Balance in All Things

Movies and fic

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:01:23 GMT

Sat down and watched a couple movies with the kids the other day. Say Anything and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist.

I love Jon Cusak movies. The kids were asking if his sister (Joan Cusak) is in all his movies. I said no, but I think she's in most of them. I wonder if they try to make it that way on purpose or it just kinda happened that way?

NNIP was great. I liked it but I expected there to be a lot more music in it. There wasn't any more than usual for a movie where all the people are running around crazy in the middle of the night.

We all watched Gross Pointe Blank the day after that. Another JC movie, what can I say. Plus, Minnie Driver. Win-win.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit was after that. Can you see what I'm doing here? Kids need to see movies I term "cultural reference" movies. If you see, for example, Peter on Family Guy holding up a boombox to get Lois to come back to him, it's funny. But you're not gonna get the reference until you've seen the original scene in Say Anything. To most people who haven't seen the movie, it's just some weird dude holding up an out-dated piece of musical equipment. And seriously, everyone needs to see Roger Rabbit, if for no other reason than to hear Jessica Rabbit say, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."

So I've made a list and I'm recording to my DVR as they come on. There are definately some of these movies I want to buy, but if I waited until I bought them for the kdis to see them, they would already be grown and out of the house and I wouldn't be able to sit on them and make them watch what they are sure is the stupidest movie ever (Nan was refusing to watch Roger Rabbit but the first five minutes hooked her).

***************************************************************************************
Just finished reading an excellent fic. SGA with some anger issues, transgender situations and Rodney being supportive. Yeah, it's AU but very well done.

Title: A Hundred Happy Things (30,000 words)
Author: busaikko
Betas: inkscribe, kaizoku, and kyuuketsukirui, who are kind and generous souls *hugs all around*
Fandom: Stargate:Atlantis (spoilers S4 especially 'Outcast')
Pairing/characters: McKay/Sheppard, Jeannie McKay, Madison McKay
Rating: NC17
Disclaimer: All characters belong to copyright owners.
Summary: Harlequin AU (no Stargate). Kaleb's long gone, Jeannie's got a career, Madison has problems, Rodney's got Inner Power!, and Sheppard. . . is pretty much the same.
Warnings: reference to the verbal abuse of a child and physical violence; Ford and Jeannie misbehave

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:43:36 GMT

Finally found this icon again and uploaded it to my icons. I can now announce properly..

I got my RAM!!!! Now I just have to find someone to install it and the video card and install that disk from my new camera I got for my birthday and my computer will be that much closer to perfect. (And not so incidentally I will be able to play SL without the computer freezing up on me if I try to buy shoes)

::kermitflail::

My mood is as grey as the sky..

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:01:32 GMT

Not depressed exactly, just...meh. So instead of insightful commentary and ascerbic wittiness, I post lyrics to my fav slow song-to-sing:

Kissing a Fool - George Michael

You are far,
When I could have been your star,
You listened to people,
Who scared you to death, and from my heart,
Strange that you were strong enough,
To even make a start,
But you’ll never find
Peace of mind,
Til you listen to your heart,

People,
You can never change the way they feel,
Better let them do just what they will,
For they will,
If you let them,
Steal your heart from you,
People,
Will always make a lover feel a fool,
But you knew I loved you,
We could have shown them all,
We should have seen love through,

Fooled me with the tears in your eyes,
Covered me with kisses and lies,
So goodbye,
But please don’t take my heart,

You are far,
I’m never gonna be your star,
I’ll pick up the pieces
And mend my heart,
Maybe I’ll be strong enough,
I don’t know where to start,
But I’ll never find
Peace of mind,
While I listen to my heart,

People,
You can never change the way they feel,
Better let them do just what they will,
For they will,
If you let them,
Steal your heart,

And people,
Will always make a lover feel a fool,
But you knew I loved you,
We could have shown them all,

But remember this,
Every other kiss,
That you ever give
Long as we both live
When you need the hand of another man,
One you really can surrender with,
I will wait for you,
Like I always do,
There’s something there,
That can’t compare with any other,

You are far,
When I could have been your star,
You listened to people,
Who scared you to death, and from my heart,
Strange that I was wrong enough,
To think you’d love me too.
I guess you were kissing a fool,
You must have been kissing a fool.

