The weather forecast:

Mostly miserable, with a chance of shitty.

In layman's terms, it's really damn cold and windy, so it's not fit for man or beast out there.

Or if you want to be more specific:

"19°?!

ITS FUCKING COLD

GREAT! If you're a penguin."

Is it wrong that I'm ready for summer? (Hey, at least this time I have a car with air conditioning!)
_____________________________________

There hasn't been much going on lately. Other than Amanda being sick all over the place (we think she has roundworm, which is treatable if she'd eat the damn gooshy food that has the damn medicine on it).

I think it's the calm before the storm. I think that Christmas is going to sneak up on me and kick me square in the ass. I just have a few more things to get, and I can wrap that all up on Friday (because hooray paycheck) and hypothetically kick back and relax with a cup of cocoa (spiked with minty schnapps? perhaps...) and the tree all lit up and let the spirit wash over me while I plan Christmas dinner.

Hypothetically.

Cut to: me rushing to Wal-Mart in a last-ditch effort to pick up something for somebody so I'm not treated as a pariah-slash-Scrooge and wondering if I can get away with frozen lasagna and bagged salad...
______________________________________

I'm headed for bed. With visions of summer vacation dancing in my head.

I'll catch up on Holiday Blessings tomorrow. I had quite a pleasant phone conversation today.

Because this is more inspired than any content my brain-dead mind can think of at the moment:

The new site is almost ready to goooo... I just have to make new headers and combine the content of two pages.

KIND OF GETTING EXCITED YOU GUYS

I think I might relaunch on Dec. 13.

On the front page is a list of links - I have a lot under "art/comics" that point to webcomics I enjoy, comic/manga commentators, and artists I like. I don't know if there's some sort of comic-sphere etiquette about this stuff. Is there?

I know, I know, it's been forever since I updated my LJ. Shame on me! But I figure this is a better place for the following than Facebook.

*sigh*

My dad had a mild heart attack this morning/early afternoon.

He's doing fine, but is in the hospital overnight for catheterizaion of his heart, tests, tests and more tests. He should be home tomorrow.

Apparently my sister called Mom early this afternoon, and Mom said nothing about any of it until she was asked what she and Dad were up to today.

"Oh, I'm following the ambulance with your father in it."

How very... Mom.

She has remained calm though, which is good. Panic tends to spread around, and the fact that she is calm pretty much means that things are going to be just fine.

Calm is also a reasonable reaction at this point - a) it was mild, b) he is okay now, and c) he's getting it taken care of. Too many people don't.

I find it comforting also that the first thing he asked for upon arrival at the hospital was a shower. That's my Papa... and me. Allergic to ourselves to a point where if we get soaked with sweat, we break out in a rash if it doesn't get washed off quick enough.

...

Ahem.

So anyhow... I noted the other day that my last two posts were about two words each (Couch! and Snow!), which seems very lacking in content.

Couch! was followed shortly thereafter by Entertainment Center/TV Stand!, then Chairs! and TV!. Living room is completely furnished.

Been playing "Gold's Gym Cardio Workout" on the Wii (just got back to it after a week.5 lapse - for shame), as well as the newer version of WiiFit. Also have a PS3 (which we got a while back, but didn't really have the TV to support it... the new 46" (I think) flatscreen does nicely) and Ryan has been going through one of the more recent Ratchet & Clank games. I also borrowed PikMin from a friend - I think I've screwed it up to a point where I won't be able to 'win' it though.

Also renewed my World of Warcraft account sometime in October... which may go a little ways towards explaining my lack of updating?

Nah. Not a chance.

Currently at level 74 on my main character (was 65 or so before quitting last spring?), have had to change guilds (old one disbanded) and haven't done squat with the new folks. Lots of folks from the old one switched to this one too, so at least it's not *all* new people. I'm very behind the times on the game though - missed a lot in the patches through summer.

Work continues to be work. I have been spending more time in the field lately, which (despite the snow and eyelash-cicles I was trying to develop today) is actually a good thing. Have lots of plots (full remeasure) in Itasca (where we live) County to do this winter, as well as keeping up with non-mandatory check cruises, data management and all the other things that sometimes give me the excuse to stay inside.

Next summer will provide a new and interesting twist to the student thing... the Feds have been unhappy with the student field work, and the compromise with Bossman was to have a permanent staff member + 2-student crew do the P3 work instead. So Pat and I will each be accompanied by two students (another forester and a botanist) to complete the ... 47 P3 field plots. We've already come up with a plan of action (more or less) that involves me and my crew covering about 20 of them and he and his finishing the remainder. Why do I get fewer? Because I said "Oooh... There's two plots in the Boundary Waters! I'll go there!"

Yeah.

Sucker.

We are going to my parents for Christmas this year. *gasp!* It's been a long time, and the last few big family holidays have found me profoundly homesick. I'm past due. We'll also be trying to squeeze in visits to as many friends (and other family) as possible. Going to GLI one or both days (undetermined) to take care of the college hockey jones.

