Beth Winter

I don't have to remind anyone that signups are open for Yuletide, do I?

Record number of fandoms this year, and looks to be a record number of signups too. If anyone's considering writing Elisabeth or Tanz der Vampire (or any of the other musicals on offer), please sign up! That means one less chance of myself and fyrie getting each other's requests, which is my one fear ;)

(And I ended up offering 20 fandoms, too. I may be slightly deranged.)

Wilhelm von Hohenzollern may very well be stalking me. A week after a couple of photos sent plotbunnies running through my brain, Mother was in Pszczyna, in the castle of the dukes von Pless. The palace was Wilhelm's headquarters during most of World War I, and five rooms have been reconstructed according to photographs and using furniture that, like the rest of the fantastic castle, survived two world wars and half a century of communism.

And it really should be used as historical arguments. Especially the chaise.

( Wilhelm's dubious taste in fabulous furniture )

Back from Vienna, alive. I had an immensely enjoyable weekend, including seeing Rebecca again (more on which, hopefully, later) and fyrie killing my feet with all the walking we did ;)

One of the highlights of the trip was the temporary exhibition on Crown Prince Rudolf that's currently on at the Hofmobiliendepot. He was a deeply disturbed individual. One quote: "I have a deep respect for death. I often seek out dying people, to witness their last breath. Each of them dies differently. I watch dying animals as well..."

But what slayed me was a pair of photos of Rudolf clinging - there is no other word - on the arm of Wilhelm II of Prussia. Who, before the unfortunate moustache, apparently was a dead ringer for Jesper Tyden. And of all the Rudolf photos in the exhibit, the one with his arm through Wilhelm's was the only one in which he looked comfortable. On top of Wilhelm's documented predilections, I really do not need this plotbunny.

Jan Ammann. Krolock in Oberhausen, a month from now.

JUST what I needed after a 60-hour work week :D

Phantom of the Opera season opener was on Saturday. The Phantom has clearly been working out, which means he's now of the proper Phantom shape, but leaves his trousers hanging like sacks over his legs :> The Amazing Vampire Raoul got carnations with a card with vampire fangs drawn on it, which he promptly displayed to the rest of the cast. Ooops. Should have drawn a smaller card ;)

I'm also trying very, very hard to kickstart my x2009 story. I hope this meme helps me get my creativity on, if I have any takers *bats eyelashes*

The Hypothetical AU Meme: Take any one of the fandoms you know I write in (or think I should), and give me a type of AU (space opera AU, pirate AU, superhero AU, Ancient Rome, etc). I will then explain what story from your chosen fandom I would write for your chosen type of AU.

Am safely ensconced in Edinburgh in fyrie's custody :) Needless to say, online presence will be scarce until Tuesday, and inexistent between Tuesday noon-ish and the morning of the next Monday (lakes! finally!).

Now, shopping :D

I was meaning to write this post for ibarw (International Blog Against Racism Week) last year, but other matters got into the way. The advice is still valid - I saw the discussion in Elizabeth Bear's LJ on a similar topic: how do you get around to writing those same characters of colour/ethnicity/religion etc and not commit the same mistakes everyone is chastising commercial media for?

The following is a roadmap of sorts to a character of a different background than your own.

( Disclaimers at the end; non-US-centric )

After much prodding from fyrie, I got around to watching the Hungarian version of the French musical I adored.

And I adored it even more.

The French version had stellar ballet-like choreograpy, but casting was spotty, and you just can't beat the Hungarians for sheer joy of performing. Especially not with the stellar cast they assembled - not one weak actor, and the leads perfectly cast.

( More coherent remarks underneath )

End verdict: Like. Lots. With bells on. And look, you can buy it!

(And clips upcoming when I can access Youtube.)

It's been close to two years since I last saw an episode of an anime series.

*snickers madly* Lina Inverse! You haven't changed at all! :D

(I need a Lina icon. And a Xellos one.)

My brain is mush. This has a lot to do with the fact I saw the git in my icon today. And then he stole the show.

Full review once I'm home. For now, let it suffice that I am grinning so much, my cheeks hurt.