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Thursday, August 28th, 2008
kennahijja
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4:26p
Inverness
Hiya!
Thanks for the good wishes for the Inverness trip - which is over now, more's the pity, and great fun was had! Currently, my modem is dead and replacement due on Monday, so I'm back to snatching moments of wireless from the neighbours, *ducks*.
Anyway, a few of you asked for a report, so here goes:
We saw Inverness (duh!) which is quite an attractive city if with a lot of empty shops in the centre. But the river Ness is beautiful, there are some very nice oldish buildings, and, the coolest of all places, a huge second-hand bookstore in an old church, the top floor of which is a really great cafe. We spend quite some time there, yours truly picking up, among wild giggles, a 1970s horror "The Curse of Loch Ness" in the extensive SF section. Anyway, if you ever find yourself in Inverness, that place is my tip of the day!
We saw Loch Ness (hence the giggling) by boat, and Urquhart Castle the ruin, and the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, which was very interesting and nicely scientific. Also, Cawdor Castle (very nice, and out in the countryside with a great flower garden) and also the Culloden Battlefield (which my inner historian found way too narrow in scope for an exhibition centre of that size). The field itself is quite chilling, though, and not just because of its windswept-ness...
My personal highlight was Fort George, a still-active military fortress north of Inverness on the very edge of the coastline of the Moray Firth. It's so windy you actually have to walk carefully, but the layout and architecture and the views from the walls... holy heck! One of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and I'm anything but a military enthusiast. But it's practically build into the earth, and has parts that look like Aztec or Mayan temples, and... It's hard to describe, but I absolutely loved it. We survived the rainstorm of all rainstorms almost dry huddled against the side of a caravan, because the wind was so strong it practically whipped the rain away over our heads.
And the scenery was gorgeous, of course, also on the train ride... too bad it's over already.
current mood:  rushed
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(Hex me!)
sams_cafe
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9:29a
Oh my god.
This is sex with a butcher-block countertop.
(Not actually sex with a butcher-block countertop. Sex and it has a butcher-block countertop.)
Now I just have to decide between $150 for something I really really really want which would fulfill a practical purpose or $40 for something that fulfills roughly the same purpose with less elegance and no butcher-block countertop.
*pines*
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(Hex me!)
cluegirl
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9:43a
Points to ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) gramina's blog.
Please go and read this.
It won't spin you up, or make you angry -- as it's so easy for things to do in this politically charged time. No, it will ask you to think in the best of ways. It will ask you to really think about what you WANT your community to be -- what you WANT to see when you look around your home, your office, your street, your neighborhood, your town, state, nation, and world. Who do you want to be your heroes, and how many more heroes are standing right in sight while the nasty, smelly apes clog up the news with their hooting and poo-throwing.
It's about heroes. You should go and read it.
And listen to a couple of Ceili's Muse songs whilst you're doing so, if you'd like.
Heroes
Mothers, Daughters, Wives.
(As usual, these are on my utility site, so if you're downloading them, please right-click and save, so my bandwidth doesn't go all splodey. They'll be up for a week or so.)
And in the meantime, go read it!
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(Hex me!)
sams_cafe
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8:23a
Walgreens doesn't sell bug spray. I'm perplexed.
So, yeah. There are a lot of bugs in my flat. I think really there are a lot of bugs in any flat, it's just more noticeable right now because I have no furniture. I've put down bay leaves, but they don't seem to be doing much; I have to stop at a hardware store this evening to get copies of R's keys made (I'm keeping my set) so I'll see if I can pick some spray and some roach traps up there. I'd like to get a bug bomb, one of those misters that you set off and leave the house for 24 hours or whatnot (I'll be gone anyway) but I'm not sure if you have to cover everything in plastic or what. I've never lived in a place with this kind of bug issue before.
I occasionally hang out on Zen Habits and Simple Living websites, and especially during the move I found myself thinking about photos I'd seen of Simple Living houses. It's very easy to make a kitchen look empty if you have a jillion cupboards and drawers, but there comes a point where it stops being Simplicity and starts being Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I'm all for living simply, but sometimes the sheer naivete of the people writing these articles makes me smile. I'm sorry I need a cheese grater but pre-grated cheese is kinda pricey; likewise, I store a lot of stuff in tupperware, so I, you know, have a lot of it.
One guy in particular talked smugly about carrying nothing but his debit card and his car keys with him when he goes places; he leaves the rest in his glovebox. It must be nice to have a mobile four-wheel-drive courier bag.
Anyway, my flat pretty much looks like an example of zen simplicity right now whether I want it to or not; ignoring the stacks of boxes in the bedroom, it's pretty much a bookshelf, a nightstand I'm using as a dresser, and a futon mattress on the floor. Very Om.
Until one of those baby roaches goes skittering across the floor and Om becomes OMG. :D
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(Hex me!)
(9 slugs belched | Hex me!)
obsessed_one
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1:23a
Leaving on a jet plane...
Have I mentioned how much I hate flying? Because I really do.
I had somewhere around three panic attacks at work today.
But panic won't keep me in the sky. Delta Airlines will, and I can't tell you how much that does not help with my anxiety.
It's time to pack up my electronics and make sure I know where my sedatives are, and then get a nap in before heading to the train station for my ride to the airport. If I don't make it, corvidae9 gets my stereo and juice817 gets my porn.
