The apparition of these faces in the crowd

It's hard to believe I've already been here in London for three months. Damn. Where has the time gone?

Needless to say my semester is done for and, outside of a 3 week internship, I'm done with classes until the fall. It's a fantastic feeling... and means that, for the next while, I only have work to concentrate on. I really want to get back to things fandom-wise after all this time. I know I keep saying that (*shifty*) but there's always been something hanging over my head and made it impossible to actually have any creative juices.

But I feel re-charged at long last. Completely and totally recharged.

I can't say that the whole of this semester has been easy, though. I loved (most) of my classes, but my course-mates were a bit shit. Unfortunately. And we won't go into the place I was staying for the first three months. Let's just say the people were utterly and completely bat-shit. Started out great and about two weeks ago I was told I had to move out because they were going on holiday and had to be out ASAP.

This was told to me on the eve before my Corporations exam and three days after my purse was stolen while I was out with friends. And yes, I lost everything: keys, wallet, camera, passport... yeah. It sucked. So between finals, having to replace everything in my life (and dealing with not having any sort of ID in a foreign country), and having to find a new place to live that didn't cost me an arm and a leg... I had a stressful few weeks.


Now, however, I'm living in Notting Hill and absolutely LOVING it beyond belief. I live a block away from Portabello road and am determined to walk the market once a week. My internship is with a barrister and I've spent the past week in Croydon Crown Court sitting on the benches with the barristers and talking cases with them. And they LISTEN to me when I talk. Life is, at last, good.

And for the first time in about two years? I feel the desire to write. Things for ME. So I have some fics about to be uploaded to my iPad so I can work on them while I travel down to court.

♥

Well... that time is rolling around again. Finals. Joy and kill me now.

But the only good thing is that London is around the corner. Less than 30 days to go, homg. It seemed like it would never come here, but now suddenly, it's here. Hot damn.

Yes, the HP review is coming. And I'm actually glad I waited to write the review until after the third time I've seen it because HOMG there are so many things I missed the first couple of times. So yes, that is coming when I need a study break.

Finals begin on the 13th. Couple more days of classes and then study time. Please, as many good vibes as you can spare to come my way. I could really use it.

♥

Thanks for all the comments on the last post. I massively appreciate them. *snugs you guys* I'm thinking I will finish it. Just... to finish it. I just have to get my head screwed on straight.

In other news -- I'm doing a bit of a flist cut. I've realised that my list has become SO unweildy lately and with doing so much law reading? Yeaaaaah. Not so much with the time to read a flist and seeing how big it is? I tend to wince and run away. Most of the pruning is journals who haven't updated in over a year -- or if some of you had journals, moved to somewhere else, and still kept old ones here.

If I accidentally removed you (because they're ticky boxes... and it could be misticked because they're small), feel free to poke me. ♥ Or, if YOU have a new journal that I should be following? Also poke me about that.

Or if you want to just plain poke me? Go ahead. ♥

Spent most of the night outlining, but I wanted to take a little break (and, y'know, go sleep) to talk about my utterly unbelievable experience couple weeks back. I actually had written this up a little bit ago, but this is my first time to post it here. That... and I finally could link to pictures the fabulous mirnell took that day! ♥ [and a couple in here from LJinto]

For the first time, one of the 'cool things' happened in NYC and I was able to go to it.

I am, of course, talking about Doctor Who Premiere Screening hosted by BBCAmerica in the East Village on Wednesday, 14 April 2010.

I went, of course, dressed as teh Captain. ;^) [for those of you who care about the cosplay stuff... I did a combination of things. Basically wore the 'Out of the Rain' Costume (blue shirt, pinstripe waistcoat) but I also took the Hat (tm) with me]. Thanks to the wonderful mirnell, I was able to go to both my classes on Wednesday and then join everyone in line as soon as I got into the city around 4ish. When I got there? I got mobbed for photographs. X)

( Cosplay Pictures Ahoy! )

We had, at the front of the line where the cosplayers are concerned: Me as Jack, Blue-Suit!Ten, Journey's End!Rose, Police!Amy Pond, Femme!Eleven, and Lady Gaga dressed as the TARDIS. Yes, it's as awesome as it sounds. We did a ton of photographs and poses for people and it was generally awesome.

Then the BBCAmerica folks came down the line and they interviewed us cosplayers several times. Don't know how/when/where this footage will be used? But I'll let you know when it is. AND THEN came Doctor Who Confidential. I didn't get interviewed for that, but they got the group of us cosplayers shouting "Doctor Who in America!" There was so much Brit Press around that I lost track of where I was interviewed and who was taking pictures and whatnot.

At some point, a brown suit doctor arrived and there are a LOT of pictures around of the two of us locking lips. Hey, I'll do a fan service photograph!