Silliness

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:14:12 GMT

I made some icons! yay!

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

The last one is my favorite. Now if I can only find it animated.

It's a small world after all..or Facebook mazes

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:22:37 GMT

I would just like to say that I love how complicated the relationships in my life are. My kids learned early on the differences between half-siblings, step-sibs and full sibs. Not that it mattered a whole lot, but they knew the difference.

In high school my best friend married a guy she liked and they had a girl Dina. Later she realized what a sleaze bag the guy was, divorced him and moved back home. I had already married Ny by then and had Saru. Ny, Saru and I had lived with my parents for a year when Dw moved back and, to save expense, we all moved in together. Then they hooked up and I moved out and got with Bub. Bub has two kids of his own and we had three together - Nan, Honey, and Fish. Dw and Ny have a son Nat. Saru and Dina are very close and consider themselves the same as full sibs even tho Dw and Ny aren't together anymore. So Saru, Dina, Nan, Honey, Ky, Daisy, Nat and Fish were all, more or less, siblings with 6 different parents involved. Crazy huh?

So now I friended someone on Facebook who is the girlfriend of a friend of one of my friends and I find out she is related to Dw's ex-husband and is the niece of one of my oldest and dearest friends. How small and cozy is my world starting to feel. =D

Fic Rec

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:02:42 GMT

Tying Together Fathers, Sons, Friends and Lovers
by donutsweeper
Summary: Sometimes you needed family as much as friends.
Author's Note: Written for taylorgibbs and the "Come As You Are Not" Halloween Party.. Scenes take place after the episodes Hung Out To Dry, Missing, Chained and SWAK
NCIS/Torchwood crossover. Good enough to make me bounce in my seat and squeal with glee. My co-workers are no longer startled by the strange noises I supress in my throat.

Only a couple days late

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:24:15 GMT

I was going to post this and I forgot, so here it is, only a couple days late.

Today's birthday (Nov. 4): You support your loved ones without stipulating that their choices satisfy you. Because you understand and embody the true nature of love, it will be showered on you through the year. The next four weeks bring an important connection. In December, you'll catch a professional break. January brings a windfall. Cancer and Aries people adore you.

The first part is true, I can only hope on the second part. And I adore being adored! =)

Remember, remember the 5th of November

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:28:43 GMT

Happy Guy Fawkes Night, to those who celebrate it. I don't, but I'm always up for a good bonfire.

Reporting on my birthday

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:02:22 GMT

My birthday was very satisfactory, dispite a general dearth of birthday kisses.

My birthday basket from work had games, bath stuff, yummy stuff and wine. I'll have to post pics as soon as I can d/l them from my T-Mobile album. Almost everyone wished me Happy Birthday, even Ray, as he was boarding a plane for Australia, called me to wish me Happy Days. Only one person that I was hoping to hear from didn't call or text or anything.

I didn't go out to eat, didn't even make dinner. I came home, had some crackers and summer sausage and played on the computer until late. It was grand.

This morning (since I didn't see them after work yesterday) my parents gave me my present. It was nice because I wasn't really expecting anything from them. My mom and one of my nephews made me a birthday dinner last Sunday, and it was wonderful. So this morning, my mom hands me a gift bag and yay! a camera! I now have a nice camera for which to take lots o' piccys! Now I just have to figure out how to load the software onto my computer. Can't be hard, right?

This morning at work I have yummy Mocha to drink from my gift basket and a camera to play with and take unexpected pictures of my co-workers. =)

A little piece of fluff

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:33:13 GMT

I wrote a Hermione/Snape fic, finished yesterday. Just a little piece of fluff. It's my first try at fan-fic, written mostly so I don't just look like a troll over at Ashwinder. It was fun, I might do it again. I'll post over at Ashwinder once I get it beta'd, any volunteers?

