these are the times that try a fangirls' soul

So like the bulletproof kink, I have the vid-equivalent of bulletproof music; there are some songs that no matter how crappy the vid, I will watch them to the bitter end because the song or performers speak so well that for me, the vid has no choice but to be meaningful, which can end with me watching a lot of AMVs of obscure anime tearfully finding meaning in long shots of unnaturally beautiful, expressionless characters whose names I can't even pronounce, but I feel it okay?

Then sometimes, just sometimes, a vid defines the perfect way the song should be vidded and no other vid can ever ever ever match it and I am so fucked, because that song is now off-limits and I want to ban anyone from ever using it again. And yet, i keep trying, which is why I have watched no less than twenty vids set to How to Save a Life and hate all of them, because they'll never be as awesome as that one FMA one, dammit. Even if, you know, some of them are amazing.

It's also been taken down because youtube is evil, and thank God I officially download anything I like immediately.

My sulking is very fandom-oriented.

Child

There comes a time in every parent's life in which they feel the universe seem to expand before them, timespace opening like the petals of a flower in the sun and eternity residing deep within.

My son asked me for fanfic recs.

I had five minutes and a fucked up internet connection, and he requested in two fandoms: SGA and Torchwood. And I said, oh.

For Torchwood:

I gave him dira's Get Loved, Make More, Try to Stay Alive: I wanted a clean intro to Jack/Ianto fanfiction and an introduction to mpreg that won't traumatize him, and something well-plotted and well-executed and long enough to hold his attention. It also has a kid, and Child loves kids like whoa. This one seemed perfect, as it's one of my favorites.

For SGA:

The Retrograde Series by ltlj: this is the fic of my dreams, the Stargate Atlantis I wanted and everything about my fandom I love. To be more, to be better, to fight because you can't afford not to lose.

Qui Habitat by miss porcupine: this is the fic of my mind, politically complex combined religious fanaticism, rebellion and the unending and inexplicable hope that Stargate Atlantis is, and the complexity and well-plotted arcs it should have been. To be all and everything that you are, to fight because winning may not be certain, but losing would mean the end of everything.

Written by the Victors by cesperanza: this is the fic of my heart, what Stargate Atlantis could have been, secession and creating something new on the battered remains of what was. To be more than you thought you were, to fight because it's the right thing to do.

Your Cowboy Days Are Over by samdonne: this is the fic of my soul. It shook me and stole sleep and changed not only how I saw Atlantis, but how I saw the fandom that grew around it. To fight, to sacrifice until there's nothing left to lose, to bend and break and still get up again, because that's who you are and will always be.

I wanted to offer him the best of what media fandom in LJ has been and is and will be, livejournal's media culture and the house styles, the underpinnings of slash fandom, the writers who I felt encompassed so much of what makes fandom such a huge part of my life, the stories that could only be written in the fandom they were in and redefined them for me; it's a pretty good start.

Comments

[scy]

*hugs you*

Awesome recs.

[niqaeli]

Just as a heads-up, you misspelled Dira's username for LJ? Also, she's actually dira on dreamwidth.

[jamie]

I had no idea there was a sequel to Cowboy Days. Thank you for reminding me about that story.

[aivilo_18]

And yet, i keep trying, which is why I have watched no less than twenty vids set to How to Save a Life and hate all of them, because they'll never be as awesome as that one FMA one, dammit.

Hmmmm, I feel that way about the My Body is a Cage/Once Upon a Time in the West fusion. Like, nothing will ever be that good so you should just not try because you will lose. Horribly so. And I might mock you. You've been warned.

[concinnity]

[quote]I gave him [personal profile] dira's Get Loved, Make More, Try to Stay Alive: I wanted a clean intro to Jack/Ianto fanfiction and an introduction to mpreg that won't traumatize him, and something well-plotted and well-executed and long enough to hold his attention. It also has a kid, and Child loves kids like whoa. This one seemed perfect, as it's one of my favorites.[/quote]

There are so many phrases to love here. A clean intro to J/I? Versus, I suppose, one where they're both centaurs. (Oh. Oh gods. That fic exists out in the world, doesn't it? O_0) You know what? I...have nothing else to say. *blinks*

Oh! Except I hadn't read any of these, so thank you!

[polarisnorth]

You made excellent choices! I think the other fic that I would always include in an intro to fanfic would be Freedom's Just Another Word, but it's not like there won't be time for that later.

[colourful]

Yes! Of course, that's a total must read.
:)

[amalthia]

Loved your list of recs.

