Sort of an update...

[elisi]

I keep thinking I ought to do an update and then... not.

So instead I'll try to do a bit of a summary.

RL:

- One reason I've not been around is that my parents came to visit (for the first time since February 2020!). Which was nice, but also VISITORS and I spent all my time with them.

- Bonfire night we went round to the in-laws which was also lovely and there were fireworks and fire and small children and it was lovely.

- Today we (rather spontaneously) decided to go to York for the day. We were looking for a winter coat for the Cherub and also we need a new teacosy, but mostly we were just walking around York and enjoying a day out. (We got neither coat nor teacosy - the coat because she wants a pink teddy bear coat which we couldn't find a version of that she liked, and the teacosy because they are IMPOSSIBLE to find.)

Fandom:

- Saw Dune on my birthday and have many thoughts that I am still no nearer to organising... I'll try to get there, but there is so MUCH. Chewy, chewy goodness and endless layers and great adaptation to try to get to grips with. Much much goodness, my fannish cup runneth over. I have notes, just nothing actually written down yet.

- Doctor Who is back and I have very little to say. Ep 1 was solid set-up, but the whole of Chibnall Who still feels like some sort of AU. Although for non-UK fans you should go read this Den of Geek introduction to John Bishop, because he is lovely. I also need to write something about the return of RTD - again, I have notes. They just haven't turned into anything solid. Mind you, I have time. ;)

- Good Omens is of course a source of never-ending joy and the set pictures from S2 are unfailingly making me flail and squee. Honestly, they could spend the whole of S2 just reading the phone book and I'd be happy.

ETA: Squid Game! How could I forget Squid Game? We basically binged it, and I think it's brilliant and deserves the hype. Unsure if I know what to write about it, because the it's a very blunt and open critique of capitalism that doesn't really need any kind of meta. ETA2: This shouldn't be taken to imply that it's a simplistic show - it's clever (and gruesome) and with absolutely fantastic richly developed characters.

~

Finally I should get back to posting Dimash, because there is so much more and he is my daily delight and the soundtrack to my life. For now however, have this amazing duet:

Daily Dimash: A Question of Honour

Dimash performed 'A Question of Honor' with Zarina Altynbayeva - a famous Kazakh soprano - at the opening ceremony of the 28th Winter Universiade (held in Almaty in Jan 2017). The production/set/performance is amazing - dancing, ice skating, people flying and fountains - the only downside is that the audio is slightly out of sync with the singing. But it reminded me how much I love pageantry; the thumbnail is completely wrong, the thing is hugely colourful and exuberant. (Original song by Sarah Brightman, with an added aria snippet from 'La Wally'.)

ETA: Zarina has it on her channel:

Watch on YouTube

Although this one is better quality I think.

Watch on YouTube

(The Charismatic Voice analyses it here if you are curious)

It was filmed between the recordings of episodes 3 and 4 of Singer. Dimash flew to Almaty, Kazakhstan to perform in the 2017 Winter Universiade opening ceremony, on January 29, where he preformed this song with Zarina Altynbayeva.

Dimash Masterpost

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

The start of your post made me think of:

“Let me explain. No, is too long, let me sum up.”
~Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride

[elisi]

LOL! That is... pretty accurate. :D

[a_phoenixdragon]

Okay...I may need to see Squid Game, then, lol!

*Sigh*

So glad you got to hang with your parents! That is so, so awesome!

*HUGS*

[elisi]

Okay...I may need to see Squid Game, then, lol!
It's SO GOOD, but also v v violent. In several ways. But definitely worth seeing if you have access to Netflix.

So glad you got to hang with your parents! That is so, so awesome!
It still feels unreal, we had to wait & cancel for so long.

[lirazel]

I'm glad you've had both good family times and good fannish times! And now I am longing to visit York again!

[elisi]

<3

And I can send you some rubbish photos from York, but it's not quite the same...

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Generally, you were happy with Dune? I'm in two minds but it's because of all the bad adaptations I've seen which I did not enjoy and I've not read the books for SO LONG!! I don't want to be disappointed again......

Tea cosies can only be found in charity shops these days I think :)

[elisi]

Generally, you were happy with Dune? I'm in two minds but it's because of all the bad adaptations I've seen which I did not enjoy and I've not read the books for SO LONG!! I don't want to be disappointed again......
I have avoided all adaptations to date like the plague, so I understand where you are coming from! But as a purist, yes, I was happy with it. The tone and look and texture of it is right, is the best way I can describe it. It fits with what's in my head. Obviously they have had to cut things down hugely... I am not sure what other people's viewing experience was like, *I* was continually evaluating what was on screen against the book and analysing what they'd cut/altered, but I could generally see why they'd made the choices they had. It's absolutely gorgeous visually, so if you are able head to the cinema. :)

Tea cosies can only be found in charity shops these days I think :)
I shall have to go on many expeditions in that case! *g* Or get one of my daughters to knit one.

[sea_thoughts]

I'm really glad you had a good time with family, both parents and in-laws. :)

DoWntime (which did such a good job of critiquing and dissecting the first two Chibnall series) appears to have been deleted (sad times) but I foudn this - Spacetime Junction - which seems to have taken over from DoWntime. Scarves and Celery is on there, with its blistering Kerblam! takedown.

