Network

Late night at the office tonight, and thank God for pack-and-plays. Viv is asleep in the corner while I go through this paperwork. Poor girl. She's amazing and patient. I wish that I could have given her a more interesting night tonight! But she's got her blocks in there, scattered around her little, sleeping body.

Means I'm stuck here until I'm finished with this mess and can head home. I'd sell my soul for a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich right now.

Skyped my mum. Today was Mothers Day back home. She's feeling so much better. I sent her some chocolate dipped strawberries via a service.

My nighttime soap opera isn't through yet. When I last dreamt I'd moved into an apartment with Nikki. Quite a lot has happened since then. In my last dream I set to vampire-proof our apartment with the skills Vasiliy taught me. Who should stop by for a visit but the man himself and our mutual friend Nora? They came to tell Nikki and me that vampires had broken into Vasiliy's apartment. Apparently the child we'd been living with let them in. His mother is one of the sentient ones. Anyway, Vasiliy and Nora were going to tell a politician that Red Hook was no longer vampire-free and they wanted me to come with, but Nikki was hesitant to let me go so... But then on their way out Vasiliy complimented my welding. It made me feel so happy. I never get compliments like that from Nikki in the dreams. I think when I was welding the only thing I got from her was "You look so gay doing that." It was said in humor, but it's still a far cry from a compliment.

Anyway, I've got a bad feeling about vampires getting into Red Hook. We worked so hard to clean them out. If they're coming back, they'll come back with a vengeance.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who's ridiculously excited to go see Zootopia? Mom's watching Viv, so I can go this weekend. Just need to find someone to go with look up show times. How adorable does it look? And, apparently, it's a good movie on top of being family friendly... It's setting records and still at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Are they going to take away my adult card because I'm so excited to go see a kids movie?

I had no idea that Dreams could hurt so much. People I don't know in this world have made such a huge impact on me. People I certainly hope I Dream about again, but... when they die, are they really dead? I'm going to miss her terribly, but she doesn't really exist. This is so confusing, and it hurts so much. I can't stop crying, and I'm glad I'm not working because I'd be shit behind the bar right now. I don't even know how to deal with a loss like this one.

Baxter's Bakery Location #2 [Address details] is now open for business!

Come along and see the wonderful team we have here and let us know if you think we've still got the magic of the original!

And since we're opening on a Leap Day anybody who buys a sparkling latte gets a themed cookie for free and if you're dressed as a mythical being yourself then you'll get your drink free too! :D

Good to know that the S shaped scar from my dream crossed over here to the waking world. My dream self is stupid and called it a birth mark, when it is clearly a burn. My dream self is really stupid apparently.

Well at least, last nights dream wasn't anything crazy.

[Private to Peter]
Dreamed of you again lol. Apparently in my dream you were my best-friend. So obviously we have to make this come true lol

How many of you consider yourself a specialist in any given field of noteworthy import?

For sure, these dreams only get odder. And so do their side effects. In the dreams I had red eyes, and now, I do here, too. Not really sure how to feel about this.

What does one do when suddenly one needs sunglasses or contacts to walk outside?

I'm not sure what's weirder. The fog and the creepy crawlies that seem to be hiding in it, or the dreams.

And not sure what being able to sat that says about my sanity, either.

Orange County; fun. Weird, but fun.

Well I've not been this drunk since I've in a long time.

Like, oh.. I'm int aplace or something. It's bright, and kinf od neon and green. It has hot dogs but they look gross, but SOOOOO GOOOODDDDDD.

And I on't care that I'm not with any friends because I don't really care. Like I'm more than fine taking fucking care of me yself when this like this. I'm good, SO GOOD.

I love pitas and gummy bears and those sour slices of fruit wedge things that don't make a lot of sense but taste AMAZING. Ihate spice drops and licorice though, FUCK YOU PERSON AT THE BAR WITH YOUR BULLSHIT.

I'm thinking of moving,somewhere, like somethwere far away. Kansas? KIs Kansas pretty?

I love you all. NIGHT.

I'm going to talk to this nie man with the cart and paper bags.

The time has arrived. The opening of Victrola is tomorrow night. Since I am in a generous mood give me your name and I’ll make sure you are on the list.

