Writer's Block: What Kind of Wonderful?

Christmas movies...

When I married an American (oh so many years ago) he was shocked (shocked!) that I had never seen It's a Wonderful Life. So we watched it. I liked it well enough, but wasn't sure what the fuss was about.

I don't have a favourite Christmas movie, though there are many I've liked. Technically I suppose my favourite is The Lion in Winter, because it's about Henry II and his family, and set at Chrsitmas in 1183, and it's witty, and has more real historical attitude in it than most movies with a medieval background. But it's not really Christmas-at-heart, not what you'd call a Christmas movie.

And there's a whole other set of movies I like to watch at Christmas because they feel Christmassy and heartwarming to me: The Sound of Music, The Scarlet Pimpernel,
Much Ado About Nothing, Casablanca and The Music Man, for example. And none of them so much as mention Christmas.

What about A Midwinter's Tale? There's Christmas in that, and Hamlet too.

You know what I really like? Not Christmas movies, but Christmas stories. And I don't just mean A Christmas Carol but also fanfic based at Christmas. Christmas was a particularly good time for Professionals fanfic - there are some classics there, especially a few by M. Fae Glasgow, like the unforgettable Shopping Days or Doyle (the) Copper Felt (Up) and Screwged or Nanny's Christmas Carol.

Bad parents...

From fannish5: Name five characters who would make terrible parents. Or who already are terrible parents?

1. Graham Reid Mallett and Joleta.
   
2. Margaret Douglas and Matthew Lennox. I could name some others from the Dunnett books, but I'll forebear and continue with...
   
3. Lionel Luthor, the villainous father I loved to hate!
   
4. Bothari in the Bujold novels.
   
5. Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor in X-Men - not because they were abusive or uncaring parents, but look what their child went through!

John Barrowman: Music, Music, Music

Since I've been listening to the new John Barrowman CD, Music Music Music, I thought maybe the time had come to say something about it.

I'm happier when John Barrowman is singing showtunes than when he's singing pop music, but this is an interesting collection. He has a habit of singing songs I don't normally like, and making me like them.

The songs:

1. ( What About Us? )
   
   
   
2. ( Can't Take My Eyes Off of You )
   
   
   
3. ( You'll Think of Me )
   
   
   
4. ( I Made It Through the Rain )
   
   
   
5. ( You Don't Have To Say You Love Me )
   
   
   
6. ( Right Here Waiting For You )
   
   
   
7. ( Uptown Girl )
   
   
   
8. ( Both Sides Now )
   
   
   
9. ( Angel )
   
   
   
10. ( I Know Him So Well )
    
    
    
11. ( I Am What I Am )
    
    
    
12. ( From a Distance )

Favourite songs here:
1. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
2. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
3. I Am What I am

FIC: Torchwood (drabble) - Homecoming

Title: Homecoming
Author: fajrdrako
Fandom: Torchwood, Doctor Who
Characters: Jack, Doctor, Torchwood team
Challenge: tw100, challenge: 100 drabble challenge, challenge: reverse fandom buffy
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Spoilers for Doctor Who episode "Journey's End". Cross-posted to my LJ and to tw100.

( Homecoming )

Questions and answers about 2008...

I got this from omnivorously. I always like these year-overview things, though the year isn't quite over yet.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Broke an ankle. Learned Tai Chi.

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept them reasonably well, given certain handicaps. Teeth-flossing remains the worst, and I didn't do well with the non-procrastination and the daily exercise, either. Ah well: where would I be if 2009 didn't hold challenges?

Of course I will make New Year's Resolutions for 2009. I always do. They may be just like those for 2008, or they may be entirely different. I haven't decided yet.

( 3. Did anyone close to you give birth? )