Sunday, July 31, 2011

Pottermore: Brilliance webified


The above is a screenshot of the Pottermore website, in all it's unaccessible glory.

I realized about 20 minutes or so ago, in a confusing-to-anyone-who-doesn't-know-me yell of "ZOMG! Pottermore!" (yes I say "ZOMG" in real life) as I lept for my [mother's] computer, that today was the first day to register for early access to the website Pottermore by the awe-inspiring JK Rowling. It being Harry's/JK Rowling's birthday, today was naturally the first day, but to my dismay I found out that registration was closed (as expected). A glimmer of hope loomed though, because despite registration being closed for today, it's not, as I expected, closed permanently until  the official launch. Oh no, that would be silly, and something any other normal website would do. Clearly something that has emerged from the mind of Ms. Rowling has to exceed the expectations of her devoted fans (i.e. me); just as she gave us 7 books, she's also giving  us 7 days and 7 chances to get early access to the website.
The best part, other than the whole website, is that you can't just register by being the first and signing up your name. Again, that would be silly and something any other normal website would do. To be part of the magical world that Pottermore is surely going to offer us, you have to be magical yourself, and be good with riddles.

The pinkish banner above says this (the bigger screenshot wouldn't fit, sorry lovelies):

Those of you who would like the chance to gain early access to Pottermore must find The Magical Quill and then submit their registration details. Each day, from 31 July to 6 August, a clue will be revealed here. Solve the clue and you will be taken to The Magical Quill. Be quick, The Magical Quill won’t be there for long and registration will only be open while spaces are still available each day.

"The Magical Quill? Wot on earth is that?" I hear your voices say in sheer dismay (I told you, I have brilliant hearing). Never fear, for Rowling has an answer for that as well, on the far right in that lovely green/blue/I'msurethere'sapropernameforthatshade colour.

What is The Magical Quill?

The Magical Quill detects the birth of magical children and writes their name down in a large book. To find out if your name is in the book, you need to find The Magical Quill and then submit your registration details on Pottermore.


I don't know, maybe I just have deep love for JK Rowling and everything she creates, but I cant help but to think that this woman is absolutely and fantastically brilliant. I mean, I'm aware that this registration process is something small and silly and gimmicky, but I got so extremely excited...and that's wot I like, she got me excited to register for a website. Not a lot of people have managed to do that. Actually, no one has ever gotten me excited to register for their website. I've been excited to use websites, but never to simply have the chance to register for them. It may be a little frustrating to try and figure out the riddles, or even try and figure out wot would be the optimal time to try and sign up (with the whole time zones thing existing on our little planet).

Also the whole 'magical birth' think is quite clever. I can see children and adults all over the world working out riddles and going "HA!" when they figure them out and are told that their names have been found in the book. Then they can turn to people who don't like Harry Potter and murder them!

*cough* I mean, say "I told you I was magical!"

I'll let you know if I'm magical.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

David Tennant's face of the day

Source: yuna9110.tumblr.com
The whole Doctor transforming into an old man/weird tiny caged creature thing still confuses me and used to weird me out, but I think this gif has single-handedly cancelled out all the weirdness I might have felt. It's that 'ta da!' face, I think. The dance doesn't hurt either.

Dreams of Mutants

Source: marvel.wikia.com
I had a dream where I was playing cards with Remy LeBeau (or Gambit if you prefer), and I realized quite quickly that he was cheating. Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with someone who can manipulate kinetic energy, throw cards like a beast, and is inhumanly charming, so I kicked his ass the old fashioned way, by being fantastic at wotever game we happened to be playing (it was either poker, or Go Fish, same difference). Also, it helped that Rambo showed up, and since we all know me and Rambo are bffls, my lovely Cajun mutant decided to play it straight.

Not a very action packed dream, true, but that was actually preferably in my opinion, considering I tend to wake up more tired than I went to sleep these days. So sitting around playing cards with my favourite X-Men was not a bad deal.

I seem to be having a lot of dreams with Rambo these days, though I'm not quite certain why. I haven't seen those movies in at least a million years and it's not like I have any deep affection for Stallone. Though, I suppose, it's a nice change from Doctor Who. Not that I mind that it has taken over every corner of my conscious thought, it's just nice to know that when I'm unconscious, I am capable of expanding my mind beyond a fictional sci-fi show, as fantastic as it may be.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Let's Kill Moffat

Source: montypythonssheep.reddit.com
Well, to be fair, I technically waited six years to even start watching the reboot of Doctor Who, so I really shouldn't be complaining.

