to get on Justin's case as well - well, no okay, I can see why, I just don't agree *g* Michael sure took more abuse but poor Justin wasn't spared either. Excuse the guy for being scared shitless of losing his lover too *g* Also, he's still surprising me with his maturity. Justin, I love ya, man!

And Ben? Well, sure his reaction was petty, but he's human, and facing a potential failure for yourself while being witness to someone else's success - no matter how much you love them - can be hard to take at first. It doesn't excuse his initial reaction, don't get me wrong, and I was really glad to see Michael tell him, but I can understand where he's coming from. So it was petty and really not smart, but in the end, Ben tried to make amend and to be supportive. He'll come around *g*

I guess one of the things I like in this show - and from what I saw, of course - is how human and flawed the characters are/can be. An uni-dimensional character would bore me to death, and there's nothing uni-dimensional about any of the characters in QAF, for which I'm really grateful *g*

And again, I adored the scene between Ted and Michael. It was so cute! *melts* Ted is a good friend.

And speaking of QAF - Michael - Hal Sparks, greedy_dancer? I found my favourite song of the three; She Waits, definitely *g* Thanks again for the link.

Comments

[madralaoi.livejournal.com]

Empty! :(

*hugs*

(don't mind me today)

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Empty is evil!

*hugs back*

[mark-and-roger.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I totally agree. My favorite character is Michael and this beating he is taking or being HUMAN kills me. There is one scene in late S1 where Michael and Brian are smoking weed in an old movie theater and Michael starts talking about their past and Brian tells him he gets extremely maudlin when he's high. Here they are in S4, smoking weed, and thinking back to the good old days when it was just the two of them against the world. Jeez, how can Michael NOT break down? If Justin's allowed to be upset that his partner may have cancer then Michael should be also allowed to be upset that his best friend of almost 20 years is sick. Sure Michael shouldn't of done it behind Justin's back but it was a mistake which it looks like he'll work to undo next episode.

I also never understood how people take the line Michael says "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you" or something to that extent as being selfish. Selfish? How? It's something that many people say as a way of stressing the importance of someone in their life. Brian knew what he meant which is why he told Michael that he'd be okay. Because he knew that Michael loves him and didn't want him to die or be hurt.

Also have you seen S1 yet? The Ted and Michael scene was so similar to how they used to be before Ted got all messed up in S3. LOVED it.

Hope Ben stops being a jerk soon.

Also to your last comment, She Waits is one of my favorites and then it's S.O.S.

Glad I found your journal!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I don't really get it either-- obviously *g* Nice to know I'm not the only one after all lol

People seemed to really focus on the I don't know what I'd do if I lost you line yes, and I don't see why either. When you hear that kind of news for the first time, you're bound to react with your guts. This thought has to come to mind, I mean, it's not your neighbour who has cancer but your *best* friend-- it's not being selfish, it's being emotional, it's being scared. Being selfish would be to just dismiss the whole thing.

Michael is not selfish, and there's no doubt in my mind that he'll be there with Brian all the way. As would be Justin. They each have an important role in Brian's life, and I don't think one is less important than the other. A best friend isn't any kind of friend. At least, that's how I see it myself.

Also yes, Michael is going to solve the problem he --unwilling-- caused in 409 so let's just chill out for a moment *g* I think Michael is actually pretty supportive of Brian and Justin's relationship. It might not have been the cause at the beginning --I didn't watch the previous seasons yet-- but from what I saw, he's trying to make Brian see that he should lean on Justin as well after all-- or that's what he's going to try and accomplish in the next episode. Good for him, or them all actually. Now, I'm wondering whether people will even appreciate his effort. Poor Mikey *g*

Also have you seen S1 yet? The Ted and Michael scene was so similar to how they used to be before Ted got all messed up in S3. LOVED it.

I didn't watch anything yet. If you go back to around 2 weeks on my LJ, you won't see a single mention of QaF-- as odd as it may sound now lol I'm the newest newbie that ever, huh newbed? *cough* Whatever lol

The show only ever aired on cable here, which I don't have, and I had to find an all region version of the DVDs since they're only released in region1. If everything goes according to plan, I should get the DVDs by the end of next week *crosses fingers*

And if those two acted this way in the early seasons, well that's another thing I'm looking forward to seeing *g*

Also to your last comment, She Waits is one of my favorites and then it's S.O.S.

*nodnod* Love S.O.S too. I was impressed by Hal Sparks the singer. And thrilled too. The man has many talents *g*

Glad I found your journal!

