impatience, the mysteries of the hereafter, birthday

[oiran]

So, the last time I posted a story, it was unbetaed. Of course, it was really just a PWP, and there was a POV mistake in it, but nothing I can't fix before I get around to archiving. I have heard that there are some authors who refuse to use beta readers for a variety of reasons, but I'm thinking that if I ever stop using betas regularly it will be because my massive impatience is going to otherwise destroy friendships that mean a lot to me. I mean, I just sent out a 15,000 word story--just! like 3 minutes ago!--and I already want editing comments back. No one can have even read it yet! They haven't even seen the e-mail. They have lives and other things to do. But I don't care. I want to post my story.

Surprising to me that people are so dismissive of this episode. Maybe I'm just too turned on by the cape (which is a new one for me, frankly) scene to think clearly, but I liked the episode quite a bit.

Of the good:

• Lex's interactions with everyone. He's charming and flirtatious with Lana, Chloe and especially Adam, even while he's also chastising them or menacing them. And in my new fantasy, I want MR to whisper "Rachmaninoff" in my ear while I squirm on his lap.


• Chloe. What? Yes, I know she was an idiot and a lawbreaker and is probably going to get herself killed one of these days. It makes her Lois-y, though. And even if they smite her before the end of the series and her cousin, Lois Lane, develops a sudden interest in journalism as a tribute to her dead relative, it still seems like a good idea for Chloe to do stupid shit like this. I don't mind characters doing stupid things if they fit in with the overall impression I'm clearly expected to have of the character.


• Adam with Lex. Adam thrashing around without a shirt. Adam being like a real boy when it comes to Lana, for the most part. He doesn't coddle her. He kicked her in the gut!!! Okay, it wasn't on purpose, but he still did it. I think that IS has actually become quite a good, subtle actor, but his prettiness is probably limiting the kind of roles he can get. Someone recently mentioned to me that they didn't think he was aging well...I don't know that I agree, but I do think that a decrease in prettiness will probably open up opportunities for him to shine as an actor. Whatever.


• Jordan, the FotW. I liked him. I liked that he didn't have to die, and that his father wasn't abusive. We'll probably never see him again, but he was okay by me.


• Megan the cheerleader jumping and yelling in glossy, shampoo-commercial, slo-mo. I thought she was really pretty, except when she cried. She has Lana beat for ugly crying, even. We'll probably never see her again, either, though it would be nice if some of these kids showed up at the stupid Talon parties or other community events from time to time. Like on Buffy...


• CAPE!!!! I'll even forgive that Clark's head should have been visible, even if just from behind. I actually interpreted the scene as Clark sort of sailing off into an alien sun to die, so the immortality assertion by FotW threw me a bit.

Of the bad:

• We're back to whispery Lana. Also, she made these weird, serpenty sex faces while she was in the fire.


• While it seems in character, Chloe's meddling and ever-improving B&E skills.


• Selfish coach guy going to kill himself in front of all the kids. And btw, who was driving that car? That kid better get detention.


• I don't like the idea that Clark lives forever, all alone. That completely sucks, and he deserves better.


• Adam's improper disposal of biohazardous materials.

Of the indifferent:

• Am I the only one who hadn't yet figured out that Adam is a high school student? I'd been having trouble figuring out why he happened to always be in the school up until last night's ep. I guess I thought that someone who can come and go as he pleases, has no parents or guardians, and simply decides where to live on a whim, is an adult. Of course, that describes Lana's life, too.


• Lana? Pete? X country? Don't you have to go to school to belong to the teams, Lana?


• Lana turns into a Caucasian person before she dies? Whatever. Apparently, so does Pete.

And, most importantly: Chrissy, Chrissy, Chrissy--AKA tynantblue0162. I had no idea. You are the only girl I've ever driven 500 miles to eat salad with. I hope you're having a wonderful day, and I'll be thinking of something more eloquent to say to you sooner rather than later. In the interim, however: HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Comments

[mei-x.livejournal.com]

Am I the only one who hadn't yet figured out that Adam is a high school student? I'd been having trouble figuring out why he happened to always be in the school up until last night's ep. I guess I thought that someone who can come and go as he pleases, has no parents or guardians, and simply decides where to live on a whim, is an adult. Of course, that describes Lana's life, too.

Yeah, I was surprised about Adam being in school, too. I'm not sure why the writers want to give these minor (age-wise) characters such autonomy -- it just doesn't ring true.

I liked the ep better than most, as well.

Re:

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

I was sitting there thinking, "Why would he go to the high school to shoot up?" But that, combined with just happening to be around to kick Lana in the girl's locker room and take away her axe, made the dim little bulb go on over my head. I'm glad I'm not the only person who didn't get this right away.

They seem to want to have half the characters be autonomous adults (Lana, Chloe, now Adam) and the other half be sheltered junior high kids (Clark, spoiled Pete) and apparently expect us to split the difference.

::points WB execs, producers, and writers at Buffy DVD boxed sets readily available to show how it's supposed to be done...::

Oh well. Clark pretty.

[digitalwave]

I don't like the idea that Clark lives forever, all alone. That completely sucks, and he deserves better.

I know Jed, the thought of that really, really makes me sad for Clark. The thought of his just continuing, as all those around him that he cares for dies just breaks my heart.

Re:

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

I just don't see what benefit there is for poor Clark in being Super. He's this sort of horrible Overtime!Jesus type figure, working and working and helping and never having anything but responsibility and guilt, living in constant danger from the very people he helps. Gah.

This is turning into a show about the two most depressed and put-upon boys who ever lived.

Re:

[digitalwave]

This is turning into a show about the two most depressed and put-upon boys who ever lived.

I know, guess that means we have to keep coming up with ways to fix things in our fiction so that they can have some happiness.

[justblue0162.livejournal.com]

And in my new fantasy, I want MR to whisper "Rachmaninoff" in my ear while I squirm on his lap.

Will you be wearing your new boots?

*lascivious thoughts*

:D Thank you for the birthday wishes, Jed! And thank you for making that trip, I really had a fabulous time. *hugs*

Re:

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Well, if MR has a shoe preference on women, I haven't heard about it, so I'll just assume I can wear whatever *I* like best and it will be fine with him. After all, I'm on his lap and I'm squirming. What does he care about shoes? So, yes: this week, it's red cowboy boots ;)

Very most happily super day to you. With cake and porn.

Re:

[misterglove.livejournal.com]

Indeed! Cake and porn! Happy Birthday!

Re:

[justblue0162.livejournal.com]

:D Thanks Mr.G! I had the family-friendly cake with flowers tonight... having the porn cake (i.e. adorned with a picture of Lex) with friends on Saturday! Woo!

[isagel.livejournal.com]

Will it make you a complete nervous wreck if I say that it's late here and I won't be able to do your beta till tomorrow morning, my time? Do feel free to post without my input if the other betas are faster than that. I know exactly how you feel about wanting the comments back instantly - I'm the same way. When it takes a couple of days, I always go quietly insane.

Btw, my alien!Clark thing is almost done now (approaching 7 000 words - I never thought it would be that long!), so you can look forward to me being the one biting my nails soon. *g* You'll have it tomorrow, I think.

Re:

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

You are allowed to have a life, I suppose. And I'm going to have to wait because, well, I'll just have to.

I am looking forward to seeing what you've got for me. And if you ever wanted to go insane out loud, I would certainly deserve to be on the receiving end, considering how whiny I am with you and everyone else...

Re:

[twigged.livejournal.com]

Sweet! I can't wait to read the rest of your alien!Clark.

*drools*