Sickity sick

[st_aurafina]

I'm not doing very well. The prednisolone did not go down quietly, I had rebound inflammation and I've been back on pred once already for a massive skin flare up (let me tell you about the 1 in 10,000 chance of getting photosensitivity while taking frusemide.) The cellulitis came back and I had another round of antibiotics (let me tell you about the rare side-effect where you can taste clindamycin IN YOUR SALIVA.) I've had lots of meds changes. I feel wrung out and tired all the freaking time. I am pretty down about this. I want to feel well, and not like my skin is crawling off my body. It's busy at work, too, and that is more exhausting than it ought to be.

I've signed up for wipbigbang and Camp NaNo, so hopefully I can get some fic posted. I wasn't game to sign up for an actual exchange, so I sadly had to miss out on ssrconfidential. I'm starting to be more chatty on Dreamwidth, which is nice, and I did manage to do a big push on answering AO3 comments, which feels like an achievement. My only other achievement was to crochet a sock monkey hat with a big red pompom. I'm quite pleased with it, even if my sister says the button eyes are demonic. That's part of the charm, I think.



[Red and grey sock monkey beanie with a red pompom and button eyes]



I've been hoarding linkspam, too, which I shall try to group in themes:

The Expanse
- From Indiewire, The Expanse: How The Syfy Series Found the Unfindable Actress (Which Means Other Shows Can, Too)
About casting a S2 character, who is apparently female, Polynesian and tall/muscular. This is what made me want to start watching The Expanse, and I'm so glad I did. (I've just finished S1, so no spoilers, please. Apart from what's in this article, I guess.)

Podcasts (mostly The Strange Case of Starship Iris)
- From buzzfeed, 27 Podcasts You Should Listen To In 2017
Which reminds me, I've been listening to The Strange Case of Starship Iris and it's really lots of fun. The first episode drags a bit, but once there's more than a cast of two (from episode two), the dialogue bounces along, and the world building opens up. The story is building f/f UST between Violet and Arkady, it has a trans character and a gender fluid character, and I really like the crew of the Rumor. Would recommend.

You can listen here: The Strange Case of Starship Iris

For non-listeners, there's a transcript of Episode One, which isn't the best episode but it sets up the dynamic between the two characters well:
The Strange Case of the Starship Iris, Episode One: Violet Liu, written by Jessica Best

There's an official tumblr, where (I presume) the author discusses world building, nuances of the alien language, and other cool stuff: iriscasefiles


Iron Fist
- via netgirl_y2k, who also has an excellent post about Iron Fist, Here's The Important Stuff That Happens In Iron Fist So You Don't Have To Watch It
There were so many weird things about Iron Fist, (apart from the obvious weird thing of why they cast Finn Jones as Danny.)


Like, I totally did not expect to be rooting for Ward. At all. I usually hate that character. Kudos to Tom Pelphrey for that performance. (Although David Wenham playing his father was terrifying enough to induce sympathy in me for anyone. That was some classy scenery-chewing.)

But Finn Jones was so bad, you guys. He was so bad, why did they cast him? Like, the whitewashing was appalling, but I at least had assumed that Finn Jones had brought something to the role. But no, he was floppy and unconvincing pretty much all the way. He was a giant suckhole in what was otherwise a fun thing to watch. (And now I can only ship him with Luke in the most kinky leash-wearing, servitude-embracing way. Thanks, Netflix.)

Things I liked:
- Colleen! She was great: tough and loyal.
- Claire! I was hoping that Danny would give her some millions to start up a clinic, but I feel that she's formulating the idea that she could do something like that.
- Colleen and Claire training together! Y halo thar, my bulletproof kink of ladies teaching martial arts to other ladies.
- Jeri Hogarth! Cutting deals with Joy Meachum off-screen. *nods sagely* Yes, that's what they did.
- Madame Gao, the meanest, scheming-est grandmother in New York. I was hoping they were going to reveal her as an actual dragon, since she dropped a casual reference to living in the seventeenth century. (Idly considers an AU where that's true, and she recruits Colleen as her own Iron Fist...)
- Davos, you poor sod. Yes, Danny is the worst Iron Fist ever.
- All the excellent people who should have played Danny in scenes where they get to fight him. And I include Bride of Nine Spiders in that list.
- Howard Meachum, you evil zombie father.

On the whole, I've always thought that Iron Fist was better as an ensemble character, and this kind of confirms that for me. I'm looking forward to The Defenders, where I am hoping that I won't constantly be fighting an urge to punch the screen.



Dance-themed links
- From Pointe Magazine, #TBT: Watch Baryshnikov Do 11 Pirouettes in White Nights
Because Mikhail Baryshnikov is so pretty.

And through that video, I found a slo-mo analysis of the move, which was really interesting. It's mind blowing to count those turns in slow motion.

Watch on YouTube

Speaking of ballet, the Dance Academy movie comes out next week!

