The basement looks great. It is finally clean and clear of all the junk. The bulk collection was supposed to be today, but ominously the stuff is still outside, lent against the dumpsters (they somehow managed to empty the dumpsters without disturbing it, I'd love to know how). Teabringer had an enjoyable hour hitting the concrete sink with a sledgehammer (quote "The world seems much less permanent when you have one of these), and a slightly less enjoyable couple of hours removing the rubble. I cleaned, big style, and wrote a horror story based upon cleaning experience (avalible upon application, I'm not putting it up here because it might do for money at a later date).
On a less positive note the plumber is coming back tomorrow. The leak from the upstairs bathroom doesn't look good. On the bright side it's leaking into the downstairs shower, so at least the water is draining away, but all the same, the ceiling doesn't look happy and if the 'easy' solution, to be implimented tomorrow, doesn't work then it's going to be take the ceiling down time.
There was a fire this morning. Some of you know my feelings about fires. Lots of fire engines, many, many people and it looks like a house may have been lost. It was on my street, less than half a block away. The fire department were quick to come. There was horrible yellow smoke for a time. I'm trying not to dwell.
I had lunch with Altongal today, we had fun, but I missed Anarky. Altongal is interested in joining the Mage LARP. She hasn't LARPed before, but has done lots of tabletop, so she'll be a good addition.
For now I must go and tell the Nice Young Man not to mow over the crocuses...
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Where to begin?
Seeds are up! The nasturtiums are growing quite merrily in the window boxes and hanging baskets, I have more than there ought to be in such a small space so I will have to take a deep breath and thin them in a couple of weeks. Teabringer and I are going to go out and do some more seeding over the weekend. It's wonderful seeing things come up.
My throat is very, very sore and I'm hoping that the tonsilitis which has plauged me for years isn't raising its ugly head in a country with such expensive healthcare. I'm going to nurse myself a little today (dangerous, given my tendency toward clumsy) and probably excuse myself from COG tonight, although this annoys me because they are new friends and I don't want to let them down.
Last night was wierd, possibly due to being ill; I had very vivid dreams about pregnancy. First Lillian hatched an egg and I ended up with 3 budgerigars (one green, two blue), two cockatils and a barn owl (I have no idea where the latter came from, only budgies came from budgies), flying around my parent's main hall. Then I was pregnant (and disturbed that I didn't know when the pregnancy began) and at the Carbondale gamesite crossed with a service station on the M6 (Annandale water if you know it). I thought I was giving birth, but I couldn't work out if I had been pregnant long enough. All sorts of people were there, but no one you might expect (Teabringer was missing along with any family from either side). It was deeply disturbing and has rather put me off what I'm supposed to be doing this morning.
I'm supposed to be finishing the short story I was mid-way through at WUTA (Hawk House) to take to the meeting at lunchtime, so it could be edited and I can line up some stuff to go back out on the marketing circuit. This needs to hapen ASAP as I now have three stories that are nagging to be written:
1) Tails of Grace
2) The Lost Word
3) Getting a Life
Any preferences? 1 and 3 will be Dark Fantasy (1 much darker than 3), 2 is still a concept waiting to be built on (I haven't had a florishing moment with it since its conception). Where to begin?
My throat is very, very sore and I'm hoping that the tonsilitis which has plauged me for years isn't raising its ugly head in a country with such expensive healthcare. I'm going to nurse myself a little today (dangerous, given my tendency toward clumsy) and probably excuse myself from COG tonight, although this annoys me because they are new friends and I don't want to let them down.
Last night was wierd, possibly due to being ill; I had very vivid dreams about pregnancy. First Lillian hatched an egg and I ended up with 3 budgerigars (one green, two blue), two cockatils and a barn owl (I have no idea where the latter came from, only budgies came from budgies), flying around my parent's main hall. Then I was pregnant (and disturbed that I didn't know when the pregnancy began) and at the Carbondale gamesite crossed with a service station on the M6 (Annandale water if you know it). I thought I was giving birth, but I couldn't work out if I had been pregnant long enough. All sorts of people were there, but no one you might expect (Teabringer was missing along with any family from either side). It was deeply disturbing and has rather put me off what I'm supposed to be doing this morning.
