Vulpesera

Closed.

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:55:14 GMT

Head on over to vulpesera.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:30:02 GMT

Happy Birthday, vaslittlecrow :)

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:51:28 GMT

Dear Mr. Downey Jr.:

I'll stop bleaching my hair if you do.

Thanks ever so,

A.

Pics...

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:10:42 GMT

...of the Halloween-y, costume-y variety. Click to enlarge.

They turned out fairly similar to the initial ideas... (http://hnos.livejournal.com/333138.html#cutid1)

Making a hat last minute in the wee morning hours (because I can't fricking find anything anywhere) actually kind of worked out ok.

He had literally been stopping in front of mirrors for the past month, trying to perfect an Eastwoodesque squint:

It's Pocky.

Ru:

I had mild guilt while painting this. Then I painted it's eyes to glow in the dark and that guilt was quickly replaced with maniacal laughter.

(it was once this:)

This took a touch of bravery on his part:

I had so much fun with them this year...more when it's not 4 AM and I'm not exhausted.

Wonderful

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:06:43 GMT

Good:

I think I need to post the Best of the Worst in Halloween Costumes 2007. I found some spectacularly lame shit. Perhaps when I'm more awake.

Better:

Tormenting my neighbors with Boz Scaggs. They are fucking stompy, concrete footed, hooting rude people. I hope they appreciate hearing "Miss Sun" through the floor with me wailing along. Suck on THAT, Tacky Religious Bumper Sticker A-Holes!

....Addendum! Developments! One of them has stomped on the floor and I heard a muffled "GodDAMN!"....Boz and I are bringing them to half-cocked fit-throwing *aaaaannnnd* blasphemy! There is no scale with which to measure how much this amuses the hell out of me....

Best:

It appears that A got off the ground a touch more quickly than I thought it would. I am still quietly awestruck and so very pleased. I sold three bags right out of the gate, and I believe I have two custom orders coming up. Since this happened so quickly, I am without business cards and feel quite a bit like a babe-in-the-woods. I only hope that it continues to prove fruitful.

...and I did.

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:43:45 GMT

I should update this thing, I rarely do anymore.

Honestly, lately it's like pulling teeth. No, that's wrong...it's like being 17 and waking up to the blackness of 6 AM-in-Minnesota-winter, untangling myself from my favorite uber-soft comforter, having to put on layers of clothes and having to drag my ass to school when I'd rather loll about in bed mentally playing out inappropriate scenarios about....

Yeah. Anyway, it's simply a hurdle. So on with it....

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:02:44 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GAVIN!!!!!

Observation

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Ru and I were out grabbing coffee and she pointed something out that I, stupidly, never noticed:

Wacky.

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:10:11 GMT

I am taking a momentary break from story illustrations (more on that when they are finished)...

Pointless observation:
I am the absolutely the laaaaast person that ought to comment on what people wear*. I have made several questionable fashion choices (I was 13 in 1986- that should speak volumes) myself- but I need to comment on something that I have seen more than once since I made the move to Portland. Something that I am seeing with increasing frequency...

What is with the racerback tanks with the big 'ol white bra straps hangin' out? I was in Safeway last night, and as I was trying to decide on dinner, three Slumped Heiress-wannabes came slapping down the aisle, shuffling about in their flip flops and sucking on their Frappamochalattebingybongychinos.

The three of them took an over-long bored look at me and continued on. As I looked up, I noticed one girl sporting the following (pencil rendition in place of actual photo- the clothing combination annoyed me enough to take a break from dancing rabbits and Lemmy guarding a castle):

Why not just go all the way and pull a Mrs. Stimler? (Bonus if you know what I am referencing. Seriously.) I assume it was an attempt at being alluring, there was a substantial amount of crack being flashed.

*Oscar night is an exception to my bitchery on the subject. I come from people who are highly talented with a needle and thread- and there is no excuse for being dressed like a toilet brush when you make millions.

Which is the bigger trainwreck?:

"Rock of Love with Bret Michaels", or "Scott Baio is 45 and single"?

VH1 is really scraping the bottom. I will admit that I sort of look forward to Joel McHale ripping both apart. :>

Pride/Joy:

I can hear Ru intoning along with the TV: "When Cameron was in Eeeegypt's laaaaannnnd....let my....Cameron....goooooo"

Pride/Joy II:

...and she wants to nitpick Solarbabies with me. Glorious! :D

Obsessed:

I cannot stop listening to Goldfrapp. Or saying "Goldfrapp".