So after pretty craptastic dreams last night, I woke up to find a bunch of pine needles on my nightstand. In the dreams, Katniss gave them to me to remind me of home since District 7's primary export was lumber. I put the pine needles in a box in my bedside table so I won't lose them.

I've got business completely unrelated to dreams. My mum is apparently very sick. My dad just called. Some kind of lung infection involving a fungus. Asper-something. How does that even happen? It's no wonder I flunked biology... Just... If you're the superstitious type, light a candle for my mum, alright?

Ok, so I don't often post things like this, but I find myself in a post-festive period rut which I desperately want to get out of. My Dreams have been a bit more intense lately with aliens trying to suck the life out of my second in command and human-form Replicators trying to destroy my city.

So are there any ideas out there for things to do around here?

Alright~! Helllo, Orange County! Anyone out there tired of Dreams, weird storms, and boring days? Well, this next weekend, the fabulous Harleen Quinzel and Helena Wells are celebrating their upcoming nuptials with a come one, come-all party! It'll be held at Festival Park at [address], this Saturday, the 16th of January. All who come in peace and frivolity are welcome.

There will be tents, drinks, live music, and some firepits where food will be roasting.

That's right. Free food, music, and drinks, as long as you act respectfully.

So, what do you think, OC? Ready to party and help these two celebrate a new beginning?

So me and my girl are gonna make things official like. With paperwork an' everything. That ain't gonna change our open arrangement or nothing but it felt like the right thing to do!

I finally found my father in my dreams. Or he found me. I don't think he knows, and the dream-me doesn't know either. This has made her internal monologue horrifically awkward. Good thing she's as good at flirting as I am

My only friend tried to keep me captive, I figured out what the cameos I got for Christmas mean, and I got a taste of good old Edwardian era racism. I feel dirty just thinking about it. I hope to God that there's nothing so horrific hiding in plain sight in the real world.

I feel lost. In the dreams I've seen so much violence, most of it aimed at or perpetrated by my father. I'm a little terrified of what he's capable of, and who he really is. We don't know each other well and so far we've been polite.

Is it wrong to sometimes miss the golden cage I was kept in? I know logically that I'm better off and happier now, but emotionally. . . the world has a lot of good, still. I can't let these dreams get the best of me.

Okay, then. Well, just woke up from less than two hours of sleep, and from some of the damnedest, most realistic dreams I have ever had. Man, I was really hoping I could avoid that!

Also? Dream me is an idiot. Yep.

Christmas was good.
New Year's went well.

Much food was had. Much fun was had. And so on and so forth.

Anyone got some fun resolutions for the year?

Alright, I'm on a mission. Who doesn't have anyone to celebrate with tonight? We're going to celebrate Christmas Eve properly.

So a friend told me about this website, said it was the place to be in the area. Since I'm new around here, I figured I would try it out.

So, I'm Remy LeBeau, comic book artist and writer, newly moved up from Los Angeles to get away from the big city and telecommute. I mostly work all day, hang out in coffee shops, and hike a lot.

How's the world treating all of you, this winter?

Have to admit, I wasn't expecting to see this much snow when I moved to California.

Name's Remy LeBeau. Thought I'd take a look at this network thing.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!

So I've been told on more than one occasion that it would be best to expand my circle of friends, and one of the most popular places to do so would be on the internet, specifically this site. I don't know why everyone seems to seek friendship via this method instead of face to face contact, but then, I did not grow up with so much technology surrounding me. It's a fascinating concept for an anthropologist to be certain.

My name is T'Challa Okonkwo. I'll be teaching at the University of California: Irvine, replacing [name] as professor for the course Post Colonial Africa. Seemingly considered an 'Easy A' course. We'll see about that. I will also be teaching a Masters course in Cultural Anthropology. If there are any prospective students on here, I look forward to our time together. If there are any fellow professors on here, I look forward to meeting you in person at some point.

Nothing like an impromptu trip to Russia.

Apologies for vanishing without notice like that -- now be honest, how many of you thought someone actually killed me and threw me into a ditch? Don't be shy!

This place is certainly strange. But I think I kind of like it. It keeps things interesting. Though I am a little disappointed that the weirdness didn't happen to me.

We just got home from grocery shopping. Our kitchen was practically ransacked, and I had the worst stomach ache and hangover when I woke up this morning. Is it a good thing I don't recall really what happened this weekend?

