My 3 TV faves of 2014

For me, this was not a good year concerning television. Not because I didn't watch anything good - in fact, the shows in the list below are now some of my favorites ever. Still, I think I unlearned how to watch them. I used to marathon seasons, but nowadays I can hardly watch a single episode without getting bored and checking twitter every couple of minutes. Same goes for movies; I even canceled my Netflix account -  I wasn't using it anymore! Such a pity...

Still, these shows are the ones that could get me really hooked, and I recommend them to anyone.

• Orphan Black

I got curious about it because 1) many friends of mine were loving it, 2) it was on Netflix and 3) I wanted to see the woman who could play 10 characters at the same time (it reminded me of Fringe, I guess). Conclusion: I was amazed on the very first episode. 

The story is greatly developed and very intriguing, but what makes love it the most is how it deviates from most sci-fi dramas: first of all, we have many women as main characters. They may have the same face, but each one has her own life, personality, backstory, and reasons for how they act. There's also the great LGBT representation by treating these characters as, guess what, actual characters, and not as some kind of parody. They are all important to the story, and their sexuality is just what they are, simple as that. I crave for a time in which we will always have this.

There are so much awesomeness about this show that there's no space here to talk about everything; there's also the amount of spoiler one can get by a simple synopsis. It's best to check it on your own, I guarantee it's more than worth it. 

• Fargo 
  

Yes, I only watched this show because of Martin Freeman. Also because it was really short, so I could check the hype real quick. And how great it was! Very unpredictable story, intriguing characters - there was no space to pause and check twitter, you know. 

Something I deeply admired was the directing; the whole show is very neatly constructed, not only in plot but also in scenario and filming. If you've watched it, you'll remember the episode in which Lorne Malvo shoots everyone in a building - it's TV, but that scene was worth and Oscar for me. I want to watch it all again only to admire these constructions.

There were some things I really disliked: surprisingly enough, Lorne was one of them. I don't like those characters that act and think in such a gruesome way just because. Surely the story wants you to hate him, but I missed some backstory, I guess. However, we have characters that compensate this - I freaking loved Lester for his thousands shades of grey, that make us cheer for his success and wish for him to get what he deserves at the same time.

Looking forward for season two - though a bit disappointed because apparently there will be a new cast. Though I guess it's safe to say they'll get good people - all actors in season one were truly outstanding.

• A Young Doctor's Notebook

By far, my favorite of 2014. I can't say it's better than the two above, but it was definitely the one that affected me the most. Sadly, it is a very underestimated show, and I wish there were more people appreciating it as much as I do... 

The story of a spoiled young man who has to move from the sweet lights of Moscow to the cold, dark countryside of Russia. Be a doctor for people oh-so-much-less-below himself. Simple plot that leads to a good variety of critical thinking about pride, government attitude, education and lack of it. It also gives way to lots of hilarious scenes that are also pretty gruesome - by the way, I guess I'd not  recommend this show for people who can't deal well with dark comedy... 

I also got really attached to all characters. Anna, Pelageya, the Feldsher, three great supporting characters that were sadly so despised by the doctor, to whom I still feel a mix of love and hate. The interaction between the old and the young versions of the same person was absolutely fantastic - had it not been made this way, the show would be entirely different. Jon Hamm and Daniel have a chemistry in screen I hadn't seen in ages, and I almost wish a third season even though there is no story to be told anymore, just to see them together as this stupid, ignorant doctor again. I hate it how much I relate to him... 

(By the way, let me just add how I love that Daniel can still play a 17-year-old boy)

So, that was it. Feel free to talk if you've also watched these shows! I already made a list of the shows I want to be watching in 2015; and yes, these three are in it too, just in case I feel like watching something I know I'll enjoy.

My 3 literary faves of 2014 - fanfiction version

I love fanfictions. I started reading them on a very early age - I guess the first one I got was a Card Captor Sakura one. But it was the Harry Potter fandom that made me love it; though these days I don't vary in these readings as much as I used to do. You'll see that, in the list below, there are only BBC Sherlock angst stories, having Sherlock and John as a romantic couple, cause that's like 85% of all fics I read this year. I'm thinking about diversifying more in 2015; anyway, these fics I selected are great ones nonetheless, and I must say I'd really like to have more people to talk about them... 

Cover by consultingpiskies

• More Things Than Are Dreamt Of (1electricpirate) - "In which John is (reluctantly) a wizard, Mycroft is (apparently) omniscient, and Sherlock is (surprisingly) oblivious".

