Even the weariest river...

allika @ 2009-11-05T19:14:00

2009-11-06T01:27:03Z

Did you ever have one of those moments when you feel like there is some sort of purpose in the fabric of the universe?

The weirdest thing ever happened to me today. I parked in the garage today because I was running late to class, and put the ticket in my pocket. When I was looking for it later, I realized it must have fallen out at some point, which pissed me off because there's a $15 dollar fee for a lost ticket.

But then, the most amazing thing happened. I was walking back to the garage, and I just happened to look down and saw a yellow ticket on the ground. Surely it isn't mine, I thought, but I reach down and picked it up to check.

It was mine. It was so improbable, because they call my campus The 40 acres, that I would look down at just the right moment.

So, okay, the "purpose" only saved me 7 bucks, but still.

allika @ 2009-11-05T03:06:00

2009-11-05T09:41:46Z

OMG, guys, I did it!

I finally finished the Sacrifices Arc!!!

You might ask, "Allika, didn't you say you had a plan to finish this series like, um, three years ago?"

Why yes, yes I did.........................
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...................................................................................
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Don't judge me!!!!

Did I mention I am the worst procrastinator on planet Earth?

I totally, hardcore rec this fic, btw, despite the time it took me to read it.

Tell me, does the thought of a fic with superduperpowerful!Harry, plus father-figure!Snape, plus multiple OCs, plus evil!Dumbledore, plus James and Lily lived, plus Harry has a twin brother.....make you think of the worst dregs of ff.net, wince in horror, and throw up a little in your mouth?

OMG! Me, too!!! So why do I like this series, which contains all of these usually gag-worthy elements, plus a few more not mentioned?

Because it, somehow, totally works. Which is pretty amazing in and of itself. Plus, it makes you alternately want to huggle Harry and backhand him. Plus, the OCs are all good, well-written characters, not strange caricatures. Plus, even though the series is riddled with tragedy, it has the most wonderful, inspiring ending, with several lovely pearls of wisdom thrown in:

"There's no one keeping a tally of all our actions and measuring out the grace we deserve and the punishment we merit. That's why the justice and mercy we make are so important. They're the only kind we can actually depend on."

Plus, it is hands down the best epic in the history of HP fanfiction, notable as it is one of the few epics that is actually finished, and especially notable because lightningwave wrote 3,720,225 words in less than a year and a half, writing as she went. Yeah, you read that right. Now that's dedication I'd kill for.

allika @ 2009-11-05T00:18:00

2009-11-05T06:20:51Z

My brother gave our mom a black eye. I don't know what to do.

Meme!!!

2009-10-30T06:27:33Z

Stolen from reddwarfer
1) Post a list of up to 20 books/movies/anime/TV shows/video games/bands [fannish etc.] that you've had an obsessive fannish love or interest in at some time in your life.
2) Have your f-list guess your favourite character/member from each item.
3) When someone guesses correctly, strikethrough the item and put the name of your favorite character next to it.

1. Good Omens
2. Harry Potter
3. IT
4. Kushiel's Dart series
5. The Stand
6. The Golden Compass series
7. Star Trek (film)
8. Twlight series
9. The Demon's Lexicon
10. The Matrix
11. TruBlood
12. American Idol (contestant)
13. Grey's Anatomy
14. Sex and the City
15. Final Fantasy X
16. Zelda (Ocarina of Time)
17. Zombieland
18. Kill Bill
19. South Park
20. Lord of the Rings (film)

allika @ 2009-10-30T01:12:00

2009-10-30T06:15:18Z

I really should go to bed. But I started reading The Regulators by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King) three hours ago, and I can't put it down. I should have known not to start a new SK before bedtime. Now it's too late. *sigh*

Snarry Games and the LSAT

2009-10-23T01:33:08Z

I'm very, very sad about Snarry Games. I think it was one of the best fests in HP fandom, and the many of my most favorite fics came from it. But, there are many, many Snarry fests, still, so I don't think there will be a shortage any time soon.

Does anyone know, though, if they are closing the community, or leaving it up? Not all of the fics are archived or will be elsewhere, so I'm not sure what I should be saving.

In other news, I got my results back... (highlight to view)

- 171! (the 98th percentile) -

Which is really good. But I still cried for half an hour. I wanted the 99th percentile. Plus, I got my results early, and the number was right in my email, so when I checked it at 3 a.m., drunk, I wasn't what you would call prepared. After a little bit, my friends told me that I was being stupid (which I kinda was). So I gained some zen.