I shouldn't, but I will.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

DIY TARDIS


The great thing about having a "Doctor Who" circle on Google+ (among other things) is that the people in your circle post wonderful Doctor Who related things. Such as this TARDIS bedroom door. Once I get a home of my own, this is happening, everything from the colour to the windows on top is going to be replicated. Whoever is living with me at that point, husband or roommate or cat, is just going to have to deal with it.

I'm even going to hide the key in my shoe. Just to be authentic, you know? Much love and respect to the designer. Do you think I could get a discount if I produce my credit card with a Sonic Screwdriver?

No trespassing, Dalek style


In other news, I will be (once again, I know, wot can I say, citizen of the world and all) travelling and thus internetless for the next 3 days or so. I've scheduled a post or two a day that are a mix of random writing and my usually flurry of Doctor Who love. If you've been here before, you know the drill.

Sending love from the Motherland (UAE, for those who care/are curious), will be missing you all till then.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Doctor Trek

Source: summerset.deviantart.com


Nerds, rejoice. Here is another exceptionally done crossover to salivate over.

Billie Piper and Matt Smith


Not that I want to turn into a gossip blog or anything but, quoi?

I mean, I know they were together in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and I'm sure if I googled it I would find the true (or, close enough to the true) reason for the hand holding, but it's so much more fun to speculate. This is why I can never actually be a journalist (bachelors degree be damned). I find that I have so much more fun imagining the reasoning for major events than finding out the truth behind them.

But you know wot they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Maybe one day I'll encounter that strangeness and be able to turn my whole viewpoint around. I like to keep my options open. 

Monday, July 25, 2011

Ready, set, blame the Muslims!

Source: twitter.com/#!/Strange_Sanum

Have to wait forever for Doctor Who to start airing again? #blamethemuslims

Seriously though, I haven't laughed so hard in months as I did today, going through Sanum Ghafoor's (also known as Strange_Sanum) tweets on twitter, most of them trending 'blame the Muslims.' As a Muslim myself, I am always ready to jump to the defense of my religion and those who follow it, but only if the defense is deserved. In this case, I don't believe any defense is necessary.

Why? Because the trend was clearly, at least in my opinion though others seemed to think otherwise, satirical. There's no need to champion the Muslim cause against a Muslim who was simply trying to make a point in the wake of a terrible tragedy: it's way too easy to just blame the Muslims when something goes wrong in the world.

The explosion of outrage and retweeting that has followed this trend is both comforting and worrying. It's comforting because it's nice to see that there are a lot of people out there who understand that Islam is not all about hate, killing infidels and Sharia law. It's worrying on two counts: one, it's revealed that a lot of people seem to have missed the whole point, take things way too seriously and need to relax just a bit (Muslims, where did your sense of humour go?). And two, it has also revealed that there are still many people that have access to the internet (God help us all) and have their own band of followers that remain ignorant and filled with hate.

I applaud Strange_Sanum for her boldness, intelligence, and quick rise to "G" status (yeah, I went there), please never stop being fantastic. For the rest of you lovely people out there, relax, take a deep breath, and don't forget to blame the Muslims.

;-)

P.S. Also, if you could find the Aljazeera stream and link it to me before doing so, that would be lovely. Google search is failing me currently, it's probably Muslim.

Doctor Who: Russian/Nesting Dolls

Source: twitpic.com/3k3tdx
This gives a new meaning to regeneration...and bigger on the inside.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Doctor Potter: Part II

Source: combom.co.uk
I quite like this version of the crossovers, because it actually indicates who is who and has the actor's names ad everything. Also, aesthetically pleasing; the closet mathematician in me is quite fond of the chart aspect. 

Things I learned from Severus Snape


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Pick Up Order: Tom Felton


I'll pick you up! I'll do it! Just tell me where to go.


Silly name competition

Source: roflrazzi

Yeah, our dear Sherlock wins by a landslide. Though I feel like Eccly should have dealt a little more damage than that.

Friday, July 22, 2011

David Tennant: A return to the Whoverse?


This is 'old' by news standards, but it's still one of those things that make me sit here and pray to God that this becomes a reality.