We'll also be going to Florida for the first week of March to spend some time with Ryan's Grandma. Staying most nights with her at her condo, but we've also got a couple nights reserved at a little motel on Sanibel Island. Ryan assures me that the coast during winter (early spring) is much nicer than Orlando in the heart of Summer. Though I still have my reservations about the temperature swing that I will have to endure... 65ish degrees. (Based on this past March 1 mean temperatures for Hibbing & Ft. Myers.) Wouldn't be so bad if my winter weren't going to be so field-centric... ah well. I'll get through.

Ack! Too warm!

Brr! Too cold!

Bah.

Ah, yes. And I've started eating bananas. Something about potassium, and working out too much.

OK, I can't help this one: Mariah Carey, "All I Want For Christmas Is You." I'm not generally crazy about her music, but every time this one comes up on iTunes, I start bopping around the house.

So many fine people came to our NYRSF reading tonight - friends old & new, and even some strangers! It was a full house, which was terrifically gratifying and not a little moving. Our 20th Anniv Curator, Claire Wolfe Smith, gave a very moving opening talk about the history of NYRSF, complete with anecdotes you had to have been around 20 yrs ago to fully appreciate! Which, of course, we were. She also read the list of those whose readings she'd curated back then, including Delany, Emshwiller, Gaiman, Palwick ,Haldeman, Dozois, and many many more. A real Honors List. Many of these, our Elders, have had serious health scares recently; it made me happy to realize that, with the exception of Tom Disch, who took his own life last year, they are all still with us, bless them.

Delia read "How the Pooka Came to New York," which will appear in Ellen Datlow's NAKED CITIES next year (in a slightly longer version - we edited it down to be under 30 minutes); she read Liam's POV, and I read the Pooka's. Then I read "The Man with the Knives" (which will go out on submission as soon as I figure out where the Glory and the Money are next). Instead of dividing it evenly between POV's (mad Alec's & Sofia's), I went with my gut and simply assigned certain Sofia bits to Delia - including dialogue. It was a bit like music. I think it worked well. My only regret is that we read right up to the time we needed to vacate the building - so I didnt' get the chance to get everyone's reactions, field questions, etc. I invite you to do that here, if you like.

...is sinfully good

The black box is coming along nicely.

its all painted (mostly)

need to let it finish drying from the paint

then the mirrors.

then finish painting when i find the right color of red.


Then... the working begins being created

Dear Coworker:

I understand having good oral hygiene and all but when you brush your teeth for the 3rd time in 8 hours could you PLEASE clean the damn faucet and rinse the sink out??????????????????? I'm not sure what is more gross, the spit you leave on the faucet or the chewed particles of food and toothpaste left in the sink.

Thank You

• 07:09 @RetroRewind praying for your family, Dave. #
• 07:23 Tuesday. Heading to work. New girl starts training on my job today, so I can start doing my new job!!!!! Very much looking forward to this! #
• 09:07 I can only help as much as you'll let me... #
• 17:10 The tension is causing me to pick again. I'm just waiting to see who snaps first... #
• 22:39 Going to bed. It's been a draining day. #

Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter

About 5 miles north of Kramer Junction on the 395 outside of Boron, CA is an abandoned prison. FPC Boron ("Federal Prison Camp") shut down in around 2001 judging by the dates on most of the forms found around the facility. The facility itself does not appear to be a typical prison.. driving up to it, it looks mostly like an industrial complex. There are about 28 houses in a circle slightly south of the main facility--housing for the correctional staff. The inmate's quarters are two-story dorms with central air and heating and carpeted floors, huge windows. Each inmate gets a locker and there are bathrooms at the end of each hall. Not a bad place at all to serve out a sentence. The facility was minimum security and housed "white-collar" criminals.. sort of a slap-on-the-wrist detention center for tax fraud, stuff like that.

I've been to this site several times but decided to take a couple friends who'd never been. I took tons of pictures so I'll just post in parts.



( Read more... )

BwahahahaHAHAHahahaheeheeheehoohoohoohahahahahehhehhehsnerkgaspcoughcoughthud.

I'll dissect this one in a day or two; it's classic. In the interim, the comments are fairly educational. If this is the best Wendy can do, she's in trouble.

The Kercher murder story is fascinating me. I'm finally looking at the details and argh. It's one of those where I'm sure Knox was involved and maybe Sollecito but I still haven't run across enough evidence that puts it beyond a reasonable doubt. I'm not half way through the evidence yet though so I expect it to show up. It does occur to me that Knox is crazy. Her behaviour seems to me to be bizarre - like she slips in and out of reality. Maybe just very narcissistic? She gave a couple very contradictory statements and then was talking about which one felt more real to her??

Do you guys have opinions on this case? Read up on it? I know parthenia14 has. Poll #1496522 the Kercher murder
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 1

pls click all that apply:

Additional thank yous are winging their way to maubast, eldritchhobbit and sprat for the snowflakes! They're pretty *and* charming!

I have to admit that I really need the kind thoughts right now. A friend of over 40 years was just diagnosed with uterine cancer. I just. . . Damn. Surgery is being scheduled. I have to admit that I'm reeling in shock, while gearing up to provide as much support as possible. ::deep breath::

Here are my blades. Two of them appear to be missing, but I'm sure they'll show up eventually.
Sorry for the horrific quality of the shots, but this camera does not love me.

