So much blathering here

[motetus]

In meeting strange creepy people off the internet news, I had bauble come visit me last month and she was every bit as delightful and easy to get along with as I'd hoped, and now I miss her terribly. I took a few days off work to drive her all around Scotland (islands aside, very nearly literally - I'm not sure there's much left here for me to see now), only coming close to killing us both with my wobbly driving once or twice, doing all the touristy Scottishy things while she pronounced everything to be "adorable!" which was very charming, at least until she accused me of being adorable too because I'm aiming for scary and intimidating, dammit. Stupid dimples of mine. Alas, she managed to escape my nefarious plot to imprison her in my attic and force her to write perverted filth for my entertainment, but now I know where she lives and can track her down later this year and make her drag me around all the NYC shows that have copious amounts of male nudity.

And talking of male (semi-)nudity, on Saturday I'm going to Edinburgh to see Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake (yes, again, shut up, it was that good) with goblin_dae! I am very very excited because it was one of the most amazing things I've seen when it was on in Glasgow a few months ago, and also because this time I've got seats on the side that has the guy who gets completely naked when pretending to be a statue, yes, yes I am shallow and an embarrassment to everyone.

In PhDing news, it is continuing to be not so disastrous! \o/ I can sort of see little green sprouts of data starting to pop up and bring life to the vast wasteland that is my handful of results chapters, and so the panic over not having enough to churn out a thesis is starting to fade. In its place, however, is panic over somehow managing to juggle the vast amount of things that need to be done in this final year - holidays and free weekends/evenings are going to become scarce - but it's a panic that feels manageable so far, I think. And I like being kept busy, for now. I don't mind having to work until I'm exhausted and only have time to go home, eat dinner, shower, fall into bed and start it all again the next morning, because at least it's work that is producing something rather than the stuff where you work for weeks and months and nothing comes out of it at all. And some of it is even exciting positive stuff that can go towards a publication, hopefully! I showed my supervisor some of my lovely data this week and for the first time in a long while he seemed really pleased by my work, and dear lord it was embarrassing how internally I was all YES I HAVE BEEN A GOOD DOG, RUB MY TUMMY. :D :D :D I am so shamelessly needy.

Anyway, it's another eight days left of another epic, exhausting mouse experiment, and therefore eight days until I can stop thinking about poo so much that when I go for a bowel movement of my own I'm unable to stop picturing a giant labcoat-wearing mouse looming over me as I sit there with my trousers around my ankles, a look of mild irritation on its mousey face brought about by my inability to defecate promptly. Sometimes I wish my imagination wasn't quite so visual.

In fandom news... well, I have none, really. I'm still very much married to Inception and Sutcliff and Eagle (I rewatched Eagle a few days ago and have been re-smitten with feelings for it, and the wife summed it up very nicely with his comment of "Jesus, this film is more gay than those gay internet stories where they have buttsex"), which I suppose is a good thing given I don't really have time to be taken over by a new fandom. Though I have tried! I even reluctantly went to go see the new Captain America after the fuss about it on my LJ/tumblr feed, and... I was so bored. The only things keeping me awake were Anthony Mackie's very pretty eyes and Frank Grillo being extremely hot and bad, but I couldn't see the appeal of everything else. I don't suppose fandom is ignoring all the Bucky/Steve in favour of writing Sam and Rumlow's fight scene ending up with them making out, and then punching each other a little more, is it?

And in arting news... well, see the PhDing news for why my output this year has been so dismal. I am drawing! I'm just drawing super complicated challenging things and drawing them very, very slowly, and I think I'm maybe far more interested in improving and pushing myself as an artist this year instead of being active in fandom and churning out things that will make me popular. Right now I'm trying to focus on Sutcliff Swap and up until yesterday I thought it was a terrible idea for me to sign up, what with my current glacial rate of putting down 3 pixels a day, but I've had an Idea and managed to get it down in rough sketch form, so fingers crossed it all works out by the deadline! When that's done I've got a commission to finish, and then two stupidly complex and detailed Inception pieces to finish off. Here, have proof that I'm not lying about still working on things with this small section of the mess of scribbling that one day will be Dinoception:



Whoops, this got long and rambly. Sorry.

Comments

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

CAPTAIN AMERICA WAS SO BORING. Needed more OT3. And Anthony Mackie.