This insomnia-fueled panic attack has been brought to you by the letters "air" and "plane"
current mood:  anxious
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(Hex me!) Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
snapenews
[ cardigrl ]
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11:16p
Issue # 518: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 26-27, 2008
Issue # 518: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 26-27, 2008
Hello and welcome to today's issue of ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif) snapenews. Thank you all for your continuing support and useful links! Feel free to comment (either below or at snapenews@gmail.com) and let us know how we're doing!
NEWS
snarry_holidays has posted a Call for Pinch-hitters
DISCUSSION/META
This week's discussion topic on snapedom is Snape as a Teacher
CHALLENGES/CONTESTS
snapelike is hosting a Large Cauldron Collider Ficlet Fest (see hosting post for rules and deadlines)
snapeartcontest has issued a Special Challenge: Severus says Goodbye and Thank You
snupin100 has posted Challenge 171: Kisses
snapeartcontest has announced the Winners of its July Meme
NEWSLETTERS/REC LISTS/ARCHIVE UPDATES
The sshp_prophet for August 23-27 is posted here
HGSS_Digest has been updated here and here
TODAY IN FIC
Gen
Bamachick73 has posted Chapter 47 of Severus Snape Revealed, Part I (Severus; M; Warnings: Violence, language, sexual situations)
Het
melusin has posted Part 7 of What goes around... (Severus/Hermione; PG)
TODAY IN ART
Gen
spidermothhas posted Snape as a mer-man (G; doll Snape)
DISCLAIMERS: The warnings listed here are those given by the artist/author/poet. Please pay attention to all ratings and warnings when following links.
We aim to bring you the latest Snape-centric items in the fandom but some might slip through the net! You can help to ensure this doesn't happen by sending us links via email to snapenews@gmail.com. There are submission guildelines in the snapenews user profile, but for the 'Today in' sections we just require the basic title/creator/rating/warnings/link info.
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(Hex me!)
sams_cafe
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9:33p
R and I had pizza. I've eaten a lot of pizza lately. Pizza never gets old.
We're watching the Democratic Convention again. I have very few thoughts on Joe Biden because I don't know enough about him to judge, but what I did notice during the film about him is that in every photo and in most of the film cuts he's doing this:
Hand up, mouth open, head tilted. I pass no judgement! But now that I've noticed it I can't un-notice it. It's like getting a song stuck in your head.
Okay, I'm off "home". See you guys at work tomorrow! :D
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(Hex me!)
venivincere
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9:51p
Joshua ran away today
And before I go any further, let me just say that he is home safe now.
He's had a lot of upheaval in his life right now. My brother recently moved back home with my mom because the area he was living in (Flint, MI) is so depressed that he couldn't find any work for months and months. He ended up losing his apartment. He was able to find a job a couple weeks after he moved down here, but I think he realized he never, ever wants to live through that sort of thing again. He's decided to go back to school for nursing -- there's a horrible shortage that's expected to last for the next ten years, at least. He'll be able to write his own ticket.
Couple this with the fact that I got home from vacation to find out my brother got custody of his son (oh my God, thank you so, so much!) just in time for the school year. My nephew R will be going to one of the best schools in the state, and he will only be with his mom (a poisonous, selfish thing) on weekends. But... my mom is getting worn out taking care of two young boys instead of one, so when I get home from work, I have been taking my nephew home with me, too, to feed him dinner and give my mom a break. My brother gets home around 8:30 PM from work, so that's most of the evening he's with us.
Now, one thing you have to understand about Josh is that he's an only kid and he's absolutely fine with that. He likes his alone time (takes after his mom) and social interactions drain him. R, my nephew, is two years younger than Joshie and is not like that at all. He badgers and badgers Josh to play and doesn't take no for an answer, and they either end up fighting until an adult steps in, or Josh has had an out and been able to come home. Today, that wasn't possible. It was the middle of the day, I was at work, the boys were in and out of my mom's house playing, and Josh needed a break. He told R that, R badgered and badgered, and finally, Josh told him "I'm going away and I'm not coming back." And off he took, on his bike, to heaven only knows where, about 1:30 this afternoon. Now, WHY it took my mom three hours to call me, I don't know, and when she did call, she blamed me because she couldn't get hold of him on his phone (I can't afford more minutes until payday) even though Josh has a rule he's supposed to follow, which is "tell where you're going before you go, call when you get there with the phone number so we can reach you if necessary, and call before you come home," which adequately takes care of the "no phone" problem, and is exactly what I had to do as a kid.