Then top law schools started emailing me asking me to apply and waiving the app. fee.

Needless to say, I'm feeling much better, now. XD

My Tarot Card

2009-10-13T01:26:51Z

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Hm...this test captured Allika1 pretty well. (There are two of me, y'know. It sucks being a Gemini, sometimes).

I'm baaaaackkkk!!!!!

2009-10-01T03:45:26Z

Hi guys!I took the LSAT on Saturday, so my hiatus is officially over. I think it went well, and I'm trying not to fret about it. (Though not succeeding). I'm getting my results on the 20th of October, so be prepared for terrible disappointment or unimaginable ecstasy that day. The waiting will be agony, but I shall endure.

I'm still sorta busy with school, but I think I'm handling it well so far. I really, really like my classes, except Cognition. Don't get me wrong, I think the ins-and-outs of amnesia are fascinating, but I truly couldn't care less how we lay down memories and recall them. But it's a degree requirement, unfortunately. Should have taken psychology of reading. *pout* My two writing classes are really, really great, though. They're small classes, and we get to have all sorts of discussions and debates. One of my professors is a former judge, which I'm pretty excited about.

Hmm...what else. Oh! So, I was talking to one of my coworkers about my practice LSAT score, and she says, "I had no idea you were smart." I didn't know whether to be offended or not, eschpecially when I told her my GPA and an expression of pure shock crossed her face. We were talking about our classes a couple of weeks later, and she said, "I still can't get over the fact that you're smart!" I asked her why, and she told me that I need to dye my hair brown or cut it all off. My thought is "WTF?!" but I'm curious about what you think. Be honest, now. Do you think my blonde hair is going to hurt my career as a lawyer? I definitely don't want to be Elle Woods, thanks. And yes, I do have big boobs and a high voice.

Everything is going pretty great overall. I'm having a bit of a hard time as an officer in one of the on-campus organizations, though. My president is...well, a bitch. She talks down to us, treats me like an employee, and it seems like she singles me out for "chastisement." I'm seriously thinking about quitting. This is my last year, after all. I don't need this. I feel like I'd be failing to live up to my responsibilities, though. I did agree to a year-long position. What do ya'll think? Should I take it and tough it out until May?

The roommate thing is going good, too. They all feel a need to listen to music and watch tv at a very high volume, but their schedules and mine are pretty compatible, so it hasn't bothered me too much. Funny story, though. So, the night before the LSAT, I get woken up at 5:30 in the morning by a group of people coversing casually in my living room. I asked them to stop talking, and they left. I went back to bed. 20 minutes later, I hear moaning and girly squeals from the living room. Apparently a now former friend of ours, after he'd left, when he'd been explicitly told he couldn't kip on our couch, came in through our back door and was screwing a new friend on our couch. Yeah... My life can be so awkward sometimes. I'm ashamed to admit I listened at my door, not knowing what to do, and grudgingly thinking that our friend must have some good technique. Thankfully, my roommate woke up and caught them, and booted their asses out. Seriously, who breaks into a friend's apartment to have sex? He's is now on our shortlist of banned persons, and we have told everybody about it in petty, awful revenge. We also gave our couch a serious wipe down. Ugh.

Have I mentioned that my brother made it out of the Marines, alive and unharmed? We're all very happy about that. He's living with my mother and going to the community college here. Only thing is, he has a girlfriend. They've been dating for several months, and he brought her home with him. Picture this: three adults, two of whom are young and constantly screwing, in a small 2/1 apartment, with the second bedroom having folding doors leading to the living room. Also, apparently my brother is an abusive ass. He used to kick my ass when we were younger, but slapping his girlfriend in front of my mother is a totally different thing. It's pretty sad; I like my brother's girlfriend, but she's too good for him. I think she should move back home to her family, before she gets knocked up. But my brother is very handsome, and can be very charming when he wants to be. His behavior offends me as a person and as a woman, but I don't know what to do about that (either). He's not exactly open to criticism.

Okay, this is getting to be a bitch-fest. What's going well...