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:19:19 GMT

Have a great birthday, fortysevenbteg!

Fri, 25 May 2007 16:45:46 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY signalii! Wish I was there to get comfortably looped :)

...as threatened (pic heavy)

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:49:29 GMT

Some more, a little late...

(Keep reading, Red6...goodies at the end)

Fave dress of the evening:

Sherry Lansing. I love this. The colors look intense, it's not skanky, not dowdy. I would love a better photo of this, and I'd like to know who did it. Rachel Weisz looked beautiful...Deepa Mehta also looked amazing, but I can't find a pic of her anywhere...

Observations:

Someone mentioned to me that Eva Green wasn't Angelina Jolie-ing it up on the red carpet, and that she was simply working an original look.

I'm gonna stick to what I initially said.

For some reason, I get Anne Hathaway and Emmy Rossum confused. I have no idea why. But from this point on, I am going to think of them as Nellie and Nancy Oleson. That way I'll remember which is which. You remember Little House on the Prairie, right? The spoiled daughters of Nels and Harriet Oleson? Shut up, you do too.

First, Nellie. Sure, she had her moments where you wanted to grab her and shake the snot out of her- but she turned out all right in the end:

See? Even the lovely Anne knows she goofed with that ginormous black thing on the front of her dress. I dig the 80's influence as much as the next person- but that is a few rhinestones away from looking like one of those butterfly tops.

Ok. Now remember after Nellie grew up, and Harriet went bugshit and adopted Nancy? Claiming Nancy was the "reincarnation" of Nellie? Even though anyone who watched the show over the years realized that while Nellie's bitchery was funny- this new chick Nancy was pure, unadulterated evil in sausage curls?

You just want to slap her hard, don't ya?

See what happens when you have sex with Harry Hamlin and Michael Bolton?

Michael Bublé looks like Michael DeLuise in Encino Man. SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
I'd like to see her hyphenate her name in the event of a hitching. The sound of "Emily Blunt-Bublé" makes me exquisitely happy.

This saddens me.

Who is this man, you might ask?

With his glossy dyed hair and

taut

waxy

face

that doesn't match his hands?

Yeah. Shit is wrong, and breaks my heart. Just say no to Botox, Judge Reinhold. Learn it. Know it. Live it.

I don't understand...

...how in the hell she walked in this thing. It looks so freakin' heavy. Seriously, I get tired just looking at the photo, trying to imagine the wading-through-molasses sensation that surely accompanies such a garment. I am also wondering (after the constant "OMG gorgeous dress" comments) if I am the only person who thinks Penelope's frock is reminiscent of the following:

...how A. Isla stayed in her dress and B. how she avoided chafing.

...why Carlo Gugino isn't an It Girl. She is hot as hell. And THAT is how you wear a dress with pockets. I know it's frowned upon- but if I could get away with it, I would. Shit, I don't even like her dress. I just want to wake up tomorrow morning stacked like that.

Finally, for red6

...and Jennifer Hudson didn't miss a beat. Just did some tucking when the lights went down. Way sassy.

For Hek

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 07:30:00 GMT

Celeriac...vaguely reptilian and baby...head...Crite....pod...things.

RE: Dreamhaven Books in Mpls

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:59:49 GMT

Taken from Neil Gaiman's blog:

Psst. Dreamhaven. Pass it on...

http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2007/02/psst-dreamhaven-pass-it-on.html

I've been a fan of DreamHaven Books in Minneapolis for over fifteen years, probably since Terry Pratchett and I did our first signing there for Good Omens (had I signed there before? I think so, but I can't remember. I first met owner Greg Ketter in 1987, on a train from Brighton to London, though). I like Greg Ketter and the staff, I love getting my books there (they have things I never see anywhere else that I WANT. I'm sure that lots of bookshops sell the annotated archy and mehitabel, but if I walk into DreamHaven something like that is the first thing I see. Happiness).

A few years ago I gave them www.neilgaiman.net, which I had, as a storefront, mostly because I got tired of replying to people who wanted to know where they could buy something -- anything -- by me "DreamHaven Books." I sign stuff for them when I pass by.

Some people think I have a stake in the shop or something, and I don't, other than a desire to still have it around as somewhere to do my shopping or to do signings or to phone and ask weird book-related questions. I've seen too many good bookshops go down in the last decade.