And the thing is, I understand why he took off, and I probably would have done the same thing, at his age. And I should try and get him minutes (out of what money, I don't know) BUT. It was still wrong not to tell my mom where he was going and when he would be back. It was still wrong not to ask for her help in getting R off his back! She goes to bat for Josh and certainly would have done so today, but Josh didn't trust that would happen. This is an endemic problem with him; he doesn't trust her to help him out, he doesn't trust me to help him out. He comes up with these horrid scenarios in his head that makes me think he's been reading Dickens, or something, and refuses to believe otherwise, even when we tell him directly. I have to be very careful I don't forget what I say to him because he will remember (and sometimes incorrectly), and I don't want him to feel like he doesn't matter or that he can get away with anything. So, anyway, he took off around 1:30, and at 4:30 my mom decides to call and tell me about it. I called his best friend's mom to see if he'd turned up there or was with her son, and when I heard he wasn't and hadn't, that's when I started to worry. So I left work and got on the bus to come home, and my mom called and said she was getting in the car with nephew R to go look for him. I got my nephew on the phone and had him tell the story in his own words, and then I told him in no uncertain terms, like he's been told before by his father and me, that no means no, and when Josh says to leave him alone for awhile, he has to respect that or he will be punished. It's not OK to push people's buttons, especially when you know what they are and are doing it deliberately.
Mom called back and said she'd searched one neighborhood and did I have any ideas for others? I gave her two others, and off she went. She called back later to say no dice. Now I was really starting to worry; like any town, we have a sprinkling of child sex offenders, and his path to most of his friends' houses goes right by two of them. Of course, that's where my mind went. Just as I'm about to get off the bus, though, I get a call from my friend T who I called earlier to see if Joshie was with her son B. But when I picked up the phone, it was Joshie.
I refrained from yelling on the bus, but told him in no uncertain terms to go straight to grandma's, sit on the couch, and do not move until I get there. And when I did get there, I just stood in front of him, furious, for a couple minutes, trying not to cry. And then I did something I'm not too proud of. I shouted at the top of my lungs "JUST WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING? ...ANSWER ME! WHAT ARE THE RULES? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE?" "yes" "AND YOU DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED THEM???" "yes" "YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH!" and then he started crying. I felt like crying, too, but honestly, I was too angry. "You are grounded through next Wednesday. You will not leave the house for any reason, not even for chores."
I brought Joshie home (sans nephew R -- there wasn't any way I was going to take him tonight), I fed him dinner, and let him spend some time in the absolute quiet stretched out on the couch with his head under a blanket. He eventually came 'round and apologized, and we talked about how he needs to trust grandma out when he's in a bind, and we figured out some strategies he can use to cope with this kind of problem again in the future. My mom called after that to say R was feeling pretty rotten for pushing Josh, and we both agreed that maybe this natural consequence would teach R that he needs to control those urges. I was going to call my brother tonight, but I'm absolutely bushed and Josh has Gokusen S1Ep1 on (I'm trying to get him interested and it looks like he's hooked after half an ep -- yay!) so I'm going to sit with him and hug him to me, and reassure him I love him to bits. Thanks to all of you who Twittered me back with your prayers and good wishes. You're the best. *hugs you all*
current mood:  relieved
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(6 slugs belched | Hex me!)
odogoddess
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6:16p
the saddening & the maddening plus a few recs
Del Martin, the lesbian activist who was finally able to legally marry her partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, has passed away. 
She was 87 and she will be sorely missed. I cannot convey how grateful I am that she and Phyllis were able to not only be together, but had the joy (finally) of being legally married after years of hoping and working for the cause.
Note: Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del’s life and commitment and to defeat the California marriage ban through the National Center for Lesbian Rights NO on 8 committee at http://www.nclrights.org/NoOn8
NBC is denying they intentionally used censorship in their (lack of) coverage of openly gay Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham. So... did you see his partner cheering him on? Did you see where he thanked his mother and life partner? Or for that matter, where they hugged each other? No? Well, here: Interview with Gold Medal diver Matthew Mitcham
"As it is, people who see more fat people around them may themselves be more likely to gain weight. Young people who think many of their friends binge-drink are likely to do so themselves. Girls who think their peers engage in early sex are more likely to do so themselves.
"Peer pressure and social norms are powerful influences on behaviour and they are classic excuses."
- Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary, who, with the Tories, believes there is no excuse for being fat
Except that people who drink or have sex are seen as hip and cool, Mr. Lansley, and people who are fat are hated, made fun of and looked down on. Not that I think you or Ron "Shouting abuse at fat people is not just fun. It’s socially useful" Liddle truly care.
D.C. Tries Cash as a Motivator In School. The Feds should try that in society at large... talk about a polite, law-abiding society.
The US Dept. of Transportation is in need of wee monitors.
Remind me to return my libary books on time. Sheesh.
Good news for the severely disabled and quadraplegics: tongue-based communication.
Also good news for paraplegics, new robotic suit helps them stand, walk and even climb stairs.
Oh, and maybe this is really just evolution in action during this global warming crisis -- meet the arctic seal that doesn't like the cold.
Poor mommy gorilla! This is so sad. :(
"I've got a T-shirt that says, 'Jesus saves,' and the 's' in 'Jesus' is a big dollar sign. I've worn it here [in America] and had people come up on the street and go, 'You can't wear that.' People in Australia think it's funny. I'm fascinated by religion. I don't believe in God, but the thing I do believe in is that we're all connected. And I guess that's what other people might call God. I don't know enough about religion to really say, but on some level, doesn't everyone just believe in a different version of the same thing?"
- Guy Pearce, actor. By the way, Guy, I want one of those shirts...
