Ramblings from Demilo's Wagon

For the moment, I think my mom's email to me says it all:

Happy Turkey Day! Though since I'm having pork roast and you might have ham, I could say Happy Pork Day. But that just sounds vaguely dirty.....lol.

You are, without a doubt, one of the best and smartest writers in this fandom. You can make my heart ache for characters and pairings I would normally not give a damn about, and write kinks that don't generally interest me in ways that leave me begging for more. Your smut is hot enough to burn my whole bloody apartment building down, but it's never a mere PWP. Your stories, no matter how short or porny, always say something -- about a character, a pairings, a situation, a possibility -- and the message is always interesting.

I don't want to just gush about your writing, though, because you're so much more than a collection of fics. I think what's most remarkable about you is that you're a genuinely nice person who loves fandom for all the right reasons. I've seen that you enjoy meeting other talented people around here, getting to know them, and interacting with them. Your enthusiasm for reading/viewing, reccing, and participating in fandom in general is wonderful to see. I love your posts full o' squee. Oh, you can get your snark on with the best of 'em at times. ::grin:: But you're also one of the most supportive, generous, and approachable people I've met. Don't ever leave, eh? It's people like you that make HP fandom the awesome place that it is.

Happy Birthday, Lee!!!

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.

You're another one of those people who's just been around forever, and without whom this place would feel oddly empty. After all this time, you still have so much enthusiasm, and do such a tremendous amount for the fandom and your ship. It's likely that you often don't receive the appreciation that you deserve, but I want to thank you for all your hard work. Thank you, also, for reading and commenting on my fic, and for being supportive in general. And while I'm at it, thank you again for the completely rockin' Snack fic you wrote for me last year at this time (yeah, I remember)! LOL You're a super mod and organizer, a fantastic writer, and on top of all of that, you seem to be an incredibly interesting and nice person. I'd like to know you better, and I really should make an effort to comment on your journal posts more frequently.

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.

First, the feast preparations are underway!

• The turkey, all 21 # of him, are brining happily in the cooler outside. It was so freshly... uh... processed it needed a thorough rinsing, then it's soaked overnight in salty ice water. In the morning, I'll push rosemary under the skin, and stuff it loosely with lemon rinds and onions just for flavour. The stuffing gets baked seperately, which makes it lighter. and the bird cooks faster and more evenly.
• For classic stuffing I use Pepperidge Farm brand and enhance it with sauted onion, celery, turkey stock, butter. Maybe mushrooms. And cracked green peppercorns.
• For a green veggie: Roasted brussel sprouts
• My Irish housemate makes divine mashed potatoes to go with my awesome gravy.
• Houseguest from NC is making baked Delicata squash, low-sugar apple pie and cranberry-apricot sauce.
• We also have pumpkin ice cream to embellish that pie.

And now, for some gratitude.
I am incredibly grateful for my warm and beautiful home, a place people want to be. I am blessed with wonderful friends, nearby and all over (**hugs you!**).  I have wonderful animal companions whom I adore. I am grateful for the time I have had away from work, to recover , to look ahead, to plan and prepare for much-needed change. Many blessings come to me from the amazing passion and creativity of my friends and colleagues. I love all the inspiration, entertainment, amusement, motivation, stimulation and challenge your art, writing, music and healing work brings into my life.I am grateful for my parents and grandparents, (all deceased) from whom I received so many gifts. I treasure the intellect, imagination, talent and passion you gave to me. I love the land I walk on, the food that grows in her, the river that waters us, the trees, flowers, vines, grasses, berries, briars, wild irises, underwater grasses that make this world so soft and green and beautiful. I cherish the animals I love with in these wild woods, the deer, possum, fox, racoons, chipmonks, squirrels, weasels, otters and mice. I am in awe of the birds, from the enormous bald eagles to the tiny hummingbirds, the herons, ducks, geese, cormorants, coots, grebes, grackles, crows, vultures, osprey, seagulls, warblers thrushes and wrens, I love you all. Even the crawly and flying things... for every nasty bloodsucking mosquito there is a Luna moth or swallowtail butterfly, an irridescent beetle, a colorful caterpiller, a dazzling dragonfly. Even the spiders are awesome.

