21 July 2002
19 July 2002
I can't believe I'm thinking about going to San Diego ComiCon. It appears that if I don't go until Friday morning (I was looking at Thursday night), it's less than half the price... Blast it, Decipher is *always* so late in notifying us about this stuff. But they're saying special fanclub privileges....
Anybody got a room? Or a membership?
Friday Five is back
1. Where were you born?
Well, we *lived* in Spring Valley, Illinois, but I was born in a neighboring town. Damned if I can remember whether it was Peru or LaSalle. And no, you probably don't know where any of that is.
2. If you still live there, where would you rather move to? If you don't live there, do you want to move back? Why or why not?
I moved away when I was 18, and I would never want to go back. Small and provincial doesn't begin to say it. Small towns are not, for the most part, "quaint." Mine, at least, was narrow-minded, had a high level of unemployment and intolerance, and absolutely nothing to do outside of getting drunk and driving around aimlessly.
3. Where in the world do you feel the safest?
I can't say I feel particularly safe anywhere, and certainly not in my neighborhood. I have to say, when I was in San Francisco last month during Pride, I felt pretty safe in a part of town that I would not normally feel safe in.
4. Do you feel you are well-traveled?
No, not particularly. I've travelled a fair amount, but usually for some reason outside of the travel itself (such as for conventions or figure skating championships). So, I *have* been exposed to quite a few other cultures and in THAT respect I'm fairly well-travelled, but I sure don't feel like a world traveler as I would use the term.
5. Where is the most interesting place you've been?
Define interesting. Probably New York City, which is still my favorite place in the world. London is a close second. Helsinki was one of the oddest, as it was least like what I was used to (and I couldn't pronounce ANYTHING except "kiitos" (thank you).
Well, we *lived* in Spring Valley, Illinois, but I was born in a neighboring town. Damned if I can remember whether it was Peru or LaSalle. And no, you probably don't know where any of that is.
2. If you still live there, where would you rather move to? If you don't live there, do you want to move back? Why or why not?
I moved away when I was 18, and I would never want to go back. Small and provincial doesn't begin to say it. Small towns are not, for the most part, "quaint." Mine, at least, was narrow-minded, had a high level of unemployment and intolerance, and absolutely nothing to do outside of getting drunk and driving around aimlessly.
3. Where in the world do you feel the safest?
I can't say I feel particularly safe anywhere, and certainly not in my neighborhood. I have to say, when I was in San Francisco last month during Pride, I felt pretty safe in a part of town that I would not normally feel safe in.
4. Do you feel you are well-traveled?
No, not particularly. I've travelled a fair amount, but usually for some reason outside of the travel itself (such as for conventions or figure skating championships). So, I *have* been exposed to quite a few other cultures and in THAT respect I'm fairly well-travelled, but I sure don't feel like a world traveler as I would use the term.
5. Where is the most interesting place you've been?
Define interesting. Probably New York City, which is still my favorite place in the world. London is a close second. Helsinki was one of the oddest, as it was least like what I was used to (and I couldn't pronounce ANYTHING except "kiitos" (thank you).
18 July 2002
I just can't leave well enough alone, can I? Get the template where I like it, so I have to tinker with it *again*. I'm trying to add photos to the right margin and show a bit more of the background texture. If you hate it, and can let me know gently (please don't make me cry...), please do! It may look a little weird in the interim, since w.bloggar is having problems with my blogger pro coding, apparently. But smart as it is, it seems to have righted itself (fingers crossed). Now if I could just get the text size back to normal!
OK, I've managed to make more of the background texture show, but it's messed up the relative size of the table so that it runs off the page a little on 15" monitors. Is that annoying to people?
OK, I've managed to make more of the background texture show, but it's messed up the relative size of the table so that it runs off the page a little on 15" monitors. Is that annoying to people?
17 July 2002
Woo hoo! Let's go to Vancouver...
Sue tells me that Peter Wingfield is playing one of Magneto's minions in the new X-Men movie that is currently filming in Vancouver. Wow, Serena *and* Methos... Can anyone spell "road trip"? I thought you could!
In other news, Christian Bale was a *hoot* last night on Craig Kilborn. I wonder if he realizes that some people actually try to be on their best behavior on publicity tours... I wonder what he'll do on Carson Daly?
16 July 2002
Rings-Thing for Tuesday, July 16
You occasionally hear the charge that FOTR is, in essense, "an action movie" dressed up in Middle Earth garb, and lost the epic scope of the books. There is also the opposite charge: that there isn't enough action in the film, that people got a bit restless in parts. *Any* truth to either?
My first thought, on about 4 hours sleep, is to say that there is a lot more action in the fanfic than in the movie, but I guess that's not what is being talked about here...
I do understand the quibbles, although I think the fact that both camps have an argument shows that PJ did his best to try to serve both the fans of the books and those who had never read them. In trying to condense a work of that scale for the screen, and into a movie whose length won't scare TOO many people away, a lot has to be sacrificed. There were some things cut that I absolutely do not miss, especially the Sackville-Bagginses and all that long beginning in Hobbiton. Lots of explication there, lots of backstory, lots of talking. But some action scenes got cut as well, such as the entire sequence with the barrow wights. I would *not* have wanted to be the one making these decisions.
Watching the movie for the last 4 times (27-30) at the Brew and View really brought home to me how much a general audience likes the action scenes--Aragorn saving the Hobbits at Weathertop, the cave troll sequence, and most especially the fight between Aragorn and Lurtz. And you know what? Most of the rest of us love those scenes, too. I can't even begin to guess how many times I turned to the person next to me (or she turned to me) to say "I love this shot!" either when we get that silhouette of Aragorn from Frodo's POV, fighting off the ringwraiths on Weathertop, or when he "lets Frodo go" and turns to face the Uruk-Hai. Those are both great images, and two of my favorite ones in the movie. The action in this movie *mostly* advances the story--it's not inserted willy-nilly to break up long stretches of narration.
So, while I could probably go on at more length (and probably would have if I wasn't so tired!), I have to say that while there is *some* truth to both charges, it only means that PJ has probably done the best possible job in balancing the action with the slower, more thoughtful passages, and in trying to keep faith with the fans while making the movie accessible to people who didn't read the books.
My first thought, on about 4 hours sleep, is to say that there is a lot more action in the fanfic than in the movie, but I guess that's not what is being talked about here...
I do understand the quibbles, although I think the fact that both camps have an argument shows that PJ did his best to try to serve both the fans of the books and those who had never read them. In trying to condense a work of that scale for the screen, and into a movie whose length won't scare TOO many people away, a lot has to be sacrificed. There were some things cut that I absolutely do not miss, especially the Sackville-Bagginses and all that long beginning in Hobbiton. Lots of explication there, lots of backstory, lots of talking. But some action scenes got cut as well, such as the entire sequence with the barrow wights. I would *not* have wanted to be the one making these decisions.
Watching the movie for the last 4 times (27-30) at the Brew and View really brought home to me how much a general audience likes the action scenes--Aragorn saving the Hobbits at Weathertop, the cave troll sequence, and most especially the fight between Aragorn and Lurtz. And you know what? Most of the rest of us love those scenes, too. I can't even begin to guess how many times I turned to the person next to me (or she turned to me) to say "I love this shot!" either when we get that silhouette of Aragorn from Frodo's POV, fighting off the ringwraiths on Weathertop, or when he "lets Frodo go" and turns to face the Uruk-Hai. Those are both great images, and two of my favorite ones in the movie. The action in this movie *mostly* advances the story--it's not inserted willy-nilly to break up long stretches of narration.
So, while I could probably go on at more length (and probably would have if I wasn't so tired!), I have to say that while there is *some* truth to both charges, it only means that PJ has probably done the best possible job in balancing the action with the slower, more thoughtful passages, and in trying to keep faith with the fans while making the movie accessible to people who didn't read the books.
15 July 2002
PromoGuy.net Presents: Monday Mission 2.28
1. Have you ever sold anything through an online auction? What did you sell and did you make very much?
So far, I haven't. Tried to sell one ice show ticket I couldn't use, but got no takers. However, I intend to start selling on ebay in the very near (as in immediate) future. Or at least *trying* to sell
2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience?
ALL the time. Very nearly literally. There was a time, about a year ago, when I practically lived on ebay. Now, between the doll stuff and the LOTR stuff and a few other miscellaneous things, I'm still there pretty often. I think my latest count was 275 transactions. With the exception of ONE seller who took my money and didn't deliver, one seller who got payment, shipped the item, and THEN forgot all about both and gave me my ONLY piece of bad feedback, and two sellers who I thought seriously misrepresented their items, I've had no serious problems. Couple of items that I didn't insure got lost in the mail, but since these were during the same week, I tend to believe it was my PO and not the sellers. For the most part, the sellers have been from good to great, and I don't think 4 questionable transactions out of 275 is a bad average.
3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn?
I don't much like being in the sun when that's not the ONLY thing I'm doing--i.e., I like to lay out near the beach on one of the piers in Rogers Park (if there's a breeze and I can find a decent spot) and just read or listen to music, or just vegetate. I don't like working in the sun (one of the reasons I happily accepted a permanent move at Wrigley from the terrace to the gate) and I don't generally like just being in it. Sometimes I surprise myself by not minding, as I didn't at the SF Pride Parade--and I managed to burn my arms pretty well (not seriously, though). Luckily for me, my Arab blood usually means I don't burn easily, and even when I do burn, it's not severe and turns to tan pretty rapidly. I didn't used to burn at all, until I got to the point where between the two jobs I didn't get a single day at the beach all summer.
4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it?
Nope. I was a nonstrict vegetarian for a few years between stints in college (i.e., if I was at someone's house and they served meat, I would eat it, but I never cooked it for myself). I felt pretty healthy during that time, and was rather pleased with myself. But mostly, I like the taste of meat, and there are enough other problems in the world that I don't think my abstaining from meat because of the way food animals are treated is really worth the effort.
5. Suppose you are getting into your car after you've just made your purchase from a store you visit twice a week. You suddenly realize you had a .35¢ item in your hand and you forgot to pay for it. What would you do next? (what *would* you do, not what *should* you do)
Well, I wouldn't be getting into my car since I haven't driven in about 25 years. But aside from that, if I had *just* left the store that I frequent, I would most likely go back in and give them the money. If I'm there that often, I must like them and would certainly not wanting someone there thinking I was a thief. If I had gotten to the el or bus before I noticed, I would probably make a mental note to give them the money next time, but odds are good that I wouldn't remember to do it.
6. Sometimes it seems that there is just not enough time to do everything that must be done. Was there anything you wanted to accomplish this weekend that didn't get done?
Well, since I worked this weekend, almost nothing got done. I'd like to have finished editing the Pride photos, got the most necessary grocery items (especially litter), and I wish I'd gotten laundry done. Those are the biggies. LOTS of other stuff.
7. What is your favorite game to play with a group and/or an individual? (board game, computer game, athletic, etc.)
I'm not sure I have one anymore. There was a time it was RISK, and a time after that it was Trivial Pursuit. I'm not together often enough with a group to have one these days.
BONUS: One headline why believe it ?I don't know what this means!
So far, I haven't. Tried to sell one ice show ticket I couldn't use, but got no takers. However, I intend to start selling on ebay in the very near (as in immediate) future. Or at least *trying* to sell
2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience?
ALL the time. Very nearly literally. There was a time, about a year ago, when I practically lived on ebay. Now, between the doll stuff and the LOTR stuff and a few other miscellaneous things, I'm still there pretty often. I think my latest count was 275 transactions. With the exception of ONE seller who took my money and didn't deliver, one seller who got payment, shipped the item, and THEN forgot all about both and gave me my ONLY piece of bad feedback, and two sellers who I thought seriously misrepresented their items, I've had no serious problems. Couple of items that I didn't insure got lost in the mail, but since these were during the same week, I tend to believe it was my PO and not the sellers. For the most part, the sellers have been from good to great, and I don't think 4 questionable transactions out of 275 is a bad average.
3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn?
I don't much like being in the sun when that's not the ONLY thing I'm doing--i.e., I like to lay out near the beach on one of the piers in Rogers Park (if there's a breeze and I can find a decent spot) and just read or listen to music, or just vegetate. I don't like working in the sun (one of the reasons I happily accepted a permanent move at Wrigley from the terrace to the gate) and I don't generally like just being in it. Sometimes I surprise myself by not minding, as I didn't at the SF Pride Parade--and I managed to burn my arms pretty well (not seriously, though). Luckily for me, my Arab blood usually means I don't burn easily, and even when I do burn, it's not severe and turns to tan pretty rapidly. I didn't used to burn at all, until I got to the point where between the two jobs I didn't get a single day at the beach all summer.
4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it?
Nope. I was a nonstrict vegetarian for a few years between stints in college (i.e., if I was at someone's house and they served meat, I would eat it, but I never cooked it for myself). I felt pretty healthy during that time, and was rather pleased with myself. But mostly, I like the taste of meat, and there are enough other problems in the world that I don't think my abstaining from meat because of the way food animals are treated is really worth the effort.
5. Suppose you are getting into your car after you've just made your purchase from a store you visit twice a week. You suddenly realize you had a .35¢ item in your hand and you forgot to pay for it. What would you do next? (what *would* you do, not what *should* you do)
Well, I wouldn't be getting into my car since I haven't driven in about 25 years. But aside from that, if I had *just* left the store that I frequent, I would most likely go back in and give them the money. If I'm there that often, I must like them and would certainly not wanting someone there thinking I was a thief. If I had gotten to the el or bus before I noticed, I would probably make a mental note to give them the money next time, but odds are good that I wouldn't remember to do it.
6. Sometimes it seems that there is just not enough time to do everything that must be done. Was there anything you wanted to accomplish this weekend that didn't get done?