My mother has a new job that she loves.
I think I did well on my LSAT.
The weather has been wonderful.
I have a lot of money. (Thanks for the extra financial aid, Obama!)
The former equals a really awesome vacation this summer, before I go to law school. (Are there any good HP cons coming up this summer? And would anyone recommend Cedar Point in Ohio?)
If I get the LSAT score I'm expecting, I have a 50% chance of getting into Harvard.
I did well on my first exam of the semester. This is nice because not a lot of people did. That's Schadenfreude, I guess.
My "ex" (the one with whom I was the other other woman with) contacted me. He's back in town and wants to "do lunch." I have't called him back, even though I haven't had sex in 16 months. I shall try to continue resisting the temptation of falling back into the "I have to have sex with him so he'll like me" mindset.
My family is all really, really proud of me, and they tell me all the time. And I am going to have a lot of people at my graduation in the spring.
I'm reading a book. For fun. Leisurely.
Two of my three letters of rec were offered to me, thereby eliminating most of my worry about asking for them.
I haven't quit smoking, but I've cut down. That's a start, right?
I feel pretty good about my life and excited about my future. Which is really the most important thing.

In conclusion, I'm so happy to be back. Have I missed any big fandom developments? Any "you must read this right now" recs? And how are you doing, f-list?

deep breath

2009-08-30T06:46:32Z

All right. So this is really, really hard for me. Harder than I expected it would be; harder than I think it should be. But I think I have to do this for the sake of my academic future.

I'm going on a hiatus from LJ until after my LSAT (which is on the 26th of September).

Which is really weird for me, because I haven't really been away from LJ for more than a couple of weeks since about...oh, four and a half years. So, yeah, scary.

But I've just started up classes again, and I'm taking six with my LSAT course, two of which I am expected to "write substantially" in. I need to get all As to maintain my GPA, and I'm also working.

So, in a month, I'll have taken the LSAT, one of my classes will be over, I'll have quit smoking (cross your fingers) and gained some much needed perspective. And then I think I can come back.

I know I'm not super active or anything, but I wanted to let everyone who might ask know. Feel free to bonk me if I surface before the 26th. (And please do).

Love to you all!!!

Writer's Block: I May Be Crazy

2009-08-07T02:47:57Z

What does this Rorschach blot look like to you?

View 540 Answers

A human sacrum, tailbone, and pelvis.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Movie Review (Cut for bitching + spoilers)

2009-07-22T19:56:20Z

Things I Liked:

1. The acting. It was much better all around, not just the Trio. Gambon was much more believable, and I love that they didn't use Snape for some silly comic relief.
2. Draco/Tom - I loved how much there was of him, though I thought there could have been more. (See below). And Tom wasn't afraid to play the scared little boy that Canon!Draco is.
3. The flow, and just the general aesthetic. Much more visually pleasing than the last film.
4. I though the Tower scene was perfect. Draco was believable, the kill wasn't any more dramatic than it was in the books, and Rickman was wonderful.
4. The Felix Felicis scene.
5. Hermione's tragic crush.
6. It's a good movie in its own right, not just an addendum.
7. The last scene. I liked it. So shoot me.
8. The cave scene. So creepy, visually stunning, very well done. I must admit, I got a little scared. :)
9. Slughorn. Good choice on Broadbent.
10. LUUUNNNNNAAAAA!!!!!
11. The interactions and scenes between Harry and Dumbledore. Daniel and Gambon had much more chemistry this time around.
12. That moment when Harry touches the ring, and Dumbledore realizes that Harry is a Horcrux. That was such a great touch, especially for fans, who know whats coming. And a good little moment of foreboding for those who don't.
13. Ron Weasley: Bad Ass Quidditch player, and one of the first in the 6th year Gryffindor boys to get laid. Heh heh.
...And many more!!!