Watch on YouTube

More Dance Academy links:
- I wish I’d grown up with ‘Dance Academy’, ABC’s beloved teen drama

- The career of Joanna Werner, and how Dance Academy remains en pointe


Other random links
- From HuffPo, Dolphins Might Be Chewing On Blowfish To Get High
Dolphins are bastards and kind of sketch.

- From Buzzfeed, 23 Accidental Google Image Searches That’ll Make You Pee A Little
Very silly. Somehow very satisfying.

- via Nalini Singh's facebook, The Moistest Chocolate Mug Cake
The word moist has ceased to have any meaning that is not disgusting, but I do like a mug cake.

- via the medical tag on Ravelry, Dressed for Success
Crocheted stethoscope sweater. CN: anthropomophising of a stethoscope. Also not addressed is how this could contribute to spreading infection? IDK. The idea is cute though.

- via dine, Artist Paints Realistically Detailed Animals on Smooth Stones
So beautiful!

- From The Age, Police hunt for unicorn after attempted servo smash and grab
CN: armed robbery, only extra.

12 Yarn Ball Types and How to Knit with Them
Hankenstein. Heh.


I still need to post fic here that I've had up at AO3. And get planning on what I'm going to write for Camp NaNo which inexplicably starts tomorrow omg. Tomorrow is April Fools, too. *reminds self to watch out* I always fall for stupid shit, me.

Comments

[dine]

I think your sister is Rong! that hat is damn adorable.

[st_aurafina]

I will tell her you said so!

[sholio]

Oh no, I'm so sorry health is smacking you down so hard. Fingers crossed for improvement! Also, that hat is adorable. :D I have a pair of very fluffy sock monkey socks with pompoms, possibly the most ridiculous item of apparel I own, and I love them.

[st_aurafina]

It's not that things are utterly awful, health-wise, but it's just going on and on, ffs. *grumps*

Sock monkeys are awesome, right? My sister is obviously just not hip enough to appreciate it.

[monanotlisa]

Aw, man, I feel for you feeling so crappy. Health is the most important thing of all, but unfortunately most folks realize that too late. :/ I hope you will improve, slow but sweet and steady. *fingers crossed for you*

[st_aurafina]

I'm all like, "Come back, health! I do love you after all!" Sigh. It's not awful at any given time, but it all just goes on and on, as I'm sure you understand.

[lurkingcat]

That is the best sock monkey hat. The BEST.

I really hope your health improves soon. That tired and wrung out feeling from being ill for too long is horrible :(

[st_aurafina]

It's pretty cute, I have to admit. The pompom is so deliciously huge.

I haven't been catastropically ill at any one time, but it is going on and on, and I'm ready for it to stop. Seriously.

[laurajv]

AAAAHHHH THE EXPANSE

I am slightly behind on S2 (meaning I haven't watched this week's) BUT YOU WILL LOVE SGT DRAPER.

[st_aurafina]

I CANNOT WAIT! But I want to do a S1 rewatch, and hopefully take lilacsigil along with me before I launch into S2. It's going to be hard to hold off, though.

[senmut]

I do hope you feel beter!

[st_aurafina]

Gosh, me too. So much!

[kaffy_r]

I need "The Expanse" icons. Yup. You will love S2. Just sayin'.

I'm so sorry about your health, and the way it's dragging you down. Sending hugs to you (as long as they don't make your skin feel even crawlier or more sore.)

That's a sock monkey hat to be proud of. And yes, your sister is RONG.

[st_aurafina]

Wow, yes, icons for The Expanse! They are needed.

[musesfool]

I hope you feel better soon!

[st_aurafina]

I had a good day yesterday! Hopefully there's more on the way.

[watersword]

Oh, man, White Nights, I haven't thought of that movie in years, now I want to rewatch it. MISHAAAAAA.

[st_aurafina]

It's so good. I forgot how good. Misha! So beautiful!

[wendelah1]

"I'm not doing very well."

It's horrible that you're still fighting this.

It is cute but the stethoscope sweater looks like a germ spreader to me.

[st_aurafina]

It is cute but the stethoscope sweater looks like a germ spreader to me.

Right? My first thought was 'How are you going to autoclave that?'

[fairestcat]

Mm, White Nights is such a great movie. I really need to watch it again.

[st_aurafina]

It's such a classic. Gregory Hines is amazing - they're both amazing.

[lizbee]

I hope you feel better soon. Bodies: what jerks.

I saw the Dance Academy movie on Thursday -- it was a preview! Joanna Werner was there! -- and I was really happy with how it handled ... well, just about everything, but especially the long-term impact of Tara's injuries.

(I would also say that if you have any triggers relating to, for example, the sound of bones cracking, you should brace yourself going in? Because I do, and I wish I had.)

[st_aurafina]

I'm okay with crunchy bone sounds, but thank you for the warning! I am so looking forward to seeing them all again.