Greg's published a few of my books and audio books. They've even functioned as a maildrop for me over the years. Good people, good bookshop (and comics shop, and toys, oddments and even, in the backroom, eye-watering reading matter for adults only shop). (I don't know of any other shop that has "Vintage Sleaze" as a category for used books.)

I got an alarming email from Greg this morning...

We had a break-in on Saturday night. They got a bit of cash but wreaked
terrible havoc on the store and my office. Damages will be costly but
insurance should cover a lot of it. But after the lull in current
business, this really will hurt. I don't like charity but if you could
encourage people to maybe buy an extra book off us soon, it may help.
Three bookstores have closed in the Twin Cities in the past two months and
I don't want to make it four.

You can find them online at http://www.dreamhavenbooks.com. Their current catalogues are up there, for new and for used stuff. There's cool new stuff. There's stuff on sale.

If you want stuff by me -- or by people like Charles Vess or Dave McKean, who've worked with me, go and explore their http://neilgaiman.net site. Lots of signed stuff, and things you really can't find elsewhere. (They have three audio CDs, for example -- one's a double CD -- with many stories and such not recorded anywhere else.)

And if you're in the Minneapolis area, pop in. It's a big purple building. You can't miss it.

Go buy books from them. And tell other people. This is me being selfish. I want to buy books at DreamHaven for a long time to come. Good things die when people forget.

Halloween costume pics

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:15:54 GMT

...and there are a TON of them...

...and that was only one of two pics that turned out of my 5 minute lightning quick pumpkin carving job. Dammit.

It was frigging BEAUTIFUL that night. Almost cold! It was very reminiscent of MN/WI, just how I like it. Last year was rainy and that wet green Swamp Thing smell assaulted my nostrils. Not so this year. It was amazing. Burning leaves and the wind whipping my hair about. I was thrilled.

I was worried that Liev would roast inside his costume (I lined his werewolf hood with imperial purple satin leftover fabric- he chose it), but since the temps were lower than the norm, he was the only kid who was warm. Originally I planned on making both costumes, but waiting until the last minute and having other stuff to deal with found me over at Gwen's on Sunday with her offering up her skills. So she made Ru's dress (I sewed on the straps, added the ribbon and constructed a thread loop, whoopdie do) while I spent a couple hours trying to figure out if I should make werewolf claws (I did) and making Liev a Warren Zevon t-shirt (which he did not want to take off "He has glasses like me!")....hey, missmousy...might young Eli like one :D?

rubywednesday loved her costume and braved the weather to sport it. "I was BORN in Minnesota"...it wasn't as racy as the one sported in the film, but apparently she looked the part enough that "everyone got it". (She decided to ditch the rhinestone thing)

Smirking, wishing I would give it a rest w/ the camera:

Liev's costume was actually fun to make- I didn't use a pattern because it would have messed me up, and I'm glad I just trusted my own instincts. Patterns SUCK. Every time I use one, it cocks me up. So I employed math skills I was not aware I had, went with 1.5 yards of the fur in case I messed up, and went to work. Everything came together surprisingly well, and he looked so goddamn cute stomping around. He's such a ham:

(yes, he's howling)

He LOVES his new shirt:

(however, no one got that Warren Zevon was on his shirt- so he happily shared this info with most people handing out candy- he got quite the haul, too)

Miscellaneous:

Sofia, Gwen, Adam, Rhiannon and Liev

Tee hee

Liev caught a portion of An American Werewolf in London (heavily edited of course), and this is his take on David's transformation scene. You can imagine the sound effects:

Unrelated:

Here you go, Rhiannon:

...and for Juno and Jenny, my eyeballs:

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:38:53 GMT

First:

Birthday wishes go out to ninevah, hope it's a good one!

Second, something I referenced earlier and didn't elaborate on:

On Saturday night, rubywednesday had me absolutely undone. VH-1 was running old "metal" videos for an hour or so...and Ru made a few observations that were quite astute beyond thirteen years (I've included visual aids for the humorless):

Upon viewing Accept's "Balls to the Wall":

(stammering)"Is this a joke? This is...this...is this Judas Priest Lite?"

White Lion*, "Wait":

"Ohhhhhhhhh. This is sooooo whiny. That girl is making a Zoolander face...

