Fandom Classics Part 127: A Filly's Guide to Not Making Headlines

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If you haven't seen it already, the Royal Canterlot Library is doing something a little different to celebrate our second anniversary: we're going to feature a second story from an author who we've already spotlighted once before, and we're looking for reader feedback on what fic we should chose!  Details over here--go vote for your favorite(s), or nominate one that hasn't been suggested yet.

And, once you do that, you can head down below the break to see my review of Bradel's A Filly's Guide to Not Making Headlines.

Mini-Reviews Round 98

So, does anyone have any idea when "DEEZ NUTS" will stop being the acme of middle-school humor?  Because I kind of assumed it would go away after a year or two... and that was rather more than a year or two ago.  Point is, I'm getting real tired of hearing it, and (for the occasional student who takes their schooling especially seriously), seeing it turned in on assignments.  Whatever; short reviews of hip-hop-slang-less writing, below the break.

Fandom Classics Part 126: Hiatus

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I am sick.  The good news is that it's not a pain- or body-fuction-based illness, but whatever it is, I've been absolutely exhausted for the past few days.  I've been napping all day, and still feeling tired whenever I so much as contemplate getting up to fix myself a meal.  Bah.

Well, could be worse, I suppose; "debilitatingly exhausted" is a much better thing to be than... well, than most things where the first word is "debilitatingly."  Still, I've got this fic review all ready to post, so I figure I can at least manage to get an above-the-break bit typed up for it, sick or no, right?  Right!  Now, head on down below for my review of Vargras's Hiatus.

Unlikely Fandom Classic Crossovers

Some of you who've been around for a while may remember Benman, as either an author or as the guy who posted RCL interviews to FiMFic before PresentPerfect took over.  Considering his varied and highbrow contributions to the fandom, it's no wonder that the first thing that springs to my mind when I think to him is--of course--a series of gag posts he put together.  I'm talking, of course, about his various Unlikely Crossovers posts he did, mashing up the titles of two fics and writing up a snarky blurb explaining what the resulting story might look like.

I liked those, so I did some more, pulling from the Fandom Classics I've reviewed--so if you more-or-less keep up with the blog, hopefully you know at least enough about all the stories being mashed to recognize them, and to get the joke.  Without further adieu, I present...

Mini-Reviews Round 97

So, how about that new episode?

...Actually, I haven't watched it yet.  For no particularly good reason, I'm finding myself terribly free time-impaired lately.  I've got to find a few more hours in the day, I think.  Luckily, I've got a couple of stories read and awaiting comment; check them out below the break!

Fandom Classics Part 125: Felt Heart

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A social studies teacher at work showed me the greatest edutainment video ever.  Do you love stupid puns?  Do you have only a tenuous grasp on why the American colonists wanted independence from Britain (hint: because the brits were evil)?  Did I mention the puns?  Like, every-proper-noun-levels of punning?  Then check out Pups of Liberty: The Dog-cleration of Independence, post-haste!

The history may have been... questionable, but I like the animation style.  And those puns, man, those puns.

If you're looking for an actual story, though, head on down the break to see what I think of Tchernobog's Felt Heart.

Dissenting Opinion: First Sentences

Time for a guest post!  When I was looking for material to share while I was on vacation, Inquisitor M--noted author, editor, and pre-RCL inductee--offered to help out.  He had a great idea, but didn't quite get it finished before I left.  Now that it's here, however, I can assure you all that it was worth the wait.  Anyway, I'll let him take it from here...

-----

Greeting, ponyphiles!

Back when Chris asked for guest posts, he approached me about penning something in regard to my disagreements over the way he judges first sentences. I did some groundwork, but the post ended up too long every time, and then I had my bottom thoroughly spanked by depression for about a month.

Things are finally looking up, and the time has come to get this thing written. And this time, it is going to be as long as it needs to be, so buckle up and blame Chris.

Or Canada.

-Scott

First Sentences In (Fan)Fiction the 7th

The mini-hiatus is over, but I must admit that Canterlot Boutique didn't do much for me.  It certainly wasn't a bad episode, but I couldn't make much of the message behind it.  Or the economics; how is Rarity planning to support both the Canterlot and Ponyville stores with only stuff she makes?  I've seen other people suggest she'll be able to support herself with a "unique designs only" policy based on the last part of the episode, but I don't buy it; her manager sold 100 Princess Dresses at full price in less time than it took Rarity to unload five original designs, and those five were all at sale prices to boot.  Seems to me that Canterlot Boutique isn't long for this world, unless Rarity either learns to embrace mass production and a designer role for herself in her fledgling empire, or closes down the Ponyville branch to focus on supporting a single store.

Or maybe the Magic of Friendship will prove as effective at handling unsustainable business practices as it is at vanquishing unbeatable monsters.  Yeah, probably that one.  Anyway, click down below the break for my thoughts on the first sentences I've read recently!

Mini-Reviews Round 96

Football is back!  You'll all be indifferent to know that I've put my stinking-it-up streak on the line by entering the same fantasy football pool I always do.  I felt like I had a pretty good draft, which probably means I can pencil in another season at about 4-8, following season-ending injuries to any or all of Eddie Lacy, Drew Brees, LeSean McCoy, or Alshon Jeffery.  Oh wait; those last two are already listed as "questionable" on their respective injury reports, and their teams haven't even played their first games of the season.  Its... it's gonna be a long year, I think.

But let's talk about things y'all presumably do care about, like fanfiction!  Short reviews, below the break.

Fandom Classics Part 124: The Brony International Guard

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The first few days back at work after the summer off always leave me feeling tired; I'm not an "up at five" person by nature, and even though I try not to let my sleeping habits completely revert during vacation, I never quite succeed.  Having to get up early every day is hard.

Of course, if both the sleep studies that've been done on children and teens, and my own experience, are anything to go by, then it's even harder for the kids.  Ah well; as complaints about work go, "starts too early in the morning" isn't the worst one to have.  Now head down below the break for my review of psychicscubadiver's The Brony International Guard!

Mini-Reviews Round 95

Ever since I've gotten back from vacation--even well after I've gotten "caught up" on everything I missed--I've been feeling very behind on almost everything.  Probably not a good thing to be feeling right as the school year is about to begin.  Oh well, at least it's not quite time to face the music/children again quite yet.  If you're looking for some suggestions on what to read (or not) on your last day of the Labor Day weekend, click down below the break!

Fandom Classics Part 123: The Price of Grace

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Hey, it's Fandom Classic number 123!  I don't have anything to add to that, other than that 123 is fun to type.  123, 123, 123!  Your results may vary; I actually pick up my left hand and put the ring finger on the 1 to type numbers, rather than using the number pad or staying on the home row and beginning from my pinkie like your supposed to, and either of those methods are probably less satisfying.

But enough about typing idiosyncrasies; on to reviews!  My thoughts on Sparkle's The Price of Grace, below.

For a Change, Let's Talk About Actual Books (Part 19)

To answer the question resounding through the minds of the Chris-review fandom: yes, I'm aware that Somber's Project Horizons, the most famous Fallout: Equestria side-story, is now complete.  Seeing as it clocks in at well over one and a half million words, though, don't expect to see it reviewed anytime soon.  Maybe over vacation next year, but I'm not even committing to that.  It's... it's a lot of words, is what I'm trying to say.

Speaking of vacation, though, I always take the opportunity to go to a few used bookstores and stock up, and now I'm enjoying going through all the stuff I bought!  Click below the break for my thoughts on the stuff I'm currently reading.