Perhaps we will know anything if we ride for long enough.*

[nellacitta]

I have loved loved loved seeing people posting to DW and LJ these days. You guys are awesome! In the spirit of posting little things more often, I just listened to the Subway episode of Welcome to Nightvale and am just DYING.

HOW ARE YOU SO PERFECT, SHOW?!?!

I honestly don't understand. Transit as a portal to infinite space/time knowledge?! I am refraining from quoting the whole thing with exclamation marks, which, to be honest, is how I feel most episodes, so. 

In other news.

Hockey! Yeah, so, I fell into hockey RPF. Sid/Geno, hearts in my eyes! The worst/best is....I've also decided to actually follow hockey. I mean. I love baseball. But I already care more and have listened to more preseason hockey games than I ever have of baseball. I've looked up sports bars in order to see where I can watch games. I've considered subscribing to the digital service that would allow me to see some games. (But not the playoffs, come on!) I know about "lines" and "power plays" and "hat tricks." I finally understand the appeal of the large, HD television. (The ice, it's so clear! I can actually see the puck! Oh god, who am I?!) Don't get me wrong. Obsessing about hockey is somewhat necessary because there isn't much fic, but I read through most/all of what was on AO3 and am now going back and basically reading it all over again. SO MANY FEELINGS. 

In case you are now wondering, man, what made her think it was okay to jump straight into sports RPF (not that one needs a justification or excuse), well, Generation Kill? And in fact, BOTH of these can be blamed on a combination of thefourthvine and soul-bounding fic, which is apparently a weak spot I have.  More on this later. Perhaps. 

And with that, one final thought........at the moment of greatest despair and hopelessness, when you least expect it, a shuttle bus will come to you.*

*Welcome to Nightvale, Episode 29, Subway

Comments

[schneefink]

Ahahaha oh hockey. That sounds sooo familiar. I started with reading fic, now I'm discussing who would fit best on the second line (or the fourth, stop forgetting Joey V, people) and which Division is the hardest and which team completely overperformed last season. I'm still not quite sure how that happened. It's not even my national league.
But it's fun! (Most of the time. The Boston series never happened.) The season starts tonight, yay :)

[nellacitta]

I am SO SORRY I never replied to this. I desperately want to connect to hockey fandom, but I don't know where it lives, and it was so awesome to see that you are already in it!

Yay! Who is your team? Do you have multiple? What's your favorite fic? Also feel free to take a month and a half to answer this, since that's apparently my response rate.

[schneefink]

Well, "in it" is a relative term. I'm more of a lurker. I'm mostly on reddit r/hockey for the actual hockey fandom, and lurking in several places for Hockey RPF fandom. There's a lot of it on twitter, where I occasionally stalk the public fic snippets, there are pics and gifs and quotes on Tumblr, there are a few LJ comms that are not overly active, and a fairly aggressive anon meme. The holiday exchange just closed sign-ups about a week ago, so you probably missed it :(

My team are the Penguins! (Though I don't really ship anyone.) I also like several other players/teams, like the Habs and the Stars and Ovi and Jagr, and others, but those change more frequently and the Pens are "my team." (Fiiinally Bylsma is maybe switching up the lines? We really need wins against the Ducks and the Caps, and a few goals for/from Geno.)

Favorite fic, I have no idea, there are many good ones. But I'll probably always have a special fondness for Heart in Hand because that one probably got me into it. I should make a rec list one of these days; it'll be more fun now that I know at least one person on my flist is interested *g*

What about you, now that the season started - still into it? Less or worse than ever? ;) Favorite teams/players/fic?

[nellacitta]

Tell me about the redddit/ r ! I really need a place to go after games to get excited. Though I won't lie, I really want the community that does mini-fics and episode reactions, but where games are episodes. I suppose there are more games, so it might not be quite the same, but I still feel like such a thing could exist?

(and also the others, links please!) Oh, and I'll follow you on twitter? That and tumblr is where I get most of my hockey these days, though tumblr does kill my soul a little.

I'm toooootally still into it. I don't think I anticipated how much FUN watching hockey is. But it really really is. I caught the Pens/Caps game last night and it was AWESOME. I mean, Geno needs to get a goal, but at least he was shooting a lot more. (I totally ship everyone, particularly as hockey buds, and seeing him and Sid talking on the bench at one point, I've decided Sid was telling him to just keep shooting, believe in yourself Geno! Probably something with fewer feeling though.)

