Every once in a while, a story comes along that affects you in deep and profound ways. In my case, I usually cannot describe these ways to my satisfaction, and thus end up not saying anything at all. I really didn't want that to happen this time, so I'm just going to point you in the direction of a story that you will be very glad you read. Some people have thought it very sad while others have read hope. It's long and beautiful and heartbreaking and absence speaks louder than you thought possible. Even if you've never seen Stargate: Atlantis. Even if you don't normally do the slash or slash subtext thing.

If you need more convincing, here's one link to a reccer who says much better than I ever could exactly WHY you should read this story.

Read this story. Freedom's Just Another Word For Nothing Left To Lose by synecdochic

I drove by the Oscar Weiner Weinermobile on the way to work today.

Blue Bell is making Tres Leches con Fresas (again)! I was beside myself when I saw it in the grocer's freezer.

And raise your hand if you live in Houston and are totally pumped about the 59 remodeling done over the weekend! Going to pick up Sophie in the afternoons will be much easier now that the traffic flow has an outlet! Whee!

For calikali's Frankenstein mix challenge:

1. A song that wakes you up in the morning. For a long time, El Tango de Roxanne - Ewan McGregor, et al. (from Moulin Rouge) was the song my alarm clock woke me up with. Starts slow and then builds.

2. A song that you loved in high school. I was in band in high school and The Golden Bear was a march that we played for concert season one year and then marched with the following football season. I loved it in concert season because my part had more than just the "bump bumps," as I so eloquently called the upbeat notes that French horns get stuck with in most marches. I loved it in marching season because I got to play the low brass part that's really fun. My high school band marched in the old military style (6-to-5 with no floating or marking time vs. the corps style [8-to-5] most bands march - see Texas Aggie band) and we didn't march with French horns or their usual field substitute, mellophones, either, so I played the baritone during marching season.

3. A song that mentions a dead celebrity. American Pie - Don McLean. Implicitly, but still.

4. A song you'd be embarrassed to listen to with your grandmother. Sex Bomb - Tom Jones & Mousse T

5. A song that MTV will never play in a million, billion years. The Highwayman - Loreena McKennitt. (.m4a) A musical arrangement of the Alfred Noyes poem.

6. A song with a title that ends in y. Movement 1: Mercy - composed by Jonathan Elias, from The Prayer Cycle (includes vocals from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Alanis Morissette). I was led to purchase this album because of the use of the third movement, Hope, in the trailers for Kingdom of Heaven. The whole album is beautiful, but the first and third movements are my favorites.

7. A song that makes you crave something. Fruity Oaty Bar. *whistling innocently*

8. A cover song that you think is better than the original. I Will - Allison Krauss. I know some people will think this sacreligious (because the original is by The Beatles), but I like this version better for several reasons. It's longer than the original. I love the instrumentation and arrangement. It still has the nice harmonies of the original, only with female vocals this time 'round. So there.

9. The original of #8. I Will - The Beatles

10. A song that reminds you of a fandom OTP. Love Will Come Through - Travis. I've used this one for Veronica/Logan of Veronica Mars as well as McKay/Sheppard of Stargate Atlantis.

11. You have been caught mouthing the lyrics to this song. Money Makes the World Go 'Round - Alan Cumming & the Kit Kat Girls (from the 1998 Broadway Cabaret OCR). (.m4a) I got to see this musical on Broadway, just after Jennifer Jason Leigh replaced Natasha Richardson as Sally Bowles - but Alan was still playing the Emcee!

12. A song that will always remind you of a movie. Tenderness - General Public, from Clueless.

13. A song that should totally have fic written about it. (Please)Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmerelda (short version - .mp3) or (Please)Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmerelda (long version - .m4a). And I'm not talking just the lyrics.

14. A song you wish they'd play in elevators. Pachelbel's Canon in D, on Japanese koto

15. You'll stop listening to this song when they pry your mp3 player out of your cold, dead hands. Neighborhood #1: Tunnels - The Arcade Fire

I helped a sweet little kitty find a new home!

And I will find time to update soon - it's a resolution, and it's going to happen. Damnit.

11-30-05 - Alan Tudyk after matinee Spamalot performance

Click to see full size.

Whee!

More at later date...

Jessie and I went to The Colbert Report last night, and it was so much fun!!

We couldn't take pictures, but I taped the ep at home, so I'll always have that...

Pictures will most definitely be forthcoming of Alan (and a few other Spamalot stars) when I get back home.

Going to the Bronx Zoo today, and I'm SO excited! This trip has been awesome so far!

Huge shout out to Katie (kmousie), who will be attempting to procure Marsathon tickets later today! Good luck and THANK YOU!

More later, hopefully...everone have a great day!

I met Alan Tudyk! And got pictures!!

And I'm in NYC and I'm not sure I'll have access to a computer on Friday to buy Marsathon tickets! Aaaaaagfgghghghgh!