( here be a few recs )
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(9 slugs belched | Hex me!) Thursday, August 28th, 2008
painless_j
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3:39a
Health update #192987346
Went to have Epley Manoeuvre done yesterday. The doctor bent and rotated my head, putting me on the cot this and that way, several times. But only for the right side 'cos, he told me, doing it on both sides would cross-neutralise them. I was told to sleep half-sitting again, at 45 degrees, for the last night, and I'm now forbidden to sleep flat on my back and on my right side for the rest of the week, which is a nightmare. Because I can't just fall asleep on my left side -- what if I turn on the right side? I sure will do. So sleeping half-reclining it is then.
I want my head back to the state it was in three weeks ago. Soon! Next appointment is next Tuesday. They are expensive, too, so let's hope it will be the last one.
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(Hex me!) Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
(Hex me!)
sams_cafe
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5:14p
All right, kids, this is my last post from R's place as a resident thereof. It's a bit of a cheat since I'll be back later this evening to hang out and definitely bringing my laptop with me, because my internet won't be installed until the fourth, but this is it. The bedroom, bathroom, fridge, pantry, and kitchen are totally empty. I'm taking over the last of the food and clothing in about ten minutes.
If I had planned this just a trifle better I could say something deep and thinky here. It's been a good year at R's place, even if it's been a bad one; broken arms, estranged siblings, and deathly illness aside, I've had a good time and learned a lot about the blues.
And now I've got to run!
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(1 slug belched | Hex me!)
potter_prophet
[ inkaddict ]
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11:59p
Wednesday Edition
One Shots:
emiime: The Seriously Secret Diary of Theodore Remus Lupin - (Percy/Harry, R, *warnings*)
florahart: Good Behavior - (Charlie/Hermione, NC17)
bronze_ribbons: Outskirting the Dark - (Severus/Remus, PG, *warnings*)
envinyatar15: Go Ahead, Be Gone With It - (Kingsley/Remus, NC-17)
alisanne: Revealed - (Harry/Draco, NC-17)
emiime: Getting Better at Being Better - (Percy/Neville/Anthony, R, *warnings*)
anonymous in hp_summersut: Playing With Fire - (Theodore/Morag, R, *warnings*)
anonymous in hp_summersmut: Bashert - (Anthony/Percy, R, *warnings*)
anonymous in hp_summersmut: I Miss You - (Harry/Ginny, NC-17, *warnings*)
Works In Progress:
lordhellebore: A Long Goodbye and a Slow Becoming - has been updated with chapter 2/? (Severus/Remus, R, *warnings*)
son_of_darkness: The Comprehension Series - has been updated with chapter 49/? (Albus Severus/Scorpius, PG)
rickey_a: And an Owl Named Romeo - has been updated with chapter 4/6 (Harry/Draco, NC-17)
lordhellebore: A Long Goodbye and a Slow Becoming - has been updated with chapter 1/? (Severus/Remus, R, *warnins*)
nimrod_9: Unplumbed Depths - has been udated with chapter 1/2 (Severus/Remus, R, *warnings*)
Drabbles:
torino10154: Lure - (Draco/Charlie, PG-13)
alisanne: Like Chicken - (Harry/Ron, NC-17)
alisanne: Recognition - (Draco, PG)
unbroken_halo: Not So Secret Affair - (Neville/Bill, PG)
solstice_muse: Cock - (Harry/Ron, NC-17)
unbroken_halo: The Right Decision - (Snape, PG)
drachenmina: Nondescript - (Severus, Remus, G)
drachenmina: Interesting - (Remus, Severus, G)
drachenmina: Beautiful - (Severus, Lucius, G)
drachenmina: Ugly - (Severus, Lucius, G)
torino10154: Breakthrough - (Severus/Harry, G)
Art:
anonymous in hp_summersmut: In the Men's Shower - (Harry/Bill, NC-17, NWS)
venturous: The Red Dress - (Severus/Harry, R, *warnings*)
kirasha: Interlude - (Severus/Remus, PG)
ericahpfa: Pheromones - (Remus/Sirius, NC-17, NWS)
meghan70: The Five Of Swords - (Sirius, PG)
Community News:
snapeartcontest: The new challenge is "Severus says Good-Bye and Thank You"
snupin100: This week's challenge is kisses
harryron100's new prompt is Chicken
Various:
snapelike announces:The Large Cauldron Collider Ficlet Fest
Editor's Pick
solstice_muse: Cock - (Harry/Ron, NC-17)
*shakes head at Harry* Griffs never think before they open their mounths, eh?
This drabble made me laugh so hard I woke my ferret and, believe me, that's *not* an easy feat. Bravo!
If you have any links or tips for us, please let us know. Email us at potterprophet.ij@gmail.com.
current music: Time After Time -John Barrowman
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(Hex me!)
meta_roundup
[ mero_update ]
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11:33p
Issue #79
Privacy / Legal Issues
For Gmail users (in case you haven't heard the news yet), a hacking tool has been introduced that automatically steals IDs of non-encrypted sessions and uses them to break into the accounts. The developer is planning to release it in a few days. You can protect your accounts by switching to SSL permanently. If you're unfamiliar with the procedure, blue_rose posted a step-by-step guide and also linked to a patch that would ensure that Gmail Notifier is still working afterwards. I'd like to include two off-site links, an article on HungryHackers.com which explains how Gmail and the hacking tool work, and for Firefox users there's the extension Customize Google, which can also help remove or block unwanted content, including ads and Google Analytics cookies.
skuf wrote a quick tutorial on how to block LJToys from tracking you on LJ/IJ/clones (Firefox only).
morgandawn mentions the RIAA’s Anti-Piracy Trade Agreement Wishlist.
