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You know the drill. Number 12, by Squeak, after break.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 61: What Do You Do With a Drunken Unicorn?
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Just for reference, the Robert Shaw arrangement of Drunken Sailor is the only really good one I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of arrangements of that song. Below the break, my review of Tumbleweed's What Do You Do With a Drunken Unicorn?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 60: The Vinyl Scratch Tapes
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Welcome to One Man's Pony Ramblings, the pony fanfic review site so controversial it's banned in China! Is it bad if this made my day? Don't bother trying to kill my buzz by telling me that China blocks all blogger and blogspot web addresses; I think it's obvious the PRC fears me and is willing to silence me by any means necessary. But I will not be cowed! Behind the break, my review of Corey W. Williams' The Vinyl Scratch Tapes.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Episode Talk: S2E25-26, A Canterlot Wedding
Well, the end of season two has come and gone, and I'd be remiss not to make a few observations about the final episode. Overall, I'd say season two was a lot like season one; a few really good episodes, a few that made me cringe, and a whole lot that I enjoyed despite their hokier moments. But if this summer is anything like last, one thing's for certain: there's going to be a huge influx of fanfiction over the coming month or two, and at least some of it will be pretty good. So there's that to look forward to! But for now, a few thoughts on the two-part finale:
Friday, April 20, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 59: Dinky Doo's Father Revealed
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Walgreens had a 75% off sale on Easter candy. I'm now the proud owner of two large bags of Peeps. As such, I am a very happy man.
Hopefully this next story will contribute to my good mood, rather than detract from it! Below the break, my review of Dinky Doo's Father Revealed, by Roy G. Biv.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Authorial Worldview and Reader Reactions
My review of It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door generated a lot of discussion in the comments section. A number of interesting points concerning why people did or didn't enjoy the story were brought up, but there's one in particular that I want to take a closer look at. Specifically, a few posters mentioned that they disagreed with the moral ethos which underlay the piece. Now, I'm not interested in debating the philosophical underpinnings of that story or any other (at least, not here--I don't know about you, but I try to keep my theological discussions and my pony fanfiction separate), but I do think it brings up an interesting point: how does it affect one's enjoyment of a story when the piece contains a worldview which one finds objectionable, or even abominable? My thoughts on the matter, after the break.
Monday, April 16, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 58: Feedback
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So, how about that Pens-Flyers game on Sunday, huh? Between all the fights and goals, I think I spent more time watching fist-pumping/fisticuffs than I did watching actual hockey. Hey, at least it was entertaining though, right?
...Right?
Okay, I'm guessing there aren't a lot of other hockey fans reading the blog. I'll stop talking about sports now.
After the break, my review of Kegisak's Feedback.
Friday, April 13, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 57: It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door
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Today, I (finally) review one of the best-known of this fandoms "major," i.e. long, stories: Jetfire's It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door. While it's not the longest (that distinction goes to one of the Fallout: Equestria side-stories, I believe) nor the most famous (Past Sins almost certainly has that honor), it is regularly held up as one of the best examples of the amazing literature this fandom is capable of producing. Does it live up to the hype? My thoughts, after the break.
Subject Lines Are For Losers
If this post goes up, it means I'm still working on my review of Dangerous Business. I'll post it as soon as it's ready, but not earlier--though I promise it'll be tonight sometime, if I have to stay up until four to finish it. That's all.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Nothing to See Here, Move Along
In case any of you were unaware, It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door is really freaking long. So I'm taking a break from reading to tell you that the review is postponed until Friday. In the meantime, here are a few random tidbits to keep you all entertained:
-Over the weekend, I discovered that my sister, who watches MLP but isn't really involved in the fandom, ships FlutterMac. I don't know how I feel about this.
