The Occasional Poet Dreams of Stardom

Can Anyone Solve My Mystery?

2024-12-01T01:24:00Z

Color me confused and curious.How do you find recs/mentions nowadays? Help a cranky, old, out-of-touch fic writer move into the 2020s please

I wrote a fic in 2003 in a rare fandom with an almost nonexistent pairing. (Pretty in Pink, Blane/Duckie pairing.) Rare as in, there are two entries on AO3: mine, and one that had part 1/24 posted in 2018---and that's it. According to their note, it was originally on Wattpad, but they never posted past chapter one on AO3; it was a crossover that had PiP characters listed in the tags, but they're not in the fic yet. (The movie came out in 1986, l bet it would be huge if it was current times.).

Anyway, I used to be pretty prolific fic wise, and still get kudos and occasionally comments most days. But over the past week or so, this one, 21 year old fic, has received multiple kudos daily . Which seems too coincidental to be random, and not due to somebody mentioning it in some way, or maybe discussing the movie, and speculating on the characters, as one does. How would I find out where? I'm not on Wattpad, and haven't used Tumblr in years. I'm on Discord, but don't know where to look. I mean, if it's something private that's fine, but if not, I'd like to know.

To quote another John Hughes property, "Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?"

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Long Time No Type, Need Your Expertise

2024-06-14T00:48:35Z

Hi, so it's been forever since I posted, though I do lurk a lot, and occasionally drop a comment. I miss you, and miss actually getting writing done. Remember when I used to do that? Does anyone remember me? Perhaps I should start there. I think Yuletide was the only fic I finished last year. My spoons are in short supply, and I want to rectify that. I'm still writing poetry, but even there, not enough of it.

What I need to know is, why the heck can't I get LiveJournal to load? I'm not that interested in hanging out there,obviously, but I keep getting notifications about people's posts I'd like to see (that don't seem to be on DW) but the site won't load. I'm on an android phone and tablet using Chrome. Do I need a different browser? If so, which one? I also see that my image links are broken on AO3, which used to go to my LJ storage, so I assume it's deleted.

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Yuletide Squee, and pitiful me

2023-12-26T00:38:29Z

Secrets, Suspicions, and Scandals: Foxworth Family Values, Part 2 (4836 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Flowers in the Attic - V. C. Andrews
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Malcolm Foxworth/Olivia Foxworth, Corrine Foxworth/Bartholomew Winslow
Characters: Malcolm Foxworth, Olivia Foxworth, Corrine Foxworth, Original Female Character(s)
Additional Tags: Metatextual, POV Outsider, Yuletide 2023, Mystery, Secrets, Dysfunctional Family, Family Secrets, Scandal
Summary:

Two modern true crime podcasters investigate the strange story of the Foxworth family.

I received this wonderful story that’s literally the transcript of a fictional true crime podcast about VC Andrews most (in)famous characters. I only wish it was a real thing, because it would be amazing.

The holiday itself hasn’t been so great. No, obviously I don’t celebrate, but I planned to have some leftover Chinese, so ordered it from Ubereats last night to have today. Delivery guy couldn’t find my room and just left the bag on a table nowhere near my area, and by the time someone was able to look for it, it was gone. Since he took a picture of where he left it, I can’t get a credit or refund.

I forgot to sign up for Holiday Wishes this year. I remembered a couple of days ago, but it seemed pointless. I’m going to try to fill some fic prompts, anyway.

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21 Years and Playing Catch (Up)

2023-10-01T01:43:01Z

Does anyone have any idea why I can’t get onto LJ, and haven’t been able to for months, at least? I used to cross post my Tweets to it, because you couldn’t do it on DW, but I got notification somewhere saying it had failed. I don’t remember if it was from LJ or Twitter, and I didn’t really follow up on it. But I’ve gotten emails pointing to posts from friends I’d like to see! And the thing that really nudged me into trying to find out what happened was being notified I have a virtual gift for my 21st anniversary of my LJ! Means I’ve been in fic fandom for over 21 years, since I was active on TWoP and the SSA well before that. Anyway, I just get server can’t be found messages, and have no idea why. This happens whether I’m on a restricted server or not. I don’t know if it’s a Russian issue, but if so how can I get notifications about other users. Etc?

