All the RomCom of Qi Xi

In 2011:

I lost Clancy, one of the best dogs you'd ever want to meet.
Cisco had malignant mouth cancer that required $3000 to pay for two surgeries and tons of care.
I still have Cisco.
I still have Nala who is in end-of-life pain management and has reached the "every day with her is a blessing" stage.
I still have Kuka who has thyroid failure.
I had a savings account.
Which I lost because of Cisco's mouth cancer.
I wrote a little. Very little.
Work was awesome before it wasn't and still remains on the not-awesome side though it's getting much much better.
I did my first "solo" termination (as in the only one stating, 'you're fired' rather than standing there and nodding severely).
I read 125 new-to-me books and watched 52 new-to-me movies.
I stopped going to school.

In 2012:

I will be moving into town and out of my mother/sister's house.
I will be quitting Fry's.
I will read at least 50 new-to-me books.
I will watch at least 50 new-to-me movies.
I will actually post my reviews to said books.
I will lose 15 pounds.
I will write an original novel.
I will have more of a social life.

I've seen quite a few good movies lately and I've enjoyed them but, I don't really have a lot of thinky thoughts as to why I liked them, for the most part.

For example, Captain America, the First Avenger was brilliant and poignant and lovely. Plus, lots of exploding things and muscles and an evil character and bombs and stunts and a kickass chick in it and Tommy Lee Jones. But I don't have deep thoughts over it. I just really liked it. 10 out of 10

For the Bible Tells Me So is a documentary about the Bible and what it has to say about homosexuality. It takes a look at literalists versus those that interpret the Bible. It features families that are very religious and how they cope with having a homosexual child in their midst. It's got commentary from Archbishop Desmond Tutu in addition to Dick Gephardt and others. I really felt for Tonia Poteat, especially. Her family has this weird dichotomy of the "hate the sin, love the sinner". Her father is a self-important asshole, IMHO. It made me think about my own spiritual path and my own views of the Bible and religion. 10 out of 10

Hunger with Michael Fassbender was very good if quite disturbing and deep. I was expecting to think about it afterwards and I definitely got that. It's worth watching. 10 out of 10

Centurion with Michael Fassbender was fairly awesome. Etain was kickass awesome. I didn't expect much out of it as I hadn't read any reviews and I hadn't really cared about the story. I originally started watching for Michael Fassbender so it surprised me that the story captured my attention as much as it did. 10 out of 10

The Ninth Legion was another that I hadn't expected much out of but, since I'd just watched one 9th Legion movie, I thought I'd watch another. It was fairly slashy, had some interesting moments and was fairly decent. I went in with low expectations, mainly because it had Channing Tatum. He's pretty but I don't expect him to act. He did a decent job of it. It's not a movie that will change the world with its plot, acting and script but it was a fun movie to watch. 10 out of 10

Tangled was also fun. I've been watching a lot of movies that are mainly brain candy and this filled that need. I really enjoyed the movie but I don't really have any other thoughts than "bwee, fun" for it. 10 out of 10

Guys.

Guys. Seriously. Guys.

X-Men First Class.

Best X-Men Movie Ever Y/MFY?!

I am so aflail with glee and amazement and fic ideas and love and babble and this movie. THE WORLD cannot contain my squee and giddiness over this movie.

This movie. IDEK

I am so totally and completely in love with it. I must go see it again and again and again. I would've seen it twice today if it hadn't been for a baby shower I had to get to. I am going to see Thor and then X-Men First Class on Tuesday. I cannot fucking wait.

My HEART

Reviews: All M/M Recs. Het edition coming.

I know the last few review posts were filled with snark but, honestly, most of the books I've read this year are crap. This post, however, is full of gems. I recommend each of these highly.

I will be linking to All Romance eBooks as they offer a really great rebate program (buy 10, get 1 free plus rebate cash to use towards future purchases depending on the book/publisher). I do not receive a commission or anything. Feel free to buy where you want from. I just happen to really like the rebate program here.

( Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton ) 10 out of 10
( Bewitched by Bella's Brother by Amy Lane )10 out of 10
( Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane )10 out of 10 (conditionally)
( Making Promises by Amy Lane )10 out of 10
( Jacob's Ladder by ZA Maxfield )10 out of 10
( St. Nacho's by ZA Maxfield )10 out of 10
( Physical Therapy by ZA Maxfield )10 out of 10
( Seeing You by Dakota Flint )10 out of 10
( Carol of the Bellskis by Astrid Amara )10 out of 10
( Double Blind by Heidi Cullinan )10 out of 10
( Winner Takes All by Jenny Urban )10 out of 10
( Finding Zach by Rowan Speedwell )9 out of 10
( Mobry's Dick by KZ Snow )10 out of 10

All M/M books that were either appalling, sporktacular or just bad. Or all three. (otherwise known as "how the hell do these things get published?!)

( Simple Men or simple is definitely how'd I describe it – as in simply offensive ) 1 out of 10
( Gatekeeper or the book where everyone cries all the time )1 out of 10
( Coming Home or the book where you will never look at anything plum-colored the same way again )2 out of 10
( Hero or the book where the author took life as a house far too literally. Or what do you get when a kitsune and a sea sprite mate? A were-house. )1 out of 10 for "good" but 10 out of 10 for "lulz".
( Cursed or the fic where you have one long-haired twin falling for a werewolf that his family cursed so he has buttsex to save the werewolf's son from the family curse )1 out of 10
( Betrayed or the book about the other gay twin from Guardian. AKA, yes, I am that dumb as to buy the second book. )1 out of 10
( Hayashi's Heroes or yayes for I wouldn't be gay if we weren't all under some outside controlling power except for angsting!japanese american guy. That guy's a flamer and we always knew it books )1 out of 10
( Water or the fic where I got so annoyed that, if this book had been in print, I would've threw it against a wall and then set it on fire )1 out of 10
( Snared or the book where I started counting the usage of martin )1 Martin out of 10
( Sylvan or the book where the lack of research shows ) 2 out of 10
( Company Man or What The Fuck Just Happened IDEK )1 out of 10

A 2009 Retrospective and a Look at 2010.

