Maz's confused virtuality

Merry Christmas everybody!

And all the best for 2014.

And for those who haven't seen it yet, a Sherlock mini episode

which might only be available in the UK, I'm not sure. And possibly only intermittantly here.

It might also be here.

I signed up for fall_for_sx and today is my posting date, so I have revisited the boys who were my first fandom love.

Title: Exodus
Rating: G
Summary: In the aftermath of The Gift, Spike and Xander are leaving town.
Warnings: Angst. Major Character Death.
Note: I'm really not into angst, but I guess it's like going on the rollercoaster - you have to do it once.
Betaed by sparrow2000, for which, many, many thanks.
Disclaimer: here.
Word count: 1,720
Comments: Are greatly appreciated, loved and cherished.

( Exodus )

Title: A (sort of) story told in drabbles
Rating: Universal
Fandom: Merlin
Genre: Return of the King. Pre-slash.
Word Count: 11x100
Summary: A series of drabbles about Arthur's first few days back in the world. Set during the breath of peace before he and Merlin go out to save the world, again.
Comments: Are greatly appreciated, loved and cherished.
Disclaimer: here.
With thanks to DJ for the beta.

( Below the cut )

The Event of the fandom summer will be held over the weekend of Friday 9th August to Sunday 11th August - Writercon UK 2013.

It's a weekend of laughter and some not too serious (but still real) learning of new stuff. Over the last few years there have been sessions on the art of writing drabbles, how to structure Songvids, things readers hate, the use of smell in writing, icons for dummies and a Write Your Own BadFic group activity (which also involved huge group hilarity).

It's not big and intimidating - maximum 40 people!

It's in Coventry, so nice and central for England and Wales, at least.

It's not difficult to get to by road (M6, M40, M45 (off the M1)) or rail (direct from London Euston, Manchester, Carlisle or Oxford (although if coming from the north east you have to change at Birmingham New Street, bleah!))

You don't have to be a writer - if you're a lurker, a writer, a vidder, an artist, a beta, a reader/reviewer, or simply a fan - of any fandom - you will still find you are amongst friends straight away - it's most certainly not cliquey!

The details:
Location - The Ramada Hotel, Coventry
Price - £35, plus accommodation and food

You can see further details here

So if you are in the UK, or within reach of it, why not come along?

I can guarantee that you will enjoy yourself and meet friendly people to talk all things fandom with. Plus, the hotel has promised a special cocktail menu, just for us. How can you resist?

I'd love to see you there.

LJ has been down since New Year's Eve. And even when it was not totally down, it was preventing me from making any comments, let alone posts. So, although I did manage to read some people's Happy New Year posts, I wasn't able to reply.

So, very belatedly -

Firstly, thank you to virtualpersonal for the snowflakes on my profile. That was a lovely surprise.

Secondly,

Happy New Year everyone!

And with some trepidation I’m posting my first proper attempt at computer graphics, in the hope of getting a little concrit and some pointers, because I know that some of you, my dear flist, can create brilliant graphics in your sleep.

I had the 1999 version of paintshop pro on my old laptop, but I only used it for basic stuff. I didn't have most of the filters and effects that went with it, so the only time I tried to create a graphic, the result wasn't very successful. That's why I've decided this is my first proper attempt *g*
I got photoshop elements for my birthday and I worked through the online tutorials, until RL got busy. But, I’m on holiday this week, so I’ve actually had the chance to play with it.

It's under a cut, because it is a bit big.

Would you take a look and tell me what is wrong with it, and what I should do to improve?
( Read more... )
I would be very grateful if you would bear in mind that this really is my first ever proper attempt to create a computer graphic from scratch, so please be gentle with me! *g* But any/all pointers that will help me improve will be gratefully received.

Thank you to everyone who posted happy birthday wishes, yesterday. That was a lovely start this wet Tuesday morning.
And extra special thanks to seadragonlady for the Chocolate Cupcake and to laazikaat for the basket of flowers on my user page. They were a wonderful surprise. *hugs you both*

It's six years exactly since I got my first laptop, but it's six years and two weeks since I got broadband. (Remember those days when being online meant that no one in the house could use the phone?)

The first thing I did on the morning we went live, was get a LJ.
The first thing anyone else did was sparrow2000, who welcomed me, sent me a set of very helpful instructions on how LJ works and introduced me to a load of other people. *twirls sparrow2000 round and round*

I may not be posting much at the moment, but LJ and the people I've met through LJ make me very happy.

Thank you.

It is The Event of the summer and we have dates!!!

Friday May 25th to Sunday May 27th 2012

(The WriterconUK Event has previously been held in August, but there seems to be some sport thing happening during August this year, so we moved our Event - we wouldn't want to diminish the impact of the Olympics, I'm told they're considered to be quite important.)

Location - The Ramada Hotel, Coventry

Price - £35, plus accommodation and food

Intended Audience - Anyone involved in any aspect of fandom, be it as a lurker, writer, vidder, artist, beta or reader/reviewer.

Sign up and details - Here

If you've not heard about it before, and want to know more, take a look here, where, among other things, there are links to the reports posted by attendees at previous Events.

So if you are in the UK, or within reach, and it has been the August date that has held you back in the past, why not come this year?

I guarantee fun and lots of laughter.