MY SON IS CHATTING NOW...!

We have been doing RPM every weekend- this past weekend we had old friends visiting so I centered the RPM on getting him to chat with them- it went very well!

My very good friend is Danny and Forrest has known him for many years as well as his wife & kids, but they live in Baltimore so we don't see them that often. Another is Rick, who we also don't see that much

With Rick:

(Forrest in BOLD)

Hi Forrest

HELLO RICK, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

I am fine

(Dad- Do you have any questions for Rick?)

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A JOB?

I find people jobs (He works for Unemployment- worksource)

CAN YOU FIND A JOB FOR ME?

Uh, well, Ill see what I can do?

With Danny- a longer session:

HI DANNY, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Im Fine Forrest, how are you doing?

I AM GOOD

(Dad shows Forrest an old picture of Danny & Family playing with a very young Forrest- and asks: Do you remember her? Danny's wife)

SHE IS SUSAN

That is right Forrest!

(Dad- Do you remember the kids? Do you know their names?)

I DON'T KNOW

(Dad- what do you remember about them)

THEY WERE CUTE

(That is Audrey, the other one is Anne- can you spell those? He does.)

Danny-

Im just visiting for a few days so I cam to see your mom and day and you.

ARE YOU COMING TO LIVE HERE?

No, I have to go back to Baltimore

WHAT IS YOUR JOB?

I work for a union- I try to get teachers more money.

GOOD

ARE YOU HAPPY?

Yes, I am happy

WHAT IS ANN DOING?

She is going to school, she is in college.

(We point to Susan and Ann- do you have any questions?)

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

Susan is a teacher and Audrey is going to graduate school.

IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU DANNY

(Verbalizes- TV TV!!!)

(Dad- Ok , good job, tv!)


Also- We also asked him about the boat trip he took with the Fircrest staff on Saturday morning

What did you do earlier today?

I WENT ON A BOAT

Did you have fun

IT WAS REALLY GOOD

Did you see lights?

YES

What did you like the best?

I LIKE BEING ON THE WATER

Was it cold?

IT WAS VERY COLD

But you had a good time?

I LIKE THE WATER.

Hi Everyone,
I am pregnant, but starting to think about daycare. Does anyone have any insights into infant care in Ballard, Capitol Hill or Wallingford. I'm a teacher and don't make great money, I was thinking a coop would be a better bet for me.

Sometimes it doesn't take much to set something in motion, to change everything.

A sight. A sound.

Or maybe just

One touch

Deadline to link your entries back to this thread is Sat Dec 12th at 2pm EST

Have fun.

Some guy at lunch said there are doctors who take cash and charge lower rates. Well, perhaps, but I think that prohibits them from taking most insurance, because insurers insist that off-street pricing exceed their pricing by at least 25%. (I'm not making it up.) Do these mythical lower-priced cash-only doctors exist?

*sighs* Avoid depressive content under the cut.

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I live in an excellent duplex in Wallingford that's within blocks of the 44, 16, 26. Easy to get to Ballard, Capitol Hill, U-District, Northgate, Downtown, etc. It's also only 3 blocks from the QFC on 45th, and the assorted bars available on that drag.
( Just across the street from the Erotic Bakery! )

See pictures on craigslist: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/roo/1499885527.html
comment with any questions.

Everything appears back to normal after the ServerBeach DNS issue. If anyone has emailed Moggy or I on Sunday or Monday, we probably didn't get it. But at least email is back now and the same goes for the website.

Blood pressure returning to normal...slowly...

Von

The polls are closed, and once again it is time to say goodbye.

justkimu dropped out during the poll, sacrificing herself in the Oldscratchx's Sexual Tribe. Which means that no one else is that tribe will be eliminated.

It was apparently a bad day for the divas, and we are saying farewell to

photodiva02: A multiple time Tribal Leader. Which is a rarity. But it's also meant that I've gotten a chance to interact more than I have some of the others. You can tell a lot about a person from who they select to compete against. Some go for the sure thing whereas others go for the challenge, or just plain people that they like. I think it's a safe bet, looking over her tribe selections, that she wasn't one for taking the easy way out.


For me, your entries always seemed to be right on the edge of discovering something, of taking the little things in life and figuring them out on a larger canvas. I would have really liked to see how it was going to develop.

and

foxdiva9 : From what I've seen over the last few weeks, you tend to pack a lot of wallop into bite sized entries. Your Week 4 entry was actually one where I took a step back and figured that it was going to put you on a lot of people's radars. Week 5 was a good follow up as well. This week was more of a sleeper. But I'll be frank, I wasn't expecting to be saying goodbye to you this time around. I figured there was more time for you to find a bigger audience, or for them to find you.

Thank you to both of you for competing this season.

I really hope that you stick around, and maybe play the Home Game, because you can never be sure what is going to happen next.

***

We also have a tie. Which means a run off between canadian_diva and diagenou.

The run off topic is (of course) Making Fire. You have until Wed Dec 9th at 9pm EST to link your entries back to this thread.