About BillA1blog

As of 13 November 2009, this site will serve as the archive for posts from the WSAsh.net site: Bill’s Little Corner of the World. Posts from 2007 and earlier can be found here. Happy hunting.

My Fanfic Year-end Review

A repeat Meme from last year. Unlocked for the first time since I’ve been on LJ. My fanfic year end review.

I wasn’t surprised that I wrote fewer stories in 2007 than I did in 2006 (however, I was disappointed). JLU remains the primary fandom I write in, but I also wrote Lois & Clark and Batman focused story this year.

I think that most of you know I never judge the success of a story by how many reviews it got, but instead – how many times it was read. In that regard I had some nice surprises and some ugly ones too this year. But I liked every story I wrote this year and that made it worth while.

I won’t include links to the stories listed because chances are, if you’re reading this, you’ve already read it (or already had a chance to). But if you need (or want) to read it again, go to my site to do so because occasionally JL Unlimited or FanFiction.net will mangle a story despite the best efforts of those in charge. .

That said, let’s roll.

Stories longer than 100 words: 11, including the last story for the year, …Of a Nail, (Yes, I know it’s 9 drabbles in one story, but I’m counting it as a 900 word story.)

Songfic: 0 Zero. Let the choir say “Amen.” I’m just not good at them.

Favorite story of mine this year: Once Upon A Time in the Future. I have been wanting to tell a story of past lives since I first saw “Ancient History.” (Well, actually since I got over the storyline in AH.) I did a lot of research to make sure I got the language and the race relations/ interactions of 1880 right. I think I did.

Most important story to my personal JL arc this year: Broken Mirror. It was Shayera and Batman and Shayera and Carter. It tied BTAS to BB by using a little girl named Kimmy. It was my most read story of the year.

My most technically perfect (IMHO) story: The Dance of Elephants and Once Upon A Time in the Future. Why? Because neither had a beta and those who mattered liked it.

Story most under appreciated by the rest of the universe, in my opinion: Tala, Anyone? This story was fun to write and Tala threatening to turn Lois into a rabbit or making her disappear made me laugh. Sadly, this story tanked because it was a Lois & Clark story with a slight JLU crossover. Because it did so badly it was my last Lois & Clark story.

Runner Up: The Return of Red Claw. As one reviewer put it, it was a “let’s beat the bad guys and then go to lunch.” Upon reflection, it was not my best executed story, but it wasn’t quite that bad. I thought it was more like, “let’s beat the bad guys, talk for thirty seconds and then go to lunch.”

Most fun to write: Father’s Day (It was based on a real life story.)

Hardest story to write: Amoroso. This story wanted to turn into “R” or “NC-17″ so badly, but I refused to let it do so. Yeah, it might have been a better story if I had done so, but it wouldn’t have been a story I could tell or one I would have liked myself for telling.

Finally, my most valuable character this year is Lois Lane. I’m referring to the Lois Lane of Lois & Clark. I was able to find the scripts for all of the Lois & Clark episodes. I learned a lot about the character from those scripts and even more about character banter from Lois’ dialogue. (I’m not very good now, but I’d be oh so much worse without that learning process.)

No real theme in this year’s stories beyond my standard mantra of “violent people living violent lives.” Last year I said I’d write a JL Rashomon type story and do a post-A Better World Justice Lords story. Neither of those things happened and they won’t happen in 2008 either.

My goal for next year is to write at least three stories. It’s a modest goal I may be able to obtain if I persevere.

Finally, I happily realized a dream of mine in 2007. I got a chance to co-write something with Merlin Missy who again betaed most of what I wrote. I also got xffan_2000 to beta one of my most successful stories of the year, Broken Mirror. These two wonderful women were the reason I have enjoyed some modest success in this realm.

Next year’s meme, if there is one, will be much shorter. Until next year.

Looking Through a Glass Onion

A friend, Dotfic, has a great thought provoking post here. I’ve debated with myself for the last couple of hours over whether or not to respond. To me responding to her post is akin to editing the Gettysburg Address (nothing I can add or subtract). So I took the easy out and posted in my own journal.

She hits upon the dilemma, not just in fandom, but in most internet interaction. We debate – we don’t discuss. In a debate, there is a winning side – and a losing side. There is no room in debate for compromise. There is no recognition that we both CAN be right or wrong. There is simply the hard line in the sand: if one of us is right, the other MUST be wrong. And since I am NEVER wrong, by extension you must be. That sadly is human nature. You are either like me or you are wrong.

The internet doesn’t encourage discussion, it demands debate. Debate must be loud and flashy. It must be overwhelming in its size and scope. It must show by sheer numbers and computer generated logic that more agree with my position than agree with yours. It must reinforce my view of the world because the enemy of my thoughts is a threat to my world. You must surrender, not to my discussion points, but to my arguments.

Debate doesn’t allow for shades of gray. It deals only in absolutes. They are… We are… They must be…. It’s plus or negative. Yes or no. I, for one, would suggest that personal growth comes from the shades of gray and not the black and white – not the absolutes.

