letters to infinity

I'm on an anime watching spree and there's some seriously brilliant stuff out there. My latest infatuation is everything by Makoto Shinkai; The Place Promised In Our Early Days is what got me hooked. It's beautifully drawn and the story flows at a languid pace, gently-softly drawing you into the characters' lives. Same goes for Voices From A Distant Star, which is all about communication and how lost we are without it.

After all that goodness I caved and revisited some guilty pleasures from oh-so-long-ago (Osuwari! heh); next I'm sure to break out the old J-pop collection and spice up my running trips.

Next in line: LoM s2. So far, I've only seen the first two episodes; 201 thrilled me with a glimpse into Sam's darker side but it's 202 that left a deeper impression. I loved Woolf's phrasing when he talked to Gene in the end: "I made you." And then Gene's devastation when he realizes what has become of the man in whose image he was shaped (or rather allowed himself to be shaped). On the other hand there is Sam, who shapes himself by whipping his mentor-to-be into the right shape. Great stuff, that. I'm looking forward to the next episodes, which I have been told will be even better. Bring it on, Hunt.

Finally saw Das Leben der Anderen and boy was it ever good. This is definitely going to be a part of my DVD collection.

I caved and bought Life on Mars S1 (under the pretense of needing new stuff to read from Amazon and since I was ordering that I might as well include the LoM box) and it will be here tomorrow and then I will spend a great many hours happily watching Mr. John Simm oh yes.

Today's the first day of my three-week-vacation and I'm somewhat chagrined to admit I didn't spend it writing (as was planned during those long long weeks of not being on vacation, dammit). I'm pretty sure that's not going to change anytime soon, what with the expected arrival of my Amazon parcel tomorrow. Then again, stranger things have been known to happen.

a. I've got an infection in my right ear and more pain than I can shake a stick at. And on my free weekend, too.

b. Nasal spray is my new best friend.

c. I want my Jack/Ianto fix but I don't dare watch the latest episodes for fear of the Angst. And then there's that Jack/Gwen thing. I totally feel the love between these two, I just don't think I want them to be in love. Like, Gwen has Rhys and he's good for her on so many levels, and I think putting her with Jack would ultimately weaken her. She needs someone to ground her in the real world, and Jack would sweep her away and turn her into someone who doesn't fit in anymore.

d. I'm almost done with Pratchett's Tiffany Aching trilogy and I love it a lot more than I initially thought. It's superbly written, really funny and brimming with everyday magic, which is the best kind of all. It also has guest appearances by Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax who is probably my favorite Discworld character of all times.

One of my favorite bits in the Wintersmith is "the child who was the right way up" - it's such a simple idea, but done oh so clever that it keeps amusing me time and again. And then there's this line about Granny which I think sums her up nicely: "Granny Weatherwax put a stop to them and never told anyone how she'd done it." Just, yes.

e. Saw the Indy 4 trailer today and now I want it to be May, presto.

f. I feel very much like writing me some Jack/Ianto to cheer myself up, but writing while being sick always leads to fluff and that's not exactly my strong suit. Maybe I'll stick with PS instead.

New layout in the making; I'm beginning to think my favorite color is swaying slightly to the red side. Hm.

Finally saw Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Torchwood style, that is) and oh yeah, I've missed this show one hell of a lot. Very good taste in guest stars, I must say.

Spent last night watching Hot Fuzz (good, but not quite living up to my expectations which were - admittedly - pretty high) and Transformers (which: oh hell wow, why didn't I catch this on the big screen?!).

Next on my movie list: My Blueberry Nights. Hi, Jude Law. Please to be as pretty as you know how to be. Thnx.