Glad to hear the PhD is going not-disastrously! \o/ Although oh god, the scary mental images of lab-coated mice at the toilet, that would be enough to send me signing my resignation or whatever it is you do. I hope your data continues good, and you get lots and lots of material for the thesis!

[motetus.livejournal.com]

It was, it was. And visually it was dreary too - so much grey concrete and boring buildings. Definitely could have been improved by more OT3, except I'd like Bucky to get a haircut and Steve to wear a paper bag over his head. His bland, too-symmetrical face makes me angry. Rest of the body is pretty reasonable though, that part can stay.

My work has made me immune to most things, giant mouse hallucinations included. Yesterday I realised that I'd spent a whole hour with my face right up next to ropes of smelly, mushy poop-filled intestines I was slicing open while getting very excited about what kind of sandwich I was going to get for lunch. And then I went and got my delicious sandwich, and it was awesome.

[sineala.livejournal.com]

I totally support Dinoception! And I'm glad your supervisor liked your work! (I can remember being complimented on my work exactly twice in the program I was in. This is probably why I left grad school.)

I really liked Captain America but I think I have missed most of the Bucky love -- I came away shipping Steve/Sam and Steve/Tony WHO ISN'T EVEN IN THIS MOVIE.

Also I support any Eagle feelings you may wish to have. Man, I should finish this WIP...

[motetus.livejournal.com]

They are stingy with the praise, those academics. I'm even more desperate for praise from my second supervisor, or at least have her look at me over her glasses with disappointment slightly less than she currently does, but maybe the futile, pathetic craving for her approval is what keeps me motivated! Really, supervisors should be sent on How To Love and Nurture Your Grad Student training courses.

Fandom made me think Winter Soldier was all about Steve and Bucky's tragic love story, so I was a little disappointed that it was actually about SHIELD and Hydra and all the things I couldn't give a toss about. Also I kept fantasising about dragging Bucky to a hairdresser during all his scenes instead of having feelings, which makes me think I'm going to have my fandom card revoked in a minute...

[eames.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I just came back from Edinburgh today, on a day trip to see Swan Lake again! This is the third time I've seen it this run (twice in Newcastle, once in Edinburgh) and I would actually go again if I could afford it. So I don't think you need be ashamed of seeing it twice. I cried my eyes out, like the romantic idiot I am, and was comforted by a sweet Scottish granny that I wanted to adopt me. For shame.

I hope you have the best time, and you see your cast of choice. (If you're anything like me, anyway, and have a favourite swan!)

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Hah, If I had been back in Glasgow earlier than the very last day it was on here, I would have made your three times look shabby! God, wasn't it amazing? I may have shed a very small single manly tear myself, but only because I'm terribly afraid of showing emotion in public - inside I was blubbing away.

I had the same cast yesterday as when it was in Glasgow - I was sort of hoping to see the other swan, but Chris Trenfield was just so amazing that I couldn't be disappointed. And I loved everyone else, especially Liam Mower who was just the most adorable, vulnerable pretty little thing that I wanted to take home with me and shower with affection. I take it you saw both then - which one did you prefer?

[bauble]

You are incredibly adorable, dimples and scowls and all. Why must you live an ocean away? At least when you come visit me in November you can take part in my generally depraved bachelor's life, filled with naked men great art and culture. Oh and FOOD! Maybe I'll even let you try some of my home cooked meals AKA delicious frozen entrees.

I believe you will enjoy Eames' puppyplay scene in the Sex Bucket List because all he will want is for Arthur to rub his tummy and tell him he's been a good dog as well.

Am loving Dinoception. Action poses! Prehistoric flora and fauna! All things I love <3

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Well, I think the only solution is for me to quit the PhD and move to NYC and you can come around for tea every other day. I can set up my miniature farm business there, and I will hire all the hot men you claim is in that marvelous city as staff. Their uniforms will be wellies, tiny tight undies, and hats to protect them from sunburn. You can be in charge of hiring the staff; I have more than enough confidence in your abilities.

Yes, yes I might enjoy that. I might also read it while howling with laughter; I can't promise I'll be able to take it seriously, even when written by you.

No, you don't love those things, you love cocks, remember?

