Sorry for being so absent recently, hope everyone has had a nice month. As you may know I am currently away from home in England, and spending my third year of university studying in Venice. This past month and a half has been incredibly busy but absolutely amazing. So much has happened I don't even really know where to start. It is definitely very hard being so far from my family and friends (and with unreliable internet connection!) but it helps to have met a lot of people who are going through the same thing. My biggest regret at the moment is having to cancel my trip home in November for AT4. Unfortunately with the cost of living in such a tourist heavy city, it just isn't a possiblity. I expect photos and stories people!!!!

I am living in a beautiful apartment in the centre of Venice, sharing a room with another girl from my university, and also with an Italian girl and a Chinese guy. It is a bit stressful living under each others feet all the time (especially with the language barrier, my Italian isn't that great yet!) but it is definitely worth it. My landlord is a slightly insane Italian man named Gino, who greatly resembles General Hammond under the influence of Hathor's pink floaty pheremones. He likes to have long conversations about philosophy, art, religion, food, threesomes, and anything that isn't related to nasty things such as the amount for the bills and rent...

( In which I ramble )

Stoled from lots and lots of peeps, finally had time to do my own.

* Post ten of any pictures currently on your hard drive that you think are self-expressive.* NO CAPTIONS! It must be like we're speaking with images and we have to interpret your visual language just like we do your words.
* They must ALREADY be on your hard drive -- no googling or flickr! They have to have been saved to your folders sometime in the past.
* They must be something you've saved there because it resonated with you for some reason.
* You do NOT have to answer any questions about any of your pictures if you don't want to. You can make them as mysterious as you like.

( A pikshur sez a 1000 wurds )

Title: Pansies, orchids and snapdragons.
Fandom: SG1
Pairing: Sam/Jack
Rating: Mature.
Spoilers: 'In the Line of Duty' and hints at Atlantis
Summary: Selecting the perfect flower isn't easy, it requires careful thought and knowledge of individual preferences. Someone elses dream could be Carter's nightmare.

( Pansies, orchids and snapdragons. )

Title: Jack Daniels and Coke.
Fandom: SG1
Summary: She's tired of waking up with the weight of the world on her shoulders. But then, that's her job.

( Jack Daniels and Coke )

Hello :)

I'm back from my month learning Italian language in Perugia. Had such an amazing time, it is a really beautiful vibrant Italian city, full of life, locals and students.

For most of my stay there the annual Umbria Jazz festival was taking place (for free) in the main street. So every night we were treated to music out in the open, with a crowd of people and brilliant scenery. Oh, and the best gellato ever *daydreams* I have come back with an insane appetite, after pasta and salad and fruit for lunch everyday.

Met some wonderful people on my course, some really nice girls from Poland, a lot of Spanish people, some people from Holland. Developed a mini crush on a guy from Holland who was just adorable in a puppy dog kind of way, plus got to spend time with a Spanish guy who is training to be a doctor, likes Pirates of the Caribbean, has his tongue pierced and was very friendly. Unfortunately also a bit of a condescending arrogant sod on the side, but oh well.

*squishes Holland guy and Spanish guy together to form perfection*

Had my purse stolen whilst I was there, with my cards in, leaving me with just the money I'd taken out with me. EEK. Very scary, but I think I handled it ok, phoned insurance company, got cards cancelled, and managed to budget my stay so there was enough left over. Got a fun test of italian abilities reporting it to the Polizia. 101 easy ways to learn a language. But I don't plan on doing that again!

Also visited Perugina chocolate factory and saw Baci chocolates being made...plus we got free samples, yay. Went to Assisi and Florence on day visits and explored all the brilliant architecture. Saw 'David' in Florence...very impressive, wasn't expecting him to be so large. Had one of those weird 'this thing is so famous I can't look directly at it' moments. Anyone else get those or is it just me? lol.

One of my classmates was Grade 7 on the cello and going to study music for her erasmus year abroad, so we were all treated to her playing Bach's Prelude 1 (my favourite piece of music) in our final class. She was stunning.

( Photographic evidence of having a life for a month )

One month to go until Venice...scary but very exciting!!!

1.) Just received my exam results in the post (I didn't think I was going to be getting them for another week!). I got a high 2:1, and my average for the year was 69, which is soooo close to a first! Yay. I'm so happy and so relieved with the marks. In the exam where I had a 24 hour virus thing that made my head feel like it was going to explode, I even managed to get a 64, which is just...phew!

2.) Annerb wrote fic. Threads fix-it fic. If this DOESN'T make you happy, then really...why are you on my flist? lol. For teh awesome; Down to the Bone.

