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Christmas Exchange

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:37:51 GMT

You have last four days to sign up for the SOS Christmas Exchange.

The wishing part will be closed on Sunday 8.11. at midnight (GMT+1).

Summer Charity Challenge 09

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:47:20 GMT

SOS Summer Charity Challenge has four stories so far. And quality overcomes quantity.

There is Před Budoucností (Before The Future) a bitter-sweet Budec story by josika that will make you beg for more,

and an incredible HP/Torchwood crossover comics by Aveva that will make you squeee!

And two translations: Snapeovy rozhovory (Snape Dialogues) by duj, masterly translated by ioannina

and Stvořeni jeden pro druhého (A Match Made in Heaven) by Lone Butterfly in my daring translation.

Every story supports one Czech non-profit charity that accepts Donor SMS - and anew, there is also a DMS counter showing how many DMS is sent. So come and do some good :)

Announcement and Reminder

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:54:54 GMT

Incredible happens. My Czech SSHG Nelíbejte učitele za jízdy (Don't kiss a teacher while driving) which started as a Christmas gift and ended as a five chapter story eight months later has been finally completed. You go and read it, I'm going to enjoy things forbidden during the writing period - like watching Torchwood ;)

And I remind you that it's still possible to join SOS Summer Charity Challenge with your HP ff or translation. The challenge is open till September 1.

Suprising conclusion

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:31:21 GMT

It has happened to me for the first time. Trying to finish my WIP, I stumbled in my computer upon an unfinished Czech one-shot dated two years ago. It was a typical after-DH-shock-absorbing fic of Hermione talking to a (supposed) picture of Snape. In that time, I wasn't able to make up a decent finale, so I put it aside.

Now I read it again, found out it's not so badly written - and suddenly a conclusion popped up in my mind. (Needless to say it's a much less emo ending than I would have written two years ago, so waiting for it wasn't probably a bad idea.)
I love when things like this happen - when for a short moment writing seems like an easy job ;)

You can find it here (in Czech). A note for SSHG NONshippers: Safe to read. There is not even a hint of romance.

HB!

Sun, 31 May 2009 12:43:58 GMT

Happy birthday, dangerouss!

World is a more colorful place because of you :) Have a wonderful day!

Cultural Inventory Monthly March & April 2009

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:02:21 GMT

* Music of the months:
Fleet Foxes. An eponymous first album of this Seattle group was labeled the album of 2008 by Uncut and Billboard. They call their music "baroque harmonic pop jams", I call it dangerously enchanting stuff. So enchanting I do consider to see them at their concert in Berlin in June. Me? Nach Berlin? Now what kind of spell did that? Taste The Winter Hymnal and decide for yourself.

*Movie of the months:
Watchmen. You certainly haven't expect anything else, have you. I actually felt like reading a very good fanfiction. A fan watching another fan paying a fantastic tribute to a work we both love.

*Series of the months:
Doctor Who, third and fourth season. Just clicks with me.

* Book of the months:
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul (Úchvatná: Odhalte tajemství ženské duše) by John and Stasi Eldredge (translated by Dan Drápal). A book of this Lent. Inspiring and thought provoking. Covering a big topic on a limited space and therefore a little shallow from time to time. But book I've enjoyed very much.

Now this is going to be difficult. So let's make a little separation here...

*English fanfiction of the months - multichaptered:
Silvering Divide by Somigliana. After long long time a story which brought me back fanish joy of reading a good SSHG. Canon compliant (well, EWE), with a very clever and original plot, with real and lovable characters and believably growing relationship.

*English fanfiction of the months - One-shot:
Of Madmen and Englishwomen by harmony_bites.
I decided to catch up with the recent SSHG Exchange - and start from a reliable author. I still owe Harmony a proper comment, so let's try here and now:
Certainly not your ordinary SSHG romance, but one with elaborated settings, background story going a long way to the past, and with sooo well-written characters (and not just the canon people!) Story which is not afraid to face difficult questions (like magic v. religion), story which doesn't forget that scars are still present and won't disappear - even in the middle of a love scene. Did I say I loved it?

Rorschach's Journal, April 5th

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:33:21 GMT

Finally watched the Watchmen. Loved it.

Culture Inventory Monthly January & February 2009

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:51:32 GMT

This time without any comment.

* Music of the months:
Flor Nocturna by Marta Topferova. Taste Zamba Gris.

* Opera of the months:
Věc Makropulos (The Makropulos Affair) by Leoš Janáček. 1/17/09, The National Theater, Prague.

*Movie of the months:
Walz with Bashir (Valčík s Bašírem) by Ari Folman.

* Book of the months:
Murder Must Advertise (Peter Wimsey Mysteries) (Vražda potřebuje reklamu) by Dorothy L. Sayers (translation: Vladimír Procházka).

*Comics of the months:
Blankets (Pod dekou) by Craig Thompson (translated by Richard Podaný).

