I only have two Torchwood icons. Hopefully I will not have anything to say about tomorrow's episode or I might need a third. Anyway, as with yesterday's episode I enjoyed Day Two but with a few reservations.

( spoilers )

The BBC have kindly put Torchwood on BBC1, a channel I can actually get, so I watched it As It Happened.

( Torchtastic spoilers )

This morning on the Today programme I heard Beryl Bainbridge talking about how if you borrow a book from a library and never give it back, that's not really stealing. I BEG TO DIFFER. She also went on about how libraries are too welcoming now and not intimidating enough (not her exact words, but that was the subtext). She said there used to be rows and rows of books that aren't there any more. Know why that is, Beryl? Because people like you STOLE THEM ALL. (Caveat: I was half asleep when this was on so may have misinterpreted; can't listen again as am at work, but the clip is here, at 7.22.)

File this one under "why we still need feminism": the Lawn Tennis Association All England Club has straight out said (I was going to type "admitted", but that would imply they felt a need to hide it) that they decide which court to schedule women's matches on based on how "conventionally attractive" the players are. There's some discussion of this here; I can't manage to say anything more coherent than "AHHH WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I am also less than impressed that, going by the players mentioned in the linked article, "conventionally attractive" means Victoria Azarenka and Sorana Cristea (both white) but not Serena Williams (who is black). Not content with just being sexist, it looks like they're shooting for racist too.

Excuse me, I have to go and find a wall to bang my head against.

Tis very muggy today. We've got the windows open but the main effect of that is to make the library smell of tar. But still, sunshine! Summer! I went to see an outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream last Friday evening with Jess and Phil. It was an excellent production; I recommend seeing it if you get the chance (it's on tour at the moment). All the costumes and music were done in a 1920s style and it was great fun, full of energy and singing and dancing. And it reminded me of how much I like Hermia.

I finished watching Doctor Who and the Silurians last night and this time it had a trailer on the end for The Ambassadors of Death, which I don't seem to remember seeing before, even though it's the same DVD. My memory must be impersonating a sieve again. But anyway, now I am looking forward to The Ambassadors of Death. Fights! Car chases! Liz's HAT! Everyone looking unusually coral coloured in the face department!

Recently I listened to Circular Time. I must admit, after the first disc I was a little skeptical about it's fantastic reputation: although both stories were good, they weren't that madly brilliant. HOWEVER. Disc two completely changed my mind. (This next bit may be vaguely spoilery, so here's a cut.) ( spoilers )

And finally, Big Finish sent me an extra copy of this month's Vortex again, and due to buying job lots of stuff on ebay I also have an extra copy of Big Finish magazine CD #6, y compris UNIT, Terror Firma, David Tennant and probably some other things wot escape me at the moment. CD now gone! If anyone wants either or both of them the copy of Vortex, just give me a shout and they're yours.

More Classic Who! I spent Monday and Tuesday evenings watching The War Games, which I absolutely loved (I've already ordered the DVD...).

( some thoughts, with spoilers, natch )

And this evening I've been watching Spearhead from Space, which has gone up in my estimation since I last saw it.

( more thoughts, more spoilers )

I understand that there are people who are capable of completing an entire craft project without ever having to start again, rethink the entire project, or make an emergency craft shop dash. I am not one of those people. However I do occasionally finish things. And take pictures of them (which is incredibly complicated and involves balancing my camera on top of a mighty pile of STUFF).

( pictures )

1.) It's hot and stuffy at work today and I haven't been sleeping well (went out to buy new earplugs at lunchtime (it was raining. Of course it was raining), hopefully that'll help), plus it's been busier than usual at work these last few days, so generally I'm a bit irritable and grumpy. Bah. But on the plus side, I got an exciting package from Big Finish today containing Benny audios and books (and another copy of last month's Vortex, anyone want it?), so hurray for that.