Well, since I worked this weekend, almost nothing got done. I'd like to have finished editing the Pride photos, got the most necessary grocery items (especially litter), and I wish I'd gotten laundry done. Those are the biggies. LOTS of other stuff.
7. What is your favorite game to play with a group and/or an individual? (board game, computer game, athletic, etc.)
I'm not sure I have one anymore. There was a time it was RISK, and a time after that it was Trivial Pursuit. I'm not together often enough with a group to have one these days.
BONUS: One headline why believe it ?I don't know what this means!
Borrowed from Dargie, who got it from Daisy Gamgee
What's the first fandom you wrote fic for? - The first thing I wrote for publication was in Blake's 7. I had played around with some Doctor Who stories that I didn't finish or publish.
What's the most recent fandom that you've written fic for? - I'm writing (not completed) in Lord of the Rings.
What's the title of your first fanfic? - rats, I can't remember. Something with "Phoenix" in it. Shattered Phoenix, maybe?
Does it suck beyond the telling of it? - Nope. Parts of it are very good, in fact. Mostly the parts I can't remember writing...
Is it slash or het? - Het
What was your first 'ship? - Bodie/Doyle or Avon/Vila.
What's your fave 'ship now? - Frodo/Aragorn
What 'ship makes your eyes bleed and your loins turn into monkey guts? - Huh?
What is your most common fic pairing? - To write, you mean? That would have to be het at this point, Servalan/Tarrant.
What pairing did you swear that you'd never write, but eventually did? - any RPS
What pairing do you swear you will never, ever write, even if your favorite character promised to make sweet love to you in their crypt/hotel/van/haunted apartment/prison cell/flat if you did? - Anything featuring a character played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
What's the wackiest fanfic situation you've put the characters in? - I'm not much into wacky. I suppose a rather unexpected 3-way that is still in wip stage, which *might* feature a hotel suite with the parties in the bedroom being unaware of what is going on in the common area, and vice versa.
What pairing do you hate to admit to actually indulging in, against your better judgment? - A whole bunch of RPS, which I have always been categorically opposed to.
Can you remember the first fanfic you ever read? - Nope.
How long have you been involved in internet fandom(s)? - How long have I been on the internet? Maybe 4 years?
Ever written a cross over? - Not so far
Best crossover fic you've read? - The "Chosen Men" series
What pairing do you want to write, but don't think you could? - Frodo/Aragorn
What's the most recent fandom that you've written fic for? - I'm writing (not completed) in Lord of the Rings.
What's the title of your first fanfic? - rats, I can't remember. Something with "Phoenix" in it. Shattered Phoenix, maybe?
Does it suck beyond the telling of it? - Nope. Parts of it are very good, in fact. Mostly the parts I can't remember writing...
Is it slash or het? - Het
What was your first 'ship? - Bodie/Doyle or Avon/Vila.
What's your fave 'ship now? - Frodo/Aragorn
What 'ship makes your eyes bleed and your loins turn into monkey guts? - Huh?
What is your most common fic pairing? - To write, you mean? That would have to be het at this point, Servalan/Tarrant.
What pairing did you swear that you'd never write, but eventually did? - any RPS
What pairing do you swear you will never, ever write, even if your favorite character promised to make sweet love to you in their crypt/hotel/van/haunted apartment/prison cell/flat if you did? - Anything featuring a character played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
What's the wackiest fanfic situation you've put the characters in? - I'm not much into wacky. I suppose a rather unexpected 3-way that is still in wip stage, which *might* feature a hotel suite with the parties in the bedroom being unaware of what is going on in the common area, and vice versa.
What pairing do you hate to admit to actually indulging in, against your better judgment? - A whole bunch of RPS, which I have always been categorically opposed to.
Can you remember the first fanfic you ever read? - Nope.
How long have you been involved in internet fandom(s)? - How long have I been on the internet? Maybe 4 years?
Ever written a cross over? - Not so far
Best crossover fic you've read? - The "Chosen Men" series
What pairing do you want to write, but don't think you could? - Frodo/Aragorn
San Francisco Pride 2002 - Main Stage photos are up, with the exception of "Dead or Alive." I won't be home in time to do those tonight, so look for them Tuesday night.
Reign of Fire - what can I say? Christian looked (and was) great. And I don't mind a little suspension of disbelief. But the screenplay for this movie was just too sloppy. Was it worth seeing? Yes. But I'm sorry I paid full price for it. Should you see it now or wait for TV? If you want to see it at all, go to the theatre and see the effects on the big screen.
Reign of Fire - what can I say? Christian looked (and was) great. And I don't mind a little suspension of disbelief. But the screenplay for this movie was just too sloppy. Was it worth seeing? Yes. But I'm sorry I paid full price for it. Should you see it now or wait for TV? If you want to see it at all, go to the theatre and see the effects on the big screen.
14 July 2002
Yet more Sir Ian
The parade photos are all up now. Only still need to finish editing the Main Stage ones so I can get *them* posted too. For a little preview of what's coming up, click here.
Might not get done Sunday night--I have to work all day then I'm going to see Christian Bale in "Reign of Fire." And Monday I am actually spending my hard-earned money to GO to a game (yeah, Braves). So look for it around Tuesday.
13 July 2002
Got another page of 12 July 2002
 |
| You're Charlie "Trip" Tucker. You stay down to earth no matter how far away from it you travel. You have a charm that always works to your advantage. When it comes to your friends, you're fiercely loyal almost to a fault. No matter what the situation, you've got the best lines out of anyone on Enterprise. Brought to you by redanubis. |
hmmm, this isn't what the *last* one said, but I'll buy it...
Not very well written. The part about me liking girls, OK--but it didn't ASK about guys, so what's the deal?
Don't go to Blogatelle if you're short on time...
Damn, if only I either liked tea, or liked about liking it, I'd have had a better score!!!
I am 77.5% British, just like
Michael Caine
Though you know your way around London you are most likely to retire to the West Coast of the USA.
Take the Brit Quiz at
www.darrenlondon.tripod.com/britquiz1.htm
Quiz written by Daz
You are Harley Barbie! You don't associate with "sophisticate" barbie and never "nsync #1 fan" barbie, but you know who your friends are and you do what you want. Plus, you have a kick ass motorcycle.
Crap, this was working when I did it earlier! if it's still down, I'm Ziggy!!!
I am 77.5% British, just like
Michael Caine
Though you know your way around London you are most likely to retire to the West Coast of the USA.
Take the Brit Quiz at
www.darrenlondon.tripod.com/britquiz1.htm
Quiz written by Daz
You are Harley Barbie! You don't associate with "sophisticate" barbie and never "nsync #1 fan" barbie, but you know who your friends are and you do what you want. Plus, you have a kick ass motorcycle.
Crap, this was working when I did it earlier! if it's still down, I'm Ziggy!!!
 | Elrond If I were a character in The Lord of the Rings, I would be Elrond, Elf, ruler of Rivendell and father of Arwen. In the movie, I am played by Hugo Weaving. Who would you be? |
I'm infected
Human virus scanner
My report:
The virus that have infected you will be show here along with thier cures, if known.
Viruses you suffer from:
USA
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves! [repeat]
Junkfood
Eat some real food. Something which you can identify the source of every ingredient, not the point of manufacture.
Sci-fi
Stop wearing the stick-on ears.
Religion
Read "God's Debris" by Scott Adams (yes, the Dilbert guy)
Politics
Stop caring!
Hippyism
Free love is passe and potentially dangerous, and patchouli smells like cat piss.
Conspiracy Theory
Face it, the elected government is in control. Actually that's quite scary.
Environmentalism
Consume more stuff! It's easier to buy new stuff than to recycle.
Viruses you might suffer from:
Linux (80%)
Install the latest version of Microsoft Windows. Learn to love it.
Industrial (70%)
Everyone likes folk. No, really. Maybe you should listen to the Incredible String Band.
British (85%)
No need for cure. Benign virus.
Brand Names (75%)
Having a well-known name doesn't make it good.
Computer Games (60%)
Stop staring at the screen and get some fresh air. You should see a doctor about the RSI in your thumbs.
Macintosh (60%)
Use a mouse with more than one button.
My report:
The virus that have infected you will be show here along with thier cures, if known.
Viruses you suffer from:
USA
Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves! [repeat]
Junkfood
Eat some real food. Something which you can identify the source of every ingredient, not the point of manufacture.
Sci-fi
Stop wearing the stick-on ears.
Religion
Read "God's Debris" by Scott Adams (yes, the Dilbert guy)
Politics
Stop caring!
Hippyism
Free love is passe and potentially dangerous, and patchouli smells like cat piss.
Conspiracy Theory
Face it, the elected government is in control. Actually that's quite scary.
Environmentalism
Consume more stuff! It's easier to buy new stuff than to recycle.
Viruses you might suffer from:
Linux (80%)
Install the latest version of Microsoft Windows. Learn to love it.
Industrial (70%)
Everyone likes folk. No, really. Maybe you should listen to the Incredible String Band.
British (85%)
No need for cure. Benign virus.
Brand Names (75%)
Having a well-known name doesn't make it good.
Computer Games (60%)
Stop staring at the screen and get some fresh air. You should see a doctor about the RSI in your thumbs.
Macintosh (60%)
Use a mouse with more than one button.
Cute... I don't like cute
Except when I do. Rate my kitten.
See especially this one. I wonder what the shelf life is?
Boy, was I the final straw that killed the images on Tripod? Too bad. I liked having Tim Curry in my blog.
See especially this one. I wonder what the shelf life is?
Boy, was I the final straw that killed the images on Tripod? Too bad. I liked having Tim Curry in my blog.
I was sure I would get Richard O'Brien
Who’s YOUR Rocky Horror Alter-Ego?
Find out now! Only from the Quiz Junkie
OK, I've got two Pride pages going up tonight, one for the March and one for Sir Ian (parade and main stage, brunch to follow). All of the templates are up, but the photos for most of them aren't edited yet, let alone uploaded.
11 July 2002
Oh My God!
OK, so Dianne tells me that Sir Ian answered my last letter on his website. I guess that's cool, except he told me (3 weeks after the fact) that he was doing the two concerts in San Francisco that I skipped because I didn't know he was doing them (and I was tired). OK, just before I can slit my wrists (he read *Sir Thomas More*, for pete's sake), I see this photo of Sir Ian on stage. Guess who that fool in the very front is, just behind the fence, white t-shirt (that's my McKellen.com Wizard shirt) and khaki LOTR baseball cap, taking a photo?
I just couldn't wait to put this one up
I took down the rest of the original Pride photos since I am about 60% through editing them and should have them all reposted (and many more besides) by Sunday night. I am trying not to put up too many that are similar to each other, but if you have (say...) a page for Sir Ian and want a photo or two, I *do* have some that aren't posted.
I just HAVE to stop reading the "fun" section of Gretchen's blog.
Play online battleship
If that's too hard for you, try Scrollbar Racing.
If you like the *very cerebral* old "pants" game (a la, "Gondor has no pants. Gondor *needs* no pants!) try Without WHOSE Pants?
OK, and is this really true?
Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie. They are:
Monday - Blue
Tuesday - Green
Thursday - Red
Friday - White
Saturday - Yellow
ALL of this hilarity is courtesy of Friday Fishwrap, which I have added to my blog links. I only wish I had met her before my Pride trip, since she sounds like a blast!
Play online battleship
If that's too hard for you, try Scrollbar Racing.
If you like the *very cerebral* old "pants" game (a la, "Gondor has no pants. Gondor *needs* no pants!) try Without WHOSE Pants?
OK, and is this really true?
Did you know that bread is delivered fresh to the stores five days a week?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each day has a different color twist tie. They are:
Monday - Blue
Tuesday - Green
Thursday - Red
Friday - White
Saturday - Yellow
ALL of this hilarity is courtesy of Friday Fishwrap, which I have added to my blog links. I only wish I had met her before my Pride trip, since she sounds like a blast!
More Ed Burns goodness on its way
The last remaining Ed Burns (as writer/director, not necessarily actor) movie that I haven't seen yet is on its way to me from Netflix. I think No Looking Back comes after "McMullen" and "She's the One" but way before "Sidewalks of New York." It will be interesting to see Jon BonJovi in an Ed Burns film--Ed does some interesting things when he has a better-known actor to deal with (such as Jennifer Anniston, Heather Graham, Elijah Wood).
I guess next I have to start with the ones he did "just for the money" (i.e., straight acting jobs). Private Ryan...
I guess next I have to start with the ones he did "just for the money" (i.e., straight acting jobs). Private Ryan...
I admit it--I love TechTV
Take the Which Screen Saver are you? quiz.
It's the quiz with oomph!
Created by Rachel (oomph) and John (woobyslj)
I am going to be SO sorry I tried this...
But here goes nothing.
Hmmm, not as bad as I expected! Now if I can just make the main text entry part just a *hair* narrower so the pretty background shows, I'd be all set! But not at 3:00AM, I think.
Hmmm, not as bad as I expected! Now if I can just make the main text entry part just a *hair* narrower so the pretty background shows, I'd be all set! But not at 3:00AM, I think.
10 July 2002
What song...
Borrowed this from Sarah, who got it from Amanda, who got it from Holly.. well, you get the idea. I'll probably edit it a bit tonight when I get home and see which CD's are laying by my computer.
1) makes you want to dance: "Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias, "Smooth" by Santana and Rob Thomas, "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna (sensing a trend? yeah, anything latin)
2) makes you happy: "Blue Savannah" by Erasure
3) reminds you of an ex-lover: any of the real treacly ballads from the mid- to late-70s
4) reminds you of an ex-friend: "Casi Un Bolero" by Ricky Martin
5) describes your relationship with your parents: I don't have *a* relationship with them, but two different ones. Not going there
6) makes you cry: When I was a kid, it was any version of "Last Kiss." Now it's "I Dreamed a Dream" or "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" or most of the rest of the Les Mis score.