*English fanfiction of the months:
Everybody Comes to Snape's by a "not revealed yet" author.

Lent List:

* Cutting down: chocolate and internet

* Trying to increase and revive: prayer time

* Book for this Lent: Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul (Úchvatná: Odhalte tajemství ženské duše) by John and Stasi Eldredge (translated by Dan Drápal).

* Scripture for this Lent: Psalm 20.

Happy Birthday!

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:23:59 GMT

Happy Birthday ivakas!

May luck and happiness follow you everywhere you go!

As a gift, here is the so long promised drabble. Haku and Chihiro from Spirited Away meet again...

Shledání

Čihiro sledovala, jak stoupá v květnovém větru vzhůru a vesele napíná provázek v její ruce. Po sedm let, co bydleli v městečku, si Dračí slavnost nenechala ujít ani jednou. Ten den ji naplňoval zvláštní radostí a nadějí. Její drak byl pokaždé stejný, dlouhý a bílý, s mnoha jiskřivými zuby. Pokaždé se jmenoval Haku. První rok se sotva odlepil od země, ale po sedmi letech vylepšování patřil k favoritům a ona to dobře věděla. Ucítila čísi ruku na rameni. Koutkem oka zachytila pásku porotce. „Čihiro?“ zašeptal.
Druhou půli své duše rozpoznala dřív, než se otočila. I když zatím nezná jeho jméno.

Watchmen Are Nigh!

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:08:53 GMT

Just one more month to wait!

The Mannerly Art of Critique Translated

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:47:28 GMT

I wanted to translate The Mannerly Art of Critique, a classic essay of commenting fanficiton since harmony_bites recommended it to me. I was aware it would be a tough and time-consuming work because the essay is long and witty - but it was worth of every minute spent on it.
The translation is now posted under the title Vytříbené umění kritického komentáře on sosaci.net, a Czech site supporting fanfiction writers, accompanied by a newly opened An Author Seeks An Critic section where authors longing for a concrit of their particular fanfiction can ask for it.

I hope that some Czech writing souls might find this helpful...

Botkiller

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:37:29 GMT

Mwahahaha!
The reported bots have been suspended.

Thanks, LJ Abuse Prevention Team!

Bots?

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:51:06 GMT

Is it just me, or are the cyrillic bots (aka cyrillic serial friending livejournals) striking back?
It's time to report to LJ-abuse, I think.

If you need a piece of information of the problem, I highly recommend you this series of posts.

Public Transport Fun

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:16:46 GMT

I'm a big fan of a "tube courtesy campaign" which has been launched two weeks ago by the Prague Public Transport Company. Apart from fliers and adds, it also includes funny animated shots which you can see on big screens in the tube stations and on the net.
Using public transport and being amused - that's what I call a nice change ;)

My favorite is the "personal stereo" shot:

The rest is here.

Culture Inventory Monthly December 2008

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:58:59 GMT

* Music of the month:
Tapestry by Carole King. This voice brought me sunshine and energy in the middle of December. Taste I Feel The Earth Move.

* Concert of the month:
Concert of Delirous? on 12/18 in Roxy music club, Prague. I'm really happy I could see them before the announced long-term, maybe everlasting break - and as a bonus I met there many friends I haven't seen for ages.

*Movie of the month:
Twelve Monkeys by Terry Gilliam. The most sophisticated science fiction since Blade Runner.

*TV Series of the month:
Doctor Who (The Ninth Doctor). Is there any wonder these series were recommended to me by Potter fans? I think a SSHG shipper must enjoy it - and I'm looking forward to more :)

* Book of the month:
Moving Pictures: A Discworld Novel (Pohyblivé obrázky) by Terry Pratchett (translated by Jan Kantůrek). The Discworld obsession still continues.

*Comics of the month:

B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth and Other Stories (Volume 1) (Ú.P.V.O.: Dutozem a jiné povídky) by Mike Mignola (translated by Jan Kantůrek). This spin-off of Hellboy "without Hellboy" just confirms that Mignola has created a bunch of interesting characters, not just the red macho.

*Czech fanfiction of the month:
My squees about my Christmas presents are elsewhere so let me mention at least two stories from stockings of others. The first is Neviditelnost (Invisibility) by my_matylda. Musings of Mafalda Prewett, the by JKR announced but never created character, who enters the wedding of Fleur and Bill in this special AU ficlet.
The other is Kavárna na konci cesty (The Cafe At The End Of The Road) by josika. A heart-melting crossover of HP and Dickens' Christmas Carol. Would the magical history change if a spirit of Christmas haunted Severus Snape to open a present he had gotten from just-married Lily Potter?

* Music of the year:
The Mission Bell by Delirious. More here.

* Concert of the year:
Concert of Róisín Murphy in January 08. More here.

*Movie of the year:
Gosford Park by Robert Altman. More here.

