Mega Retro Icon Dumpage
Retro is still what the cool kids are doing, right? I can't keep up. I'm getting on a bit, you know.
I was looking through some of my old icons and oohing and aahing and laughing and cringeing and I decided to go through the entire journal (born in 2006!) and select the "greatest hits" so to speak. Or, in other words, my own personal favs. Some of my past icons are at best laughable and at worst utter shite but some still make me smile, you know? I thought it would also be good for new visitors/friends who are into icons to see what I consider to be my best without having to wallow through all the other unbelievable crap. If you like any of the icons, use them by all means.
This is also an excuse to reminisce about the shows and ships that I loved and lost over the years. It's strange to look back and see all the shows I was crazy about. Some were fleeting romances with bitter breakups, some are enduring loves, and one is the love of my life.
Angel. Let me begin by saying that I was never, ever a Buffy fan. I do not like Sarah Michelle Geller at all so watching it would be really difficult. But Angel is different. David Boreanaz does dark and moody bloodsucker the best, better than whatsisface from Twilight. So much better. Boreanaz is much more appealing to me when he's intense and surly and not being all cute and goofy like on Bones. Stick some black clothes on him, have him lurking around in the shadows, and I'm his. My ship was Angel/Cordy. I shipped them hard. There was a lot of 'Angel to the rescue!' and 'Protective!Angel' and 'doesn't-know-he-loves-Cordy-yet!Angel' and 'loves-Cordy-but-won't admit it!Angel'. And folks, that kind of ship is gonna get me every single time. Sigh. The tension was all drawn out and angsty and beautiful and I was completely bereft at the way it ended. Angel remains close to my dark and twisted little heart.
Bones. You may have guessed that after loving Angel I had to check out Bones. It showed a lot of promise at first, what with Temperance Brennan being a little different from your typical central female. Beauty and brains in abundance but not in the conventional sense by any means. There were some nice comedic moments as she and Booth clashed over their contrasting personalities and the fact that Brennan really isn't in touch with, well, anything. Also, Michaela Conlin is lovely as Angela. Alas, I hate to admit now that I really don't think the chemistry is there at all between Boreanaz and Deschanel. I want it to be, damnit, but I'm just not feeling it. I still check in now and then but the show is just very silly and implausible now. There are rumours that Bones and Booth are going to jump into bed together at season's end and you know what? I couldn't give a shit. Show, you lost me in season 2. Please throw in some intense!Booth and vulnerable!Brennan and I might watch again. Not making any promises though.
Carnivale. Holy Jesus, just look at the cover art! This show died too young. It was a real television tragedy. Every episode blew me away with its cinematography, acting, music score, and undercurrent of the evilest evil I've ever felt through my tv screen. I actually felt like my soul was being corrupted just watching it. There was love and lust and violence and deceipt and mystery and intrigue, all with the overarching theme of good versus evil. Which would win in this epic battle? Well who fucking knows because those motherfuckers at HBO axed it before it was finished telling its sweet, sweet story. There were six seasons planned! Yes, I still get angry thinking about it. Ach, but it's the same story as every other great show that's been cancelled before its time. Please, if anyone has not seen this show yet, give the first episode a try. I promise you will be hooked by its brilliance. If not, you have serious taste issues. ;-)
CSI: Vegas. This was a brief fling. Shockingly, it was another ship that kept me tuning in. I wanted Grissom and Sara to get it on so bad but then they did and I was all "huh". Ultimately, the show was just too cheesey for me, which was fun for a while but then started to get on my nerves when I wanted some real, gritty cop stuff. The crime of the week is too wrapped up in naff lines and fake females. I don't rate William Peterson's acting at all and Marge Helgenberger started to irritate me on a regular basis with her fluttering eyelashes and swooshy blonde hair. Warwick was cute, mind you. Anyway, I didn't hang around with CSI for long. I had my wicked way with it then moved on to darker procedurals. Yes, I'm just a big tv whore really.
Law and Order: SVU. The two cop shows I gravitated towards after dumping CSI were the Law and Orders, Criminal Intent and SVU. I'm highlighting SVU here because my LOCI icons all suck beyond belief but what I will say about LOCI is that Vincent D'Onofrio is really,really amazing. His portrayal of Goren is as powerful as it gets - the intensity is off the scale. When he was a bit younger and healthier looking the things I would have done to Vincent D'Onofrio, well, they have to be censored here. Oh, that man. Anyways, Law and Order SVU features possibly the cutest actor collaboration ever. Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are as adorable off-camera as they are hawt onscreen. My little shipper heart does a jig whenever I see them breathe the same air. Mariska is strong and kickass and beautiful and Meloni... the things I would do to that man. I know, I know, but have you seen Meloni's muscles lately? Okay, this was not the most intelligent entry I've ever made. Things appear to have degenerated into hormone-laden squeeing. All teh prettiness has gone straight to my head.