7) makes you laugh:
8) makes you ponder life:
9) says a lot about you: "I'll sleep when I'm dead" by Bon Jovi
10) reminds you of the one you want: "Breathe" by Midge Ure
11) you wish you wrote: "Fortress Around Your Heart" by Sting
12) you never want to hear again: most Eminem or Backstreet Boys songs
13) you want played at your funeral: "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Bon Jovi
14) you want to get married to: "Love is all around" by Wet Wet Wet
15) makes friends think of you: Somebody give me a clue here. I have NO idea. Duran Duran?
16) you once loved but got sick of: Most of the Thompson Twins stuff
17) you love by a band/artist you hate:
18) you sheepishly admit to liking: I suppose "La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin, but I'm not really sheepish because I like him a lot.
19) makes you want to mosh: I'm way too old for that
20) you'd do anything to see played live: "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
21) reminds you of your childhood: Mantovani
22) sums up your teenage years: "I'm 18" by Alice Cooper (well, that's the closest I could come, anyway)
23) most people like but you hate:
24) you love the lyrics of: Nearly anything by Sting or David Bowie
25) you used to hate but now love:
26) is best played in the car:
27) you like to fall asleep to: entire "Breathe" album by Midge Ure
28) you like to wake up to:
29) you like out of your parents record collection: classic soundtracks and original scores
30) you love that you wouldn't know about if it wasn't for a friend: several songs by Savage Garden and Nine Inch Nails
31) makes you think of someone who died: soundtrack from "Gigi"
32) you love the video more than the tune: "Blue Jean" by David Bowie (I love the song, but I like the video even better)
33) reminds you of your first crush:
34) is good to listen to whilst holding hands:
35) you love which is from your favourite movie: "I Was Born in Love With You" from the Tim Dalton version of "Wuthering Heights"
36) makes you think of the moon:
37) makes you think of stars:
38) makes you think of the sun: "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison (obvious, or what?)
39) makes you think of the night: "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
40) makes you think of sex: "Breathe" by Midge Ure and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode
41) makes you think of being alone:
42) makes you smile: "Love is All Around" by the Troggs (thanks to Orli and Kate)
43) you love to hear at clubs: Depeche remixes
44) is not your "typical type" of style but you love anyway: "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz
45) reminds you of your best mate: anything by Arcadia
46) reminds you of your siblings: "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen
47) reminds you of the one you want but can't have: "Breathe" by Midge Ure (or almost anything else from that album, really)
48) you can sing really well: "Desperado" (Eagles) or "I'm the Singer, You're the Song" (Tanya Tucker)
49) you love which is instrumental: The Lord of the Rings Soundtrack.
50) has only been released recently but you love already:
1) makes you want to dance: "Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias, "Smooth" by Santana and Rob Thomas, "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna (sensing a trend? yeah, anything latin)
2) makes you happy: "Blue Savannah" by Erasure
3) reminds you of an ex-lover: any of the real treacly ballads from the mid- to late-70s
4) reminds you of an ex-friend: "Casi Un Bolero" by Ricky Martin
5) describes your relationship with your parents: I don't have *a* relationship with them, but two different ones. Not going there
6) makes you cry: When I was a kid, it was any version of "Last Kiss." Now it's "I Dreamed a Dream" or "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" or most of the rest of the Les Mis score.
7) makes you laugh:
8) makes you ponder life:
9) says a lot about you: "I'll sleep when I'm dead" by Bon Jovi
10) reminds you of the one you want: "Breathe" by Midge Ure
11) you wish you wrote: "Fortress Around Your Heart" by Sting
12) you never want to hear again: most Eminem or Backstreet Boys songs
13) you want played at your funeral: "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" by Bon Jovi
14) you want to get married to: "Love is all around" by Wet Wet Wet
15) makes friends think of you: Somebody give me a clue here. I have NO idea. Duran Duran?
16) you once loved but got sick of: Most of the Thompson Twins stuff
17) you love by a band/artist you hate:
18) you sheepishly admit to liking: I suppose "La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin, but I'm not really sheepish because I like him a lot.
19) makes you want to mosh: I'm way too old for that
20) you'd do anything to see played live: "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
21) reminds you of your childhood: Mantovani
22) sums up your teenage years: "I'm 18" by Alice Cooper (well, that's the closest I could come, anyway)
23) most people like but you hate:
24) you love the lyrics of: Nearly anything by Sting or David Bowie
25) you used to hate but now love:
26) is best played in the car:
27) you like to fall asleep to: entire "Breathe" album by Midge Ure
28) you like to wake up to:
29) you like out of your parents record collection: classic soundtracks and original scores
30) you love that you wouldn't know about if it wasn't for a friend: several songs by Savage Garden and Nine Inch Nails
31) makes you think of someone who died: soundtrack from "Gigi"
32) you love the video more than the tune: "Blue Jean" by David Bowie (I love the song, but I like the video even better)
33) reminds you of your first crush:
34) is good to listen to whilst holding hands:
35) you love which is from your favourite movie: "I Was Born in Love With You" from the Tim Dalton version of "Wuthering Heights"
36) makes you think of the moon:
37) makes you think of stars:
38) makes you think of the sun: "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison (obvious, or what?)
39) makes you think of the night: "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
40) makes you think of sex: "Breathe" by Midge Ure and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode
41) makes you think of being alone:
42) makes you smile: "Love is All Around" by the Troggs (thanks to Orli and Kate)
43) you love to hear at clubs: Depeche remixes
44) is not your "typical type" of style but you love anyway: "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz
45) reminds you of your best mate: anything by Arcadia
46) reminds you of your siblings: "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen
47) reminds you of the one you want but can't have: "Breathe" by Midge Ure (or almost anything else from that album, really)
48) you can sing really well: "Desperado" (Eagles) or "I'm the Singer, You're the Song" (Tanya Tucker)
49) you love which is instrumental: The Lord of the Rings Soundtrack.
50) has only been released recently but you love already:
09 July 2002
Subscribe to Lilith Notes?
Yet more testing... I'm going to give Bloglet a try--it's a program that allows readers to "subscribe" to your blog. You can choose whether they get the first few words (or lines) of your posts, the entire post, or just a message saying there was an update--they get these once daily (not every time you change an item). The subscribe box is in the right hand column--if you're interested in this concept, either in general or for my site, do leave a comment and let me know which option (partial post, full post, notification of update only) sounds the best to you.
Rings-Thing
- Do you have a favorite pairing (slash or otherwise) in LotR fanfic, and if so, why?
- Is what you prefer to read different from what you write (if you write)?
- How strongly do you think these pairings should reflect canon, or is that important to you at all?
Reposting this morning because it wouldn't put it under Tuesday last night, even though I posted after midnight. I'm not going to take this in any kind of order.
Canon? We don't need no steenkin' canon! OK, that's an exaggeration. If something is wildly counter to canon, I'm likely to be upset. Unless, of course, it's really well-written. And of course, that's going to be my bottom line on most of my comments--there is a caveat to almost *everything* -- if it's well-written enough, I make exceptions. The trick is to hook me before I find out I'm reading something I otherwise might not... I really would prefer something that is not *wildly* counter to canon, and I don't normally go for AU, but then again I recently read an Aragorn/Boromir story with the premise that Arwen did not exist... and for purposes of that story, I accepted that premise.
So favorite pairings (given the above caveat). I'm really not much into minor characters these days, especially ones not used in the movies. More power to those of you writing Glorfindel or others of the slighted elves (or men, or hobbits, or maiar, or dwarves, or even barrow wights), and I'm glad you're keeping your favorite characters alive, but there is SO much out there to read that I mostly don't have time to read pairings in which both characters don't appear (in a fairly major way) in the movie. Haldir is a major character, btw. Because I said so...
What *do* I read? Right now, it's almost all Frodo. Frodo/Aragorn by choice, some Frodo/Faramir. Yeah, so maybe we get a little too much "poor, injured Frodo" from time to time--but then again, I *like* poor, injured Frodo. And the propensity of certain men (and the occasional elf) to protect him. People who write this well can do it without belittling Frodo or making Aragorn (or Faramir or Legolas) too paternal rather than protective. My second-favorite relationship in the movie is Frodo/Aragorn--they way it develops from distrust to trust, the evolution of Strider into Aragorn, the way we keep getting images of Aragorn as the protector, the defender, almost a super-hero. He would give his life for Frodo, and Frodo would trust Aragorn with *his*, so for me it's not that big a stretch from there to slash (given a decent premise).
I save most of the Frodo/Sam but am not in a hurry to read it--I'm sure some of it has new things to say (which is why I save it), but for me, the majority of it has been said and expressed about as well as I think it can be. And I'm not hugely interested in it to start with. Frodo/Legolas (Lora did some superb ones, one based on my challenge of "firelight, chocolate, dawn") isn't done enough for my taste--what a beautiful, immortal warrior might see and desire in a most unusual hobbit is a subject I love to see explored. Frodo/Elrond has barely been touched upon.
Frodo/Gandalf is probably my favorite relationship in the movie and I'll read nearly any permutation of this relationship (slash or not). The way Frodo goes from total trust and near-worship, to wondering why Gandalf has not appeared in Bree, to calling out his name after Weathertop, to questioning him in Rivendell, then to Moria... where we get both further questioning and a bit of disillusionment, followed by a rekindling of the relationship, then Gandalf's "death"... SO much fodder for fanfic here.
I guess that answers the unasked part about cross-species, eh? Doesn't squick me. Almost nothing does, really. Write it well and make me believe it, and I'll go with it. Did I say that already?
Non-Frodo? Is there any? OK, yeah, I read it. Merry/Pippin can be too sweet for me (not sure why, since I read other sweet stuff) but some of it is very good. Legolas/Elrond--yum. Haldir/Legolas. Legolas/Aragorn. Legolas/Aragorn/Boromir. Sense a trend? I've had a bit of a problem with some of the Legolas characterizations drifting what I thought was too far from how *I* see him, but there's quite a lot of good stuff out there anyway. OK, I'll admit it--I'd rather not read Legolas/Gimli. I mean, I love JRD and all, but dwarves just don't do it for me. That said, I've read a few when people recommend them, and liked them.
OK, so obviously I'll read it first if it has Frodo and/or Legolas. I like some Boromir/Aragorn, because I think when it's well-written, there is SO much potential there. (And because I can't stand that SeanB is gone...) And I did say, in week one, that Boromir was my favorite character (OK, I may have lied a bit, but I had too many Elijah photos in my blog already and I luuuurve Sean). And those are pretty much all of my favorites, although as I said, if it looks good, I'll read it.
Do I write something different? I'm not currently writing any character slash, but if I did, I suspect it would be either Frodo/Aragorn or Frodo/Gandalf--so, no. I would, in this case, most likely write what I like to read.
08 July 2002
Testing Blogger Pro!
Just signed up for Blogger Pro. Fingers crossed that this IS actually an improvement! Need to learn how to use the new features. Best try this 1) not on a Monday, and 2) not on a Monday when I have had less than 4 hours sleep the night before, and 3) not on a Monday (etc) when I really don't understand how to code the darned thing in the first place.
Boy, just when I think I have it, I mess it up worse. I really dread when I decide on a new template and have to do the customizations ALL OVER AGAIN! If anyone has any suggestions on cleaning up all this weird space, DO feel free to let me know! And it doesn't help that Blogger has had the mysterious disappearing-template syndrome all day, either. Let's try editing it in w.bloggar instead and see if it STAYS edited this time!
Boy, just when I think I have it, I mess it up worse. I really dread when I decide on a new template and have to do the customizations ALL OVER AGAIN! If anyone has any suggestions on cleaning up all this weird space, DO feel free to let me know! And it doesn't help that Blogger has had the mysterious disappearing-template syndrome all day, either. Let's try editing it in w.bloggar instead and see if it STAYS edited this time!
Friday Five would have been a lot better if blogger had actually let me PUBLISH it on Friday. Oh, well. Considering how often I travel with the handheld or use someone else's computer, it's still my best option to use something web-based rather than computer based. But I really need a new template, don't I? I was looking at blogplates, a webring of people who make templates for these sorts of things, and of course I always love Ann-s-thesia's designs. But I think what I want is something simple but from someone who will put all the coding in it for me--I'm a dunce at this. I'm willing to pay if it's not exorbitant. If you know of someone who does this who *isn't* in the blogplate ring, I'd love their e-mail addy or URL! Or have them give me a holler.
05 July 2002
Today's Friday Five
1. Where are you right now? Sitting at my computer at work, wishing I had a 4-day weekend like almost everyone else in the office--SO much photo editing remains to be done from SF trip. Realizing that getting 8 hours sleep on Wednesday night does not make up for less than 4 hours *last* night. Counting the minutes until lunch...
2. What have you lost recently? I lose things so continually that it barely registers any more.
3. What was the first CD you ever purchased? Does that embarrass you now? "Something by Erasure. Whatever was new in the UK the first time I heard them. I was *years* from having a CD player, but that didn't stop me. Erasure remains my favorite group.
Now, if you are mean first recording (don't forget, my generation bought *vinyl*), I bought two almost simultaneously: the original broadway cast album of "Hair," and Bobby Sherman's first album. And I can't say I'm embarrassed by either.
4. What is your favorite kind of writing pen? I a pen *freak*. I keep black note paper at work just so I can take catalog requests and such using gel pens, since I have no good use for them. I love good pens, like Schaeffer, and roller ball pens and stick pens... Lately I've favored Pilot pens, medium point, blue ink, preferably retractable (especially at Cubs, where stick pens can be awkward).
5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I'm one of those boring "vanilla" people, especially when it comes to Hagen Daazs. In Ben & Jerry, I like ... what's it called? ... vanilla chocolate caramel or something like that. But I'd just as soon have a really good vanilla, and either eat it plain or add my own toppings (especially chocolate syrup).
