mrtwstedwhsprs

Title: Four Times Giles Cleaned His Glasses Instead of Kissing Buffy--And One Time He Didn't
Author:  Mr. Twisted Whispers (mrtwstedwhsprs)
Rating:  PG/FRT
Pairing: Giles/Buffy
Summary: Everything takes time
Spoilers/Setting: Setting variable, references Beer Bad, Hush, and The Body.
Warnings: Some alcohol, language and angst (hey, I wrote it, what do you expect?)
Disclaimer: Characters belong to to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and large corporate entities with lots of lawyers.  I am not claiming anything otherwise.

Special thanks to lostgirlslair, for the beta, and for helping me with the idea.  (Heck, pretty much giving me the idea.)

( Four Times Giles Cleaned His Glasses Instead of Kissing Buffy--And One Time He Didn't )

Title: Wrapping Paper Blues
By: mrtwstedwhsprs (Mr. Twisted Whispers)
Rating: PG/FRT
Pairing: Gen, Giles main character
Written For: the Drunken Giles Christmas Ficathon, for zandra_x who wanted: Giles buying something, Giles being confused, and a favorite book.
Warnings: Comedy

Summary: On Christmas Eve, Giles encounters scary sights of an entirely new type.

Notes: I do not own any of the characters in this fic.  They belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and various Corporate Entities.  Charcters who do not appear in this fic had an enjoyable night seeing if It's a Wonderful Life syncs up with UmmaGumma.  It doesn't.

Special thanks to lostgirlslair for, as usual, doing a wonderful beta job by making my story actually readable.


( Wrapping Paper Blues )

In addition to being sick as hell today. (Sicker than I've been in a real long time, probably years. . .some kinds of fast, hard-hitting flu) I just found out that my grandfather, who helped raise me, and was the closest thing I had to a father, is dying.

HE has complications from severe alzheimers, and mini-strokes. His brain is just litterally falling apart.

HE's beaten the odds before, but it doesn't look good this time.

One of the most noble things in humanity is charity: doing something for one's fellow
human in need. To engage in charity expecting to be given something out of it, expecting
to be paid back, or in order to get something out of it yourself, is vile.

There are a lot of other things: Such as taking what was agreed to be a personal issue
between a small number of people, and spreading it all over the net in order to bash
the people involved. No one appreciates the people who actually avoid naming names,
and who keep to thier word not to involve other people. As such, they don't defend
themselves, and are demonized, without thier side of the story ever being heard.

Even worse, and even more vile is to wait around until something good happens to others
so that you can cheapen it, or wait until something bad happens so you can make it worse.

Mr. Twisted Whispers / The_Fiance

Title: The Missing ingredient
Author:  Mr. Twisted Whispers (mrtwstedwhsprs)
Rating:  R/FRM  alcohol use, adult language, sexual activity, all the fun stuff
Pairing: Giles/Buffy
Summary: Love, fate, a sign, and a heavy desk.  That’s what it takes to find a missing ingredient.
Spoilers/Setting: Set post-chosen, and the Slayers and Watchers Society Annual Christmas Party, which as appeared before in this ficathon.
Warnings: alcohol, humor, and slight meta-fic.

Disclaimer: Characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy et. Al.  I own nothing, don’t bother suing me.  Character who you like who do not appear in this story are having a great time watching The Wizard of Oz while listening to Dark Side of the Moon.

Written for the Drunken!Giles Ficathon for antennapedia.  Who wanted: core four Scooby togetherness & affection, a fit of giggles from somebody, and a very, very complicated silly mixed drink, and didn't want: regrets, Ripper, or vampires.

Special thanks to lostgirlslair for beta-ing this fic, despite feeling that my baroque sentence structure and inordinate fondness for complex and unneeded verbiage is a “crime against nature.” :-)

Ramos Gin Fizz
•        2 ounces gin
•        3 drops orange flower water
•        1 egg whites
•        1 teaspoon bar sugar
•        1 ounce lemon juice
•        1/2 ounce lime juice
•        1 ounce cream
•        Soda water

Shake all ingredients except soda water hard with crushed ice for at least a full minute, then strain into a balloon glass ¼ full of shaved ice.  Fill with soda garnish with a flower.