Meta (posts are from the 15th and 23rd, but I don't want to pass them up -- my apologies for not including them earlier. I'm trying to change that, as stated in the previous entry.)
spacelogic: How Star Trek Made Me A Feminist, and Why I Don't Think STXI Is Going To Be Worth It: "I remember being freaked out by the first episode, being wary of the next several, and gradually being won over. And at some point during the entire process, I came to a shocking realization: Star Trek was more feminist than a lot of more modern TV/film productions."
the_willow: Watching The Show In Your Head (Pt 2): When You Can't: "I guess I feel like there probably needs to be respect for the fact that when you can't watch anymore, it means there's too much weighed on the side of dislike and disappointment. And those weights can be aspects of racism, sexism, classcism, national isolationism or just not enough plot ..." (talks about "Monk" and SGA as examples)
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(2 slugs belched | Hex me!)
sams_cafe
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3:59p
BossBoss just got a phone call from a US Senator.
Actually technically I got a phone call from a US Senator asking me if I knew someone named BossBoss and could transfer him because he'd lost the number.
I'd be more awed if I didn't believe Senator X was evil incarnate but whatever.
AHAHAHAHAAHAHA as I was writing this BossBoss leaned out the doorway and said "I know I didn't tell you this but next time he calls me I'm not in."
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(Hex me!)
musesfool
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4:32p
shakespeare got to get paid, son
They played "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger earlier, and you know I loved this song when it came out. It's only in the past few years that I learned it was apparently written about the guy's sister, and how he didn't want her to have sex. Sketchy sibling dynamics! My love, it is explained!
*dies*
***
cleolinda linked to this and I choked on my coffee. Hee!
***
I posted a story last night!
Paul Newman and a Ride Home
Supernatural; Dean; g; 2,365 words
Five books Dean Winchester has read more than once.
I jokingly asked amberlynne if I had to warn for spoilers for the books involved (The Runaway Bunny, Little Women, The Outsiders, and To Kill a Mockingbird), but I do think the story works better if you're familiar with the books, because it's more about their individual impact on Dean than it is about just love of books or reading in general, which I don't think is necessarily Dean's thing.
I was a little worried that, like the mixtape story, the story would end up more about me and books than it is about Dean and books, because I love all four of those books madly, but I think it worked out pretty well.
I am going to ramble on extensively now about this. Flee, if that does not interest you. ( otherwise, click the cut tag. )
The story makes me happy, which I guess is the whole point, and it seems to be making other people happy (well, in that way that they tell me they're crying, so, you know, score!). Thank you for the lovely comments, btw. I truly appreciate them and will get to answering them soonish.
***
current mood:  tired
current music: Live and Let Die - Paul McCartney & Wings
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(Hex me!)
cluegirl
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4:30p
October just arrived by post...
Is it Halloween yet?
It must be Halloween. I came home from my writing field trip to find six boxes of Halloween waiting for me on my front porch -- like Christmas, only cooler!
I know we've got the back half of August, and also September (Ia! Ia! Dionysus Ivohe!) to get through first, but man, I am SOOOOO in the mood to start setting up all the cool spooky shit now!
The trouble is, of course, that if the financing for the porch rebuild comes through, the work isn't likely to start on it until October, which means we'll not really have the leeway to decorate safely out there at all, and we might not even be able to open the front door on Halloween to greet the wee goblins properly. (Of course, if this turns out to be the case, I might very well just put my theatre construction experience to good use, and build a temporary facade of appropriate spookiness with which to greet the little beasts properly, halfway up the walk, and well shy of the construction zone.
And hell, there might well be a party too, because it's been awhile since we've had a good Halloween bash in this house, darnit!
Who wants to come?
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(Hex me!)
ishtar79
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11:15p
Back in stupid, sweaty Athens
I’m currently drinking my first attempt at a homemade caipirinha. It’s not a total success as a)my blender pulverizes the ice rather than crush it, so it’s really more of a boozy sorbet and b)yikes, it definitely needs more than one teaspoon of brown sugar. I’ll still finish it, mind you-booze is booze!
In other news, I’m back to my sort-of-but-as-close-as-I’ll-get-this-year holidays. What were supposed to be ten boring days in Halkidiki with my mum turned out ok since I had my crazy friend from Thessaloniki (it’s near there) and the ex-boyfriend to hang out with. Then, as soon as I came back, my best friend came to visit from abroad for a week, and then I headed for a weekend to Thessaloniki to catch up some more with aforementioned crazy friend. I wish I’d had a proper island holiday, but I’m nevertheless exhausted from all the sun, lack of sleep and excessive drinking, AND my voice is gone from smoking too much, so hey! Must be a holiday!
I was going to share some pics, but since I want to crosspost (and therefore can’t use LJ scrapbook, that I prefer to keep friends-only), can anyone recommend me a program besides Photobucket? (I’ve heard horror stories).
