kayleefanjak

[kayleefanjak]

#shaun stan club

[kayleefanjak]

I know I already posted about this but it was on a reblog that I think got buried under the original and I need someone else to lose their mind with me.

So the wonderful human that commented on this post about Hell's understaffing problem made me rethink something that I think a lot of us are sleeping on: Hell is RATIONING something.

At the beginning of S2 in between other remarks, Shax mentions that Beelzebub has put some lower ranking demons "on half rations." But we know celestials and infernals generally don't eat, so surely it's not food, right?

So what could they be rationing?

And then I remembered how both Heaven and Hell keep close tabs on the miracles done by Crowley and Aziraphale on Earth--even the little things.

And how, in S1, Hastur is stuck in Hell waiting for "maintenance" to come fix a leak in the ceiling. It's played off as a joke and it's something that would be so mundane for a human in an office or apartment building, so we don't give it much thought... But they can do miracles. They could literally fix that with a snap. We've seen Crowley fix the Bentley, so surely a little leak is nothing.

And Aziraphale gets reprimanded for doing "too many frivolous miracles," which we initially ignore because it's exactly the kind of bureaucratic/corporate BS we'd expect from Heaven and Hell.

But what if it's not just BS?

What if the power sources used by angels and demons are not infinite? Worse, what if they're not replenishable?

What if Hell is rationing miracles, because there's not enough power to go around?

And if so, where's the power coming from?

[kayleefanjak]

Mr. Morwood, I have enjoyed your blog for quite a while and I have a question.

I have been writing since I was a kid and it's always been the only part of my life that I never stress over. Maybe the story is good; maybe it's not-- the important thing is that I had fun writing it. Even writer's block was rarely a problem. I could either take a break and wait it out or just Write Something Anything, and the words would start to flow like always.

For almost the past year, the words won't come. I can come up with ideas, sure, but when I sit down at the keyboard the sentences are clunky and my brain feels like a cat being given a pill. That's the worst part-- I'm fine with writing badly but this just isn't fun like it used to be. I've tried all the classic tricks, tried giving it time, tried finishing old projects, starting new ones, different font. Same result.

Since you're an experienced writer I hope I'm not out of line in asking, what do you do to break writer's block? How do you call the words back?

I wish I knew, but the state of my own WIP folder is an indication that I don't, and your comment (bolded) is one I can appreciate.

That's the worst part-- I'm fine with writing badly but this just isn't fun like it used to be. I've tried all the classic tricks, tried giving it time, tried finishing old projects, starting new ones, different font. Same result.

Confronted with all The Usual Suggestions, I can add the one which isn't there: have you tried reverting to pen / pencil / notebook and writing in longhand "for spontaneity"?

I'm somewhat acquainted (heh!) with a much better, more experienced writer than me, so I'm going to tag @dduane in on this.

[kayleefanjak]

the fact that we only have “herculean task” and “sisyphean task” feels so limiting. so here’s a few more tasks for your repertoire

icarian task: when you have a task you know you’re going to fail at anyways, so why not have some fun with it before it all comes crashing down

cassandrean task: when you have to deal with people you KNOW won’t listen to you, despite having accurate information, and having to watch them fumble about when you told them the solution from the start (most often witnessed in customer service)

feel free to chime in i ran out of ideas much faster than i anticipated

[kayleefanjak]

I like this-a whole lot

[kayleefanjak]

people who leave nice comments on writing and art saying this is what stuck out to me this is what i saw and what i love and this is how your work changed me and people who say i love your word choice your style that one little brushstroke your message people who say i love what you make i cant wait to see more people who say hey this art reminded me of you or hey i made this because of/inspired by you people who say hey im really excited to share this thing i made with you people who say your feedback made me so proud and so motivated. i love you

[kayleefanjak]

#Iconic!!!!

[kayleefanjak]

The angel acts selfish sometimes because it's an accidental, toxic trait of people who want so badly to be Good that they try to give up themselves; if you try to crush down your own needs and desires, they won't disappear, they'll just come out sideways, twisted and mangled.

It's why he has the bookshop instead of simply owning a private collection of books. He's not "honest with himself" (a phrase used in the novel) that he just wants the books for their own sake. He thinks he has to do something with them. So he has a shop. But then he plays keep-away with the books and his customers.

