sundries

[rm]

It looks like we may pop up to Boston for a couple of days in a couple of weeks.

Gardening is full of perils! Mysterious plant problems! Wind! Birds! Damn. There are days where I think it will be a miracle if we get to eat anything from our garden, but this is our first try, and it's outside of both of our skill sets and we've had hell weather and all that. But things are still growing, in spite of it all, so I have hope.

Man, I'm just rolling around in the Torchwood. Reading one of the new tie-in novels now, still working my way through one of the audio books (listened to the other one last week). There's awesome meta; the radio plays start tomorrow; there's all the TARDIS Big Bang fics I've not even had time to look at, and a million press articles. It's awesome! Also, I forget, because Harry Potter was such an emotional solace to me, and Torchwood is so cracky, how much Torchwood is an emotional solace to me too.

Also, this insane fic I'm working on is sort of kicking my ass, to the point I might need to write something quick and dirty soon, as lord knows when I'll finish this insane thing. Have I posted about this? It's AU, set in America, and is basically The West Wing/The American President as a Torchwood romance. I'm not even kidding. It's pretty batshit insane. Current summary that might amuse you:

Chief of Staff Suzie Costello is found dead after having been hit by a train outside BWI, and the lives of the president and his closest advisors descend into chaos, both personal and professional.

Ianto Jones, the White House press secretary, is perfectly certain his life doesn't need to get any more extraordinary than it's already been: born to diplomats and educated around the world, he now spends his days in front of reporters and television cameras hiding his accent and explaining the administration's policies to hordes of not exactly gracious reporters, all while trying to get over the brutal murder of his fiance, Lisa, two years earlier. So when President Harkness dumps the Acting Chief of Staff role in his lap, the last thing he expects is for his "I serve at the pleasure of the president" to be taken literally and prove that the nation is even less ready to deal with its widower president dating than previously suspected.

Faced with charges of both corruption and moral turpitude thanks to the blossoming relationship between Jones and Harkness; besieged by the representatives of a floundering two-party system; haunted by scandal from the president's past (why do the people around him keep killing themselves?); and unbeknownst to nearly everyone (except Secret Service agent Gwen Cooper) hunted by an old army buddy of Harkness's -- can the administration survive?

Yeah, I have no idea why I'm writing that. BUT I AM. And it's going to be so cool. Included characters at this point are, other than those mentioned above -- Tosh, Owen, Andy, the Doctor, Rose, Mickey, Rhys, Donna, Martha, Yvonne Hartman (as the VP!), and John Hart.

I've been bouncing this off invisible_lift as I go, and he's going to read this summary and be like "woah, WHUT?" as I've made a few things more central than they were previously. Muhahahaahah.

Also Rhys? is the White House chef.

You know, speaking of Harry Potter, I'm actually pretty damn excited for the HBP movie. There's so much wrong with the films, but they've always gotten physical settings right in a way that takes my breath (Kali and I went nuts for Grimmaud Place, as an example).

Amma is back in New York next week. The timing feels chaotic for me (yes, because of the Torchwood frenzy), but I'm going to try to find a way to make time to go.

After over seven years, I am now debt-free as regards the IRS.

Comments

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

Oh, my goodness. I want to read that story now.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

That story. It sounds like something I'd like to much on!

I'm so envious of everyone who has easy access to all the Torchwood stuff! Why is it not a smash hit HERE! *grumbles*

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

This sounds like quite a head spinning (in a good way!) mashup :)

Turpitude, surely?

[rednwhiterose.livejournal.com]

Do you know of a place where one will be able to acquire the radio plays here in the states? I'd like to listen to them (just cuz I've never heard the radio play, read the books or listened to the audiobooks) and I figure now's a good a time as any to try them.

Thankee for any help.

[rm.livejournal.com]

The last radio play was accessible globally on the BBC website for free for about two weeks after it aired. Not sure how one acquires it now. We should be able to listen to the new ones no problem.

[rednwhiterose.livejournal.com]

Will I be able to download them to my iPod? Sorry if I'm asking really obvious questions, like I said, I'm a tad new to this.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

You'll be able to stream the new plays online via Listen Again for a week after they air on the BBC.

Getting hold of them after *that* (or of the ones that have already aired) is a dicier proposition and probably not a topic for a public post.

[shadings.livejournal.com]

The plays will all be available for download worldwide here. The first one is already up. (:

[rednwhiterose.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You are the best.

*hugs*

[kiji-kat.livejournal.com]

Before I forget to tell you - I've seen you mention tomatoes a few times in your entries, so I thought I'd share a tip with you. Tomatoes love (and need) calcium. The fruits won't grow properly if the plant doesn't get an adequate supply, so try putting crushed eggshells around the base of the plant. There's another method that I use, which is to water the tomatoes with milk (you can mix milk and water or milk and yogurt, if you're concerned about a smell). I do it maybe once or twice a month, and it does seem to make a difference.

If I'm mistaken and you *don't* have tomatoes, just disregard this little message. :)

[gallo-de-pelea.livejournal.com]

I didn't know that! We compost eggshells, but they tend to get spread out - I'll try and keep them closer to the tomatoes. :)

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Awwww brilliant!

And yes, I can imagine Gwen (and her gun-handling skills) coming in handy as a Secret Service agent.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Words cannot express how much I fucking love your fic idea.

