mainecoon's hiding-place

Originally posted by hardboiledbaby at You matter.

Today I had the pleasure of listening to one of the most brilliant talks I have ever heard (and I've heard many). I attended a small conference about storytelling and its significance for social work, which was highly enjoyable in itself and moreso because I went for professional reasons. This particular talk was held by a literature scientist and professional storyteller who specializes in fairy tales. She began by shutting down the laptop which her predecessor had used for drowning us in powerpoint slides, then told us an Irish folk tale like I've never heard anyone tell a story, and proceeded to talk about the nature of fairy tales and the reasons why they fascinate such a broad audience, and always have. I have a few thoughts on that, being a psychologist with a certain (if very critical) interest in Jung, but hers was a new perspective.

I would have liked to occupy that lady for the rest of the afternoon and possibly the evening, but at least I talked to her briefly and received her card, a few literature tips and the invitation to email her and chat about the subject.

So now I'm highly motivated to brush up my knowledge on fairy-tales. And since it would be nice to get to know a few that aren't as widely known around here, I thought my f-list could give me a few recommodatons? Titles, summaries, links to your favourite fairy-tales?

I’ve been taking a bit of a break from fandom lately, and hereby apologize for the lack of comments on fics and blog entries during the last few months. Life’s been a bit too busy to manage it all (though not in a bad way). But the next weeks should be a bit quieter. I hope.

Anyway, after somehow finishing a borderline insane work schedule we actually managed to take a holiday and visit Mr. M’s family and my own parents, which was lovely because we don’t get to see them often. I even avoided any major rows with my mother-in-law, of which I am rather proud. We tend to drive each other up the wall because we come from very different backgrounds… and some people have trouble accepting that others might have different views on life, particularly that I’m not going to put my fancy degree in a frame (“what do you need that for, dear”) and become a full-time mother, as my children deserve. But, as long as we’re not constantly around each other, I suppose we’re both becoming more tolerant.
- Sorry. Getting a bit carried away.

It was wonderful to see the Sea again. I grew up at the coast, and even though it’s lovely here in the South, I still miss the endless sky and the green meadows, the salty wind and the cry of the gulls and the constant rhythm of the tide and how people talk like I do, with some consonants softer than they ought to be and a strange twist to the vowels. I don't do that so much any more but people around here always know me for a Northerner in exile.

Returning to fannish topics, I read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and found it amazing. Then I proceeded to watch the film (don’t look at me like that, ladies, it was not primarily because of Benedict Cumberbatch – although he was bloody gorgeous in this) and found it enjoyable, though not amazing. Apart from several minor issues I found the tragedy at the heart of the plot not nearly as heartbreaking as it was in the book.

Anyway, if someone could provide me with some fanfic recs for this, preferably stories that go beyond the “ooohh, some pretty boys, let’s slash them”, I’d be really grateful.

Hope everybody is having a good time, and I’ll try to be around more regularly!