They Say What They Say

Meh, I've been feeling out of sorts all week, largely, I think, because of that guy. Which is stupid because I shouldn't let people get to me that way, and yet they do. It didn't help that yesterday we have to deal with The Most Annoying Law Student On Earth. He rang my department no less than five times to check on the progress of his requests, despite the fact that he knows it takes three working days to supply most items and that putting a need-by date of today (Saturday)is a little futile considering ILL isn't open over the weekend. He also drove the staff on the telephone inquiry service to distraction with incessant phone calls that ultimately got him no where because we are not miracle workers! I was so drained by the end of the day it was a wonder I was able to stay upright on my bike on the way home.

But it's Saturday now and it's a beautiful sunny day. As soon as my washing is finished I am going to cycle over to Station street for coffee and newspapers, then pop across to Carlton where the coat shop near work is having a sale. I have K's birthday dinner tonight in Chinatown and a side offer to drop in on best work friend and mutual fried H if the post-dinner karaoke becomes a little too much. Tomorrow I'm having coffee with A&O and then it will be Monday again, but I'm hoping that TMLSoE's articles will be waiting in the Ariel station first thing and we can be rid of him for the moment.

Also, for the first time in ages I have a fic rec! All you C6D peeps must go forht and read 1500 Kilometers (& A Caboose) by ariastar, a due South/My Life As A Dog crossover wherein Benton Fraser is soundly beaten at table hockey by a twelve year-old boy and learns the power of communication.

yay, m y washing is finished and coffee awaits!

I've been tagged by sprat for slidrella's fantastic DS/C6D Tag Game. At first I had no idea what I was going to do, but then it occurred to me: who is my favourite Callum Keith Rennie character? Why, Johnny Johanssen of course!



Back in 1996, Callum Keith Rennie was one hell of a busy guy. Not that he's not busy these days, but in that particular year he was working on projects in which he brought to life two of his most beloved and enduring characters. The first was Billy Tallent in Bruce McDonald's mocumentary Hard Core Logo, punk rocker extraordinaire and breaker of a million hearts, and the second was Johnny Johanssen.

At the same time that Callum was making Hard Core Logo, he was also working on a children's television series called My Life as a Dog. My Life as a Dog is the antithesis of Hard Core Logo, a relentless movie that is very much in your face. HCL is littered with absurd characters and situations, and it is firmly centered around the supremely fucked-up relationship between Billy and lead singer Joe Dick. In stark contrast MLAAD flows along at a gentle pace, showcasing the life and adventures of eleven year old Eric Johanssen who goes to live with his uncle Johnny, Johhny's wife Zoe and his Aunty Aunty after the death of his mom and his eternally restless dad takes off for sea.

Unlike Billy, Johnny Johanssen is largely content with the direction his life has taken and is happy with what he has in the here and now. After his career as a professional ice hockey player ended when he injured his knee, Johnny returned to his hometown of Gimli to settle down with Zoe, working as carpenter/handyman, coaching the local peewee hockey league in winter and watching the stars whenever he can. Johnny is a gentle, loving man who welcomes his twin sisters' son into his home after her death and who strives to be a good husband to Zoe and a good parent to Eric. Sometimes he stuffs up - such as spending the money Zoe was going to use to buy new storm windows on an old caboose or pushing Eric into playing hockey when he doesn't want to. And he's not always willing to admit when he's wrong, which is why he ends up moving into the caboose during the latter half of the series when he and Zoe have marital problems. But he always tries to do the right thing and there's a quality to Johnny that touches you deeply. Even though he may make you want to tear your hair out occasionally, you always find yourself forgiving him because he's just that sweet a guy.

Unfortunately My Life as a Dog didn't last beyond the one season, but Callum quite deservedly won a Genie Award for his role as Johnny, and it is generally agreed in fandom that of all the characters he has played over the years, Johnny Johannsen is one of nicest.

( Meet Johnny Johanssen!! )

All screencaps were taken from stormymouse's Cap It Before I Die of Waitin'!. I now tag mergatrude!

I've been tagged by sprat for slidrella's fantastic DS/C6D Tag Game. At first I had no idea what I was going to do, but then it occurred to me: who is my favourite Callum Keith Rennie character? Why, Johnny Johanssen of course!



Back in 1996, Callum Keith Rennie was one hell of a busy guy. Not that he's not busy these days, but in that particular year he was working on projects in which he brought to life two of his most beloved and enduring characters. The first was Billy Tallent in Bruce McDonald's mocumentary Hard Core Logo, punk rocker extraordinaire and breaker of a million hearts, and the second was Johnny Johanssen.

At the same time that Callum was making Hard Core Logo, he was also working on a children's television series called My Life as a Dog. My Life as a Dog is the antithesis of Hard Core Logo, a relentless movie that is very much in your face. HCL is littered with absurd characters and situations, and it is firmly centered around the supremely fucked-up relationship between Billy and lead singer Joe Dick. In stark contrast MLAAD flows along at a gentle pace, showcasing the life and adventures of eleven year old Eric Johanssen who goes to live with his uncle Johnny, Johhny's wife Zoe and his Aunty Aunty after the death of his mom and his eternally restless dad takes off for sea.

