More fics! The first fic I have for you all is one that scared the rain away, brightened the day, fed all the ducks in the park, took us to the moon. No, really, I can just go on gushing about this story. Why? It's SGA McShep *and* Sarah Connor Chronicles. What a combination!

Mona Lisa Box by tzzzz (R, spoilers for first season of SCC). "Isn't it natural to kill your enemy?"

"But they weren't his enemy. They weren't a threat to him. He just hated them. He didn't try to negotiate. He just wanted them dead."

Skynet didn't negotiate. It just killed, though there was something else, some other purpose, if only she could remember it. "Is Skynet evil?"

John thinks about it for 32 seconds before replying, "No. You have to have a soul to be evil." Gosh, what to say about this story, what to say, what to say. It is so truly excellent and exciting if you like both McKay/Sheppard and Sarah Connor Chronicles. It also left me with quite a few questions and musings. Okay, here's a vague but pretty summary: Love is a most dangerous gift. The actual summary: Rodney McKay is one of the geniuses who created Skynet. John Sheppard is sent back in time to find him.

( three more recs )

Just a few quick recs:

. Everything But Love by cottontail. This was the story on my reading list tonight. In short, it's PG-13, McKay/Sheppard AU (but based in the Stargate universe), based on "The Lake House", and it's fabulous. Very enjoyable read and excellent prose. I praise 'cause I love :).

. Too Late (To Apologise) by lidi. This is a Razor Cain/Gina vid set a really appropriate song. I love it (and have downloaded it to Rodney the laptop). I've been trying to get my hands on the first twenty or so minutes of Razor because I want to see what Cain and Gina were like before the attack, but not see the aftermath - but alas, everyone uses hj-split or WINRAR and it's all 700mb.

. Please kindly amble your way over to lantis_lims's Round 3 // Challenge 7 Voting.

I want to rec two stories that had me completely engrossed. Usually I'd put them in my rec file and tell myself that I'll one day write up that gigantic post, but I've been thinking about them. They got into my head. I read the first one a week ago as part of my ongoing "finish all the Big Bang stories" project and the second I read today (it was just released yesterday).

Every Day in Every Way by velocitygrass (McShep, set post-S3, NC-17). "There is more than one way to define a relationship," Rodney said. How do I best describe it? Big Damn Relationship Story. It's so fabulous. The pacing is well maintained and I never once felt as though the sex became boring. It was always more about John and Rodney. I had to read this all in one go.

Story of a Girl by seperis (McShep genderswitched). Pushing her feet into the stirrups, she leans against Rodney as the next contraction hits her like a tank and thinks of her mother, in a quiet grave on a planet Joan hasn't seen in three years, who said she had to want it. In an alternate universe, John Sheppard is Joan Sheppard, a career Air Force officer with the backbone to succeed under pressure. Joan is what John will never be - and I wish we could have seen her. Also? This hits my secret love of baby!fic.

I'm exhausted (I'm yawning every five seconds) despite the fact I had a good sleep last night, so I'll see if I can get away with a daytime nap (Mum wants me to wash the outside of my car sometime this afternoon). I'll do replies later today, guys; right now I want to post a few links.

cottontail has a poll: Rodney and John: who would be better as the one knocked up?. There's also an ensuing discussion :). I'm an avid reader of mpreg - I wouldn't call it a guilty pleasure, but I know it's not well liked by all - and I voted for Rodney. I have to admit I'm surprised by John's lead in the poll because, from what I've seen, there appears to be more Rodney mpreg than John mpreg. Do you agree, flist?

You will remember I pimped sheafrotherdon's John/Rodney kissing commentfest the other day (I've just gotten through the first page! I still have at least a dozen kisses to read, I believe), now there's a het kissing commentfest over at lostcityfound. Some great Teyla/Rodney stuff over there, imo. The pairing really is becoming increasingly popular - that, or I'm just hanging out at the right places.

sga_genderfuck is hosting a Genderfuck Grab Bag. As you can see, there's a list of prompts (some are really hilarious!) and no other restrictions. Go and investigate! :D

Damian Kindler has blogged an interesting post about a Denmark-born "Sanctuary" star here. It's worth having a read :).

