(no subject)

[rusty_halo]

The institution of marriage is pretty stupid. But intolerance sucks.

Still feeling like complete shit over the Angel cancellation.

I am completely disgusted with some of the haughty, condescending, lectury responses that I've seen. You're glad the show is over? You don't like fan campaigns? Fine, don't participate. But that doesn't make you a better person than I am. Get off your high horse and stop acting like you're superior to those of us who care.

[rant directed only to those who are acting snooty, not to those who just don't care for whatever reasons]

I wasn't particularly enjoying Angel this season. I'm still completely disgusted that it was cancelled. A bad episode of AtS is still better than damn near anything else on television. At least they're trying to do something original, to make people think, to break boundaries, instead of just appealing to the lowest common denominator.

It's fucked up that this culture venerates mediocrity. It's fucked up that passionate, intelligent, creative people either have to dumb down their work or face constant struggles and very little chance of success. It's fucked up that Charmed got renewed instead of Angel, or that The Cruxshadows and Common Rotation are struggling in near-obscurity while Britney Spears sells millions of records. It's fucked up that my high school cancelled the challenging, quality-and-art-focused Media Arts class in favor of the lame, propogandistic, poorly-produced Television Production class. That's just the way our culture is.

Anyway. I have barely slept all week, so I'm very incoherent right now.

I went to see Common Rotation in Connecticut today. A "living room show" -- they come to people's houses and play in their living rooms. It was pretty neat--I took the train up with soulmate815, we went to this woman's house, ate party food and drank beer, watched the band play in the living room. There were maybe ... 20? 30? people there. I suck with numbers. The band members were around and talking, which was neat, though I didn't talk to any of them--I'm content to enjoy their music, but I wouldn't really call myself a fan. Well, fan in the casual "I enjoy your art" sense, not in the "I care enough to wonder about you as a person" sense. Anyway, it was fun. Then thefangirl and her friend drove us back to Manhattan, which was nice, and it was good to hang out with thefangirl. (And it was her birthday. Happy birthday, again!)

Anyway. Then I came home, read Joss's message, and started crying. Stupid WB.

I hate watching fandom fade away. I know a lot of people will stick around, and there will still be a core group years and years from now. But a lot of people will leave, and it's going to suck. Watching my favorite writers disappear, watching my favorite websites shut down, watching my website become irrelevant ... it's all going to suck.

Also (inspired by a discussion with some people tonight about the politics of friending): If you want to defriend me, for god's sake, please do. I'm not going to have a crying fit or hate you forever because of it. Interests diverge, personalities conflict, it happens.

I have a lot of people on my flist because I want to keep up with their fic, btw, and I know that we have little in common and that they're probably annoyed or bored by my posts. Don't feel obligated to keep me on your flist; just post your fic publicly to make sure I don't miss it. ;)

Oh, and *hugs* to everyone who IM'd me the other day. It really helped to have people to talk to. I apologize for being slow to answer--I got a little overwhelmed a couple of times. But, anyway, thanks.

I just read this over, and damn, this is a schizophrenic post. Political, bitchy, sad, happy, sad, depressed, bitchy, grateful. Huh. Must go catch up on sleep....

Comments

[zyrya]

*hugs*

I hate the reaction phase. We don't know the whole story yet, and we don't know how it will play out (in terms of speculation over the show being picked up by another network, or the WB making tv movies and the like), and all we can do is react to the horrible news. I'm trying to be optimistic about the show and the fandom, but of course it will all end eventually.

And I know there's still half a season to enjoy ... and the season has only just started here in Australia ... but I feel ghoulish watching it when it's semi-dead. Or something. I was totally spoiled for BtVS 7. I knew Spike was going to die months and months before we saw it on tv here, and I felt the same about that ... like watching a dead (extra dead) character.

(Sorry to shove this into your LJ. I have no-one in ordinary life to talk to about these things, and my LJ isn't fandom oriented.)

Have decided the best way to deal with it is to write more fic. Even if no-one reads it.