03 July 2002
I apologize for the delay in adding more notes and photos from San Francisco. I managed to get exactly 40 minutes sleep Monday night (thanks to the lovely flight attendant waking me up to ascertain if my seat belt was fastened--it was), and although I managed to get from the airport to work, through 8 hours including a post office trip, and then home, all without incident, and even picked up my window a/c unit and put it back in without killing myself, my cat, or my neighbors--at that point, I just died. For about 6 hours. Got up, toasted a frozen waffle, ate it, then went back to bed for another few hours. No writing, no importing of photos from microdrive, no photo editing or posting. (The shape I was in, HAD I done any, you wouldn't have wanted to see it--trust me.)
So, this will be a LOTR-less week for me, I guess, with the movie gone from The Vic. I guess 30 viewings is a decent number, although I was hoping to end on an ODD number--for some reason, those sound more believable. Maybe I'll just claim 29...
Anyway, off for home for the wonderful project of trying to get all the photos off my microdrive and onto my desktop computer (which can't import them directly). I just luuuurve moving the zip drive from computer to computer. At least I left the a/c running this morning so the computers shouldn't be too hot to run (let's not think about the electric bill just yet).
So, this will be a LOTR-less week for me, I guess, with the movie gone from The Vic. I guess 30 viewings is a decent number, although I was hoping to end on an ODD number--for some reason, those sound more believable. Maybe I'll just claim 29...
Anyway, off for home for the wonderful project of trying to get all the photos off my microdrive and onto my desktop computer (which can't import them directly). I just luuuurve moving the zip drive from computer to computer. At least I left the a/c running this morning so the computers shouldn't be too hot to run (let's not think about the electric bill just yet).
02 July 2002
Topic: Do you have a favorite race among the denizens of middle earth? If so, which, and why? Do you identify with that race? Is there a race which you either dislike, or have no feeling for or don't feel you understand sufficiently? If you are a writer, which do you prefer to write (if any)?
OK, I'm just off the plane from San Francisco, red-eye flight, no sleep, straight to work. Don't expect coherence.
Until this weekend, my answer always would have been "Elves." For some reason, there's a large part of my brain that keeps trying to make me type "maia." Can't quite figure out why, but I keep getting this image of a gentleman dressed in white, wearing a panama hat and waving a very large Union Jack. Odd. Brain definitely not firing on all cylinders. And as if that's not bad enough, the calendar page on my LOTR calendar for July (which I just turned over) seems to be hobbits, with a certain Scots lad in the front. Must NOT get further distracted...
Ahem. So. 30 years ago when the books were probably the most important thing in my life, the elves were everything. I barely noticed the dwarves, the hobbits were too provincial for me, the ents were amusing but moved altogether too slowly, and none of the men particularly interested me. (Let's not even talk about Orcs...) My favorite characters were easily Elrond and Galadriel, and the elves were the only race for me. I adored elves in very nearly every incarnation--even those faerie folk of George MacDonald, who were more capricious and looked even less favorably on man than did Tolkien's elves. I'd have given nearly anything to be one of them, even the merest dryad. I'd love to, mind you--but I don't identify with them so much as *want* to be like them. If I'm anyone, I'm Pip--WHERE are we going?--minus the looks, the charm, and the lovely accent, of course.
In the movieverse, things haven't changed all that radically. My favorite character is a certain hobbit, but he's definitely got a large share of Elven blood. And there's that Elf B... I mean, Witch, whose agenda I do not trust to entirely coincide with mine. But on the whole, I still love the elves best. They take the long view, as befits ageless creatures, and that will not always look good to mortals in the short term, but it's usually for the best. They live in some truly beautiful places. And several of them (notably Legolas and Haldir) are incredibly hot. So there.
Don't hate any of the races, not even the Orcs (I love the squeak they make when Bob the Cave Troll smacks 'em with his hammer). Then again, I might make an exception for the Fighting Uruk Hai (what do you suppose their colors are? Blood red and brain matter grey?). The race I will probably never attempt to write is the dwarves, because they both don't interest me and I know so little about them--and the latter is probably a result of the former.
01 July 2002
OK, OK! For those who cannot wait for my page.... Sorry I'm so slow, but 1) I'm sunburned, 2) I'm way too old for this, and 3) it takes *forever* to load, edit, and upload photos from this laptop.
Serena was, of course, *fabulous*. I can't begin to tell you what they think of him here, or him of them in return. It was like nothing I've ever seen. Sharon Gless was totally overwhelmed by it all, nearly in tears over what a great time she was having, but Sir Ian just fed off it, sent it back out, received it back, and so on in an infinite feedback loop. I am *so* glad I came.
I took literally HUNDREDS of photos, so give me a little time to get them all up. Some will appear tonight, but most will take days or weeks.
I'm in love with two new people: Donna Sachet and Shawna Virago, whose photos you will see on my site. Simply fantastic. And seeing Dead or Alive for the first time was an incredible rush.
So, tomorrow (Monday) I catch up with the two local friends I've missed, try to get a last bit of time with Cody, then head for my red-eye flight and straight from there to work. UGH! Don't expect much of a rings-thing from me on Tuesday!
29 June 2002
Yeah, Sir Ian! Had a great time at the brunch--met Cody and AC (AC was seated on the dais with the grand marshalls) but despite seeing Ian several times, I never managed to talk to him OR give him the wee scarvie I was carrying for him. I want to get out of here so the report will have to wait, but here's a photo to tide you over.
No Nick, at least not that we've seen. I'll keep looking of course.
Off to see more of the city, and the Dyke March tonight.
I'm having a tough time updating my web page, but check http://www.lilithofsherwood.com/Lij/pride/ and see if I don't manage to get a few up.
UPDATE: Woo hoo, I marched in the Dyke March! What a rush. Hundreds (thousands?) of women marching through the Castro. It was a feeling like nothing else.
OK, thanks to Viewing #30, I was *way* behind on packing and had to fly out on less than two hours of sleep. Despite nearly missing the plane due to the worst airport congestion I've ever seen, things went fairly smoothly after that. San Francisco is as beautiful as I remember and the weather is ideal, so of course I spent the afternoon shopping. The location of my hotel makes pretty much everything walking distance--the brunch is in this hotel tomorrow, and our grandstand seats for the parade are across the street.
There was a nice little crafts market in the plaza today. I found a great bracelet, some earrings, and an adorable pair of capris that don't seem to fit me at all... damn, since I wanted to wear them to the Dyke March tomorrow. The plaza was also full of the homeless--I wonder where they will have to go when the grandstand is set up? I've had a lot of luck with street fairs, since Wednesday I found a silk chiffon scarf in a batik print that I will wear tomorrow with my lavender georgette dress.
Market Street itself is awash with rainbow flags. It's all very bustling and festive. I'm dying to see it when it really starts to swing into gear tomorrow. Between the lack of sleep, the travel, the shopping, and the many phone calls and time on the internet, the hour got away from me and I missed the concert tonight. Damn! I hope it was only Sharon Gless there, and not Ian and Nick.
The plaza itself is lovely. I don't remember this section of Market Street at all.
I think I will crash soon. Meeting up with Shari and Cody in the morning. Hope to see Ellen on Sunday and Jo on Monday.
There was a nice little crafts market in the plaza today. I found a great bracelet, some earrings, and an adorable pair of capris that don't seem to fit me at all... damn, since I wanted to wear them to the Dyke March tomorrow. The plaza was also full of the homeless--I wonder where they will have to go when the grandstand is set up? I've had a lot of luck with street fairs, since Wednesday I found a silk chiffon scarf in a batik print that I will wear tomorrow with my lavender georgette dress.
Market Street itself is awash with rainbow flags. It's all very bustling and festive. I'm dying to see it when it really starts to swing into gear tomorrow. Between the lack of sleep, the travel, the shopping, and the many phone calls and time on the internet, the hour got away from me and I missed the concert tonight. Damn! I hope it was only Sharon Gless there, and not Ian and Nick.
The plaza itself is lovely. I don't remember this section of Market Street at all.
I think I will crash soon. Meeting up with Shari and Cody in the morning. Hope to see Ellen on Sunday and Jo on Monday.
26 June 2002
So, Ed Burns.
I've now seen "The Brothers McMullen," "She's the One," "Sidewalks of New York" and "Ash Wednesday." The last is definitely my favorite, and other than being set in New York and having Ed as the lead actor, it doesn't have nearly as much in common with the first three as they do with each other. (I have yet to see "No Looking Back," but it's on my rental list at netflix.)
What is similar besides the New York setting? Well, romance is key. At least two of them ("She's the One" and "Sidewalks of New York") can easily be called romantic comedies. I guess McMullen falls in there, too. The romantic entanglements of "Ash Wednesday" aren't particularly amusing, but they're important. And the romantic relationships are usually complex: the circular path of "Sidewalks," whereby the relationships all interconnect, or brothers seeing each other's ex-wives or girlfriends. And these guys definitely have relationship issues. There is a sudden realization among those in long term relationships, that they may no longer be attractive to the opposite sex, and will not sleep with anyone else other than their wives ever again. (This, of course, usually leads to an affair and subsequent divorce.) There's a fear of commitment among the younger ones (usually, Ed's characters) -- sometimes they even resist falling in love at all. There's a fear of falling for the "wrong" person. There is occasionally the impetuous one, who runs off with a new love--and this impulsiveness is usually rewarded. There's the feeling of having the entire family second-guessing each new love interest... common enough in close families, I imagine!
Brothers--that's a big commonality, too. Two or three brothers. Irish Catholic. Working class, New York. With a strong father figure (not necessarily a *good* one, but a strong one), and quite often a mother who goes missing (although Ed's own mother isn't apparently missing at all...). The houses used quite often resemble the one Ed grew up in on Long Island (the McMullen house *is* the one Ed grew up in).
Aside from thematic commonalities, there are also the people Ed likes to work with. Maxine Bahns, his girlfriend at the time of McMullen, is in both McMullen and "She's the One." Mike McGlone plays the younger brother in the same two movies. (Mind you, none of these people held a union card at the time of McMullen.) Rosario Dawson plays his love interest twice (and reminds me really strongly of Max). His brother, Brian, is a constant as both actor and associate producer, and Margot Bridger as producer seems to be a fixture now, too. (Nice lady--I met her at the Tribeca festival.) Obligatory Elijah reference: Photo at left is Ed and Lij from "Ash Wednesday." I hope Elijah becomes one of Ed's regulars, as I think they worked brilliantly together.
OK, I'm outta here before this turns into a masters thesis, but I'm sure I'll revisit it.
I've now seen "The Brothers McMullen," "She's the One," "Sidewalks of New York" and "Ash Wednesday." The last is definitely my favorite, and other than being set in New York and having Ed as the lead actor, it doesn't have nearly as much in common with the first three as they do with each other. (I have yet to see "No Looking Back," but it's on my rental list at netflix.)
What is similar besides the New York setting? Well, romance is key. At least two of them ("She's the One" and "Sidewalks of New York") can easily be called romantic comedies. I guess McMullen falls in there, too. The romantic entanglements of "Ash Wednesday" aren't particularly amusing, but they're important. And the romantic relationships are usually complex: the circular path of "Sidewalks," whereby the relationships all interconnect, or brothers seeing each other's ex-wives or girlfriends. And these guys definitely have relationship issues. There is a sudden realization among those in long term relationships, that they may no longer be attractive to the opposite sex, and will not sleep with anyone else other than their wives ever again. (This, of course, usually leads to an affair and subsequent divorce.) There's a fear of commitment among the younger ones (usually, Ed's characters) -- sometimes they even resist falling in love at all. There's a fear of falling for the "wrong" person. There is occasionally the impetuous one, who runs off with a new love--and this impulsiveness is usually rewarded. There's the feeling of having the entire family second-guessing each new love interest... common enough in close families, I imagine!
Brothers--that's a big commonality, too. Two or three brothers. Irish Catholic. Working class, New York. With a strong father figure (not necessarily a *good* one, but a strong one), and quite often a mother who goes missing (although Ed's own mother isn't apparently missing at all...). The houses used quite often resemble the one Ed grew up in on Long Island (the McMullen house *is* the one Ed grew up in).
Aside from thematic commonalities, there are also the people Ed likes to work with. Maxine Bahns, his girlfriend at the time of McMullen, is in both McMullen and "She's the One." Mike McGlone plays the younger brother in the same two movies. (Mind you, none of these people held a union card at the time of McMullen.) Rosario Dawson plays his love interest twice (and reminds me really strongly of Max). His brother, Brian, is a constant as both actor and associate producer, and Margot Bridger as producer seems to be a fixture now, too. (Nice lady--I met her at the Tribeca festival.) Obligatory Elijah reference: Photo at left is Ed and Lij from "Ash Wednesday." I hope Elijah becomes one of Ed's regulars, as I think they worked brilliantly together.
OK, I'm outta here before this turns into a masters thesis, but I'm sure I'll revisit it.
So little time, so much to do. Wanted to talk about all the Ed Burns films I've been watching. Will try to do that soon... So far, I still like "Ash Wednesday" the best, but "She's the One" is great (I've liked them all, just not equally).
Given that I will *never* get everything done in time for San Francisco, why am I spending 3 hours on Thursday night, just hours before I leave, seeing LOTR for the 30th time? Gee, I don't know (see hint at left). Bet you're surprised it isn't a photo of Elijah, huh? I'm sure by tomorrow, I'll put another one of him up.
Given that I will *never* get everything done in time for San Francisco, why am I spending 3 hours on Thursday night, just hours before I leave, seeing LOTR for the 30th time? Gee, I don't know (see hint at left). Bet you're surprised it isn't a photo of Elijah, huh? I'm sure by tomorrow, I'll put another one of him up.
