Network

Pro tip: flying with a busted knee? Extremely painful. Remind me to not do that one again.I am not a fan. But I'm home, finally. They made sure to poke and prod and sent me home in a nifty knee brace and orders to sleep in four a week. I should note that will never happen.

(LOKI)
How are things?

(Canaan)
A freaking hefty knee brace. I can't walk right in it. Also hopping up my stairs bad idea. Also painkillers. That made me take them today. Im a lil loopy. I hate painkillers.

(HELA)
I'm home, let's get this Derby going. Even if I can't skate for a fee.

Thanksgiving in Kabul. It was... not fun, I dare say. Of course had I not been so absent minded this week, maybe my work would have not resulted in a medical release to home a few days early. Oops? Ow is more like it, I suppose.

I was jostled out of bed early this morning to discover my most of the glassware, mugs and dishes cracked and scattered about the kitchen, and now I can't seem to coax the dog from the main bath's bathtub to take my shower, but otherwise no lasting damage.

So a big thank you to Orange County for granting me the perfect start to another working day. How did everyone else make out?

I should have known that my restlessness as of late would lead to this (no, not earthquakes). I suppose I was curious to see what happens next, but I was getting used to no dreams. As always, Odin's idea of mercy is the worst punishment. At least I look good in chains.

That said, I'm acquiring quite the Asgardian wardrobe.

My trip to Kabul is settled. I look forward to going but I find myself strangely looking forward to returning here. I suddenly have more things on my plate than I have in a very long time. Perhaps this place isn't all weird and bad crazy. After all it's given me some great friends.

Canaan
Haven't found work yet but I'm pretty convinced it's time to walk away after the New Year at the latest. I cut myself in the Armory today, while doing inventory for something, and I didn't notice. I got done, walked out, passed my secretary and she practically had a heart attack. Apparently I'd sliced my hand open well enough to need sutures, but by the time I trudged to med, they just wrapped it in gauze and sent me home shaking their heads.

Loki
I think before I get shipped to Kabul we should have that coffee. When is good for you?

Dresden
How are things going? Had another dream. Discovered there are physical changes going on too. I am not loving this.

Hela
I'll be back from Kabul hopefully on the 3rd but they're letting me keep my laptop this time, so I can check in while I'm gone. Let me know how things progress?

I guess I'm part of the club now.

Never has a poem struck me. Until now.

Following thy guiding light
Fill your soul with bravery and pride
Raise your sword and hold it high
Speed your horse and pray to Tyr.

As we fight and if we die
To the hall we all shall ride
Brother of mine, don't be afraid -
Valkyries shall show the way.

Heed her call as you fall
See the horse she's riding on
Gallop fast behind her horse,
Brothers stroll to heroes' hall.

Face the death that came for me
Blood is all that I can see
Farewell to the battle, I fall
I'm off now to Valhalla's great hall
Farewell.

Irony thy name is Dreams.

In other news, dreams aside, I find a strange excitement over starting the Derby team with Hela. Once I am returned from Kabul after the holidays, I think it will be the best distraction I've ever had. Plus, who can argue skating and being pretty awesome?

Sigrun and I got to chatting the other day and feel we have been snubbed for our age from the forming roller derby team so in that spirit, we have decided to create our own.

Do you want to try something new and become a part of an awesome community? Whether you're looking to get in shape, meet new people or take out some aggression, and have some fun, you'll be hooked on roller derby!

The Valkyries are recruiting women from the ages of twenty-one to thirty-eight. You will need quad skates, elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, helmet and a mouth guard.

Practice should run into the late afternoon and evening hours.

We also need a head coach and I'm told we wouldn't say no to a handsome male cheerleader or two.

I don't like this. Telling the truth is not in my nature.

Private to Harry Dresden
I'm utter shit at approaching anyone for help.
But I'll ask now, since you offered.

And I hate asking.
But I realized something today the Military might not want to keep me if things keep going and I change into something I'm not. Or whatever happens in this freaking place.

It's tough enough, having to attend a military ceremony, where veterans are being honored, but then I get phone calls from tons of people...who aren't that social with me...wanting to thank me for all that I did for our country. I think I'm going to turn my phone off now and just have a few drinks.

Don't get me wrong, as a veteran, I understand the importance of today...but I could do without all the calls from people that ignore me for the rest of the year...you know?

Well it looks like I'm off to Kabul nope, not Kabul, but close enough I suppose on Thanksgiving. Well a few days before but I don't think I'll be back before it. Not that I had anywhere to be, of course, but I usually do a volunteer thing with some of the other Marines. Guess this year I'll be living it up in sand. It's almost depressing, really, I almost rather be here with all the weird, and not being shot at.

Canaan
I'll see if I can bring back some food goodies from Kabul while I'm there.

So, are there any ladies out there that would be interested in joining a roller derby team?

