In Books:

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery & The Housekeeper and the Professor, by Yoko Ogawa: These two separate books just happened to come into my life at the same time, and they're a marvelous pair, entirely well suited to one another in theme and writing style. Both of them are about the bonds and significance of human connection, and the price people pay for hiding their true selves and their talents away from others.

( The Elegance of the Hedgehog: )

( The Housekeeper and the Professor: )

In Movies:

Precious: ( Not an easy movie by any means, 'Precious' is a contentious knot of horrific but transformative character-driven story, strange lighting, and political backlash. )

Alice: This sci-fi (sorry, Syfy) channel mini-series/movie-chopped-into-little-parts was like a really good role-playing game run by a bad storyteller: the ideas were all there, and some of them were awesome, but the actual execution of the whole thing was substandard, and, frankly, rather boring. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are both compelling narratives, but they've been retold in myriad forms already, and the ideas in this version of Alice didn't add anything to the original. An example of this is the Red Queen's (ably played by Kathy Bates) line about being the greatest female character in all of literature. Whoa, that's not just breaking the fourth wall, that's setting fire to it and dancing around the burning remains whilst chanting anti-Fourth-Wall slogans! I thought this would become an important theme of the story, but it was never referred to again, sadly. Also sad was the fight choreography--Alice was supposed to be a black belt in some martial art (karate, maybe), but from the way the fights were edited and staged, it was clear that the actress had learnt only a few moves and rehearsed them over and over again. A true black belt would make it look easy; she made it look hard. And the sad thing is--again!--that an Alice who can fight and hold her own is a great idea, but the execution of that idea was disappointing. (Especially with such a cute and practical costume! So annoying!) So, uhm, yeah. Not a lot of love for this Alice, although I think with another few edits to the script and some more money, it would make a decent episodic TV show.

WoW released its last major patch (before the next expansion) today. We get a new raid dungeon, about a dozen new bosses to kill, 3 new 5-man dungeons, a new faction to kiss up to, a new questline to get a shiny epic weapon, new badges and armor, new glyphs and re-worked talents (omg scourge strike ILU), etc.

It's gonna be HOT.

In about an hour, when my stupid patch finishes downloading. /cry

I really should spend the time working on a Christmas-type fic that's due in a few days, but for some reason it's been like pulling teeth to get the words out on the page. Argh. Maybe that last minute kick of anxiety over missing the deadline will do the trick.

Not that, what were you thinking? I'm making the necklace that never ends. 4 metres of silver wire and hours of work and I'm just over a quarter done. GAH. It's designed to look like winter branches and berries, hundreds of delicate, twisted pieces of wire all moving and glittering around the neck, with luck and strong wrists, it'll be a showstopper. It had better!

Time for some food and tea and then back to it. At least I'm getting through films I've meaning to watch. So far today it's been Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - I'm such an Optimus Prime fangirl - and later, The Dark Knight. This isn't the activity for deep and meaningful movies, just brain fluff. Then I think I might drool over my favourite Viking vampire if I'm still awake.

Of course, I should be writing Christmas cards and answering LJ comments. Oops.

WTF?

Get a life.

I don't regret anything I've said though, if you pissed me off then I had every right to rant about you either on my lj and twitter. If you're offended well you shouldn't have made me mad then, hm? :p

Just thought I'd let you know while you probably continue to pass it around.


Hi everyone else 8D Sorry I haven't updated much in awhile. Been busy. Will do a proper entry...eventually. Maybe not. I dunno I'm easily distracted after all.

Title: The Distance Between Us
Writer: Everlind
Wordcount: 12 780
Pairing: Ohtori/Shishido (Silver Pair)
Rating: PG
Warnings: Shishido's language. Lots of introspection.
Summary: When Shishido Ryou loses his regular spot on the tennis team, he turns to Ohtori Choutarou for help. This is where they started, but not where they will end.
Disclaimer: The Prince of Tennis belongs to Konomi Takeshi. This story is based on characters and the universe of The Prince of Tennis, no money is being made from it.
Author's Notes: This is the Silver Pair when they weren't the Silver Pair. This is them when they were Shishido Ryou and Ohtori Choutarou.


The Distance Between Us

Any one missing LJ comments? I'm not getting notifications.

Cary Cary Cary!

thanks ryuik for original scan


When people keep repeating
That you'll never fall in love
When everybody keeps retreating
But you can't seem to get enough
Let my love open the door
To your heart
When everything feels all over
When everybody seems unkind
I'll give you a four-leaf clover
Take all the worry out of your mind
Let my love open the door
To your heart

Pete Townsend

It's getting kinda monotonous now.
( Read more )

This will be the last time for some time that I use this icon, because as of 2.15pm today, I have submitted said goddamned thesis. It's done, it's out of my hands, all my MA work is now finished and I can concentrate on being a PhD student full time. After Christmas, because as soon as I finish the Owain essay and turn it in, I'm going home for Christmas and not doing any work.

