The Doctrine of Sparrabeth

Usually, mine never do.  This one, however, is the exception.  *headdesk*

The timing for such  absurdity leaves much to be desired.  I am neither in the mood nor do I possess the patience for it; however, blessedly, that very fact is a journal's purpose: to rant freely about such absurdity.  

Hypocrite: (noun) A person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives.  

My, how they run rampant.  In some ways, I do revel in the ill-timed hypocrisy as, under normal circumstances, I would remain neutral, but considering my level of patience as of late, I would have enjoyed throwing my hat into the ring.  Since that is no longer an option, I will, still holding to the level of anonymity and civility I feel is proper, take up said issue here instead.

21 hours, 30 minutes.  Is it masochistic that I'm counting down?  Maybe.  I am never nervous before a surgery, and I doubt I will be this time, but the anticipation is driving me bananas.  

Thanksgiving is going to be...interesting.  I keep telling everyone to put it all in a blender and I'll suck it through a straw.  Ugh.  But that's okay.  No more pain after this, except for the recover pain... then the second procedure, which will be uncomfortable and the one I'm looking forward to the least.  Ugh seconded.

So I'm having a pre-op fun night tonight.  Something to pass the time.  I figure I'll continue with the massive WTF list from AWE.  That's always fun and productive, actually.  By the time we're done with the list, I'm sure it will number over 100.  Entertaining if nothing else.  I have other movies to watch, too, but nothing sad tonight.  That would be completely counterproductive, I think.   

I'm babbling.  No surprise there.  I hate waiting.  

So I'll be offline for several days, definitely a downer.  I'll have a lot to catch up on, which means I'll be entertained, but still...I am Not Amused about that.  I could miss some serious Sweeney Todd news! :(  *sigh*  

Here's to the good Dr. Fruit and Dr. I-Can't-Think-of-a-Pseudonym-For.  May your poker game have gone well!  *crosses fingers*

Oh, go drown in your self-importance and stop wasting space, you mediocre git!

...and the problems it can cause.  

There are many different elements of a fandom, so naturally, they will break off into groups, segregate if you will, according to what they prefer.  It's natural, as are the wars that can pop up and spread from board to board when it comes to romantic pairings.  But the question that nags my mind is why, on a couple-specific board, would there be threads created for one part of that specific couple being paired with another character?  Doesn't matter to me if you like the other character.  Frankly, as far as Pirates are concerned, I like a great deal of the characters.  I feel sorry for some of them that got the shaft in the series.  I can even understand supporting a pairing in theory had the movies gone another way, but none of those things explain to me why a shipping thread would exist that pairs one part of the board couple-of-choice with someone else.

Today, I am irked by:

self-righteous people who make it their business to critique how you live your life.  I don't mean in a helpful, "I think it would be a good idea if you..." way.  No, no.  That's fine.  I'm speaking more on a, "I believe that is a sin" way or a, "I don't approve of you doing that" kind of way.  

I fully believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion; however, I am equally entitled to a.) not ask for your opinion, b.) not listen to it when it is given against my will, c.) completely disagree and then disregard it whether it was solicited or not, and d.) get pissed off when you rape my ears with your unwanted fucking point of view!  

My eyes, my eyes, my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!  *repeated headdesking*  Omg, please, shoot me now.  Holy bloody hell.

Roleplaying is great, but honestly.... no.  Just... no.  


I need a drink.  And something sharp.
*ambles off to find something to gouge out my eyes with*  

Why?!?!??!?!??!??!

Okay, seriously...  You can string together a sentence; congratulations.  Does that automatically give you incentive to attempt writing a story?  It shouldn't.  I'm all for attempting creativity or giving something a decent shot, but for crying out loud!  If you read fic, really good fic, and then you attempt your own and it's nowhere near the quality of the authors you feel have talent...that should be a clue.  Don't get me wrong - nothing ventured, nothing gained, but some things should never be ventured at all.  For example, I can't draw.  I am not an artist, therefore, I don't attempt to pass off my horrific stick-figures and one-dimensional sunflowers as art.  Makes sense to me.  *shrug*

Sex scenes.  Ah, fucking.... It's wonderful, great, can add volumes to a story, and sometimes, they're just great get-off tools.  However, there are plenty of talented authors that just don't have a knack for writing sex.  It isn't for everyone.  But for Heaven's sakes, if you must write sex, why oh why must you make it so that the shudder your reader experiences is one of horror and disgust and not one of pleasure?  Why?  *headdesk*  I know to each their own; I'm not disputing that.  One person's disdain for a fic may be another person's thrill.  I get it.  I just don't get the idea behind some of it.  In my book, the kinkier the better; more descriptions, more chances for that good shudder I mentioned earlier; the more passion, the hotter.  But some things don't qualify and some just cross the line of ickiness.  