Presentation of new ideas shouldn’t be feared, but rather encouraged. But it should be done with the realization that not all ideas are good, have merit or deserve further discussion. And most importantly my disagreement with an idea doesn’t automatically relegate it to the dung heap of life. Why? Because the tint on my glasses may be a shade less red than yours, that’s all. If I can acknowledge that, I can acknowledge that someone’s dumb idea has value to them. And as my mom used to say, you don’t have to pick up every stick on the ground, just the ones that make a difference. It’s that simple.

Every community has its VIOT (village idiot on tour). When you see one, you don’t have to leave a community, you just screen them out. You can’t force the wind to change direction and you can’t force people to value anyone else’s idea (or opinion) more than they value their own. Just like no one wakes up in the morning and says “today I will screw up on purpose;” no one ever says “my idea is wrong.” The best we can hope for is civil discourse and an acknowledgement that “Your idea may be as good as mine … maybe better.”

Again, it was a wonderful, thought provoking essay (as is her norm).

A Happy Thanksgivings to You All

Today was Thanksgiving in the U.S. and while I dread the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day for very personal and private reasons, I want to say that I am most thankful for those who can read my posts and ramblings under “friends lock.” You people are wonderful and my life is enriched because you allowed me into your world. I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Flick Rec – Enchanted

I really do try not to recommend books, films, tv shows or blind dates to my friends because… well, because. Nevertheless, if you get a chance see the Disney movie, Enchanted. It is fun and brought a smile to my face that is still there two hours later.

Saw the movie today and there were 20 people in the theatre (mid-afternoon matinee). No kids. All adults and we laughed like children. It was an easy gentle movie and I loved it. Well done, Disney.

Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

For 232 years, the U. S. Marines have answered the call when this nation had a wrong it needed made right. It is sometimes easy to forget that liberty and freedom are not free. Its price has been paid in the blood and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. Since 1775, the Marines have boldly marched to the sounds of the guns and have fought fiercely and honorably to defeat the enemies of this nation. They are Marines – that is what they do.

It was President Kennedy who said: “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.” From the wheat fields of Belleau Wood, to the snows of the Chosin, to the streets of Hue City, to the alleys of Fallujah, the Marines have taken up this mantle and have prevailed.  Marines don’t just accept their destiny – they shape it.

On this day, everywhere in the world, wherever there are two or more Marines, the oldest and the youngest will share a slice of birthday cake. This sharing of food, this breaking of bread together, represents the passing of history and traditions from one generation to the next. It is a reminder of a heritage written in sacrifice by those who came before and a challenge to be met by those who carry the Corps’ battle colors now and in the future.
 
To the few, the proud, the Marines I say: Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis.

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Navy

This week, 232 years ago, the Continental Congress authorized the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatching of two armed vessels to cruise the seas in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. Thus, on October 13, 1775 the Continental Navy was born.

From these humble beginnings arose the most powerful sea force the world has ever seen. To my U.S. Navy friends and colleagues serving wherever they are required, on shore and at sea, I say: Happy Birthday. Bravo Zulu.

There's always Next Year

Those who know me, or who have spent any time reading this journal, know that I love baseball for a host of reasons too numerous to detail here. Those same folks know that I’ve wasted a good part of my adult life hoping that the millionaires who play baseball for the San Diego Padres would get to the big game in this decade.

Hope burns eternal, but alas, hope burns dim.

In July, I wrote of the Padres getting the “fragile” Milton Bradley in an effort to get to the play-offs. I’ve never used the word, “fragile” before to describe anyone who plays a sport professionally. But Bradley is. And he’s also on the 60 day disabled list. Again.

The Padres can’t stop anyone’s running game. They can’t move runners into scoring position and they leave more runners on base than anyone in MLB. This team always finds ways to lose. Period.

Well, there’s always next year…’cause it ain’t happening this year.

A Good Plan Violently Executed Now…

…is better than the perfect plan to be executed next week. That quote from General Patton has been my theme this week.

So basically, the first cogent thought that registered in the brain on any particular subject, and wouldn’t get me killed, has gotten fulfilled. Therefore, this week I’ve:

- sent brownies to friends.

- bought Microsoft Office 2007 (got a really great price) and now can get RSS feeds of my flist journals through Outlook. For someone who is as technologically challenged as I am, this is a godsend.

- bought season two of Batman Beyond and,

- added the Venture Brothers, The Closer and Blood Plus to the shows I record.

On the whole it’s been a good week for good plans.

The Episode Where The SideKick Steps Up

Eventually all things come to an end, even good TV shows. When the producers know that their show will end, the way they say goodbye speaks volumes about the way they want their show remembered.

Some shows wrap up ALL of their story lines and say “Thank you.” – M.A.S.H. and Perry Mason.

Some shows wrap up SOME storylines and say “Thanks for watching.” – Justice League, Hill Street Blues and Gunsmoke.

Some shows don’t attempt to really wrap up anything. There is a final episode, but many times the archive of the program is better off without it. – Moonlighting, The Sopranos.

Last night, I watched the series finale for “Kim Possible” which aired after Disney showed EVERY episode ever made over the last three days.

The smile on my face is very wide this morning because the show’s producers did it right. They tied up all the loose ends including having Ron step up and be a hero in his own right, validating Kim’s love and faith in him ; a faith no one else could understand or see.

The producers did it right. I am really sorry the series has ended, but that is because the finale did a great job of reminding me of what we were losing. Like I said, the producers did it right.