Cal's Journal

K and I got back a couple of hours ago from the first night of the Hub 3 convention. We decided to have an early night tonight, as we have an early start in the morning. We're definitely planning on staying to party tomorrow night, though! :D

Very disappointed to hear that James won't be able to make it this weekend, but happy that his injury doesn't appear to be too serious. I'm sure we'll still have a great time, as there are still some great guests (I'm particularly looking forward to meeting Paul Copley and Nicholas Farrell - and K is excited about meeting GDL again!) and it's always good to spend time with friends. :)

The opening ceremony turned out not to be an opening ceremony at all, as no guests turned up. o_O It was hardly worth filling up the hall at all! The Gold Pass drinks reception has had to be postponed until tomorrow. Luckily for me I only have a Standard Pass, but I'm sure the Gold Pass holders must be disappointed.

I actually feel quite sorry for the organisers of this event. It must be a complete nightmare for them! And I have to say, so far the staff have been nothing but friendly and helpful - and the Hilton hotel has to be one of the most wheelchair friendly hotels I've ever been in!

But I'm still glad that we live so close to the event that we can drive there and back every day - which makes things so much easier for K. :)

And next week is Hallowhedon. My first weekend away on my own EVER! :D

After having an almost complete break from the internet for a while, I thought it was about time I showed my face again. :)

And what better way to show my face than with a couple of fanfic recs?

During my absence I've been immersing myself in Spuffy fanfic. Practically drowning myself in it, in fact. Rather than allowing myself to wallow in a bucket of self-pity (which would have been *so* easy to do *g*), I've thrown myself head first into the wonderful world that is Spike and Buffy.

So on we go with the Spuffy. :)

Let's Get Lost by herself_nyc

From the author:

A slayer on the run from her duties, and a vampire on the run from his soul, meet up in summertime Manhattan, 1997 ... and like everyone else in summertime Manhattan, head out to the East End of Long Island ....

Now complete, with a sequel planned for the future. This one has *really* started people talking. Unforgettable. Join herself_nyc_fic to read.

Heart Don't Lie by nautibitz

From the author:

An authorized sequel to OFQ (Original Fanfic Queen) Saber ShadowKitten's "Humping Like Bunnies" (Read it first! You shan't be sorry.) She supplied the brilliant title for a sequel, I went from there. In the previous story, Buffy and Spike were -- oops! -- transformed into rabbits by Willow. Humping naturally ensued. Here's the zany aftermath.

As good as complete, with an epilogue to come. Hot, funny, hot, snarky, moving, smutty, brilliant dialogue...and did I say hot? ;) Excellent! Join nautific to read.

And last but not least, the wonderful anaross has started a new Spuffy fic! Only one chapter so far:

Gimme Shelter Chapter One by anaross

From the author:

AU after Not Fade Away. Takes place in London. Giles is running the Slayer, Inc., and has bunches of teenaged girls defying his every command.

Amnesia fic! What's not to love? :)

All three fics are completely different, but are all Spuffy at they're very best. Enjoy!

And for those of you on my flist who might be interested...

I'm going to Cardiff. Yay! :D

I don't know if this is common knowledge or not (I haven't been on LJ), but episode four of Jim Butcher's podcast The Butcher Block includes James reading Chapter 3 of Summer Knight. It's wonderful! I can't wait to hear the whole thing. :D

Okay, I really must go to bed now. I doubt I'll get much sleep, but I must try to calm down a little. What is it about James that turns me into this mad, bouncy, insane woman? I'm a perfectly normal 37 year old most of the time, but James announces that he's coming to the UK and I turn into this wild, squeeing, bouncy thing. What's up with that? *g*

There's one thing I do know, though. It's a hell of a lot of fun! :D

I *so* needed something to look forward to! Yay!!

Jamses! In the UK! In the Spring! *bounces some more*

Yes, I really must go to bed...

Just ignore me. I'll be back to normal...eventually. Hee! :D

Snagged from deborahw37, but the email just arrived in my inbox, too. :)

Just in from JMLive

JAMES TO CO-STAR IN FEATURE ADAPTATION OF "P.S. I LOVE YOU"

JAMES MARSTERS has been set as a co-lead in the feature film "P.S. I Love You" for Alcon Entertainment. The film stars Hillary Swank, Kathy Bates, Gerald Butler, Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon. James will portray the role of 'John', the best friend and partner of Gerald Butler's character.