House MD. I can't remember why I started watching House. I wasn't a fan of Hugh Lawrie, so it was probably just out of curiosity. It took one episode to realise that Hugh fully kicks ass as Gregory House. He kicks the ass of everyone else on the planet as Gregory House. He is my favourite sexy doctor ever. Forget that George Clooney guy. I was so used to Lawrie being a clumsy comedy fool before House that witnessing his transformation into a grumbling, bitter, twisted, pain in the ass chauvinist just astounded me. Who knew? He's so adept at all the inner conflict, complex emotions, muted intensity, and casual eyesex, that before I knew it I had the biggest crush on him. Since falling for Hugh Laurie I see older guys in a whole new light. Hi, Tony! Sadly, I shipped House with Cameron and that went the way of the dinosaur. It was doomed from the start really. The only other person I would ship House with is Wilson but that manlove will never come to fruition onscreen. Yes, my sustained interest in most shows is dependant on a realistic ship that is handled in a subtle and sophisticated manner with lots of unresolved tension, subtexty goodness and drawn out angst. The unresolved and drawn out bits are very important. House MD, you failed me. I will forever think that Hugh Laurie is amazing though.
Grey's Anatomy. This medical drama is waaaay different to House and I can scarcely believe that I used to really enjoy it. I was initially attracted to Grey's because of all the beautiful people and I loved the little Izzie/Alex moments. If you want a fluffy show with not a whole lot of substance but a helluva lot of shagging then Grey's is the show for you. In the end I grew weary of Meredith's pathetic whining, the constant and incestuous fucking around between colleagues, even when they're on the job, and the fact that Izzie/Alex went nowhere fast. I know that as I type this, Izzie and Alex are back on but the moment has pretty much passed for me. Besides, didn't Izzie just end her love affair with a ghost? How very lame. One great thing that came out of this show is Kate Walsh, lovely lady that she is, but even she seen sense in the end and got the hell out.
Spaced. This was the start of my love affair with Simon Pegg. What's not to like about Spaced? It's hilarious, off-beat, the characters are fabulous and relatable, the writing is sharp, the music is great, it has Nick Frost and Jessica Hynes, and the loving banter between Tim and Daisy is quite delicious. Why not enjoy it with a glass of wine or two. It's just such a feel-good show. Laughter really is the best medicine you know. Shame it had to end but all good things do.
The West Wing. This goes straight into my enduring love category. Never have I been so moved and impressed by a show. The writers were shit hot, the comedy was timed to perfection, and the emotion. This show was a labour of love for all concerned, you can just tell. The cast were close, they had chemisty, they riffed off each other like crazy. It just had a lot of heart. I think I may have cried nearly every week watching it. And as a viewer I really cared a lot about these people and what happened to them. Allison Janney was terrific and unstoppable and a lady to really admire, Richard Schiff had the whole I-will-not-show-emotion-but-I-secretly-have-a-heart-of-gold thing down perfectly. Bradley Whitford had this very subtle uber-sexy thing going on from the start. I fell really hard for Josh/Donna. Ugh, they were adorable and yet so very aloof and professional almost to the bitter end. I think their kiss may have been the single most awesome kiss I've ever seen. Seriously. It was a beautiful thing. It was a beautiful show. Sniff.