Quiet Conversation
They sat and took comfort in languid conversation. This calm and acceptance between them was hard won, but she liked to think they were friends now, seven years after school and war caused upheaval in their lives. She liked that they were able to talk about anything and nothing and pick up a conversation that might have been started weeks before as if it were only a minute ago.

“And what did you do after the battle? Celebrated with your Mr. Weasley, no doubt.”
“I mostly sat around wishing you were there.”
“Me? Why ever for?”
“Because you may have been mean and perfectly awful to us, but you always protected us and you always knew what you were doing.”
“Oh, child, if you only knew.’
“Don't!”
"Don't what, Ms. Granger?" He asked softly, with a lift of his eyebrow.
She took a calming breath, "Don't call me child. I haven't been a child in a long time and...”
"And what, Ms. Granger?"
"I don't want you to look at me that way." She said quietly.
"What way?" He was honestly surprised.
"Like a child. You may have been our least favorite teacher when we were children, but honestly, you don't act that way anymore. I don't hate you and I don't view you in the same light anymore."
"And how do you view me, Ms Granger?"
She was quiet a long time and he didn't think she was going to answer him.
"You are a hero...”
"I am no hero." He said flatly
"Fine, you are not a hero, but you have behaved in heroic fashions. You are intelligent and not a total berk to people who are willing to think before they speak."
“Thank heaven for good manners,” his mouth twitched in amusement. “At least I don’t bite off more heads than I can chew, is that it?”
Her mouth turned up in response and his heart ached at the simple beauty.
“Shall we say you are calmer, perhaps simply less stressed than you used to be?”
“There is admittedly less to stress me. I no longer wait for my last moment to be upon me. I am, more or less, free to go where I like. I could even take up an absurd hobby without fear that it would reflect poorly on my ‘bad guy’ status.”
“And what absurd hobby were you thinking of taking up, Professor?”
“Oh, it was more of a case of the feeling that I could than a particular hobby I had in mind. Perhaps table tennis?” He gave a sly smile and she laughed delightedly.
“Oh, Professor! You told a joke! Every time I think I have you figured out, you surprise me. I think that’s what I love most about you.” She stopped suddenly, covering her mouth in embarrassment and horror.
“Ms. Granger…Hermione.” He paused, unsure of what to say, “I am an old man, more used to revels and prostitutes than the more gentle emotions.”
“You aren’t though!” She protested, “You aren’t at all old! In terms of wizard years you aren’t even middle aged.”
“I am old in terms of what I’ve done, what I’ve seen and what I know.”
“In that case, Professor, I am also impossibly old. You think I didn’t fight in that war? You think I don’t remember my friends dying, loved ones lost? You think I didn’t feel the pain of curses cast on me? You would be quite wrong.” for such strong words they were delivered softly.
He was impressed with the control of her emotions, though obviously still strongly felt. The driven student had grown into a passionate, driven woman, well in control of herself and she seemed sure of her desires.
“I mean only that I am scarred, inside as much as out, and I am quite set in my ways. You would do better with someone who could give you what you deserve in life.”
“What about what you deserve, Professor? And what if I think I deserve someone wise and funny and wonderful, who happens to live in a dungeon and dress in black. Did you ever think that maybe someone could look past your appearance of darkness and want to tend to the spark inside you?” Her cheeks were rosy and her gaze was on the floor, but she spoke with determination that he should hear what she had to say.
“And what if don’t think I deserve anything? What if keeping my life was more than I ever dared hope for? What if all I want is quiet?” He played the devil’s advocate from habit more than wish. What he wished for, he did not dare before today to think might be a reality.
“Too much quiet stagnates an agile mind” she replied quite cheekily.
He sat quietly. He didn’t think he deserved much, it’s true, but oh, he wanted what she seemed to be offering. More, he wanted her to truly want it too, not just out of some misguided sense of justice on his part.
“And if…”damn the words that refused to fall from his mouth.
“You mean if I were to want to leave? I don’t see that happening. I’ve been in…” she paused, unwilling to say the word again until she knew the outcome of this pleasantly tense conversation, “I’ve had feelings for you for a while now, probably since before I knew what I was feeling. It used to anger me so much when your actions would be discounted as merely what you should have done and your hurts as only what you deserved. I’ve always thought you rather got the dirty end of the stick, Sir.”
“Ms. … Hermione,” She looked up in response to her given name. He was not given to casual use of names. “Whatever my services or treatment in the line of service to The Greater Good I received was no less than my due. Your feelings for me may…color your perceptions a bit, but it makes it no less true.”
“Then what about now? You’ve paid, and more than paid. When it is enough? When do you get the good things that are owed to you? Just because I might be a little biased regarding you,” this was met with a soft snort from his direction. “Just because I might be, doesn’t mean I’m wrong!”
“Calmly now. No one would dare tell you that you were wrong,” to your face he thought, “but if I accept your feelings for me you must be aware that others will think you addled.” He was losing a fight he didn’t want to win in the first place, but he dare not let her step forward without due warning. If it turned out her feelings were a fleeting thing he wanted to be sure she couldn’t claim she wasn’t warned.
She looked at him with firm faith and not a little hope. “Does that mean I haven’t made a total fool of myself?”
“I would never claim that, young and foolish as you are,” his sly smile made it a joke between friends, rather than the harsh comment it would have been a decade ago. “But if you knew the thoughts I’ve kept to myself, the words I’ve kept silent. I did not dare to hope that you felt the same as I have for years.”
“Professor…” with a squeal that belied her claim of maturity, she launched herself around the table and into his arms. Their first kiss was soft and sweet but turned hot enough to melt the last of the ice around his heart. “Severus…” was a quiet moan on her lips.
Life was sweet, when you dared accept it.

