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Queenie
02 March 2009 @ 10:21 pm
Regarding [info]scans_daily  
[info]scans_daily has been suspended by LJ for breaching copyright, prompting a lot of discussion of fair usage, piracy and file sharing in the comics fandom. There's a good overview of some of the issues over at MightyGodKing. This got me thinking about the way in which comics publishers deal with internet piracy.

I find it bizarre to see the comics industry making exactly the same mistakes as the music and TV industries made 10 years ago when it comes to digital distribution. Computers and the internet are the tools of the modern age; why would you not use this as an opportunity to engage with your fanbase?

I enjoy new weekly comics, but I don't have time to go to the comic store every week, and I don't have the space to store hundreds of weekly issues. I like to read comics on paper, but also on my computer and my phone. I like to have my comics in a format which can travel with me without being damaged. These are some of the reasons why I (illegally) download comics. However, the idea that 1 download = 1 lost sale is ridiculous. I will often buy a paper comic, then download an electronic version for my phone. Or I'll download an issue, enjoy it, and go out and buy it too.

Just this weekend, I was in my local comic store (Orbital Comics, which is awesome!), and I bought Batman 686, Nightwing 152 and the new Batman & The Outsiders trade, all of these I had downloaded before. I've read all of Batman R.I.P. electronically, but I bought the hard cover trade (which is gorgeous, by the way), and single issues of #682 and #683 - I bought them twice because I liked them so much!

This would all be unnecessary if the publishers got on the ball and made electronic comics legally available. Why isn't there a facility on the DC website to buy for comics in this more convenient format? I would rather pay for comics; I understand how much work goes into them and I'd like to support the industry. If DC offered a subscription service that gave you paid access to, say, 6 months of issues for a particular title, I would certainly sign up. If they could email me each new issue of my favourite series in a DRM-free .cbr format (or even better, an iPhone friendly format), they could name their price and I'd pay.

In a similarly bizarre move, I've found it's not possible to buy the Batman: Black and White motion comic from iTunes in the UK. I like the idea of a motion comic (and the Watchmen one is fantastic), and then I found out that the first Batman story is by Paul Dini and Alex Ross. Waaaaaaaaant. Seriously, DC, I want to give you my money. Why won't you let me give it to you?
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Current Mood: confused
Current Music: watching Flight of the Conchords
 
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Queenie
10 February 2009 @ 11:41 pm
BOO to you, DC  
So, uh, hello. It's been a while! I've been pretty busy of late, working and such (no, really, it's true!) but I've been missing my LJ-crack fix. Hope you've all been well. xx

It appears that the universe is conspiring against me. Not only is there NO MORE SGA EVA OMG NOES :( :( :(, now Nightwing is not getting renewed. Why would you cancel this most awesome of comics? Peter Tomasi was writing it so well, and the issues with art by Rags Morales were gorgeous. I'm a tiny bit mollified that Tomasi is going to be writing Outsiders, which could be pretty awesome - but his strength is in charaterisation, not action, and I'm not sure how that will translate to a team like the Outsiders.

Is it wrong that I've only watched SGA up to episode 5x13, and I am refusing to watch any more because THEN IT WILL BE OVER? :( I'm fully embracing denial, so perhaps I can carry this effective approach over to comics. I'll just re-read Nightwing #151 over and over, and live in the happy bubble of self-deception.
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Current Mood: saaaaaaad panda
Current Music: Tracy Chapman - Say Hallelujah
 
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Queenie
06 December 2008 @ 05:18 pm
My rig, let me show you it!  
So, what have I been doing with myself for the last few weeks? Apart from getting my master's degree (with a merit, woo!), I've mostly been building myself a beautiful new computer. :D

It started out as a "small upgrade" for my 4 year old Shuttle box, and sort of ballooned out of control from there. I ended up replacing every single part of the machine apart from the hard drives. >.<

( Specs. )

( And pictures! (for the geeks who like that sort of thing. *cough*) )

And, yes, that is an ambient case temperature of 29°C idle. It's about 32° whilst gaming. ^^
I'm most impressed by the graphics card; it was a bargin at £75 and every game or high def movie I've tried has looked absolutely stunning. I'm logging 25465 CPU score and 3845 graphics score on 3DBenchMark, which isn't bad for a system built for "casual" gaming. (Hah. That's like saying I have a "casual" crack habit.)