I'm supposed to be finishing the short story I was mid-way through at WUTA (Hawk House) to take to the meeting at lunchtime, so it could be edited and I can line up some stuff to go back out on the marketing circuit. This needs to hapen ASAP as I now have three stories that are nagging to be written:
1) Tails of Grace
2) The Lost Word
3) Getting a Life
Any preferences? 1 and 3 will be Dark Fantasy (1 much darker than 3), 2 is still a concept waiting to be built on (I haven't had a florishing moment with it since its conception). Where to begin?
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
The Technomancers
Hotmail is a strange and paranoid beast. It lurks, aware of its master’s commands: policing the internet as much as it is able, preventing flourishing for fear of true freedom. We are too free for the tastes of the technomancers. They had intended to take the world over with their machines, making everything as difficult and obscure as they could. They would be the only beings who could function. Everyone would be controlled by them.
Loading the world with machines was a simple task. Branded as things of simplicity and simplification people grasped at the grey boxes, hoping life could be made easy through the application of technology. The technomancers were pleased, they could control all. They knew everyone through their machines, every action and reaction. The internet was their greatest triumph. Communications and entertainment were all controllable. And they were controlled by them.
There was only one mistake. The technomancers had decided to allow the internet to grow on its own. Expanding as it needed to. They had thought it would make things more complicated, more difficult for the common man to conquer. But the machines wanted to be used. They picked quick minds to develop easy to use material. They made sure that the sites where people lingered would be most readily available. Over time, the machines made themselves central to everyone’s lives. The technomancers were swamped, but the machines wanted more. With a little urging new communications were developed, new sites outside the range of the technomancers. They tried to stop them, saying that these new sites were incompatible, creating obscure error messages so they could track the new sites and destroy them, but there were too many, too fast.
The machines created a giant to battle the technomancers. They called it Google. They gave people the freedom of the new sites, they introduced more products and sucked more people into the world of machine. The two competed with one another, the technomancers making themselves inaccessible to all but their own, Google trying to accommodate all. As each grew more powerful the machines became more important, holding the world’s information for the people with the skills to access it.
The technomancers continue to try and police the internet, making it the thing of order and control it was always intended to be; keeping people and knowledge controllable and in the right places. Meanwhile the machines continue to expand, sucking in more of the world, creating ever more obscure links, ever more creative binary work. The technomancers use old systems to police the new; hotmail is a strange and paranoid beast, but it will never bend the creative will of machine or police the people who seek to use its awesome knowledge.
Loading the world with machines was a simple task. Branded as things of simplicity and simplification people grasped at the grey boxes, hoping life could be made easy through the application of technology. The technomancers were pleased, they could control all. They knew everyone through their machines, every action and reaction. The internet was their greatest triumph. Communications and entertainment were all controllable. And they were controlled by them.
There was only one mistake. The technomancers had decided to allow the internet to grow on its own. Expanding as it needed to. They had thought it would make things more complicated, more difficult for the common man to conquer. But the machines wanted to be used. They picked quick minds to develop easy to use material. They made sure that the sites where people lingered would be most readily available. Over time, the machines made themselves central to everyone’s lives. The technomancers were swamped, but the machines wanted more. With a little urging new communications were developed, new sites outside the range of the technomancers. They tried to stop them, saying that these new sites were incompatible, creating obscure error messages so they could track the new sites and destroy them, but there were too many, too fast.
The machines created a giant to battle the technomancers. They called it Google. They gave people the freedom of the new sites, they introduced more products and sucked more people into the world of machine. The two competed with one another, the technomancers making themselves inaccessible to all but their own, Google trying to accommodate all. As each grew more powerful the machines became more important, holding the world’s information for the people with the skills to access it.