I'm a sucker for Potter!lock, and this trilogy was one of the first ones I read. I don't see it being mentioned that much; at least, not as much as other fics of this theme. Which is a pity, because these stories are really awesome. First of all, the initial idea is great: it's funny to see John trying to hide his magic, and Sherlock eventually having to deal with its existence. I also love that it's not set in Hogwarts, what happens, like, 99% of the times? And the structure of mixing past, present and future makes the story even more exciting. I don't like giving too much away, so I'll just finish by saying that I recommend these fics a damn lot.

• Aparecium (1electricpirate) - "There’s no way anyone will know, no way for even Sherlock Holmes to deduce that today, just this once, John sat back and let the tea make itself."

MORE Potter!lock?? Hell yeah.

Yes, it's by the same author- in fact, it's an AU of the AU. 1electricpirate managed to create a story slightly based on another fic of her own and, in my opinion, it got even better. The premise is the same, but the plot, the character's back stories, and even the  are all different. And still the story manages to be faithful to both books and series. Again I'm not talking much to avoid spoilers, but if you are a fan of this kind of Sherlock fanfic, do not miss the opportunity. It's a great work and it's already on my list of all time favorite. However, I should point out that it's incomplete, a fact that's killing me slowly...

Cover by moonblossom

• A Beginner's Guide to Apiology (VictoryCandescence) - "John ad Sherlock meet for the first time as old men in Sussex".

Didn't your heart break just by reading this summary? Mine did. It was definitely the fic that's affected me the most during this year. The interaction between the two of them is awesomely written, and the themes it brings up - old age, youth, friedship, death, etc. - are treated in such a way that you enjoy the story with butterflies in the stomach both for happiness for the guys and fear for what it definitely coming. This fic has a great, exciting, and sad story, and raises many deep thoughts about life - well, at least it was for me. I won't say much more, only that I cried to sleep after finishing it...

So, if you are into angst, I'd say this is a must-read!

I want to read more fanfiction in 2015, so I'd love to hear some good recommendations from you! As you can see, I love Sherlock, but also A Song of Ice and Fire, Doctor Who, xxxHolic, Orphan Black, etc. My AO3 page is here. I'd also love to have some ideas and tips for me to write my own stories...

My 3 literary faves of 2014 - book version

I guess it's safe to say that this year was the best one ever in terms of reading since I came of age. Not only because I got through many stories, but also because I experienced many different things. I finally learned how to read poetry and got into non-fictional books; I read things I didn't want to but fell in love with them by the end, plus I did some great rereadings. Right now, I'm going through a reading slump, but I hope to keep all this excitement for literature during 2015.

Anyway, without further ado, here are my favorite readings for 2014 - no ranking, just the ones that gave me a lot to think about while I would drown in feels.

• Bartleby, The Scrivener - A Story of Wall Street (Herman Melville)

In the beginning, it was only a college reading. Then, the plot started to become into something so much more than just a short story - it was disturbing me, a feeling that any good classic should provide to the reader. But seriously, what would you do if your work colleague stopped doing anything simply because he or she "would rather not to"?
At first, I was really annoyed with this Bartleby guy, only to slowly realize that this was not a joke, or laziness, or anything. It's all about... emptiness, and being imprisoned in your own home; it's also about empathy, and society's disdain for individual lives. It kind of reminded me of Kafka's "The Metamorphosis".
The story of Bartleby was stuck in my head for some days - during finals weeks, in fact! All I wanted to do was to place myself in the middle of the campus and scream "I WOULD RATHER NOT TO".

• High Fidelity (Nick Hornby)

This book is great if you're looking for a reality shock - that is, if you're someone who's been living in a somewhat privileged social position. The protagonist is Rob, a guy in his thirties who basically lives in permanent adolescence. His relationships - all of them, not only the romantic ones - are usually a huge fail because he can't care enough about other people. All he worries about is himself. Do you think he has any clue of that? Ha.
One day, though, he finally decides to find out what is wrong with his traumatic experiences with women, and some enlightenment is shone on his brain. It's a light, funny reading, but there's this more serious side which I really enjoyed, and I'm even planning on picking this book again next month, one year after my first read. Oh, and let me also recommend the movie, which is an awesome adaptation, and has a great soundtrack!

• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (George R. R. Martin)

Another one which I plan on rereading soon. If you don't recognize this title, it's usually referred to as "Tales of Dunk and Egg" - those short stories that take place 90 years before the events of "A Game of Thrones". A time in which Targaryens still own the Iron Throne - in fact, there are too many Targaryens running around the continent. One of them, Aegon "Egg", becomes the squire of a simple man named Dunk.
Even though he says he's a knight, this guy has almost no experience with a sword and no future expectations whatsoever. Dunk is practically lost in a very dangerous land, and usually gets in trouble for being so innocent. His connection with a royal child is very important in some situations, but it doesn't guarantee a good ending.
Speaking of bad consequences, I was devastated and had tearing eyes by the end of the damn first story. I definitely recommend all three of them for any ASOIAF book fan. And I'm already eager for the fourth one - though I do prefer that our dear GRRM finish the oficial series soon...

Well, I wanted to talk about other readings, but then this post would be around 10 pages long... do check my Goodreads page for more recommendations; and if you like fanfictions, stay tuned for part two!

Playing the Game of Thrones

I don't consider myself a gamer, as I only play a selected variety of games to which I am familiar with - some of them I've been playing for good 15 years now, without ever getting tired. Therefore, I'm not that familiar with this kind of gaming experience by Telltale, but I can say that I'm really enjoying their new release, based on the story of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Something that I immediately loved about this game is that we follow and control a Westerosi family that is unknown even for book readers, the Forresters of Ironrath. They were vassals of house Stark and supported King Robb during the War of the Five Kings. Oh, my blood ran cold when I saw that the beginning of the story takes place in the night of the Red Wedding... the Forresters lost their lord and his oldest son on this night, and even though we work very hard to make things better for them, the sense of doom is always lingering. To make matters worse, Ramsay Snow appears later in the story, and all you wanna do is to yell for the remaining Forresters to run for their lives.

Another great thing in this game is that we have the Point of View of the less powerful members of the family - we don't get the great lord (after all, he is killed within five minutes after pressing "Play") nor any of the other strong people around; we control the squire, the daughter in King's Landing, and the small kid who suddenly has to deal with ruling this house in despair. Also, the focus is far from being in fighting or killing, it's all about the choices you make - the fate of the characters depend on what you choose to do or to ignore; on what you choose to say, or on what you decide to conceal. Relationships, connections and important decisions are influenced by the paths you take, and I really loved it.

My choices

However... according to some comments I've been reading, it doesn't matter how different are the choices you make, as the main plot doesn't change as much as it should. That thing happens to him in the end of the episode despite how well the meeting goes, and that person is not able to do that other thing anyway. I may be wrong, but apparently there are no alternative endings, and knowing this was very disappointing to me... still, there are 5 episodes left, and a lot of things are yet to be developed. I do hope that we can tell more than one story with this game.

I'm still very excited about it! Already planning to play it again very soon; I want to see what changes if I answer differently and do something else in certain scenes. And I admit that I still have a bit of hope to change that desperate ending...

Materialism vs. Minimalism: Working on a Balance

So, this will be another post about consumerism; Christmas is coming, all of that Black Friday hype is still in the air, and I have been thinking a lot about it. I'm a very material person, but I was forced to learn how to buy properly. Some people around me have made shopping into a quite dangerous habit, and I don't wanna end up like them - though I still want to acquire my things. So, I've been planning the best way to deal with this. I've decided I won't simply "try to control myself" like many people recommend, as I've tried that alone and it never works. It's necessary to work on something more concrete - I'm acquiring habits and learning to buy only what I can see that I really care about.

Let's go to the examples: a couple of months ago I finally joined the gym for real. After the first week, I was crazy for a "proper" bag. I was using an old one which my mother had. It was a bit uncomfortable to use it, so you could say I actually needed this acquisition. But I was on this vibe for a couple of weeks, spending hours looking for the best model on virtual and real stores, asking others for recommendations, until I found the perfect one at home. I was doing a good cleaning up on me bedroom, which I share with my brother, and I found a small bag fit for gym. He got this in some promotion years ago, and used only once or twice. It's been laying on his closet all this time in perfect state. I asked him if he was interested in it, and he said I could keep it - all my problems were over!!! Yes, a lesson was learned that day - do make sure if you don't already have the item you need or want laying down on a forgotten closet.

my gym bag: small, discrete, fits everything I need, and it cost me R$0