Hey, glad you took the time to pass by. Thanks *g*

[yami-tai.livejournal.com]

If some of you want to help me fill said inbox again btw, be my guests! lol

I am trying ^_^! Good luck with your exam this afternoon!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

I saw, thank you so much *hugs* I knew I could count on you lol

I'll reply later, but I loved the card!! And I'm looking forward to reading the fic you linked too.

[yami-tai.livejournal.com]

And I'm looking forward to reading the fic you linked too.

No worries! It will be interesting to see what you think of it!

[nicci-mac.livejournal.com]

Ooo that sucks Mouse! WTF happened? You need to download all your fics onto your hard drive, back them up on floppy, back up the back up onto CD, freeze the CD in corbonite and bury it in the back yard under the paving stones. YAY that'll work

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Thank God a lot of the fics I had over there are actually archived on sites so I have them/will find them again. But not all of them. Also I had a lot of misc stuff and now it's lost *sigh* From now, I'll store everything in folders that will be kept on my HD or discs, period.

And OMG! Your icon, girl, your icon! ROTFMAO You're so bad!

[nicci-mac.livejournal.com]

::hangs head in shame::

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Hey, keep your head up, woman! lol

*shudders*

[ithiliana.livejournal.com]

Technology is wonderful except when it doesn't work when it's awful. Much sympathy. Not really sure what's happening (saw posts about the problems, but is it not yet solved?). I can actually remember a time (as an adult) before the internet, and it wasn't that long ago, but I am continually amazed at how much I now depend on it, and all the communication around it. Though as other friends have found, I find myself not as interested in the listservs as I used to be, much more focused on lj (to be fair, most of the listservs I'm on are work related, scholarly organizations, not fan...)

GOod luck on the exam! Is this the medieval one? I live and work with a medieval (historian)--weren't you talking about a neat paleography class at one point? (For a person who does 20th century weird stuff in lit, I've always hung out with medievalists a lot--they tend to be more accepting of fantasy and sf and such than the other literary periods, esp. the modernists).

Re: *shudders*

[castalie.livejournal.com]

It's sometimes scary how we depend on internet and its tools, I totally agree with you. Or any kind of technology, obviously. And I always say that I love-love-love technology-- when it's working, so yay on that one too lol

This is indeed a recurring problem in my cyber life. I have no idea why it happens. Well, I knew why at one point, and thought it had been solved-- obviously the problem was still lurking in the shadow.

And thanks *g* It was medieval history yes, and I think it went well.

you talking about a neat paleography class at one point?

Wow, you remember that? Yes, I also had medieval paleography class this semester, the exam in on the 14th. Should go well too. Well, let's hope *g*

And I like your theory on the medievalists. I think you're right *nodnod*

And now for something completely differentifferent

[vamysteryfan.livejournal.com]

Just to fill up your inbox.
I thought of you when I made this rec today in TS Flashback. If you haven't read Anna S/eliade, she has a couple of stories of your favorite kind.

Title Of Story: Dystocia
Author(s) Anna S.
Author E-mail: eliade@drizzle.com
Author LJ/Site: eliade; http://www.drizzle.com/~eliade
Story Rating: NC-17
Pairing: J/B
Summary: Blair goes over the line. Jim gets drunk. Physical contact ensues (of several kinds).
Time Line: between the end of 'Sentinel Too' and the final ep
Warnings: Guppy Spanking (not DD, really!)
Direct Link (to the story) http://www.squidge.org/archive/archive/drama5/dystocia.html

Re: And now for something completely differentifferent

[castalie.livejournal.com]

You though of me? Really? Wow, did my love for kinky stuff spread that much? lol

And thanks a lot for reccing it directly to my LJ! *g*

I already had this fic saved on my HD, but I didn't know of the writer's website, nor did I know she had her own LJ, so I'm definitely grateful *g*

Re: And now for something completely differentifferent

[vamysteryfan.livejournal.com]

Consider it a belated birthday present (weg). I think Eliade has moed on to other fandoms but she has some good stuff on her site.

Re: And now for something completely differentifferent

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhh I like that, my bday is one that keeps on giving lol

[greedy_dancer]

ahh , insensitive QAF fans ... let's not get into that. *g*

i've seen pretty much the whole first season, know what happens in the second season and saw all the 3rd, and even though i've always rooted for B/J i think you can relate to - if not like - all characters in some way. they all have their flaws as you've said, but they also all have that little something which endears them to you ... maybe that's also a part of why people get exasperated at the writers so much ... wasting all that potential.