Right there! She did it again! What is UP with that?
(Ru sees the lead singer's spread-legged stance and gleefully quotes Blackadder)

Ooooh! Here are my genitals, please kick them!"

Dio, "Mystery":

"...going grocery shopping with Ronnie James Dio would be so awesome...

(Ru leaps off the couch- drops into a rock lunge, makes emphatic hand gestures and scrunches nose up with teeth bared and wails the following to the tune of "Rainbow in the dark":

'I need SOUR CREEEEAM-uh! And a LOAF of dark, dark BREAAAAAD....'

...and I could hand him stuff..."

*ok. I know White Lion is not metal. But they don't have an hour long program called "Whiny stuffed-crotch hairfest", so I guess it lands there.

Many images. Work-safe, but there are tons of them.

Tue, 09 May 2006 07:16:54 GMT

Prepare to have the hours sucked out of your day...this site is phenomenal. I felt compelled to comment on many of the products featured...and it's not even a dent into the site. It's CRAZY-EXTENSIVE.

This might be the most perfect, gleeful grouping of words ever used. Since the beginning of time. EVER. Burry's! HOOPTY-DO! BiG LuCiOuS MARRRRSHMALLOW PIE! WHEE!

But why is Donald so happy? Could it be the wooden rocket that he's dry-humping?

I'm not gonna say it.

Ok, I gotta. "Goofy" and "Cream of" should NEVER be used in tandem.

The mental image of following the directions, and cutting out the eye holes while curds slowwwwwwwwly issue forth from that maniacal-looking pink rabbit's ocular cavities (thank you Phil Hartman) made me laugh for almost an hour.

I once actually ingested this. By choice. The "fruity" flavor. Oh my GOD was it fucking HORRIBLE. Think juicy fruit gum with a hint of nail polish remover and stomach acid. Really. I also vaguely remember that it was a nice, lush tropical shade of bile yellow.

I know how she feels.

Shot from GUNS!

Quickly yanked off the market following complaints regarding it's cousin, Pud Pudding.

Because R2 was such a fucking fairy. *rolls eyes*

What crazy, voyeuristic Sea-World Porn was about to happen here, huh?

Is it just me, or does the female cartoon Lik-M-Aid junkie in the upper left package appear to be thinking "Oh dude....I am SOOOOOO waaaaasted..." while leaning on a toilet?

Gee. Yay. Thanks, Mommy. Thanks, Daddy. I *heart* Yokel-Candy.

Behold the mighty BROWN VOLTRON EGG. (waits patiently for Forty-icon)

Just for Kyle... Who needs literacy when you got flavor!

The "...made me tee-hee like a twelve year old at Lake Titicaca" assortment:

The "What the fuh...wha...this is..." nightmare-grouping:

This one especially. Look at his...remaining teeth. Loooooooooooooooooook.

This one might take a sec...but....Punch and Judy is scary on it's own. And do you KNOW what crazy shit they had to do in the 60's to replicate RASPBERRY FLAVOR?

Go and look up "hexachlorophene". I'll wait.

These should be part of a Stephen King plot.

Who knew you could buy EYE-POPPING, JAW-WRENCHED-IN-A-SILENT-SCREAM HORROR for a penny?

See, Susie? Raggedy Ann says it's A-OK to touch Mummy's hot iron! She wouldn't lie! Look at her shiny, bright eyes and knowing smile! Yeah! It's ok!

Links-from-others Day

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:53:46 GMT

This time, it's from elemmennope:

http://torridromance.com/products.html

Just in time for the almost, not quite, long ways off but why-not-start-now holiday season, Build Your Own Romance Novel. For a mere pittance, you can have your very own dirty little secret.

Just gaze upon the following well-written excerpt:

Hugh leaned his back against the wall and stuck his hands in his belt loops, regarding her with that same lazy, sexy smile. Disturbed, Hnos looked away. "I hadn't heard anything about a buyer."

"Think about it," Hnos said, carefully avoiding his reptilian, yet smouldering eyes. "This is a ranch. A ranch is a business. Either it makes money, or it loses money. If you give it to someone who doesn't know anything about ranching, they aren't going to make any money at it anyway."

Although she was lecturing him like he was a schoolboy, Hugh couldn't help but notice the way her body moved with her words, the way she swayed to left and right when she demonstrated either it makes money or it loses money. Pure sex appeal. Then there were her lips; well formed, sensual, promising some interesting times in the bedroom . . .