The X-Files. Okay, so this is the love of my life. The reason I'm not putting it last is because it's kind of in the past for me, in the sense that there is no show anymore and I'm not active in the fandom anymore. But MY GOD, when this show was going strong I was a woman possessed. I lived and breathed this show. I watched every episode countless times, dissected it, obsessed over it, wrote about it, did fanart for it, read fanfic, reviewed fanfic, collected photos and videos, followed DD's career and private life like some crazed stalker. Sigh. Good times. I don't think I really have to explain what was so amazing about The X-Files. Even non-fans can surely appreciate what made it so unique and magical. But, no wait, I just have to say shout it anyway. DAVID DUCHOVNY AND GILLIAN ANDERSON ARE THE MOST AWESOME AND POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL PAIRING OF ACTORS IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. I've watched and enjoyed a lot of tv and movie couplings but hot damn these two were on fire. The eyes said it all, the little micro-gestures, a million words said in total silence. Their chemistry is fucking amazing. Have you ever watched an episode of The X-Files with the sound muted? Just do it and you'll see. I truly do not see any other show having as much of a profound impact on me as The X-Files did and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Life. After not finding a show I liked for ages, I discovered Life and instantaneously fell in love with Damian Lewis. Hard. This man can act, folks. Watch Keane. Watch The Escapist. Or why not just watch Life? He can convey a million emotions in one scene. Just the curl of a lip or the narrowing of the eyes, a swallow, a tightening fist, a deepening voice. It's all lovely and subtle and intense and sexy. I don't want to be all shallow about it but, yeah, I just really want to do Damian Lewis. I really want this show to go in my enduring love category because it's all new and shiny and exciting but it's too new. I don't know if this little show is going to make it, despite its heaps of potential, so I refuse to get too invested. There are great stories to be told here, a beautiful ship to explore. My heart speeds up when I think of what the writers could give us in terms of Crews and Reese. This could be really delicious but I'm just going to wait and see. Nope, not getting too attached at all. Sob.
Monk. Okay, I left this for last because it's my current squeeing fixation and it totally crept up on me when I was looking the other way. Pesky show. I kept hearing about Monk but really wasn't interested at all until I gave in and watched one episode. At first I thought it was just a really fun little show with quite an endearing main character. Then, the more I watched, the more I became fixated on Tony Shalhoub. This is a tremendously talented actor, folks. He can do physical comedy really very well indeed and there is nothing sexier than a man who can make you laugh. True story. And just when you think he's all cute, he disarms you completely by demonstrating how intense he can be too. Damn him! When Tony Shalhoub gets tears in his eyes, I swear to God we all get tears in our eyes. How can we not? He is so believable you just want to hug him. This is what makes Shalhoub irresistible to his female followers - his sincerity. Monk's vulnerability, his undying devotion to his late wife, and his glorious moments of heroism make him my favourite detective of all time. Before you know it, you're shipping him with his assistant. What? Oh hell yeah. It's the House syndrome all over again, where the hero can be a complete shit but you crave that little glimpse of the caring person beneath. So Monk only has one season left. When it finishes I'll continue to follow Tony Shalhoub's career because I might just have a tiny huge crush on him now.
Fucking hell, this post took me two days to complete. Sombody better look at it. lolz.
I was looking through some of my old icons and oohing and aahing and laughing and cringeing and I decided to go through the entire journal (born in 2006!) and select the "greatest hits" so to speak. Or, in other words, my own personal favs. Some of my past icons are at best laughable and at worst utter shite but some still make me smile, you know? I thought it would also be good for new visitors/friends who are into icons to see what I consider to be my best without having to wallow through all the other unbelievable crap. If you like any of the icons, use them by all means.
This is also an excuse to reminisce about the shows and ships that I loved and lost over the years. It's strange to look back and see all the shows I was crazy about. Some were fleeting romances with bitter breakups, some are enduring loves, and one is the love of my life.
Angel. Let me begin by saying that I was never, ever a Buffy fan. I do not like Sarah Michelle Geller at all so watching it would be really difficult. But Angel is different. David Boreanaz does dark and moody bloodsucker the best, better than whatsisface from Twilight. So much better. Boreanaz is much more appealing to me when he's intense and surly and not being all cute and goofy like on Bones. Stick some black clothes on him, have him lurking around in the shadows, and I'm his. My ship was Angel/Cordy. I shipped them hard. There was a lot of 'Angel to the rescue!' and 'Protective!Angel' and 'doesn't-know-he-loves-Cordy-yet!Angel' and 'loves-Cordy-but-won't admit it!Angel'. And folks, that kind of ship is gonna get me every single time. Sigh. The tension was all drawn out and angsty and beautiful and I was completely bereft at the way it ended. Angel remains close to my dark and twisted little heart.
Bones. You may have guessed that after loving Angel I had to check out Bones. It showed a lot of promise at first, what with Temperance Brennan being a little different from your typical central female. Beauty and brains in abundance but not in the conventional sense by any means. There were some nice comedic moments as she and Booth clashed over their contrasting personalities and the fact that Brennan really isn't in touch with, well, anything. Also, Michaela Conlin is lovely as Angela. Alas, I hate to admit now that I really don't think the chemistry is there at all between Boreanaz and Deschanel. I want it to be, damnit, but I'm just not feeling it. I still check in now and then but the show is just very silly and implausible now. There are rumours that Bones and Booth are going to jump into bed together at season's end and you know what? I couldn't give a shit. Show, you lost me in season 2. Please throw in some intense!Booth and vulnerable!Brennan and I might watch again. Not making any promises though.