2.) Finished Un Lun Dun by China Miéville (tigerpixie, this is the book that the_smut_fairy and I were talking about at last night's S'n'W) which I really loved: since it's a children's book, it's not as complex, twisty or grotesque as his other books, and the resolution is a lot more sign-posted, but it's still very satisfying. The main character is excellent and very convincingly real, and the whole book is full of inventiveness and puns, in a way that reminded me a little of Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series, which I also like. Though on the whole I think I prefer Un Lun Dun.

3.) Sadly I won't be able to go to this, because it looks like fun: flash pillow fight in Trafalgar Square!

4.) I watched DS9's 'Life Support', among other episodes, last Friday, and was really bothered by the B-plot, so much so that it's nearly a week later and I still feel moved to write about it. ( spoilers ) I also watched 'Heart of Stone', which I think suffered a little from following on right after 'Life Support': ( more spoilers )

5.) One last link: "Some 65 years after their service, the 300 surviving Women Airforce Service Pilots are being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal." Heartbreaking to read how these pilots' efforts and sacrifices were overlooked because of their gender, but wonderful that they're finally getting the recognition they deserve.

Den of Geek have done a piece on the top ten sexiest men of Doctor Who. It strikes me as a slightly eccentric list, but I suppose that is par for the course given that a) sexiness is not really something that can be measured objectively and b) there are a lot of men to choose from in Doctor Who. Anyway, I am glad of it, because it gives me an opportunity to rectify their omissions through the medium of picspam. Some of these pictures were a bit big, so I shrunk them - click on them to get the full size versions.

( not dial up friendly! )

Sources: Tragical History Tour, Hot Daily, dw_daily, some of who_anon's many picspams and a couple of my own caps.

Terrible European election results: very low turnout (35%), UKIP in second place overall, and the BNP won two seats. The BNP. I am shocked and ashamed to find out that I live in a country where a gang of racist hatemongers are winning seats. Meanwhile, the Tories are talking about joining up with a party who apparently get their kicks banning gay pride parades*. Lovely. The local council results were pretty depressing too - great swathes of blue, and the fact that that lonely little splodge of Lib Dem orange represents Bristol is very little comfort.

*can't seem to find a source for this, but they were talking about it on the Today programme this morning.

I finished watching Fury from the Deep last night. A few brief thoughts on it, mostly about Victoria:

( spoilers )

The new set of recording dates for The Now Show have been announced, does anyone fancy trying to get tickets? It's a random draw type arrangement and we'd have to enter by next Friday. The recordings are on Thursday nights in London, which is not ideal for me, but probably doable.

Voting! My polling station was not where I thought it was, but this meant that I ended up having a lovely circular walk through Cotham in the sunshine, so that was ok. There weren't many other people there when I did find it, which is rather worrying. Also alarming: the fact that the BNP were right at the top of the (incredibly long) European election ballot paper. Stupid alphabet, gave me a scare. Anyway, I resisted the charms of the Cornish Independence party and the Pensioners' Party, and voted Lib Dem. I usually do: in Cheltenham, it was pretty much them or the Tories, though the Monster Raving Loony Party made a good showing. But having investigated a little more they have a few policies I like (and some not so much), especially the use of the magic words "proper public transport system". YES PLEASE, I WOULD LIKE ONE OF THOSE.

Currently (re)reading The Three Musketeers (yes, inspired by listening to The Church and the Crown) and it is just so much fun! I really didn't get it the first time round, but now I love it. So funny :D

Whee, Sue Perkins is on tonight's News Quiz! She's great, I have liked her ever since she was half of Late Lunch with Mel and Sue.

Tis voting day! The F Word has a good post here on the European elections and why just keeping out the BNP isn't the only thing to worry about, though obviously it is a very laudatory aim as the BNP are something of a blight on humanity. Hey, they're not just racist, they're sexist too! *sigh* The South West constituency has seven MEPs and this currently includes two from UKIP and three Tories. Which is rather depressing. Less of that, please.

A music meme, while I am waiting for my tea to cook. From sneakyangel:

Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 20 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Strike through the songs when someone guesses both artist and track correctly.
Step 4: For those who are guessing -- looking the lyrics up on a search engine is CHEATING!