I opened my LJ on my 35th birthday, which means I’ve just passed my 56th. I’m still stuck at a rehab facility/Nursing home until I can get enough physical therapy to get back home. I’m lucky enough not to have to share a room, but it sucks otherwise. I wish I could say I’m using all my free time to write epic fics, but aside from a poem here and there it’s been hard to get anything going. I just got a laptop, so maybe that will help.

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New poems posted, what is up with AO3 and LJ?

2023-06-03T21:09:05Z

Having a couple of weird issues, hopefully someone can help me figure them out. First off, I haven’t received any kudos email from AO3 in a week, which can happen, but typically I get something daily or certainly at least weekly, I just posted part two of a poem about the recent Nashville school shooting, and the political aftermath 1. Covenant: Aftermath 2. Covenant: The Math, After https://archiveofourown.org/works/46737661/chapters/117711535 . If anyone wanted to leave me a comment (even a random letter so I can test my mail), it would be appreciated. It doesn’t have to be on that entry.

Also, is something up with LJ? I get emails from a few people who don’t seem to be on DW, and I can’t get on to read their entire entries.

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Listen Up!

2023-02-03T21:05:06Z

Apparently I forgot to change the settings for my More Joy post where I raved about the wonderful podfic of my McShep SGA as a PBS pledge drive AU, “Viewers Like You” here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44141566 This explains why no one ever reacted. Clearly I has teh dum. You should all go listen, because did a great job and made my fic sound extra fun.

Then you should go listen to the latest bit of fun punnery, SiSi_ramble‘s podfic of my old Yuletide treat Pizza My (Artichoke) Heart https://archiveofourown.org/works/44668939

It makes me want to write something new. I used to do that, didn’t I?

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Thoughts on 2 Independence Day Parades

2022-07-04T20:07:54Z

When I was almost 9, in 1976, my cool older sister, newly graduated from her small liberal arts women's college took her dorky baby sister to the town 4th of July parade. I'm sure it was cheesy, and she had any number of better things to do.

I have an occasional nostalgic thought for that fun day even now,or at least I did until turning on the TV today. See, I grew up in Highland Park IL. So far 6 people have died, and many injured after a mass,shooting from a rooftop at this year's parade.I moved away in 1986, after high school, but still have friends and extended family there.

In other, less important news, I have COVID again. So this emotional choice works on several levels.

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I'm a Fan

2022-06-14T00:40:49Z

Anyone into really good music for a really good cause? This is how I spend a lot of my nights online.

💙 "#CareWithofficedrummer is benefiting CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund by helping them distribute immediate aid and recovery, food, water, hygiene kits and other critical supplies." 💛 https://events.softgiving.com/donate/officedrummerForCAREUkraine 💙

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LJ help. How do I save all this??

2022-03-08T20:41:20Z

Arrgh. So my LJ is supposedly mirrored here. How can I save stuff from comms that aren’t on DW? Comments and gifts, etc? I’m on mobile and only have access to Android/IOS. I can screenshot images I guess but what else?

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Oy and Joy

2022-01-15T01:35:12Z

So today is More Joy Day, and even though it's mostly been More Oy day around here, I'd love to spread what little joy I can. If anyone wants to prompt a poem or drabble out of me, let me know. I’m feeling creative to a point.

As for the oy, my portable tech hates me. Clumsy me dropped her tablet too many times and it finally cracked. It still works, thankfully but I managed to slice my scrolling finger on it badly enough to bleed. "Joy"fully, I McGayvered a safer cover out of a pair of disposable gloves, which is saving my fingers. (Yes, I meant to type McGyvered, but I'm keeping it. )

The well-loved iPhone 6 I was kindly given by Yhlee off Holiday Wishes in 2019 has a swollen battery, and is apparently in danger of exploding. Other than looking like a letter D, it's still functional. From what I've read it's a fairly common flaw with this model. I have no complaints, having gotten a very good 3 years out of it. It was getting to the point where certain were becoming obsolete, and the iOS was outdated so an upgrade was due.