Carnivale. Holy Jesus, just look at the cover art! This show died too young. It was a real television tragedy. Every episode blew me away with its cinematography, acting, music score, and undercurrent of the evilest evil I've ever felt through my tv screen. I actually felt like my soul was being corrupted just watching it. There was love and lust and violence and deceipt and mystery and intrigue, all with the overarching theme of good versus evil. Which would win in this epic battle? Well who fucking knows because those motherfuckers at HBO axed it before it was finished telling its sweet, sweet story. There were six seasons planned! Yes, I still get angry thinking about it. Ach, but it's the same story as every other great show that's been cancelled before its time. Please, if anyone has not seen this show yet, give the first episode a try. I promise you will be hooked by its brilliance. If not, you have serious taste issues. ;-)
CSI: Vegas. This was a brief fling. Shockingly, it was another ship that kept me tuning in. I wanted Grissom and Sara to get it on so bad but then they did and I was all "huh". Ultimately, the show was just too cheesey for me, which was fun for a while but then started to get on my nerves when I wanted some real, gritty cop stuff. The crime of the week is too wrapped up in naff lines and fake females. I don't rate William Peterson's acting at all and Marge Helgenberger started to irritate me on a regular basis with her fluttering eyelashes and swooshy blonde hair. Warwick was cute, mind you. Anyway, I didn't hang around with CSI for long. I had my wicked way with it then moved on to darker procedurals. Yes, I'm just a big tv whore really.
Law and Order: SVU. The two cop shows I gravitated towards after dumping CSI were the Law and Orders, Criminal Intent and SVU. I'm highlighting SVU here because my LOCI icons all suck beyond belief but what I will say about LOCI is that Vincent D'Onofrio is really,really amazing. His portrayal of Goren is as powerful as it gets - the intensity is off the scale. When he was a bit younger and healthier looking the things I would have done to Vincent D'Onofrio, well, they have to be censored here. Oh, that man. Anyways, Law and Order SVU features possibly the cutest actor collaboration ever. Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are as adorable off-camera as they are hawt onscreen. My little shipper heart does a jig whenever I see them breathe the same air. Mariska is strong and kickass and beautiful and Meloni... the things I would do to that man. I know, I know, but have you seen Meloni's muscles lately? Okay, this was not the most intelligent entry I've ever made. Things appear to have degenerated into hormone-laden squeeing. All teh prettiness has gone straight to my head.
House MD. I can't remember why I started watching House. I wasn't a fan of Hugh Lawrie, so it was probably just out of curiosity. It took one episode to realise that Hugh fully kicks ass as Gregory House. He kicks the ass of everyone else on the planet as Gregory House. He is my favourite sexy doctor ever. Forget that George Clooney guy. I was so used to Lawrie being a clumsy comedy fool before House that witnessing his transformation into a grumbling, bitter, twisted, pain in the ass chauvinist just astounded me. Who knew? He's so adept at all the inner conflict, complex emotions, muted intensity, and casual eyesex, that before I knew it I had the biggest crush on him. Since falling for Hugh Laurie I see older guys in a whole new light. Hi, Tony! Sadly, I shipped House with Cameron and that went the way of the dinosaur. It was doomed from the start really. The only other person I would ship House with is Wilson but that manlove will never come to fruition onscreen. Yes, my sustained interest in most shows is dependant on a realistic ship that is handled in a subtle and sophisticated manner with lots of unresolved tension, subtexty goodness and drawn out angst. The unresolved and drawn out bits are very important. House MD, you failed me. I will forever think that Hugh Laurie is amazing though.
Grey's Anatomy. This medical drama is waaaay different to House and I can scarcely believe that I used to really enjoy it. I was initially attracted to Grey's because of all the beautiful people and I loved the little Izzie/Alex moments. If you want a fluffy show with not a whole lot of substance but a helluva lot of shagging then Grey's is the show for you. In the end I grew weary of Meredith's pathetic whining, the constant and incestuous fucking around between colleagues, even when they're on the job, and the fact that Izzie/Alex went nowhere fast. I know that as I type this, Izzie and Alex are back on but the moment has pretty much passed for me. Besides, didn't Izzie just end her love affair with a ghost? How very lame. One great thing that came out of this show is Kate Walsh, lovely lady that she is, but even she seen sense in the end and got the hell out.