One of my favorite Torchwood stories after Dira's (or alongside dira's fic) is A Matter of Time by demotu I loved the time travel plot (but there is more sexual content in this fic than in Dira's if I'm remembering correctly)....so not sure how good of a rec this would be.

[margeauxmay.livejournal.com]

I have been trying to think of this fic for the last week and couldn't find it--thank you!

[rydra_wong]

My son asked me for fanfic recs.

This is a special, special moment. \o/

[kass]

I wanted to offer him the best of what media fandom in LJ has been and is and will be, livejournal's media culture and the house styles, the underpinnings of slash fandom, the writers who I felt encompassed so much of what makes fandom such a huge part of my life, the stories that could only be written in the fandom they were in and redefined them for me; it's a pretty good start.

This is so, so, so awesome.

[everbright]

Hum. The link to Cowboy Days to directing me towards something that says it's a Reported Attack Page! RAwR! and then their are no links. So, is that everyone, or is firefox borked, or is somebody fishing for new zombie computers?

ETA: Never mind, found it through LJ. Also, dame Sep, you rec'd all the hard stories. ow.

[seperis]

I checked:

http://safebrowsing.clients.google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?client=Firefox&hl=en-US&site=http://www.butcheredart.net/Fiction/YourCowboyDays.html

Leading to this:
http://blog.sucuri.net/2011/04/mass-infections-globalpoweringgathering-com.html

[seperis]

Ack, just saw your ETA.

[brownbetty]

I love that you felt he needed a soft intro to mpreg.

[dysprositos]

So like the bulletproof kink, I have the vid-equivalent of bulletproof music; there are some songs that no matter how crappy the vid, I will watch them to the bitter end because the song or performers speak so well that for me, the vid has no choice but to be meaningful, which can end with me watching a lot of AMVs of obscure anime tearfully finding meaning in long shots of unnaturally beautiful, expressionless characters whose names I can't even pronounce, but I feel it okay?

This is a brilliant idea! *puts "Look up every Hallelujah fanvid ever on YouTube" on to-do list* (I do not know how that song continues to be meaningful to me. I mean, it's so overused! In blatantly emotionally manipulative ways! And I spent a whole day doing nothing but listening to covers of it on YouTube! But put a video of, like, cats pooping or something and I start getting all choked up.

[that one FMA one]'s also been taken down because youtube is evil, and thank God I officially download anything I like immediately.

I, unfortunately, do not. Which is why, having watched Fullmetal Alchemist because of the vid (Brotherhood, but having on hand both fanfiction and someone who did watch the first anime fills in all canon-knowledge gaps), I spent half a day downloading and watching Fullmetal Alchemist How to Save a Life vids on AMV trying to find the correct one. I'm pretty sure it's this vid, entitled How to Bring Back a Life, for anyone who didn't catch it when it was on YouTube. (And although, from what I know of both serieses, I am glad that I picked Brotherhood to watch, I will probably be forced to track down the flashback episode(s?) immediately following THAT DEATH so I can get the full context for the second verse [once I have finished reading all the SG fics you just recced]. Because it turns out that good pacing and avoiding over-using the flashback has a downside, viz., less previous-generation story.)

So, thank you for recommending this vid, because I now have a new FANDOM OF MY HEART, and, also, I probably wouldn't have watched it to begin with (since I didn't know the source) if I hadn't been interested to see how it used How to Save a Life, because previous forays into Torchwood vid-watching on YouTube seemed to indicate that it could only be used in the crackiest manner imaginable, probably because TW How to Save a Life vidders are tempted by the copious amounts of footage in which Cardiffians fall over dead when the Giant CG Monster's shadow falls on them or whatever. Thus proving that watching all vids to a particular song, no matter how bad they are, can be good for your fannish health!

[colourful]

Well, thank you! :)

I can't stand reading the cowboy days... I can't deal with giving up memories that define who you are.

And maybe he wants to read something his mother wrote? I'd say he'd have to read "You'll get there in the end..."

Love.

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

"Get Loved..." was my comfort fic after I watched Children of Earth.

Ooh, I've only read one of your SGA recs ("Written by the Victors") -- new stories for me! *gleefully rubs hands*

[viggorlijah.livejournal.com]

That is such a lovely moment. It's the fandom heritage!

[ravyn-09.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely. I think I'll read this....

if you don't mind me asking, how old is your son? Cuz when you say 'child' my mind conjures up a 5 year old reading fanfiction O_o

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*bites lip* Fourteen, but I've been on LJ since he was five and in fandom since he was two, so it--stuck.