25 June 2002
Topic: Female readers of LOTR, especially feminist ones, take exception with the depiction of women in the books. What do you think about the way women are presented? Changes from the books to the film? Which female character do you enjoy most?
I have to preface this by saying that I am purposely not rereading the books until after I have seen each movie several times. So, except for FotR, this is from very distant memory.
As a young woman, I didn't particularly identify with women, so even though I became a fairly ardent feminist in my teens, I can't say that it was ever an issue with me and these books. I guess I just accepted that the role of women in high fantasy novels was as The Queen (either maternal or all-powerful) or The Princess (beautiful and desireable, but with little freedom of action). As best I can recall, Galadriel was my favorite character if I even had a favorite. I remember little of Arwen or Eowyn, and almost nothing of Rosie.
This has become more of an issue in the movie, of course, since it's not really possible to make a film of something like this without seeing it, at least to some degree, through modern eyes. For the most part, I've really admired the steps Peter Jackson has taken: consolidating several characters into Arwen has not only simplified the plot but given her more to do, and I have not found that those extra duties changed her beyond recognition. I also don't have a problem with her going to Helms Deep, as it is rumoured she will in TTT, as long as by doing so, Eowyn is not diminished nor is Arwen's essential nature changed. I think the "warrior" side we've seen of Arwen so far does not step over that line--it is that of a woman defending her own, as even the least warlike will do when necessary. Also, and this is just my own thought, Arwen has renounced her people to an extent by pledging herself to mortality and Aragorn, and therefore can be expected to take on more of a human attitude (more short-term and less big-picture) towards many issues, including the role of women.
I like what we've seen of Eowyn so far, albeit in small glimpses. Miranda Otto looks right--beautiful, but earthy and strong. I particularly like the little bit showing her swordfighting with Aragorn. I also like Rosie, who of course has had nothing to do but look pretty and pleasant, and has accomplished that.
I wish I could remember more clearly my feelings about Galadriel in the books, since I have *very* strong feelings about her in the movie. I think I took it on faith that she was all-powerful and all-knowing and would do the best for the Fellowship, but I definitely don't feel that way about her now. I think she has her own agenda that may or may not coincide with those of the others, and while it doesn't make me like her much, it makes her a much more interesting character. I'd be interested to know if this is something Peter saw in the books, whether it is his own interpretation, or whether he had nothing of the sort in mind and I am just reading this into it. I fully intend to go back and revisit some of my earlier treatises in this blog about Galadriel, and try to come up with my own little theory about what makes her tick.
Which female character do I *enjoy* most? I find Galadriel to be the most interesting so far, but I suspect that I will enjoy Eowyn the most (once I get a chance to really "see" her).
OK, so it's 2:18AM, I just finished uploading some new article scans (still not linked) and this week's Rings Thing question. I have to be up in about 4 hours... I suppose I could just type something quickly, since I don't have a whole lot to say on the subject, but I think I'd rather wait and do it from work in the morning. So, sorry for the delay--check back later.
24 June 2002
This is a new one for me: Monday Mission 2.25 via PromoGuy.net
1. Do you wear glasses/contact lenses? If so would you consider going through Lasik surgery? (Or if you already have, please tell us about it) I normally wear glasses, and very occasionally, contacts. Theoretically I'd love to get Lasik, but I'm scared to death of it. As I inch closer and closer to bifocals, though, the surgery starts to become more palatable...
2. Did you ever have to wear braces? How are your teeth? (any cavities, any pulled teeth, root canals, etc.) Never wore braces. My teeth are abysmal--due to childhood antibiotics and many colas as an adult, I have almost no tooth enamel and my teeth are in very bad shape. Luckily, it's not very visible yet.
3. What (if any) recent movies have moved you emotionally? Which one and how so? "Lord of the Rings" moves me in *so* many ways. It got me back into fandom, the character relationships just don't end, and Boromir's death scene... wow. The other movies I'm into these days (I'm on a run of Ed Burns films, for example) tend to attract me more intellectually than emotionally.
4. I visited my dear Mema in the managed care facility Sunday and while she is doing well, I was sad for her. Living out your final days/years someplace like that seems so lonely to me. Would you rather live the remainder of your golden years in a rest home, or pass away before it came to that? I've lived the majority of my life alone, so ending it that way wouldn't be any big deal. But I'd definitely prefer to die before becoming bedridden or insensible to my surroundings.
5. Sometimes, but not nearly often enough, I will just stop and marvel at the amazing planet on which we live. The eco-system, life and death, nature, the perfect balance that keeps us alive, the universe, it can all be mind-boggling if you let your mind get carried away. What natural creation or phenomenon just flat-out leaves you with a sense of wonder? Living as I do, in the middle of a major city, I don't see a whole lot of natural creations! I love the sea (or for me here, Lake Michigan) about as much as I do anything in the world. For what I haven't seen personally but would love to marvel at, it's the New Zealand landscape (as seen in LOTR) and much of Australia (such as Ayers Rock).
6. Have you ever been in a fist fight or a situation where you had to get physically violent with someone else? How did that come about? Any consequences? Luckily, not for a very long while. However, while I was waiting (way too long, thank you, CTA) for a train this morning, I did get to experience a fistfight up-close-and-personal when one man asked another for a cigarette, prompting the second man to punch the first, with several punches ensuing, glass breaking, commuters scattering. Gotta love the city.
7. Many times I look back in hindsight and think of how I should have handled a situation. Are there any recent happenings that you wish you would have handled differently? What happened and what do you wish you'd done? ALL THE TIME. I spend more time second-guessing myself than I do living, generally. It's the largest single thing about myself that I wish I could change. It's hard to come up with any one recent thing that epitomizes this, though. Last one I remember mentioning to someone else was not speaking to an actor that I like at MediaWest. He is the costar of someone I used to be close to, and I made no attempt to meet him. Not sure why, and I really should have.
BONUS: How far away can you go, and still be dancing with me? As long as we can still make eye contact, we're still dancing together, even if it's from across the floor.
1. Do you wear glasses/contact lenses? If so would you consider going through Lasik surgery? (Or if you already have, please tell us about it) I normally wear glasses, and very occasionally, contacts. Theoretically I'd love to get Lasik, but I'm scared to death of it. As I inch closer and closer to bifocals, though, the surgery starts to become more palatable...
2. Did you ever have to wear braces? How are your teeth? (any cavities, any pulled teeth, root canals, etc.) Never wore braces. My teeth are abysmal--due to childhood antibiotics and many colas as an adult, I have almost no tooth enamel and my teeth are in very bad shape. Luckily, it's not very visible yet.
3. What (if any) recent movies have moved you emotionally? Which one and how so? "Lord of the Rings" moves me in *so* many ways. It got me back into fandom, the character relationships just don't end, and Boromir's death scene... wow. The other movies I'm into these days (I'm on a run of Ed Burns films, for example) tend to attract me more intellectually than emotionally.
4. I visited my dear Mema in the managed care facility Sunday and while she is doing well, I was sad for her. Living out your final days/years someplace like that seems so lonely to me. Would you rather live the remainder of your golden years in a rest home, or pass away before it came to that? I've lived the majority of my life alone, so ending it that way wouldn't be any big deal. But I'd definitely prefer to die before becoming bedridden or insensible to my surroundings.
5. Sometimes, but not nearly often enough, I will just stop and marvel at the amazing planet on which we live. The eco-system, life and death, nature, the perfect balance that keeps us alive, the universe, it can all be mind-boggling if you let your mind get carried away. What natural creation or phenomenon just flat-out leaves you with a sense of wonder? Living as I do, in the middle of a major city, I don't see a whole lot of natural creations! I love the sea (or for me here, Lake Michigan) about as much as I do anything in the world. For what I haven't seen personally but would love to marvel at, it's the New Zealand landscape (as seen in LOTR) and much of Australia (such as Ayers Rock).
6. Have you ever been in a fist fight or a situation where you had to get physically violent with someone else? How did that come about? Any consequences? Luckily, not for a very long while. However, while I was waiting (way too long, thank you, CTA) for a train this morning, I did get to experience a fistfight up-close-and-personal when one man asked another for a cigarette, prompting the second man to punch the first, with several punches ensuing, glass breaking, commuters scattering. Gotta love the city.
7. Many times I look back in hindsight and think of how I should have handled a situation. Are there any recent happenings that you wish you would have handled differently? What happened and what do you wish you'd done? ALL THE TIME. I spend more time second-guessing myself than I do living, generally. It's the largest single thing about myself that I wish I could change. It's hard to come up with any one recent thing that epitomizes this, though. Last one I remember mentioning to someone else was not speaking to an actor that I like at MediaWest. He is the costar of someone I used to be close to, and I made no attempt to meet him. Not sure why, and I really should have.
BONUS: How far away can you go, and still be dancing with me? As long as we can still make eye contact, we're still dancing together, even if it's from across the floor.
The MaggieFic Mary Sue Generator
My Mary Sue Name: Bella Russell-Snape
Eyecolor: Silver Topaz (oooh, I like that!)
Hair color: Ripe Bronze (weird--I'm just about to color it bronze!)
Signature scent: Lacy Lavender
Paranormal power: Sees the Future
Specialized Skill: Expert Pilot
Distinguishing mark: Pointed Ears (gosh, I hope that's elvish and not hobbit)
Newly revealed relationship to a major character: Spock's Ex-Spouse (OK, so I'm a *vulcan* elf)
My Mary Sue Name: Bella Russell-Snape
Eyecolor: Silver Topaz (oooh, I like that!)
Hair color: Ripe Bronze (weird--I'm just about to color it bronze!)
Signature scent: Lacy Lavender
Paranormal power: Sees the Future
Specialized Skill: Expert Pilot
Distinguishing mark: Pointed Ears (gosh, I hope that's elvish and not hobbit)
Newly revealed relationship to a major character: Spock's Ex-Spouse (OK, so I'm a *vulcan* elf)
I scanned in all the photos of Nick from Black Book, and added them to my articles section. Only this one really looks like the Nick I've seen on tv. Sure is cute, but gosh, could he be *any* skinnier?
Speaking of Serena, only a few days left until I leave for San Francisco to see him as Grand Marshall in the Pride Parade. I also have a ticket to the brunch the day before. Here's hoping for a good photo weekend!
Compatibility Test
Just found these again--I did them AGES ago. My best match was my favorite pitcher, Tom Glavine--woo hoo! I won't even post the abysmal numbers I came up with for the Hornblower boys. Of course, after I did the LOTR gang with me, I had to try them all with Elijah...
Tom Glavine Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Physical 99%
Emotional 96%
Intellectual 99%
Overall 99%
Elijah Wood
Physical 68%
Emotional 70%
Intellectual 41% -- uh oh. Remind me not to talk philosophy with him, or anything
Overall: 60%
Orlando Bloom
Physical 20% -- Yikes. I guess I could be his shoulder to cry on?
Emotional 99%
Intellectual 41%
Total 54%
Ian McKellen
Physical 85% -- Ian is my best LOTR match. If I weren't female, I bet I'd have a perfect score!
Emotional 99%
Intellectual 99%
Total 95%
Sean Bean
Physical 77%
Emotional 22% -- eep again. Guess we have no empathy
Intellectual 72%
Total 57%
Viggo Mortenson
Physical 100%
Emotional 84%
Intellectual 84%
Total 90% -- you know, when I did this, I said "huh?" Then I met him...
Seth Green
Physical 99%
Emotional 84%
Intellectual 78%
Total 87%
Orlando’s compatibility with Elijah
Physical 85%
Emotional 62%
Intellectual 65%
Overall: 71%
Ian compatibility with Elijah
Physical 96%
Emotional 62%
Intellectual 50%
Total 70%
SeanB compatibility with Elijah
Physical 99%
Emotional 84%
Intellectual 92%
Total 92%
Lij compatibility with SeanA
Physical 33%
Emotional 11%
Intellectual 88%
Total 45%
Lij compatibility with Viggo
Physical 68%
Emotional 22%
Intellectual 14%
Total 35%
Just found these again--I did them AGES ago. My best match was my favorite pitcher, Tom Glavine--woo hoo! I won't even post the abysmal numbers I came up with for the Hornblower boys. Of course, after I did the LOTR gang with me, I had to try them all with Elijah...
Tom Glavine Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Physical 99%
Emotional 96%
Intellectual 99%
Overall 99%
Elijah Wood
Physical 68%
Emotional 70%
Intellectual 41% -- uh oh. Remind me not to talk philosophy with him, or anything
Overall: 60%
Orlando Bloom
Physical 20% -- Yikes. I guess I could be his shoulder to cry on?
Emotional 99%
Intellectual 41%
Total 54%
Ian McKellen
Physical 85% -- Ian is my best LOTR match. If I weren't female, I bet I'd have a perfect score!
Emotional 99%
Intellectual 99%
Total 95%
Sean Bean
Physical 77%
Emotional 22% -- eep again. Guess we have no empathy
Intellectual 72%
Total 57%
Viggo Mortenson
Physical 100%
Emotional 84%
Intellectual 84%
Total 90% -- you know, when I did this, I said "huh?" Then I met him...
Seth Green
Physical 99%
Emotional 84%
Intellectual 78%
Total 87%
Orlando’s compatibility with Elijah
Physical 85%
Emotional 62%
Intellectual 65%
Overall: 71%
Ian compatibility with Elijah
Physical 96%
Emotional 62%
Intellectual 50%
Total 70%
SeanB compatibility with Elijah
Physical 99%
Emotional 84%
Intellectual 92%
Total 92%
Lij compatibility with SeanA
Physical 33%
Emotional 11%
Intellectual 88%
Total 45%
Lij compatibility with Viggo
Physical 68%
Emotional 22%
Intellectual 14%
Total 35%
21 June 2002
Despite the hot, humid weather, lack of sleep, and a migraine no doubt in response to the first two, I made it to Viewing #29 last night, accompanied by Heidi. The theatre was unexpectedly comfortable (I was expecting at least mildly hot) and we grabbed that front and center table, so all in all, things went well. A *lot* of smokers out last night--easily the majority of the audience--and it was a fairly rowdy crowd for a weeknight, but other than a little more commentary than I feel is optimum during Boromir's death scene, nothing we couldn't handle (and I *love* being able to cheer wildly when Aragorn lops off Lurtz's head--not to mention scream in glee when I see Gandalf the White in the teaser footage).