I was almost worried I'd taken ill until I came here and read that I'm not the only one without a voice. I spent half morning trying to communicate with Fandral who appears to be feeling extra moronic today, and after frustrating myself more than him, have decided it's best to just avoid people as much as possible.

I feel a bit useless without my ability to talk.

In any case, seeing as there's no idea how long anything in the OC lasts, the magic show on Halloween will still be presented. So there's something at least.

This place never ceases to confuse me. No voice? No sounds at all? I mean, I rarely talk half the time as it stands, but how am I supposed to call into work and tell them, suddenly I can't speak at all, guess I can't go to Kabul this weekend? Damn it.

Sometimes this place sucks.

Friends {if you've talked to her more than once it counts}


This is awkward. Roll call - who's got a voice and who doesn't?

How utterly fascinating. And here I thought me and my military self was safe from such Dreams.

So, I think I joined the fucked up dreams club. Yay. Anybody know how to unsubscribe?

I didn't mean I wanted to fly to Beijing, work, and then back again 26 hours later. At least I got to enjoy some Jiaozi and a Mongolian hot pot before my services were no longer needed. All on Uncle Sam's dime, I guess I can't argue too much. Sometimes my job is so ridiculously easy it's hilarious. When running from the MPs don't go visit your favorite noodle stand, seriously? How dumb are you?

Canaan
It's not the middle east but I did take a quick jaunt to Beijing. stupid people are so easy to catch I brought back some tea, and ate a scorpion on a stick. I swear, sometimes, it's fun to travel.

With Halloween only three weeks away, I'd like to invite you all to a short revue of classic illusions, escape art, and conjuring tricks on October 31. Some colleagues and I have decided that there's few ways as fantastic as magic to celebrate the occasion, and we've rented out [venue] for the night. It's a small cabaret style setting, with a ten dollar entrance fee, and costumes are more than welcome. It will start at 6:30pm and it looks to be running at just a little more than an hour, so it shouldn't interfere with any other plans.

For those who may not yet know what they're doing, there will be a party in the lounge post-show.


[Zelda]
Are you still interested in trying your hand as a magician's assistant? I have one or two tricks in mind that I think I could use you for.

Sometimes I wonder why I volunteer on my free days at the hospital, then it's the little things that remind me it's worth it. The kind words, the smile on the lips of an old woman who knows she doesn't have much time left and enjoys passing on her stories to anyone who will listen. It's those moments that make me smile.

Despite the fact my house is miles from anyone I have decorated for the first time in over... well a long long time. I guess I felt the pull of the season.


Canaan
I'm craving non-terminal patient company. How's about we hit up a good exotic food place and mourn the fact it's not as good as in it's native country?

Two weeks until my marathon. I'm so ready. Kind of wish it was tomorrow! Now I'm doing maintenance running - like, you should never run the full 26.2 miles unless you're in a race, so toward the end of your training you run like 20 and stay there.

( Jean )

How do you all put up with medical care in this country? I just took a look at the bill for my hospital trip, and it's ridiculous.

OI! PEOPLE!

Tomorrow is the OC Fest of Ales and Beer Run 5K! I know some people are going, but hopefully this will get a few more. If you want to join the run I made a team named "Valar" so you can join me. Hope to see a few familiar faces there!!

Sometimes going out for coffee is worth the trouble. Maybe I should remember to be more social more often and to take advantage of this network, instead of attempting to stay a hermit while not working.

Maybe. Just maybe that would be a good idea.

Who's already got their house decorated for Halloween? Plus a costume for herself, and one for her dog? Yeaaaaah, this girl. I can't WAIT.

Why do stores already have Christmas stuff out? There is still nearly eight weeks until Halloween...

As not to interfere with Halloween parties, I'm holding our Color Run October 12th. So if you would like to participate, donate or volunteer, let me know? Get your teams ready and get ready to have some fun. This time 100% of the proceeds will be going to Make A Wish and to support pediatric oncology research.

I'm not entirely sure the cats are appreciating me having the new NIN album on loop. I can't help it, I love this stuff.

Sounds like everyone is having an eventful evening... if anyone needs plant extermination assistance I'm not afraid to murder a few household plants.

I think I desperately need to get out of my house. I cannot handle the silence as well as I had hoped this week. Anyone want lunch on me? I think human contact is needed.

Hello, Insomnia. I'd say it's nice to see you again but that'd be a lie and we both know I'm a horrible liar.

Is anyone else around here wide awake tonight?

When someone says "Hey, I hear Iran is nice this time of year" it's best to ignore the attempt to get you to say "Oh, really?." It's a not-so nice way of saying that's where you'll spend a month of your life.

Sometimes I love my job. And sometimes I spend a week vacuuming up sand. I think there's still sand in my boots.

Anyways, someone at work gave me this group's address and so, here I am.