Unlike Billy, Johnny Johanssen is largely content with the direction his life has taken and is happy with what he has in the here and now. After his career as a professional ice hockey player ended when he injured his knee, Johnny returned to his hometown of Gimli to settle down with Zoe, working as carpenter/handyman, coaching the local peewee hockey league in winter and watching the stars whenever he can. Johnny is a gentle, loving man who welcomes his twin sisters' son into his home after her death and who strives to be a good husband to Zoe and a good parent to Eric. Sometimes he stuffs up - such as spending the money Zoe was going to use to buy new storm windows on an old caboose or pushing Eric into playing hockey when he doesn't want to. And he's not always willing to admit when he's wrong, which is why he ends up moving into the caboose during the latter half of the series when he and Zoe have marital problems. But he always tries to do the right thing and there's a quality to Johnny that touches you deeply. Even though he may make you want to tear your hair out occasionally, you always find yourself forgiving him because he's just that sweet a guy.

Unfortunately My Life as a Dog didn't last beyond the one season, but Callum quite deservedly won a Genie Award for his role as Johnny, and it is generally agreed in fandom that of all the characters he has played over the years, Johnny Johannsen is one of nicest.

( Meet Johnny Johanssen!! )

All screencaps were taken from stormymouse's Cap It Before I Die of Waitin'!. I now tag mergatrude!

I had a date with a bottle of hair dye last night. My hair is now very red. Well, redder than usual.

I have this urge to drive out to Elsternwick and buy bagels from Glick's. I could go to the bagel shop near my gym in Fitzroy, but I still haven't forgiven them for discontinuing my favourite bagel (egg and chive) and the ones at Glick's come in all sorts of pretty shapes. Plus, I can get their yummy egg and salad bagel for lunch!

I've nearly run out of West Wing episodes to watch. Sort of. I have seasons one, six and seven at home, and my sister and the B-I-L have everything else in between. In the old home town. Only they've gone away for the long weekend so I can't even zip up for a quick visit and retrieve the ones they've finished with. They also have my My Life as a Dog DVDs and some of my Buffy DVDs, while Best Work Friend has some of my Angel DVDs. I do have to finish watching the third season of Angel, and I could also watch Supernatural or due South, but dammit I really want to the going with The West Wing!

I suppose I could always do housework. Or not. Cos really, it's a long weekend!

I had a date with a bottle of hair dye last night. My hair is now very red. Well, redder than usual.

I have this urge to drive out to Elsternwick and buy bagels from Glick's. I could go to the bagel shop near my gym in Fitzroy, but I still haven't forgiven them for discontinuing my favourite bagel (egg and chive) and the ones at Glick's come in all sorts of pretty shapes. Plus, I can get their yummy egg and salad bagel for lunch!

I've nearly run out of West Wing episodes to watch. Sort of. I have seasons one, six and seven at home, and my sister and the B-I-L have everything else in between. In the old home town. Only they've gone away for the long weekend so I can't even zip up for a quick visit and retrieve the ones they've finished with. They also have my My Life as a Dog DVDs and some of my Buffy DVDs, while Best Work Friend has some of my Angel DVDs. I do have to finish watching the third season of Angel, and I could also watch Supernatural or due South, but dammit I really want to the going with The West Wing!

I suppose I could always do housework. Or not. Cos really, it's a long weekend!

And thus my (belated) first contribution to china_shop's Fandom Appreciation Week challenge. Today's task is to rec five challenge fics. Therefore...

Sports Night
Chimera by phoebesmum: Written for the sn100 Silver/Gold challenge, this drabble turned into a ficlet and gave us Muppets, Dan never picking the right girl, and Casey wondering who really is right for his partner. Hilary always plumbs the inner depths of our boys so beautifully, and this is no exception, with the added fun of a cameo by one of Josh Charles' former co-stars.

The Sensational Truth by out_there: Written for fandompoolside's "Choose you own adventure" challenge, Casey is spotted by the tabloids with a mystery woman and Danny is none-too-pleased. I remember when Annie was writing this and it was great fun voting on what would happen next. And as usual her Sorkinese is just so wonderful you can almost imagine it being an actual episode of the show, except for the whole gay subtext being more actual 'text' than 'sub'.

due South
Dancing Bear by lamardeuse: an AU written for the ds_flashfiction Summer of 79 challenge, I love this fic so much and just about die each time I read it. A wonderful story of unexpected love and longing, teen-aged Ben Fraser and Ray Kowalski meet when they both take summer jobs at a Canadian holiday resort, and along the way they both learn more about themselves as they teach each other how to dance.