May you all have a day filled with blessings.

About two weeks ago I watched an episode of the television show Criminal Minds for the first time.

I usually avoid police procedural show but I was interested because rock star Gavin Rossdale was guest-starring as a sort of strung-out vampire rock star (not that I’m exactly a Gavin Rossdale fan, but I liked him well enough in Constantine).

Watching the show I ended up being pretty impressed by androgynous boy genius Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) so yesterday when I saw there were reruns showing on several channels I ended up watching a couple episodes.

When not ogling Matthew Gray Gubler’s cheekbones, I was pleased to discover that Mandy Patinkin was on the earlier episodes of the show. I’ve had a thing for Mandy Patinkin for about 20 years—when I was in high school I listened obsessively to his recording of the musical Evita. Patinkin was gone in more recent episodes of the show, but I found myself surprised and unexpectedly pleased by another character, an FBI computer technician called Penelope Garcia (Kristen Vangsness).

Now I’ve always loved support staff type characters, from secretaries Marilyn (Northern Exposure) and Elaine (Ally McBeal) to sour techie Chloe (24) but in addition to her behind-the-scenes sort of position the thing about Garcia that really endeared her to me was that she was a female character on a mainstream television show who was not skinny. She was cute and sexy and curvy and plump and voluptuous. I don’t follow a lot of television shows but I honestly can’t think of the last time I saw a not skinny female character. Probably teenaged Sara Rue on Popular (she ended up slimming down for her own show Less Than Perfect).

I’ve watched a grand total of 3 ¾ episodes of Criminal Minds, so for all I know Garcia might be a totally stereotypical “overweight” character who does nothing but provide comic relief talk about diets but I don’t think so. It seemed to me like there was some sort of romantic thing going on between her and FBI agent, Morgan, and generally she seemed like someone who was really competent and well regarded by her peers. I’m really curious now to watch more of the show and she how she’s handled.

A couple super adorable pics of Kristen Vangsness as Penelope Garcia

Tomorrow my grandmother, parents and I are going to be having Thanksgiving dinner at a neighbor’s house. 

 

Given my food issues Thanksgiving is always a little uncomfortable for me but oddly I’m not feeling my usual degree of anxiety this year.  I think it helps that I haven’t had to spend the last week dealing with the insanity of holiday crowds at an urban supermarket.  Also I don’t have to work on the holiday itself so I’ll have time to relax and do anything I need to do before hand instead of rushing to work at 7:00 a.m. then having to get to a celebration right afterwards like I have the past few years. 

 

Yesterday I went to the dentist for the first time in 12 years (I know it’s been 12 years because the last time I went was right before my little brother graduated from college which would make it 1997).  

 

It’s almost unforgivably irresponsible to let that much time lapse between dental visits. I have lots of excuses.   I hate going to the dentist.   Because I was bulimic in high school I had to suffer through some extensive dental work when I was in my late teens and early 20’s.  Frankly, it was traumatic.  Also I haven’t had dental insurance since 1998 and I don’t like paying out of pocket to be subjected to pain. 

 

Before I went for my appointment I was absolutely horrified that my teeth would be in such bad shape I’d need hours of expensive dental work to save them (I have recurring nightmares about losing my teeth).  Luckily my teeth were in pretty good shape considering the amount of time it’s been.  I’ll need a filling but that’s it.  Obviously I’m not looking forward to my follow-up appointment after Christmas but it’s a huge relief to know that my teeth are more or less okay.