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Chocolate Box letter

2022-01-08T06:24:40Z

Sorry for the delay, kind creator, Consider me the Rodney ofmy icon. I'm thrilled to be receiving a delicious gift from you! Please don't stress over it, I'll be happy with pretty much anything you create.

For AITA: Jean and Jorts, mostly I'm tickled this exists, having followed the whole thing on Reddit. I can't get enough of their story, and need more. I'd love a take on office posters or memos with the cats in mind. Whatever you do in this universe will make me happy. Knowing what the kitty girls are thinking would be an especially big thrill.

For Peanuts: Maybe something focused on today's times and how they'd affect the old gang? Zoom school? Is Schroeder on SoundCloud? Does Lucy give 5 cent advice on Twitter or Twitch? (Those are the only characters listed, but any you want to bring in will be loved. )

White Collar: P/E/N are the trio of my heart, but I also love the bonds of the friendship outside that circle. A nice vignette would thrill. Happy, homey, domestic. Intimacy would be lovely whatever the rating.

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hyperfocused @ 2022-01-01T23:22:00

2022-01-02T05:29:58Z

Though I attempted a longer piece,I only managed to post exactly one treat for Madness,
A riff on The Nails seminal punk song 88 Lines for 44 Women, in the Anthropomorphic Knitting And Fiber Arts fandoms.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/35971384

Some (more) mediocre rhymes for Betty White reposted from Reddit.

A Timeless Beauty,
How perfectly fitting,
Betty always knew duty
No resting and sitting,
On laurels she’d earned
A fulfilling career,
Many friendships, one love,
Husband Allen Ludden,
Whose passing from cancer
Came on much too sudden.
Of the Mary Tyler Moore gang
She went the last,
We all feel a pang,
Oh that talented cast!
As happy home-maker (and wrecker)
Sue Ann Niven,
A more perfect role for her’s rarely been given.
Later when casting each Golden Girl,
They thought she’d play Blanche,
But she gave Rose a whirl.
No need to be typecast,
How dull to repeat,
So she played naive, not “fast”
And incredibly sweet.
Her life’s work for animals very well known,
I bet friends on the rainbow bridge,
welcome her home.

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Late for Love?

2021-11-30T21:05:23Z

Finally filling out the Love meme, even though I’ve been pretty absent of late. Lots of suckiness but I’m trying not to harsh anyone’s happy buzz. Here’s my link. I’m off to share some love for you all.

✨ holiday love meme 2021 ✨
my thread here

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54, like the Studio (And 19)

2021-09-27T04:23:53Z

So I’ve been at this thing (LJ and eventually DW for 19 years now. First post was on my 35th birthday. Today’s event was pretty damn uneventful. I got a nice combo of Amazon and PayPal to put towards some new(ish) tech, as mine is getting to the point that several apps are too old to update, or won’t work at all. I’m absolutely open to suggestions, recommendations and warnings. If anyone knows of a tablet, phone or inexpensive laptop that will actually get me writing fic again... I miss my muse.

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Man, was this icon prophetic

2021-07-01T04:22:37Z

Note Chloe’s caption. At the time I thought it was just a comment on the Chloevage. Given today’s sentence, not so much. Between Alison and Cosby, it’s been a disturbing day.

Is anyone doing Camp Nano? I signed up last minute in hopes it’ll get me to actually write some fic. I've got a pinch hit to work on, and another thing I’d like to make headway on.

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Deja Vu All Over Again

2020-12-24T21:32:28Z

So after a whopping six weeks home, I've been back in the hospital for a few days, after being unable to keep anything down for almost a week. Turns out it's due to cellulitis stemming from the I've had some pretty awful draining blisters/pressure sores from the metal bars of my adjustable bed. (It adjusts just enough to be damaging, apparently. ) Thanks to my shitty insurance for not supplying a bed that has better protected railings. This started months ago in the rehab, but never should have gotten to this state. The IV antibiotics are helping, and I'm mostly keeping food in, but I still feel pretty sick. I'm much more concerned that if I don't get a better bed, this will happen again. Covid certainly didn't help, making hospital style beds harder to come by.