"Huh, I never thought it that way." Hugh said, trying to douse the sudden heat in his body and mind. "Perhaps tonight, after I go to bed, I can stretch my mind around your advanced concepts. In the meantime, it's a little premature...heh heh...."premature"...to think about selling the property. The will hasn't even been read yet."

"Facts are facts, Mr. Jorgen," she said, piercing him with eyes as green as her alien blood, "and they don't depend on whom Auntie Entity left the place to. I understand your concern for your position. Very possibly whoever eventually buys the property will wish to keep you on. Possibly they won't. If I were you, I'd be looking for a positive reference."

He stretched, then linked his hands behind his neck. It hadn't taken her long to get to the threats. "I see. Ms. Hopefully Tight-Fisted, you're how old?"

"Old enough to know constant and frequent self-abuse when I see it, Cowpoke."

"Right. And in that lifetime, you've spent a total of two minutes on this ranch. I'm a mere child of the key-partying, swingin' 70's who has worked a ranch all of his life. A positive reference from you would make all of the difference. Yes, ma'am."

He stared at her for a moment. From the twitching at the corner of his mouth, she guessed he was trying to hold back a laugh. And it made her wanted to slap the hell out of him. Or kiss him. Or pour gravy on him and sop him up with a biscuit.

And to add pointy granules of salt into her gaping wound*, he added, "But then again, I'm nothin' but a poor, uneducated cowboy while you're all cultured, and purdy and clean. I guess not havin' any dirt under your nails mean you know more than me, *dudn't it?"

Hnos opened her mouth to reply, closed it, opened it again, and then snapped it shut.

"Um, excuse me?" eked a very uncomfortable and charmingly be-wigged Rip Taylor. "It's late and uh, maybe, everyone's tired and uh..."

They both looked at her...uh, him, remembering that they weren't alone.

"It is late," Hnos agreed. She looked at Rip with a deep, apologetic smile. A sincere smile. Running her hand through her hair- red as a whore at a stoplight, she whispered, "I'm sorry for waking you, Rip. I know you need your beauty sleep."

Rip Taylor shook his head. Confetti flew everywhere. "Please don't worry, Hnos," Rip said softly. "You just sleep tight and rest up. Tomorrow will take care of itself."

Hnos turned to Hugh and her previously upturned lips flat-lined.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's been a long day, a long drive from Reality, and I'm exhausted. I'm usually not this...contentious."

Surprised by her graciousness, Hugh wore a smug grin and waved his hand at her apology. "It's been a long day for all of us and - "

"Oh wait, I'm sorry. "Contentious" is a three-syllable word, isn't it? I'll try to keep it at one from now on. For your sake."

With that, Hnos spun around and walked to her room.

Hugh smiled after her. Feisty.

*I didn't pen that. But damn, NUTHIN' says romance like "pointy granules" and "gaping wound". Well, maybe the lat....nevermind.

I might pay the half c they charge- but only if they let me re-title it to "Creamy Ranch".

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 05:03:18 GMT

This might make me unpopular, but I dislike the over-use of the ribbons (cancer, AIDS, etc) and bracelets on humans and cars and whatnot. It's annoying when a positive thought or possible good idea is shoved down one's throat. I applauded seeing "bacon" and "lust" bracelets in the latest Archie McPhee catalog, and will probably own them before the Spring is through. That said, my mother handed me a pink rubber breast cancer awareness bracelet to wear in support of her, and you can bet your ass I've worn it. Without thought. Then I thought I ought to do something a smidge more permanent.

A few days ago, Martha (my previously-mentioned aunt) informed me that nenoke (her daughter and my cousin- the always entertaining and talented Natalie) drew a design that Martha had tattooed at Electric Dragonland. I liked it so much, and the familial meaning behind it, that I went in to Pussycat here in Milwaukie and had Gene add it to my own skin:

(note- it's not off-center. It just looks that way because I lack photo skills.)

The guy is AMAZING. He was lightning quick, nice as hell and seemed extremely intelligent without being a pompous dickbag. It was an awesome experience. I can't praise him enough. (It also really helped that he reminded me greatly of someone I cherished)

And yeah, I want more.

Martha will be flying in on Friday. I think Gwennie will see it then. Should be interesting to hide until that point.

Edited to add...