As many of you know, Tricia Helfer appeared in an episode of "Supernatural" last night on American TV. You can find nearly 400 caps from that episode right here. aily_ has done a fantastic job - and I must really drop by and leave her a comment when I'm much less sleepy.

CH9 voting is currently open over at lantis_lims. Drop by and select your LFs and Fs.

And that's it in the way of fandom links from me today :). I hope you all enjoy!

First up, there's a new Tricia Helfer community on lj called triciaislove. I was a little sceptical about a TH community because usually the activity dries up very quickly, but the maintainer is posting Tricia news frequently. There's also a TH stills icontest, tricia_stills, which sounds interesting (it's not yet open).

Tricia answers fan questions and looks very, very pretty. I *heart* the outfit.

Michael Shanks has been cast on 24. I watched a bit of the latest season because of Alexander Siddig, but after he disappeared for an ep I gave up. It's very... dramatised.

wannatee_1984 has posted a response to yesterday's meme. Fantastic work :). I look forward to seeing (and pimping!) more responses.

And last but certainly not least, sheafrotherdon is hosting a delicious John/Rodney kissing commentfest over at her lj. I haven't had the chance to read the responses yet, but I'm heading over there very soon :D. 'Tis such a brilliant idea.

This post contains spoilers for the second half of SGA S3. I have recced more McShep, a few gen, and a number of het pairings - Rodney/Teyla, McKay/Nola, McKay/Weir.

( Final 15 of 37 recs )

You do not want to ask how long this took me to compile (partly because I'd go back and read most of the stories again while looking for good quotes). This was initially supposed to usher in 2007, but eh, it's a few days late.

I have posted the recs in two posts. This is part one, the non-spoilery (meaning no second half S3 tidbits) and completely McShep portion.

( 22 of 37 recs )

Did you miss my Christmas tree pics? I know it's plastic fantastic, but it's still the thought that counts, right? ;)

This week over at sf_incandescent (my combined SG-1/SGA/BSG icontest) we're having a header and community icon challenge. I'm not sure what the turnout will be, so I'm doing a spot of pimping. You can find all the details here.

Finally, finally, we have recs liftoff! Let's get into it :D.


- From The Depths by gaiaanarchy (McShep, R) Rodney looked back, confused. “Oh, well, I must have been thinking about danger, seeing as Colonel hair-spray-for-brains has decided that he hasn’t filled his manly-heroics quota for the month and . . .” Rodney turned back around, noticing the startlingly nude addition to their party. “Oh, great!” He threw up his hands in the air. “I don’t know how he does it. Sheppard does something stupid and naked women materialize out of thin air. What kind of incentives system is the universe trying to provide anyhow? Almost die of your own stupidity and bimbos fall from the sky; save the day through wit and courage and god-like intelligence and you get what? Pneumonia and hallucinations?” Rodney addressed the sky. “How is that fair?” A great story that unfortunately hasn't received as many replies as I expected. There's a message in this tale about sacrifice. There's also a well-written OC (don't let the first few scenes fool you into thinking the character is a Mary Sue).

( More McShep recs )


For US audiences, it's bad news again for the scheduling of the Stargates. They've been pushed back to April. Read the details here. Are they purposely trying to kill the shows?

And I'm sure most of you have seen this already, but there's a new "A Dog's Breakfast Trailer" on Youtube. Go here. There's David in a bathtub and David girly screaming! I love this man. He has no limits.

After I finished reading Lock The Door (P2, P3) (and thank you to raisintorte for finding the links!), I went on to read rageprufrock's Rodney sex change fic here. One of the readers provided detailed factual information on FTM surgery here.

I started skimming, got a quarter of the way down the page where it describes breast removal, squeaked, and closed the window quickly. I'm so squeamish. The Discovery Health Channel really isn't my friend.

Since laytoncolt (a truly brilliant McShep author) is taking fic ideas again, I backtracked and found the story she wrote for me a while ago. The Kamikazes (McShep, R) "No," Rodney snapped. "Stop, stop trying to make this all okay. It's not."