Rambling

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:33:38 GMT

it's been awhile since i read or posted regularly here. i've stepped up the postings and very slowly getting back to reading my f-list with any kind of regularity. i totally blame my computer for being so slow that i can't be on Second Life too much. i've got caught up in Facebook and i read extensively on Ashwinder and Burning Pen, but i'm finding that i can indeed devote my time to more than one site at a time.

i'm writing a short piece for Ashwinder; not going to join NaNoWriMo tho, i just don't think i can promise that kind of commitment and mean it.

My birthday is in a couple days and i really would like to have something, even if it's just a movie party or something. i found my copy of Jet Li's Fearless and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but my house is in such shambles, i'd be kind of embarrassed to have anyone over.

Boom de yadda, boom de yadda

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:58:50 GMT

I Love xkcd from NoamR on Vimeo.

I love xkcd too.

Dyson spheres

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:03:34 GMT

I guess my question is, if a mature civilization gets to the point of needing to surround their sun to catch every possible solar EU, isn't it too late already, or wouldn't the chances be that the sun would be too old by the time the civilization got to that point in their technology? Just a thought.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:43:11 GMT

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): An unexpected gift brings a momentary reprieve from financial pressure. It's just a patch, not a plan. But do enjoy the stroke of good luck while you think about other ways you might make a bit more dough.

How strange! something happened recently that makes this horoscope tinglingly accurate! We shall see how it plays out, shall we?

All is not sweetness and light, but it is good

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:25:41 GMT

Found an old note on my desktop for a bunch of fic recs that I never posted. Shame on me! Here they are, enjoy =)

Care of Magical Creatures by miamadwyn.
Summary: Seventh-year student Hermione Granger decides to marry the one eligible wizard who did not ask for her--the horrid but powerful Severus Snape. All is not sweetness and light. Be careful what you ask for. Or, as has been said by many a wise witch, "Marry in haste; repent in leisure." Response to the Marriage Law challenge.

Getting the Hang of Thursdays by Hayseed
Summary: A good day goes bad and then gets far worse than Severus could ever have imagined. Again and again and again. Inspired by the WIKTT Time-Loop Challenge.