( FanService Ahoy! )

Matt Smith and Co arrived... and pandemonium ensued. It was brilliant. Thanks to mirnell getting there when she did, we were pretty close to the front of the line. Surprisingly, that wasn't the highlight of the night.

Massive Story Number One:
We were waiting to go in and I heard someone shout out "Captain Jack!" I turn and an gentleman came up to me, asking if I could take my picture. I said sure and struck a pose. Then... he approaches with his hand outstretched.

"Hi. I'm Ray. I'm the costume designer for Torchwood."

That would be the point when I damn near fell over. I had only a few minutes to talk to him because he had to get inside... but there was one very BRIEF and very IMPORTANT moment:

Me: this is absolutely amazing to meet you. I'm a costumer myself.
Ray: *pause* OH! You're the one Louise [the costume designer for Tennant's years who I met at Gallifrey] sent me a picture of.

I'm so glad he had to go inside at that point because I pretty much fell over and died of shock. I was able to meet up with him afterwards (congratulated him on his BAFTA nom for Children of Earth), and had several minutes to talk with him. We talked about my greatcoat and the hat, and just other costumey things in general. But he came and found me twice -- once before and once after to talk. I'm STILL on cloud nine.

Not only that, but he said he wanted this picture so that he could email it to Louise. XD

( Me & Ray! )

Massive Story Number Two:
So... the thing about the Hat. I have a modified US Air Force hat that I've modified to look like an RAF peaked cap for when I wear Jack's Empty Child/Doctor Dances uniform. I took it to Gallifrey with me and over the course of that conventian, Tony Lee attempted to steal it MULTIPLE times. And I do mean multiple. [he even has minions. I'm onto you, Barnaby!!] But since then, this hat has become my trademark. I've taken it to several events now.

Since Gallifrey, the hat has been worn by: Tony Lee, Russell Tovey (Alonso), Matt Ripey (Capt Jack Harkness).

As of now? It has also been worn by Matt Smith.

During the Q&A following the screening, Matt was asked about wearing a hat for the show and to start a petition to get him to wear a hat. At this point, mirnell is elbowing me to hand him my hat. Since we were sitting in the front row, I jumped up and lunged forward. Matt saw the hat, grinned, and grabbed it from me, shoving it down on his head. So -- if there is video of Matt Smith in an RAF hat? It's mine. :^D He wore it for a few moments, then handed it back, and there's a second clip of me getting the hat back on the BBCAmerica website. :^D

( Matt in the Hat. All the funnier if you've seen 'Victory of the Daleks' )

***

Honestly? It's two weeks later and seeing these pictures are STILL surreal. And I'm still on cloud nine right now too. Still.

I have to say? It was SO worth it to skip out on doing work that night. This was a once in a life time experience and it will be pretty damn hard to top this. To be recognised by the costume designer and talk shop for ten minutes? And to get Matt Smith to wear my hat?

Priceless.

Awwww! ♥ I love you guys!

This was such a nice surprise to log on today and see a bunch of snowflake cookies. *snugs to freckles42, midnitemaraud_r, letmypidgeonsgo, mindabbles, coffee_n_cocoa, danbi, pinkfinity, kerryblaze and heather11483. Seriously, made my day. :^D

So law exams began today. Order is as follows:
1. CivPro
2. Torts [thursday]
3. Contracts [monday]
4. CrimLaw [wednesday]

I feel MUCH better having one under my belt. Granted, I'm sure I'm going to have a massive freakout on tuesday or wednesday about that exam. But... that's for another day.

Now I'm making myself a drink, relaxing for a bit... and then off to start the Torts Marathon.

Also? It's about 99% sure that I will be attending Gallifrey. What can I say? I've been bitten and bitten hard by the con bug. *sheepish* Anyone else going?

♥ I hope you guys are all doing well. I miss you and I miss being able to check up on things on LJ. I just... don't trust myself just yet to not get sucked into the land of LJ. ♥ Love you lots and thank you for all the good vibes lately. They help!

bullet points!

• For the first (and possibly only time) I can say that I am a week ahead in all of my law school readings. GO ME! *g*

• I finished my tw_bigbang. And by finish I mean hit 17k with two scenes left. One of which is smut, the other the last plot twist. I feel so accomplished!

• I love my parents. I really do. Mother has surprised me with three new Ed Hardy shirts. (*SQUEE* I love you Marshalls) Father has surprised me with the complete 7 seasons of West Wing.

• I need someone to tell me that because it turns out John won't be making an appearance at ChicagoTARDIS (*MUTTERMUTTER*) that I shouldn't use that money on a trip to London over thanksgiving.