Day 09 → A photo you took
I like this subject much better than yesterday's.
( Read more... )

It's about that time, right? If you want a holiday card from me, comment with your mailing address (comments screened). I still have the mailing info of those who've given it to me in the past, but if your address has changed, make sure I have your new one! I sent out 40 cards last year; let's see if I can make it 50 this year. :D

Ha. I remember you from a lot farther back than you probably realize. I was already reading your LJ before I ever shambled my way into HP fandom, and honestly, your fic is probably at least partially responsible for my being here. So damn you thank you for that!

You're a wonderful musician and artist, a positively brilliant writer, and you're 100% a performer in everything that you do. You have a large and captivating presence that draws people into your orbit. I love seeing your posts, whether they're fic or a rant or a story about your cats or just what you did that day. You have a way with words that makes it all fascinating. I envy that, as well as your willingness to put so many of your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs out there without reservation. One day I'd love to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with you over coffee, 'cause I think it would be a highly interesting and entertaining experience.

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.

I had a blast meeting you for the first time and hanging out with you at Sectus -- and my god, was that really more than two years ago?? You're a hilarious and spirited person to be around. Your brain is a seriously crack-addled place, and I'd love to be able to see inside it, but I expect I might go insane from the experience. Rather like what happens when one looks upon Cthulu.

As one would expect, you create some of the most cracktastic art in the fandom. But you also do some seriously delicious pr0n, and some very poignant pieces as well. Your diversity is wonderful. Your art is incredibly complex and gorgeous, and your style so distinctive. Your work is uniquely your own; please keep doing what you're doing!

You already saw this, but for everyone else's benefit:

Jin was a fanartist expert,
Who drew crack and porn most overt.
"I'd come out of the gutter,"
She said, "but I'd rather
You all joined me down here in the dirt!"

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.

Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy
( Read more... )

I've wanted to do one of these about you from the beginning, but I think I've been putting it off because I'm not sure what I'm going to write. It's not that I don't have anything to say about you, or that I don't have plenty of thoughts and feelings about you. But those thoughts and feelings are complex and multi-layered, and you're complex and multi-layered, and I'm not sure where to start.

Perhaps it's easiest to begin with the music angle, because I knew you as a musician before I knew you as a friend. I've always thought you were a very talented musician with a amazing voice. Over time I came to see the genuine love you have for it -- for the music itself, and the creation of it. I think you're one of those people who makes music because you just can't not make music; it's just an intrinsic part of who and what you are.

I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to get to know you beyond that, however, because you're one of the most singular and original individuals I've met -- and I've known a lot of unusual folks. There's just no one else out there remotely like you. You're intelligent, diverse, witty, fun, loyal, determined, and about a zillion other adjectives I could list. But listing them is fairly pointless, because a collection of words can't adequately describe the overall sense of you that exists in my head. So, er, I might as well just stop trying and tell you that you're seriously awesome and totally one of the cool kids. ;)

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.

Household chores = my day. Yay? I've been spending loads of time with the two dogs, mostly because...home alone. I'm the only one around to take care of all the pets. It's time-consuming. Usually there are at least three, if not four, of us to go around. Incidentally, I am normally in charge of the cats. Litter boxes, feeding, brushing, that sort of thing. It is apparently less labour-intensive, but I knew that. Cats don't really need much to do their own thing. Dogs really, really do.

They also enjoy licking me and making me go HNWKATJWERTW NO STOP DOWN. And then they lol at me with wagging tails because they do not ~believe~ me. D:

In short, family bonding time with the pets? It's only the third day and I feel kind of lonely, though, even with all of the animals.

Blaaaaaaah.

I need to go be productive in new and innovative ways.

Which means working on a Lit presentation (fun times? Actually yes, because I like powerpoint :D and dressing up. I am dressing up regardless of whether or not I am supposed to, okay). Aaaaand one more walk before it gets too dark.