"I never said it was," John told him.

"You would have done the same thing, you would have sat there and you would have pushed the button, but you never would have said goodbye," Rodney said.

"Did goodbye make it better?" John asked, and it's a low blow, but it's a valid point.

"It's harder," Rodney said, slowly, "but it's worth it."

Okay, I'm curious: I've been doing these recs for a while and I'd like to know how many people try to read along :). So chime in, please!

( One McKay/Carter/Sheppard rec and more McShep recs )

The Twelve Kinks of Christmas Poll @ kinkofthemonth. Great kinks list here. Admittedly, I squick at some of the kinks there, but others? I want to win. Unfortunately one of my favourites, Animalistic behaviors and characteristics (dominate or submissive), isn't doing so well. Go and vote!

Also, another plug for sf_incandescent. Best of the Month voting is still open, as are the Week 19 Challenges.

This is the *second* time I've had to write this post. Why doesn't the LJ autosave work when you really need it?

I haven't yet downloaded BSG's "Hero", but I'm in no rush. Jasmine (a_life_verbatim), since BSG is going on a short hiatus for two weeks, I think this is the perfect time to pop what I have in the mail. I've been waiting for an even number of eps. So that's 303 to 308.

Thank you to the people who left comments for me over at the Snaps Cup! *adores* To the person who is thinking about friending me: please do so! :) If you would like to leave me an anon compliment, please head over to my thread here.

Okay, recs time. I've been stockpiling these for a little while. I hope I haven't forgotten anything, because I usually ask people if I can rec on my lj and it would look weird if I didn't end up doing so. I've also recced a few SGA-related convention reports, which I've placed at the top of the list. Also, there are a few BSG links at the bottom for variety.

( Cut for length )

Mother and I had a little discussion about the nature of dine-in Pizza Hut today. Since we're going into Townsville tomorrow for my ultrasound, I figured we could perhaps have lunch at Pizza Hut. It's all you can eat pizza with a salad and dessert bar. Sure, it's not the most fancy joint I could ever choose, but is it a "kiddy restaurant"? Mum, seriously, a children's restaurant? I wouldn't say that at all. Flist, what do you think? A children's restaurant makes me think of Chuck E. Cheese despite the fact we don't have them over here (you watched way too many American cartoons when you were little, Amsie!).

So, is everyone prepared for this week's BSG ep, "Torn"? It sounds like this season's Cylon episode, so I have my fingers crossed. If you haven't seen the promos already, check out the one on SciFi.com (I love the still of Six) and also the slightly different clip on Space. If you want to tease yourself further, view a two-minute excerpt from the episode at Youtube here (wherein Baltar exaggerates, Six is cold, and D'Anna is manipulative).

sf_incandescent's Week 18 Challenges are up. This week we're doing an SG-1 icon set, using stock photos for SGA character icons, and an episodic/cropping BSG "Home, Parts I & II" challenge. Check it out :).

I spent most of my net time yesterday reading the newest blockbuster story sweeping across the SGA fandom. It's called "And Be One Traveler" and it's RPS, so it's under lock and key at fic_of_doom. It's 60,000 some words and excellent. I don't usually read RPS at all, but the two lady writers are talented. Though I can't say I believe in writing RPS, I ended up thinking of the real person as just another character. It's one of those fics that stay with you for a while.

Also, another rec: ( Spoilers for McKay and Mrs Miller )

Last but not least, I have to admit that I went back to Coles today and snagged the rest of their macadamia biscuits. There were only two packets remaining, though! Only two! And I walked past the aisle and I simply couldn't resist. Maybe I'll share these packets with the family this time ;).

*uses new icon*

Sorry for the RL stuff, guys. I'm trying to sneak more fannish stuff into my posts. Hey, has everyone read the transcripts or seen the video of Joe Flanigan at London Expo? It was only a short appearance, but it's worth a look. There are also a few images of Rachel Luttrell and David Nykl floating around from a recent convention. Rachel looks tiny yet so full of energy.