Beauty in the Breakdown by visionshadows (Zillah): This was my favourite offering from last year's ds_seekritsanta challenge, a beautifully written and very understated fic that just oozes with emotion. Post Call of the Wild, Fraser and Ray Kowalski are together in every way except geographically. Once evey three months they meet up in Vancouver for four days, where they work on not letting the distance get to them and Fraser takes a final step toward freedom.

My life as a Dog/Buried on Sunday Crossover
Chansons de marin by aukestrel: Anyone who has seen it will tell you that Johnny Johansson in My Life as a Dog is just the cutest of cute things on this planet, while Gus Knickel, Mayor of Solomon Gundy, minister and mini golf proprietor is way too hot to be a man of the cloth. And when Johnny and Gus meet unexpectedly in Ottawa, their attraction is instant and its not long before the sparks fly. Written for the Midsummer Skeerit Santa challenge last year, aukestrel once again proves why she is one of the better writers in any fandom with a beautifully constructed plot that combines both passion, longing and loss, plus the promise of bright new beginnings.

And thus my (belated) first contribution to china_shop's Fandom Appreciation Week challenge. Today's task is to rec five challenge fics. Therefore...

Sports Night
Chimera by phoebesmum: Written for the sn100 Silver/Gold challenge, this drabble turned into a ficlet and gave us Muppets, Dan never picking the right girl, and Casey wondering who really is right for his partner. Hilary always plumbs the inner depths of our boys so beautifully, and this is no exception, with the added fun of a cameo by one of Josh Charles' former co-stars.

The Sensational Truth by out_there: Written for fandompoolside's "Choose you own adventure" challenge, Casey is spotted by the tabloids with a mystery woman and Danny is none-too-pleased. I remember when Annie was writing this and it was great fun voting on what would happen next. And as usual her Sorkinese is just so wonderful you can almost imagine it being an actual episode of the show, except for the whole gay subtext being more actual 'text' than 'sub'.

due South
Dancing Bear by lamardeuse: an AU written for the ds_flashfiction Summer of 79 challenge, I love this fic so much and just about die each time I read it. A wonderful story of unexpected love and longing, teen-aged Ben Fraser and Ray Kowalski meet when they both take summer jobs at a Canadian holiday resort, and along the way they both learn more about themselves as they teach each other how to dance.

Beauty in the Breakdown by visionshadows (Zillah): This was my favourite offering from last year's ds_seekritsanta challenge, a beautifully written and very understated fic that just oozes with emotion. Post Call of the Wild, Fraser and Ray Kowalski are together in every way except geographically. Once evey three months they meet up in Vancouver for four days, where they work on not letting the distance get to them and Fraser takes a final step toward freedom.

My life as a Dog/Buried on Sunday Crossover
Chansons de marin by aukestrel: Anyone who has seen it will tell you that Johnny Johansson in My Life as a Dog is just the cutest of cute things on this planet, while Gus Knickel, Mayor of Solomon Gundy, minister and mini golf proprietor is way too hot to be a man of the cloth. And when Johnny and Gus meet unexpectedly in Ottawa, their attraction is instant and its not long before the sparks fly. Written for the Midsummer Skeerit Santa challenge last year, aukestrel once again proves why she is one of the better writers in any fandom with a beautifully constructed plot that combines both passion, longing and loss, plus the promise of bright new beginnings.

I must have a shower. It's 10.30 and I have to get the bus to work at 11.15, and I'm still in my PJs. I just got distracted watching Callum in My Life as a Dog. Mmm, Callum on skates, and yes, china_shop, that scene where he says 'time for bed' and sort of leans into the couch...guh, pure sex!

I don't know what top wear. It's looking rather garey outside, yet it's supposed to get to 29c today. And yesterday the library was so hot we were practically stripping off to stay cool. We even had to open the security doors on the reading room just to let some air in. Not a thing we really want to do considering how much some of those bloody books cost.

So much to do. I have to go to STA to confirm my flights, get some stuff at the supermarket, decide what clothes to take with me and make sure they're clean, clean my apartment so I'm not coming home to a mess, pay my LJ account because it expires in three days, but I'm not sure I've got any room left on my credit card for it...

Gah! Give me more time!!!

I must have a shower. It's 10.30 and I have to get the bus to work at 11.15, and I'm still in my PJs. I just got distracted watching Callum in My Life as a Dog. Mmm, Callum on skates, and yes, china_shop, that scene where he says 'time for bed' and sort of leans into the couch...guh, pure sex!

I don't know what top wear. It's looking rather garey outside, yet it's supposed to get to 29c today. And yesterday the library was so hot we were practically stripping off to stay cool. We even had to open the security doors on the reading room just to let some air in. Not a thing we really want to do considering how much some of those bloody books cost.

So much to do. I have to go to STA to confirm my flights, get some stuff at the supermarket, decide what clothes to take with me and make sure they're clean, clean my apartment so I'm not coming home to a mess, pay my LJ account because it expires in three days, but I'm not sure I've got any room left on my credit card for it...

Gah! Give me more time!!!