What I do recall is more dreams. The end of these ones, maybe. At the end of it all, I decided that I was done with being a musketeer in earnest this time. I departed Paris and almost poetically stopped writing to my friends all together. It's all very final. Ah well, this version of myself, his heart was never truly in it, I feel.

Also I should add, before I forget, this picture of us on Halloween. We make quite the group.

( Cut for image, warning: good looking men in plenty of leather. )

[Private to Remy]

I was going through my messages on my phone. I am so sorry. I have no idea what got into me.

Anyone else notice that Stark Tower's completely covered in ice?

I went out and melted a good portion of it away with some heat beams last night, but it's back again.

Don't all volunteer information on this at once, now.

Two vastly different events I attended, I think I enjoyed them both in their own ways. Although I much prefer the second, only because even I find it hard to shake hands and play nice when I know plenty of things about those I am shaking hands with.

It's so hard to not say a subtle comment about a man's mistress to his wife. I delight in the panicked looks in their eyes when they figure out someone else knows.

C'EST QUOI, CE TRUC LA? C'EST UNE PETITE BOITE, MAIS JE PEUX ECRIRE DEDANS. JE NE COMPRENDS PAS. OU EST LE PAPIER? OU EST LE STYLO? COMMENT JE PEUX ECRIRE SUR CETTE PETITE BOITE?

ALLO? ALLO? QUELQU'UN LIT CA?

So yesterday I went in to the Irvine PD station to turn in the last of my paperwork, check in, all that stuff, and some jackass from Vice tells me "Don't forget your box of crayons", like it's my first day as a cop ever.

He's lucky I didn't introduce him to a little New York attitude and knock him flat on his ass.

Other than that my Halloween was pretty interesting. I thought maybe the costume thing last night was just the alcohol talking, but looks like it's a legit OC thing. Actually pretty entertaining stuff. For once I can say, thank you OC.

I committed the ultimate sin of forgetting to buy candy for tonight. I honestly did not expect trick-or-treaters at my apartment, but guess who had to run around the corner to the gas station at the last minute.

I think I made up for it in the end, since I was the only one giving out full sized candy bars.

Look at who's on drunk patrol tonight.

Public Service Announcement:

Don't drink and drive, kiddies...

And don't drink and puke all over other people's stuff, either.

Nobody likes a sloppy drunk.

and I don't like dealing with your asses

So the Irvine PD accepted my application and they got all my paperwork from New York. This decision's been a long time in the making, but between the dreams and missing the beat, I can't say I'm surprised I'm getting back into a uniform.

Mom was pissed though I wasn't coming home to be in the NYPD. Surprised she didn't block the paperwork or you know, set it on fire. She'll get over it.

I hope.

Now....to figure out what I'm wearin' for Halloween and where I'm gonna wear it to. Ideas?

Okay, I'm a sheep. Baaaah. Make your jokes now, peasants -- then help a guy out.

So, I'm not sure what in the Hell I'm doing for Halloween, but I do have three parties, so I can choose three costumes. So it makes total sense that I have so many to choose from, right?

Just agree with me, it's easier than arguing.

Should I be kinda sexy? Or.. a millionaire playboy? How about Dangle?

Or, if those don't do it for you.. there's always Rocky Horror! And Captain BDSM!

Then again, I could go with nerdy but awesome Samurai Darth. Or Ezio.

And, there's always the old standby of being comfortable in every-day wear: A suit.

((OOC - He's not part of the Halloween Plot, so he won't change into his costume!))

Well it was only a matter of time. All of us knew it was coming...

Locked Up Prisoner Costume

I don't dig stripes too much, but-

Bustin' Out Prisoner

I'm leaning towards the first, but thoughts?

I need to do something exciting.

I used to like this time of year, but I don't so much any more.

Some guy on campus handed me this flyer thing today, inviting me to go to this Halloween party at his house. He was... really forward. ANd he smelled really bad. And when I said I might bring my boyfriend to the party, he told me boyfriends weren't allowed. And guys had to pay to go? I don't know it was really awful, and he wouldn't go away and leave me alone.

See, Caroline? Buffy? We need to have lunch together every day to avoid the creeps!