I think a lot of the antagonism between Micheal and Justin comes from the first season, when Justin was (and i say it with a fond look) a love struck prat and Micheal could be quite mean to him. But hey, it was first season, and things have evolved, and i don't get why some people are still thinking of the characters in terms of that first dynamic. it was necessary to have "extremes" at the beginning, but if the show has moved on, why can't the fans do the same? anyway. (can you tell i'm still pretty passionate about it? lol)

i'm not too much into Hal's band, not my thing really, but i'm glad you like it :)

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Ohh you saw so much of QaF? I'm so jealous! Hopefully, in a week or two I won't have any reason to be anymore lol *crosses fingers*

I'm all for Brian/Justin myself, but I definitely love Ben/Michael too, and I just love all the characters anyway. Maybe starting with the 4th season put them all on a different perspective like, I 'met' them when they'd succeeded in dealing with some issues they apparently had at the very beginning of the series. Like you said the start might have been a bit rocky, but then, it also happens in RL, you can't like everyone on sight. It's even more considering the particular context and the dynamics between these three characters. I think it's even more interesting to see how far the characters went since S1.

It's too bad some part of the audience didn't follow the evolution of the characters-- though, it's up to everyone to see whatever they want in a show. I just wish they didn't *bash* one character or the other like some of them do. But whatever, why not? I don't have to read those posts, so I just will avoid them *shrug*

can you tell i'm still pretty passionate about it? lol)

Oh I love it, please don't stop yourself! lol

[crystalskull.livejournal.com]

You know, I have never liked Mikey for the simple fact that he reminds me of what I could be if I let comics take over my life, plus he has some of my issues with friends. So basically, too close to home to really like him.'

On the other hand, I found Justin so annoying in the first two seasons, that I still am wary of declaring love for his character, since I know how annoying he used to be

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Oh don't get me wrong, I get the 'I don't like this character' thing. I guess it's a nice coincidence I happen to like most of the major players in QaF. What I don't really get is the need of some fans to just... you know, lose all sense of relativism and just bash a character over and over. It happens in all fandom, I guess, but so far, I never really realised it.

I'm really impatient to see the whole thing from the beginning, because I really want to see the evolution. I saw how they are in S4 --and obviously I really like it-- and now I'm curious to see how far they went, and how they did it *g*

[crystalskull.livejournal.com]

We're used to Stargate. where the bashing occurs in small pockets on select lists (characters). Stargate is acutally the most civilized fandom I've known, barring WaT, which is so small that everyone knows everyone else.

Season 1 and Season 4 are two different shows, for all intents and purposes. Season 1 was all about sex, and drugs, and techno. They avoided issues until the finale. Season 4, and even Season 3, is much more issue oriented, and the amount of sex in one episode is a miniscule amount compared to the first two seasons. That is how much it changed. Still, I think with Season 3 they'd struck an ideal balance between sex and issues. For good characters, go Season 2. That's Justin's recovery season, and they deal so well with his place in Brian's life.

Can you tell I enjoy dicesting fandom?

Also, GIP! Comment!

[castalie.livejournal.com]

We're used to Stargate. where the bashing occurs in small pockets on select lists (characters)

Exactly how I see it *nodnod*

Hey, nice recap of the seasons, thanks *g*

For good characters, go Season 2.

It's funny you should say that, because I keep repeating that when I'll get my DVDs, I won't be able to resist starting with S2! lol The Justin's recovery is soooooooo attracting me, and Ben/Michael happens in S2 as well, doesn't it? I'm really interesting in those two storylines.

[crystalskull.livejournal.com]

No, Ben/Michael is Season 3, I think. It might start end of Season 2.

This is how I always think of them:

Season 1= Sex
Season 2= Sex and Affection
Season 3= Affection and Issues
Season 4= Issues and Angst (So far)

And start with Season 2, most definitely! It's the best so far!

Stargate is full of intelligent people who engage in squeeing on the side, QaF is full of squeers who engage in intelligence on the side.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Yeah but Ben appears in S2, like ep 206 so it starts earlier? Or maybe you meant the actual relationship which starts later then? In any case, I'm interested in the whole Ben/Michael so even if they're not together yet early in the second season, it'll be fine *g*

Nice list you made, definitely! *approves*

[crystalskull.livejournal.com]

See, I chart things by relationships, not character intros, so Ben/Michael is very much end of Season 3 for me, plus his relationship with Mikey heralded the show's shifts towards issues, rather than sex, and this is one long sentence.

Thanks! I love making lists, I'm another kind of list whore, acting outside the bounds of accepted listwhoreness! I'm a listrebel!