I headed out with my mother and my grandmother around ten this morning for the blood test. The test itself was virtually painless. It was a wonderful relief not have a reaction. In fact, I wasn't woozy at all. Initially, the woman couldn't find my veins and she thought it was going to be a problem, but she decided to use the same vein as the hospital nurse last week. Needle went in, Mum talked to me about my recent illegal TV acquisitions, and then it was over. No dizziness. Nothing. I'm still astonished. I've always felt ill every single time. I got up almost immediately and then drove for the rest of the afternoon. I also managed to avoid Death Tape. The woman gave me one of those circular bandaids that lasted for around two hours in the heat. Anyway, thank you for the words of support, guys :).

On our way back home, I thought I saw the Holden Statesman we sold to a couple earlier this year. That led to Mum bellowing, "Follow that car! We need to find where they live so your grandmother can give them the baby booties!" (oh dear!). Ah, my first car chase through the streets ;). I didn't expect they'd invite us in for a drink once they realised someone was following them, but they were very welcoming. They have a new two week old baby named Ella, so she was passed around. Mum insisted I nurse her for a minute to see what sort of picture I made with the little thing. That prompted the "how old are you/no maternal instincts/no babies allowed on Amsie's bandwagon" conversation.

Their house was sweltering. It was a little fibreglass two-bedroom place. Oh, the heat is terrible here. It's come on so suddenly. We're running the ACs most of the day now. Fellow Aussies, are you also getting a mini heat wave?

All in all, not a bad day. You know, I miss living down in Brisbane, in suburbia, where I could go out on day trips with my mother and grandmother. Though Mum would often drag me through those homemaking shops (how much curtaining can a sane person really *stand*?), I do think of the excursions wistfully.

I finally got my hands on macadamia biscuits. Just when I was dying for them, Coles decided to have a special and everyone rushed to buy them. It was a case of third time lucky. The previous times I'd been in, the shelves were empty. Also, it seems someone purchased a truckload of aluminium foil. That part of the aisle was completely bare. Peculiar, no? Either they're having a BBQ or trying a new health/sex technique :p.

Okay, just to make this entry a little fannish, here's a SGA fic rec:

( Cut for Common Ground ep reference )

Okay, so it's not exactly the same day ;). I'm sharing the laptop with my step-father, Neil, so everything is up and down. On the upside, my arm is fine (evidently I'd ripped the tape off fast enough to avoid a really bad allergic reaction).

I've also finished taking nearly all of the photos. I just have to photograph the kitchen, which would have been done earlier had people stopped making food at the wrong times! Dear God, anyone would think the kitchen is for cooking! I'm willing to show you guys a messy fridge, but not so much a messy benchtop ;).

sf_incandescent's Week 17 Challenges are still ongoing. Turnout is very low this week, so please head over and see if you're interested in submitting. This week we're doing SG-1 season finales, important life lessons learnt from the SGA universe, and secondary BSG characters. [/end pimp pimp pimp!]

Finally, as promised, the McShep and Rodney/Teyla recs :).

( Under cut )

This is sort of a mini-rant.

If there's one thing I strongly dislike about fandom, it's the eagerness with which some people take a fic and tear it to shreds for entertainment. FYI, there's a new SGA comm out there that does just that. I dislike this... mockery so strongly because I used to do it myself in another fandom a few years ago. I was stupid, inconsiderate, and behind closed doors so I thought it wasn't hurting anyone. It hurt my character, even if I was the only one who knew.

Just to be clear, I'm not pointing any fingers at anyone (and if anything, I deserve to point a finger at myself given some of the things I remember saying about Star Wars authors). You know me; I don't do that crap.

These days, I very, very rarely give out criticism (one reason is because most of the fics I read are just so damn good - and not to mention, above my head and skill level - that I don't even feel qualified to correct a typo). Icons are a different story, but only if the person specifically asks me (I don't think I can even bring myself to critique at LIMS comms!).

Of course, this attitude is responsible for some people worrying if their audience is sugar-coating them. "Did that person really mean that? Are they just saying that because they like me and don't want to injure my feelings?" I like to soothe my own fears by reminding myself that I only leave honest comments, and if I don't have anything honest to say, close the window.

Okay, time for more SGA recs!