Extensive commenting by moi on foodsthatcan's post here. There are SERENITY SPOILERS, so no clicky if you haven't seen the movie. Also, if you have no interest in Firefly or Serenity, I would hazard a guess that you wouldn't want to click either.

My grandfather passed away less than an hour ago. He was really missing my grandmother, and I know they're together now.

( I love you both very much.Collapse )

Veronica Mars QOTD:

VP Clemmons: Mr. Echolls, may I have a word?
Logan: "Anthropomorphic." It's all yours, big boy.

Firefly QOTD: "I SHAVED MY BEARD FOR YOU, DEVIL WOMAN!"

VoicePost 333K 1:36

(no transcription available)

(you hung up without pressing #. posting privately in case it was an accident.)

VoicePost 452K 2:10

(no transcription available)

(you hung up without pressing #. posting privately in case it was an accident.)

I always forget to press pound. *headdesk*

Am in Baton Rouge now with the little bro. Parents are currently driving back from Tennessee vacation. Working on like 3 hours sleep, here, so please excuse the craziness.

They closed my office yesterday at 2 p.m. - we reopen Monday at the earliest. Got the call from co-workers, because as I mention in the phone post (I think, and too tired to check...), I was taking a personal day to go to a quilting workshop.

Went home and packed irreplacables, took pics of everything else, got Sophie's medication (although I neglected to bring extra of my own *headdesk*) and some valium for her in case she clusters again, and got on the road around 11 p.m. Got here about 5 a.m. I evacuated east, even though the storm might still move this direction. Parents are better stocked and have a generator. I'm hoping the power stays on, since I left my sewing machine in the car from the workshop. Maybe I can get some quilting done.

Okay, going to take first nap of the day now. Best wishes to my fellow Houstonians and all others in the path of the monster.

P.S.- foodsthatcan, your SW box is with me. Not that I think you'd be really worried about them, but they came with me anyways :)

I've been getting various e-mails, so I thought I'd give an update.

( We're lucky.Collapse )

So I and mine are fine, just a bit stressed out. We're very lucky.

In other news, kmousie and I went to a free press screening for Serenity last night. It was AWESOME. I noticed a few minor edits, and the final score is in place (I really like it). The crowd was a mix of newbies and die-hards. Coming back from the restroom before the movie started, a woman stopped me to ask what was the deal with all the hats and blue gloves. I missed her afterwards; I would have liked to ask her what she thought. Stay through the end credits and you'll get to hear the Firefly theme!

( Slight spoilers in discussion that followsCollapse )

So my parents and other relatives in Baton Rouge are doing fine as of a couple hours ago, when I last spoke to them.

Dad took down all the plants and the porch swings and the gazebo and deck furniture Saturday afternoon, and they filled up their cars and stocked up on drinking and waste water. He got one of the last 25 generators at their local Home Depot.

They lost power this morning when one of my uncle's oak tree tops sheared off and collapsed a power line across the street. Crews cleared the tree and made sure the line wasn't a live wire, but they don't expect they'll get power back any time soon. They've got the generator going at my grandpa's house.

I haven't heard from my friends Allison and Jason yet. They live outside Biloxi and have a 2-month-old baby girl.

The levees have held for the most part, and I'm very glad to hear it, but I fear for the news that will be coming out of Mississippi and Alabama in the next few days.

I finished Doug's wedding quilt, pictures to come very soon.

Also, I served on a jury AGAIN today. I'm going home. I'm so tired I could cry.

Jessie's going to NYC with me this fall! One of my mom's friends had to drop out, and I sort of offhand asked Jessie if she might like to go with, and YAY! She's going to meet us there, because the rest of us are flying out of NOLA. I cannot wait for November...

In other news, have finally made the move to the new part of the office. Everyone else moved last week, but the area I'm in needed more work (as did my new desk setup). My stuff's been packed since last Friday, so work this week has been challenging in more than just the usual ways. Judgment on the new space and location is still being held until I've unloaded all my crap and really settled in. I will say, however, that the 10 degree temperature drop is already working wonders for my temperment and work ethic.

Just in case you were wondering, ( about my grandmother...Collapse )

Iconage

Here's the latest update for my actors_100 icons:

( Hugh JackmanCollapse )

( Hugh DancyCollapse )

I think I have three weeks left to finish? I need to check the dates. I have all the bases done, just need to finish decorating.

What every LSU season ticket holder is going to see!!

Last night I found out that my brother is on the folder for all the LSU season ticket holders this year. (They usually highlight the coach, a band member, a golden girl, a cheerleader, and a football player in the graphic design.) It's a great shot of him playing his baritone last fall during football season. They picked him out of a crowd in a group shot. It's so exciting!

( click to view the folderCollapse )

No kidding. Just now. Seriously.