My sister's foot:

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 19:45:15 GMT

So last night, rae_vanalstine quit smoking, and asked me to wish her luck. So "luck" to you, and here are a few pointers:

1. DO NOT HANG OUT IN SMOKY BARS. Yeah, I wanted nothing more than to go pubbing (one vice for another)- but it will destroy you.

2. Save the "beer with friends" evening for a little later. You want a week or two without smokes under your belt before you do that. At *least*. Smoke and Drink go together like Fred and Ginger. Avoid.

3. Go to a thrift shop/Sally Army/Goodwill and buy several non-spendy/non kitsch-awesome but HIGHLY FRAGILE dishes. You're gonna get really nasty/irrational and flinging those breakable sumbitches is going to be highly therapeutic. Seriously. It's so helpful. Especially when you get the not-helpful "God you're crabby. Why dontcha just have a smoke?" Cue the L7 and go ape.*

4. Feel free to tell annoying ex-smokers who proclaim "IIIIII did it, youuuu can tooo" without offering ANY support to promptly go and fuck themselves. (Note, I said ANNOYING ex-smokers, which are a completely different breed apart from their supportive cousins.)

5. Get a counter. It seems stupid, but it's fun to see how much you're saving. Ok, not as fun as lighting up a a great, big smoke...but think about all the pointless shit you can buy that WON'T make your hair smell bad! Whee!

6. Write a break-up letter. See http://www.livejournal.com/users/hnos/229027.html#cutid1
Juno's right, it does help- even if only to amuse you.

7. If you screw up, it's fine. Just try again. It took me a week of allowing myself a drag here and there before I quit completely. The Human League said it best. (ducking)

(edited to add: Noss (yeah, there are two of us in OR) mentioned potential injury with Dish-Flinging. So use caution! If you're klutzy (like I am) it might be beneficial to hurl Tupperware. Just a thought.)

Juno said this would help.

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 19:05:18 GMT

*Sigh.*

Nic,

So. It's been almost a week since we were last together. And I have discovered that I just don't need you as much as I thought I did. Please don't try to change my mind. You knew this was a long time coming. It's not me, it's you.

I remember when we first hooked up...you were lanky and much shorter than I- normally I'm not into that- but your charisma was undeniable. You were bad, Baby. And I knew it. You tempted me from the beginning and your hold has been strong ever since. You were my constant companion, always there for me. You comforted me when my home life was tough, you had my back when I felt alone...we were a perfect fit. Sure, we were excluded sometimes- but what did it matter? Remember the beautiful sunsets? The hills at Ren? Those long motorcycle rides? When I had you close as the wind whipped through my hair? Sometimes Vino and Mary stole your thunder, but you always remained close. You always stoked the fire within.

But...you're just not good for me. You've hurt me too many times. The bad outweighs the good, and I just can't take it anymore. Sure, it all started innocently enough...that time Andi took you from me?? When she put her lips around you and joyfully exclaimed that you tasted "minty"? The shame! Wasn't I alone good enough for you? Did you need to tempt those around me as well???

This was just the beginning of our troubles...you were so hard on me, and you sometimes hurt me. Deep down I knew it would only get worse- but a tiny voice inside swore you'd change. But you never did. Remember when you told me that I'd get fat if I left you? That I would go insane* without you around to keep me safe? Enough is enough. You're toxic, and I have grown beyond your grasp.

I won't worry about you...you'll find someone new- perhaps not as devoted as I, but she'll love you in her own fervent way. I will always remember the good times. I see you every now and again and my desire is as strong as ever. I went for a walk the other day and came across your cousin Bic, and this made me realize how much I desperately miss you- but I know I'm better off. I've shed a tear or two over this and I know now that this is the way it must be.

Vaya con dios,
A.

QuitMeter Counter courtesy of www.quitmeter.com.

*this doesn't count. ;0

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 18:59:54 GMT

For pinksoap, after she made reference to "two shrieking harpies having coffee":

finished iiiiiiiiiiiiiiit

Tue, 18 Jan 2005 21:54:53 GMT

So, my first knitting project thingy is finished:

Ruby likes it a great deal, which makes me happy. Bey likes the yarn and wants one as well- apparently, the thing is extremely warm. I guess it'll be coats next. ("It's real aardvark fur!")

Interesting music thing that is floating around...