Re:

[irfikos.livejournal.com]

I feel ghoulish watching it when it's semi-dead.

hee.

hi. pay no attention to me. this line just made me giggle... y'know... considering it's a show about vampires.

seriously, pay no attention to me. i shouldn't even be awake right now.

::continues hysterical giggles::

(i often have inappropriate responses to bad news.)

:-)

Re:

[zyrya]

Especially when accompanied by the Spike's Hands icon. You ghoul, you.

So if you're in inappropriate hysterical giggles, do I get to slap you across the face and glare sternly at you and make a speech about how we're going to all get through this if we keep our heads and pull together? Or should I just head over to the WB and slap them instead? There's more slash in the first option, but I suspect more satisfaction in the second.

tickles you

[darling-effect.livejournal.com]

I'm still pretty stunned about the cancellation.
I've been on LJ for less than a year. Before the end of Buffy, I'd never even read fanfiction (in fact, I scoffed at the very idea! I don't even think I knew what slash was). But I started to seek it out after the final episode, and was lucky enough to stumble upon BuggerThis! first thing. (God help me if I'd found FF.net! I wouldn't be here now, probably). I've found so many wonderful people through LJ, and fandom. I like to think that this community has stronger ties than just, "Oh, the show's over, let's pack it up and move on."
There's still so much vitality and creativity here. You're right, people are going to move on. But I think there will always be a core of people who want to tell stories with these wonderfully rich characters. I guess I'm optimistic this evening. I'm sure I'll be back to my regularly scheduled cynicism tomorrow. :)

[the-royal-anna.livejournal.com]

A bad episode of AtS is still better than damn near anything else on television. At least they're trying to do something original, to make people think, to break boundaries, instead of just appealing to the lowest common denominator.

This is so very, very true. And yes, what society chooses to value culturally is shocking. It makes me all the more encouraged to see so many people care enough about not just this TV show, but about the state of culture in general, to do something about this.

You make so many valid points here. I feel like a total schizophrenic because just about every post I've read I can identify with some of the emotions expressed - I am grateful for what we've had, and I am determined to focus on that, but that doesn't stop me being hurt, and frustrated, and disappointed. And beyond my own reaction, I'm devastated for people who put so much time and effort and investment into the fandom, and of course for the cast and crew of the show. But however I express my reaction I'm going to upset somebody, because everybody feels stabbed in the back already. I think "lecturey" posts are as much a way of working through emotions as any other kind of reaction - the lectures are aimed at the lecturer themselves, more than anyone else, I think. God, now I sound lecturey, and that's not what I meant at all! I'm not making excuses, but I'd hate to think I'd said anything that undermines anyone's feelings. As usual, you've made me see that I probably have.

I just wanted to thank you for highlighting the points you have, and, once again, for making me see how important your viewpoint is, which is something you always do, even when I don't agree with you. You always make me think and re-assess my own views, and I'm grateful for that.

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[the-royal-anna.livejournal.com]

I meant to add, too, that I'm very much of the same opinion as other commenters here, that websites of the calibre of yours will be all the more valuable when the show ends. One of the treats for me, when Buffy ended, was finally having the time and motivation to go and read and re-read all the fanfiction I'd long been meaning to seek out. I'm so grateful to you and your wonderful archive for providing so many resources that fill the hole left by the end of Buffy so well, and I think when Angel is done the same will be true. It doesn't make it any the less sad that things will change, of course.

[shapinglight]

I cried when I read what Joss had to say. I thought it was very telling that his first concern was for 'his people' to find other work and that he doesn't care about this TV movie idea because he hopes that the actors will be too busy to participate. I fear for poor JM, and that I will never see him again, and I fear for Spike being lost in the finale, because he's the new kid on the block, and I fear Fox forcing some kind of lame B/A ending on Joss, but after reading Joss's post, I respect him all over again (at least for now).