My office is down the street from the downtown Houston prison. My boss was conducting an exit interview for a coworker when he looked out the window and saw a prisoner - in the wooded area next door - taking off his orange jumpsuit.

He called the police - while he was on the phone (he was put on hold - twice), we saw some cops running after the guy.

They were heading the right direction (another building blocks our view) when last we saw them. No news yet if he's been captured.

Whew. Excitement. Scary.

gacked from musesfool: 9 lists of 9 songs:

( under hereCollapse )
Tougher than I expected. I wanted to put everything in the Dance and Like Whoa categories. If interested in taking any of these for a test drive, drop me a line...

Happy belated Birthday to my bestest online buddy, foodsthatcan!!

Hope it was happy, and I wish you the best as you take the Bar this week!

p.s.-thanks ever so for the hugs :)

Here's the second batch of Hugh Dancy icons for actors100. Hope you enjoy!

Credit & comment, no hotlinking, no alterations. Resources are in my user info.



( clever boyCollapse )

Here's the first batch of Hugh Jackman icons for actors100.

Credit & comment, no hotlinking, no alterations. Resources are in my user info.



( silly boyCollapse )

I'm making 100 icons of Hugh Dancy for actors100. This is the first batch.

Credit & comment, no hotlinking, no alterations. Resources are in my user info.



( clever boyCollapse )

I'm on Hugh overload! I've also signed up to do 100 for Hugh Jackman, as well. You should expect some of him later this week.

I got Summer Glau's autograph! And she called me a cutie!

( No spoilers about the movie under here, so feel free to clickCollapse )

It was a great night, and I can't wait to see the movie again!

tagged by sasha_b (a long time ago, in a galaxy...you get the drift)
( random fandom (that rhymed!) meme thingCollapse )

( A few of my favorite things...Collapse )

Random 1: rhienelleth recently posted about how she managed to smear blood from a nasty paper cut on the cuff [of her shirt]. A very small amount.

I replied with the following helpful hint: Just for future reference, because I don't think it will work on set stains: You, and only you, can get a bloodstain out of your clothes if you use a bit of your own spit on it. Your spit won't work on other people's blood, and vice versa. I learned this from my quilting hobby. Fingers can get bloody while doing handquilting and you don't want bloody stitches on your finished quilts. By daubing a bit of spit you can prevent staining.

Random 2: Dude, I donated my hair to Locks of Love almost a year ago now, and I just got the email thanking me for doing so. My hair is long enough to be put up in a ponytail already.

Still working on the L.A. story - have pics + need to tell you who I saw (hint: cast member from Veronica Mars)!

DVD Meme from foodsthatcan

1. Total number of films I own on DVD/VHS: A lot. And the sad part is, that's not everything.

2. The last film I bought: I think it was The Pirate Movie.

3. The last film I watched:

In a movie theater: Hitchhiker's Guide, The Interpreter, & Kung Fu Hustle were all seen in one weekend a few weeks ago.

On video: I've been on a TV kick lately (hello, Veronica Mars!), but I recently rewatched The Shawshank Redemption.

4. Five movies that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me: The Shawshank Redemption, Strictly Ballroom, X-Men 1 & 2, Ocean's 11, L.A. Confidential, Better Off Dead, Grosse Pointe Blank, the original SW trilogy (esp. Empire)

5. Finally, tag five people to do this: I'm only going to tag kmousie.

Hey, I like breaking the rules!

L.A. Vacation Story to follow soon!

Saw three movies this past weekend: Hitchhiker's Guide, The Interpreter, and Kung Fu Hustle. All were enjoyable. The Interpreter had some problems, especially at the end; it seemed like some stuff had been cut that would have helped explain some of the questions I had. Kung Fu Hustle didn't inspire as much glee in me as it did others on the FL, but I still laughed and had a good time. Martin! Mos! Sam! and Alan! gave me much happiness.

Is it Tuesday yet? I'm SO happy I gave Veronica Mars a chance (and I'm pretty sure I have wisteria_'s pre-season pimping to thank for that), because I'm *flail*... I haven't been this head-over-heels about a show since Buffy 2nd/3rd seasons!

Will be going to L.A. the weekend of the 13th to see my friend Kay. Whee! I'm letting her do the planning - the only instructions I gave? I want to visit her place of employment (Disney!) and return to the Getty Museum. I did all the touristy stuff when I went in high school, so I just want to have a nice visit with her. Maybe visit a yarn shop, since she likes to crochet, too. And bonus! My ticket to L.A. cost me only $50 since I was able to cash in a voucher I got last August when I visited my sister in Indianapolis.

