I keep being distracted by shiny objects, and forgetting to post my Halloween pics. Which is a shame, because I was an impressively rotted zombie. I was GREEN there was so much decomposition doing on! It also took 2 days to get all the makeup off, but this is the price you pay.
Our polling place has a boy scout bake sale table set up for every election, and I went a little nuts this morning. I bought a donut, a chocolate pound cake, chocolate chip cookies, and an apple crisp. So far I have eaten the donut and half the apple crisp (I put the other half in the kitchen, to share). Luckily, I left the pound cake in my car to take home after work, but the cookies are sitting on my desk, taunting me.
Bosslady broke her ankle, so it's quiet here. Bossman is leaving today for LA, so it is about to get quieter. Of course, this means I will be taking some time to work on the archiving project from Hell...Over a year, and I am still not finished. It's totally an evil, life-sucking endeavour. Kind of like my fic, which I am not even gonna bother talking about, it's going that badly. I am utterly lacking in inspiration.
A Wild Week
Jan. 6th, 2009 09:23 amHappy New Year! It's a little late, but I have been thinking of you all.
So, I went to DC for the New Year. It was interesting; I made the decision so late, then had travel delays, and I'm pretty sure I screwed up several people's plans...Totally worth it, though. There was dinner at a friend's house on Thursday, and game night on Friday, in addition to a very nice New Year's party, and an okay brunch the following morning.
Came home late Saturday to find that my parents were having family over Sunday. It was nice yet strange to see my Dad's cousin and his wife. Cousin looks so much like my Dad; more than my uncle does, so that's a little odd. And, I haven't seen them in so long, they now are retired and have three grandchildren. I don't think any of their kids were even married the last time I saw them.
Came back to work yesterday and immediately had to jump into moving issues again. This time, they're even letting me mess with the floor plans! I know, I'm a little scared, too. With my luck, I'll have people sitting in hallways or something.
So, guess who forgot to charge her laptop last night, and then had to sit on the train this morning twiddling her thumbs. Yup, that was me. I usually carry the laptop charger with me, so I can plug it in wherever I go, but I didn't have it this morning for some reason, so I couldn't charge on the train or plug it in under my desk when I got here. Depending on the moving insanity today, I might run over to the Apple store and get another to keep in my desk. I keep an extra cell charger here, no reason not to have one for the computer.
So, I went to DC for the New Year. It was interesting; I made the decision so late, then had travel delays, and I'm pretty sure I screwed up several people's plans...Totally worth it, though. There was dinner at a friend's house on Thursday, and game night on Friday, in addition to a very nice New Year's party, and an okay brunch the following morning.
Came home late Saturday to find that my parents were having family over Sunday. It was nice yet strange to see my Dad's cousin and his wife. Cousin looks so much like my Dad; more than my uncle does, so that's a little odd. And, I haven't seen them in so long, they now are retired and have three grandchildren. I don't think any of their kids were even married the last time I saw them.
Came back to work yesterday and immediately had to jump into moving issues again. This time, they're even letting me mess with the floor plans! I know, I'm a little scared, too. With my luck, I'll have people sitting in hallways or something.
So, guess who forgot to charge her laptop last night, and then had to sit on the train this morning twiddling her thumbs. Yup, that was me. I usually carry the laptop charger with me, so I can plug it in wherever I go, but I didn't have it this morning for some reason, so I couldn't charge on the train or plug it in under my desk when I got here. Depending on the moving insanity today, I might run over to the Apple store and get another to keep in my desk. I keep an extra cell charger here, no reason not to have one for the computer.
I'm not even in the mood for fanfic...
Dec. 30th, 2008 10:05 pmSeriously. I mean, that never happens. Like, ever.
Also, this whole being sick for New Year's thing? It's getting to be a tradition; I was even sicker last year. While I appreciate that I am not very ill, it's still not a tradition I would choose if I had any say in these things. Please, 2009, make me feel better!
Oh, and guess which genius decided it would be a good idea to fly with a head cold? Yep, that'd be me.
So, now we need some good news, because otherwise I'll want ice cream or a cigarette to cheer me up, which will just generate phlegm. My mom went to the doctor on Friday, and he says that it's been long enough since the cancer has gone into remission, and she can cut back to bi-annual MRI testing. This means fewer doctor's visits and less stressful waiting for test results in the coming year. Also exciting because it means that he expects her not to relapse again. Also, the polyps she had removed in those two surgeries a while back were nothing serious, and he doesn't think the area requires more observation than a regular doctor's visit would provide. So, that was a big huge hunk of good news this Christmas.
Anyone else have good news to share? I'd like some happy thoughts just now, please!
Feeling Very Blah
Dec. 29th, 2008 03:59 pmI was expecting to write y'all a Christmas wrap-up today, in between getting a ton of work done at the office. Instead, I have gotten nothing done. Either work or LJ-wise
At some point I contracted a cold, and I can't breathe or concentrate, and generally feel like yuck today. What with the getting of my monthly visitor on Friday, the dehydration from several days of wine drinking, the sweating from the abrupt switch to 60F temperatures yesterday, and the stuffyness from smoking too much this weekend, I didn't notice I was getting sick until this morning when I arrived at work.