3.) On Wednesday my sister and I spent the day in London, where we did a bit of shopping (oh hai nice teal blue bag and cute little black skirt) and had a picnic in Green Park. Then we went to The Slaughtered Lamb, where Julia Nunes and Greg Holden were performing. Here's a duet they did called 'Bar on A', one of Greg's songs, which I'm in love with and can't stop humming.

I've had this quote in my head all day, with Jack drawling Samantha so gravelly and rawr as he does in Grace. Quiet Jack, you are being distracting!!

Ahem. Anyhoo.

LOOKIT WHAT MY RL FRIEND MEL GAVE ME FOR MY (slightly belated whilst she waited for it to arrive) BIRTHDAY!!!

( Stargatey Geekchic Birthday Present of SQUEE )

I also have a mini poem-type fic thing as an attempt to get back into the swing of writing SJ. A Sam in Atlantis Drabble for lilferret.

Sempre

The whisper seared in honesty embroidered on her hip in ink, read simply...always. It wasn’t a promise that could be kept with constant and obvious reminders; a galaxy separated such a possibility, bridged by a broken stream of stargates. It wasn’t something that meant every single moment of every day he was thinking of her...she was a realist, a scientist, who lived impossible dreams but knew that the heart of man was sometimes preoccupied with beer and Simpsons, not absent blondes. Rightly so, she’d hate for him to live the nightmare of never forgetting for a blissful moment of laughter that she wasn’t there to share the joke. No, the single word emblazoned on her skin was a token born of a single moment. Always. The intense and meaningful word, spoken in hushed tones and filled with a decade of proof. Trailing a fingertip over the embossed ink upon her skin, she bathed herself in the nightlight of her room and allowed for a moment of peaceful recollection. Each swirl of calligraphy reinforced the knowledge at the deepest hollow of her heart in which dwelled her absolute truth. His promise to her is alive despite his absence. It lives in the timeless certainty of his respect and love and caring for her –quietly - just as much as he damn well pleases.

Title: Cat and Mousetraps.
Fandom: Sanctuary
Rating: Mature.
Summary: He's followed her for a century, keeping to the shadows, just waiting for her eyes to close.

( Cat and Mousetraps. )

Dear Yummy Man in Starbucks,

Oh yummy man in Starbucks, with your short sandy blonde hair and little beard, your John Druitt-esque cheekbones and jawline, and your deep, deep dark brown eyes...how are you so yummy?

Thank you, yummy man, for serving me an iced mocha latte. It's my favourite beverage, how did you know?

*flutters eyelashes*

How unfortunate, yummy yummy Druitt man, that you are so obviously in a relationship with the pretty brunette. (What, is her name Helen or something?)

You can serve me coffee any day yummy man. Or, you know, murder a victorian prostitute. All is forgiven.

Lots of love,
silerswench
xxxx

P.S. I love that your name is Chris, my Druitt lookalikey with the sandy hair and dark eyes.
Heh.

...Thus went my week!!!

Ugh. I had somehow managed to forget how horribly I react to exam nerves/stress. Couldn't eat or sleep, felt like my head was going to explode, very ill, and I have never looked quite so pale and zombie-like before (which is saying something!). I really cannot wait till Tuesday at 12.30pm, the freedom is looming. Luckily there's a few days to relax in between before the final exam. Trying to take the studying for this one fairly slow and not stress myself out too much. I apologise for all the whining, especially to my housemates, who must now really think I am somewhat of an obsessive freak.

(Surprise!)

Other news:

Got spoiled for a bit of David Tennant's final episode of Doctor Who and I am both annoyed and excited at the same time!

Have recieved 8 birthday cards in ze post which are sitting on my West Wing boxset waiting for Monday. I hadn't realised until they arrived how much I was expecting to be forgotten this birthday. With it landing smack bang in the middle of exams I'd somehow managed to gloss over its importance to me and figured others would have done the same. So, yay. *feels loved*

Interesting interview with Amanda linked on sam_daily, never heard about her 'push-up bra and lowcut tank top' incident before. Wonder what she made of Broca Divide in that case? I've heard her say somewhere that it was awkward because she and Rick barely knew each other at that point. Coupled with Emancipation, it's good that she managed to carve a way for Sam to be the strong role model she became (with the flaws that make her human and identifiable).

Hmmm, finally gonna end with the Andrew Marvell poem I'm currently revising (along with Edward Spenser's The Faerie Queene and various other Early Modern writers). I like this poem a lot, it has a very nice rhythm and there's a quiet beauty about the image of solitude and freedom it explores.