-After watching MMMystery on the Friendship Express, I've come to the conclusion that the griffons have their own kingdom, and it is France. I can't prove it, but I think there's enough evidence to give the theory credence. Observe: we know that there's a country called France in Equestria, because Fluttershy says "French haute couture, please," in Art of the Dress. Since haute couture is characterized by incredible detail, it would make sense for France to be primarily occupied by creatures who either were capable of using magic, or who had hands/claws with opposable thumbs. We know the french language exists in Equestria (though admittedly, we don't know that it's called french, but it seems a reasonable supposition), thanks to Applebloom in The Cutie Pox. And Gustav speaks with an obvious french accent, of course--not to mention that his specialty is eclairs, a French pastry. Throw in Gilda acting, in retrospect, like a stereotypical Parisian teen, and the realization that Fleur-de-lis's cutie mark could represent her talent as an ambassador to the griffons, and it seems to me that there's sufficient evidence to at least consider the possibility that France is the griffon homeland.
-I have an unshakable premonition that Trixie's going to show up in the season two finale next weekend. I don't know how I feel about that, either. But it's probably not going to come to pass anyway, so I guess it's mostly irrelevant.
-There's probably something else I should put here, but instead I'm going to get back to reading. Free time is precious and all that.
-Over the weekend, I discovered that my sister, who watches MLP but isn't really involved in the fandom, ships FlutterMac. I don't know how I feel about this.
-After watching MMMystery on the Friendship Express, I've come to the conclusion that the griffons have their own kingdom, and it is France. I can't prove it, but I think there's enough evidence to give the theory credence. Observe: we know that there's a country called France in Equestria, because Fluttershy says "French haute couture, please," in Art of the Dress. Since haute couture is characterized by incredible detail, it would make sense for France to be primarily occupied by creatures who either were capable of using magic, or who had hands/claws with opposable thumbs. We know the french language exists in Equestria (though admittedly, we don't know that it's called french, but it seems a reasonable supposition), thanks to Applebloom in The Cutie Pox. And Gustav speaks with an obvious french accent, of course--not to mention that his specialty is eclairs, a French pastry. Throw in Gilda acting, in retrospect, like a stereotypical Parisian teen, and the realization that Fleur-de-lis's cutie mark could represent her talent as an ambassador to the griffons, and it seems to me that there's sufficient evidence to at least consider the possibility that France is the griffon homeland.
-I have an unshakable premonition that Trixie's going to show up in the season two finale next weekend. I don't know how I feel about that, either. But it's probably not going to come to pass anyway, so I guess it's mostly irrelevant.
-There's probably something else I should put here, but instead I'm going to get back to reading. Free time is precious and all that.
Monday, April 9, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 56: Moonlight Over Midnight
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And now, the conclusion of the Out in the Cold story set! My previous reviews of the associated stories are here and here, for those of you who need to catch up/refresh your memory. As before, a reminder: significant spoilers for the previous stories are included in this review, so you may want to check them out first. For everyone else, EsperDerek's Moonlight Over Midnight, behind the break.
Friday, April 6, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 55: Kindness's Reward
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Because the raft of Out in the Cold sequels and spinoffs which I've been reviewing lately clearly haven't given me a nearly sufficient dosage of Trixie shipping, today's post centers around another showmare-based romantic pairing. Below the break, my review of Avery Strange's Kindness's Reward.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 54: Half the Day is Night
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Just when I was getting back ahead of the posting schedule, this happens. First we have this sucker right here, weighing in at about 60,000 words, and right behind it are several more multichapter fics (not the least of which is Dangerous Business, at nearly 150,000 words). Consider this fair warning: I'm going to do my level best to get through everything in a timely manner, but if I have to choose between skimming a story and writing a mediocre review or postponing, I'm going with option #2.
Hopefully it won't come to that, though. I'll do my best to fit a little extra ficreading into my life for the next week or two. And in any case, I'll make sure to post something at all the usual intervals, even if it's just an apology for delaying.
AugieDog's Half the Day is Night, after the break.
Monday, April 2, 2012
6-Star Reviews Part 53: Shades of Midnight / Cries in the Autumn Wind / Dreams of Midnight
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And now, a continuation of the Out in the Cold story milieu! This time, it's a set of several side-stories by various authors, all part of the same continuity as the original story. Warning: this review contains major spoilers for Out in the Cold. You may want to read it first, or failing that, read my review of it and decide if it's something you mind having spoiled for you.
Below the break, my reviews of Shades of Midnight, by Phoe, Cries in the Autumn Wind, by Sunset Rose, and Dreams of Midnight, by EsperDerek.