He needs to admit that he just wants his books for their own sake, not for any sort of purpose.

Just like he needs to admit that he wants Crowley for his own sake, not to help with any purpose.

[kayleefanjak]

The amazing Georgia linked to the Tardis pin David wore the other night

[kayleefanjak]

Radio Omens Thoughts

General - 

First off, you can find the Radio Drama here uwuwuwu

The cast was 10/10 amazing, I love the audiobook but it was really interesting to hear how Neil and Sir Terry wanted everyone to sound before the show was even a thought. Dirk Maggs and Heather Larmour's Direction is so well done! I'm a huge fan of Hitchhiker's Guide so might try out his radio drama later...

The Them and Anathema are personal faves of the supporting cast so I’m always happy to get a new experience with those characters, Anathema’s gaydar going off the charts was perfect (“‘Angel’?” gets me good).

Just want to highlight Josie Lawrence as Agnes is perfect just like with the show, I’m so happy they didn’t change that after the radio drama, the adaptation made her so wickedly charming that I think was in the show but it goes by so fast with everything going on.

There are definitely parts in the book that are somewhat hard for me to get through, and I think the radio adaptation helped push those along a lot better. I do wish we got to hear the parts of Aziraphale spirit hopping around a bit before finding Crowley, but I just wanted to hear him talk more. Overall this is a good way to experience the book if you aren’t sure about reading it yet, or you’re like me and need help figuring out what it was I read in the first place. 

Aziraphale and Crowley -

No notes holy shit 20/10 casting, they’re only in the drama just about as much as the book which makes me sad but their scenes were absolutely burning with how flirty they were.

They are 100% already married here and comfortable with each other, the lull of their routine is only disrupted by Armageddon which is really annoying so now they have to do their jobs.

Aziraphale acting as narrator for some scenes was a good choice, blah blah something about reliable vs unreliable narrator Crowley (I just can’t put it to words right now oops).

Peter Serafinowicz your Crowley gives me so much gender it’s insane, also when he’s doing the nanny voice???? Hello????? I could have a whole chapter of him and Aziraphale during that time just chatting with each other and little Warlock.

I overall really loved the respective performances of Peter and Mark, both portrayed the two with this freedom of doubt and lots of mutual love. Crowley still wants to keep Aziraphale safe and he’s confident he can even as events get worse, the latter is stubborn knowing he’s right but confident that his demon will catch up and figure it out (even if begrudgingly so). They already have their happy ending, it can only get happier from here after they save the world.

I definitely recommend Radio Omens, it really is part of the golden triad of experiencing the story. 

My personal recommendation: Book, Show, Radio

If you have a harder time starting books (be it reading or listening) then: Show, Book, Radio

Next on my list is the audiobook with the show cast, but I’ll take a break for a bit since every time I read/watch the original story I get so worked up I need to calm down for about a month or so :’) 

What do YOU all think of radio omens? Please tell me or send me Radio Omens headcanons and opinions. I need them badly chomping at the bit here!

[kayleefanjak]

Aziraphale, Kermit the Frog, and Fraggle Rock

Inspo from @crowleys-hips, images shamelessly ripped from original post:

The costumes and set design in the Book of Job episode were supposedly inspired mostly by The Ten Commandments but I’m ignoring that for right now because this is more fun. Now that I’ve written it, this is actually one of my dark ones.

Ready? Let’s go.

read on Ao3

The Frog Prince

[Source]

Kermit, created in 1955, was originally an abstract character without a defined species. He did not [officially] become a frog until The Frog Prince episode in 1971. At the same time, he gained his pointed collar. Kermit is not the prince in this retelling, but is one of the many frogs, who don’t believe that the Frog Prince is actually human and try to convince the Frog Prince that even if there is a curse, they don’t need to try to break it, being a frog is great!

Sing out for the swamp and sing out for the ooze The life of a frog is the life you should choose Sing out for the mud and sing out for the bog It’s ever so jolly just being a frog We love the old mud hole, we say that we soak The feeling’s so good that we just gotta croak The muck and the mire, the slush and the slime Are the reasons a frog has a wonderful time

It’s a very weird musical number. I have exactly one semester of music theory under my belt but it sounds awfully minor key to me.

