Gossip Girl is back tonight, and I'm still loving it. ( The good, the bad, and the Bass )

Also, I totally have a sinus infection, so the fic challenge is on hold.

First and foremost, Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! The stockings were hung and all that, and mom is cooking breakfast as we speak. Yummo.

My first Yuletide was a smashing success, as I loved both my main story (What Happens In Vegas) and my Yuletide treat (Pink Cupcakes). Friday Night Lights and Cupid FTW!

And one last ado before the without further ado of my first 12 Days fic...2 prompt slots (conveniently, 11 and 12) still remain in my personal fic challenge. If you'd like to get in a last-minute request, act now by going here.

And now, without further ado...the fic!

Title: 12 Days of Crossovers: One St. Jude's Tie
Author: angel_grace
Rating: PG-13, for one use of profanity
Pairing: Julie Taylor/Chuck Bass
Spoilers: No show-specific ones, I don't think, for either Friday Night Lights or Gossip Girl.
Summary: A small-town girl in the big city. To Chuck Bass, that's pretty much catnip.
Disclaimer: Friday Night Lights and Gossip Girl were created by and are owned by people other than me. No profit is being made from the use of these characters.
Author's Note: Written for my own personal 12 Days of Crossovers fic challenge. Pairing and prompt provided by leobrat.

( One St. Jude's Tie )

THIRTY-FOUR PAGES for the latest Gossip Girl recap?! Seriously, TWoP? That's practically a transcript.

And yet you couldn't even catch the John Hughes shout-out last week. Lame.

Huh. Tonight's episode of Gossip Girl was...interesting. ( In loving memory )

Is it bad that I'm totally ready for the TV doldrums known as December? I need a break, people. In the meantime, though, some notes on Monday night...

I still find Gossip Girl entertaining, but much like The O.C. before it, Josh Schwartz has created a lead couple (or non-couple, as the case may be) that is simultaneously boring and annoying. ( The simplest terms and the most convenient definitions )

Meanwhile, I'm so over Heroes that I have no idea why I'm still watching. Seth Green and Breckin Meyer were the only redeeming aspects this week, and they're guest stars. Every sixth episode feels like a giant do-over. There's no continuity. There's no plot progression. No one ever dies (except recurring characters that I actually like). The integration of storylines is practically nonexistent--it's like four separate shows that happen to share an hour.

So why can't I stop watching?

Also, if you have not already done so, please feel free to request a fic for my 12 Days of Crossovers Fic Challenge!

Does anyone happen to have a screencap of ( Gossip Girl question )

Monday night was the first test of fall DVR insanity, although Chuck still isn't back. I managed to watch Gossip Girl, Heroes (how did I not realize it was two hours?), How I Met Your Mother, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The Big Bang Theory is on tap for after work tonight, and as planned, I've abandoned One Tree Hill, even though I will miss Jamie.

Gossip Girl continues to be all sorts of trashy fun, and I really enjoyed most of the developments in last night's episode. ( All hail Queen S )

Another decent, if not spectacular, episode of The Sarah Connor Chronicles this week. ( Sorry, Charley )

And then, of course, there was Heroes. Holy crap, a lot of stuff happened. It was confusing enough on its own, but add the huge time gap since the S2 finale aired, and I had trouble keeping up.

( Playing catch-up )

On tap for tonight: DVRing NCIS and The Mentalist (mmm, Simon Baker) on CBS, and House and Fringe on FOX. 90210 and Eureka get the live view, Greek will be recorded during its Wednesday late-night re-airing, and I'll catch Privileged on Sunday. At least this is the mid-season finale for Eureka, which will make things a little easier.

Well, this is the last week before my TV viewing schedule goes absolutely, completely batshit insane. I've already dropped one new show--True Blood--since I couldn't even compel myself to watch the entire first episode. The new 90210 is still on probation. Ryan Eggold is all kinds of hot, but the fact that I'm mostly watching for the grownups--some of whom aren't even series regulars--doesn't exactly bode well. Despite it not being part of my original fall grid, I've added Privileged to the lineup, and it's a stronger contender than 90210. Adding it does make Tuesdays at 8 iffy, though, at least until Greek and Eureka finish their current runs.

I had hoped to be caught up with House before the season premiere tonight, but that didn't quite happen. I'm through episode 5 of S4, so only 11 to go--a lot closer than the 35 I was behind a few weeks ago! So far, I'm not minding the arc of House finding a new team. I've read a lot of bitching and moaning about Chase and Cameron being marginalized, but so far I just don't care. Cameron mostly irritated me anyway, and although Jesse Spencer is gorgeous, I often felt that Chase was underdeveloped. His new dynamic with House is more compelling to me, even though there's less focus on his character.