You have seemed very disenchanted with AtS this year,so I was actually a little surprised that you feel so strongly, but glad too (if one should be glad about everyone being so upset). And I don't think your website will become irrelevant for a good long time. I visit it every day and will continue to do so, I think.

Re:

[shapinglight]

I should add that I personally am very grateful to you for providing us Spike fans with such a wonderful resource full of beautifully written stories.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

*pets you*
Hey Laura, some of the saner people will stick around, those that were in it for the stories instead of the mere hotness factor of one or more of the actors. I haven't read all the fic on your site, only about what, 10 percent maybe? When the show ends I will need these stories, so don't talk about irrelevant!
Your archive is wonderful.

[irfikos.livejournal.com]

fyi...

if your site site starts to lose its "relevance" or whatever... maybe it'll drop in hits after awhile.... maybe it won't pull in those 18-34 year old males like you thought it might... maybe you'll just decide to pull it in favor of other quality websites dedicated to, oh, say, "charmed" or maybe allaboutlana.com - cuz that chick from smallville - she's ever-so fascinating and a good role model for damsels everywhere and all...

if so...

there WILL be a letter writing campaign. possibly some icons stating that you are on crack. possibly even a protest outside your home. with signs.

oh yeah. we'll do it, too! don't think we won't!

consider yourself warned!

:-)

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[zyrya]

You've got me in inappropriate giggles now.

Don't tempt Laura with the Smallville stuff, I beg you. She's two steps from becoming a Clark/Lex shipper or whatever the hell goes on in that fandom, and if she abandons Spike I'm going to ... I don't know ... complain a whole lot, I guess.

Fuck, it's horrible being helpless.

[hecatehatesthat.livejournal.com]

A bad episode of AtS is still better than damn near anything else on television.

It was true 5 years ago when most of the shows on at primetime were actual dramas or comedies or what have you, but now? What are they going to replace it with, another fucking reality show? *spits*

It's fucked up that this culture venerates mediocrity. It's fucked up that passionate, intelligent, creative people either have to dumb down their work or face constant struggles and very little chance of success. It's fucked up that Charmed got renewed instead of Angel, or that The Cruxshadows and Common Rotation are struggling in near-obscurity while Britney Spears sells millions of records. It's fucked up that my high school cancelled the challenging, quality-and-art-focused Media Arts class in favor of the lame, propogandistic, poorly-produced Television Production class. That's just the way our culture is.

Exactly. It's fucked up how everything designed to cater to stupid people. Ignorant, intolerant people. And people or groups with something to say, who might dare ask other people to think, get ignored at best and smacked down at worst.

Your site is not going to become irrelevant. Oh shit, now I'm all terrified that all my favorite fics are going to disappear and I need to print them all out and have them professionally bound in leather and clutch them to my chest right now.

Fuck the WB.

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[redeem147.livejournal.com]

A reality show. I see it now. Take 10 vamps and drop them on a dessert island. See which ones can find shelter during the daylight.

Instead of voting each other off, they eat each other.

Okay, I'm tired and depressed. I really need to get more sleep.

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[(Anonymous)]

It's my guess that The WB will replace Angel with Dark Shadows (another show about vampires). No matter what they replace it with, I won't be watching. Screw The WB.

Re:

[(Anonymous)]

It's my guess that The WB will replace Angel with Dark Shadows (another show about vampires). No matter what they replace it with, I won't be watching. Screw The WB.

Re:

[(Anonymous)]

It's my guess that The WB will replace Angel with Dark Shadows (another show about vampires). No matter what they replace it with, I won't be watching. Screw The WB.

[spikewriter]

A bad episode of AtS is still better than damn near anything else on television. At least they're trying to do something original, to make people think, to break boundaries, instead of just appealing to the lowest common denominator.

Absolutely. The list of shows I actually watch on a regular basis is rather small and none of the new shows this year were added to that list because nothing that I saw appealed to me. My evening time is precious and I'd prefer to spend it on something that doesn't require me to think. With AtS gone, that means the list is now down to four shows -- four guaranteed hours out of the entire week. I'm a Woman 18-49 with a decent income, but the sponsors can't reach me with their ads because there's not much out there I want to watch.