Adventures in an Astrophysicist's Life by elayna88 (McShep, NC-17, AU) I can't decide on what to quote, but suffice to say, it's a thoroughly enjoyable story with an opening scene that I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

2am by khohen1 (McShep, NC-17, spoilers for "The Return, Part I") “Let me tell you about my day,” he says as soon as the phone is to his ear, leaning over and yanking off his shoes angrily. “It sucked. I know, I know, there are better, less crass ways to convey to you the vast horribleness of my day, and I’m a smart guy, I should come up with something better than ‘suck’. But that’s what it did, Sheppard. It sucked.”

“Well. That’s one way to answer a phone. Should I hang up and try again?” I think I've recced this author before. Excellent, excellent story.

And I'm starting to feel terribly queasy. I knew I shouldn't have eaten the leftover homemade pizza. Blah, grumblecakes.

EDIT: Thank you to the people who informed me that iconscraper hotlinked one of my icons. I know about that mess - I've had it happen before - and I so disapprove that it's not even humanly possible for my mouth to twist into even more weird angles. Thanks, guys :).

Yay, I've caught up with the replies! (Well, at least the personal replies. I've still got the icon replies to go.) As I said before, I'm a really shitty replier, guys. I've vowed to be more on the ball.

( In which I explain last weekend's visitors )

Okay, now onto fandom:

I'll Slug It Out by lallybroch (McKay/Cadman/Sheppard, NC-17) Laura gave Rodney a firm look, the one that said 'I'm going for it and you sure as hell better be ready'. She reached out and put her hand on Sheppard's leg. “You don't have to go.”

Sheppard looked down at her hand and then up at Rodney. “Um.”

Laura slid a little closer to him on the couch and moved her hand even further up his thigh. “Really.”

But Sheppard was still looking at Rodney. His face was scrunched up in confusion and not a little bit of arousal. He was waiting for Rodney, that much was obvious. Rodney didn't stop to think. He reached out and cupped Sheppard's jaw, leaning forward until their lips met. Sheppard gave a low moan in the back of his throat and Rodney opened his mouth, their tongues sliding slick together. When they finally broke apart, they were both panting and Laura was staring at them, her eyes wide. This is the third and last part of the "I Hear the Bells" series - or what I refer to as the "McKay and Cadman form a threesome" series. As for a description: it's hot.

Pentateuch by icantfollow (McShep, PG) Math lives in John; he sings 'One is the Loneliest Number' off-key in the shower, draws random geometric shapes on his field reports, and always divides his powerbars in half, to share. Oh, this is just a lovely, lovely story. It's the Gospel of John according to Rodney.

Also, sf_incandescent could do with a few more voters for the Week 16 Voting. Voting ends in a few hours, so please swing by :). There's a ton of variety. I'll also be posting the icons I entered here later today. I have this neat Gaius one I want to show off.

Also, my userpic keywords? Always dramatic. For example, this shiny new Sheppard icon is named "Lose Yourself". My userpic page is so emo.

Star Trek: The Final Frontier was... disappointing. Mum walked out of the room a quarter of the way through (although she's never really liked Kirk and the gang; we're really all TNG nuts, with the exception of my step-father). There were a few good one-liners in there. And Scotty bumping into that overhead beam and falling down? I thought that was an outtake! I didn't think it was actually in the damn movie!

Mmm, I might head out with my grandmother to the fortnightly market down the road at Plantation Park. It's never very interesting. There's usually a ton of finger food, handfuls of junk, and plants galore. Conclusion: I think my green thumb is sorely lacking.

I've started my great tagging mission. I only got through around twenty (eh, if that) entries. Yeah, it's not going so well. I can see this isn't something I'll be doing in one long night.

Have I recced mensa_au? It's a community based on the events of SGA's "McKay and Mrs Miller". You can find its fic masterlist here.

SGA fic rec: Trophy Husband by iibnf (McShep) I just wanted to read this story *forever*. "Stand here," Rodney said, parking John against the wall where General O'Neill was standing, rather obviously blocking someone who was hiding behind the curtains. "Hold this," Rodney continued, shoving the plate into John's hands before he turned and headed back out into the room again, whirls of disturbed scientists eddying in his wake.