I've been putting all that l33tness to good use, playing Devil May Cry 4. A lot. As with all DMC games, it looks just beautiful, and watching your nubile young man flail around his big sword is half the fun. I also adore the cut scenes; they're as magnificently silly and over the top as you would expect, very much still in the Japanese anime style.

Despite being a fervent Dante fangirl, I'm actually enjoying playing as Nero, the new hero. He's an annoying little teenager (and needs to stop crying like a sissy kthxbai), but he's fast and maneuverable, and the devil bringer is great for both movement and attacks. Dante, who you play as in later missions, feels stronger but heavier and less flexible in comparison. The gameplay is exactly what you'd expect - lots of mindless sweeping of demons and stupidly simple puzzles - but it's so stylish that I love to just watch it. I did start out on human mode, which is ridiculously easy, but I'm hoping that demon hunter mode will offer more of a challenge.

Oh, and the best thing about this game? Mmm, slashy goodness.

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Current Mood: geeky
Current Music: JayMay - Gray or Blue
 
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Queenie
05 November 2008 @ 04:14 am
 

Woot, President Obama FTW!

*does the dance of presidential joy*

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

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Queenie
05 November 2008 @ 03:59 am
 

Ahh, so I failed on a fundamental of liveblogging - my phone ran out of battery. My big suprise from the last few hours is Obama winning Ohio, what a result! I'm tenntatively leaning towards an Obama victory, unless McCain gains some traditional Democrat states.

I'm waiting on California now, which will decide this race definitatively. The polls are suggesting a Democrat victory there, but I think it'll be close.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

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Queenie
05 November 2008 @ 12:45 am
 

Boo to South Carolina, with their 8 electoral votes for McCain!

We're watching on the BBC world service, and they have the most fabulous map to display the votes. It distorts to reflect the difference between states' geographical area and their electoral votes.

And Pennsylvania and N Hampshire just got called for Obama, woot!

And DC and Illinois and Deleware and called for Obama too, amazing! I'm beginning to have some hope for him, but I've lost all faith in the US electoral system. With the east coast states votes coming in first, Obama will get the early lead. I think there will still be a close fight in the central states though.

Also, [info]stavvers and I are realizing that our American geography is pretty poor. Who knew that Philedelphia was in Pennsylvania?

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Queenie
05 November 2008 @ 12:15 am
USA Election 08  

Am in a nice little bar with [info]stavvers, liveblogging the US election.

Just two states projected so far, COME ON VERMONT! THREE ELECTORAL VOTES, WOO!

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Queenie
30 October 2008 @ 09:09 am
My internetless woe is infinite  

Ah, LJ, I have missed you. I moved house last month, and I STILL HAVE NO INTERNETZ. Boo. I'm trying out the spiffy new livejournal.app for iphone, which means I can post again. Woot!

The big news this week is David Tennant leaving Doctor Who, which I think is actually a good thing. My love for 10 is epic and unfaltering, but I do think it's time for someone new. Who was never supposed to be about one person; the doctor is interesting because he's constantly evolving and changing.

And anyway, [info]stavvers and I have got the casting for the new doctor sorted - clearly it should be Anthony Stewart Head! How awesome would that be? And with the Moff taking over the writing, this could be an interesting new direction for the show.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

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Queenie
27 August 2008 @ 05:59 pm
Multi-fandom request fest!  

This is a multifandom, fanworks, free-for-all! Basically, request any piece of fanwork you would like – fic, art, icons, video – in any fandom. In return, you offer to make something for someone else.

This is the opportunity to see that fic you've always wanted written, to clear the pipes of your own unused ideas by making someone else write them for you, to get new icons for the new season!

There's a festival of multi-fandom love going on - come on in and join the fun! I am making Sheppard/Harkness gun pr0n, yays!

My wish list is here, should you feel inclined to make me DO THE DANCE OF JOY.
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Current Mood: excited
 
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Queenie
25 August 2008 @ 09:13 pm
I love Dick... Batman loves Dick... we all love Dick.  
I was supposed to spend today working on my dissertation (which is in in A WEEK ZOMG), but, umm, I got distracted. I made Batman/Nightwing pr0n.
I AM A BAD PERSON, AND I SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

( Manip [PG], icons and wallpapers. Cut to spare your tender sensibilities. )
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Current Mood: mischievous
Current Music: Laura Marling - Failure
 
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Queenie
22 August 2008 @ 10:27 pm
SGA/McShep meetup  
After sad news this week, we all need cheering up. Luckily, [info]monkey_junkey is organising a meetup for SGA and McShep folk in London on September 6th, hurrah!