Apparently, though I never really doubted it, David Tennant wants to (if possible, I assume) return to Doctor Who. I mean, I'm all for him being in movies and branching out. Fright Night looks like a lot of fun, and like I said recently, he's fantastic on stage (almost as if he's made for the stage) but I would like nothing more than to see him be the Doctor again. Even if it was only briefly, like the Children in Need special with Tennant and Peter Davison, or one of the specials like The Five Doctors. Something like that would bring immense joy to a lot of fans.

Also, it should be entertaining (to say the least) to see him and Matt Smith together. Not to mention yummy.


David Tennant's face of the day


I just can't look away. This is wrong on so many levels, and yet I can't stop looking at it.

My sister just said to me (she's lounging on the couch) "Sometimes I look at your screen and wonder wot the hell you're doing. Why is there a gyrating female?" and then I let her see the face and she just shook her head, as if to say 'how are we related?'

Thursday, July 21, 2011

For the love of Doctors and Wizards


This was, believe it or not, the first picture I ever saw relating to Doctor Who. Years before I got into the show (which was this winter, but the way I talk and blog about it you’d think I’ve been on this bandwagon since the start, wouldn’t you?)  I remember seeing this picture, agreeing vehemently, and then filing it away for further examination at a later point. I don’t know why I didn’t start watching it right away. Maybe it’s because I was wary of falling madly in love with another fictional character or being emotionally invested in these characters only to be heartbroken (Joss Whedon has made me a cynic when it comes to viewer/character relationships. He’s taught me that any bond I form with a character he's created will always end in tears, thanks for that Joss), but I just stalled getting into the reboot of the show.

Clearly I’m over that emotional block and, now when I look at this picture, I can truly appreciate it for the brilliance that it exudes. At the same time though, when I rewatch the show (like I have been these past few weeks) I feel myself getting so sad at moments I should, theoretically, be over. My dear Eccly regenerating into Teninch, for one. Rose being left in Bad Wolf bay (haven't quite reached that yet, but soon). All those moments I know are coming, because I've experienced them once before and was hurt by them once before, just end up hurting me all over again. I seem to unintentionally invest a lot more of my self into these fictional characters than a normal person should. If I keep spreading myself this thin emotionally, eventually I wont be able to fall madly in love with real people.

That's a really scary and dramatic thought, probably brought upon by the fact that I feel like I'm getting old. I am part of the Harry Potter generation, and that era has ended. True, Pottermore is going to be launched soon, and as Ms. Rowling so heart wrenchingly put it, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome us home, but it's still not the same. There will be no more premiers to witness, midnight showings to get dressed up for, Midnight Magic Parties to attend. That anticipation, toe curling in it's awesomeness, felt by millions around the world, to turn that page and read those first words. When's the last time that so many people have waited so long for a children's book? When was the last time that magic and mischief and school and death and coming of age caused so much people to come together and celebrate and gossip and speculate about hidden meanings and possible foreshadowing?

Better yet, when's the next time this will happen?
Source: acciomadman.tumblr.com
I'm not quite sure how I went from Doctor Who to Harry Potter (all the while managing to revert to emo teenager phase), but as an ultimate nerd I guess it's all connected in my mind in one huge, overly emotional, super excited, extremely invested, pulsating mass of gushing, unabashed fangirlism. 


David Tennant's face of the day


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Draco Malfoy, all grown up


Well, hello there.

After the movie, there was this woman in the bathroom talking about how she hung out with Tom Felton, back during one of the first movies. She kept telling her friend about how she was 17 and he was 14 but he was really chill and she could have, basically (less straightforwardly, and with more thinly veiled innuendo), gotten him. Except it would have been creepy. Or something like that. I didn't know whether to scoff in disbelief or strangle her in an attempt to get more information.

I opted for the former, it seemed less likely to get me arrested and banned from the country.

David Tennant's face of the day


I'm back! I had an amazingly wonderful time in London the past three days, and managed to not only watch the last Harry Potter movie, but also see David Tennnant and Catherine Tate do a spectacular performance as Benedick and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. I know my bias could probably flood the world, but those two were absolutely spectacular. Talk about stage presence! I was completely awestruck, the moment I set eyes on them. 

To be fair, a friend of mine, who barely knew who Teninch was before the play (and he calls himself a Brit! Though he absolutely adores Ms. Tate so I can't mock-rage too much), was talking about how your eyes just automatically went to them when they were onstage, even if they were in the background of the scene. Everything they did, every movement or sigh or expression had a purpose and was completely on point. It was almost a bit distracting, but not in a way that would make me complain. Of course, their dynamic is incomparable to any of the other actors. They just seem to be really in sync with each other, you could see it even in the way they stood. On another note, the actor who played the Prince (who's name I can't remember, for the life of me) looked almost exactly like Bruce Willis, it was frightening and slightly disconcerting too. Bruce Willis with a British accent.