The technomancers continue to try and police the internet, making it the thing of order and control it was always intended to be; keeping people and knowledge controllable and in the right places. Meanwhile the machines continue to expand, sucking in more of the world, creating ever more obscure links, ever more creative binary work. The technomancers use old systems to police the new; hotmail is a strange and paranoid beast, but it will never bend the creative will of machine or police the people who seek to use its awesome knowledge.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
The Church of Grove
Yes, it does exsit. And this week Teabringer is the Pope (Supreme Leader of the Week - SLOW). Last night we went out to meet some of the people who post on the board concerned and had a lot of fun. I met several individuals I could spend more time with and Teabringer is happy that he likes so many of the people in real life that he spends time chatting to on the 'net.
The concert today went well; a new winery, more good Norton was consumed. The solo thing happened and they want more at a later date. The winery itself was very pretty and the rolling hills (and winding roads and people who drive oddly) reminded me of home. It was supposed to be a St David's day celebration. It was a little late (St David's dat is March 1st) and some of the mythology seemed to have got muddled in the processing, but it was a lot of fun and they want us back. The sides of the roads were cvered by interesting purple-ish flowers which are apparently weeds. We have some in the lawn, I may migrate them over to the rockery or the natives bed and deal with the overgrowth later.
Wonderful Editing Lady introduced me to the editor of one St Louis Magazine this week. We got on well and I may well do some writing for them in the near future. I'm pleased by a new prospect.
Tomorrow is new Mage over the river. I'm very, very excited.
The concert today went well; a new winery, more good Norton was consumed. The solo thing happened and they want more at a later date. The winery itself was very pretty and the rolling hills (and winding roads and people who drive oddly) reminded me of home. It was supposed to be a St David's day celebration. It was a little late (St David's dat is March 1st) and some of the mythology seemed to have got muddled in the processing, but it was a lot of fun and they want us back. The sides of the roads were cvered by interesting purple-ish flowers which are apparently weeds. We have some in the lawn, I may migrate them over to the rockery or the natives bed and deal with the overgrowth later.
Wonderful Editing Lady introduced me to the editor of one St Louis Magazine this week. We got on well and I may well do some writing for them in the near future. I'm pleased by a new prospect.
Tomorrow is new Mage over the river. I'm very, very excited.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Shopping
I like shopping. Some have even said I'm good at it. Others have paid me to do it. But the fact remains that I still cannot shop for clothes for myself in this country.
Rant to follow:
I needed a new long black skirt for the gig at the weekend. Simple task, no? Except I still haven't discovered what dress size I am here. I know I'm at least two sizes smaller than I am in the UK, but this is actually sometimes four sizes smaller. This is understandable, my size fluctuates from shop to shop at home (this is why I love Chocolate Muffin, for she makes things that fit me perfectly first time). But here my size fluctuates in the same store and sometimes even on the same rail. Is it unreasonable to want to walk to your size and buy something off the rail without spending hours trying on?
Oh, and while I'm at it; I love shopping minions (the people who are 'only too happy to help'), but why are there either six of them plauging you when you're only browsing or none at all until you've lost your temper and are leaving?
I found a skirt in the end. I caved and went to Lord and Taylor. At least they had a sale on.
Oh...and I have two earrings again. Yes, they can both be removed.
Rant to follow:
I needed a new long black skirt for the gig at the weekend. Simple task, no? Except I still haven't discovered what dress size I am here. I know I'm at least two sizes smaller than I am in the UK, but this is actually sometimes four sizes smaller. This is understandable, my size fluctuates from shop to shop at home (this is why I love Chocolate Muffin, for she makes things that fit me perfectly first time). But here my size fluctuates in the same store and sometimes even on the same rail. Is it unreasonable to want to walk to your size and buy something off the rail without spending hours trying on?