Oh, and yes, TOTALLY PENS. Mostly cause I feel in love with Sidney and Geno and Flower and Nealsy and everyone else. I have found myself also watching the Chicago Blackhawks, in part because reading stories that take place in Chicago was too hard for me to resist. And they are a really fun team to watch play. But I find I can't actually be a fan for a team with an Indian Head mascot. It's so awful. Just make it a hawk, guys, everyone calls you that anyways. Blergh.

But watching the Caps/Pens game was particularly fun because the hilarious rivalries the announcers get so excited about. Also, that tic-tac-toe was ridiculous. Oh hockey, I love you.

Link me Head and Heart? I can't remember if I've read that one or not. Probably my fav is the soul bonding thefourthvine either wrote or recced, I can't remember now. Soul-bonding is apparently a weak spot for me. Got me into Generation Kill fandom and into hockey. Ridic.

Sorry to be so effusive at you, I just haven't had anyone to talk to hockey about, and it's really been the funnest new thing in my life lately.

[schneefink]

You really don't have to apologize for talking hockey at me! :D I don't get enough opportunities to do so as is, I keep annoying my RL family and friends who don't understand a word I'm saying.

Watching games is hard for me because I'm in Europe and they're in the middle of the night :( So I usually watch the highlights at dtmts.com in the morning, or I look up results on my phone if I'm impatient. But I stayed up to watch the Pens/Ducks game, even the first two periods were very exciting despite being 0-0 and then the third period was especially nice :) It's soo much fun, I have to be silent because people in the house are sleeping so I'm doing a lot of silly gestures instead *g*

I try to resist the Hawks too, mostly because of logo + Kane, though I do admire their hockey and Tazer seems like a great guy.

http://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/ : I heard that Reddit was supposed to be a sexist site, but I've (almost) never noticed that on r/hockey. The Game Day Threads are a lot of fun before and during games, it has good highlights and links to interesting articles and discussions, and I enjoy weekly threads like question tuesday, manners monday, trash talk friday, and wager wednesday. There are a few RPF fans undercover, I've even seen a link to AO3 once.

I'm not on Twitter because I can't afford to spend more time on yet another social network... I'm teddybearsandspaceships on Tumblr, where I also post a lot of non-hockey content. I found most hockey people there via links to their tumblrs on AO3.

LJ comms are e.g. http://home-ice.livejournal.com/, http://hockeypedia.livejournal.com/ , and you can find more from there. Not all are very active, I think.

Heart in Hand: http://archiveofourown.org/works/367413 (locked), Sid/Ovi. Funny, fluff, trope-y romance with bonus angst, a story I like to reread. Just ignore the unrealistic aspects, as with nearly every Hockey RPF fic. Maybe after exams I'll have time to make a proper rec list.

Hah, I also got into Generation Kill shortly before hockey and I was mad because several great GK authors switched to hockey. Now I don't mind *g*

Pens/Islanders tonight! The Islanders have two of three Austrians in the NHL right now, so I know which side our national newspapers will be on *g*
Hopefully with a goal for Geno, he's really due one, he's playing some excellent hockey. And I hope Bortuzzo gets to play again sometime soon, not that I dislike Engo but I feel sorry for Borts. It'll be even worse for our defensemen and playing time when Scuderi comes back.
They should win this one for Zatkoff, I hope he plays well and gets more starts because as much as I love Flower he can't keep up this many games. I hope he doesn't play in the Olympics because he could probably use the rest (and he already has a gold medal and Carey Price deserves one with the way he's playing and how his team is playing in front of him, poor guy.)

I'm currently writing my first hockey rpf fic and it's going surprisingly not badly... I sort of glossed over the 2013 playoffs :( That's still painful.

[nellacitta]

YAY, more places to talk about and see people talking about hockey. THIS IS VERY FUN. I find that it's hard for me to time watching games live, since the Pens tend to start while I'm still at work. (Like today, ugh, so painful.)

BUT, THAT ISLANDERS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to watch it forever, SO GREAT. Geeeeeeenooooooo, I love you!! So great. (And I mean, Sid's goal today, was pretty amazing. That was ridic.)