It's so strange, I'm sure I'll gush a little more about this at another time, but it almost feels like it didn't happen. My whole trip to London went by in one giant roller-coaster rivaling blur of grey skies and cliched rain and flurry of emotions

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

David Tennant's face of the day

Source: klorella.tumblr.com
Poor Melody, he wont know you for a while now. Not with that face. I wish that face was back. I've been re-watching the new series from the beginning, starting with Eccly naturally, and the tears wont stop. Almost done with season 2, and I don't know if I can handle the whole leaving Rose in the alternate universe thing again. It was bad enough watching Eccly regenerate, that just broke my heart into tiny little pieces.

On the bright side, I've converted several family members into Whovians. My little brothers are currently at the end of season 1, and my sister is in the middle of season 2 with me right now. My mother watched the original series when she was younger, and my cousin loves our dear Matt Smith and his eccentricity, so soon my whole family will know the amazingness that is this show.

And, as soon as all the DVDs for the original series are released (well, the available ones), I'm going to start on that. We all need some original Who in our lives.

My favourite Marauder

Source: dirkdigglr.tumblr.com
This man will forever be my favourite Wizard. I'm all for Dumbly, and the Twins are brilliant and Draco makes such a fantastic progression throughout the novels and Lupin is indescribable. But no one can replace Sirius Black in my heart. It wasn't until the last word in the last page of the last book did I finally let myself admit that he wasn't coming back, and just sobbed for a bit.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

David Tennant's face of the day

Source: roranicus-pondicus.tumblr.com
I don't even know wot he's doing, but I like it. He should do it more often.

Home is where the Hogwarts is

Source: bloodydifficult.tumblr.com
"Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."

I wish I could be home right now.

Friday, July 15, 2011

So long, Harry

Source: dailyloreena.tumblr.com
Basically, everything on tumblr today (it's actuall the 7th today, just scheduling things for the next week where I'll be internetless) is about the Harry Potter premier. It makes me want to break down into tears (I'm quite sensitive, you should know that by now) every time I scroll down. But this one just...I don't know, it just caught my eye. It is so simple yet so powerful.

David Tennat's face of the day

Source: wibblywobblyspaceywacey.tumblr.com
"I'm such a child."

Ooh ooh! Me too! We must be soul mates.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

David Tennant's face of the day

Source: im-hermionegranger.tumblr.com
ZOMG! Watch out behind you!

Post Potter Depression

Source: horcruxes-and-hallows.tumblr.com
This is how I feel currently. I know I have yet to see the last movie, but I'm already anticipating the pain and hollowness of a lack of midnight magic parties and releases and premiers and magic.

/sobs

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tic Tac Tardis

Source: sherlockislove.tumblr.com
I wish this had sound, because when the Tardis dematerializes, it feels like there's something missing without that weird high pitched string sci-fi madness.

David Tennant's face of the day

Source: lovethatmattsmith.tumblr.com
I'd cuff them for different reasons...but that's another story all together. *wink*wink*nudge*nudge*

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Awkward moments

Source: bit.ly

What every potter fan wants to hear

Source: 21lovesongs.tumblr.com
DO IT! For the love of God an all your psychotic, emotional fans that don't know wot to do with themselves now that it's all over, write another one. Write something that includes Hogwarts and magic, but don't tease us.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Awesome people

Source: awesomepeoplehangingouttogether.tumblr.com
I figured since I enjoy looking at awesome/attractive people, why not post some more! So I present to you our favourite child doctor/womanizer and one of our favourite Aussie's/mutants.

Speaking of Wolverine, anyone else watch X-Men: First class? Because in my opinion that was a really well done movie. I say this as a childhood fan of X-Men. True, they might not have been the original first class, but they still did quite well. My favourite part was the cameo from Wolverine. It might be because I'm easily amused...but I was quite amused.

David Tennant's face of the day


Not to mention the whole roaming chargers thing. That's probably a bitch.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

David Tennant's face of the day


I was wrong, this is much more nerdy and awesome.