Also had a chance to show Heidi the photos of Nick in "Black Book" and the hobbit pile photo in the latest fanclub magazine, which I finally got yesterday. The fanclub has been repeatedly unable to get my address fixed--it apparently appears 3 different ways in three different spots in their records--but in answer to a rather curt e-mail from me yesterday, they indicate that all is now well. Fingers crossed. It would be nice if *something* in my life was fixed!
Yesterday had its ups and downs with respect to my upcoming (next weekend) trip to San Francisco, too. I got confirmation that Sir Ian was confirmed for the big brunch on Saturday, so since Cody had agreed to go with me if Ian was definite (at $75/ticket, it's a bit pricey to chance it otherwise), I went ahead and ordered two tickets. Got the e-mailed confirmation back right away--woo hoo, I'm going! They also say that photography is OK, so maybe I will have something closer than the hoped-for parade shots. Just when I was really starting to look forward to the trip, I heard from the friend with whom I am sharing hotel space, that she and her friend might not make it after all. Better make those alternate hotel arrangements today, and keep fingers crossed that this doesn't blow me out of the water entirely.
Also had a chance to show Heidi the photos of Nick in "Black Book" and the hobbit pile photo in the latest fanclub magazine, which I finally got yesterday. The fanclub has been repeatedly unable to get my address fixed--it apparently appears 3 different ways in three different spots in their records--but in answer to a rather curt e-mail from me yesterday, they indicate that all is now well. Fingers crossed. It would be nice if *something* in my life was fixed!
Yesterday had its ups and downs with respect to my upcoming (next weekend) trip to San Francisco, too. I got confirmation that Sir Ian was confirmed for the big brunch on Saturday, so since Cody had agreed to go with me if Ian was definite (at $75/ticket, it's a bit pricey to chance it otherwise), I went ahead and ordered two tickets. Got the e-mailed confirmation back right away--woo hoo, I'm going! They also say that photography is OK, so maybe I will have something closer than the hoped-for parade shots. Just when I was really starting to look forward to the trip, I heard from the friend with whom I am sharing hotel space, that she and her friend might not make it after all. Better make those alternate hotel arrangements today, and keep fingers crossed that this doesn't blow me out of the water entirely.
20 June 2002
ooooh, I'm nearly an artist!
See my self-portrait here: http://www.youdraw.com/cgi-bin/solopic.pl?picnum=062890
I'm going to see LotR: FotR for the 29th time tonight. Go me!
See my self-portrait here: http://www.youdraw.com/cgi-bin/solopic.pl?picnum=062890
I'm going to see LotR: FotR for the 29th time tonight. Go me!
18 June 2002
Topic: What are your general thoughts about LotR fanfiction? What do you look for in fic and what do you avoid? Why? Who are your favourite authors, and what do you like about their work?
Since I've known for several days what this week's topic would be, you'd think I'd have an answer ready, wouldn't you? Nah--that would be too easy! If you're reading this early on Tuesday, I posted it in the middle of the night on Monday and am going to be WAY short on sleep to work BOTH jobs tomorrow, so I'll be adding to/correcting throughout Tuesday.
My general thoughts: I can't conceive of getting involved in a fandom without reading fanfic. Just doesn't happen. Hasn't happened in about 30 years. Not gonna happen. So, I fall in love with LOTR, I start looking for fanfic. End of story. Now what is there to write about? The battle between good and evil? Great wars? Unless you're really into those topics, what you are going to write about (and/or read) is relationships. That's true of me and most fanfic, really. If the interactions between the characters don't interest me, I'm outta there.
What do I look for? hmmm... Does this photo sum it up for you? Sure, I can read a story that doesn't center on Frodo, but it better be DAMN good. There's not a specific storyline or type of story I look for--can be anything from the standard "filling in the gaps" type of thing that tell us how relationships developed or a character progressed or an offstage event actually transpired, to fairly wildly non-canon stuff that doesn't actually fit in the timeline (as long as it says something to me about the characters). I get pretty quickly bored by stuff that is too dryly "historical"--not to fault the writers, since I did the same thing with Tolkien himself. 30 years ago, it was all about the books for me. Now, it's the movie, and I'm less likely to be interested in the "historical" characters who don't appear in the film.
What else do I avoid? Bad writing. If the plot interests me enough--i.e., it has to grab me IMMEDIATELY--I might overlook some bad writing, bad spelling, and/or bad grammar. But that's pretty rare. I am extremely sensitive to poor English skills (former English teacher alert!) and it takes a really incredible plotline to make me put up with bad writing of any sort. If I *do* like the story enough to keep it, I'm likely to correct it for my own purposes. If it's not badly written but just has many really poor word choices/mis-spellings/mistakes in grammar, I will probably drop the author a line and let him/her know how I feel--but I only do that if I *like* the story. Otherwise, I won't bother. And Mary Sue's. I'm postively *phobic* about Mary Sue's, to the point where I pretty much avoid any "original character" stuff at all for fear of running into one. Tolkien's world, not to mention Peter Jackson's, is full enough without us putting ourselves into it. IMHO, of course.
Favorite authors: I really put myself on the spot here, since I'm HORRIFIC with remember names off-the-cuff. Cassie Claire, of course: we're not worthy! WaxJism rulz, and her compadres are every bit as good--I'm really into Calico right now (you GO, girl) and buffett too (although these last three don't write "traditional" fanfic).VB is a goddess--I've liked her stuff in SO many fandoms. Lora and Lily write (in particular) Frodo stories that make me swoon with happiness--and Lora was the first to take up my chocolate/firelight/dawn challenge, too. Nancy (NakedFlame) has written several pieces that made a particular impact on me. I'm sure I'm leaving out way too many people whose work I love. Amy Fortuna, and AC. And most of the folks you'll find at Least Expected, the archive of the Tolkien Slash mailing list. And not to forget Dargie, who didn't write nearly enough fanfic in this fandom!
15 June 2002
Hey, I'm accepted in the LOTR blogring. Now if only I can get the code inserted correctly... Templates are SO not my thing.
Yes, against all odds, I did indeed go to Viewing #28 tonight. Not sure how I'd handle being at a club on a Friday night, by myself, but I took my usual (front) row table, only on the right aisle rather than dead center, and had a table full of nice folks to my left, and well drinks were on special, so I was just *fine.* Nothing like pulling up a chair to put your feet on, and stretching out to watch your favorite movie with a vodka and a clove cigarette to make you feel truly decadent. AND I saw two things I hadn't noticed before: Gandalf tipping his hat to the villagers in Hobbiton (not sure how I had missed that), and someone in the foreground of the party scene, just as we're about to see Frodo dancing, who looks a lot like Merry. Have to check for him again next week.
Yes, against all odds, I did indeed go to Viewing #28 tonight. Not sure how I'd handle being at a club on a Friday night, by myself, but I took my usual (front) row table, only on the right aisle rather than dead center, and had a table full of nice folks to my left, and well drinks were on special, so I was just *fine.* Nothing like pulling up a chair to put your feet on, and stretching out to watch your favorite movie with a vodka and a clove cigarette to make you feel truly decadent. AND I saw two things I hadn't noticed before: Gandalf tipping his hat to the villagers in Hobbiton (not sure how I had missed that), and someone in the foreground of the party scene, just as we're about to see Frodo dancing, who looks a lot like Merry. Have to check for him again next week.
14 June 2002
I guess I should post something about LOTR Viewing #27, since I expect to go to #28 tonight. However, given that I'm now going on my own (Shelagh can't make it) and it's a Friday night, we'll see if I have the nerve to sit by myself at The Vic! I'm a big girl. I can do it. Especially if I get there when the doors open and sit way down in the front...
Anyway, the crowd last Thursday night was MUCH less rowdy than the previous time I'd gone--no loud snickering at the slashy bits (although you could still *just* make out the occasional isolated giggle) or inappropriate laughter at all, although we still had the rousing cheers for the death of Lurtz. I have to say, MY group was probably the loudest one there last week!
Spent last night watching "The Brothers McMullen" -- on DVD. Twice. I got a trial membership in Netflix, which I'll probably keep for a couple of months, and immediately started in on the Ed Burns films. I was *so* taken with "Ash Wednesday" that I figured I had to see everything else he'd done. McMullen was the first in more ways than I knew--not just first movie (other than student films), as producer/director, but also as an actor, which was NOT where he originally intended his career to go. Watched the movie straight through the first time, then with the commentary turned on--which was, of course, Ed rambling on for about 90 minutes, practically nonstop. They really shouldn't make the guys do this, since most of the time one person (even the producer/director/writer/actor) cannot keep saying interesting things throughout the entire movie. Ed was no exception. I didn't get *really* bored, but if I had $1 for every time he said "low budget film"--I could MAKE a low budget film.
It was fun to find out a few things about the movie, like that the McMullen house was Ed's childhood home, which has since been sold, and is now memorialized for future generations by this movie; and Ed also points out the many continuity errors in the movie, which was shot over a period of 8 months, but in only 12 full shooting days plus 6 partial days. So hair changes length and color, clothes are reworn by different characters, the same few cars are used several times, etc. I liked the movie a lot, and the acting was better than I expected for all non-SAG actors. Haven't decided yet if I want to buy the DVD, but it was definitely worth seeing.
Anyway, the crowd last Thursday night was MUCH less rowdy than the previous time I'd gone--no loud snickering at the slashy bits (although you could still *just* make out the occasional isolated giggle) or inappropriate laughter at all, although we still had the rousing cheers for the death of Lurtz. I have to say, MY group was probably the loudest one there last week!
Spent last night watching "The Brothers McMullen" -- on DVD. Twice. I got a trial membership in Netflix, which I'll probably keep for a couple of months, and immediately started in on the Ed Burns films. I was *so* taken with "Ash Wednesday" that I figured I had to see everything else he'd done. McMullen was the first in more ways than I knew--not just first movie (other than student films), as producer/director, but also as an actor, which was NOT where he originally intended his career to go. Watched the movie straight through the first time, then with the commentary turned on--which was, of course, Ed rambling on for about 90 minutes, practically nonstop. They really shouldn't make the guys do this, since most of the time one person (even the producer/director/writer/actor) cannot keep saying interesting things throughout the entire movie. Ed was no exception. I didn't get *really* bored, but if I had $1 for every time he said "low budget film"--I could MAKE a low budget film.
It was fun to find out a few things about the movie, like that the McMullen house was Ed's childhood home, which has since been sold, and is now memorialized for future generations by this movie; and Ed also points out the many continuity errors in the movie, which was shot over a period of 8 months, but in only 12 full shooting days plus 6 partial days. So hair changes length and color, clothes are reworn by different characters, the same few cars are used several times, etc. I liked the movie a lot, and the acting was better than I expected for all non-SAG actors. Haven't decided yet if I want to buy the DVD, but it was definitely worth seeing.
Friday Five
1. How often do you do laundry? Usually about every other week. More often if I'm working a lot of baseball games during that time, since I have only 4 uniforms.
2. What's in a typical wash load? Every piece of denim jeans and leggings I own (that fit), sheets and towels, assorted shirts, t-shirts, and uniforms.
3. Front or top loader? Powder or liquid detergent? If I go to laundromat, which I usually do, it's usually two of the smaller front-loaders unless I have extra sheets, blankets, rugs, or something. They just reopened the small laundry room in my building, which has two top loaders, but I really prefer the extra rinse cycle and less clothes-destruction of the top loaders (except when I'm either exceptionally lazy or just can't get away). For the laundromat, I usually take just enough powedered detergent in a tupperware container; if I'm just going out the back door and down the stairs, it's usually the heavier liquid stuff.
4. Do you use fabric softener in the rinse cycle? Always, without fail, at the laundromat. Varies some if I do laundry in the building, as there isn't an easy way to do it without hanging around. I sometimes substitute the sheets in that case.
5. Dryer or clothesline? Dryer for most stuff; delicates and most leggings go over the shower rod, and rugs and table runners go over the rail on the back stairs.
1. How often do you do laundry? Usually about every other week. More often if I'm working a lot of baseball games during that time, since I have only 4 uniforms.
2. What's in a typical wash load? Every piece of denim jeans and leggings I own (that fit), sheets and towels, assorted shirts, t-shirts, and uniforms.
3. Front or top loader? Powder or liquid detergent? If I go to laundromat, which I usually do, it's usually two of the smaller front-loaders unless I have extra sheets, blankets, rugs, or something. They just reopened the small laundry room in my building, which has two top loaders, but I really prefer the extra rinse cycle and less clothes-destruction of the top loaders (except when I'm either exceptionally lazy or just can't get away). For the laundromat, I usually take just enough powedered detergent in a tupperware container; if I'm just going out the back door and down the stairs, it's usually the heavier liquid stuff.
4. Do you use fabric softener in the rinse cycle? Always, without fail, at the laundromat. Varies some if I do laundry in the building, as there isn't an easy way to do it without hanging around. I sometimes substitute the sheets in that case.
5. Dryer or clothesline? Dryer for most stuff; delicates and most leggings go over the shower rod, and rugs and table runners go over the rail on the back stairs.
12 June 2002
blogger pride! the blogger survey
Ethics/Personal Life:
Has a blog post ever got you into trouble?