It’s very much about bullying someone who doesn’t feel like they belong into conforming. Exchange “frog” for “angel” and we’ve got a pretty on-the-nose parallel story here.

Two Interpretations

First: Aziraphale is a prince among frogs whose unique identity is being ignored. The ones he has turned to for help are ignoring his pleas and insisting that their way is the best way, even though it is clearly not.

Second: Aziraphale is the frog! Kermit gained his collar when he finally began to solidify as a character with a set identity. Both of these themes apply to Aziraphale’s arc in Book of Job.

*topic change*

Jim Henson & Richard Hunt

Coming back to the extreme queer theming of Season 2 (God bless you GO production team) we have a nod to Jim Henson and Richard Hunt. Much like Pterry and the Notorious NRG, both men began their artistic journeys very young. Henson began in high school, where he began developing what would later become the Muppets; he continued his work on puppets on Sesame Street. He is the creator of Kermit the Frog. He’s also well-known for The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, other queer culture mainstays. Some years later, at 18 years old, Richard Hunt shot his shot and asked for a job puppeteering on Sesame Street in 1972; he got it. He would continue to work as a puppeteer with Jim Henson on the Muppets and related works until he died in 1992 at the age of 40 due to complications of AIDS.

Gone But Not Forgotten || Terry Pratchett

If you have not read my meta on Terry Pratchett’s representation in the Final Fifteen, I will link it at the bottom as well and highly suggest you read it. It’s not necessary reading for what comes next, but it is relevant.

Richard Hunt was openly gay and heavily involved in the New York gay community during the AIDS epidemic. He was in a relationship with a painter named Nelson Bird, who died of AIDS related complications in 1985. There is some speculation that Fraggle Rock Season 5 Episode 7 is an artistic representation of Richard Hunt losing his partner. In that episode, Wembley makes a new friend, Mudwell, played by Richard Hunt, that he abruptly loses at the end of the episode following a confession of mutual affection. You can follow the link below to watch the full episode. The final-fifteen parallel content begins at 12:30:

Gone But Not Forgotten (Fraggle Rock S05E07)

The loss is followed by a conversation between two characters that centers around remembering those who have been lost by keeping the things and memories they left behind, and the partner who [survived] goes through rituals of grieving.

If you scrolled past it but would like to read it now, here’s a link to my meta Terry Pratchett’s representation in the Final Fifteen.

[kayleefanjak]

So... In Aziraphale's telephone there's a sticker with the numbers: 51 58 16 or 51 38 16(?) I can't see if it's a 3 or a 5 but yeah... I don't know what it means. At first I thought it might be a citation from the bible but... 16:51-58 could be many things depending where you look.

[kayleefanjak]

ok time for mad gomens headcanons meta brain dump because I just watched episode 6 in its entirety for the second time since July (I was saving it for when I needed Big Feels I guess?)

And look, there's some fun parallel stuff going on: Crowley bopping around with angels while Aziraphale is dealing with demons, Crowley being the one to say the feelings words (mmph, kinda) when Aziraphale has been groping him all season, Aziraphale being the one who leaves after what it is a gross understatement to call a row. But these flippy floppies all keep leading me to not be as sad this watchthrough, partly because I've been soaking in metas on here for nearly 4 months! So here's what I got.

+ No nightingales! The nightingale singing doesn't just mean that they love each other. It represents when they are safe, after 1941 (headcanon!) and after the nopocalypse. Crowley is pointing out danger, that Heaven is listening. The nightingale sings for them when they've successfully dodged celestial and infernal meddling which puts their relationship at risk, with each other and with Earth, and the silence is pointed out because Crowley needs Aziraphale to really really understand that this is possibly irrecoverable danger, not that his heart is being broken.

+ By the time Aziraphale is saying dickish things like "you're the bad guys" and "second in command" the tone has shifted from Crowley being scared, irritated and shocked to something much weirder and harder to read

It's not just hurt, and he's not as hurt as he should be, and it's not because he's about to, mmmf, propose. He's processing. Aziraphale's begging him to understand something and is so obviously panicked. We all noticed his hands and his posture, you think Crowley who's been staring at him for 4523 years* just missed that this isn't Aziraphale being a featherbrain traumaball? Nothing lasts forever, and this precious peaceful fragile existence has, in fact, shattered. Oh Crowley, nothing lasts forever you were right.