Mon, 06 Dec 2004 22:53:36 GMT

1. A song from the last record you bought:
R.L. Burnside, "It's bad you know"

2. A blues song:
(impossible to choose) ummm....Chris Thomas King "I'm on fire". For now.

3. A song that gets you going in the morning:
Aimee Mann, "Momentum"

4. A song that you think is romantic:
Shawn Colvin, "Set the prairie on fire"
(Ok, "romantic" is the wrong word, but...)

5. One of the earliest records that you can remember listening to:
Supertramp, "Breakfast in America"

6. A song that you discovered from a film:
the only thing I can think of, is my intense love of Charlie Sexton started right around the time I heard "Beats so lonely" in Some Kind of Wonderful.

7. A song from your favourite band/artist:
Tom Waits, "New Coat of Paint"

8. A song from an artist/band that you otherwise don't like, but like this one:
Sarah McLachlan, "Fallen"

9. A lullaby:
Squirrel Nut Zippers, "Wished for you"

10. A song that makes you laugh/you find funny:
Frank Zappa, "Crew Slut"

11. A really good cover version:
would be Glen Danzig covering The Doors "Alabama Song".

12. A song that reminds you of school days:
Lone Justice, "Shelter"

13. A song from an artist that you are embarrassed to admit you like:
I would say half of what I listen to would be listed as "something to be embarrassed about". But I'm not.

14. Whatever it is, it's got to be funky:
Rufus and Chaka Khan, "Ain't Nobody" (yeah, more R&B Soul, but this is one of my all time faves, so I have to list it)

15. A song for those quiet rainy days:
Robert Plant, "Big Log"

16. A song that no matter when you hear it makes you feel good:
Badfinger, "No matter what"

17. A song with the word "Look" in the title:
Cy Curnin, "With one look"

18. From a member of the "Dead Rockers Society":
Warren Zevon, "Reconsider Me"

19. Your favourite Elvis song:
Elvis Presley- I don't have one. Elvis Costello, ""When green eyes turn blue"

20. Wild Card -- Hey, just put any song you like on!:
Eva Cassidy, "Ain't no sunshine"

21. Song that makes you extremely sad:
Madonna, "Bad Girl"

22. A song that makes you think of an old flame:
Billy Joel, "And so it goes"

23. A song that makes you think of a vacation or trip:
Anything off the Tenacious D album.

24. A song you like to listen to while driving:
Lush, "Ladykiller"

25. A song you wish you could share with friends:
Cinnamon Bitch, "Can't remember the title"

Wed, 10 Nov 2004 20:01:37 GMT

Last night I was talking to Jenny* about the priest at St. Francis who seemed to enjoy tormenting me while I was in Intensive care after I had Liev.

When you have a baby in a Catholic hospital, odds are that you will have a priest/nun or two swing by to visit you during the few days you are there. (I'm chatty enough that I don't mind such a scenario) Unfortunately, I spent (all together) about three weeks in that place- and there is ONE GUY there that needs to be sent away. He's an unmitigated horror show.

He's older and extremely thin...he has a very drawn out manner of speech with a thick accent. He moved verrrrry slowly...creaking almost...what really gave me the screaming mimis though- this creepy fucker floated like a phantom.

I am not joking.

The guy did not take steps...it looked as though he moved in a straight line through the halls, frequently coming into my room to vex me with asinine religious questions or to scare the blue bleeding fuck out of me by standing behind the curtains...saying nothing...just standing there. Watching me. In the silence of the dark room they kept me in.

The fact that I was hopped up on various drugs did NOT help.

Bey pointed out that this priest looked a lot like the old shaman from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He was right. It was a perfect, eerie resemblance. Take this guy:
...put a jacket, collar and a big ol' fucking cross on him. BOOM! The stuff of my nightmares. It turns something mystical and interesting into something extremely frightening.

What I wanna know is...where was Gabriel Byrne/Jason Miller? You know they exist... ...the brilliant conversationalist with dark, brooding eyes and granite jawline...the one who would smell of piety and passion combined with the faint comforting scent of Winston cigarettes and lemon-oil wood polish...perhaps with a brogue...he who would distract me with pleasant chats while I returned to health...where was my smokin' *hot* man of the cloth, dammit??!??

I think in order to work in a hospital, you cannot stir up absolute terror in people. It defeats the purpose of your job. The above is an ideal...you don't have to be the comforting and oh-so-tasty Hollywood version of a priest- but you also shouldn't freak out patients to the point of them wanting sedatives. Jeezus.

*not AJ's woman, I mean Jenny-she-who-is-my-luhvah Jenny.