The film is based on the novel by Cecilia Ahern and will be directed by Richard LaGravenese. The picture centers on a widow whose life is rejuvenated when letters left by her husband send her on a series of adventures. Production will begin mid-October. The film will be distributed by Warner Bros.

This is wonderful news! Such a quality cast. Go James! *squee*

From James Marsters Official Website

James Answers Your Questions!
Here is this month's session. Enjoy! (He even threw in an extra this month!)



Do you have any advice for people who suffer from stage fright/public speaking?

Stage fright is a very natural reaction - everyone has it. In the animal world, creatures only stare at each other when thinking of eating each other, so it's natural to run away. But, as a good acting teacher once told me, "acting is being private in public."

How would you describe yourself in three words and why those three?

I'm just getting to know myself. I'm no where near to being concise about it yet. I can't define myself. Wait a minute - I'm angry, I'm funny and I'm trying.

What did you think of Spike's growing evolution on Buffy and how do you feel the material challenged you as an actor?

They used me as needed on Buffy. If they needed a wacky neighbor, they used me. If they needed a villain, they used me. If they needed a lover, they used me that way. It was my job to reconcile it all into one character and that was the challenge.

You've played in clubs that buzz with high energy, but also are filled with loud people who talk and laugh all through your performance - and you've played in the quieter environments where the audience is seated, but who enjoy your performance with the hush of a true listening audience. As an audience member, I've experienced the pros and cons of both loud and quiet audiences - as an artist, which do you feel most connects your art with your audience and do you prefer one over the other?

I love being able to hear myself clearly in a quiet house so I can really tell if I'm sucking or not. But really my job is to give permission for the audience to exalt and lose control. I also felt that we got a little higher with the louder crowd.

Do you think that Shakespeare's plays have been modernized and performed so much that it would be hard to direct or perform in an original adaptation without the audience saying they've seen it before? How much pressure is on the actors and director to create an exciting and original piece of theatre?

I always argue for not straying from the text. I don't like Shakespeare productions on Mars! Romeo and Juliet should be set in Verona and at the time dictated by Shakespeare. Shakespeare had a 700 year history to draw from, he had good reason to choose the places and times he did. I feel no pressure to come up with something original but rather to just be true to Bill Shakespeare. I am a slave to Shakespeare's original intention!

Not really referring to historical or well-known figures, but rather just ordinary, average people, what in your opinion makes an individual particularly brave or courageous?

Overcoming their fears. All heroes quake with fear, they just choose to keep on going.

Next session: May 15

These Q and A sessions remind me of why I love this guy so much. :)

As you all know by now, JM is hosting "James Marsters and Friends" in L.A. this year. I posted the email announcement in my LJ and southernbangel mistakenly thought it said "Make a Date with Jesus". :D

And so the following conversation happened between southernbangel and amybnnyc:

( Cut for religious snark )

I love my friends! *g*

The March Q&A on JM's official site is now up. Next one is due on April 15th.

http://www.jamesmarsters.com/qa.html

It sounds like he's trying hard to find work, but not really having much luck yet. *crosses fingers for him*

But at least he's still writing new songs! I know not everyone will be happy about that, but I am. In fact, I'm all SQUEE!! about it. *g*

And those new Smallville pics? *fans self* So hot!

Some new Smallville pics of JM have been posted here. So, so pretty.

Thank you to elisi for the heads up. :)

ETA: There's been a very mixed reaction to the new pics. I think they're very pretty, but (quite obviously) airbrushed. What do you all think? I have to say I prefer JM as he really is, crows feet and all. But I still think the pics are pretty. I'm just happy to have something new to look at! :)

Yay! Pre-orders of the "Words and Music" DVD are now being shipped, so I should get my copy shortly. I can't wait! :D

The Lotto draw was on while I was writing this post, and nearly gave me a heart attack. We've had the same numbers every week since it started, but Paul is ill with the flu, so hasn't been out today to put our numbers on (which is something he usually does on a Saturday afternoon)...and guess what? The first four numbers out were our numbers! Honestly, my heart was in my mouth. We've still lost money, but imagine if all SIX had come out? Gah! It doesn't bear thinking about.