Ahem, but my point was, it's hard to watch live, and it's hard then to find a place to react with other fans once I do catch up! So, yay for new communities, etc.

I do not know if I can handle Sid/Ovi, but I suppose it's only a matter of time.

Also, YAY for you writing hockey rpf. I'm sure it will be amazing, and I can't wait. Hockey is a funny fandom.......I keep wanting to go back and watch the previous seasons, you know, but 1) no possible way I'd have the time for that, and 2) it's like like they are on netflix or in boxset form. weird to jump into a sport in the middle.

Finally, here is a gif of Geno looking adordable: http://i.imgur.com/bAkLid3.gif.

[schneefink]

(I forgot about pensburgh.com, they often have post-game discussion threads.)

Ugh, that game today. So many highs and lows. I watched it live even though I have an exam today that I'm not well prepared for... but hockey! Argh.

Geno and Neal are heating up! Admittedly it's an advantage that Jokinen-Malkin-Neal are considered the second line and Kuni-Sid-Duper get the top D pairings, but still. Hat trick next? :)

Bennett is injured :( And so is Glass. No luck. And that just when Bennett got a look on the first line because Duper is cold right now. So we'll be stuck with a mediocre third line, I hope Shero trades for some help there, though injuries haven't made it easier and I feel a bit sorry for Sutter.

I hope Tanger gets it together. Not very impressed with him so far and he did just sign a huge contract.

I don't think there are many pairings in Hockey RPF that I wouldn't read, there's not too much choice. It's different from huge fandoms like SGA.

Yes, and it's not like the previous games are always easy to find. (actually they are if you're willing to pay *cough*) And I don't think I'd want to watch the 2012 Pens-Flyers series... well, maybe the 10-3 game.

Geno best )))

[nellacitta]

))))))))))))))

Also, good luck on your exam! Bruins....*shakes fist*

Geno&Neal! I loved how the announcers were so into how much they were talking on the bench last night (at least the version I was watching.) It makes me happy how much the hockey press are so fandom-y themselves. And they really are smoking, huh? It's been Sooooooooooo exciting to see Geno shooting, even as he continues to lead in assists. *loves them*

I am also worried about Flower and Zatkoff. I mean, Fluery has been awesome, and Zatkoff pretty good (I guess?) but he's sooo new, and coming from baseball, where pitchers play once every 4 games max during the regular season, it seems crazy to me to see Fluery playing so so much.

Oooh, pensburgh looks great! Will spend more time than I should there.....

[schneefink]

Thanks! I think it went well.

No, I didn't hear that :( I usually just use the first halfway decent stream I can find that doesn't pause every few seconds and don't pay much attention to which one it is. It looks like https://twitter.com/HockeyBurgh is coming back, which would be great, they usually have good quality streams and often the interviews etc. before/between periods/after.
I'm also sad I haven't been able to find the recent "Inside Penguins Hockey" episodes online, apparently they had Geno mic'd up.

But yes, in general the fannish-ness of the writers is very convenient - for example one of the writers is a big fan of Duper and another one of Geno&Lazy's bromance, it makes for nice articles ;)

Flower is playing a lot! I was more worried before I remembered that he'll get a break during the Olympics in February. And I think that right now they want to ride his hot streak and not rely on Zatkoff yet, I hope that with time Zatkoff will start a few more games.
(It's Fleury, btw, not Fluery ;) )
Vokoun is great, and I hope he gets well soon, but I'm also worried that when he's healthy again we'll have to trade someone because of the cap, and all of the high-paid players are playing well right now (frequent annoyances about Letang aside.)

[nellacitta]

Just a few shots of them pointing and gesturing on the bench. The stuff that RPF is made of. I am ALSO not sad that any clips of Geno mic'd up don't seem to be available. Damn, that is what tumblr is supposed to deliver, come on!

It's Fleury, btw, not Fluery ;) Whoops! Sorry Flower, I still love you! And good point about him being able to rest during the Olympics, and Zatkoff having more time to get comfortable. I'll breathe more easily....

Man, I just wasted too much time searching for a clip of Geno. Ok, must actually do some work now. )))))))

[schneefink]

...only now Martin and Bennett are out. I'm happy Megna and Despres are back, but the lines at practice today seemed odd... we'll see. I should watch less games live, I'm too tired.