On the gift (receiving) front: I got the gold hoops I asked for, a case for my sewing machine, some gift certificates, and a couple of really pretty ornaments. On the gift (giving) front: Mom loved her stuff, I got big reactions from my cousins to gifts I wasn't sure about (Yay!), but my father's gift was a total bust. Unfortunately, even after I offered to convert the records to CD's for him, or allow him to return the thing, he seems stuck on what I thought he was going to do with it because he doesn't have an MP3 player. I tried explaining the 'put the MP3's onto CD's using the computer' concept to him several times, but all I got was a blank look. Oh, well. I may just have to go and return it myself, and get him the more expensive version record-to-CD converter for early-Father's-Day and Christmas combined - or something. At least that one he seems to understand.
In other news, I have two chapters of FAA on my laptop that I'm not really happy with, but that I feel compelled to post because I did such a bad job getting fic written and posted in 2008, and I want to do better in 2009. I'm traveling for New Years (I think) so maybe I'll get some work done then. Also, I need to find my account registration info for fanfiction.net, so I can update my page there. It's got to be a year since I did that.
More later, now I need more coffee.
At some point I contracted a cold, and I can't breathe or concentrate, and generally feel like yuck today. What with the getting of my monthly visitor on Friday, the dehydration from several days of wine drinking, the sweating from the abrupt switch to 60F temperatures yesterday, and the stuffyness from smoking too much this weekend, I didn't notice I was getting sick until this morning when I arrived at work.
On the gift (receiving) front: I got the gold hoops I asked for, a case for my sewing machine, some gift certificates, and a couple of really pretty ornaments. On the gift (giving) front: Mom loved her stuff, I got big reactions from my cousins to gifts I wasn't sure about (Yay!), but my father's gift was a total bust. Unfortunately, even after I offered to convert the records to CD's for him, or allow him to return the thing, he seems stuck on what I thought he was going to do with it because he doesn't have an MP3 player. I tried explaining the 'put the MP3's onto CD's using the computer' concept to him several times, but all I got was a blank look. Oh, well. I may just have to go and return it myself, and get him the more expensive version record-to-CD converter for early-Father's-Day and Christmas combined - or something. At least that one he seems to understand.
In other news, I have two chapters of FAA on my laptop that I'm not really happy with, but that I feel compelled to post because I did such a bad job getting fic written and posted in 2008, and I want to do better in 2009. I'm traveling for New Years (I think) so maybe I'll get some work done then. Also, I need to find my account registration info for fanfiction.net, so I can update my page there. It's got to be a year since I did that.
More later, now I need more coffee.
Tags:
- argh!,
- coffee,
- drinking,
- faa updates,
- family,
- fanfic writing,
- holiday,
- posting,
- rant,
- sick
Ah, December...
Dec. 17th, 2008 10:07 amIt's the 17th, and I'm still not done Christmas shopping, sending out cards, or writing my Noel of Spike fic. The company Christmas party is tonight, and it was snowing and raining this morning...You can imagine how much fun it was carrying my dress and laptop to work.
Still, I have declared today a Good Day, and this month a Good Month. I certainly can't complain about anything significant; my mother's health is good, by brother is safe at home, I have a roof over my head and have made a huge dent in my bills this year, and I actually love my job even with the crazy hours and stuff.
Thanks to the advice and encouragement of everyone who weighed in on the question of my father's gift. I decided in the end to get the USB record converter, and do the records for Dad if he has trouble. So, that was one more thing decided and done.
Also, I saw Hilary Clinton speak Monday night! She held an event to pay off her campaign debt, and it was a lot of fun, even if there wasn't a whole lot of new information. I kept expecting to hear her say something new and different, since she's now the appointee for Secretary of State rather than a Presidential candidate, but the closest thing was the fact that she'd been in Chicago that day.
On a secondary note, Bill spoke for a little bit, kind of as a filler between the host (America Fererra) and his wife's Q & A...And, that man is still hot. I have no idea what the attraction is, but every time I'm in a room with him I feel it. Fortunately, I have the good sense not to get too close...
Still, I have declared today a Good Day, and this month a Good Month. I certainly can't complain about anything significant; my mother's health is good, by brother is safe at home, I have a roof over my head and have made a huge dent in my bills this year, and I actually love my job even with the crazy hours and stuff.
Thanks to the advice and encouragement of everyone who weighed in on the question of my father's gift. I decided in the end to get the USB record converter, and do the records for Dad if he has trouble. So, that was one more thing decided and done.
Also, I saw Hilary Clinton speak Monday night! She held an event to pay off her campaign debt, and it was a lot of fun, even if there wasn't a whole lot of new information. I kept expecting to hear her say something new and different, since she's now the appointee for Secretary of State rather than a Presidential candidate, but the closest thing was the fact that she'd been in Chicago that day.
On a secondary note, Bill spoke for a little bit, kind of as a filler between the host (America Fererra) and his wife's Q & A...And, that man is still hot. I have no idea what the attraction is, but every time I'm in a room with him I feel it. Fortunately, I have the good sense not to get too close...