And They Didn't Live Happily Ever After by Betz [WIP]
Summary: Answer to the WIKTT "I'm Just a Gigolo" challenge. Harry asks Hermione a favor, but it will lead her to question her own marriage to Ron. Can Hermione continue to find contentment in a mediocre marriage and a completely unfulfilling sex life? When Hermione begins to see a gigolo for conversation and companionship, the foundation of her life is shaken to the core from revelations concerning every aspect of her life. This story is now AU, ignoring all new HBP canon. Winner of Round Three Multifaceted's Endurance category (best challenge fic).

Pet Project by Caeria [WIP]
Summary: Hermione overhears something she shouldn't and decides that the house-elves aren't the only ones who need protection. I'm hoping this one is done soon, 'cause it's excellent and I can't wait to finish it.

The Marriage Benefit by miamadwyn, a truly magical author.
Summary: It's all about the money.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:39:27 GMT

Ok, I have caught up on my friends postings. Now I just need to finish up my HG/SS fic so I can go back and read all the comment fic/friends fic that I've been sadly neglecting. Darn work! If I could read fic at work, I might, just might have enough hours in the day to read all the pretty pretty fic.

I do have a couple requests tho (and if you don't wanna, just make believe this is a note-to-self)
I read a Leverage/Chuck fic was in the works, please linky
Also, Leverage/Torchwood? Must read
Also, anyone who cares -- I posted some time ago that I wouldn't mind a Harry Potter/Camber of Culdi fic. This has now become an obsession. Must have Camber/Albus or Derry/Hermione or heck, anything really. I put no restrictions on request at all. I think I shall also ask over in the the_rec_room and see if anyone know if one has ever been posted before. I can't imagine that no one has thought of this before.

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:54:18 GMT

I admit to a certain fierce love for Jet Li movies

and I have to mention...

I think a movie marathon is in order.

I got a feeling

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:17:54 GMT

Finally found that you-tube video of the song I like:

I just thought it was really cool that they got so many people in it. That had to take some special kind of choreography.

Speaking of choreography tho, here's what made most of the rounds:

A flash mob at Oprah's 24th Season Kickoff Party on September 8, 2009. Apparently Oprah didn't know they were going to do it. That's just amazing, that many people all in sync. The question comes up, where does the dance come from/where can a person learn that dance. I would be interested in finding out exactly how many people were involved in dancing. One source I found said 20,000 people - TWENTY. THOUSAND! PEOPLE. The sheer energy bleed off from something like that has got to be unbelievable.

Bullets!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:32:04 GMT

*It's been years since I've gone to the Renaissance Faire (Saru and Nan were in a stroller and it was in Black Forrest last time). I'd like to go again. I'm sure addellmondegren still has an outfit and if it fits her, it'll fit me. Might be fun and I might even be able to find someone who wants to go with me.

There's one at the Stockton Fairgrounds and one in Fresno, both going on Nov 14 & 15.

*I'm writing a Hermione Granger/Severus Snape story. Figured I needed something down on my Ashwinder account so it doesn't look like I'm just some troll who's there to read everyone else's stories (even if I am). It's times like these (among others) that I miss diluvian. She would have had something to say about this, might have even been excited to read it and possibly even been available to beta. =(

*I really need to sign up with the health club thru my employer. Even if I can't quite afford it, I need something and classes would focus me the way I need as well as be inside during the winter. I won't exercise much in my house, I feel funny with the kids and the animals looking at me thumping around and I know those darn cats are just laughing at me.

*Been looking at my horoscope much too often lately, trying to see if it makes sense or has any application to my RL life. So far, not so much.

*Bullets are fun.

*It doesn't seem that many of my friends are writing in their blogs lately, and it seems to have some to do with depression. I've been fighting against apathy entropy disease and, so far, it seems I've done well to write a few times a week. I'd still like to have something witty and amazing to write every day tho.

Horror-scope

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:48:26 GMT

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): The roller coaster of life goes up and down for everyone, but it seems like your peaks and troughs are higher and lower than they used to be. Because you are stronger now, it takes more to thrill you.

thrill me, oh thrill me. =)

Survival

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:22:06 GMT

Today is day 4 without power at home. Neighbor by neighbor, lights are coming on around me, but my house stays dark. I'm starting to have TV withdrawls and my narration sounds like a survival documentary in my head.