Things I Didn't Like:
1. The cutting of the "I am not a coward!" line.
2. The Sectumsempra Scene. It wasn't bad - I was afraid they'd cut it even more, actually, and twist it to completely relieve Harry of responsibility, but:
            a. Draco didn't try Crucio.
            b. I wish the "duel" was shorter - I think how fast it happened was one of the best parts about the book version.
            c. Harry just kind of stares. I would have liked much more remorse and horror and shock. We just got a little bewilderment.
            d. And then he just WALKED AWAY, and NO ONE stopped him, and there was NO punishment or even a stern talking to. WHUT?!?
3. No explanation AT ALL about the HBP. Um...guys? Its the TITLE!!! HELLO?!?
4. The extra Burrow scene, with the Burrow being destroyed. Oops, someone didn't read DH carefully enough.
5. Dumbledore didn't make Harry promise not to tell anyone about the Horcruxes.
6. The H/G was weak. Really weak. I don't know if it was Dan's fault, or the script's, or the director's, but the whole kiss in the RoR was totally out of nowhere, not to mention completely lacking in chemistry.
7. Ginny helping Harry hide the book. Uh, no. Firstly, I'd much rather they snog in the common room or something, so it is at least an approximation of canon. Secondly, it's just stupid.
8. I really, really wanted at least one DADA class with Snape, with the "there's no need to call me 'sir,' professor," line. Just one. Surely they could have spared two minutes for it somewhere, especially after all the build-up at the Welcoming Feast.
9. This has bugged the hell out of me since the fifth movie. *heh hem* SPELLS COME WITH WORDS, YATES/KLOVES/GOLDENBERG!!!! ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT A SKILLED, ADULT WIZARD. AND SPELLS WITH DIFFERENT COLORED LIGHTS SHOULD DO DIFFERENT THINGS, SO WHY DO ALL THE SPELLS EITHER MAKE THINGS EXPLODE OR SEND PEOPLE FLYING?!?!? WORDLESS MAGIC WAS A MODERATE PLOT POINT OF THIS BOOK!!!! CAN'T ANY OF YOU PEOPLE READ?!?!?
10. The Death Eaters have gotten into Hogwarts. Its the dead of night, so everyone is asleep. They've just killed the Headmaster, and have plenty of time to wreak havoc and destruction. AND THEY JUST LEAVE?!?!? WHUUUTTTT?!?!?
11. No funeral. They better put it in the next movie. Grrrrrrr.
12. Does Harry ask about Dumebledore's hand? If he did, I missed it, if he didn't...that would be stupid.
13. Dumebledore doesn't tell Harry what he thinks the Horcruxes are. That's going to put Harry a little behind in DH. Just sayin'.

So, I got a little passionate there. I think the move could have been longer in some places, shorter in others, and different in a few others. But it was a really, really good movie, and kicked OotP's ass. And all my friends made fun of me and I swooned and sighed and giggled and squee'd.

Oh, and I just had a thought. So, we know that the makes of the HP movies aren't afraid of cutting and adding scenes from canon to make the movie better. So, you guys, what if they cut the epilogue from DH2?!? Wouldn't that be AWESOME?!?!?
They might piss of thousands of people, but it would make me happy. :)

Ugh

2009-07-10T05:21:07Z

My upstairs neighbours are screwing like rabbits right now. And I. Hear. Everything.

...Just wanted to share my pain.

Good night.

allika @ 2009-06-12T00:47:00

2009-06-12T06:00:04Z

So, I'm much better now. I felt awful when my roommate commiserated me about her job. She makes $7.50 and hour to fit people for bras at Victoria's Secret. I make $10 and hour, and yesterday I took a nap for an hour or so at my desk - and no one cared. I got paid ten bucks to sleep. So I really should stop whining. I could be picking fruit for gods' sake.

That said, I am incredibly tired. I think I'm going to need to be more strict with myself about bed time, and be even more of a bitch in kicking people out of my apartment. I'm sick and I almost crashed my car because I was trying not to nod off on my way home today.

Thanks for the hugs, by the by. *hugs f-list*

Oh, and Happy B-Day, the_flic !

allika @ 2009-06-05T21:40:00

2009-06-06T02:42:42Z

Thanks to bewarethesmirk , I am now at Dreamwidth, under my same name. Friend me, if you like! Or not, I'll probably hunt you down myself, anyway.

Wait, that sounded kinda creepy....but its accurate.

Ok, I cave

2009-06-06T01:27:51Z

Anyone have an extra DW code they'd be willing to donate? Pretty please? I'd really appreciate it.

Speaking of DW, have I been missing tons of amazing HP and ST fic that's not also being posted here? Because that would make me very sad. I know I missed at least some during The Great IJ Migration. Is DW a similar situation, or is it mostly cross-posting?

ETA: Code found! Thanks, guys!

ST: XI rec

2009-06-06T01:21:37Z

You really must, must read Compatibility Test by rhaegal.

Kirk/Spock, NC17.

Summary: In which Spock learns about human relationships, and Kirk learns a thing or two about Vulcans.

Hot. Bone-meltingly hot. And funny, and the characterizations were spot-on, IMO. This is one of the few fics I've read that recognizes that Vulcans are a completely different species. Their blood is green, for gods' sake. Stands to reason...other things would be different as well, aside from customs. And the way she deals with these differences is simply perfect.

So, please, go forth and read.