It's fucked up that this culture venerates mediocrity. It's fucked up that passionate, intelligent, creative people either have to dumb down their work or face constant struggles and very little chance of success.

I've discovered that many people actively fear creativity. The mantra is "fit in, be one of the pack, don't make waves. Want the house, the car, the clothes that are considered the icon off success, but don't want anything off the beaten track." Children who are creative, who don't fit in with the crowd are actively discourage from being creative and different. We're handed pre-packaged pablum by the networks, movie studios and record company and the public accepts it because it's "what's popular."

watching my website become irrelevant

Allow me to disagree. Because of the breadth and quality of the fic you archive, your site will actually become more relevant to fandom as other sites disappear. For that person who discovers BtVS/AtS after the shows are gone, who discovers Spike, your site will be a godsend because you've worked so hard to post some of the best Spike fic that's out there.

Joss' message about the cancellation -- that really annoyed me because it made it clear there is something going on behind the scenes that we don't know about. That's annoyed at the WB, not Joss. He's trying to handle it with some humor, which is clearly a defense mechanism for him, but the pain at having one of his children sliced off at the knees apparent.

Btw, when I suggested a couple of weeks ago re school and what not that perhaps you might want to step back from fandom to help you to focus on what's coming up, I did not mean getting your fandom ripped out from under you by corporate suits who are more interested in selling cars or clothes or Viagra more than they are shows that don't let you just sit on the damn couch and veg. In a word, it sucks.

[10zlaine.livejournal.com]

schizophrenic

don't feel odd. that's a perfect way to describe my being, lately...

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

::hugs you hard::

Pretty much everything you said.

[flurblewig.livejournal.com]

watching my website become irrelevant

Not gonna happen.

*SIGH*

[chenanceou.livejournal.com]

I feel bad. Like I said - am one of those who didn't get hit hard when they heard the news. Or better yet - I didn't until I started reading LJs. I care about the people I met through fandom big time. I went through a better part of life feeling like I was different. I had pretty much gotten used to it and arrived to the happy place where I didn't give a rat's ass about what people thought about me. Then BtVS fandom happened and presto! Not so weird anymore.
All of this to say it's the fandom aspect that hurts. I talked to people who have been in fandoms for ages and they tell me not to worry. Fan fics get written, conventions get organized and it goes on. I don't want to sound like I'm dismissive, because I'm not.
I'm just trying to tell myself that it isn't over because the WB says so. That there's too much talent and close bonds in this fandom for it to just go poof!
I need some sleep also.

[buffyx.livejournal.com]

You don't like fan campaigns? Fine, don't participate. But that doesn't make you a better person than I am. Get off your high horse and stop acting like you're superior to those of us who care.

Big fat WORD right there. I've always been against postcard campaigns begging for storylines, like B/A or S/B 4eva. I'd hate to think that Joss decided how to end his series based on who sent him the most balloon gift baskets or Cookie of the Month subscriptions. Even though I'm very cynical, I have more faith in Joss than *that.*

ME, despite all of their faults, have provided us with this overall amazing television series for five years, which even at its worst is still better than 99% of anything else out there. It kills me to think it'll be replaced by some stupid reality television show, and crap like Charmed is able to live on. I think, at the very least, we can show our support and express our anger and disappointment over the decision for cancellation. And I don't think anyone should be told they are wasting their time for that.

[glassslipper.livejournal.com]

A bad episode of AtS is still better than damn near anything else on television.

Couldn't agree more.

Given that you're in the Northeast and apparently a fan of Common Rotation, are you going to Moonlight Rising?

Re:

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Yup, I'll be at Moonlight Rising. You?

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[glassslipper.livejournal.com]

My sister and I are both going. My first con ever. The draw of JM was too much for me to resist.

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[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Cool. I hope to see you there. :)