After I finish marathoning House, I really need to tackle Supernatural, and then Lost.

Monday night TV this week was good, if not great. For starters, Chuck and Blair continue to be the best thing about Gossip Girl. ( XOXO )

As noted in last night's very brief entry, One Tree Hill made me cry. Like, a lot. ( James Lucas Scott FTW )

Last but not least, there was Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I just really enjoy this show, even when it's maybe not the most exciting episode. ( Silkwood Showers )

Oh, TV, I've missed you. Sure, I had my summer dalliances with So You Think You Can Dance, The Middleman, Psych, etc. But it feels like forever since there was a full slate of shows for me to anticipate. We're not actually there yet, as the premieres are spread out over the next month or two, but last night got things off to a pretty good start.

For starters, there was the return of Gossip Girl. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but if Matt Nathanson can cop to watching it, then I guess it's good enough for me. Overall, I was pleased with the season premiere. The things I enjoy were still there, as were the things that annoy. ( Summer, Kind of Wonderful )

Although I don't plan to keep up with it once Heroes is back on, I did watch One Tree Hill last night. ( The deification of Lucas Scott )

Finally, I watched the season (possibly series?) finale of The Middleman. Not the best, not the worst. I definitely have a few issues with the show, but overall I enjoy it. If it doesn't get renewed, I won't exactly be rending my garments. ( Cue the goatees of evil )

I am working on a Veronica/Lamb apocafic. It's going very slowly, as I am apparently incapable of writing anything short and fun. It's all plotty and angsty and why won't they just have sex already?!

*sigh* So I realize that everyone is pretty much OMGWTFBBQ about the Bones finale, but I gotta say...I'm surprisingly okay with it. Even more, I sorta saw it coming months ago. ( It's really all about Booth and Brennan )

In other news, I absolutely loved the Gossip Girl finale. ( Shut up, Serena )

Also watched the OTH finale... 1) Shut up, Peyton. 2) Shut up, Lucas. 3) I vote Brooke/Dr. Hottie. 4) Haley-Nathan-Jamie-Quentin for the effing WIN. Love them. That is all Oh! Except that the thing with Dan was AWESOME and the ending with Lucas was 27 kinds of lame.

Gossip Girl and Greek and Bones, oh my. (Oh, and HIMYM too!) Monday night television is officially overwhelming.

That said, I got bored today, and decided to write a bit of fic, since I'm stalled on the Sam Winchester/Veronica story I'm working on. I wanted to write Dan/Blair, but somehow ended up writing Chuck/Blair instead. Whatever.

Title: "Not Quite Peace, Love, and Understanding"
Author: angel_grace
Pairing: Chuck/Blair
Rating: mild R, for a bit of language and some sexual situations
Disclaimer: Gossip Girl isn't mine; just playing for fun and no profit.
Spoilers: Through 1.17, "Woman on the Verge"
Summary: Blair and Chuck, together again. The back of a limo. Banter. Anger. What could it possibly lead to?

( Not Quite Peace, Love, and Understanding )

I'm not dead. Just lazy.

Have been playing catch-up on various TV shows, which I am, again, too lazy to detail here.

I did, however, see Iron Man opening weekend, and loved it beyond reason. See icon.

Also watched tonight's Gossip Girl, and although the show is by no means perfect, there were many, many parts that I absolutely loved. ( I'm Chuck Bass. )

Happy New Year to one and all! Despite the fact that I've been posting fics on a near-daily basis, I've been pretty much MIA since right around Christmas. I was on vacation with my family, and although I obviously had Internet access, I didn't want to spend too much time surfing the 'net and catching up on LJ.

A big thanks to everyone who sent holiday cards--I'm typing this at work, so I can't go check exactly who all of you were. But they were received and I loved them! I hope yours made it to you as well.

I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but I will say that this year I am hoping to get back into an exercise routine, eat better, and do some "real" writing (even though I can't seem to break my fic addiction). I also need to try and stop reading the WGA strike coverage, because it annoys the ever-living crap out of me.

I am very excited about the fact that I received Waitress for Christmas. Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but yippee for Nathan Fillion hotness. Mmm.

Per a tipoff from pathstotread, I took advantage of Amazon's $69.99 price and ordered Angel: The Complete Series. Since I don't currently own any of the seasons on DVD, this was a pretty easy decision to make. :)

Watched Gossip Girl last night, which was partially interrupted by a phone call. I am so not a phone person. But a few things of note: ( Humphrey Dumpty sat on a wall )

By the way, for anyone who is interested, there is some truly stellar How I Met Your Mother Barney/Robin fic over at himym_fic. Most of them key off of the first-season episode in which the two of them go play lazer tag, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. :) It's a relatively small fic fandom, but most of what I've read has been good.

