watch as all my thoughts get right back on the train

[s2309]

I've finally updated my masterlist! After over a year! Anyone who wanted a long list of my fanworks can click here and see it now c:

I have a bunch of things I've wanted to ramble about since yesterday. But today sucked, so let's start with that.



1 The fucking ridiculous process that you have to go through to get a learner's licence.

Pretty much what it says on the tin. This entire ordeal took me from 10 30 this morning to 4 30 this evening. All that happened in that time was that I was given a sheet of paper with road traffic signs on them, told to memorize them, told to fill out a form, moved to a different counter to scan and upload the necessary age and address proofs, moved to a third counter to verify that my documents hadn't magically changed shape or form in the hour (the hour) since I'd had them scanned, moved to a fourth counter to pay the test fee and get a receipt, moved to a computer to finally sit the test (which lasted all of three minutes, by the way, and involved identifying aforementioned road signs), and then had to dawdle around for a little longer for this one official to show up and sign the licence.

All this to learn how to drive. Fuck, man.

Okay, that's done with.


2 The actual learning how to drive part.

Don't tell anyone, but I started to learn how to drive two days before I got my learner's permit.

And let me tell you, my feet do not like being at the angle you need them at to operate the pedals. I have to take my left foot off the clutch and let it rest off to the side every so often. Is this just me, or does it happen to everyone at the beginning?

I'm starting to not freak out, though. I've gotten over my fear of U-turns, I've kinda figured out how to use the clutch in second gear without stalling the car, and even though I'm driving at a whopping 15 kilometres per hour, I think I'm doing okay. Wheee!


3 Thoughts on AUs I'd write/ I enjoy reading in fic

Last night, while trying to sleep, I had a sort of epiphany on why the completely out-there AUs don't quite click with me.

See, for me, character is all important. So if I'm going to write or enjoy reading a bakery AU, an existing character has to have a good, in character reason for wanting to start or work at a bakery. Let's take Neal, for example. I'd probably set this in Paris, because Neal's preferred job choices would be corporate security and the like. I'd probably screw with him a little, make him miss the people he left behind in New York, make him deathly afraid of disappointing them by falling right back into his criminal life, and choosing a more hands-on job because of the rhythmic nature of it and the way it can clear his head. And, you know, breads and pastries make for a great-smelling workplace.

(Damn it, I'm going to have to put this into my giant to-write list now)

All this to say that, if you simply lift a character and make him a baker with no explanation, it doesn't quite work for me. There has to be a character-related reason.

This is a big reason why near-canon AUs are so appealing to me, because those are just basically a character making a different decision or having a different set of circumstances inflicted on them.

Obviously, this doesn't apply to wingfics and fantasy AUs, where you can just introduce mythical creatures or appendages or magic into the universe that the characters already exist in, without impacting the characters at all.

Does that make sense? Tell me if it doesn't, and I'll try to explain myself better.


4 That feeling when you listen to an old familiar song

china_shop recently recced me two Ani DiFranco albums when I mentioned that I liked her music, Not A Pretty Girl and Little Plastic Castle. I chose to listen to Not A Pretty Girl because I'd already heard the title song.

And what kept happening was that every time that song played, my world would light up just a little more. I'd get this really peaceful smile on my face, I'd know exactly where the music was going, it was heaven. And it was particularly distinct when compared to the more distant enjoyment with which I listened to the rest of the songs on the album. Don't get me wrong, Ani DiFranco is as excellent as ever, but there's just some magic about a familiar song that music you've never heard before can't quite match.


5 The joy of betaing

I haven't betaed in a long time. So when my dear friend reve_silencieux nudged three of her fics my way, I started floundering a little. But then I picked up one of them and read it one sentence at a time and got a feel for it and figured out if it needed help and that was bliss. I think I finished with that fic in under three hours.

I've missed this feeling.

Comments

[kanarek13]

Awwww *hugs*

Omg, looks like beaurocracy is truly universal across the globe, heh /o\

And now you really have to write that AU, it's putting images in my head, awww :P

[sapphire2309]

Ugh, agreed.

It's on my list! (But, as reve can testify, that list is long)

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

For the left foot, you *are* supposed to rest it on the left side. Don't keep your foot on the pedal unless you're changing gear.

I totally agree with you about AUs. For me, canon remains the reference and a lot of time I can't help but think "no way such or such would do that." (and that includes slash. ;) )

[sapphire2309]

That's good to know! But aren't you also meant to press the clutch at intersections and suchlike?

Exactly! And if they would, I want to know exactly what changed in their background that made it so.

[aragarna.livejournal.com]

Well, you're supposed to press on it when you're at a stop/red light/intersection, yes, otherwise your car will stall.

I agree it's not a very comfortable position, but you'll get used to it. (And I've discovered when I started taking driving lessons, that I was quite clumsy with my feet LOL)

[sapphire2309]

My left foot dislikes this more than my right foot, which is strange, because my right foot has more work to do.

I really hope I get used to it soon!

[reve-silencieux.livejournal.com]

Ugh. DMV (department of motor vehicles and the like) The bane of everyone's existence. When I moved back, my mom dropped me off, I sat down and waited and waited. My mom had gone off to do errands and she actually went out, bought a book, and brought it back to me, then went out to do more. It was ridiculous. All to exchange one state license for another. (which amazingly all they did was look me up, realized I'd had a license before, and reissued it. *headdesk*)

re: 5/joy of betaing

WHEEEEEEEEE!!! So glad to hear that. Especially considering I sent three fics your way! Something tells me that the last one will take a wee bit more than 3 hours though. Lots and lots of markup and comments. (don't feel bad, I'm expecting it!)

[sapphire2309]

Yeah, our equivalent of that is the RTO (Regional Transport Office). And I wish I'd had a book. I just sat there twiddling my thumbs :(

My inner editor is cracking her knuckles in preparation :D

[china_shop]

All this to say that, if you simply lift a character and make him a baker with no explanation, it doesn't quite work for me. There has to be a character-related reason.

I tend to read that as much-nearer-to-original fic in which I know what the characters look like and I'm already invested in the pairing. Like, I can enjoy it, but usually for its own sake, rather than for what it says about canon or the characters. If that makes sense. :-)

Good luck with the driving!

And aww, I totally know what you mean about known songs. :-)

[sapphire2309]

I see how that would work for you. But for me, it doesn't click. I mean, I'll still read the fic and be happy, but it's like listening to a new song, I suppose.

Thank you!

c:

[sheenianni.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty much the same when it comes to AUs (I love canon divergences. So much awesomeness in canon divergences. Me want :D )

As for the driving, good luck :)

[sapphire2309]

*high fives* Yay!! :D

Thanks! I drove in traffic for the first time today. I am properly terrified.