By the time Aziraphale says "I need you" with such raw fear and hunger, he's not yet sure Crowley was 1. picking up what he's putting down and 2. he's begging for help, begging for some sign or certainty that Crowley isn't saying "hey, rude, fuck you, I'm gonna storm out because this is a really unusual hurtful fight but I'll swing by in a couple days with some eclairs". He gets that certainty moments later in the form of...

+ BIG DAMN KISS

which says "I need you too" and "I'm scared this danger is too much and I'll never get to do this" and "oh fuck Angel be safe please" and "GODDAMNIT GODDAMNIT how do these bastards always wiggle in on EVERYTHING" and "I WAS RIGHT about being nervous"

and I absolutely do not believe that the alveolar sound after "I..." was just Michael Sheen failing to form a fricative**. Aziraphale received the message of "this is dangerous, this is public, and I don't care, I love you enough to kiss you goodbye (?) in front of God (and Muriel!) you bloody stupid brave Angel" and almost responds. But now they're both in the mode of communication like spies again, after 4 years of starting to communicate like...humans. Lovers? Now it's "you're the bad guys" (so the Metayuck won't let me stay here with you) or "In Heaven!!" (because this bookshop is compromised and now nowhere in Earth is safe) so not only would it absolutely not help*** if Aziraphale broke down and was like "DO IT AGAIN I LOVE YOU" it would break whatever weird undercurrent is going on in their communication. So he says the Heaven approved thing that's always in his vocal queue when he's feeling a bit emotional, and Crowley's "Don't Bother" just scans at this point like exhaustion, yes, but not grief. It's "well fuck, let's get on with the rest of this goddamn circus then."

+ I agree that Crowley looks disassociated and absolutely broken and exhausted by the time he puts his glasses on before kissin' time. He hadn't figured it all out yet and thought it was this stupid fucking argument again only way worse and Aziraphale is in stupid danger and their separation will probably be hundreds of years long****. He rushed back because it all completely clicked.

+ and then he waits, knowing Aziraphale is going bonkers, watching the Metafuck come back in, seeing Aziraphale see him through the window, crossing the street, at the elevator. He's not waiting to see if he changes his mind, he's watching his husband march away to war but can't even wave his handkerchief*****

+ and the Bentley, who let Aziraphale turn her yellow and was generally receptive to his desires, lets him play the song through her anyway, Aziraphale saying "This time Crowley, I have the plan. It'll be ok, we can be safe again. I love you."

*since Job

**try to accidentally replace all those Fs with Ls. You are at an advantage since you weren't just kissed by David Tennant, but Michael is at other advantages which I'll cede to him.

***help them get out of the Situation. It would definitely help them make out.

****or, he was with all of us emotionally and it felt for a second like it could be eeeeternityyyyy

***** Aziraphale is the handkerchief waver in the relationship anyway

[kayleefanjak]

Adam Young as... Christ?

OK while I really love the theory of Greasy Johnson (aka the third baby in the swap) being Christ, what if instead Christ is actually... Adam?

When Adam said that his Earthly father was always his father, then he was no longer the Son of Satan, right? So whose son is he now?

The Son of Man.

He still has his powers. He has a following of friends. He loves humanity so much that he became a human himself. And I just think it would be hilarious if Heaven went and used the same kid that Hell tried to use and got screwed over AGAIN....

[kayleefanjak]

Observation:

The railing outside the coffee shop: Apple and Snakes?

[kayleefanjak]

Good Omens: A Matter of Life and Death

Easter eggs and references! We know from the obvious placement of the movie poster in the title sequence and Maggie's shop (and even from Neil's asks) that inspiration was drawn from this movie.

I'm not going to dive deep into a lot of meta connections, but I wanted to share some of the parallels. For a great summary of the movie (A Matter of Life and Death aka Stairway to Heaven by Powell and Pressburger) and some general info relating it to Good Omens pop over to this article. This will contain some spoilers for the movie - now on with the show!

This one is before the movie even starts - The Archers is the production company of Powell and Pressburger - their target logo looks a lot like the one in the magic show portion of the title sequence.