I really, really want to see 27 Dresses.

Title: Twelve Days of Veronica (A Dirty Dozen): Six Truly Offensive Pickup Lines
Author: angel_grace
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Veronica/Chuck Bass
Spoilers: Through the series finale of VM; through "Victor/Victrola" of GG
Summary: Veronica spends a memorable night in NYC, at a club owned by the notorious Chuck Bass.
Disclaimer: Veronica Mars and its characters were created by Rob Thomas. I'm not him. Gossip Girl and its characters were created by...someone other than me.
Author's Note: Written for my own personal 12 Days of Veronica Fic Challenge. The prompt, "six truly offensive pickup lines," was supplied by monimala.

( Six truly offensive pickup lines )

Nicked from leobrat...

Post the first lines of the first fic posted each month in 2007
(I missed a couple months, unfortunately)

January
(Technically, When the Cupcakes Aren't the Best Part was the first fic of January, but it was co-written with monimala, and she wrote the first lines! This is the first fic that was just mine.)

For once, Serenity was living up to its name. The ship was quiet, only the hum of the engines breaking the silence.

But inside River's mind, there was no quiet. She could hear the sleeping thoughts of the crew, scattered throughout the ship.

Landing, River/Jayne

February

Don Lamb contemplated the ice cubes slowly melting in his glass of Scotch. It was his birthday, and while normally that would be cause for celebration--particularly with a woman of the slutty persuasion--this year it was hitting him hard.

Christ, he was 35. Thirty-five years old, and what did he have to show for it? No wife, no kids, no prospects. He was stuck in this shitty little town that really only had good weather going for it.

Unwrapped, Veronica/Lamb

March

Eli Navarro was bored. He was home alone for the weekend, with no miscellaneous relatives around to ratchet up the noise level. He'd watched all three Terminator movies back-to-back-to-back, and then couldn't find the remote, so he watched the last hour of Legally Blonde. It didn't hurt that Reese Witherspoon was hot.

He'd ordered a large pepperoni pizza, the remains of which were still sitting on the coffee table. He'd gone through half a box of Thin Mints, a bag of microwave popcorn, and most of a fifth of Jack Daniels. He'd jerked off to alternating fantasies of Jessica Alba and Veronica Mars, but even that got old after a while. If that didn't scream "bored and pathetic," he didn't know what did.

Pity's Optional, Veronica/Weevil

April

The rec center at Hearst was nearly deserted on Saturday night; most people were at frat parties or on dates. Even Mac, her trusty girl-power sidekick, was out living it up with Bronson.

There was no one else in the women's locker room when Veronica changed into her bathing suit, and she hoped the pool would be empty as well. She preferred to swim alone.

The Shallow End, Veronica/Lamb

May
(Again, the first fic of May was co-written with monimala, this time our VM/HP crackfic sequel, All's Ferret in Love and War. And again, she wrote the first lines! So we'll skip to the next one.)

Veronica Mars glanced up from her lunch and nearly choked on her lemonade. What in the world was he doing here?

She stood up and made her way across the room, weaving among the small cafeteria tables. Plunking herself down in the seat across from his, she asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

The Education of Veronica Mars, Veronica/Prof. David Wilder

June

none :(

July

Ryan knocked on the door and waited, his hands thrust into the pockets of his pants. He was just about ready to walk away when the door was flung open.

“Ryan? What are you doing here?” Summer asked.

“It’s your birthday. We always get together on your birthday.”

“But Seth and I broke up.”

The Alternate, Ryan/Summer

August

Dean took a sip of his beer, his eyes never leaving the somewhat weary-looking stripper gyrating on the stage. Dillon, Texas didn't exactly offer the finest in nighttime entertainment, but he'd never been too picky when it involved naked women.

There was a commotion near the door, and he turned, senses kicking to high alert. Too many years of hunting.

Texas Two-Step, Dean Winchester/Tyra Collette

September

Veronica massaged her temples with her fingertips, and tried not to scream. Second semester had only been underway for a week, but the professors hadn't wasted any time piling on the work.

It was Thursday night, and she was working the late shift at the library, while trying to get some of her own work done.

Aiding and Abedding, Veronica/Lamb

October

People say that men and women can't be just friends, that it always turns into something sexual, but Cooper isn't buying it. He and Violet have been friends for years, and they've never so much as kissed. Sure, there have been friendly pecks on the cheek and the occasional comforting kiss on the forehead, but no honest to God, lip to lip contact.

Incidental, Cooper/Violet

November

none :(

December

Dan still felt awkward walking into the Palace Hotel. The fact that he and Serena had been almost-but-not-quite dating for two months didn't seem to matter. The concierge still glared as though he expected Dan to start taking hostages at any moment, and Mrs. van der Woodsen treated him like he had the plague.