( The Garden )

Oh Sanctuary, you do so indulge our costume-squee!!

Join us in a prayer to thank the Gods of Leather:



Photos from the wonderful Gateworld interview with Amanda last week :) Clicky for pics + Clicky for interview

Just...how to brighten up a day with a smile (and an awesome jacket).

I has a happy :-D

Finished one essay on Madness in Jacobean Tragedy, and half way through another one on ideas of sovereign authority in Paradise Lost. Have got all day tomorrow to keep writing, and most of Wednesday, then my Mum is coming to visit for a few days before we both head home for Easter break!

So far this Paradise Lost essay has been a lot LOT easier than I thought it would be to write. Phew.

***

Also I am so proud of my little sister, who has set her mind to something and pushed herself so hard, and it is all finally paying off for her!! Love you roxy_black, you're inspirational, and you never fail to amaze me xx

***

Ahhhhh looking at all of lilferret's gorgeous photos from the con at the moment is making me REALLY want to go to collectormania. It's the same day as my uni's summer ball, but...but...Amanda!!!

Glad everyone who has gone has had such a brillant time, especially samjackshiplove. You deserve this experience so much, I hope it was everything you dreamed it would be and more.

***

I'm really starting to get excited about SGU, which has surprised me because at first I was very ambivalent. (I'm sorry but I'm not one of the people who is furious at SGA's cancellation. As much as I will miss the continued adventures of Rodney McKay, I think five years was quite a good run and am just happy to enjoy what we got.) The SGU trailers so far have been quite intriguing, and the added cast info - especially those all important special guest spots - have caught my attention nicely. Hats off TPTB, I didn't think you could do it!

My contribution to the lolz today. A lolcat starring my kittycat Monty;



Okies, back to writing my essay now. 1544 words, 706 to go.

Baldrick "Breakfast."

Blackadder "What?"

Baldrick "My breakfast always begins with tea, then I have a little sausage. Then an egg with some little soldiers."

Blackadder "When I say it begins with 't', I meant a letter."

Baldrick "No, it never begins with a letter, the postman don't come until 10.30."

( Meme to kill boredom )

She's just so cute X-D

*does the splashy puddle dance with her*



Also *points at new icon* I made this.

Been very very busy today, getting nowhere with my essay. Which means that I stumbled across this brilliant fanvid on YouTube. It's really not the kind of music I normally listen to, but it works so well for this video, and the clips used are just great, lots of little subtle Sam and Jack moments that don't normally make their way into these things. I stuck with it and found myself appreciating both the song and the lyrics.



(It's also good for the house tidying/dancing around the bedroom!)

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.


IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
I can't take my eyes off you.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I was a lover

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Blush (Only you)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Is it cos I'm cool?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Welcome to Hufflepuff

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Space Dementia

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Good morning nerdfighters

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I need a holiday

WHAT DO U THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Candy Love

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Hallelujah

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
You still believe in me

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Two figures by a fountain

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A sorta fairytale

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Pretty in scarlet

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Sunset Song

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
I'm still breathing (hahahaha)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST??
Jackadi

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR??
Problem Child

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
She

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
The power of love

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Low Spark of the high-heeled boys

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Thinking of you

Awwwwwwwwww!!!! I find this utterly adorable. Itty bitty Amanda, sporting the same hairstyle that she has in her first scenes in her Atlantis Season, lol.



Tim Horton's Muffins Ad 1989.

Just. So. Cute!!

Like mayogate, I'm typing the facebook 25 things about you meme here. Mostly because I don't know how notes work over there!!

Fandom and random! Oh, and number 10 is a bonus angsty smutty (slightly angry) Moebius Sam/Jack drabble.

( and so it begins... )

Arrrh, it's been ages since I last posted. Whoops. Busy with rl stuff and attempting to write.

Just about to start the first round of this term's essays, and have been looking at Donne's poetry. He has a really interesting mix of smutty chauvenism and religious introspection.

And in keeping with all the apocafic I've been reading lately, this sonnet is one of my favourites:

At the round earths imagin'd corners, blow
Your trumpets, Angells, and arise, arise
From death, you numberlesse infinities
Of soules, and to your scattred bodies goe,
All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow,
All whom warre, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despaire, law, chance, hath slain, and you whose eyes,
Shall behold God, and never taste death's woe.
But let them sleepe, Lord, and me mourne a space,
For, if above all these, my sinnes abound,
'Tis late to aske abundance of thy grace,
When we are there; here on this lowly ground,
Teach me how to repent; for that's as good
As if thou hadst seal'd my pardon, with thy blood.