Not so far, but it *is* something that I worry about. It's been known to happen, after all. One of the biggest decisions I face daily with my Lilith site and blog is how widely to publicize it among people who know me personally. I've never had an internet (virtual) persona that differed from my "real" self until very recently, when it was brought home to me that some people I know professionally might not know of/approve of some of my activities.
How many people do you know face-to-face who read your weblog?
Hmmm, 3 I think. A few more may have read it once or twice, but those are all I know about who read it fairly regularly.
Have you met any of your regional (or even remote) bloggers?
Not yet, but I'm hoping to meet the first later this month, in San Francisco.
Do you modify or delete posts? How often? Why?
Haven't deleted any so far, but I won't say it can't happen. Modified them from time to time when I was given new or better information. My biggest reason for modifying is when I make a template change and have nothing new to post in content--so I modify my last post! Silly but effective.
How much is your weblog a part of your personal identity? Do you feel like people who don't know about your blog don't really know you?
Well, no. This blog is only part of me. I have another blog, but I haven't written in it for ages, since that part of my life basically doesn't exist right now. But there is certainly a lot of me here, and more all the time, and I *do* feel that I learn a lot about other people through their blogs--so I assume the same must be true about me.
How has blogging changed your life?
It has given me a bit more of a sense of community than I had. I'm not good at bulletin boards, and I'm hit and miss at mailing list, but I have no-one to blame but myself if I don't do more with my blog.
Technical/Design:
Do you know how to code at all? Did you learn how to code by blogging?
I code a little, when I need to. But I had websites and domains long before I had a blog, so blogging isn't responsible for that. I have gotten more proficient in using inline images, though!
What weblogging tool do you use and why?
So far, just blogger and occasionally bloggar. I might branch out into Greymatter, which my friend Dargie swears by, *or* I might break down and get a LiveJournal because I like the networking features.
Does the design seem like something that is just something that has to be dispensed with in order to be able to write publicly, or is your design an integral part of your writing and presentation?
As you can probably tell, the design isn't all that important to me, except that I don't want it to be ugly. I'm not really a "form over function" gal, and while theoretically I'd like to spruce this up, realistically I don't have the time or the skills to do so, and if it's not broken...
How many times have you changed your weblog design entirely (or nearly so)?
Twice, I think.
Readership/Motivation:
How many people would you guess (educated guess based on hit counts/logfiles) read your weblog on a weekly basis at least?
Ya know, I keep meaning to add a counter! Other than friends, and a few of my Rings-Thing cohorts, I have absolutely no idea.
What have you done to get more people to look at your site?
Joined one webring, in the queue for a second, and am doing the Rings-Thing project (see link on sidebar).
What one or two characteristics make a blog really popular? Are there things that you could do to have more people read your weblog that you conciously do not do? Why?
Hmmm, the ones I read....
1) Interesting people whose lives I really want to know more about. (I'm not interesting, unfortunately)
2) Fic writers who regularly post their fic to their weblogs (thought about it... haven't decided yet if I want to post fic here)
3) Really funny and/or clever people (again, not me)
4) People who perennially post links or otherwise do research that is of benefit to me (Just call me lazy)
What really popular weblog do you think most deserves it...and/or least deserves it?
Most deserves it in the LOTR community: Cassie Claire's LiveJournal, of course. Least... I'm not going to say since I don't know who is reading this! Outside of LOTR, the ones I read the most are linked: Dargie, Gretchen and Chris Pirillo, Wil Wheaton.
How do you feel about your readership? What makes for a quality readership to you?
The only readership that wouldn't be "quality" would be someone reading this to find ammunition to use against me.
Influence of Other Bloggers:
What other blogger is most responsible for you starting your own weblog?
Chris Pirillo, from whom I first heard the term "blogger".
Who was the first other blogger (that you know of) who put you on thier sidebar, and how did you feel? How did it influence your blogging?
Dargie. I felt like I'd arrived.
What other blogger do you most admire for her writing skills?
I'm bound to leave someone out so I hate to even start! Let me stick with all the folks on my links at the right (Dargie, Chris, Gretchen, Wil), plus Cassie Claire, Cody... boy, there are several I've been reading lately that are great! Watch my links area...
What other blogger do you most admire for her design skills?
That's gotta be Dargie. She has both the talent and the drive to do it. I have neither the skill nor the attention span...
Who is a blogger that you think is really good but doesn't get nearly the attention they are worthy of?
Not only do I not know who reads my blog, I don't know how popular most of the other ones are.
Do you feel obligated to have people on your link lists/sidebars that you never read?
Nope, at least not so far. Heck, the links are there as much for me as anyone else!
What one or two characteristics define a really quality blog (in your humble opinion, of course)?
Having something to say, and doing it in a literate and interesting manner. Also occasional humor, good links, and the occasional graphic.
Bonus Question:
Do you fear The Booge?
Hadn't even seen this site until today, but doesn't look scary!
Ethics/Personal Life:
Has a blog post ever got you into trouble?
Not so far, but it *is* something that I worry about. It's been known to happen, after all. One of the biggest decisions I face daily with my Lilith site and blog is how widely to publicize it among people who know me personally. I've never had an internet (virtual) persona that differed from my "real" self until very recently, when it was brought home to me that some people I know professionally might not know of/approve of some of my activities.
How many people do you know face-to-face who read your weblog?
Hmmm, 3 I think. A few more may have read it once or twice, but those are all I know about who read it fairly regularly.
Have you met any of your regional (or even remote) bloggers?
Not yet, but I'm hoping to meet the first later this month, in San Francisco.
Do you modify or delete posts? How often? Why?
Haven't deleted any so far, but I won't say it can't happen. Modified them from time to time when I was given new or better information. My biggest reason for modifying is when I make a template change and have nothing new to post in content--so I modify my last post! Silly but effective.
How much is your weblog a part of your personal identity? Do you feel like people who don't know about your blog don't really know you?
Well, no. This blog is only part of me. I have another blog, but I haven't written in it for ages, since that part of my life basically doesn't exist right now. But there is certainly a lot of me here, and more all the time, and I *do* feel that I learn a lot about other people through their blogs--so I assume the same must be true about me.
How has blogging changed your life?
It has given me a bit more of a sense of community than I had. I'm not good at bulletin boards, and I'm hit and miss at mailing list, but I have no-one to blame but myself if I don't do more with my blog.
Technical/Design:
Do you know how to code at all? Did you learn how to code by blogging?
I code a little, when I need to. But I had websites and domains long before I had a blog, so blogging isn't responsible for that. I have gotten more proficient in using inline images, though!
What weblogging tool do you use and why?
So far, just blogger and occasionally bloggar. I might branch out into Greymatter, which my friend Dargie swears by, *or* I might break down and get a LiveJournal because I like the networking features.
Does the design seem like something that is just something that has to be dispensed with in order to be able to write publicly, or is your design an integral part of your writing and presentation?
As you can probably tell, the design isn't all that important to me, except that I don't want it to be ugly. I'm not really a "form over function" gal, and while theoretically I'd like to spruce this up, realistically I don't have the time or the skills to do so, and if it's not broken...
How many times have you changed your weblog design entirely (or nearly so)?
Twice, I think.
Readership/Motivation:
How many people would you guess (educated guess based on hit counts/logfiles) read your weblog on a weekly basis at least?
Ya know, I keep meaning to add a counter! Other than friends, and a few of my Rings-Thing cohorts, I have absolutely no idea.
What have you done to get more people to look at your site?
Joined one webring, in the queue for a second, and am doing the Rings-Thing project (see link on sidebar).
What one or two characteristics make a blog really popular? Are there things that you could do to have more people read your weblog that you conciously do not do? Why?
Hmmm, the ones I read....
1) Interesting people whose lives I really want to know more about. (I'm not interesting, unfortunately)
2) Fic writers who regularly post their fic to their weblogs (thought about it... haven't decided yet if I want to post fic here)
3) Really funny and/or clever people (again, not me)
4) People who perennially post links or otherwise do research that is of benefit to me (Just call me lazy)
What really popular weblog do you think most deserves it...and/or least deserves it?
Most deserves it in the LOTR community: Cassie Claire's LiveJournal, of course. Least... I'm not going to say since I don't know who is reading this! Outside of LOTR, the ones I read the most are linked: Dargie, Gretchen and Chris Pirillo, Wil Wheaton.
How do you feel about your readership? What makes for a quality readership to you?
The only readership that wouldn't be "quality" would be someone reading this to find ammunition to use against me.
Influence of Other Bloggers:
What other blogger is most responsible for you starting your own weblog?
Chris Pirillo, from whom I first heard the term "blogger".
Who was the first other blogger (that you know of) who put you on thier sidebar, and how did you feel? How did it influence your blogging?
Dargie. I felt like I'd arrived.
What other blogger do you most admire for her writing skills?
I'm bound to leave someone out so I hate to even start! Let me stick with all the folks on my links at the right (Dargie, Chris, Gretchen, Wil), plus Cassie Claire, Cody... boy, there are several I've been reading lately that are great! Watch my links area...
What other blogger do you most admire for her design skills?
That's gotta be Dargie. She has both the talent and the drive to do it. I have neither the skill nor the attention span...
Who is a blogger that you think is really good but doesn't get nearly the attention they are worthy of?
Not only do I not know who reads my blog, I don't know how popular most of the other ones are.
Do you feel obligated to have people on your link lists/sidebars that you never read?
Nope, at least not so far. Heck, the links are there as much for me as anyone else!
What one or two characteristics define a really quality blog (in your humble opinion, of course)?
Having something to say, and doing it in a literate and interesting manner. Also occasional humor, good links, and the occasional graphic.
Bonus Question:
Do you fear The Booge?
Hadn't even seen this site until today, but doesn't look scary!
11 June 2002
Lots going on today! Scroll down a bit to see my entry in this week's Rings Thing.
Look at Hilite's Board and see Orli snippet from Newsweek. And more quizzy goodness at Scared Ducky.
Take the Concubine Quiz at Scared Ducky!
Look at Hilite's Board and see Orli snippet from Newsweek. And more quizzy goodness at Scared Ducky.
Take the Concubine Quiz at Scared Ducky!
Rings-Thing Topic: Where would you most like to live--the Shire, Rivendell, Lorien or Gondor--and why?
My movieverse answer is definitely different than my bookverse one here. In the books, I was always fascinated with Lothlorien, much more so than any other place (although Mirkwood also intrigued me). Possibly I was put off by the "last homely house" epithet about Elrond's place of residence. However, in the movieverse...
Rivendell is so far my favorite place that there wasn't even a second's hesitation with my answer. This photo has **ahem** nothing to do with it. Well, not much, at least. But really, I think Rivendell has everything I want: lots of water (my major requirement in a place, and why I love Chicago, New York, and San Francisco best), beautiful architecture, lots of interesting people and things to do, Elrond... Gondor would be my second choice, as it is also "civilisation" as I define it, but my preference would be the realm of Elrond Half-Elven. I might miss the nightlife of a major city, but I'm sure hanging out at Elrond's of a night would be just as stimulating. Might even be the occasional bit of dancing. The Shire is just way too bucolic for me (although I do love Bag End) and I'd tire of it very quickly, and the Lady of Lorien is not one of my favorite personages (to put it mildly). It's Rivendell for me. And the hobbit has nothing to do with it. Really.
10 June 2002
Watch this space: New Rings-Thing post tomorrow! And PLEASE do send in your topics, whether or not you're a blogger yourself. Topics can be sent to: Lilith
Go here and see the wonderful South Park figures Dargie put up of me, her, and a bunch of our friends.
The tinyblog survey:
What name do you prefer to be called?
Nearly anything except "Lulu," which was what my sisters called me.
Have you ever hallucinated something you knew wasn’t there but looked real?
Hallucinated, no. But I have very vivid dreams, which sometimes come back to me as memories rather than dreams, and I have a heck of a time figuring out if they actually happened or not.
What is your favorite kind of tea?
I'd love to say Earl Grey, hot. But actually, I don't like tea. Strictly a coffee and soft drink person.
What languages do you know swear words in?
Not as many as I'd like. French, English, used to know some Arab. Gotta learn Elvish...
Do you believe in a benevolent creator?
Nope. Most of the time, I don't believe in a creator at all. When I do, it's more of a deistic sort of thing, the force behind the universe, not anything personal enough to be benevolent.
If so, do you have a relationship with it/him/her?
Even in my Orthodox Catholic days, when I taught Sunday School, I never believed I had any kind of relationship with God.
Do you believe in homeopathy?
I don't NOT believe in it. I believe that, at worst, your mind is strong enough that whatever you believe enough in, you have a fighing chance at making happen.
What famous person you really wish you could be friends with?
I know I'm going to be sorry I said this, but either Ian McKellen or Elijah Wood. Sir Ian because I worship him, and Elijah because I would just LOVE to know what makes him tick. Really. Well...
What makes you act the most evil?
I'm really good at sharing, 99% of the time. One of the best people I know. I almost never keep good things to myself. Unless there is absolutely, positively no way that something can be shared. Then I want it for myself, dammit.
How much does your mom know about your life?
hmmm... everything and nothing, like most mothers, I guess. The things she should know the most about--those things in my childhood that make up a large part of who I am--she is clueless about because she was even more messed up then than I am now.
What music did you once love but can’t even listen to now?
Some of the really schmoopy stuff from the 60s and 70s. I just heard "Precious and Few" on TV--part of me sighed, and the rest cringed. But I still like most of the music that I liked from my earliest childhood.
What’s the dirtiest book you’ve ever read?
Dirty as in no redeeming social value? Most of that is fanfic, not books. But I snuck my father's copy of "Candy" as a preteen or young teen--can't remember exactly. Seemed very filthy at the time.
Are you a top, bottom, or versatile?
These days, that question is purely theoretical. But in theory, I'm versatile.