* Book of the year:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. More here.

*Comics of the year:
Sandman by Neil Gaiman. More here.

*English fanfiction of the year:
Houdini's Tables by vanityfair00.

*Czech fanfiction of the year:
Sny a útěky (Dreams and Flights) by ivakas.

P&P Insomnia

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:04:32 GMT

Danae just finished the BBC 1995 Pride and Prejudice series (aka the first part of The Marvelous Christmas DVD Gift) and humbly acknowledges it an indubitable, magnificent classic.
Just tell me how can I fall asleep now.

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:25:33 GMT

Death of Jan Kaplicky makes me very sad.

Christmas presents

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:34:48 GMT

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

I have. Once again I'm reminded that presents are undeserved grace not a reward for good girls. Otherwise I wouldn't got what I've got - offline and online.

The greatest "material" present is this one. My icon has come true ;)

And I'm most delighted by my fanfiction presents! I've expected one and got three fabulous stories. I heartily recommend all of them: Sny a útěky (Dreams and Flights) by ivakas, Pouto (A Bond) by Jacomo and O kruhu a spirále (Of A Circle And A Spiral) by Aveva.
If you feel like reading more, you should visit the SOS Christmas Exchange site because there is a lot more. Including my story, which has only the first chapter so far.

So what is the greatest present you've got this Christmas? Or which present is the most characteristic for this year?

Is Your Cat Plotting to Kill You?

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:18:29 GMT

According to this, I'm dead meat.

Culture Inventory Monthly: November 08

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:01:30 GMT

* Music of the month:
JIM by Jamie Lidell. When I heard him for the first time I thought a Motown star rose from dead. But he is actually a very white thirty-something Englishman with an amazing voice. Taste Little Bit Of Feel Good.

*Movie of the month:
Quantum of Solace by Marc Forster. The Bond of my choice.

* Book of the month:
The Fifth Elephant: A Discworld Novel (Paperback) (Pátý Elefant) by Terry Pratchett (translated by Jan Kantůrek). The Discworld obsession continues.

*Comics of the month:
Watchmen by Alan Moore. They call it the most celebrated graphic novel of all time. They say it has changed the comics genre forever. They are so right. I've read it two weeks ago and since that time, I open the book almost every day to find something new, something what makes this incredibly complex story even more breathtaking.
And since I found the Watchmen movie to be released next March, I keep my fingers crossed that it is as good as the trailer.

*English fanfiction of the month:
Houdini's Tables by vanityfair00. Preparing myself for the reading gluttony of the next SS/HG Exchange, I'm trying to catch-up with the last round stories. This romantic comedy made me very happy :)

The Cuttest Blackmail Ever

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:58:51 GMT

I don't think we can promise to fulfill the wish this holiday, but it makes me feel special and encouraged :)
Thanks, Potter Place.

Interested in Japan? Or in weird stories?

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:22:52 GMT

Than don't miss crowseye (aka Vraní oko) current LJ posts. In these days, she is in Japan on a language stay and she writes amusing entries of the experience (in Czech). I like especially the post of weird Japan gizmos and vending machines - the fresh eggs vending machine is my favorite ;)

Quantum of Solace

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:21:41 GMT

I wasn't disappointed by the new 007 movie. I like this way of Bond, a little more serious, a little more down-to-earth. And Judy Dench is dashing. Simply dashing.

Culture Inventory Monthly: October 08

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:23:22 GMT

* Music of the month:
Kingdom Of Comfort, the last album of Delirious?. Taste my favorite song of the same name. The rumor goes that Delirious? has a gig in Prague on 12/18. If this is true, count on me.

*Movie of the month:
Gosford Park by Robert Altman. A movie that truly satisfied my heart, soul, mind plus a lust for a good story.

* Book of the month:
Maskerade (A Discworld Novel) (Maškaráda) by Terry Pratchett (translated by Jan Kantůrek).
Of all the Discworld novels I've read the one of the best so far.

*Comics of the month:
The Fables: Legends In Exile (Mýty: Legendy v exilu) by Billy Willingham (translated by Viktor Janiš). Hard boiled school of detective fiction meets Gaiman-like world of fairy tales creatures, living incognito among us. I haven't fall for this book immediately but few days later I realized I can't get it out of my head - especially the rough and manly detective (former Big Bad Wolf) who tries to find out who killed the Rose Red...

*Czech fanfiction of the month:
Invaze rušivých elementů (The Invasion of Disturbing Elements) by Tess. Imagine that authors of Mary Sues are permitted to enter the Harry Potter world for real... Who will be the chosen one to save the day then?
One of the most funny and most clever Mary Sue parodies I have ever read. Still VIP but hopefully complete soon.

The Last Call

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:38:39 GMT

If you consider to attend the SOS Christmas Exchange you have about 30 hours to make a wish.

The wishing part will be closed on Sunday 2.11. at midnight (GMT+1).