Christmas Cards this weekend!!!
Nov. 14th, 2008 01:16 pmI am writing out my Christmas cards this weekend, and I would love to send them to as many of you as possible.
If you are interested in getting a christmas card from me, please leave your address in the screened comments, or e-mail it to me at Willow25.Stories @ gmail.com.
If you are interested in getting a christmas card from me, please leave your address in the screened comments, or e-mail it to me at Willow25.Stories @ gmail.com.
The Spirit of Giving
Nov. 14th, 2008 08:43 am- Make a post (public, friends-locked, filtered... whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of ten holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV"). The important thing is to make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
- If you wish for real life things (not fics or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) can get in touch with you. Your home address is not required!
- Make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ so that the holiday joy will spread.
THEN...
- Surf around your friends list (or friendsfriends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now, here's the important part...
- If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes one person's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use - or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free - do it.
- You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf - to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not - it's your call. There are no guarantees with this project, and no strings attached. Just... wish, and it might come true. Give and you might receive. You'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.
1. A Spuffy fic featuring Buffy and Spike being sickeningly domestic, added bonus if Xander whines about the fact that Spike is being so good even he can't complain.
2. A happy Leo/Ainsley fic. Possibly with some political drama.
3. A video camera to take on the cruise in February with me. Lending welcome, I promise to return it.
4. An MSR fic, with an actual X-File in the plot. Can also feature DRR if you feel so inclined.
5. The boxed set of CD's from 'Broadway - The American Musical'.
6. Make a charitable donation, preferably to a food bank or homeless shelter.
7. A rental apartment in the NYC area, with a bedroom. I'm working on it, but having a few extra sets of eyes on my side never hurt anything. Must accept cats.
8. If you have kids, or nieces, nephews, little siblings, cousins...Whatever. Some kids around that you know. Play a board game with them. Consider it a mutual gift, to them and to me.
9.
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
nomdiplume is my hero!!! http://www.wildfirecartoon.tk/10. I'd ask for world peace, but that's a lot to expect from one of you. I'd ask for my brother to come home safe, because that was all I really wanted, but we got lucky and he made it home before Christmas. All of my family and friends are relatively safe, happy, and healthy (with fingers crossed for Mom)...So, I don't think I have anything else to wish for. Although, if anyone knows of a hair color that is really, really good at covering gray hairs and is not tested on animals I would be interested to know what it is. The one I currently use keeps washing out, even with color-safe shampoo.
I'm screening comments on this, and anyone who needs contact info can e-mail me at Willow25.Stories@gmail.com.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Veteran's Day!
Nov. 11th, 2008 09:37 amTo all the members of my family, the families of my flist, and every other man and woman who has defended freedom worldwide...Thanks!!!
Also, to the US army, for sending my baby brother home in one piece...Thanks very, very much!!! His wife and daughter also appreciate it.
Also, to the US army, for sending my baby brother home in one piece...Thanks very, very much!!! His wife and daughter also appreciate it.
What Should I be for Hallowe'en?
Sep. 5th, 2008 01:21 pmI probably won't be doing anything more exciting than handing out candy, but it would still be good to dress up.
Some thoughts: Eskimo/something involving warm clothing. It's far colder in CT than it would have been in DC.
After last year, I entertained the idea of doing a 'sexy cop' type thing. Of course, I probably won't be going to any parties like I did last year, and the concept might be a little too much for the parents.
Cowgirl. My two-and-a-half year old niece is going to be a cowgirl. It could be a whole thing.
And those are the extent of my ideas. Feel free to offer thoughts.
Some thoughts: Eskimo/something involving warm clothing. It's far colder in CT than it would have been in DC.
After last year, I entertained the idea of doing a 'sexy cop' type thing. Of course, I probably won't be going to any parties like I did last year, and the concept might be a little too much for the parents.
Cowgirl. My two-and-a-half year old niece is going to be a cowgirl. It could be a whole thing.
And those are the extent of my ideas. Feel free to offer thoughts.
Nothing to See Here
Dec. 27th, 2007 02:15 pm Seriously, what are you doing reading this? Move along, move along.
*blinks* Oh, you're still here, are you? Well, I suppose I'll just ramble a bit, until you get bored and move off.
FAA 14 went up last week as you may know. It'll go up at ff.net and Spuffy Realm sometime in the next few days.
Christmas was fun. Quiet, lots of family time. I was glad I made time for old friends on Saturday, because on Sunday morning I woke up SICK with some kind of stomach bug. My sister-in-law and niece were also SICK, but with head colds. We all should have just stayed in bed and drank tea. When they finally braved the weather on Christmas morning to come visit, they were all snotty etc., but it was good to see them. Now the tummy ick has cleared off, but I think I'm getting the cold they had. It's a shame that Merae is so friggin' adorable - it would be a lot easier if, when she gave me the pouty face and said "up" I could reply "no, I'm not picking you up, you little germ infested snot-ball". No, like a dope, I always fall for it. "Oh, the poor baby is sick, she needs a cuddle." And I cuddle, and then I spend a week being known as 'oh sick and dying one'.