And then, of course, there was Blair. Blair, Serena had patiently explained, was part of the package. They were BFFs, even on days when they hated each other, and if Dan wanted to date Serena, he had to deal with Blair.

Play Nice, Dan/Blair

Title: “Play Nice”
Author: angel_grace
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2920
Spoilers: General through 1.4, “Bad News Blair”
Disclaimer: Sadly, not mine. If they were, Chuck wouldn’t have looked so sad this week.
Summary: Serena wants her best friend and her boyfriend to get along. She should be careful what she wishes for.
Author’s Note: I actually wrote this quite a while ago, even before I wrote Purity Pledge. Needless to say, it diverges from canon. It’s also a little schmoopy. Oh well.

( Play Nice )

I'm already sick of winter, and it hasn't even officially started yet. *sigh*

On the plus side, Gossip Girl continues to be awesome, and Private Practice is currently more enjoyable than Grey's Anatomy. Meanwhile, Ugly Betty is having what I'd like to call a sophomore anti-slump.

( Hi, Society )

( How do I love thee, David Sutcliffe? )

( McShutUpIDon'tCareHowPrettyPatrickDempseyIsAnymore )

( Oh, Egg Salad )

Due to the impending disconnect from my much beloved TiVo and switch to a (hopefully functional) TiFaux, I've been playing catch-up with several of my shows. (Some, like Supernatural, I'm so far behind on that I have been transferring them to DVD for later viewing). As such, I am mostly up-to-date with Chuck, CSI, Gossip Girl, and Friday Night Lights. A few thoughts on each...

Chuck: With every successive episode of this show, I love it a little bit more. Who would have guessed that the same person who played irritating plot device Madison on Everwood would be so awesome as Ellie? Sarah Lancaster is great in the role, even though I'm still not used to her as a brunette. ( Captain Awesome and the erstwhile Jayne Cobb )

CSI: For so long, this was my favorite show. Now it's not even my favorite incarnation of the franchise. Non-memorable cases, irritating insertions of personal issues (no, I really don't want to know about Sara's abusive past, or her relationship with Gil, or Catherine's daddy issues, or Warrick's absentee wife), and a completely unbalanced use of cast members (Eric Szmanda got more face time when Greggo was just a lab tech) have all caused my love to fade. I still enjoy the show, but if a couple episodes stack up on my TiVo, I'm not all that concerned. Even the Miniature Killer case, which was so damn cool, devolved into The Tale of Gil and Sara and Their Secret Love That Makes Me Want to Spork My Eyes Out. ( Meh )

Gossip Girl: I have to say, this is totally a guilty pleasure show for me. I'm not sure it's reached the great heights of, say, The O.C. season 1, or even Dawson's Creek season 3, but it's a heck of a lot of fun to watch. Pretty people wearing crazy clothes and having inappropriate sex--what's not to love? ( Not just trash TV )

Friday Night Lights: My God, how I love this show. Over-the-top Tyra/Landry plot? Yeah, I don't care. Coach Taylor off at TMU? Forgiven. Because no matter what, Eric, Tami, Matt, Tyra, Landry, Riggins, Street, even effing Buddy Garrity...they are fabulous. ( Deep in the heart of Texas )

Because I am apparently incapable of 'shipping canon, and Gossip Girl is a total guilty pleasure, a wee bit of Dan/Blair.

Title: "Purity Pledge"
Author: angel_grace
Rating: R, for language and sexual situations
Pairing: Blair/Dan
Word Count: 845
Spoilers: General through 1.4, "Bad News Blair."
Disclaimer: Very much not mine. I just enjoy playing with the pretty people.
Summary: Blair decides that waiting is overrated, and revenge is best served naked.

( Purity Pledge )

Neither Gossip Girl nor Private Practice is a perfect show, but I find myself enjoying them both. Really, the crop of new shows this season seems fairly lackluster, and the fact that two I actually like air opposite each other is annoying.

GG is, essentially, a guilty pleasure. Those are nice things to have--fun, fluffy shows that I don't worry about too much. Pretty people doing stupid things generally makes for compelling television. The nice thing is that GG seems to be settling into a decent groove. The first couple episodes were a bit frustrating, since the characters really weren't fleshed out. But the more we learn about these people, the better the show gets. ( And I said what about Breakfast at Tiffany's )

As for PP, I know that the Thing To Do is rag on how much it sucks, and how it isn't as good as Grey's was in the beginning, and blah-de-blah-blah, but you know what? Fuck that. Sure, it has its flaws. But I like the actors, and with each successive week, I like the characters more. It made me laugh way more times than it made me cringe last night. And, of course, Cooper/Violet for the win! ( Figure out what they want, and give it to them )