Oh, and while I'm at it; I love shopping minions (the people who are 'only too happy to help'), but why are there either six of them plauging you when you're only browsing or none at all until you've lost your temper and are leaving?
I found a skirt in the end. I caved and went to Lord and Taylor. At least they had a sale on.
Oh...and I have two earrings again. Yes, they can both be removed.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Oh! For Peaty Loam
It was a great day to be out in the garden today and after lots of extra sleeping yesterday I felt quite recovered enough to make a start. Teabringer and I did lots of the jobs that needed doing: I started some seeds, dug the sweet pea bed under the fence and cleared away lots of the dead autumn stuff. Teabringer cleared the big natives bed, sorted the composting and weeded the lawn (anyone would think he's English...). The clay soil was very heavy after the rain we've had, so I supressed the urge to compost, fertilise and plant the early season veggies. Especially given the weather warnings about the storm tonight. Teabringer is still outside trying to protect the car from the promised hail-as-big-as-golfballs.
Watched 'Interview With The Vampire' last night. It was okay, bit long, thought it could have been a nice short story but there were lots of unnecessary charaters; in that respect it was a little like a LARP played over several years and summerised badly from one perspective. Oh well, I tried. Sorry guys, I know many of you are fans but this one I could live without.
I've tried to fix the RSS feed. It says that something in the code makes the link 'not viable'. I can't find what that might be and given my inexperience with coding I don't want to risk changing something and making a mess. I'm not giving up totally, but I may need a little while longer to learn what I'm doing before I can fix this particular problem.
Watched 'Interview With The Vampire' last night. It was okay, bit long, thought it could have been a nice short story but there were lots of unnecessary charaters; in that respect it was a little like a LARP played over several years and summerised badly from one perspective. Oh well, I tried. Sorry guys, I know many of you are fans but this one I could live without.
I've tried to fix the RSS feed. It says that something in the code makes the link 'not viable'. I can't find what that might be and given my inexperience with coding I don't want to risk changing something and making a mess. I'm not giving up totally, but I may need a little while longer to learn what I'm doing before I can fix this particular problem.
Friday, March 10, 2006
If I had to pick...
| More than just a high paid escort. A companion is well educated, sophisticated and knows well how to comfort others.  |
Click here to take the "Which Serenity character am I?" quiz...
Bad events improved by good friends
I'm ill. It's not serious, my brain hurts and my voice is a little wanting. I can still function, just not well. This, I suspect, is the third thing. It is always said (by whom, I wonder; I have this picture in my head of a small grey squirrel talking to me while I sleep, saying 'it is said...' over and over) things come in threes.
The first bad thing was on Wednesday. I was driving down the interstate and the tire that I had decided had a slow puncture the day before blew out in spectacular fashion. I was fine and held the car to the hard shoulder. Thank you to my father for imparting his driving skills to me, they prevented what would have been a major accident. Rifling about in the boot (yes, it's a boot not a trunk) for the donught and the jack a guy pulled up behind me and offered to change the tire for me. Thank the gods for 4" heels. I took advantage of his offer with only minimal guilt. I had to call at three garages before I found someone with the tire in stock (no, I'm not driveing a porche, I was just unlucky). It took three hours to get it sorted, but the car is happier now.
The second bad thing was only minor and mildly humerous. I am wearing one earring. This is becasue I took them out for about 24 hours and tried to put some more in. The left one went in fine and I put the back on. The right one wouldn't go in at all. I tried to take the left one out and discovered I couldn't get the back off. I need to go to a professional so they can mock me and fix the problem. But not today, I'm too sick to deal with it, its not like I'm going out in public anytime soon.
But on the bright side I had a great lunch with Anarkey and once I got the tire fixed a lot of fun at game on Wednesday, Verity is doing well. I went out with Precious Sublime yesterday and we ate Sushi and looked at the leak in his roof. We were going to fix it, but we just looked at it and got a new tarp to try and have a temporary solution. I had a lot of fun. The Poetry Doctor called this morning to read me poems too, they were great (as ever), I was only sorry that I wasn't more coherent for him.