Was meant to have a meeting with Ian (research supervisor) today, but apparently he's in Llanelli. I don't know if this was something emergent or if he forgot, but all is forgiven anyway, because I had nothing of interest to report and by that time I hadn't eaten yet today anyway. I went home, burned a cheese toastie, and even though I still have an essay to finish, as soon as I post this entry, I'm going to take a nap.

That's right. A nap.

The to-do list is still frustratingly long, as I frantically try to get everything turned in, cleaned, packed and sorted before I leave on Saturday. I won't be doing work, but I need a new visa and Christmas presents and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I usually am.

Not gonna forget the nap, though.

12 Ichigo/Byakuya icons :D
Some implied very mild Ichi/Bya, some just general ;D
Enjoy!



see more..

And I am broke and way behind. lol But I would like to put a note up for Holiday cards. If anyone would like to exchange I love doing it! ^__^

Just put your address in the post and I will get those cards out. Comments will be screened for privacy.

I'm not getting LJ comments at the moment, so if you leave a comment for me, particularly on an older entry, I may not know about it.

Better late than never - just surpassed the 10,000 word mark for the novel I started with Nano in mind this year.

Where did y'all place?

✩ Thank you to all you sweeties for the snowflake cookies AND cake! With luck, the snowflakes will keep the real snow from falling and the cake will...um...attract real cake? Or chocolate, anyhow. :D

✩ Thank you also to everyone who commented on the Tezuka/Oishi story! I was expecting a much smaller response to what's essentially a boutique pairing and such an un-shippy story at that. You made me feel all glow-y.

✩ I'm experiencing a strong desire to get back into Harry Potter just now, though I'm not sure what precipitated it. Maybe it's just that this is a nostalgic time of year? Or because it was so cold I was wearing my Slytherin scarf today? I think I will dig out the books and start a re-read and see where that gets me. (To some hot Ron/Draco, if I'm lucky.)

✩ It's warm inside and I'm happy. I hope you're warm and happy too. ♥

Aha... ahahahahaha.... *_____*

*snickers* the.... new character transformations in Shugo Chara... dfhkssaf... bwahahaah...

a WEDDING DRESS and a PIRATE.....

really?

.... lmao.... it's so cute though... bwehehehe





*gigglefit* I love this series.

(This involves a sizable amount of A*ashi talk, unfortunately, but it's not specifically about them, really. Almost. Kind of.)


I did it, guys. I changed my default icon. I never thought this day would come.

, I'll miss you. (Pretty KenKen, plus Fastball lyrics for extra awesome... by far one of my favorite icons I've ever made.) You've been my default icon for over 3.5 years. I'll always cherish the time we've spent together. But things change, and people (users and their icons) go their separate ways. You'll still be here, a part of me, but just not my default icon anymore.


( ... so what next? )

(Posted with my default icon.)

This makes an old ST:TNG fan very happy. And having to cover her mouth to prevent from waking anyone up.

*is totally working here, seriously*

My profile page is a blizzard. Thank you, awesome people, both named and anonymous. I'm just sorry that I've been so busy that I didn't have time to reciprocate before LJ yanked away the freebie.

All to Catch a Thief
PG, 9200 words, Brendon/Ryan

Summary: Brendon's life is comatose until someone breaks into every house in town except his. A fairy tale about criminals.
A/N: AU fic written for drawn_to, and inspired by the day Ryan Ross looked like this and heartequals' requests for snow, bright colors, shenanigans, and no porn. I hope you like your gift! :D

( Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived in a sleepy town. )

only the best for you!

I'm going to try to do xmas cards again this year. If you would like one from me, please comment with your name & address. All comments are screened!

If you want to send me anything, the new mailing address is:

Karen Lambey
PO Box 459
Surry, VA 23883
USA

<3!

---

Original entry at http://ilyat.dreamwidth.org/305960.html with comment(s).

Maybe it's okay to be in touch with my grumpy self or something. Here are some questions I have:

-Why is it so cold outside that it's too cold inside?
-Why doesn't this stupid heater work better?
-Why am I having so much trouble with my Divacup right now?
-Why did I lose my other pair of jeans, and where are they?
-Why does my roommate always have to forget about utility bills for the longest time and then surprise me with large figures I owe?
-Why am I in such a bad mood?

!!!

I wanted to come home for a day or two because it's a good idea to go home, but now I just want to be somewhere else. Dars.

Edit: Thanks so much for the gift, laurabryannan! It really cheered up my grumpy day.

For the first time in years I sat down at the keyboard this morning and just wrote. I have a good chunk of the next chapter of DarkHorse already, and notes straight to the end (though I won't pretend that I know what will happen even now). I'd like to say my goal is to have this chapter done by the end of the week, but there are other obligations to fulfill... Still, dammit, I need to get his novel finished before Jack finds a way to rip a hole in space/time and kills me. She would, too.

More stuff at some point soon. Must work more now.