[sethg]

/me waves madly from Boston

[liminalia.livejournal.com]

You should join gardening--the folks there are very helpful.

The fic sounds cracktastic.

Congrats on getting out of debt!

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

Small matter:THIS Harkness is NATIVE U.S. citizen? Or not. Just curious.
Sounds awesome.

[sethg]

Of course he's a native-born US citizen! He has the birth certificate to prove it.

In his wallet.

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

Man, white folks can get away with shit!

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on debt freeness!
Myself, I am hopeful.

[magicwoman.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the debt freeness from the IRS. I just finished paying off one year's debt to the IRS - now working on the next year. Hopefully by next year I, too, will be free of the IRS.

[sparta5.livejournal.com]

1. Story sounds intense! :)

2. Congrats on being IRS debt-free.

3. Re: the plants and birds. My aunt just clued me into a trick she uses: snake gourds! You position them in such a way that it looks like parts of a snake showing, and the birds freak out and go away - stay away too. I have no idea where you would find an actual gourd in your area, but the seeds are available on-line.

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

Or, you can get inflatable snakes for the purpose. Really.
http://www.biconet.com/birds/snake.html

Bonus plastic owl with rotating head:
http://www.deerbusters.com/bird-control-scaring-devices---repellents.html

[1-mad-squirrel.livejournal.com]

Your fic sounds wonderfully cracky. It could really work.

[these-3-remain.livejournal.com]

Yay for tax-debt-free!

Also, I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about the next Harry Potter movie.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Re: IRS -- AWESOME!!

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

I want that fic so bad! You have no idea.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I'm really hoping, now that I've figured out how to solve a few issues to be able to put up the first chapter in the next week. and then post every ten days or so until it's done (it's looking like 8 chapters).

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

Yay! I love you.

[kshandra]

I am counting the hours. :D

[abnormal-apathy.livejournal.com]

Boston=Yay! And I wish I knew how that felt with the IRS. I still owe them like a grand. :(

[dine.livejournal.com]

oh, wow - that story sounds absolutely amazing and awesome; even though I don't read a ton of Torchwood, I'll totally glom onto that when you post it

[valancy-joy.livejournal.com]

crazy happy to look forward to that fic. Chef Rhys. But of course. visions of meringue swans and gingerbread edifices abound in my head.

huzzah!

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

If you'd like, I have some free passes to the Gardner and would be happy to take you and your sweetie. When you come to Boston, of course.

[elynne.livejournal.com]

Wow... yes, I want to read this fanfic also now too. Fun times!

[akaspeedo.livejournal.com]

Are you going to Readercon by any chance?

[rm.livejournal.com]

Nope. I had toyed (since Elizabeth Hand is a guest this year, I believe, and I'm a big fan) with that and decided we were overscheduled. Then a friend asked us to come up for her burlesque show, so we're toying with that now.

[akaspeedo.livejournal.com]

Ah well, for a moment I thought I could buy you a drink! Have fun, though.

[marcmagus]

Congratulations on finishing clearing up your debt. I know that last payment which gives you the state transition can feel like a big deal; I hope you got something out of it that way.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

1stly, thanks for reminding me about the radio plays :D

2ndly, your west wing fic keeps sounding better and better every time you post about it - i hope you finish it soon!

3rdly - my sister wants me to go to the midnight showing of harry potter - i feel i should be scared of the crazy teenagers...

[mangosteen]

It would be lovely to see all y'all when you come up to Boston.

[jigglykat.livejournal.com]

I so totally want to read that fic.

PS. *waves* Hi! It was nice to briefly meet you at DWNY. Next time, I swear I'll be more chatty.

[robling-t.livejournal.com]

Also Rhys? is the White House chef

Okay, the idea itself had me at hello, but this bit is where it achieves critical mass of Sheer Awesome...

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

I TOTALLY WANT TO READ THIS.

[lorem_ipsum]

Chief of Staff Suzie Costello is found dead after having been hit by a train outside BWI, and the lives of the president and his closest advisors descend into chaos, both personal and professional.

Ianto Jones, the White House press secretary, is perfectly certain his life doesn't need to get any more extraordinary than it's already been: born to diplomats and educated around the world, he now spends his days in front of reporters and television cameras hiding his accent and explaining the administration's policies to hordes of not exactly gracious reporters, all while trying to get over the brutal murder of his fiance, Lisa, two years earlier. So when President Harkness dumps the Acting Chief of Staff role in his lap, the last thing he expects is for his "I serve at the pleasure of the president" to be taken literally and prove that the nation is even less ready to deal with its widower president dating than previously suspected.

Faced with charges of both corruption and moral turpitude thanks to the blossoming relationship between Jones and Harkness; besieged by the representatives of a floundering two-party system; haunted by scandal from the president's past (why do the people around him keep killing themselves?); and unbeknownst to nearly everyone (except Secret Service agent Gwen Cooper) hunted by an old army buddy of Harkness's -- can the administration survive?

SO. MUCH. AWESOME.

*anticipates*

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

See, I was holding out on replying to e-mail because I'm still catching up on LJ tabs. And now that I'm here, I'm amused, and so much more "fuck yeah!" than "ZOMGWHAT" than I expected to be.

Which probably means I'd better do e-mail today when I get a chance, yeah?