I'll be there, and if of you flisters are in the area, it would be great to see you. :)

( Details under the cut. )

Come and share a few drinks with us so we can commiserate together!

ETA: I am in a dither. Do I do the sensible thing tonight, and go to bed because I am knackered, or do I stay up til obscenely late o'clock to try to catch new SGA when it airs? Dilemma...
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Queenie
21 August 2008 @ 09:04 pm
Yeah, Sci Fi, I'll show you with my CRAPPY FANART.  
I am still a sad panda. I am, however, heartened by the number of posts I've seen on the flist from people who are still interested in participating in the fandom, even without new canon.

Encouraged by this, I feel I wanted to SHOW A LITTLE LOVE. And, umm, Photoshop is the only medium I have through which to express that. ♥

 
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Current Mood: okay
Current Music: Battlestar Galactica OST - Violence and Variations
 
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Queenie
21 August 2008 @ 10:26 am
This makes me a SAD PANDA  
I just found that Stargate Atlantis has been cancelled. I'm actually rather upset about it, which is slightly embarassing. Ok, it's not exactly the best written show, and it's frequently very cheesy, and season 5 has been underwhealming this far. But, I really love it! Its silliness and humour make me do the happy dance, and it has real shining moments of awesomess. How will I live without my McKay fix? :( :( :(

I think I'm mostly sad because I love this fandom so much. It's terrific fun, and everyone is so lovely! There's an astonishing lack of wank, and some really terrific fic and art. I really hope the fandom doesn't die. :(

Sci Fi, you are teh suck. How dare you cancel my Big Gay Show of Awesome?
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Current Mood: sad
Current Music: Mr Hudson & The Library - Brave the Cold
 
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Queenie
20 August 2008 @ 01:40 pm
Reason #327 that SGA wins at life  
[info]monkey_junkey, check it out! I'm abandoning the McShep ship, for I have found the One True Way.

( 1 non-spoilery pic from 5x10 )
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Current Mood: hungover
Current Music: Nine Inch Nails - Closer
 
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Queenie
14 August 2008 @ 07:53 pm
Things which have made me do the happy dance, after a long and tiresome day at work  
  1. This ludicrous yet utterly endearing Jack/Daniel TELEPATHY PR0N fic, which I read on the bus. I really, really love watching everyone else on public transport read the crappy free London papers, while I sit there sneakily reading PR0N. AHAHAHA.

  2. The boys of Top Gear. Particularly in the most recent series, with OH, SABINE! She is the most brilliant driver in the world, and so adorable.
    Now, repeat this over and over: "I will resist the urge to find Top Gear slash. I have no interest in reading that. It would be strange, and wrong, and IN NO WAY HOT."
    *cough*
    How long do think I can hold out for? Hmm.

  3. The fact that KAVAN SMITH is going to be at the Pegasus 4 convention! [Thanks, [info]mercury973!]
    I was indecisive about whether I wanted to go to this, but now I'm very much inclined towards YES! Is anyone else on my flist going? Any other SGA loving Londeners out there?

  4. Like A Stone, a brilliant Prison Break Michael/Alex vid. Go... watch... understand why William Fitchner >>>>>> everything. God, it really makes me want to go back and watch the end of series 3.

  5. This awesome manip by [info]dana_cz, because DOCTORDONNAISLOVE. *ships hardcore*

  6. This piece of music. In fact, the whole Doctor Who soundtrack. Murray Gold, I salute you!

  7. Dairy Milk. Mmmmmm.
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Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Doctor Who OST - Doomsday
 
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Queenie
12 August 2008 @ 09:29 pm
Why isn't there a 'pretentious' option for mood?  
I actually used the phrase "Truth is beauty, and beauty is truth" in my dissertation today. Oh, the shame. What the hell has happened to me? I used to be a proper, British philosopher. With my Russell and my logic and my hard core physicalism.

And, somehow, over the last year I have become... a phenomenologist. Truth is an illusion! There is only metaphor! The inescapable subjectivity of human experience reveals the inherent nature of the universe! Everything is so elegant over in the lovely world of continental philosophy. And I get SRSLY CROSS when someone insults one of my philosophy buddies. Just earlier I was explaining to [info]flats why Derrida is clearly a massive n00b for disagreeing with Husserl.