So, from the looks on the flist I’ve managed to sneak of the flist during the summer…I’m sorry, are we liking LJ again? The feeling is by no means universal (like anything online ever is), but I’m getting the vibe that, after some token goodwill gestures from our benevolent (ha!) overlords, suddenly all seems forgiven. I’ll just be on the corner, sticking to my reservations and not renewing my paid account (though I miss the icons, I admit). Back when tensions were still running high, I encountered the ‘LJ is an abusive boyfriend’ in icons a lot, and aside from the overdramatic and slightly inappropriate nature of the metaphor (hey, it’s fandom, overdramatic and slightly inappropriate is what we do), I can’t help but feel the shoe kind of fits in this cases. I won’t begrudge anyone their optimism, but I remain cynical.
I have a massive amount of catching up to do, but to finish this on a semi-fannish note, is anyone watching Mad Men? If not, you should definitely check it out. I wasn’t initially particularly attracted by the ‘ad agency in the 1960s’ premise, but that was before I saw how GORGEOUS the show is. And yes, also wonderfully acted, original, unflinchingly portraying the period complete with sexism, racism, bad food and smoking pregnant women (well, smoking EVERYONE. In both senses), amazing direction and sets and did I mention, so, so pretty! Everyone is vaguely amoral too. While smoking. Which to me makes it a sexy, sexy show.
(Man, this caipirinha really SUCKS!)
current mood:  lethargic
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(4 slugs belched | Hex me!)
skuf
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9:48p
It's been too long:
Poll #2240
Open to: All, results viewable to: All
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(2 slugs belched | Hex me!)
twilightsorcery
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2:17p
Public Service Announcement
via jlsigman here and naamah_darling (LJ) here:
The Bush administration has proposed a new rule that will remove any consequences for doctors and other medical staff who refuse to perform procedures or provide medication for reasons of conscience.
This may sound like yet another stab at Roe v Wade, but in reality, it's much, much broader than that. See, doctors already have the right to refuse to perform an abortion. What this proposed rule change does is make it so they can't get fired for it, and they don't have to provide the patient with a referral (not to mention transportation, which is a huge problem in rural areas).
That means if a clinic hires a doctor to provide abortions, and that doctor suddenly decides he just doesn't want to anymore, they have to keep paying him to do nothing.
That means if I go to my doctor, and she says, "Oh, I don't believe in birth control," she's not required to refer me to somebody who does.
That means if a pharmacy in a poor area hires a pharmacist, and he decides God's telling him asthma medication is of the Devil, the kids in that area unlucky enough to have both asthma and parents without a car are shit out of luck.
Here's the deal. There's a 30-day period where this rule is open for public comment before it goes into effect. A small handful of senators and congress(wo)men are fighting this, Planned Parenthood is fighting this, NARAL is fighting this, but it's not enough. We need some serious public outcry if we want to stop this.
You can donate to Planned Parenthood here.
If you live in the US, you can write to your representatives here.
And no matter who you are, you should send your comments to HHS. Quoting naamah_darling:
The public is encouraged to comment on this. You can send your comments to consciencecomment@hhs.gov. Make sure to use "provider conscience regulation" as the subject line. All comments will be published for public viewing. So, maybe don't swear or include personal information you don't want available to the public. There are other ways to contact them as well. They are listed on page two of this document.
It does not matter how articulate you are. It does not matter that you are a man, or not political, or too busy, or whatever. What matters is that we speak out now so that our voices, the voice of reason, is heard. If they pass this abominable rule, do not let it be because you sat by and said nothing. Now is the time to go dig up all the comments you left on his blog and send them in.
current mood: angry
current music: Dead Kennedys on random
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(4 slugs belched | Hex me!)
florahart
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11:37a
Spam subject line of the day (and Body Fail):
Spam I have two copies of in my inbox: Stop By Papertowls, Get Sham WOW Now
I imagine they must want to express to me the exceptionally exciting news that I may now discontinue the dreaded purchasing of paper towels, and instead acquire something called Sham WOW.
However, what I think that says is, Come visit with the paper towels, where someone will offer you a faux piece of excitement; limited time offer!
Which really seems not that appealing to me.
In news of Body Fail: ugh, cramps. Given the amount of naproxen I am still taking daily for the ouchy thumb joint (still ouchy; however, splint was crazymaking and I haven't gotten around to doing anything else about it), this shouldn't even be possible. Also, and related:
Dear Body,
Seriously, "bacon, saltines-with-cheese, and chocolate chips" is not a balanced diet and will not be what we eat all day no matter how many grabbyhands you make.
No love,
Me.
P.S. Even if it were a balanced diet, there is a chance you should be grounded over the whole let's go to sleep at 4:30 in the morning despite being in bed around 2:15 game.
P.P.S. Chocolate chip cookies count as chocolate chips, yes.
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(Hex me!)
ella_bane
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10:36a
Dr. Who?
I don't watch Dr. Who, but I know many on my flist do, so I thought I'd link you to my sister's lj. She adores Dr. Who, and she has written numerous long reviews of each episode. One of her reviews got the attention of the writer of 'Dalek' -- so strange to write a word that I know nothing about! -- and he answered a lot of her questions, and other people who commented got theirs answered too, and I thought that was pretty cool of him. :)
Dalek Rewatch and Review
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(2 slugs belched | Hex me!) Thursday, August 28th, 2008
luthien
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2:48a
Writing
It's been an interesting process over the past few days, finding my writing muscles again after more than a year since I last wrote anything longer than the very occasional ficlet. I'd forgotten so much about my own personal writing process. I've found that I'm more productive in the evening than the daytime, and that I get more written after midnight than at any other time, which is exactly the way it used to be. More than once, I've really wished desperately that I could be a linear writer and have everything come out neatly and in order, but my brain just doesn't work that way and never has.