Summer workin'

2009-06-04T16:18:09Z

This probably isn't a surprise to you, but I've never worked during the summer. In fact, almost all my summers are mostly consumed by a whole lot of nothing - which is wonderful.

I'm working 30 hours a week this summer, and only getting paid for 20. The other ten are for an internship - a resume booster, y'know.

I go in at either 8 or 9 o'clock from Monday through Thursday, and I don't get off until 5. I have a hour break each day, the majority of which is spent commuting. I usually don't get home until 6 because of traffic.

I've been at this routine for only two weeks, and I'm already exhausted. How do adults do this five days a week, all year?

To make things better, my roommate usually doesn't go into work until 3 pm, and my friends also have afternoon shifts. I've barely spoken to anyone but my coworkers for the last two days. Everyone is avoiding my apartment, because whenever they come over at 1 am to watch a movie, I tell them to turn it down - a totally unreasonable request, don't ya know.

I guess I'm kinda down, because I've never in my life said: "I can't wait for fall."

And I'm turning 20 in two weeks. It is officially the end of my teenager-hood.

Everything has happened so fast. I'll be preparing to enter law school this time next year (hopefully). And its weird, because it seems like I'm growing up faster than all of my friends - I won't be graduating with any of them - which is also sad.

I just really, really don't want to grow up yet. I wish there was some way I could the world on pause for a bit, or even better, a way to rewind.

I just don't feel...ready for an adult life with adult responsibilities, yet. But...here I am, well on my way. Ready or not, here it comes.

On a happier note:

Happy Birthday, libby_drew !!!!

allika @ 2009-06-03T22:05:00

2009-06-04T03:06:50Z

Happy Birthday bewarethesmirk !!!!

Star Trek

2009-05-28T18:53:42Z

Movie was pretteh!!!

I didn't actually feel an immediate desire for slash...and then an image of Spock bending Kirk over the Captain's chair invaded my mind just now.

Now I need fic.

Anyone have any recs? I'd especially like one where Kirk "isn't gay," and then he's shown the error of his ways.

ETA: OMG, there's so much fic. Now I'm scared; HP's already hard for me to handle...

OMG WHUT?!?!?!?!?!?!?

2009-05-21T05:10:55Z

Oh, America. *sigh*

I hate you.

*insert bawling*

Meme

2009-05-16T22:21:19Z

Just fyi...

2009-05-15T03:09:35Z

The Grey's Anatomy writers are ASSHOLES!!!!!!

That is all.

Meme - 15 books in 15 minutes

2009-05-08T03:18:01Z

from schemingreader

"This can be a quick one. Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes."

Good Omens - so so so so funny and perfect
Harry Potter - changed my life
The Power and the Glory - the best hero story ever
A Tale of Two Cities - "it is a far, fart better thing that I do, than I have ever done."
Firestarter - My first Stephen King
IT - wonderful characterization
Kushiel's Dart - whore becomes a here. Cool.
The Little House on the Prairie - favorite book from childhood
The Stand - A statement about human nature; again, charcters were wonderful
Dark Fever - Love this series - Mac reminds me of me
The Golden Compass - childhood in a epic - wonderful
Blood and Chocolate - favorite book of my teens
American Gods - such a unique idea
The Long Walk - subtext is magical
Daughter of the Blood - not immaculate, but great world building

Will power

2009-04-19T02:08:40Z

I need grown-up help.

I have a 16-20 page paper due Monday night at 11:37 pm (don't ask). (It is Saturday night here, btw.) I have about 4 pages done. Now, I know I will finish. In fact, I work great under pressure. But I hate pressure. Just for once I'd like to complete an important assignment sooner than two minutes before the deadline. Less stressful, and it means I can celebrate that much sooner. But this logic isn't really having a big impact on my ability to focus. It was a struggle just to work for an hour straight, and I kept skipping around sections, turning on the tv, etc.

So I need willpower tips. How do you make yourself sit down and work on a project when you really don't want to?

Help?

Writer's Block: Heavenly Bodies

2009-04-09T05:42:33Z

If you discovered a new planet, what would you name it?

Submitted By thethicket

View 505 Answers

Um, would it make me a total narcissist if I said I'd name it after me?

How will you be suspended from LJ? by Anonymous LJ User
Username
Years on LJ
Snape
Hours left until your suspension	41
Your crime	Posting all that damn porn!
Who reported you	regan_v
Your fate	You discover fresh air, real life, and true love.