[ravyn-09.livejournal.com]

no that is totally cool. That's definitely one way to ensure that the future generations are open minded ;)

[dine.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming Child is familiar with LOLcats - he therefore might also appreciate copperbadge's extremely funny Trying to Communicate

http://sam-storyteller.dreamwidth.org/131686.html

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Ooh, you are awesome. *bookmarks*

[zoniduck.livejournal.com]

Excellent choice!

[idylll.livejournal.com]

Don't suppose you're talking about this vid? http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=141708

[silentcs.livejournal.com]

All of these stories are miles better than what I was reading online as a teenager. In fact, I think it's time for a reread. Thanks for the reminder. =)

[linzeestyle.livejournal.com]

Oh man, bulletproof music. I have a folder on my external hard drive with no less than nine videos to Rob Thomas' "Ever The Same," most for shows I've never seen an episode of. They are terrible and I love every single one of them. Fandom will not be complete until every character possible has been brave like a soldier, falling down under the pale moonlight.

[zoniduck.livejournal.com]

These are some excellent recs! On the SGA side, I would also add Synecdochic's "Freedom's Just Another Word..." (http://www.kekkai.org/synecdochic/sga/freedoms_just_another_word.html) and the sequel, "And the Band's Playing "Hail to the Chief"" (http://www.kekkai.org/synecdochic/sga/and_the_bands_playing.html), Skoosiepants' "Once Upon A Furry Octopus" (http://skoosiepants.livejournal.com/109266.html), and Astolat's "A Beautiful Lifetime Event" (http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/stargate/lifetime_event.html).

On the Torchwood side, I'd include Copperbadge's "The Rules of Torchwood Three" (http://sam-storyteller.dreamwidth.org/113092.html), and its sequels, which are linked in the header, and his "The Theory of Two Centres" (http://sam-storyteller.dreamwidth.org/124595.html). Actually, just have him read all of Copperbadge's stuff. He's fucking brilliant. Also Joonscribble's "Last One Out" (http://joonscribble.livejournal.com/76832.html).

And if you'd like to introduce the crossover concept, Leah's SGA/Torchwood cross "Like a Dream in the Morning" (http://community.livejournal.com/mckay_sheppard/1316941.html).

[hinokumo.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes--thanks for these recs! I almost forgot about astolat's fic--that is one of the ONLY mpreg-that's-really-not-mpreg fics that I will read. With exception to rageprufrock's, of course ^_^

"A Beautiful Lifetime Event" is unique and changed how I looked at SGA.

[mremre.livejournal.com]

I have a rule about Retrograde: when it is named anywhere, I reread it. Thanks for the reminder!

Also, the only thing I didn't recognize was Your Cowboy Days Are Over so I clicked on over. Then I started it, recognized it as 'that depressing-yet-hopeful triumph of the Sheppard spirit' and clicked away fast. I am not in the right frame of mind to read that T_T

[deejay.livejournal.com]

Would love to have this discussion over on http://vidsongs.livejournal.com/profile !

(Stuff like this was one of the reasons the community was created.)

[zippitgood.livejournal.com]

Is this the vid? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdq3Q6xP9bQ

Never mind, I found the original link I had saved and yeah, it's gone.

If not, could I bother you for a copy? I adored that vid but need to get into the habit of saving everything I like.

[pi]

As a fanvid fan I would be curious as to what the original vid was (do you know who it was by?) There's one "How to Save a Life" to the original FMA series on AMV.org by Miracle_Falcon (http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members/members_videoinfo.php?v=122037).
It's not up on youtube now so I don't know if this was your vid. However, like the comment above me I'd love to bother you for a copy of the vid you're referencing.

[loriel-eris.livejournal.com]

Get Loved - this is the one that when referenced by either Friend or I in work emails we refer to as "19%mp" because back when I first read it (and even now) I could never remember the title, but I introduced it to Friend as the one that was 19% mpreg and the name stuck. And you don't want to be talking about mpreg on work email. That's just... no. *g*

Qui Habitat - Didn't read at the time because it was a WiP (and still is?) and keep putting off reading it now because I have this impression (rightly or wrongly) that it's in bits and pieces all over her LJ and finding all the bits would be hard. And it's crazy because this is the kind of fic that I love and adore.

Cowboy Days - I have the impression that this is terribly angsty and/or heartbreaking, which I usually read like, but that it doesn't have my OTP, which I rely on to get me thru the angst etc. Again, I suspect that I would love this fic, but I've never been able to get past my first impression.