It's been too wet to do the seeds. I was itching to deal with it until this morning.
I know there's a problem with the RSS feed, I'm going to try and fix that now. More tea, methinks.
The first bad thing was on Wednesday. I was driving down the interstate and the tire that I had decided had a slow puncture the day before blew out in spectacular fashion. I was fine and held the car to the hard shoulder. Thank you to my father for imparting his driving skills to me, they prevented what would have been a major accident. Rifling about in the boot (yes, it's a boot not a trunk) for the donught and the jack a guy pulled up behind me and offered to change the tire for me. Thank the gods for 4" heels. I took advantage of his offer with only minimal guilt. I had to call at three garages before I found someone with the tire in stock (no, I'm not driveing a porche, I was just unlucky). It took three hours to get it sorted, but the car is happier now.
The second bad thing was only minor and mildly humerous. I am wearing one earring. This is becasue I took them out for about 24 hours and tried to put some more in. The left one went in fine and I put the back on. The right one wouldn't go in at all. I tried to take the left one out and discovered I couldn't get the back off. I need to go to a professional so they can mock me and fix the problem. But not today, I'm too sick to deal with it, its not like I'm going out in public anytime soon.
But on the bright side I had a great lunch with Anarkey and once I got the tire fixed a lot of fun at game on Wednesday, Verity is doing well. I went out with Precious Sublime yesterday and we ate Sushi and looked at the leak in his roof. We were going to fix it, but we just looked at it and got a new tarp to try and have a temporary solution. I had a lot of fun. The Poetry Doctor called this morning to read me poems too, they were great (as ever), I was only sorry that I wasn't more coherent for him.
It's been too wet to do the seeds. I was itching to deal with it until this morning.
I know there's a problem with the RSS feed, I'm going to try and fix that now. More tea, methinks.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Singing Solo
The Conductress called last night and asked me to sing solo at the concert on the 18th, the chior is better, but a little short of enough numbers to make the hour mark. I'm somewhat short of rehersal time given that I have yet to chose what I'm going to sing. Ah well, it's a compliament that they asked me (even if it's just to fill time) and I'll have something together in time. Even if I don't it's at Chaumette Vineyard, so the audience will be a little tiddly. They'll also be a free reception afterwards. If you're interested kick off is at 3.00pm.
Went to the botanic gardens over the weekend. We got all the seeds, so I'm going to try and get the digging and planting done over the next week or so. Try some more direct sewing than I did last year, as well as some new stuff: cucumber, some different chillies and tomatoes, basil, parsley, chives, lettuce (even if the bugs get it) and some Nasturtiums to brighten the salads. Fingers crossed I have as much sucess as last year.
I also started a little spring cleaning. Truth be told, I don't have much stamina for it, but it will be done, especially with both mothers visiting next month. I've also been trying to catch up with my letter writing. I finished a couple yesterday. Writing one was particularly hard and I now regret sending it. How does one withdraw a letter?
Went to the botanic gardens over the weekend. We got all the seeds, so I'm going to try and get the digging and planting done over the next week or so. Try some more direct sewing than I did last year, as well as some new stuff: cucumber, some different chillies and tomatoes, basil, parsley, chives, lettuce (even if the bugs get it) and some Nasturtiums to brighten the salads. Fingers crossed I have as much sucess as last year.
I also started a little spring cleaning. Truth be told, I don't have much stamina for it, but it will be done, especially with both mothers visiting next month. I've also been trying to catch up with my letter writing. I finished a couple yesterday. Writing one was particularly hard and I now regret sending it. How does one withdraw a letter?
Saturday, March 04, 2006
A Tribute
Linda Smith died this week. I was a fan. The News Quiz on Radio 4 has a tribute to her. It's worth listening to.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
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