I have gotten no writing done since the big push to finish FAA 14 ended, but that's to be expected; I always have at least a week after I finish a chapter of FAA where I can't start the next one. This is likely the reason updates have been so sporadic. It's a shame, because the office is nice and quiet at the moment, it would be the perfect time to get stuff done. Or, I could just sit here and blow my nose a lot. Whichever.
*blinks* Oh, you're still here, are you? Well, I suppose I'll just ramble a bit, until you get bored and move off.
FAA 14 went up last week as you may know. It'll go up at ff.net and Spuffy Realm sometime in the next few days.
Christmas was fun. Quiet, lots of family time. I was glad I made time for old friends on Saturday, because on Sunday morning I woke up SICK with some kind of stomach bug. My sister-in-law and niece were also SICK, but with head colds. We all should have just stayed in bed and drank tea. When they finally braved the weather on Christmas morning to come visit, they were all snotty etc., but it was good to see them. Now the tummy ick has cleared off, but I think I'm getting the cold they had. It's a shame that Merae is so friggin' adorable - it would be a lot easier if, when she gave me the pouty face and said "up" I could reply "no, I'm not picking you up, you little germ infested snot-ball". No, like a dope, I always fall for it. "Oh, the poor baby is sick, she needs a cuddle." And I cuddle, and then I spend a week being known as 'oh sick and dying one'.
I have gotten no writing done since the big push to finish FAA 14 ended, but that's to be expected; I always have at least a week after I finish a chapter of FAA where I can't start the next one. This is likely the reason updates have been so sporadic. It's a shame, because the office is nice and quiet at the moment, it would be the perfect time to get stuff done. Or, I could just sit here and blow my nose a lot. Whichever.
You Get What You Give, A Christmas Story
Dec. 20th, 2007 11:23 amTitle: You Get What You Give (Christmas 2006 in the FAA-Verse)
Pairing: Spuffy, Faith/Robin
Rating: Soft R, for language and adult humor, and vague reference to bondage & BDSM-type stuff
Warnings/Author's Note: If you like angst, I'm not your girl. Ditto porn. This is fluffy, and sexy, but totally worksafe and happy. Also, even though the title says this takes place in my FAA-Verse, all that really means is that you have to imagine the two couples in this story have each been co-habitating for over two years, and that they all work training Slayers. Written for my Dec 20 posting day at noel_of-spike. Cross-posted to noel_of_spike.
Edit: Yeah, so I suck. I forgot to thank my betas for their very prompt assistance in getting this back to me, and their insightful comments. So, thanks![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nautibitz and nomdiplume. Even if I forgot to type it earlier, I'm very grateful for the help.
Pairing: Spuffy, Faith/Robin
Rating: Soft R, for language and adult humor, and vague reference to bondage & BDSM-type stuff
Warnings/Author's Note: If you like angst, I'm not your girl. Ditto porn. This is fluffy, and sexy, but totally worksafe and happy. Also, even though the title says this takes place in my FAA-Verse, all that really means is that you have to imagine the two couples in this story have each been co-habitating for over two years, and that they all work training Slayers. Written for my Dec 20 posting day at noel_of-spike. Cross-posted to noel_of_spike.
Edit: Yeah, so I suck. I forgot to thank my betas for their very prompt assistance in getting this back to me, and their insightful comments. So, thanks
nautibitz and nomdiplume. Even if I forgot to type it earlier, I'm very grateful for the help.The Weekend of Extreme Socialization
Dec. 14th, 2007 01:16 pmI went to happy hour last night, which was quite fun, even if I drank and ate more than I usually do. On the walk home I caught up with roomie3 on the sidewalk, and we got to walk home together! Then I drunk-wrapped some presents, and my doorknob fell off again. I didn't even have the heart to fix it this time; I'm so sick to death of the thing. Either the screw I've been tightening is completely stripped, or someone is working at cross purposes to me and loosening it again every time I tighten it.
Tonight, I have a birthday party, then a concert. Tomorrow I have dress trying-on, and possibly shopping, followed by the office Christmas party, then my cousin's holiday party. And it's supposed to be snowing and sleeting. Oh, and guess who isn't done Christmas shopping yet? Yeah, that'd be me.
Sunday I have a house meeting with the roomies, and...Something else I'm supposed to be doing. *shrugs* I've forgotten. I hope it's not important.
So, anyway, I'm gonna be dying for some solitude soon. And while I'm having my solitude, I'll write my extremely last minute Christmas cards that no one will get until New Years. Who wants one?? Comments screened, please give your address in comments if you'd like a card.
Tonight, I have a birthday party, then a concert. Tomorrow I have dress trying-on, and possibly shopping, followed by the office Christmas party, then my cousin's holiday party. And it's supposed to be snowing and sleeting. Oh, and guess who isn't done Christmas shopping yet? Yeah, that'd be me.
Sunday I have a house meeting with the roomies, and...Something else I'm supposed to be doing. *shrugs* I've forgotten. I hope it's not important.