Tonight, though, tonight I'm being forcibly reminded of one other aspect of the way I write: I can never accurately estimate how long one of my stories is going to be. I think this one is finally drawing to a close now, after a detour I didn't see coming, and I can finally get back to the section I wrote days ago, which appears to be the end.
We shall see.
*trudges back to the field of battle for the last round - probably*
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(2 slugs belched | Hex me!) Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
snegurochka_lee
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10:15a
That self-pimp meme, because, uh, well, I don't even know why
Hi. How are you guyz?
Sorry I've been slightly AWOL. Very busy time of year for work, plus feeling slightly down about numerous fandomy things has resulted in not being around much for the past few weeks. Also, when I go to post, I find I have nothing to post about. Blaaargh. Hate that feeling. So, I took a meme that celandineb tagged me for like 8 weeks ago, to see if that jump-starts posting a bit more. Heh. It's sort of shameless, though, which always makes me self-conscious. Not when other people do it, mind, but I have trouble doing stuff like this myself. Which is why it probably comes across a bit cranky. It's really just embarrassed, not cranky. :)
( Tooting of own horn thing? Meme in which I shamelessly link to my own stories? Hm. Yes. Feel free to keep scrolling )
Tagging, um, no one, unless you want to do it. :)
current mood:  okay
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(27 slugs belched | Hex me!)
sams_cafe
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8:32a
DEAR INTERNET,
This is my feeling on you this morning.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
-- Sam Starbuck
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(Hex me!)
hphaeton
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2:45p
BellDom - Art Rec!
You're not into MuseSlash? Doesn't matter! Go and take a look anyway. This piece of art is just too gorgeous to miss out on! It's called Apocalyptic Angels and shows the two guys in an emotionally intense situation - entirely worksafe.
One of rocketqueens best works in my opinion, and I'm usually not someone who goes for apocalyptic scenarios!
Go here and see for yourself!
And leave her some love!
current mood:  impressed
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(Hex me!)
florahart
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2:09a
Fic: "Good Behavior" (Charlie/Hermione, NC17)
Title: Good Behavior
Pairing: Charlie/Hermione
Rating: NC17
Words: ~1550
A/N: Another for inell, to the prompt marble and bruises, which, by the way, are not used in a way that is alarming at all this time.
( Good Behavior )
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(11 slugs belched | Hex me!) Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
icarusancalion
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9:46p
Oh, holy fuck, I just got my grades for the Hindi intensive.
I just got my grades for the Hindi intensive.
My jaw is on the floor.
HINDI 311 - ELEMENTARY HINDI: 3.2
HINDI 312 - ELEMENTARY HINDI: 3.2
HINDI 313 - ELEMENTARY HINDI: 3.2
I can't believe it. What the--?
What?
I sucked. I sucked royale. I sucked so bad, I just threw up my hands and took a random stab at parts of the final. Roughly half my assignments were late and knocked down a point each. I never did my final presentation.
What the hell-?
wildernessguru: "They must like you."
Icarus: "I can't believe it."
wildernessguru *laughs*: "Whose dick did you suck?"
Icarus: "This... I'll take it. But Jesus. How?"
current mood:  utterly floored
current music: Amon Tobin - Get Your Snack On
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(8 slugs belched | Hex me!)
rexluscus
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9:24p
happy birthday!
Happy Birthday to two people I like very much:
ook and perverse_idyll!
I hope you guys had lovely days!
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(Hex me!)
(Hex me!)
bethbethbeth
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11:10p
As K.O. said: "A sock to the jaw of disunity"
Fantastic speech, Senator Clinton. Fantastic speech.
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(5 slugs belched | Hex me!)
celandineb
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10:04p
AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH
Okay, in addition to all the things struck out on this list from earlier today, I have also sharpened all my kitchen knives, done a small amount in the garden (mostly deadheading, and watering my few pots), washed mud off the dog, filled out nearly all the auto loan application, and done a little tidying/organizing around the house. I'm going away to read a little more, and then go to bed. *thud*
Tomorrow, the super-long day. Teach two classes, then a lunch meeting, then drive down to Other University for the first meeting of the F2F class. OMG I am insane, aren't I? This is only the 1st/2nd week of the semester!
current mood:  exhausted
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(Hex me!)
odogoddess
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7:50p
gads
Having a lupus/fibro flare (did a bit too much this past weekend, but needs must), so... I could deal with the pain, the fatigue or the fever, but all three at once is le bitch. :-p
Have a few things I found of interest:
FYI - threadless is having a big Back to School sale.
( quizzes )
current music: Sign Your Name by Terence Trent D'Arby
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(11 slugs belched | Hex me!) Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
(Hex me!) Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
sams_cafe
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9:38p
I know I keep vomiting about moving in the journal, but I need to talk it all out so that I don't have a breakdown.