I totally second Freedom. Aside from the usual awesome stuff, I love and absolutely adore the way McKay teaches in this. It hits my button so goddamned hard.

[hinokumo.livejournal.com]

Thank for this! The first 4 you chose for SGA recs are also some of my top 10. The worlds created by these authors speak to my heart, mind, & soul and still resonate with me after all these years. If I could only bring one author with me on a kindle to a deserted island, it would be a tough choice. Great picks! I hope he enjoys them as much as we did ^_^

Since the cancellation of SGA & the subsequent loss of all hope for a movie follow-up, I sometimes catch myself actually believing that the events in Retrograde or Written are canon. I still feel the pang of loss, but it brings a smile to my face.

[margi-lynn.livejournal.com]

You are kind of amazing! I have always loved fanfiction but SGA really brought home the fact that we were not just "fixing" canon or playing with characters, but we'd inherited this great tradition of building, fleshing out, and making our own, stories that other people told.

That we all could actually interact with the material past just being fed a lifeless tale we had been spoon-fed and forgot about as soon as the story ended and to do so was worthwhile, sorta like being Shakespeare.

And all your recs (and zoniduck's) are my tops favs! Well, and Iowa Verse: http://sheafrotherdon.livejournal.com/tag/fandom%3Asga%3Aiowa%20verse (my html is borking, sorry)

[eponymousanon.livejournal.com]

Aww man... I just read Cowboys and Get Loved and I just spend the entire time sobbing my eyes out but in the good way.

[kityye.livejournal.com]

It also has a kid, and Child loves kids like whoa.

I know you probably don't want to overwhelm him, but here are a few of my favorite kidfics:
Woobies of Woe (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=448) - McKay's anti-kidfic story.

Atlantis Observed (http://seekergeek.livejournal.com/8217.html) - wherein Atlantis makes babies from John and Rodney's DNA and they hav to cope.

Life Lived as Bell's Theorem (http://hawksong.com/~momskitchen/SGA_Fic/madison1.htm) - Where Rodney (and John, eventually) have to raise Madison as their own.

The Tragic, Doomed, and Epic Life and Loves of Elizabeth Jean McKay (http://captanddeastar.livejournal.com/2187.html) - from the perspective of John and Rodney's teenage daughter.

Fair (http://undermistletoe.livejournal.com/48389.html) - This is a John-is-a-Fairy story that starts off when they're about 5. It combines two of my favorite things - kidfic and fairytales.

Hands-On Science (http://sga-flashfic.livejournal.com/207546.html) - John and Rodney meet at a museum as teenagers.

The Pegasus School for the Gifted and Talented (http://hackthis.livejournal.com/416639.html) - AU with John and Rodney as teachers of 6 year olds in the Pegasus School for the Gifted.

The Other Side of Grace (https://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc3fj3hh_2gwdf99kd) - Baby Rodney (this one is a google doc, so you have to sign in to google to see it).

Little Man Sheppard (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3642119/1/Little_Man_Sheppard) - Kid Sheppard

What Happens in the Clubhouse (http://skoosiepants.livejournal.com/117670.html) - Kids Sheppard, Ronon, and Rodney
I'm sorry - I couldn't find the one that had little Teyla and little Ronon with John and Rodney taking care of them.


And two bonus I couldn't resist:
Into the Woods
(http://sga-genficathon.livejournal.com/8856.html) - the humorous one where McKay gets kidnapped... and then returned because he drives his kidnapper crazy.

City on the Edge of Forever, the pilot (http://synecdochic.dreamwidth.org/122553.html) - This is the story that made me interested in reading more fanfic - the intelligent version of planning on going to another galaxy.

[rissabby.livejournal.com]

FYI - I clicked on the link for Cowboys and got this alarming message:

Reported Attack Page!

This web page at www.butcheredart.net has been reported as an attack page and has been blocked based on your security preferences.

Attack pages try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system.

Some attack pages intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners.
=============================================================

Dunno why I got this and other folks didn't, but I'm not going to risk it.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Someone else got it and when i tested it from work, I got it too. Then it went away.

It was weird.

[turnonmyheels.livejournal.com]

My browser keeps telling me that the website hosting "Cowboy Days" is a known attack site. Do you know if there is an alternate search or if perhaps my security settings are too high? I'd love to read that, my google-fu didn't turn up an alternate link.

[sofi-skoog.livejournal.com]

Friending you to get updated mmkay?