[elisi]

I'm really glad you had a good time with family, both parents and in-laws. :)
<3 It's been nice, but I am pleased that life is calming down again. Having some ~time~ will be good.

DoWntime (which did such a good job of critiquing and dissecting the first two Chibnall series) appears to have been deleted (sad times)
Oh yes, I saw! I can't remember when I realised, but it made me sad. I still remember Promethia's excitement when she found meta on Chibnall!

but I foudn this - Spacetime Junction - which seems to have taken over from DoWntime. Scarves and Celery is on there, with its blistering Kerblam! takedown.
Ooooh THANK YOU. That is good news indeed. I shall head over there post-haste.

[kathyh]

Glad your parents were able to visit again and that you had a good time with them. I'm very envious of you being able to go to York for the day.

[elisi]

Glad your parents were able to visit again and that you had a good time with them.
<3 It felt quite surreal, we've had to cancel things that many times...

I'm very envious of you being able to go to York for the day.
We are lucky that it's within fairly easy driving distance! And that we are allowed to travel - lockdown still seems to be looming on the horizon.

[desdemonaspace]

You've convinced me to see Dune.

[elisi]

\o/

Have you read the book?

Also I shall try to knock up a quick spoiler-free review. :)

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

That's good you had a good time with the family :)

[elisi]

We have Skyped weekly, but it's not the same... :)

Psychic: *reads my mind*. My mind: *only endless screaming*. Psychic: what the fuck

[(Anonymous)]

In which things have not calmed down yet, so I'm just dropping in to say hi. Hi!


"Doctor Who AU: Everything is the same except that the Master hears kazoos instead of drums."

"The Vincent van Gogh episode but instead the Doctor takes TS Eliot to the premiere of the Cats movie".

https://ziyal.tumblr.com/post/118174270767/wait-what-is-this-story-about-colin-baker-in-the

Psychic: *reads my mind*. My mind: *only endless screaming*. Psychic: what the fuck

[(Anonymous)]

In which things have not calmed down yest, so I'm just dropping in to say hi. Hi!


Have a funny:

ziyal.tumblr.com/post/118174270767/wait-what-is-this-story-about-colin-baker-in-the

Also:

"Doctor Who AU: Everything is the same except that the Master hears kazoos instead of drums."

and

"The Vincent van Gogh episode but instead the Doctor takes TS Eliot to the premiere of the Cats movie"

Psychic: *reads my mind*. My mind: *only endless screaming*. Psychic: what the fuck

[(Anonymous)]

In which things have not calmed down yet, so I'm just dropping in to say hi. Hi!


Have a funny:

ziyal tumblr com post 118174270767 wait-what-is-this-story-about-colin-baker-in-the
(first result, sorry, still can't do links here)

Also:

"Doctor Who AU: Everything is the same except that the Master hears kazoos instead of drums."

and

"The Vincent van Gogh episode but instead the Doctor takes TS Eliot to the premiere of the Cats movie"

Re: Psychic: *reads my mind*. My mind: *only endless screaming*. Psychic: what the fuck

[elisi]

Hi!!

Have a funny:
I KNEW THAT STORY! Omg poor Colin Baker. I really, really hope I get to meet him again, now I know his era.

"Doctor Who AU: Everything is the same except that the Master hears kazoos instead of drums."
This one sounds familiar, but it's not bring up anything.

"The Vincent van Gogh episode but instead the Doctor takes TS Eliot to the premiere of the Cats movie"
That one I have definitely heard and backed away from so fast I nearly broke something. D: It is the WORST idea!!

Hope you are having a good busy time and not a stressful busy time. :)

[cynthia2015.livejournal.com]

"Chibnall Who still feels like some sort of AU."

It's like you're reading my mind.

[elisi]

One of my many talents... ;)

[geekslave.livejournal.com]

Glad you had a good time with the family.

Haven't seen Squid Game yet. My husband says it will probably be too violent for me, so I'm trying to prepare myself.

Stacey

[elisi]

Glad you had a good time with the family.
<3

Haven't seen Squid Game yet. My husband says it will probably be too violent for me, so I'm trying to prepare myself.
Yes, the violence is... quite something. But as someone who doesn't like gore, I managed. Sometimes by closing my eyes, but it was definitely worth it. And there are other things, worse than the violence. You'll see what I mean.

[gillo]

Family can be tiring but also much joy, especially after so long a break.

Not sure if I want to see Dune. You've half-convinced me.

Tea cosies are hard to find? I could make you one if you like - quilted fabric, nothing fancy - if you PM me rough size, preferred colour and an address to send it to.

[elisi]

Family can be tiring but also much joy, especially after so long a break.
Very much yes.

Not sure if I want to see Dune. You've half-convinced me.
Oooh, a fellow book-fan I take it? I think I shall have to write up a (short) non-spoilery review, just so I have something to point towards.

Tea cosies are hard to find? I could make you one if you like - quilted fabric, nothing fancy - if you PM me rough size, preferred colour and an address to send it to.
That is very kind, but I came home from work to find a brand new tea cosy in the kitchen - turns out Dunelm is the place to go!