All that's left in my bedroom are the bedclothes and the clothing I'm wearing tomorrow.
Nothing's left in the pantry except my wet-mop.
There's one large box on the side table and three small ones (mailing stuff to people) next to it.
There's a wheeled cart with clothing in the top compartment, waiting for the cold food to be put in the insulated lower compartment.
There's three pounds of beef in the freezer and a few sundry items in the fridge.
The table and some thrift-store stuff is in the hallway and the futon frame is downstairs.
Basic toiletries in the bathroom.
And that's all.
I've not been over to the new place at all since we got all the boxes moved in; it's actually pretty hilarious, there's a futon and a WALL of boxes around it in the bedroom, with a narrow little aisle to get to the bathroom. Tomorrow I start simultaneously unpacking the boxes and packing my bag for Toronto.
Having listened to the Democratic Convention speeches all evening, it would appear that the theme of the night is "Democrats: We suck less!"
There are worse slogans, I suppose.
Oh god I am so tired. I'm going to bed. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, kids.
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(Hex me!) Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
painless_j
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6:36a
Eroica recs, vol. 5
This is such an incredibly lovely fandom! Lots of amusing, romantic, plotty, comforting stories. I'm basking in it :) Also, thanks to ferdelance for the recs!
Cakes and Ale, by Torch (flambeau) #
Dorian/Klaus, R, ~5K words. Summary: Klaus finds out what the road to hell is paved with, and Dorian refuses to wear a tie.
Amusing, hot, and well-written. Dorian and Klaus wake up terribly hungover in Schloss Eberbach and try to remember what they did or didn't do last night. Very vivid. Pleasure!
Goodwill To All Men, by Karen Colohan / Yavanna []
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~15500 words. Summary: Christmas is supposed to be the season of goodwill, but Klaus can't help feeling those around him him are stretching things a bit too far...
It's a PWP, nice and detailed. I thought it was a bit too easy in how they fell into bed but it was pleasant to read anyway. I liked Eroica's costume. I would hate it in another universe or on another character but I think it suits Eroica really well.
It Cuts Both Ways, by Karen Colohan / Yavanna []
Dorian/Krycek, Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, ~15K words. Eroica/X-Files crossover. Summary: It takes another man to make Klaus see Dorian in a whole new light.
Again, a PWP, and even with a kink I don't like (knifeplay), and again I think Klaus surrenders a bit too easily, but it's hot and enjoyable. Yes, sometimes I like PWPs. I know zero about X-Files, so I went and read character description at Wikipedia. It wasn't necessary though; you can get the story quite well without.
One thing I disliked was this line: However, he’d nearly got more involved in the action than he’d bargained for when a stray bullet had flown in his direction. Fortunately for Eroica, Z had seen the danger and yelled at him to duck. -- just how slowly do they think a bullet flies? It's not a potted plant thrown by an angry housewife, you know.
But Not For Me, by unknown (available from the Eroicafans.org email archive) []
Dorian/Klaus, PG-13, ficlet. Summary: Dorian, the Major, and a romantic location.
Amusing, even funny. I never expected such a twist -- although I should have! How many years have I been reading fanfiction? It's just a vignette but nicely tricky.
Incandescence Arc: [1], [2], [3], by Kat Reitz and Tzigan (or at Kat Reitz, Tzigane, Whizzy, and Perryvic's site) #
Dorian/Klaus, NC-17, novel-length. First Time, Hurt/Comfort, Death. AU as it diverges from the middle of the series. Warnings: Sex, yelling, love, emotional pain and physical pain, warm fuzzy moments, and the realistic decline into a tragic circumstance. Summary: “The candle that burns brightest burns out quickest.”
Deep in the story and liking it a lot, I suddenly decide to look at the headers -- do I wish I didn't! I'm now scared shitless that it will make me bawl. Well, it should be expected that I come across a death!fic even in such a happy fandom as Eroica. What this fic does, it gives you a feeling of impending doom looming over all the bliss (even if it's a bliss after a really heavy injury). You just can't help hoping for a miracle but know deep inside that there can't be.
I could say that this fic is melodramatic. It is, especially part 3, excessively so, even. But it simply sucks you in, so by the time that you notice that it's becoming rather heavy on emotion, you are so involved in reading that it simply doesn't matter. There are small problems scattered all over: light epithitus, small errors and typos, especially of the lie/lay variety. But, once again, I read about 100K words in one sitting. The authors just made me care about the characters that much. But it is a very sad story. Rather like Beautiful World by Cinnamon -- HP readers will get what I mean. So, yes, it did make me bawl.
Bottom!Klaus is my bulletproof kink, especially a Klaus that tentatively discovers the joys of bottoming soon after discovering the joys of gay sex, and switching roles is too. Also, I like it when there's lots of explicit sex. This fic features all of that. Very enjoyable, as for me, although might not be everybody's cup of tea.
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(5 slugs belched | Hex me!) Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
bethbethbeth
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8:55p
While waiting for Hillary's speech to the DNC...
I'm supporting Obama/Biden, of course, but if you were to ask me who my heart and head really, really support, the answer is this man here:
God I love Dennis Kucinich.
(Direct link here in case you can't view embedded vids)
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(12 slugs belched | Hex me!) |
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