( The Missing Ingredient )

It's time for . . . The Drunken!Giles-athon!

The detail are as follows. Five hundred words minimum, any pairing or none at all (gen, het, slash, all acceptable) as long as it is the winter holiday season, Giles is the main (though not neccessarily POV) character, and he is drunk. ::nods::

This way to the details

:: Slides back sheepishly into the room and waves ::

Ummmm hi?

In Austin now, very long story, but I'm writing again.

Mr. Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)

Title: Propriety and the Green Fairy
Author: Mr. Twisted Whispers
Characters: Giles, Wesley, Faith
Rating: PG-13
Setting: Post chosen
Summary: All work and no play makes Wesley annoy Giles
Disclaimer: These are not my characters; they belong to Joss Whedon and various corporate entities.  I'm just being silly.

Written for the Drunken!Giles-athon (master list here) for lovesbitca, who wanted Wesley, Faith and absinthe, all of which she's gotten.  Happy Holidays!

( Propriety and the Green Fairy )

We have connectivity again!!!!!!!!!!

We are getting settled here in Mass.  It's a bit by bit process, but things are beginning to feel a bit closer to normal, though, truly, everything still seems a bit surreal at times.

There is literally no way that I can express how thankful I am to everyone who has helped us.  I have tried to find a way to express things since I sat down at the computer about 45 minutes or so ago, and I still have no way to explain.  THere are simply not the words in the English language (or any other language) to express how I feel. 

I am so thankful for everything that everyone has done for us, and continues to do.  I am amazed and in shock, and so thankful, that I literally don't know what to say.

If it wasn't for all y'all, we would have not gotten any further than the side of the road in Denham Springs, two dead cars ago.  THe fact that we and the cats are here, alive an well is a testament to just how wonderful all of you are.  If I became immortal, I would still not live long enough to repay your kindnesses, or even express my gratitude. 

THank you all so much.

Mr. Twisted WHispers (aka THe FIance)
@--.--'--

Hi

I am so amazingly grateful to everyone who is helping us so much.  I really don't know what to say. 

We are safe, currently in Texarkana. 

I will try to keep in touch as much as I can

Again, thank you all so much

The_Fiance (Mr. Twisted Whispers)
@>--,--'--

Dismantling the computer and getting out of here.

Wish us luck

Will be back in touch as soon as possible

The_Fiance

Change of plans. We're going to try to get out of here if we can.

DOn't know when we'll be in touch again

The_Fiance

I'm really trying to get my mind somewhat off of the storm. . .ummmm

Can anyone rec some fic or such for me? Nothing horribly dark? Much prefer het or femslash. Willow would be nice. Artsy stuff would be nice. I'm about to (hopefully soon) start an Oz/Willow/Tara fic, so if anyone knows any of those, that would be nice. Besides Willow/Just about anyone, I like or can enjoy a number of other pairings.

Keep trying to lsit stuff and deleting it. . .blah

The_FIance
Mr. Twisted Whispers
@<--'--,--

Katerina is churning in the Gulf of Mexico right now, not moving much, and just scaring the living shit out of me. It might be starting it's turn to the north, and the sooner it turns north, the better for us, but its too late for it to miss us completely. We'll get something.

The famous family evacuated without us (me and LG). . .when we both swore "never again" after Ivan, they changed thier mind, and apparently didn't think that I had.

Anyway, lostgirlslair and I had a wonderful, hilarious time meeting at Zotz again with cadence_k.

My impressions can be quite impressive, apparently. . .and disturbing :-)

Additionally, I'm thinking of changing my LJ username to The_Fiance or as close as I can get it, so that people will actually know who I am.