Official acceptance into Hogwarts


Source: wbshop.com
I know it's just a piece of paper, and I know that I could probably write up my own and print it out and find a crest and have someone forge McGonagall signature, but it's not the same.  I mean, you customise it to put your name and address, so it wont be like I'm accidentally getting Harry's letter (that would be quite a big mistake on the part of the postal service), but I thought it would be best to not reveal my address on the internet. I think about things sometimes. Just imagine actually getting this in the mail, I mean, I can be 11 again! That's half my age, so if I just split into two, it'd be almost like there's just two of me being 11, right? Right?!

I feel like, just like the journal of fantastic things, this is one purchase I really should not make.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Professor Gaga


That is really, really frightening. On the bright side though, she'd probably survive the year.

Doctor Potter

Source: geek-news.mtv.com
It's like ever nerds wet dream...ish. A combination of Harry Potter and Doctor Who, there are very few ways this could get more awesome, or more nerdy. I'm open to suggestions though. I have to thank my sister for finding this for me, and then giving in to my pleading of linking it to me right away.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Neil Gaiman and Craig Ferguson: Fan boys


This wonderful televised gushing about Doctor Who was done on my birthday! Coincidence? I think not. Clearly both Craig Ferguson and Neil Gaiman were aware of my day of birth and my love of Doctor Who and decided to chat animatedly about it, not because of their own love/work on the show, but because they wanted to unofficially give me a gift of sorts.

:-)

Also, me and Craig Ferguson are the same person. The first 45 seconds was basically everything I've ever thought in those scenarios...with Ricky Martin (yes, I was surprised...apparently I'm the only one) and the Neil Gaiman books (read some, not all...and not American Gods just yet). I love him. Well, both of them. But...yeah I'll stop now. He rambles like I do (in my mind).

Baby Potter


This kid deserves a cookie.

Once Upon a Time

Apparently, while I was raving like a fangirl about NBC's Grimm and it's connection to Buffy (through producer association) I was completely unaware of another faerie tale style show that's being made, but this time by Lost producers and on ABC (naturally). As a former fan of Lost (I fell out of the loop after the third season, and then never found the time to go back...and then discovered Doctor Who), I'm actually excited about this one too...because, well, there's a trailer and it looks really good (in my opinion). Therefore, for you Lost fans out there, I give you: Once Upon a Time


The premise of this particular show seems to be a little different. Instead of being a cop show where the true nature of people start revealing themselves, i.e. they're actually monsters from Grimm's stories, it's more that there are two parallel worlds, one with evil queens and heroes and dragons and magic, and one 'normal' one. Wot people don't seem to realize (except for one little boy, naturally, who has a book) is that the people in reality are actually in the story book too, so anything that happens to them in this book/parallel reality happens to them in the real world as well.

Overall, this fall seems to be a good time for faeries and monsters in television. I wonder wot the new trend in books will be.

Doctor Who: Simpsons Style

Source: springfieldpunx.blogspot.com
This is for SixImpossibleThings. You said you wanted them all together, and then this stumbled onto my path (thanks to my mate of the room and best variety). No Mickey to plugged up the hole left in Martha's Doctorless heart, but I think the Adipose makes up for it a little.

I think this picture is brilliantly done, details and bad guys and companions and all, but so are all of Springfield Punx's adaptations of everything from comic books heroes to movie characters.

In other news, I will be without the wonder that is the internet for the next eight days or so (taking family trips tends to leave me in that state), but I dedicated a good amount of time last night to scheduling a couple of posts a day in order to keep you lovelies entertained.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Grimm

Fans of Buffy and Angel and their creators rejoice! Our wonderful David Greenwalt, executive producer extraordinaire (only slightly behind Joss Whedon in awesome ranking, and his tendencies to create wonderful cult hits...though that's more him being a creator and writer than a producer) is executively producing a new fantasy/supernatural/cop show entitled Grimm.

Yes, Grimm, as in the Grimm brothers, as in the faerie tales. Now, I don't know about you guys, but as a lover of cop/detective shows to begin with (Castle and Bones to name my favourites...yes, apparently I follow the actors that Mr. Whedon basically brings to light. I can't help it, I've been in love with David Boreanaz since I was eight. Also, CSI: Miami to name my guilty pleasures) and as a fanatic when it comes to fantasy and supernatural things, reading the about page caused my excitement level to rise exponentially with each line.

And then I saw David Greenwalt's name. That, more or less, sealed the deal. NBC, don't let me down.


This pretty-eyed boy is David Giuntoli, the lead in the show.