Hee, yes, hockey is very bad for my productivity. I hope you got stuff done.

[nellacitta]

I KNOW, I saw that last night and man, they can't catch a break, can they? I hope everyone recovers ok, all of these injuries make me nervous.

Today is much more productive, so that's helping! (Ok, but then I spent far too long watching Pens videos on their website. Why so addictive??)

I'd say I'm excited about tonight's game, but it sounds like you need some sleep! Just watch the highlights in the morning!

[schneefink]

Did you watch the game? Wow, that must have been intense. I only saw the highlights, that was bad enough. What a crazy game. Two points, at least.
And the call-ups played well, apparently, so that's something. I wonder what Bortuzzo has to do to get back into the lineup...

I just realized, I really hope the injury doesn't mean Martin doesn't play in the Olympics! It would be the second time if he missed them because of an injury :(

Haha, tell me about it - I woke up today and spent the next two hours (almost) watching hockey highlights, videos, and reading articles about last night's games. Boston and Philly lost, yay! But wow, overall the Metropolitan is just bad.

[nellacitta]

I DID!!!!!! It was ridiculous! I almost sent you a message multiple times saying "(I hope you are sleeping through this." (right around the 3rd and 4th toronto goals. Oh, and the Geno/highsticking non-goal.) So, WOW.

It's funny, I am also realizing, I haven't done much "and now I can going to watch this hockey game" and despite being 1 hour of active game time, it's really a three hour watch, huh? Who needs a life outside of hockey anyways!

I can't remember it was on tumblr or twitter, but there was a LOT of questioning where Bortuzzo was and what Depres was doing out there. I have been slow to learn names etc and having all of these guys come up from Wilkes-Barre has been quite a learning curve. Conner scored and I was all "who the eff is that?!" Embarrassing!

4 to 6 weeks, if that's realistic....he could play. I don't really understand how teams are chosen (by the mysterious olympic committee?) but here's hoping.

Ok, going off to watch Geno's goals again. What a great night for him!!

[schneefink]

When we have a chance and are watching the same game live we totally should chat during, it'd be fun :D If you want.

I was trying to explain to my brother why a hockey game lasts for almost 3 hours despite 60 minutes total playing time (without OT) - 40 minutes of break, 15-20 minutes stoppages of play in each period, 30 minutes of ads? Not sure where the time goes.
And then the player interviews and the articles and the highlights... I'm pretty sure hockey is more time-consuming than any other fandom I've been in.

I get the names from Twitter, but I never remember the numbers of the rookies, and I'm only just starting to remember faces. (I know Sid&Geno&Flower etc., but Niskanen and Engo and Adams?)

Each country already chose GMs and trainers for the Olympics. Shero is assistant GM and Bylsma is head trainer for the US, so that might help Martin's chances?

GENO!
(The tying goal was definitely goaltender interference. Whatever *g*)

[nellacitta]

YES, that would be so fun!!! Hey, what about the game on Friday? It's a bit earlier, if that works better for you, and I am pretty sure I will be around to watch.

I mean, I think this is true of all sports, but having never really spent much time watching sports on TV till now, it's hard to say. Baseball doesn't have time limits, and it's something I tend to enjoy more in person.

I like Niskanen because it's fun to say! Nissssssskanen!

Haha, whatevs indeed. GENO!!!!!!

[schneefink]

Yay, Friday is an early game! I hadn't noticed. Sounds great! :D Via Skype, maybe?

The Lightning are still pretty good even without Stamkos, and their goalies are huge and good (giant Ben Bishop and tiny Marty St. Louis look adorable next to each other), but the Pens should be able to win it :)

The only sports I used to watch on TV are skiing and ski jumping, and the length varies depending on how many people are starting. I want tickets to a live hockey game for Christmas :)

Two more for Geno tomorrow! And one for Neal, one for Sid, several others... *g*

[nellacitta]

Awesome! Does Skype work for just chatting? Sadly, I have a super old computer with no video cam function. Could also do google chat, if we're just chatting?

Yay!

[schneefink]

Yes it does. I have no experience with google chat, but if it's easy to use we could do that too.

Looking forward to it!

[nellacitta]

Easy if you have a gmail account, but if you don't, I'm happy to see if I can get skype to work on my computer. Let me give it a shot!