A new term at the Faculty of Armitage Studies, University of Milton North

[LaVieEnTechnicolor]

Do come in. It's never too late to enrol. We have an extensive programme of rigorous academic study and a never-ending supply of Chateau Gizzy and ratafia biscuits.

::Sets out enticing buffet on the common room sideboard::

Oh well, Phoenix is the expert, that'll teach me to talk about things I know nothing about. I am always doing it and I never learn

I have no interest in reading any fanfic, however 'tame', because I prefer Mrs Gaskell's characterisations to anyone else's, but the fact that (apparently) authors are attaching film-style ratings to their offerings is news to me. So it's not about what I regard as x-rated, but that (or so I presume) that's how the authors rate their own work.

This isn't really my thing either but, just as Garbo speaks, so

Theresa - As I've just said, it's really the self-imposed rating system that has me bemused here. (And this isn't about prudery - the death of Maria Schneider this week reminded me that TechnoMan and I went to see Last Tango in Paris on one of our first dates - but about taking characters so far out of their context that (I hesitate to suggest) they can no longer be credible). We may have seen that vid before - I vaguely recall it led to a discussion of American Beauty - but that matters not a jot because it's so utterly swoonsome.

Oh, well researched, Techno, I had always wondered where that photo came from and now I know!
How did you manage to find it?

Oh dear, so we had seen that N&S vid before, had we? My brain is going down the pan faster than I thought I had.

it had, obviously. Another case in point Sigh...

I would say that most North and South fanfic is on the tame end of the spectrum, but there are some examples that are, er, not. But some of the best N&S fics are not smutty at all, or perhaps might be called suggestive rather than explicit.

I really don't remember. I found it just before I posted it but have already forgotten. ::geriatric:: It was probably linked to one we'd just seen. I don't normally open JP vids and was just about to turn that one off when I saw the Michelangelo Moment (which fortified me for the fisticuffs which were to come).

Are you feeling better?

Likewise, Theresa, my memory is less than perfect. I think we've seen something with a Thomas Newman soundtrack which led to a diversion about American Beauty, but it wasn't necessarily that one.

Now here's my favourite bit of fluff

Yes thanks Techno, I am feeling fine, brain a bit scrambled but then that's pretty much business as usual with me.

Mr Thornton is looking particularly charming tonight. But then he's always looking particularly charming. I bet he doesn't come and harass you when you are lying down with a headache...

Even the bold and steadfast Mr Thornton would know better than to harass me when I am feeling indisposed.

I am glad you are feeling better and trust that tomorrow will be a less irksome day. I must away to bed. So here is a , featuring my favourite bit of fluff.

Night all!

I wish Mr Thornton with give Guy a few e pointers then on how to behave around delicate ladies . As if the stompy boots weren't bad enough, now we have spurs that jingle jangle jingle.

What beautiful music! I could listen to that all night.

Goodnight and peaceful dreams

Ah Phoenix, are you off as well? Goodnight to you too!

As if the stompy boots weren't bad enough, now we have spurs that jingle jangle jingle.

Thanks, Theresa - now we can add sound effects to our fantasies instead of just visuals :o

I have a hangover, far too much drunk last night, I'll catch up later when I'm feeling human

I am still ploughing through the Guy & Marion fanfic posted yesterday. It's seems quite a good story and characterisation as far as I can tell, although a RH expert would be better placed to judge. As for 'Truce'... - am saving the rest of that for when I have a quiet night in on my own!

I dabbled with N & S fanfic a few weeks ago but the 'tame' ones I came across were very twee, and the saucy ones, whilst entertaining were do far removed from the original characters even I couldn't suspend my disbelief. Somehow the idea of John & Margaret frollicking naked on a hilltop & going skinny dipping before getting down to business (without a wedding ring in sight I might add) was a bit of a stretch even.for my imagination!

Afternoon, ladies. About the sound effects Twiggs, I despair of myself I really do. If I can't switch my imagination off when I'm poorly, I am truly done for.

Can anyone suggest a cure? And don't suggest I send for the doctor

I read some professionally published novels based on Pride and Prejudice a while back.Which I suppose are glorified fanfic. They were written from Darcy's point of view and some of them weren't too bad at all.
There are an awful lot of others, but mine was An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan, and the sequels, which weren't quite as good.

This sort of thing is absolutely not to everyone's taste, I know, and is no substitute for the real thing but it seems there is a huge desire for more of one's particular favourites and no shortage of people eager to supply it, in qualities ranging from acceptable, through reasonable and down to downright distastrous. [grin} As MrsLN has just pointed out.

Hello!! Kids are watching Peter Pan (animated Disney version) - again, dinner is in the oven, I've washed, brushed, scrubbed, been swimming, been shopping and now feel like I need to get to grips with some serious academic study.

MrsLN - was it on fanfiction.net that you read that N&S fanfiction, honestly I wouldn't bother with that, there's hardly anything there and what there is isn't great. If you want to read N&S fanfic, the motherboard is the place to it it. But some authors are starting to put their stuff on Wattpad as well, as I mentioned yesterday, but only a few so far.

Regarding all those published P&P/Austen sequels, and also stuff like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies etc, I steer well clear, I mean I would rather read fanfic for free, than pay for something little better. But I am not saying there are no decent sequels as such, just that I haven't found any I felt like forking out for.

Finally finished Prisoners of Circumstance. Actually enjoyed the story (not just the rude bits ).

Definitely worth casting your eye over if you haven't already, Theresa - starting with Chapter 12 if you haven't the time or patience to read the whole thing

Goodness, Phoenix, you have been busy. I have done just about nothing today, my brain is just a wee bit scrambled.

Have some nice anyway, everyone. I hope it doesn't spoil your dinners though.

Have just clicked on the pick 'n' mix on my phone and got a filthy look from DH, who is trying to watch the telly!

The Hobbit is going to be in 3D!!!

My humble apologies to your DH, MrsLN, not a very worthy sort of song, after all...

He'd probably think it's an improvement on Love Game & Rude Boy which I normally have playing on a loop - perhaps I should r un 'I want candy' by him and see what reaction I get .