( Let me show you why I want to gooooo )

And while we're at it... why is I Am What I Am already out over there but not here? *glares at amazon.co.uk* if you didn't totally screw me on the Torchwood novels, I'd be tempted to order said book from there.

In the future... make sure you have a chiropractor lined up BEFORE you decide to throw your back out.

*head.desk*

In other news, I got called on today in Torts. And managed to totally make an ass out of myself for 3 minutes before I broke down, whimpered that I had thrown my back out. To which Miller nicely let me out of the hot seat.

AKA, I better be really fucking prepared for tomorrow.

But for now... drugs.

And I swear -- I will get better about commenting soon. It's just been (as I'm sure you can guess) hectic as hell around here. But I'm loving every minute of school. I really am.

I think I must be a masochist.

♥ I love you guys. I really do.

Oi! Sorry for the radio silence here! ♥

I am, though, here in White Plains and safe and sound. Loving my new apartment and getting used to living with someone. That... is an adventure, but at least the roommie is a geek like me, so it helps. A lot. :^D

Hey, we have a remote control Dalek on our mantle. What more could I ask for?

Oh, I know! White Plains, stop being so fucking hot and humid so I can actually go exploring!


Also! I'm an aunt twice over! :^D a little belated posting these but I was waiting for pictures... and haven't gotten them. Or, rather, I have but they're on my old phone and mom has yet to email them to me. *sigh*

♥ Kayo Charlie --> born 15 July
♥ James Douglas III --> born 31 July

So after the nieces, I have nephews! *squee*


And Law School. Orientation starts on monday and I just finished going through some of my syllabuses. Let's just say that my Torts professor has managed to scare the ever living shit out of me -- and I didn't think that was at all possible after Oltman. Final grade is based solely on one 4 hour closed-book exam. Come unprepared to class 3 times and he won't allow you to sit for the exam. Not that I'm PLANNING on being unprepared? But still. Fuck me.


♥ How have you guys been my lovelies? Tell me something good that's happened in your life, no matter how tiny or insignificant.

Okay. So.

I'm officially on my way to London to wrap John in bubble wrap before he comes over here for Comic*Con.

Lucky Escape: John Barrowman survives 80mph rally car crash. At least he came through with minor injuries. But geeze. Between his ankle and now this? The guy is having one hell of a summer.


Also! As overheard in the shop. Richard was in today, so of course we have to discus Torchwood. *muttermutter* HOWEVER. funniest way I've heard Day One described yet:

Me: So, what did you think of Day One.
Richard: OMG. It was amazing. And that kiss at the end was SMOKIN' HOT.
Me: Just wait until day two.
Richard: Oh?
Me: [spoiler in case you're that nutsy about knowing nothing] Yes. Bare ass shot. Not to mention full-frontal that's slightly pixellated.
Richard: Oh I am SO buying this DVD.

And then mom almost spoiled him. *headdesk*

No, I didn't watch Day Two. But I watched the last half of Day One yesterday. And didn't throw things either! Aren't you all proud?

FTR? avengangle? Your reception was SO much more fun.

Yes, Lisa is now married. Wedding was yesterday and it was lovely. How's that for the diplomatic answer? In truth, yesterday was miserable.
1. Florist didn't bring enough flowers. So, we had a runner take one of the bouquets after a bridesmaid walked and took it to the end of the line. Only, they were supposed to take it from the Junior Bridesmaid. Not... a bridesmaid. So guess who got to fucking stand through the service (at least it was just a quick outdoor thing spoken by the Justice of the Peace) holding NOTHING. Yes, that'd be me. Try to get my flowers back afterwards and the girl who got it, refused. Thankfully, I did get a bouquet. It's... not that I CARED, but I still wanted something from the day, even if Lisa has been a royal pain in the ass lately.
2. Everything was so haphazardly done, it was insane.
3. Didn't get what I ordered. The 'count' was wrong, so was stuck with Beef rather than Fish at the reception. Which, at that point, I was so annoyed it was like what else could go wrong?

The majority of the night was just... blargh. Food was nice and the alcohol flowed (which, for lisa wanting top shelf booze, tell me why there was no Jamesons there?) flowed. It was a nice evening all in all -- with the most fun part being, as SJ's family are all Italian -- they played some tarantellas and invited the Italians up. Dad and I were the only Erie-folk who went up and dancing a la The Godfather with them? A blast. Otherwise? I'm just glad it's over.

Sorry I haven't been around as much the past couple of weeks. I had a few health things (which, they've finally figured out part of what's wrong with me. Insulin Resistant FTL!) happenand then the wedding? So I've been a depressed little Lia. ♥ I love you guys muchly.

And have a couple little ficcy projects that I'm working on too. And, if there's interest, perhaps something a bit bigger. (and no, NOT a big bang before you even think about that!) ♥ Love you guys. You're the best. *smooch*