( one of these songs I'm sure I've never actually heard before )

Listening to the weather forecast was unexpectedly joyous this morning, as they listed the hottest parts of the country and I went "...I'm right in the middle of all those places!" The weather is brilliant, it maketh me v. happy. I am wearing a skirt! And bare legs! This never happens! On Saturday I went over to Bath for a few hours to see Phil-from-school, we sat in the park by the river (the one you have to pay to get in, except Phil got in free for being local and I got in free as her guest, hurrah) and then mooched around Bath for a bit. Did not do much on Sunday, bit of baking, some light gardening, and revamped my profile a little. Oh, and listened to lots of Tintin - I have had it on tape for ages and it is all incredibly familiar. ♥

The Ten Doctors comic has been completed, and it's definitely worth reading if you haven't yet: it's incredibly fun, packed full of guest appearances and companion team-ups, all done with great humour, affection and enthusiasm. The art isn't perfect, though most of the time it's pretty good, and it captures the essence of the characters very nicely. I wasn't sure about the characterisation of Rose at first, but then she and Ace teamed up and it was awesome. And now I am shipping them.

Tomorrow's Women's Hour is a George Eliot special. Excellent, must remember to listen.

I actually have things to say about Ashes to Ashes this week! (Things other than: "well done, more of this please", that is.) Mostly what I have to say is ( spoilers )

*flails* I cannot work out how to link to an individual twitter update, but Stephen Fry just posted the guests for the QI episode he's filming today: Ronni Ancona, Sandi Toksvig, Jack Dee and Alan Davies! TWO women (that is sadly v. rare for QI)! One of whom is Sandi Toksvig! No Johnny Vegas or Jimmy Carr! Awesome. I await this episode impatiently.

Working late again tonight, extra hours for extra moneys. Doing Friday evenings isn't too bad, usually, since I can go home and still have the whole weekend to myself. Saturdays means coming in for an extra day, not so good.

I listened to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for about the 893659127th time last night as I was coding trek_news. This time round I decided that I love Arthur and the way Simon Jones plays him most of all: his delivery of lines like "Ford, what's this fish doing in my ear?" is fab. I also love the bit in the TV series when the waiter says "Actually, sir, your monkey has got it right" and his face goes from "AHA!" to "...hey!" in the background. The sequence about where, exactly, the plans are on display is my favourite, I think (quoted from memory, apologies for any mistakes):

Arthur: You hadn't exactly gone out of your way to draw attention to them, had you? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.
Prosser: That's the display department.
Arthur: With a torch.
Prosser: The... lights had probably gone.
Arthur: So had the stairs.
Prosser: But you found the plans?
Arthur: Oh yes. They were 'on display' at the bottom of a locked filing cabinet in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the Leopard'. Have you ever thought about going into advertising?

♥ ♥ ♥

Currently I am reading The Night Watch, which is excellent so far. It's giving me that lovely feeling that I get when I'm reading something very good which is also completely new to me. Hopefully it will not suddenly go downhill in a distressing fashion. Speaking of excellent books, recently the_smut_fairy lent me China Mievile's The Scar. Very well-written, incredibly inventive and imaginative - brilliant. I absolutely loved the main character, Bellis. Highly recommended: it got better and better the more I read of it.

1) I have a spare hardcopy of Vortexxxxxxx magazine to give away if anyone wants it gone! - Big Finish sent my copies of The Mahogany Murders and Enemy of the Daleks in separate envelopes this month, for some obscure reason.

2) Is there an easy way to code Dreamwidth usernames into Livejournal posts? Like so: shinyjenni. I have a method, but it involves an awful lot of code and copy 'n' pasting, and I'm sure there must be an easier way!