What is your most prominent dysfunction?
Extreme, ridiculous, crippling shyness. Sometimes I just canNOT bring myself to do the simplest things. People who have seen me speak in public, run meetings, or various things along that line don't believe it of me, but I'm horrifically shy.
What is your favorite font?
Oh wow. Font freaks R Us. I love SO many of them. Been using "Tolkien" a lot lately, for obvious reasons. For webpages, where you're stuck with only a few, I use Comic Sans. And I'm into some of the handwriting ones--I think the last one I used was "jd"
What is your favorite kind of salad dressing?
The red sweet ones--Cataling, Western, Russian, honey French.
Ever had a major illness or injury?
Pneumonia once, but not terribly serious. No operations other than a cyst under my eye and tonsils. Persistent asthma that faded in my teens. More the nagging stuff, like panic attacks and autoimmune disorders.
Ever come close to death?
Only when I was born--blue-black and not breathing. Nothing close since.
Would you kill a man if it was you or him?
I could fairly easily do it, intellectually. I deal with human death much better than animal death. But whether I could do it physically or not is another story
Would you kill a man just for lookin’ at you funny?
How funny?
Are you still friends with your exes?
Not really, but only because I tend to let people drift away without a fight, rather than because we don't get along anymore.
What do you bring to a potluck?
I'm lazy, so I either buy something or make something up from whatever is in my pantry.
Say one nice thing about the author of this survey.
What a clever person to come up with these interesting questions!
Okay, two things.
And it's nice that you're interested in the answers, too.
Say one nice thing about yourself, too.
The things and the people that I love, I tend to love unstintingly.
What name do you prefer to be called?
Nearly anything except "Lulu," which was what my sisters called me.
Have you ever hallucinated something you knew wasn’t there but looked real?
Hallucinated, no. But I have very vivid dreams, which sometimes come back to me as memories rather than dreams, and I have a heck of a time figuring out if they actually happened or not.
What is your favorite kind of tea?
I'd love to say Earl Grey, hot. But actually, I don't like tea. Strictly a coffee and soft drink person.
What languages do you know swear words in?
Not as many as I'd like. French, English, used to know some Arab. Gotta learn Elvish...
Do you believe in a benevolent creator?
Nope. Most of the time, I don't believe in a creator at all. When I do, it's more of a deistic sort of thing, the force behind the universe, not anything personal enough to be benevolent.
If so, do you have a relationship with it/him/her?
Even in my Orthodox Catholic days, when I taught Sunday School, I never believed I had any kind of relationship with God.
Do you believe in homeopathy?
I don't NOT believe in it. I believe that, at worst, your mind is strong enough that whatever you believe enough in, you have a fighing chance at making happen.
What famous person you really wish you could be friends with?
I know I'm going to be sorry I said this, but either Ian McKellen or Elijah Wood. Sir Ian because I worship him, and Elijah because I would just LOVE to know what makes him tick. Really. Well...
What makes you act the most evil?
I'm really good at sharing, 99% of the time. One of the best people I know. I almost never keep good things to myself. Unless there is absolutely, positively no way that something can be shared. Then I want it for myself, dammit.
How much does your mom know about your life?
hmmm... everything and nothing, like most mothers, I guess. The things she should know the most about--those things in my childhood that make up a large part of who I am--she is clueless about because she was even more messed up then than I am now.
What music did you once love but can’t even listen to now?
Some of the really schmoopy stuff from the 60s and 70s. I just heard "Precious and Few" on TV--part of me sighed, and the rest cringed. But I still like most of the music that I liked from my earliest childhood.
What’s the dirtiest book you’ve ever read?
Dirty as in no redeeming social value? Most of that is fanfic, not books. But I snuck my father's copy of "Candy" as a preteen or young teen--can't remember exactly. Seemed very filthy at the time.
Are you a top, bottom, or versatile?
These days, that question is purely theoretical. But in theory, I'm versatile.
What is your most prominent dysfunction?
Extreme, ridiculous, crippling shyness. Sometimes I just canNOT bring myself to do the simplest things. People who have seen me speak in public, run meetings, or various things along that line don't believe it of me, but I'm horrifically shy.
What is your favorite font?
Oh wow. Font freaks R Us. I love SO many of them. Been using "Tolkien" a lot lately, for obvious reasons. For webpages, where you're stuck with only a few, I use Comic Sans. And I'm into some of the handwriting ones--I think the last one I used was "jd"
What is your favorite kind of salad dressing?
The red sweet ones--Cataling, Western, Russian, honey French.
Ever had a major illness or injury?
Pneumonia once, but not terribly serious. No operations other than a cyst under my eye and tonsils. Persistent asthma that faded in my teens. More the nagging stuff, like panic attacks and autoimmune disorders.
Ever come close to death?
Only when I was born--blue-black and not breathing. Nothing close since.
Would you kill a man if it was you or him?
I could fairly easily do it, intellectually. I deal with human death much better than animal death. But whether I could do it physically or not is another story
Would you kill a man just for lookin’ at you funny?
How funny?
Are you still friends with your exes?
Not really, but only because I tend to let people drift away without a fight, rather than because we don't get along anymore.
What do you bring to a potluck?
I'm lazy, so I either buy something or make something up from whatever is in my pantry.
Say one nice thing about the author of this survey.
What a clever person to come up with these interesting questions!
Okay, two things.
And it's nice that you're interested in the answers, too.
Say one nice thing about yourself, too.
The things and the people that I love, I tend to love unstintingly.
Hooray for MTV. I sure wish Elijah could have won for his fine performance, but of course the best is yet to come for him. Nice to see Orlando recognized again (and fun to hear his terrific Irish accent), and SO fine that the movie won. I didn't think the LOTR skit was as funny as most people did--parts had me laughing hysterically but the whole was just too sophomoric for me. (That said, I liked the Spidey one better, and hated the Panic Room one even more.) Cody has some nice screen caps up at her site.
08 June 2002
Yet another evening spent copying "Chain of Fools" for people who can't get the VCD. Even *I* am starting to get tired of it now! (well, not really!) Anyway, I finally took off the invalid "My Fellowship Guy is Frodo" link from my template--I kept hoping the site would come back, but obviously it isn't going to. I did add my new Lilith Notes icon in it's place--no big surprise who it is...
Does EVERYONE else in the US have their new Decipher LOTR fanclub magazine except Karen and I? Do they have something against us A-B folks?
Does EVERYONE else in the US have their new Decipher LOTR fanclub magazine except Karen and I? Do they have something against us A-B folks?
07 June 2002
| SimilarMinds.com Compatibility Test |
Your match with kristine you are 63% similar you are 74% complementary |
Since I can't get to "Friday Five" today, I'm having to resort to more quizzes...
My Bloginality is ESTJ!!!
My Bloginality is ESTJ!!!
Against even more expectations, I made it to Viewing #27, again at the Vic's "Brew and View." This time, Heidi and Sarz were my co-conspirators. It was a much quieter crowd than last week--in fact, WE were the rowdiest people there! Very little talking, only a couple of people snickering at the slashy bits, and NO laugher at Gandalf's death (thank heavens). Still the loud cheers for Aragorn doing away with Lurtz, and we led the ovation at the sight of Gandalf the White. We were very decadent--Heidi had a beer, I smoked a cigarette, and Sarz said the seating arrangements left her lots of room to use her "body english" during the movie. I've decided Gimli misheard the rumours about Lothlorien--that's an Elf Bitch that's in residence. (Nope, still not a Galadriel fan. Conniving witch...)
04 June 2002
Oh, god, I am dying here.
http://www.geocities.com/l0ckergn0me/
Oh, well, at least I am not THOSE stupid people. (Hey, Chris, it wasn't me you were satirizing, was it? Please?)
I am, however, another type of stupid person. Finally figured out why the automated refund/transfer ticket line at United wouldn't accept my ticket number. The cancelled flight was on American... duh.
But the good news is, I'm flying into SFO instead of Oakland after all--which is a big plus when you're staying at an SFO airport and not downtown! So, arrival in San Francisco for the parade on Friday morning, June 28, and departure just before midnight on Monday, July 1. Pretty much 4 full days in San Francisco, with not just the parade, but some figure skating, concerts, and (I hope) a chance to see an old friend I don't see nearly enough, and another who I'm actually staying with! Kewlness.
http://www.geocities.com/l0ckergn0me/
Oh, well, at least I am not THOSE stupid people. (Hey, Chris, it wasn't me you were satirizing, was it? Please?)
I am, however, another type of stupid person. Finally figured out why the automated refund/transfer ticket line at United wouldn't accept my ticket number. The cancelled flight was on American... duh.
But the good news is, I'm flying into SFO instead of Oakland after all--which is a big plus when you're staying at an SFO airport and not downtown! So, arrival in San Francisco for the parade on Friday morning, June 28, and departure just before midnight on Monday, July 1. Pretty much 4 full days in San Francisco, with not just the parade, but some figure skating, concerts, and (I hope) a chance to see an old friend I don't see nearly enough, and another who I'm actually staying with! Kewlness.
Rings-Thing Topic: Describe the first time you saw FOTR. You know, the environment, where, anything weird happen, what did you think?
It may surprise some people to know I was not avidly awaiting the release of this movie. I hadn't really followed the news about it as it was in production, although I read the occasional article and I had heard about most of the major casting. I figured I would go, since Sean Bean and Ian McKellen are two of my favorite actors, and Elijah Wood seemed pretty acceptable as Frodo from what little I knew of him (could mainly only remember him from Avalon, in which he was superb).
So, the movie opened. I wasn't standing in line. In fact, I was trying to do some housecleaning, in my little spare time, before my sister's arrival on the 23rd. Yeah, like that would happen. Anyway, my sister arrives, we spend a couple of hours attempting to meet up at the airport while I'm growing increasingly frustrated, then we finally manage it and take a cab to our mother's (my sister and mother were going to visit another of my sister's for Christmas).
So, having grown up a Tolkien enthusiast in a family of Tolkien enthusiasts (well, the females were, anyway), I asked the two of them if they want to go see LOTR. Sure, they say, and we're off to the late afternoon showing at the Village North Theatre, walking distance from my apartment. The Village North is not going to win any awards for design, ambience, cleanliness, customer or staff intelligence, or just about anything else--but it's cheap and it's in the neighborhood.
Luckily for us, we've missed the afternoon crowd and are too early for the date crowd, so we don't have any problems getting tickets. It's early, so we're sitting and waiting, munching our popcorn, talking about the books. I haven't read them in about 25 years, although my mother has kept up her fairly regular readings. While I still consider myself a Tolkien enthusiast, I don't think I'm a dyed-in-the-wool purist who will balk at even the smallest change, but I'm still glad I'm not so up on the books that I will *notice* every last change. I am definitely not optimistic, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
Hmmm, good start, with the Elvish in the opening. We are all pleased (I think) with the narration and summarization. Don't see how it could have been done much better (until I later hear that Ian was originally supposed to have done it--much as I like Cate, I'd have preferred Sir Ian). The longer the movie goes on, the happier we all are with it. My mother can't get over the New Zealand landscape enough to even take in a lot of the movie--it won't be long before she's asking to go again, so she can watch the *actors* this time! We are all taken with Orlando as Legolas, and love Sir Ian as Gandalf. My mother doesn't like Cate at all, which is too bad since Galadriel is one of her favorite characters. I was the only one of us who was familiar with Sean Bean, but we all cried when he died--well done! I was most taken (in an unexpected way, as opposed to the guys I knew I'd like) by Elijah Wood and Billy Boyd. Little did I know that the former, at least, would become an obsession...
So, we left the theatre and walked a couple of blocks to have dinner at a pizzeria. It was fun to rehash the movie with the same people I had discussed the books with almost 40 years previously. We were all quite pleasantly surprised at how much we liked it, and talked about seeing it again. 25 viewings later.... I plan to go again this week.
03 June 2002
Yeah, I did finally make it to #26 last week, despite all expectations and several previous attempts that went awry.
My first time at the "Brew and View" at the Vic theatre (been to the Vic quite often for concerts, though). It was a rather interesting atmosphere, with a fair amount of talking going on throughout the movie and regular club seating (several sections of semicircular booth seating with small tables at the back half of each section, and small tables with chairs at the front half of each section), as well as an audience which smoked and drank at will.
I had no problem with the talking, or even most of the whistling or catcalls. Poor Legolas got a lot of the whistles, but you know... I guess I expected that. And of course all the slash bits were commented upon loudly--again, I wasn't bothered (although I might have been had I seen it, say, 20 fewer times). However, if anyone can tell me what was so amusing about Gandalf's death, it would be greatly appreciated. I've never encountered an audience that found that funny before, and for the life of me, I don't get it.
Going again this Thursday, and taking my clove cigarettes. Too good an opportunity to miss, to be able to smoke them while watching the guy who is responsible for me taking them up. (and no, it wouldn't count if I did it at home)
My first time at the "Brew and View" at the Vic theatre (been to the Vic quite often for concerts, though). It was a rather interesting atmosphere, with a fair amount of talking going on throughout the movie and regular club seating (several sections of semicircular booth seating with small tables at the back half of each section, and small tables with chairs at the front half of each section), as well as an audience which smoked and drank at will.
I had no problem with the talking, or even most of the whistling or catcalls. Poor Legolas got a lot of the whistles, but you know... I guess I expected that. And of course all the slash bits were commented upon loudly--again, I wasn't bothered (although I might have been had I seen it, say, 20 fewer times). However, if anyone can tell me what was so amusing about Gandalf's death, it would be greatly appreciated. I've never encountered an audience that found that funny before, and for the life of me, I don't get it.
Going again this Thursday, and taking my clove cigarettes. Too good an opportunity to miss, to be able to smoke them while watching the guy who is responsible for me taking them up. (and no, it wouldn't count if I did it at home)