As far as plot goes, I'm actually not that picky really.  We all interpret these characters differently and what we feel they are capable of.  What's in-character for one may not ring true for another.  I'm not complaining at all about that.  I know my views of Jack differ from other people, and that's great - that's what makes things interesting.  It's the quality of writing that I bitch about.  If your style is casual, then have incomplete sentences; that's fine.  If you're style is formal, then make it consistent.  If you don't know the difference between your and you're, don't bother unless you've got a beta with strong English skills.  If you use modern language in a period piece, don't bother unless you've got a beta that will snap you back into the appropriate time period.  If you don't understand the workings of a ship, that's fine, not many do...but find a beta who does.  If you insist on cribbing lines from the films, at least take the time to rework them into something realistic - a clever callback or something.  This list could go on, but honestly, it's not complex stuff here.  *headdesk again*

I sound judgmental; I realize that.  It's not really my intention, though you do tend to judge harsher when it comes to things about which you are truly passionate.  Still, I think if writing is something you want to try, by all means, do.  But if your finished product doesn't sound right -- and by God, you should know -- that is what betas are for.  Good ones.  Honest ones.  Let them edit the shit out of it until it is right.  That's what they're there for.  A beta should compliment you on the good things and critique you on the things that need improvement while still being encouraging.  Would I ever come out and say, this sucks in my opinion?  No.  But I promise I'd find a way to change what didn't work and not blow smoke up the person's ass. 

Oy.  I have a headache.

Really Bad Eggs

It's not a PG-13 forum, and it is for Sparrabethers only.
Willabethers and those who lurk simply to cause trouble will be terminated immediately.

See the Subject Title?  There.  You have been warned.  Only one you're going to get.

*deep breath*

"tasteless pirates *eyeroll*" and other such comments on other boards AND condoned by someone who supposedly is a fan of the site...(doubtful)... just make me want to scream.

Obviously, this is just one of my random posts, separate from Sparrabethians.

------

It is frustrating to me to see the behavior of some completely overlooked while the behavior of others is openly chastised. Furthermore, upon the whining and sniveling done by the overlooked offender, there is no ashortage of those willing to jump to their aid in their "time of need". The offender in question is blatantly narcissistic in nature and completely lost in their own reality, enough to go beyond just disagreeing with the opinions of others, but carrying that disagreement to other threads and continuing the mocking behavior from the original thread.

While the attitude towards that is one of "turning one's head to look the other way", the very same attitude seems to only be utilized when dealing with any other shipper than that of Sparrabeth. Yes, I realize, that is just the way it goes there, and I accept it. But that doesn't make it any easier to swallow, and it still pisses me off just the same.

I suppose I take it personally because a great deal of this overlooked offender's grievances dealt directly with me, so I really cannot help but take it personally. This person's blatant need to play the role of a martyr is not only aggravating at the very least but disgusting as well. Yet the game of kissing the appropriate ass is played with skill, so I guess that is only to be expected.

I just find it disheartening to see the behavior allowed, and the lesser-offensive behavior of others publically chastised. And I especially hate it when the official response is, "You need a break and time to re-evaluate what is important to you and your family." No, that was not the response I got, but one to another who feels the same way. I didn't get a response at all. So I guess that only serves to prove that without the appropriate level of ass-kissing, valid complaints go unnoticed and unaddressed.

*hops off my soapbox now*

The Complex Captain Jack - sparrabethians.

Some questions abaout Pintel and Ragetti in sparrabethians.

New point of discussion posted at Sparrabethians.  

Please drop by, join the community if you wish, and give your thoughts on the subject.  I'd love to hear from you.

I am completely baffled by the state of a certain website. The behavior that is being allowed by moderators that is certainly not allowed of its members is apalling. Especially in light of one of the members being recently banned, it sickens me to see the one who started it all engaging in highly inappropriate behavior, per the TOU, with the two mods that originally jumped the banned member's shit in the first place.

And in a separate thread, one that was a bit inappropriate as well, if not just purely disgusting, one of those mods was out-and-out rude to a member. And it upset that member greatly enough to where she signed off for the remainder of the night. And this is allowed? I'm just disgusted.

I brought it to the attention of a different mod, and it was basically ignored. So I have now written to Admin twice about this. I doubt anything will be done, but for a site that promotes their own integrity, they need to take a closer look at the ones they've placed in charge of maintaining it.

If you've read my profile, you already know that I'm Hide_the_Rum, aka HTR, from the KTTC (Keep to the Code) forums.  

This is one of my many livejournals.  I also created Sparrabethians, a Community for discussion and analyzing of all things Sparrabeth.  If you haven't already, please do read my profile, and if you feel so inclined, hop over to the Sparrabethians Community and join up!  It's just starting, so feel free to pass it along to your fellow J/E Shippers!