Fannishly, I hate that I have nothing to show for Yuletide, or any other exchanges currently. Will hopefully have something soon. I did have a weird experience today of waking up to 11 Kudos on a very short ~500 word McShep ficlet I wrote in 2006. If anyone knows why "A Delicate Balance" got sudden attention, clue me in?

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Quick favor?

2020-11-10T03:24:10Z

Hiya,

Can anyone spot me $25 PayPal so I can get some supplies for a few days? I just got home from the rehab Facility and am waiting for the rest of my disability check for November to come through. I should be able to pay it back this week

Thanks!

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Anyone up for a trade? I'm in a bit of a bind.

2020-10-27T03:05:04Z

Hiya,

Would anyone be willing to trade me either PayPal, or a Target code for my $40 Amazon code? It would be a huge help.

Thank (the proverbial) you kindly!

In other news, I apparently missed Yuletide signups. I'm super bummed. Hopefully I'll be able to nab a pinch hit.

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David Hewlett's Heart-shaped Ass Going Soon

2020-01-30T21:11:04Z

Hey, remember when David Hewlett's Heart-shaped Ass" was an interest? And the twinky, blond angel-winged pic? Today's the last day to
Watch "Where the Heart Is" on VUDU: https://www.vudu.com/movies/#!content/30729?cid=share&scid=andr"oid&kwid=30729 it's free, and you can get a free $2 credit. It has been hard to find streaming elsewhere.

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Apparently there's an AO3 meme?

2019-03-12T17:22:23Z

Late to the party, but here:
https://archiveofourown.org/users/HYPERFocused/works
I have 502 works, listed most recent to oldest. Give me a number and I'll tell you three things I like about it.

Also, wtf Felicity?

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Wayback in the Future

2019-03-03T04:54:08Z

First of all, thank you for taking this on! I'm horribly late in posting this letter, so please feel free to write whatever tickles your fancy (or fancies your tickles). Let me tell you what kinds of things I like, and what I'd prefer to avoid.

Like: true friendship, even or especially when unexpected. Friends to lovers. AUs and crossovers, and fandom cameos. Epistolary fic, with documents and other media. Art wise I'm open to anything, any rating. Advertising pastiche, fine art parody. Competency. Many of these characters have varied skill sets. Teaching and learning are hot, damn it. Humor, however you want to write it, my one caveat below in my DNW. Wacky, cracky, witty, punny, sweet and light, dark and snarky. Pretty much anything except...

DNW: I have a huge embarrassment squick. Don't humiliate my beloved characters. Definitely don't let their partners or friends treat them purposefully cruelly. No partner betrayal, please. Angst away, if necessary but leave at least a glimmer of hope.

Sign-up for HYPERFocused
Requests
* Request 1 by HYPERFocused Fandom: The West Wing
* Josh Lyman/Sam Seaborn Jed Bartlet/Leo McGarry Josh Lyman & Leo McGarry C. J. Cregg & Josh Lyman Jed Bartlet & Leo McGarry FanfictionFanvidsPodfic & Podficced Works
* Where are they now? How have real world cultural changes and laws affected them? Feel free to get political. Seaborn 2020? Did Sam and Josh come out and get married? Tell me about the early days. Please don't erase Abbey, if you're writing Jed/Leo.

* Request 2 by HYPERFocused Fandom: Crossover Fandom

* Duckie Dale (Pretty in Pink)/Cameron Frye (Ferris Bueller) Brian Johnson (Breakfast Club)/Cameron Frye (Ferris Bueller) Natalie Hurley (Sports Night) & Donna Moss (The West Wing)FanfictionFanvidsPodfic & Podficced Works
*
* Obviously I'm not expecting all of these characters to be included, though I think they conceivably could be. I'd like to see some "where are they now?" stories, Cameron (and/or Duckie/Brian)breaking the fourth wall. Natalie and Donna in the post Trump world, or comparing workplaces, or how they become friends.