Spaced. This was the start of my love affair with Simon Pegg. What's not to like about Spaced? It's hilarious, off-beat, the characters are fabulous and relatable, the writing is sharp, the music is great, it has Nick Frost and Jessica Hynes, and the loving banter between Tim and Daisy is quite delicious. Why not enjoy it with a glass of wine or two. It's just such a feel-good show. Laughter really is the best medicine you know. Shame it had to end but all good things do.
The West Wing. This goes straight into my enduring love category. Never have I been so moved and impressed by a show. The writers were shit hot, the comedy was timed to perfection, and the emotion. This show was a labour of love for all concerned, you can just tell. The cast were close, they had chemisty, they riffed off each other like crazy. It just had a lot of heart. I think I may have cried nearly every week watching it. And as a viewer I really cared a lot about these people and what happened to them. Allison Janney was terrific and unstoppable and a lady to really admire, Richard Schiff had the whole I-will-not-show-emotion-but-I-secretly-have-a-heart-of-gold thing down perfectly. Bradley Whitford had this very subtle uber-sexy thing going on from the start. I fell really hard for Josh/Donna. Ugh, they were adorable and yet so very aloof and professional almost to the bitter end. I think their kiss may have been the single most awesome kiss I've ever seen. Seriously. It was a beautiful thing. It was a beautiful show. Sniff.
The X-Files. Okay, so this is the love of my life. The reason I'm not putting it last is because it's kind of in the past for me, in the sense that there is no show anymore and I'm not active in the fandom anymore. But MY GOD, when this show was going strong I was a woman possessed. I lived and breathed this show. I watched every episode countless times, dissected it, obsessed over it, wrote about it, did fanart for it, read fanfic, reviewed fanfic, collected photos and videos, followed DD's career and private life like some crazed stalker. Sigh. Good times. I don't think I really have to explain what was so amazing about The X-Files. Even non-fans can surely appreciate what made it so unique and magical. But, no wait, I just have to say shout it anyway. DAVID DUCHOVNY AND GILLIAN ANDERSON ARE THE MOST AWESOME AND POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL PAIRING OF ACTORS IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. I've watched and enjoyed a lot of tv and movie couplings but hot damn these two were on fire. The eyes said it all, the little micro-gestures, a million words said in total silence. Their chemistry is fucking amazing. Have you ever watched an episode of The X-Files with the sound muted? Just do it and you'll see. I truly do not see any other show having as much of a profound impact on me as The X-Files did and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Life. After not finding a show I liked for ages, I discovered Life and instantaneously fell in love with Damian Lewis. Hard. This man can act, folks. Watch Keane. Watch The Escapist. Or why not just watch Life? He can convey a million emotions in one scene. Just the curl of a lip or the narrowing of the eyes, a swallow, a tightening fist, a deepening voice. It's all lovely and subtle and intense and sexy. I don't want to be all shallow about it but, yeah, I just really want to do Damian Lewis. I really want this show to go in my enduring love category because it's all new and shiny and exciting but it's too new. I don't know if this little show is going to make it, despite its heaps of potential, so I refuse to get too invested. There are great stories to be told here, a beautiful ship to explore. My heart speeds up when I think of what the writers could give us in terms of Crews and Reese. This could be really delicious but I'm just going to wait and see. Nope, not getting too attached at all. Sob.
Monk. Okay, I left this for last because it's my current squeeing fixation and it totally crept up on me when I was looking the other way. Pesky show. I kept hearing about Monk but really wasn't interested at all until I gave in and watched one episode. At first I thought it was just a really fun little show with quite an endearing main character. Then, the more I watched, the more I became fixated on Tony Shalhoub. This is a tremendously talented actor, folks. He can do physical comedy really very well indeed and there is nothing sexier than a man who can make you laugh. True story. And just when you think he's all cute, he disarms you completely by demonstrating how intense he can be too. Damn him! When Tony Shalhoub gets tears in his eyes, I swear to God we all get tears in our eyes. How can we not? He is so believable you just want to hug him. This is what makes Shalhoub irresistible to his female followers - his sincerity. Monk's vulnerability, his undying devotion to his late wife, and his glorious moments of heroism make him my favourite detective of all time. Before you know it, you're shipping him with his assistant. What? Oh hell yeah. It's the House syndrome all over again, where the hero can be a complete shit but you crave that little glimpse of the caring person beneath. So Monk only has one season left. When it finishes I'll continue to follow Tony Shalhoub's career because I might just have a tiny huge crush on him now.
Fucking hell, this post took me two days to complete. Sombody better look at it. lolz.