In 2009, I left fandom.
In 2009, a new fandom dragged me back in.
In 2009, I rediscovered an old favorite fandom.
In 2009, I wondered why I was even on this earth.
In 2009, the universe conspired to show me.
In 2009, I fell in love.
In 2009, I realized that it's better to be friends.
In 2009, I lost contact with old friends.
In 2009, I gained new friends.
In 2009, I wrote over 300k in fanfiction.
In 2009, I wrote 50k in original fiction.
In 2009, I read 77 new books.
In 2009, I watched 50 new movies.
In 2009, I worked at least 60 hours a week.
In 2009, I paid off almost every bill.

In 2010, I will go back to school.
In 2010, I will work less.
In 2010, I will exercise more.
In 2010, I will read at least 50 new books.
In 2010, I will watch at least 50 new movies.

( my favorite moments of 2009 )
( My favorite memories to come in 2010 )

I'm getting too close to the end of the year for my liking with the number of Resolution Reviews I have to do. All reviews in this section are m/m. Highly recommended books are linked so you can get more information if you so choose. So, here goes:

( True North )8 out of 10
( The One That Got Away ) 7 out of 10
( Loving Lucas )5 out of 10
( High Line )5 out of 10
( Ship of Dreams ) 3 out of 10 because at least the author knew some grammar
( Cut and Run ) 8 out of 10
( Love Ahead ) 9 out of 10
( Best Revenge ) 2 out of 10
( Somebody Killed His Editor ) 10 out of 10
( Warriors Cross ) 10 out of 10

Desire Beyond Death - It's an all right collection of short stories but, honestly, I'd have to give it a 4 out of 10 overall but that's mainly cause there's one good story (a 9 out of 10), one 7 out of 10, two 6 out of 10s and one -abillion out of 10. The cost was 12 bucks which, imho, was way too much money for this level of dreck. The largest story in it was the most painful story I've read in awhile and, trust me, I've read some real losers lately. ( moar thoughts and ranting behind the cut. To sum up - a ghost made me fuck you, now I love you and we're all gay so let's all hookup cause that's what gay men do )

The Huntsmen: Bareback - ( nothing great but not bad, either ) 6 out of 10

Lovers, Dreamers and Me ( Meh ) 6 out of 10

A Note in the Margin ( I was going to go with meh but this one made me think so I'm bumping it up )9.5 out of 10

I Heart That City: Razzle Dazzle ( um, wtf was that and why did I pay so much for it? )3 out of 10

Tigers and Devils ( Very Enjoyable and Emotionally Satisfying, Believable relationship about a footie superstar and a regular guy. I can't wait until this author writes more. )10 out of 10 (I wish I could give it more)

Playing Dirty ( omg, wtfwtfwtf BRAIN BLEACH STAT ) negative a billion out of 10. Or, since I can't go that low, 1 out of 10.

Caught Running - ( wonderful story with wonderful characters ) 10 out of 10

Wes and Toran - ( originally disliked more but after the brainbleach works above, i'll be nicer ) 2 out of 10

Realms of Fantasy ( lulz ) 3 out of 10

Went to see Watchmen on Sunday. ( upon further reflection, I didn't like it. Spoilers and such ) 6 out of 10

All that and the new X-Men trailer wasn't in front of my movie. I got robbed twice :(

I've been reading The Administration series of short stories, novels and novellas. It's original homoerotic sci-fi fiction featuring an unlike(able)ly hero who happens to be a professional torturer and a computer programmer. It's featured in a future period where the government is The Administration and it rules every aspect of life. Anti-Administration feelings or sentiments are quickly squashed and should you actually act on any of it? You get to meet Toreth, a "para-investigator". He's not perfect though no one should expect him to be what with his job and all. He's a moody bastard, afraid and virtually unable to connect to other humans but, somehow, Warrick (the computer programmer) connects with him. The relationship doesn't go smoothly, Toreth isn't capable of that.

I'm not a fan of dystopian worlds. To be honest, most of the time, they depress me and annoy the fuck out of me. This one, though, it works and I think that it's because of the way that the author writes it - it's not dystopia for the sake of dystopia.

Heavy on the BDSM and D/s, sometimes graphically violent, the books and stories are amazing in the way that they show the characters, warts and all. Toreth isn't at all likeable but I found myself cheering for him throughout, moaning at his falls and cheering when he caught himself. I wouldn't like him in real life but I wanted him to succeed regardless.

I highly recommend the series to any and all who want an engrossing and lengthy ready because once you read the first book, you'll want to keep tearing through all of them and there are a lot of them. Because some of the books contain so many "triggers" - there is a separate disclaimer/warnings page.

And because the various bibs and bobs I've read are now published in three book forms, I shall take this as three books for my new year's resolution.

ETA: Some general spoilers in the comments. Nothing that gives away major plot points.

Also - for those interested mannazone looks to be the fan community for this series. and mannazone_news for updates on when the books come out/new works/etc.