Mr. Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)
@>--'-,--

Probably one of the best ways for an opinionated, pretentous geek like myself to get back into things is to do reviews. . .so here goes:

Rope
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Arthur Laurents, Hume Cronyn (adaptation and screenplay) Patrick Hamilton (play)
Thrill killers Brandon Shaw (an excellent John Dall) and Phillip Morgan (a skittish Farley Granger) murder a close friend, then begin a game of psychological chicken disguised as a dinner party in probably the most underappreciated Hithcock film. Dall is perfect as the egomaniacal Shaw, who slowly pushes his luck further and further with one subtle torment to the victim's loved ones after the other, until finally overstepping his bounds to his philosophical mentor, cynical Nietzchian Rupert Caddell, played by James Stewart. (Competent, but slightly miscast). Quiet, claustrophobic, and philosophical, Rope manages to both give the requisite suspense, and the deep ideas that make it better, with Shaw essentially disproving Caddell's theories, as well as his own opinion of himself as a "superior person." Hitchcock, meanwhile, proves his superior directing, by having way to much fun taunting the audience more and more as Shaw taunts his guests. While the chuckles that Shaw had to himself are all for naught, Hitchcock's chuckles paid off. **** Stars, 7 ½ out of 10.

New Rose Hotel
Director: Abel Ferrara
Writers: Abel Ferrara (screenplay) William Gibson (short story)
When the Beatles were recording, George Martin had a policy of never throwing anything out. Every scrap of tape and moment of music was kept on file. Abel Ferrara seems to have taken this to heart, and decided to make a moving using this technique. Gibson's sharp, dark short story is overextended here with multiple flashbacks of the main events scattered at random times in the movie, The ending especially seems to be composed of what are essentially alternate takes of several scenes. This everything-into-the-pool, packrat style of directing and editing is not effective in rendering one of the most stark of Gibson's early cyberpunk stories. (Along with "Johnny Mnemonic" and "Fragments of a Hologram Rose," "New Rose Hotel" is one of the first three stories that essentially started the cyberpunk genre.) Instead, it leaves it a frenetic, but ultimately confused mess, slowly losing itself in it's own clutter. So, what makes up for it? In this case, excellent acting and casting: The always-welcome Christopher Walken plays Fox, a crude, hyperactive, disabled middle-aged corporate espionage expert who specializes in helping people defect from one mega-corporation to another, and has way too much fun doing it. Meanwhile Willem Dafoe does an excellent job as X, his younger, more down-to-earth partner in semi-crime, though he is the weakest of the big three, as he is often overwhelmed by Walken's antics. Asia Argento, meanwhile is Sandii. . .though to say anything more about her would give away the plot. Speaking of witch, pay very close attention, or you'll completely miss the plot under all the flash and junk. Edited down from 92 to say, 80 or so minutes, it would be an excellent, taut stand-alone adaptation of Gibson's work. As it is, it's like eating shellfish: a lot of work for a relatively small reward, and definitely an acquired taste. *** Stars 6 out of 10

Lilies
Director: John Greyson
Writer: Michel Marc Bouchard (play and screenplay adaptation)
Lilies sees a bishop brought to a prison to hear the dying confession of a childhood friend, and at that point is imprisoned himself by the not-so-dying friend, several inmates, and the prison chaplain (!) who then force him to watch as they act out a play (!!) displaying the events that of a shared, and very dark past. Several unusual techniques (some scenes are played out set in the original background, others in the improvised prison "set", and some combined between the two. An all male cast plays the female roles as well, with each actor playing both the prisoner who plays the part, and the part they play.) make it a very unusual movie in and of itself. Sound complex? It is, almost impossible to explain, in fact, though Bouchard manages to make it a lot clearer to watch. The story within the story within the story involves the "true" events of their childhood. (i.e. a play based on a fictional true story), in which the imprisoned friend, Simon, the closeted gay son of a homophobic father is in love with Vallier, the somewhat-openly gay son of a delusional would-be aristocrat, but is pursued by the self-loathing future priest. All of this taking place in a small, conservative French-Canadian town at the turn of the century, which may or may not be homophobic overall. I won't give away the plot, but, needless to say, it works out about as well for all the characters involved as it sounds like it will. Aubert Pallascio is especially good as the older Simon, constantly simmering with cold anger while taking full advantage of finally having the upper hand over the priest. The excellent cinematography and artistic staging makes up for occasionally unbelievable or marginal performances by some of the supporting cast. (And, to be honest, and slightly off-target performance by Danny Gilmore as Vallier.) The movie works best when it is subtle, and in some cases, it loses it's subtlety, becoming over-the-top and graceless in trying to make some of it's points, trading it's rapier for a sledgehammer. Overall, though, an artistic success, if occasionally heavy-handed. ***1/2 Stars 6 ½ out of 10