So, anyway, I'm gonna be dying for some solitude soon. And while I'm having my solitude, I'll write my extremely last minute Christmas cards that no one will get until New Years. Who wants one?? Comments screened, please give your address in comments if you'd like a card.
Christmas Meme from kazzy_cee
Dec. 12th, 2007 04:44 pmThis one is fun - 24 questions about what you do at Christmas (if you celebrate). I'd love to hear what other people do!!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
A little of both. I'm most likely to use gift bags if I wait until the last minute.
2. Real tree or artificial?
I've always had artificial trees because Mom was allergic to pine. I had my very own real tree one year; I killed it because I wasn't used to watering, it was very expensive, and I lost a few ornaments in the depths of it. Never again.
3. When do you put up the tree?
Thanksgiving weekend and/or the weekend after.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Three Kings Day, January 6th.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
Meh.
6. Favourite gift received as a child?
My Dollhouse when I was 8, or my very first stereo when I was 10.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I have a little plastic dime store creche ornament, circa 1940's, that belonged to my grandmother that I always put on the tree. I also have a teddy bear nativity music box my dad bought me for my first Christmas away from home in college.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
My Mom. She's one of those people who gets joy from practical gifts. *blinks at her in confusion*
9. Easiest person to buy for?
My best friends.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Oh, God. I was living in Illinois one year, and flew home to Connecticut for just three days at Christmas. It was right after 9/11, so I couldn't carry very much at all on the plane, and my place in IL was an attic apartment with no kitchen that I was only scheduled to be in for another few weeks. Among other things my parents gave me two sets of more makeup than I could have used in a lifetime and a marble cheese server.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Snail-mail cards!
12. Favourite Christmas Movie?
Miracle on 34th Street. The original, thanks.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year long. Basically, if I find you a birthday present after your birthday, I'm likely to buy it anyway and save it for Christmas.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Oh, yes.
15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cookies. Between us my Mom, aunts, and I make 12 varieties of traditional Italian, German, and more generic USA cookies. We don't make them the whole rest of the year.
16. Clear lights or coloured on the tree?
I like the colored fairy lights, or the big white ones that flicker like candles.
17. Favourite Christmas song?
I have to pick one?
18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home?
Travel. I go to my parents, and from there we go to other family members who live near them.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, Olive.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Usually an Angel, but as a kid we had a huge gaudy old white star that lit up, and I loved it.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
First thing in the morning. I still get up incredibly early.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Not having any down time - Every minute is cooking, cleaning, planning, shopping, etc.
23. What I love most about Christmas?
Gifts, giving and recieving.
24. What I love least about Christmas?
The stress.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
A little of both. I'm most likely to use gift bags if I wait until the last minute.
2. Real tree or artificial?
I've always had artificial trees because Mom was allergic to pine. I had my very own real tree one year; I killed it because I wasn't used to watering, it was very expensive, and I lost a few ornaments in the depths of it. Never again.
3. When do you put up the tree?
Thanksgiving weekend and/or the weekend after.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Three Kings Day, January 6th.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
Meh.
6. Favourite gift received as a child?
My Dollhouse when I was 8, or my very first stereo when I was 10.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I have a little plastic dime store creche ornament, circa 1940's, that belonged to my grandmother that I always put on the tree. I also have a teddy bear nativity music box my dad bought me for my first Christmas away from home in college.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
My Mom. She's one of those people who gets joy from practical gifts. *blinks at her in confusion*
9. Easiest person to buy for?
My best friends.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Oh, God. I was living in Illinois one year, and flew home to Connecticut for just three days at Christmas. It was right after 9/11, so I couldn't carry very much at all on the plane, and my place in IL was an attic apartment with no kitchen that I was only scheduled to be in for another few weeks. Among other things my parents gave me two sets of more makeup than I could have used in a lifetime and a marble cheese server.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Snail-mail cards!
12. Favourite Christmas Movie?
Miracle on 34th Street. The original, thanks.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year long. Basically, if I find you a birthday present after your birthday, I'm likely to buy it anyway and save it for Christmas.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Oh, yes.
15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cookies. Between us my Mom, aunts, and I make 12 varieties of traditional Italian, German, and more generic USA cookies. We don't make them the whole rest of the year.
16. Clear lights or coloured on the tree?
I like the colored fairy lights, or the big white ones that flicker like candles.
17. Favourite Christmas song?
I have to pick one?
18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home?
Travel. I go to my parents, and from there we go to other family members who live near them.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, Olive.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Usually an Angel, but as a kid we had a huge gaudy old white star that lit up, and I loved it.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
First thing in the morning. I still get up incredibly early.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Not having any down time - Every minute is cooking, cleaning, planning, shopping, etc.
23. What I love most about Christmas?
Gifts, giving and recieving.
24. What I love least about Christmas?
The stress.
Happy Birthday to all...
Dec. 12th, 2007 11:30 amYeah, I've forgotten most everyone's birthdays recently. But, I have two reminders today, and so I thought now might be the time to sit down and make a general December Birthday Post, so that in case I forget again (I am guaranteed to with so much going on) I will still be covered through New Years.