I've always found something incredibly invigorating about realising that everything you thought you knew was wrong. It's like the first time you make a syphon work, or see the double slit experiment (and your brain IMPLODES FROM THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF IT), or when you learn about relativity. It makes me wonder, if I can be wrong about something as fundamental as that, what else might I be wrong about? And that's a brilliant, because answers are rarely interesting, but questions always are.

*skips off into the sunset, arm in arm with Heidegger and Satre*
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Current Mood: excited
Current Music: Natty - July
 
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Queenie
08 August 2008 @ 04:20 pm
Better than Tennant in a tux? OH, THE DILEMMA.  
I'm out of fandom for a couple of weeks and pictures of David Hewlett in a tux appear! *flails*
Oh, and it's a subtly pinstriped tux too. How elegant. WAAAANT.

In other Atlantis news, my (non spoilery) reaction to the eps I have seen so far is only this:

Who wants to join me in jumping ship from McShep to McWoolsey? YOU KNOW IT'S OH SO RIGHT!
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Current Mood: busy
 
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Queenie
03 August 2008 @ 05:43 pm
I have TECHNO JOY!  
Woo, I am updating from my shiny new 3G iPhone, yays! It brings me epic joy. :D

I'm still without internet at home, so I'm loving having tiny pocket netz! I've been missing out on all the fandom excitment, so I'm glad to be back in touch. On the up side, time offline has allowed me to make good progress on the dissertation: 8000 words done so far, go me!

I've had some great fun of late: Tennant's Hamlet, The Dark Knight at the Imax and the Doctor Who proms. Reviews of all are forthcoming (once I can think of something more coherant to say than OMG YAYZ!!!!!1!!)
 
 
Current Mood: jubilant
Current Music: watching Babylon 5. Lennier > life.
 
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Queenie
23 July 2008 @ 01:48 pm
My RSS feeds, let me show you them!  
Theoretical reason I have not been on LJ of late: Busy writing dissertation. Working hard. Honest.

Actual reason I have not been on LJ of late: Google Reader has eaten my life.

I've been using my LJ friends page as an RSS reader for a while now, and have subscribed to quite a number of feeds. This works well enough for a small number of sites, but it's not suited to high volume reading. Also, I feel a bit twitchy reading my LJ friends at work as it often includes NSFW material (you filthy people, you).

And lo, I discovered Google Reader, and I was saved. You can tag each feed to group it with others of its kind, so, for example, I now have groups for News, Technology, Fandom and Philosophy. The reader also tracks what you've read and what you haven't, and refreshes itself when new entries are posted.

There's a feature that lets you share items publicly or with friends - I have a selection of interesting tidbits at my shared items (look! ninjas! I ♥ Google). Is anyone else using this feature? Let me know, I'd like to add people as my friends so that I can see their shared items too.

The very best thing I have discovered through random clicking: Dr Bink, superhero shrink. Bwahahaha. Possibly only funny if you're both a psychiatry and a comic geek (so that'll be just me and [info]stavvers then).
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Current Mood: geeky
 
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Queenie
16 July 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Awesome things which I will be attending  
BE JEALOUS OF MY AWESOME TICKET ACQUISITION SKILLS.

It's my birthday in a few weeks, and in celebration I have scored tickets for the following:

  • Lovebox festival - Groove Armada, Mano Chao, Roni Size, Mr Hudson and the Library. And we're dressing up as SUPERHEROES! I just want an excuse to wear my Wonder Woman costume.

  • Hamlet - with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. Opening Night. OMGI'MSOEXCITEDIMIGHTJUSTSCREAM.

  • The Dark Knight at the Imax - at 2 in the morning! It's going to be SO very awesome, and so very creepy. Yays.

  • The Doctor Who Prom - music from the series, performed live by the BBC Phil. And presented by Freema! ♥


And over the next few months, I also have tickets for:

  • Glyndebourne's Carmen - I've been to Glyndebourne for the last couple of years, and they are just magnificent. Can't wait to see what they do with Bizet.

  • Last Night of the Proms - I am the most British person in the world, and I love it.

  • Don Giovanni at the Royal Opera House - I've been in London for nearly a year and I've never been to the ROH. This is clearly a travesty. So I booked myself a box, how exciting!

  • Hamlet at the Donmar - produced by Kenneth Branagh and starring Jude Law. It's on July next year, but I'm getting ready early. Branagh is my hero, I'm so excited to see his interpretation.


*does the epic dance of joy*
 
 
Current Mood: excited
 
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