[bauble]

Yesssss, move to NYC with me and frolic with all the hot men! :D :D :D

My puppyplay scene is going to be poignant and emotional and shockingly tender. I can hear the skeptical laughter and scoffing, but you'll see. It'll take an entire novel's worth of feelings between Arthur & Eames and bring them to bear on a very weird and uncomfortable kinky roleplay. I'm very excited to write it.

I'm a woman of many interests and loves. Cocks among them, of course ;)

[the-little-owl.livejournal.com]

It's nice to hear from you. I'm glad to hear that the thesis project is looking promising again. And have fun with the swans. What about drawing them?
As for the drawing *puts on critic hat*, please look up another reference pic for the left hand of the kneeling person (left in the picture); it looks unnaturally twisted. And the trigger hand of the fellow below seems a bit strange to me. When you hold a gun, you press its butt (hope that's the right word for the wooden end of it) against the shoulder of the trigger hand. In the drawing it sits against the chest of the guy, which is a very unhealthy position. And the trigger hand is held in another position, like this:

This fellow just poses how to take aim; when pulling the trigger, his forefinger has to look bent.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you! I knew using references that were obviously stock photos of a model who's not familiar with shooting would come back to bite me in the ass. I see what you mean about the hands and the rifle butt - will fix that when I do the final line art!

(and oops, no, everyone is not left-handed, I just have the picture flipped the wrong way!)

[the-little-owl.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. No matter if the boys are left- or right-handed, I don't want them getting eaten by evil lizards because they aren't able to defend themselves ;-)

[fififolle]

Dinoception ftw!! :D

Damn, that Swan Lake looks so good.

I'm glad you had a good time with bauble! And it's always lovely to read your ramblings and hear how the poo is going *g*

[motetus.livejournal.com]

It was, it was such an amazing performance, and I'm not just saying that because it was full of hot shirtless men, their perfect bodies dripping with sweat... uh, where was I again? Oh yes. If it's showing anywhere near you, I strongly recommend you go.

Eh, Bauble kind of sucks, mostly because she lives too far away to come visit me every weekend. How inconsiderate of her.

(I am trying to limit my poo ramblings; when I have an experiment like this going all I can think about is POOP POOP POOP POOP POOP POOP and I worry that I'm turning into the most awful bore)

[fififolle]

Did you see the New Scientist article about mice and the effect of the gender of the lab workers? I thought that was very cool. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25483-scent-of-a-man-male-sweat-stresses-out-lab-mice.html#.U2Ak1lc6VT8

[island-of-reil.livejournal.com]

until I can stop thinking about poo so much that when I go for a bowel movement of my own I'm unable to stop picturing a giant labcoat-wearing mouse looming over me as I sit there with my trousers around my ankles, a look of mild irritation on its mousey face brought about by my inability to defecate promptly

Oh god. This should be a fanfic of some sort. I don't mean it has to star you personally or anything.


"Jesus, this film is more gay than those gay internet stories where they have buttsex"

BWAHAHAHAHA

I know nothing about Inception, but nice drawing!

[motetus.livejournal.com]

I dunno, I think the giant mouse visions would work really well as a surreal art-house film, no?

[island-of-reil.livejournal.com]

Pinky and the Brain comes to mind as well. The episode they WOULDN'T broadcast!

[carmarthen.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Captain America a lot, but I'm confidential incapable of being into big fandoms, so nothing will come of it except occasional half-hearted attempts to find Natasha fic that doesn't make me cranky.

DINOCEPTION, THOUGH. *heavy breathing*

I think my Swap fic may require a plot, so we can fret together.

[carmarthen.livejournal.com]

Etc, autocorrect. I'm not sure what I meant instead of confidential...congenitally, perhaps?

[motetus.livejournal.com]

I sincerely hope your plotting is going far better than my scribbling! Somehow when I try to make things simple and less of a headache they become a complete nightmare, and at this point I think the only thing talking me out of defaulting is my unbroken record of finishing every fandom fest I've signed up for.

*FRETS*

I suspect everyone who likes dinosaurs will be disgusted by all the made-up dinosaurs I am making up...

[arvok.livejournal.com]

Just saying hi. Hi.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Hello! Hope you're doing well! :)

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

The art is looking very good. I really liked the way you positioned them.

[motetus.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's actually a crop and there's a lot more going on in the whole picture, though my approach to composition has turned into "bit of white space? STICK IN DINOSAUR!"