* Request 3 by HYPERFocused Fandom: Kings (TV 2009)
* Jack Benjamin/David Shepherd FanartFanfictionFanvids
*
I don't have a real idea here, unfortunately. I just want something with the feel of the show, but that goes where the canon only implied. Probably hard not to make it an angstfest, but try to at least patch my heart at the end.

* Request 4 by HYPERFocused Fandom: Airplane! (1980)
* Inflatable Autopilot/AnyoneFanartFanfictionFanvids
* Summary: I have no idea how this got nominated, or more accurately why it never made it to Yuletide. I'm not sure this could be anything but the crackiest of crackfic, but that's okay, as long as they don't deflate poor Otto! Go wild, go silly. Tell me of the great romance between Otto and the waving tall kite men outside used car lots, or his adventures with the floating unicorn that swept its' riders out to sea.
* Or go earlier. What was it like, the first time he was blown--up? Share some stories about interesting flights. Are the other pilots and crew always that wacky? My only caveat? Don't call me Shirley.

* Request 5 by HYPERFocused Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
*
* Jean-Luc Picard/QDeanna Troi/WorfData & Geordi La ForgeFanartFanfictionFanvids
*

As much as I enjoyed TOS, TNG was the ST that made me fall in love with the franchise. Data and Worf were my favorites of the main cast. Q was always a delight, and Guinan was the coolest. I wanted to like Troi more.

I'd love some Q shenanigans, holodeck adventures, deep issues or weird alien encounters

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What Can I Do For You?

2019-02-23T22:55:04Z

Like a good number of you, I'm sure, I've got two offerings up for auction on Fandom Trumps Hate. https://fandomtrumpshate.dreamwidth.org/.
1. You can bid on me for fic in Smallville, Sports Night, or Stargate Atlantis (and possibly crossover or walk-on characters)
2. I will write poetry for any Western/non-anime fandom (preferably one I know, but if not, I will base it on research and your description). Or I will write something on the theme/for the occasion you request.

There are links to my fic and poetry (including my fanpoetry) below. We're in the Browsing period now, the bidding starts on the 26th. My links:

https://fth2019offerings.dreamwidth.org/119077.html

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Yule Be Swell, Yule Be Great

2018-10-22T06:04:41Z

Hello, and thank you kindly for the wonderful story you're writing for me! I've time traveled into the future and know how hard you worked, and how well it paid off. Let me tell you what I like, and what I'd prefer to avoid.

Like: true friendship, even or especially when unexpected. Friends to lovers. AUs and crossovers, and fandom cameos. Epistolary fic, with documents and other media. I'd be all over an interactive work. Competency. Many of these characters have varied skill sets. Teaching and learning are hot, damn it. Humor, however you want to write it, my one caveat below in my DNW. Wacky, cracky, witty, puny, sweet and light, dark and snarky. Pretty much anything except...

DNW: I have a huge embarrassment squick. Don't humiliate my beloved characters. Definitely don't let their partners treat them purposefully cruelly. No partner betrayal, please. Angst away, if necessary but leave at least a glimmer of hope.
On to my requests.
( HGTTG, The Orville, Sharknado, Die Hard Movies, Corrina Corrina ) Thanks so much, and have fun! And if I happen to end up on the pitch-hit list, (way better than an actual hit-list) thanks for taking this on!

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Fic: (You've Shown Me) Things I So Needed to See :Point Break

2018-10-21T17:09:25Z

Got my NYR fic in just in time. First try at this fandom (You've Shown Me) Things I So Needed to See (1177 words) by HYPERFocused
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Point Break (1991)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Bodhi/Johnny Utah, Tyler Endicott/Johnny Utah
Characters: Bodhi (Point Break), Johnny Utah, Tyler Endicott, Angelo Pappas, Ben Harp
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Angst and Porn, Crimes & Criminals, Surfing
Summary:

Johnny's in over his head. Drowning shouldn't feel this good.

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Calling the Geek Squad

2018-03-07T22:32:29Z

My paid DW account lapsed, which is not that big of a deal, except that many of the icons I regularly use are now “inactive”. Anyone know if one can rearrange their order to choose the 15 they want to use?

Does anyone know how to setup an iPad in a household with several iOS devices so that music and apps can be shared, but photos/videos aren’t?

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