December 02:mystd
December 12:cantony
December 12:hollydb
December 26:vyperman7
December 31:bearfacedcheek
So, Happy Birthday all, enjoy your cake (unless you pick the death option, in which case I will surely miss you)!
December 02:
mystdDecember 12:
cantony December 12:
hollydb December 26:
vyperman7 December 31:
bearfacedcheek So, Happy Birthday all, enjoy your cake (unless you pick the death option, in which case I will surely miss you)!
Back at work, feeling less crap-tastic
Dec. 10th, 2007 03:56 pmI took Friday off to put up Christmas decorations, and still had a meltdown Saturday morning, but I haven't quite slipped into the major funk I got into last Christmas, so something is going well. I had a few people over for Festivus, or holiday-party-for-all denominations, and that went well. It was a quiet party due to a low level flow of booze and a few guests being tired or no-shows. Which was okay as roomie1 needed to be in bed early.
I have to say, though, I do have the most awesomest friends on the entire planet; when I was busy trying to fiigure out how to get the last few decorations and outdoor lights up, how to find time to grocery shop and clean up my room a bit, and still be washed and dressed by 7:30, I had a crew led bymymagritte to do the grocery shopping, a lighting and tree touch-up crew led by happynonoplace and cantony, and a cooking helper all there in a matter of hours. My cooking buddy ked9516 even threw me out of the kitchen and forced me to get dressed so that I had plenty of time.
Christmas Spuffy posts on Thursday at![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
noel_of_spike, so that's exciting; I can't wait to get some reactions on that one, I'm really proud of it. The other Christmas scene in the FAA-verse isn't going so well, but as FAA 14 is actually working right now, I'm not gonna stress madly about that one. If I get it written by the 26th, I'll post it somewhere; if not, oh well.
I have to say, though, I do have the most awesomest friends on the entire planet; when I was busy trying to fiigure out how to get the last few decorations and outdoor lights up, how to find time to grocery shop and clean up my room a bit, and still be washed and dressed by 7:30, I had a crew led by
mymagritte to do the grocery shopping, a lighting and tree touch-up crew led by happynonoplace and cantony, and a cooking helper all there in a matter of hours. My cooking buddy ked9516 even threw me out of the kitchen and forced me to get dressed so that I had plenty of time. Christmas Spuffy posts on Thursday at
noel_of_spike, so that's exciting; I can't wait to get some reactions on that one, I'm really proud of it. The other Christmas scene in the FAA-verse isn't going so well, but as FAA 14 is actually working right now, I'm not gonna stress madly about that one. If I get it written by the 26th, I'll post it somewhere; if not, oh well.I'm doooone!!!
Nov. 30th, 2007 09:09 am50,000 words! I will no longer be chained to nanowrimo progress, obsessing about what I need to get done by when, etc. I can stuff this sucker in a drawer at midnight, and not look at it until next November, thanks. I won't, of course, but I could.
So my Christmas fic is being read and prepared for posting, and I managed to get a new paragraph onto FAA 14 the other night, so other things are moving along at a clip as well. Hopefully Fade Away Again is drawing to a close, and soon I will be finished with it so that I can move along to other stories. Not, of course, the crackhead idea I mentioned to a few of you on Tuesday; that fic goes back into the vault of 'bad ideas that must never be written'.
Other than that, not a whole heck of a lot going on. And I'll be working late tonight. I'll probably write more later.
Oh, I just thought of something.crackers4jenn made new icons. Go, see them.
So my Christmas fic is being read and prepared for posting, and I managed to get a new paragraph onto FAA 14 the other night, so other things are moving along at a clip as well. Hopefully Fade Away Again is drawing to a close, and soon I will be finished with it so that I can move along to other stories. Not, of course, the crackhead idea I mentioned to a few of you on Tuesday; that fic goes back into the vault of 'bad ideas that must never be written'.
Other than that, not a whole heck of a lot going on. And I'll be working late tonight. I'll probably write more later.
Oh, I just thought of something.
crackers4jenn made new icons. Go, see them.Back in DC
Nov. 25th, 2007 07:43 pmAfter four days in Connecticut (I'm taking the piece of Wednesday and the piece of today and counting them as a full day) I have returned to my home safely. Dinner Thursday was a typical Thanksgiving with my fam. What I mean by that is, imagine twelve people crowded into 2 rooms, with a dinner table groaning with food as the centerpiece. They are all talking at once. With the TV on, and a dog barking. And no one's personal volume is below 6. So it was fun, but by the time people cleared out and I got a chance to work on NaNoWriMo, I was relieved. And my ears were ringing a little.
Friday and Saturday, we did something different. Usually we put up the Christmas tree that weekend. We have as far back as I can remember. It's a fake tree, because my Mom is allergic to pine, and my Dad used to have to work and was unavailable to put up a real tree. I always kind of thought my parents gave up on the real tree idea more for cost effectiveness issues.