3) I finished Reckless Engineering last night! I thoroughly enjoyed it and sat up rather later than I should have to read it. Quick thoughts: ( spoilers )

I had been comforting myself about the messiness of my garden by peeking over the wall at how much worse next door's garden is, but apparently someone has been round there with a strimmer and now I'm the messiest one again. Curses. I did some more chopping back and digging up of weeds at the weekend, quite a bit on Saturday and a little on Monday (would've been more, but my arms told me quite firmly that they weren't having any more of that nonsense, and also, OW), but there's still loads to do - if anyone fancies doing some garden clearing in return for cake, I'm sure we could come to some arrangement. Speaking of cake, here's one I made earlier:

( cakey goodness )

The weather here was glorious on Sunday. Rhiannon and Simon had a joint birthday picnic in Victoria Park, we ate lovely food and played cricket and it was awesome. I did get a little sunburned though, on the bit of my back that I couldn't reach with the sun cream. Curse my lack of flexibility.

Read the latest but one Falco novel, Saturnalia, over the weekend: very good, as ever, laugh out loud funny in a few places, and the Author's note at the end was genius. Radio 4 is airing a dramatisation of Poseidon's Gold at the moment, which is also great, but it seems I've been pronouncing Helena Justina's name wrong for about a decade - apparently it's HeLAYna, not HELLena. Oops!

Hey everyone, guess what I saw on Tuesday? If you guessed Star Trek XI you are very right.

( thoughts )

So all in all I am very glad I volunteered for the awesome trek_news (my first edition is tonight, whee!), otherwise I might not have got round to seeing this in the cinema, and it would have been less shiny on my titchy TV. Am also contemplating going to see it again at the weekend, v. rare for me, I usually don't manage to see things at the cinema at all, let alone more than once.

Eurovision was great this year. And by great I mean I won both the sweetstakes. Hurrah! Also Hett, Rach, Mark and I had a lovely Eurovision party with lots of European and Europeanish food, dancing around, flag making and enthusiastic waving (the red felt tips ran out so my Icelandic flag had to have a pink cross instead of a red one, but it looked pretty so never mind), and VERY TENSE voting: no-one had Norway but I had Iceland and Rach had Azerbaijan, and they fought it out for second place right up until the very last vote. As for the actual songs, I liked Norway's entry but it didn't stand out as one that would DEFINITELY WIN, so I was a bit surprised by the landslide. I was also surprised at how well our entry did: it wasn't bad, but it was a bit bland. The lyrics weren't terribly interesting and neither was the staging (apart from the bit where she got too close to a violinist and almost ended up with an elbow in the face, but I don't think that was planned. Well done her for not being put off by it, though). In the "why didn't they do better category?" are Portugal (so colourful and happy!), Germany (come on, they had SHINY TROUSERS and DITA VON TEESE, awesome) and Ukraine (anti-crisis girl! Dancers dressed as centurions (Roman, not Battlestar Galactica)!).

I have been watching a lot of Red Dwarf recently, finally getting round to catching up on the seasons that I never saw on TV. Also it turned out that Hetty had just borrowed the DVDs from a friend since she'd never seen them, so we watched seasons three and four at the weekend. Although I hadn't seen any of the episodes except 'Polymorph' all the way through, I'd seen lots of clips and picked things up via fannish osmosis, not to mention reading both script books and some of the novels many many times, so it was a strange mix of new and familiar. Anyway, all v. funny - I think my favourite episode so far is 'Marooned' - and I may end up buying the rest of the DVDs instead of renting them. (Er. Also, have I gone completely mad or is Chris Barrie really very sexy? Answers on a postcard!)

Hetty also lent me Moonlight (ever since I introduced her to Buffy last year she has been all about the vampire dramas). I am three episodes in and enjoying it, though I wish they'd swapped the genders of the leads. I always think that but Moonlight in particular would have benefited - it would have made the bits of it that are rather generic much more interesting. I do like that ( spoilers! )

Really not very happy about The Sarah Connor Chronicles getting cancelled - when I heard Dollhouse had been renewed it got my hopes up because I thought that surely the universe was not so unfair as to renew the latter but not the former. Apparently I was wrong. D:

Oh, nearly forgot: I have two spare Dreamwidth codes if anyone wants one (or knows someone who wants one).