We've been making do with Ramen and Mac & Cheese and tea - thank goodness for a gas stove! - but we're running out of matches and candles and tempers are beyond testy. We just aren't used to spending so much time doing nothing, much less that much time together in one room. The dishes really really need to be done and I'm glad it's Friday because I'm running out of work clothes. If this goes on much longer we're gonna have to invade my parents' house. Also thankfully, this is payday weekend so I should be able to go get more candles and food.

RIP Silkie

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:45:56 GMT

Got a call from a neighbor yesterday saying he found my dog. I didn't call him back until I got home and he told me that no, he didn't have my dog, he found it in the street in front of my house. She had been hit by a car.

I thought the dogs would be ok, because even with the hole in the fence there was a great big tree blocking it that they couldn't jump up on and the neighbor has his gate shut so they should have been confined within the two yards. When I looked at the side gate, however, someone had torn all the boards off.

Now, the gate is rotten and needs to come down and that's why I keep it locked and stuff in front of it. I have a metal gate with a good path on the other side of the house. It isn't like someone could have easily gotten thru the broken gate anyway, the space created by tearing the boards out is still bisected with the frame and protruding nails. It's just big enough for a medium dog to get out.

So my Silkie-ness is dead.

No really, I don't need that much excitement..

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:40:34 GMT

It poured rain and lashed wind all yesterday. Was in AC all day and was telling people that the officers were only taking priority calls because of the weather. Poor guys, their trucks were being pushed all over the place and they were lucky not to get stuck in mud somewhere, since most of the county is, well, countryside (read: no pavement).

I came home to a lake in my front yard where the storm drain ought to be and yelled at the kids to get inside while I took a rake to the massive number of maple leaves in the gutter. A neighbor came by just as the kids yelled out the door, both telling me that the power was out. The neighbor pointed up at the light pole (I had not looked before then because who looks up in the driving rain?) to show that the lines had come down. Found out the sequoia from my neighbors yard had come down catty-corner thru two power lines, smashed thru my fence, coming to rest on top of my tool shed and missing the back neighbors roof by inches. Found out this morning that a couple of branches had poked thru the roof, but it was only a shed and not his house.

Ended up all of us went to bed before 9pm, an event almost unheard of in this household. Thank goodness for kerosene lamps and an affection for candles. Note to self: get more candles, you're running out.

Was woken briefly at 2am to workers sawing thru some of the tree in an attempt to untangle all the power lines, clean them up and get them restrung. I did watch them for a little bit, just to see what all they were doing, but went back to bed until my mom called my cell at 6. I slept longer last night than I usually get to on weekends, why am I so tired still?

Pics for the curious:

More Burning Pen recs

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:08:57 GMT

Two more recs from The Burning Pen by Ms_Figg:

An Unlikely Savior
Summary: During the final battle, a terrified Hermione is pursued through the halls of Hogwarts by a murderous, lustful Fenrir Greyback. Wandless, it seems as if there's no hope of escape or survival . . . until she is saved by an unlikely savior. Now, she owes him a Life Debt, which he promises to collect on.

Yuleride
Summary: After Voldemort's defeat, life settles down to normal. Too much normal isn't good for a witch.

And At the Beach by chivalric
Summary: Ten years after the war, a man takes a stroll along the beach and meets someone from his past.

It seems every time I finish one site of HG/SS HP fics, I find another link to wonderfulness. It feels like the Duplicating Charm in Gringotts, but I don't find myself at all upset at being buried in excellent fics. More recs to follow.

The Burning Pen

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:04:19 GMT

Reading tonight In an Alternate Universe on The Burning Pen. LOLs to go all around. Summary: what if it were Hermione Granger who was the Dark Lord's spy, and Severus Snape were the contemporary of Harry Potter? [Warning: rape scenes]
All the snarkiness and sexiness of Snape in a 18 year old body. yay!
Memorable quote: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice and you get a new appendage growing out the top of your head. Goodbye, Mr. Snape,” she said.