We open in space - looking at stars and supernova, talking about the big, expansive universe. Fascinating how our view of the cosmos has been changed by modern telescopes (Crowley is so proud).

June (our heroine) is an American radio operator and picks up British squadron leader Peter's plane as he is crashing into the channel. They form an instant connection. Her hair was the inspiration for the Starmaker's amazing do.

Peter's fellow airman dies and ends up in Heaven, waiting for him. The angel administrators are very serious, very organized, very well dressed, and Heaven as a whole is colorless.

But Peter doesn't die - in fact he washes up on the beach near June, where they meet and immediately fall in love. Conductor 71 (the heavenly employee who was meant to collect Peter but lost him in the fog) is sent to convince him to come to Heaven, stopping time and freezing June to have a conversation with Peter.

I'll stop here to keep this from getting too long... More to come?

[kayleefanjak]

The Yin to his Yang (and a bit more Tarot)

(See repeat of Preface below if needed)

As the Yin, Crowley’s associations are with Tarot’s Pentacles and Cups, Earth and Water. Unlike Aziraphale, who I identify as air heavy and fire deficient, Crowley is more balanced (and simultaneously  out of balance) between his two elements. To start, water is associated with psychic abilities, dreams, intuition, and emotions. Crowley is much more demonstrative with his anger and sadness. He cries when he thinks Aziraphale is lost in the fire, and a huge jet of water smashes him down. He yells, “Great pustulent mangled bollocks to the Great blasted Plan!” He summons lightning with his anger. Water is the shape-shifter, utterly associated with snakes and their ability to flow. Between the two Crowley has transformed into a mini Scot, a particle on the internet, a creepy dog thing in the paintball scene, not to mention his perpetually changing hair and clothes. He is the only demon with an imagination. Crowley is the one who sleeps, and potentially dreams. I suggested previously that Crowley who dreamt (or psychically experienced) the apocalyptic images of the bookshop since he told Aziraphale he “spent the last night worrying if [Gabriel] was going to wake up.” Water implies suspicion, mystery, caution, maybe even paranoia, which suggests how Crowley lacks balance. Even though it is justifiable, he is always on edge, ready to assume something is wrong. He does not share all of his emotions, obviously, but only seems to reveal them when they become overwhelming. 

Earth is the material world, the body, fertility, nourishment, and wealth. In ancient Greek mythology there is a sort of yin/yang with Dionysus and Apollo. Apollo is the air, the reason, and the intellect, with Dionysos is the material, the earth, and also connects wine and drunkenness. Crowley is rarely without a cup of wine or whisky, or “quite extraordinary amounts of alcohol.” Along with being the god of excess, Dionysos is also a chthonic deity, associated with the underworld. The goat also corresponds to the earth, and both to the Devil as well, although Crowley’s affection for “kids” could just as well be to children since Mother Earth and nurturing motherliness is also connected. Of course Crowley is the serpent who gave the nourishing apple, revealing the hidden information about good and evil, and nourishes plants (albeit a bit of an evil mother there). However, Crowey does not partake in much nourishment (not that he needs to) but it is unexpected for a character that loves all the other earthly delights. In tarot pentacles are the earth suit, so naturally the pentagram go with our favorite demon. However, Crowley’s earth element is guarded. His home is cold, even though it is filled with highly valuable material items, and the most lush plants in all of London, but empty nonetheless. The earth is both the womb and the tomb, but Crowley is all tomb at the moment. 

And so for act three Crowley is going to have to reveal more, become more vulnerable (and I gulp since his vulnerable moment at the end of Season 2 was so painful). He will have to continue to reveal his true feelings, but also likely reveal other aspects of himself that are hidden. Who was he before? What is he capable of? I have a feeling Crowley will get to create once again, like he did with his nebulae. Express himself. 

Preface: Crowley is the Yin to Aziraphale’s Yang, but they are also both out of whack. Yin as the feminine energy encompasses Water and Earth. Yang as the masculine energy encompasses Fire and Air. Please note, these are ancient, mystical concepts about the human psyche and have nothing to do with contemporary discussions of gender. (Also worth noting, I have a background in mythology, with special emphasis on Joseph Campbell and Jungian psychology that I lovingly refer to as “hippie-dippy bullshit”)