Well, this will be my niece's first Christmas at home with us; she and my sister in law will be staying with my parents for the whole month of December. So my Mom wants a real tree, and she wants my sister in law to help decorate it for the first time. The nice part of this: we didn't have that tree decorating argument; the one where I have to climb into the attic to get the decorations, which has been my job since I was about 10 since I am the physically smallest grown person, then Mom complains about how Dad doesn't help, and I end up mad at both of them for the complaining etc..
So, we shopped this weekend. It was nice, in that we got some time to talk, and some exercise walking around the malls. I got a few presents, Mom got a few presents, Dad whined about gas prices and how he wishes he could afford one of the big trucks they had parked in the middle of the Mall. Then he looked at and purchased ornaments and dirty cards. And he was happy.
I got a heap done on Nanowrimo, which was a little weird. My mom's all excited about the possibility of my getting the thing published eventually, and 'wrote' aloud the dedication I should give her. Dad was more miffed that I was too busy typing to join him in complaining about there being nothing on TV. I'm still trying to figure out why they have a satellite dish instead of cable - they live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees, and the dish doesn't have the local news. They like watching the local news. It's a source of unending frustration to me. Luckily, I don't spend a ton of time at their house.
So, that was my weekend. I haven't gone through the LJ backlog (gosh, y'all were busy this weekend), so let me know if anythinng interesting happened.
Oh, and congratulations tohappynonoplaceon her engagement!
Friday and Saturday, we did something different. Usually we put up the Christmas tree that weekend. We have as far back as I can remember. It's a fake tree, because my Mom is allergic to pine, and my Dad used to have to work and was unavailable to put up a real tree. I always kind of thought my parents gave up on the real tree idea more for cost effectiveness issues.
Well, this will be my niece's first Christmas at home with us; she and my sister in law will be staying with my parents for the whole month of December. So my Mom wants a real tree, and she wants my sister in law to help decorate it for the first time. The nice part of this: we didn't have that tree decorating argument; the one where I have to climb into the attic to get the decorations, which has been my job since I was about 10 since I am the physically smallest grown person, then Mom complains about how Dad doesn't help, and I end up mad at both of them for the complaining etc..
So, we shopped this weekend. It was nice, in that we got some time to talk, and some exercise walking around the malls. I got a few presents, Mom got a few presents, Dad whined about gas prices and how he wishes he could afford one of the big trucks they had parked in the middle of the Mall. Then he looked at and purchased ornaments and dirty cards. And he was happy.
I got a heap done on Nanowrimo, which was a little weird. My mom's all excited about the possibility of my getting the thing published eventually, and 'wrote' aloud the dedication I should give her. Dad was more miffed that I was too busy typing to join him in complaining about there being nothing on TV. I'm still trying to figure out why they have a satellite dish instead of cable - they live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees, and the dish doesn't have the local news. They like watching the local news. It's a source of unending frustration to me. Luckily, I don't spend a ton of time at their house.
So, that was my weekend. I haven't gone through the LJ backlog (gosh, y'all were busy this weekend), so let me know if anythinng interesting happened.
Oh, and congratulations to
happynonoplaceon her engagement!Not quite shoes, but still shiny!
Oct. 26th, 2007 10:57 amMy new sewing machine rocks the casbah. And several other places. It is made of shiny love. I heart it. I actually exclaimed over each individual piece as I took it out of the box, to the high amusement of roomie1. Then, I sewed something crooked, and had to take it apart and start over, and she's gonna be teasing me for like, a million years.
Yay, sewing goodness!
I do have a potential problem with the costume, in the 'acceptable for work' department. The sides are VERY see through. The good news about that, though: I'll have 4 extra days to get lining material and sew it in. And possibly, enough time to make a little matching purse. Although, not holding my breath on that part.
And my pumpkin carving team at work (sarcastic thanks,happynonoplace for noming me, btw) is kicking butt; we have a rockin' idea. Not gonna give it away, but I'll post a pic next Wednesday, along with the 'work appropriate' costume in its completed form. Halloween is gonna rule! I love holidays! And, especially my new sewing machine!
Yay, sewing goodness!
I do have a potential problem with the costume, in the 'acceptable for work' department. The sides are VERY see through. The good news about that, though: I'll have 4 extra days to get lining material and sew it in. And possibly, enough time to make a little matching purse. Although, not holding my breath on that part.
And my pumpkin carving team at work (sarcastic thanks,
happynonoplace for noming me, btw) is kicking butt; we have a rockin' idea. Not gonna give it away, but I'll post a pic next Wednesday, along with the 'work appropriate' costume in its completed form. Halloween is gonna rule! I love holidays! And, especially my new sewing machine!Holiday Music Quiz (kind of)
Oct. 23rd, 2007 01:26 pm A couple of years ago for Christmas, I made up a CD of not-exactly Christmas music. Songs that were 'wintery' or 'december-y' or 'joyful and giving' without mentioning trees or religion or Santa.
So, when I was working on playlists formymagritte's birthday/Halloween/Day of the Dead party, I started thinking about not-exactly Halloween music. There are some really great songs with gory or violent lyrics, supernatural imagery, etc.; it's almost too easy to pick. I started out with almost 200 songs for the party, and it took me a good long while to get the number down low enough to fit on 2 CD's.