[mergatrude]

Hugs for the sick. :-(

[st_aurafina]

Thank you, lovely.

[dolorosa_12]

I wish Dance Academy aired internationally, or that there was any way to view it outside Australia that didn't involve buying DVDs. It always feels to me that Australian TV only got interesting (or at least started airing things that I wanted to watch) in the years after I left the country.

I love your hat, and am sorry to hear that you're feeling so ill.

[st_aurafina]

It comes and goes on Youtube, if you want to check it out - I just had a quick look and there are full (24 minute) episodes up. It's so much fun.

[umadoshi]

*hugs* and so much sympathy on still feeling awful. It's so discouraging when things just drag on like that. ;_;

[st_aurafina]

*hugs hugs* I actually had a good day yesterday! I hope for more very soon.

[retsuko]

I just got your card in the mail yesterday! Thank you!!! I wasn't feeling too good, either, so it really made my day to receive it. :)

Wouldn't the world be a better place if, instead of war/sniping/bickering, we solved all conflicts with ritual dance combat?

And I, for one, love your sock monkey hat.

[st_aurafina]

Ritual dance combat should be a thing. (Like in Zoolander - 'THEY'RE BREAKDANCE-FIGHTING!!')

I'm glad the card arrived! Yay for the postal service.

[randomdrops]

I'm sorry to hear about the sick, but that hat is adorable and I am so impressed! And I see no demonic possession at all, just cute!

[st_aurafina]

Yay! Button eyes can be cute, after all.

[shehasathree]

I'm so sorry to hear that you're sick and it's not going well. :(
Meanwhile, OMFG, that pirouette video is amazing, thanks so much for sharing. And ::squee:: Dance Academy! I saw a trailer for it when we went to see Beauty & the Beast yesterday.

[st_aurafina]

It's the most amazing pirouette! And people in comments are being critical of his technique, but I mean, dude. Eleven turns. Come on.

[spindle_ella]

That hat's mint. If anyone finds the buttons creepy then it just means you get to make them uncomfortable while having warm ears; that's a result in my book.

I hope things start improving for you soon; med changes suck <3

[st_aurafina]

If anyone finds the buttons creepy then it just means you get to make them uncomfortable while having warm ears; that's a result in my book.

This is an excellent way of looking at things, thank you!

[fred_mouse]

I am trying to be enthused about the Dance Academy movie, because like it or not I'm probably escorting half a dozen 13(ish) year olds to see it next week. Maybe all the parents have finally outgrown paranoia, and I can read my book in the foyer while the kids go to watch it in a gaggle.

[st_aurafina]

Well, I enjoyed the show, in an unironic way.

[adafrog]

Oh man! I'm so sorry you're not getting better. Bad body for not following the treatment plan!!!

My sister said to watch iron fist because there are pretty men. Not sure I can deal with that lameness just for pretty.

I don't knit, but I love the yarn ball types-hankenstein. :)

[st_aurafina]

Bleeah, I read an article on length of treatment of corticosteroids, and I'm pretty sure I had adrenal suppression. Hopefully I'm coming back to normal? But apparently if I'm in a car crash or something, I can suffer acute adrenal crisis?

I need to stop googling right now omg.

The men on Iron Fist are very, very pretty. (So are the ladies!) And if you know there's bad stuff, maybe at least you won't be disappointed by that? I don't know.

Hankenstein! I know him well, sadly.

[author_by_night]

I flaked out of DW and apparently missed something. :( I hope you feel better soon.

Your sock monkey is so cute!!

[st_aurafina]

Oh, it's an ongoing misery I don't talk about too much. I am feeling better, but slowly. Which makes me cranky.

It's a cute monkey! I am pleased that people like it.

[batmarg]

Hope you start feeling better soon!

That hat is adorable. :)

I love The Expanse. While there is some of the usual male scifi stupidity, there's a lot of awesome & badass ladies & some great writing.

I stumbled across The Strange Case of Starship Iris. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but it's waiting on my ipod. Glad to hear its good.

Slowly making my way through Iron Fist. I like some aspects, but Danny is such a bad protagonist.

[st_aurafina]

I have had a few good days, so hopefully I'm coming up out of the prednisolone trench.

Give Starship Iris two episodes before you pass judgement - so far, I have found that the first ep is not typical of the podcast. I liked it, but it doesn't give you a good idea of the mood and general fun of the ensemble cast.

There really are lots of good things about Iron Fist, but Danny is a terrible drag. Could have done better!!

[laurenthemself]

I hope you are feeling better. Also I am So Late at checking DW, gosh.

[st_aurafina]

I am actually feeling better! (Hear the wonder in my voice? Yeah.)

[redcirce]

Sorry to hear you've been feeling poorly! I think the hat is awesome and I love the eyes.

I had no idea the Expanse already had a 1st season! I had read an article similar to the one you posted and was excited about it, but apparently I missed it was about Season 2. I'm going to add it to my list.


Also: dolphins, wow.