Am I expected to eat this or just hold it for Rodney, John wondered, but said "Good evening, General O'Neill," as he started eating the cherry tomatoes off the plate.

EDIT: Why doesn't there seem to be many McShep coming out stories? I've been searching for them. Anyone have a rec?

Lastly, let me just pimp sf_incandescent's Week 15 Challenges. We do need more entries, so please go take a look. You can enter almost anything. The challenges rarely have restrictions (although I think that making the SGA ship challenge a little less restrictive in the way of person/inanimate object ships would have made the turnout more unusual ;)).

Also, Mum has installed a new wireless router. It's working like a charm at the moment, but I really do not want to jinx it. I was hoping we could nickname our wireless connection. Something like... Sparky, so that we'll get messages like 'Sparky has been detected!' or 'Sparky's signal strength is excellent!'. Of course we don't get messages like that now, but I'm sure nicknaming the connection would make it more user friendly ;).

Feel like reading a long McShep fic? I have just the rec for you! And it's fresh from the author, so it's all new and shiny.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by mrshamill (spoilers for both new SG seasons). Phenomenal story and a very interactive (and active, for that matter) author. If you're curious about the title, I asked and the author explained: The title comes from the W.B. Yeats poem The Second Coming. Yeats might have been barking mad but he knew how to give you shivers even when you had no clue what the hell he was talking about. The poem is one a lot of people recognize in pieces -- Turning and turning in the widening gyre/the falcon cannot hear the falconer/things fall apart/the centre cannot hold and such. I thought it was apt in this story because things are falling apart and the Ori present themselves as the 'true religion' (or, in others' opinions the coming of the antichrist, perhaps, which is Yeats some rough beast slouches towards Bethlehem).

siriaeve has written a crack AU where Sheppard and McKay are LJ admins. It's absolutely priceless. The One Where They're Code Monkeys: "I should send you over to work with Jeannie on Vox," Rodney said, "and let you waste your potential on blogging for the Fisher Price generation together, because working with you is too much like having to deal with one of those fourteen year old yaoi fangirls on a daily basis."

Another flister, cottontail, has also written an SG-1/SGA crossover mission into Wraith territory. I love crossover stories to death and this one is certainly no exception. As The Stars Fade Out (NC-17, McShep): A few feet behind him, Sheppard’s humming is disrupted by sneezes. “Yeah, well there are Wraith crawling all over the place and it’s only a matter of time before they call in another Hive,” Ronon continues.

“Preaching to the choir, big guy,” Rodney grumbles. He rearranges his P90 to a more comfortable position and struggles to get out the life signs detector.

“Come on boys, let’s buck up.” Sheppard moves forward to walk beside Rodney. He gives a small, very Sheppard-like smile. Rodney studies him closely for a moment. That particular smile always appears to have some hidden implication and he’s never been able to really put a name to it. It’s a frustrating puzzle begging to be solved.


Scifi has redesigned their official BSG site. It looks quite lovely with the grim faces of our main characters and the Cylons in the background. Also, finally, another Six promo image has been released. You can find it here. Pretty!

Also, don't forget EW's BSG article here (spoilers). It's worth clicking just to see another promo shot. Comments: Mary looks wonderful in that blue suit. Love Katee's pose. *So* not thrilled about the growth of James's beard. It's like he's back on the set of that Arabian Nights-type movie he did. Another odd pose for Tricia.

Next up: rating the first half of SGA's S3.

Also, on the RL front, Sarah (my step-sister) is arriving next week on either Thursday or Friday. I'm still without my computer, Mum is depressed, my grandmother is ill, and this is like waiting for a tornado to sweep us all away, isn't it?

There's so much in this fandom that it's easy to lose track of what I want to rec! I love LJ's "Recent Comments" feature because I know I only commented on a story if it impressed me.

( Cut for quote length )


I actually had my own McShep idea last night. I whimpered because writing makes me tear strips off the walls. It's such a powerful medium. Still, I might just write the idea down so it doesn't slip away.