( And then the entry goes on to ramble about chores, nostalgia, and Annie. )

It's me, doing things and having culture and stuff!
that is the entrance to Jones Hall from the underground parking garage that spans the underbelly of the entire Theater District. Cool art, for an underground lair. :D

Brahms was excellent. Mahler was odd. It was a great night.

So I have a completely silly question that is probably hypothetical for most of you since you're married. Say you went out to lunch with co-worker and sat at a table next to two men, like I did today. One of these men has an honest-to-god mullet like I haven't seen since high school. Seriously, all you have to do is type 'John Stamos mullet' into google images and 5/6 returns were the same pic.

Now this man wasn't bad looking; I'm 5'7" and he was several inches taller than me, medium to thick build, and a nice, average face. Except for the hair. He's polite and seems nice and doesn't give off any creepy vibes at all. I've seen him in the restaurant before - of course the last time was the week of Halloween and I honestly thought he was in costume. Apparently not.

Now. What would you do if said man asked you out? My co-worker and I had the best conversation about this and I'm curious what others would say.

Poll #4611 Mullet Man
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

Would you say yes?

I went to the supermarket yesterday.  There were fairly long lines with the pre-Thanksgiving crowd and the cashiers were hauling whole turkeys over the scanners. 

 

I was very grateful not to be working in a supermarket anymore. 

 

In fact, the market was always open on Thanksgiving and I started working there in September of 2006 so this is going to be the first Thanksgiving since 2005 where I won’t have to go to work. 

I report a happy accident of the kind the Muse she loves to arrange: I searched the Thesaurus for a better word than 'unique' for Ms. Odo, and it gave me 'curious' with this string of possible synonyms. I loved them all.

Thank you for all your wit and wisdom, blessings on you and your family for joy and abundance!

Title: Bloodlust
Author: eeyore9990
Characters: Bellatrix/Rabastan, Bellatrix/Rodolphus, Bellatrix/Frank, Alice
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Torture, Non-con
Themes/kinks chosen: symphorophilia: arousal by watching or causing destruction and/or death
Word Count: 1015
Summary: There was something so very powerful about holding another life in the palm of her hand, dangling it from the tip of her wand.
Author's notes: Not my usual fare, but it was a hell of a lot of fun to write this. :D Thanks to kathrynthegreat for looking this over and letting me know it didn't suck donkey balls. Heh.

Please heed the warnings before clicking.

You've been a fixture around the fandom for ages, and the place would feel terribly empty without you here. You have so much enthusiasm for fandom and put so much into it, from writing to reading to reccing to running fests. It's really fantastic and inspiring to see.

Of course, I love seeing your posts whether they're fandom-centric or not. They're always interesting, and I'm impressed by what an intelligent, diverse, and involved person you are. In addition to all of that, you're nice, friendly, caring, and approachable. You're one of the people who helps to make fandom feel like a community to me, and I appreciate that more than you can imagine. Thanks for everything!

Happy Birthday!!!

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.

Also, OMG, two-thirds of the way through the month! I can't believe I've lasted this long...

Christ in a crock pot, Cel, I wish I were half as together as you. It seems like you spend nearly every waking hour being productive in some way, and damn, I admire and envy that. You're one of the most motivated and down-to-earth people I know, and clearly a force to be reckoned with. You're also one of the most bold. You rarely hold back from stating your position on subjects in the most direct terms, and while I might not always agree with what you have to say (although I probably do at least 80% of the time), I appreciate your courage and honesty. You seem to have the same sort of confidence in your writing. You're probably the least likely person on my f-list to wibble about whether a fic is up to par. The confidence is entirely appropriate, though. You're a talented writer who write some of the most entertaining and captivating fics I've read.

Beyond all of those things, though -- or perhaps in spite of them -- you're genuinely nice, friendly, and a lovely person to be around. It's unfortunate that's I've been a little out-of-it and brainless on the occasions I've been able to see you. I hope I have another opportunity to prove I'm not always floating around in outer orbit. ;)

If you don't know what the heck this is all about, the explanation is here.