Title: So Glad for the Madness
Characters: Jeshua/Lucifer, Michael, Azrael and ....
Rating: R (this chapter)
Word Count: ~ 3075
Summary: At the end of time, there's a prize to be to won, a price to be paid, and one or three lessons to be learnt.
Chapter Summary: In which it's time to be a-truthin' (or not), and Lucifer spends a lot of time on his back is slow in recovery. Part 8 of the Via Lata Diaries, a work of as yet indeterminate length and quality.
A/N: With apologies to: Lillian Gish, Cradle of Filth, Silkworm, Nietzsche, and the wise, good, and beautiful Ruth Lapide. Thank you for your patience, should you still be reading this; I've had a difficult few months.

Chapter I: Angelus Domini. | Chapter II: Ara Pacis. | Chapter III: Museum Hours. | Chapter IV: Roman Holiday. | Chapter V: Agnello brasato. | Chapter VI: Rintrah roars. | Chapter VII: Temptation.
Cross-posted to bible_slash.

( It's back in Babylon, after he's walked out on them, after he told them to fend for themselves and stop their whining and shove Hell up their arse, that he finds he is tired. )

I wanted to send everybody cookies back to people, but they won't let me! sadface, LJ.

So just pretend you got a cookie from me:

This is the TEST shipment you asked for

A day in the life of Kit:

• 23:23 please please please PLEASE let it freeze over tomorrow and have school closed! #
• 17:20 So tired and soooo hoping it freezes over tomorrow! I don't want to go back to work!!!! &gt;&lt; #
• 08:19 And as a side note, it's really fucking cold. I hate winter ~_~ #
• 07:53 Ah well...w/e We'll continue to have our own smaller meetups without them because we're all sick of them anyway. #
• 07:46 People like them just piss me off. They really don't need to be involved in the community and I wish they never were. Annoying bitches. #
• 07:46 The rest of us have a right to chose locations we want to be at, not where you want just because you can't be bothered to leave Irving. #
• 07:45 Seriously, Kyrenea and Skada, go fuck yourselves you pathetic excuses for human beings. The world doesn't revolve around your sad lives. #
• 07:44 God damn some people in the doll community here SUCK. Stop trying to get out of the fact you do take over every fucking meet and go DIE. UGH #
• 14:54 Yeah I totally fell asleep during my Poetry class today. #
• 12:52 Today has seriously sucked though &gt;&lt; at least my poem is done...it sucks tho. Hardcore DX #
• 12:52 So because I have no headphones I'm going to make everyone suffer with my music choice so I can has some music at work. Ha. #
• 11:10 ad: For really cheap flights from London to Middle East & Africa you must check out this site is.gd/4WoHg #
• 08:43 Uggghhhhh fuck mondays. I forgot my German book and my headphones for today! DX #
• 01:22 Very fun day and verrrrrryyyyyyyyy fun night! X3 #
• 23:58 Heard Bad Romance on the radio it was happy making! Wish they'd play Tokio Hotel!!! #
• 21:58 &lt;3 Lady Gaga! #
• 21:58 I want your love and I want your revenge, you and me could write a bad romance~ Gotta say the song is awesome and the video is crazy XD #
• 16:09 ad: Flights from London to Saudi Arabia and amazing prices.... is.gd/4Uvrq #
• 14:03 FML I forgot I had to do phone calls...and I wanted to leave in 30 minutes. Damnit &gt;&lt; #
• 11:55 WOW! My lolita outfit could be here today! #

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Stupid lj. Jo pointed out she's not getting comment notifications. I'm not either. Well not all of them. So if I miss something I'll likely reply if/when I see it or when lj dumps everything into the inbox eventually.

Not exactly awake. Spent the evening reading first the dim sum book. I have snowman sticky notes on pages of interest. I think Neko sent me those. Then I read the first two volumes of Vassalord. And went to bed around 1am. Oops. Anyone else into Vassalord?

I need to head off and get some commenting done and then off to work for me. Which is okay because it's going to be hot here today. Thinking of everyone who has snow and doesn't want it...teleport it here! *squishes flist* Be safe everyone ♥

I got tagged by lituhanienn

Rules:

- I post this meme
- you enjoy the yaoi goodness
- You comment
- I tag you with a male Bleach character
- you complete your own photo meme
- you tag me in it!

So on with the show.

http://chaoticmayhem.livejournal.com/1712.html

FML

I FUCKING THREW MY BACK OUT AGAIN. FROM SNEEZING. FUCKING SNEEZING. AND POP. THERE WENT MY MIDBACK. third fucking time this year.

so yeah. i'm fucked. ak;ldsjfak;lds so pissed off. went to chiropractor and i'm feeling a bit better now, though still really really sore. so i picked up some video games to rent and bought night at the museum 2. so yeah.

so that's one day of work missed, and now i'm going to be behind with everything and going to be really sore and on light duties and crap again so yeah. next couple of weeks are going to be fun and shit.

and my adapter that i had sort of got working again has stopped working again so once again i'll be back to just using my mom's computer when i get the chance.

I REALLY DO NOT LIKE 2009. IT KIND OF REALLY SUCKS.

A huge thank you for the Snowflake cookies.

I thought I didn't have any emails pending, but then looked at journals and saw lots of comments on things I posted, I think lj is a bit wonky, so sorry if I don't get back to you soon enough.

And thanks A for the cookie! ;D