[Private to Hans]
Do you have Halloween Plans? I was kinda hoping to stay in, watch scary movies and pass out candy? There are a dozen kids in my apartment complex who have all stopped me on my way in and out to ask me what kind of candy I'll be passing out.

Oh, and don't let me forget I need to buy some candy.

I dislike candy corn.

If Craigslist worked in Philly, I guess Valarnet will work here.

Completely normal jet-lagged dude seeks bar recommendations. I could ask the cabby from the airport, but who knows if he even likes beer? Hook me up, random internet people.

Apparently, I they got the days mixed up on when my apartment is going to be ready and here I am with internal clock that says 4AM when it's only 5 in the afternoon. Well, I guess it actually is 5 o'clock somewhere.

Woke up to find a bow and a quiver of arrows in bed with me.

Not sure if this was someone's idea of a joke or a present.

Either way, I guess this is a sign from the universe that I should take some archery lessons.

I've just recently moved to Orange County and have been strongly encouraged to use Valarnet to... network, I suppose. So here goes.

I'm Kate. This place is very overwhelming to someone from a small town in Texas, but I'm eager to get out and explore. There's really only so many day-time soaps I can watch with my aunt before going crazy (by which I mean one day was plenty) and I don't start school until Monday.

So, how about it? Any places I absolutely have to see, right away, lest I be ostracized for being uncultured? Bonus points if it's easily accessible via bus from the La Habra area. Until I can save up to get a car, public transit and I will be BFFs.

So, this is the network, right? My coworkers keep talking about this place. Some weird stuff, too. Is it all true? Hit me with your best shot.

Oh, I'm Kate. I teach self defense, archery and fencing. I'm always looking for new students, so if you're interested, you can email or call me. [Work Email address and Work Phone Number]

I've had more of the new dreams it seems..I'd been given a letter to deliver to the Captain of the Musketeers Monsieur de Treville, but a Man from Meung stole it while I was unconscious after the last fight. I went anyway to see him without the letter, but found you don't just ask to be a Musketeer. You have to be commissioned by the King.

During the interview I spotted the Man from Meung outside the window and tried to pursue. Instead I end up basically running into Athos who was already injured and injuring him more. Then interrupting Aramis with some handkerchief thing, and finally basically tripping on Porthos's cloak after making fun of his clothing. Anyway I pissed all three of them off, so challenged each one to back to back duels while being pretty damn sure I wasn't even going to survive the first. One at noon, the other at one, and the last at two.

[filter: Remy, Sharon, Anna, Athos, Aramis, Porthos, Rogue, Portia]
I think we're as settled as we're going to be now in our new home. Maybe it's time we did a house warming party. How is this weekend looking for everyone?

Well I for one am glad that we don't live close to Wasco. I'm not one to be scared of clowns, but this reminds me of a horror movie.

So, Halloween's coming up. I don't have a costume yet.. which is a big deal for me, of course.

And I do plan to be at a Halloween party, since it's on a Friday.

Now the two questions:

Who's throwing this awesome party I'll be attending-- or am I throwing it?

And what the Hell am I going to dress up as?

I was a Ken Doll last year. That was pretty awesome. I've been a (female) hooker. I did the pirate thing, the frat-boy-in-a-sheet-at-a-toga-party thing.. Three years ago I was a slutty ghost. I threw a sheet over my head and put on ladies underwear over top of it. That was fun.

Anyone have suggestions? Requests?

I could always dress up as Iron Man. Or, you know, Master Chief.

So much seems to happen at a time when I dream. At the very least, I can easily say that were are all four of us prime conspirators and let very little stand in the way of our success.

That being said, I somehow managed to get a sword to the arm. Fortunately, I didn't wake up with that injury this time around, and the man happened to accidentally fall on my sword after all was said and done. Then there was the matter of someone attempting to poison d'Artagnan using our names (and a plot, in general, to kill him and subsequently us - really, d'Artagnan, the things we do for you).

I've come to the conclusion that this Athos is a jerk. A clever one, but a jerk all the same. He continues to call me "monsieur the abbé" and I can't tell if he's being mocking or affectionate. I'm leaning toward the side of mocking. My dream counterpart's patience is beginning to run thin, I can feel it.

And then I suppose given my former set of dreams, I expected things to turn out rather differently. It seems misfortune is bound to strike where one least suspects it to.