So now I'm wondering of my flist; when you get sick of hearing "The Monster Mash" or "White Christmas", what do you listen to? Or, do you not believe that there are alternatives? Just listen to lots of Goth stuff?
My 'alternative' Halloween/Day of the Dead choices:
Maxwell's Silver Hammer - The Beatles
I Can't Decide - Scissor Sisters
Red Rain - Peter Gabriel
Living Dead Girl - Rob Zombie
The Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels
Murder She Wrote - Chaka Demus & Pliers
Metro - The Vincent Black Shadow
So, when I was working on playlists for
mymagritte's birthday/Halloween/Day of the Dead party, I started thinking about not-exactly Halloween music. There are some really great songs with gory or violent lyrics, supernatural imagery, etc.; it's almost too easy to pick. I started out with almost 200 songs for the party, and it took me a good long while to get the number down low enough to fit on 2 CD's.So now I'm wondering of my flist; when you get sick of hearing "The Monster Mash" or "White Christmas", what do you listen to? Or, do you not believe that there are alternatives? Just listen to lots of Goth stuff?
My 'alternative' Halloween/Day of the Dead choices:
Maxwell's Silver Hammer - The Beatles
I Can't Decide - Scissor Sisters
Red Rain - Peter Gabriel
Living Dead Girl - Rob Zombie
The Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels
Murder She Wrote - Chaka Demus & Pliers
Metro - The Vincent Black Shadow
What's Going On
Oct. 18th, 2007 03:20 pmI'm not about to declare my issues gone or anything like that, because that would be lying. Last night was productive and un-sucky, though, so that was good.
I finished one of the drabbles that was requested the first week of October, and even if I have no ideas to even start the other one, I think that's a success. Then, this morning I dragged out my timeline for Fade Away Again one more time, and realized that I'm much more on point than I thought I was, and even though I'd covered the same three hours in two different chapters, I didn't accidentally put anyone someplace they coudn't possibly be. Which isn't helpful in getting the muse to be interested in the story again, but it makes me feel better.
Costume alterations tonight, and possibly some other stuff. And I need to do some more grocery shopping, either tonight or Friday night. How one person and one cat require this many shopping trips is beyond me.
I had a horrible dream about my weight last night, so I'm thinking of joining a gym. If it's that baked into my subconcious, it's past time to correct the problem. The difference between body dismorphia and extra flab is irrelevant when you don't feel good about yourself, so I'm going to go with exercise and hope that helps. Provided I can afford the gym. If not, I need to figure out a better way to exercise at home. Obviously what I've been doing isn't working.
Saturday night, girly dinner at my place, should be fun *eek!*. It'll be nice to have a quiet night in, and still get together with people; good food and good friends. Too badmymagritte is out of town, we'll miss her *sniff*. It would kick ass to have a huge 'everyone' dinner party like we used to do in Silver Spring, but there's no way to do that right now. Early December or Early January is going to be the best time for something like that. crazygrl44 wants me to host a black tie, or at least semi-formal, dinner party for the holidays.
If I had an open-house-type party, and said any of you who would be in the DC area in early December were welcome, would any of you be interested? I think smooshing my RL friends and my fandom friends together for a huge Festivus party would be kinda fun. Of course, my RL friends get a party regardless. So, sorry if you can't make it to DC; we'll raise a glass to you.
I finished one of the drabbles that was requested the first week of October, and even if I have no ideas to even start the other one, I think that's a success. Then, this morning I dragged out my timeline for Fade Away Again one more time, and realized that I'm much more on point than I thought I was, and even though I'd covered the same three hours in two different chapters, I didn't accidentally put anyone someplace they coudn't possibly be. Which isn't helpful in getting the muse to be interested in the story again, but it makes me feel better.
Costume alterations tonight, and possibly some other stuff. And I need to do some more grocery shopping, either tonight or Friday night. How one person and one cat require this many shopping trips is beyond me.
I had a horrible dream about my weight last night, so I'm thinking of joining a gym. If it's that baked into my subconcious, it's past time to correct the problem. The difference between body dismorphia and extra flab is irrelevant when you don't feel good about yourself, so I'm going to go with exercise and hope that helps. Provided I can afford the gym. If not, I need to figure out a better way to exercise at home. Obviously what I've been doing isn't working.
Saturday night, girly dinner at my place, should be fun *eek!*. It'll be nice to have a quiet night in, and still get together with people; good food and good friends. Too bad
mymagritte is out of town, we'll miss her *sniff*. It would kick ass to have a huge 'everyone' dinner party like we used to do in Silver Spring, but there's no way to do that right now. Early December or Early January is going to be the best time for something like that. crazygrl44 wants me to host a black tie, or at least semi-formal, dinner party for the holidays.If I had an open-house-type party, and said any of you who would be in the DC area in early December were welcome, would any of you be interested? I think smooshing my RL friends and my fandom friends together for a huge Festivus party would be kinda fun. Of course, my RL friends get a party regardless. So, sorry if you can't make it to DC; we'll raise a glass to you.