Le Pacte du silence (The Pact of Silence)
Director: Graham Guit
Writers: Marcelle Bernstien (novel) Roselyne Bosch (screenplay)
French with English subtitles
Gerard Depardieu plays a doctor and priest who, while treating an ill Carmelite nun, finds a wall of silence and secrets that lead to the nun's imprisoned twin sister. (both played by Elodie Bouchez) Atmospheric and intelligent, if overly quiet, The Pact of Silence moves along with good efficiency, really doing the bare minimum to get by, and nothing more, until it ramps up quite effectively for the excellent, perverse ending. Well acted and well shot, but not flashy, and a bit lengthy at 90 minutes, it can require patience to get there, but is ultimately (just) worth the wait. Please note, it is a drama with just slightly thriller elements, not the occult thriller it may appear when you first encounter it at the rental counter. *** Stars, 6 out of 10

Well, I'm back, and I'll actually be posting something besides "Hey I'm back. . .for real this time. . .really. . .no. . .really" later tonight. Movie reviews, actually, but it's still something. I'll probably be posting a lot more, rather than just posting when I have fic. I think it's been a combination of stress, lack of time, and writer's block that has kept me from posting. . .that has kept me essentialy invisible for so long recently. Also though, the writer's block probably has something to do with the artistic failure that was Rue. (See below) Hopefully, the next thing I write, which will, eventually, happen, will be better. 'Til later tonight.

Mr. Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)
@>--'--,--

I've been quiet for a while, because I've had a really bad couple of days. In rough chronilogical order:

1) The job hunt has reached a critical level. I've had one offer, but after the training day, I really don't think I'll be physically able to do it.

2) My mother has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She and I are on the outs right now, and I've been trying to bury the hatchet and to repair things with her, but she has been somewhat resistant. Granted, they said that they found it early, but just in case, I don't know how to reconcile with her now, or if she will let me reconcile with her while there is still time.

3) I went to a training day with the job, but it is somethign that I really don't think I'll be able to do. Basically, they drop us off on street corners, and have us ask passers by to contribute to causes. (Currently Save the Children) We are not allowed to take breaks, or to eat or drink while working. The hours are 9-5, but htey only pay us for hte five hours on the street, not the time before or after. Secondly, if we do not get a certain number of people to contribute by giving a credit card number or a voided check, we can be fired once training is complete. Also, pay is mostly by the number of people we get to contribute. I really don't know what I'm going to do, but I really don't think I can do this job. I know that I would not give my credit card or bank info to a stranger, no matter, what the cause, and I don't know how to talk other people into doing it. Hopefully I will be able to find something else.

Mr. Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)
@>--,--'--

Well, I've got another interview tonight at 8:00PM. . .wish me luck, it sounds like they really need people, but I heard that before.

Also, for what its' worth, eventhough it's only noticable on the bar at the top of the window, and on the info page, I've added an actual title to my livejournal.

And I finally get to make the little emotion lemon smile. . .I was beginning ot feel sorry for him.

Mr Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)
@>--'--,--

The interview seemed to go fairly well. He says that he'll get back to me in a couple of days. The problem is that he says that he's never hired a male tarot reader before, and he's not sure if people would be as comfortable talking to a male tarot reader. He asked me if I had ever seen another man that did tarot. (which, of course, I've seen many)

Kinda annoying. . .I've been turned down for a couple of bartending jobs before because I'm male, one of hte main reasons that I had started concentrating on looking for non-bartending jobs. I'm trying very hard not to be pissed about this. . .very hard. . .

Mr. Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)
@>--'--,--

Had that big job interview yesterday. . .and my car key broke off in the lock. (It's a Mazda, so the doors and the ignition are the same key.) Fortunately, I was able to get the interview pushed back to today. I'm absoluetly scared shitless. . .this is actually a good job, and I have been job hunting unsuccessfully for so long ,I had just about given up on finding an actual good job. . .it was getting hard enough to find a crappy job.

Mr. Twisted Whispers (aka The Fiance)
@>--'--,--