In other vacation news, I will be in NYC from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4. My mom and some friends of hers were planning to go, and I convinced them to let me tag along. They agreed and promptly placed me in charge of all theatre ticket purchasing and general "what are we going to do today" planning. I was in charge of that stuff when I went with Mom and sisters last year, too. Mom et al. want to see some shows (read: Lion King, Hairspray, or Beauty & the Beast, etc., etc.) and shop. They also want to go see the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. I, on the other hand, plan to avoid that area like the plague on that particular day.

I'm going to be doing mostly independent touring since they want to do stuff I really have no interest in doing. I did a lot of exploring on my own last year, too. I plan to see my friends Amy & Elisabeth and spend a day at the Bronx Zoo (the only thing I missed on my 'must' list from when I went last year). I went ahead and bought a ticket (for myself) to see Spamalot at the Wednesday matinee since that show has been consistently selling out and no discount tickets are likely to be found in the near future. I also want to see the new Spelling Bee musical and Avenue Q (although I am sorely disappointed that John Tartaglia has already left the production). If anyone is interested in hooking up and hanging out while I'm there, let me know!

Grandma update: ( under hereCollapse )

It makes me so incredibly grateful that I went last month, before all this happened. I'm going back this weekend, and I hope to see her doing better.

Anyone wondering what Vincent Kartheiser has been up to since Angel went off the air? Right now he's starring in an off-Broadway play - check it out here.

Revamping the website, so icon pages are down at the moment. Considering switching webhosts. Don't need anything fancy, just something that lets me store stuff I can link to from here, mostly.

Trying to avoid thinking about impending 30th birthday. I can't really be that old.

( Pretties to look at:Collapse )

Best bumper sticker ever, on a car at my apartment complex (I live in Houston, TX, BTW):


Saw Sahara. Fun little suspension of disbelief flick.

( List of movies I want to seeCollapse )
At which point I realize I am a very shallow person. Almost every movie on the list is a popcorn blockbuster, typical summer fare. Okay, so 'shallow, not stupid' shall be my mantra of the day.

I need to make a list of forthcoming books I want, as well. But that'll have to wait.

NEW VERONICA MARS TONIGHT!! Veronica is my crack

Thank you all for your messages of love and support - I'm sorry I haven't responded to them individually, but I want you all to know that they mean so very much to me!

Mama's out of ICU and in a regular room. ( Lengthy update under here.Collapse )

Please keep the good thoughts coming - we've had a long week, and there's a lot more to come.

I'm going to be incommunicado for a bit.

I just got word my grandmother has been diagnosed with stage IV cancer.

This post got rejected from a community twice, once because they didn't like that I hadn't labeled each song individually as Bollywood and having no profanity, and the next time because they thought I was sharing a full album (Bride & Prejudice), when it's far from it. So instead I'm just posting the links here so they don't go to waste. I highly recommend the stuff from Mission Kashmir and Lagaan, so if you're going to take just one or two, make it those.

( 23 Bollywood recsCollapse )

Yahoo turns 10 today: get some free ice cream!

Our office is taking a field trip after lunch. Yummy!

GIP! My icon production of late has been next to nothing. Just haven't been feeling inspired.

Some pictures from my current quilt and the fun I have every third Saturday with my quilting buddies. ( Previews/FavoritesCollapse )

If you want to see the full order of pictures, they can be found here. There's a few pictures of some of the Great Pyrenees dogs that NJ rescues, as well as my buddies quilting up a storm.

( The afghan I made my grandmother for ChristmasCollapse )

Some recent icons: ( All King Arthur, all Ashley's faultCollapse )

What I did this weekend at quilt retreat:
( Dial-up users bewareCollapse )

Pimping this out for devildoll: Newbie Guide to Fandom info

Also big props to misskatherine for the heads up on "For the Beauty of the Earth". Also preparing to get back in the beta saddle again - giddy!

Going to quilt retreat tomorrow - muy excited! Will be working on sista-friend's baby quilt, presidential blocks quilt, and other stuff. Have to wash clothes and pack tonight, and get Sophie's meds ready for her stay at chez doggeh.

Girl Scout cookies arrived today...yummy...

Everwood spoilers

We were right, Mozz; we were right...

I bought a DVD recorder with the money I received for Christmas. I've been transferring old figure skating performances and whatnot (George Lucas' 25% finished original trilogy tapes...heh) for the last week or two.

Anyways, earlier today I transferred the 5 1/2 episodes of the UPN/CBS show Haunted (2002) I had on VHS to DVD. Rewatching the eps as I transferred them made me miss the show all over again.

So I did some research today on the 'net. I've learned that an Australian TV station is currently airing Haunted, including several of the episodes that went unaired in the U.S. I'm hoping that perhaps some enterprising soul from down under has uploaded them or offered them around the 'net.

Quick note: I don't have access to torrent stuff, so if that is the format, I would need some help...

Please, if you or anyone you know has access to these episodes, I would be forever in your debt (or maybe we could work out some sort of trade arrangement?) if you could help me get my hands on them! \begging

Movie quote meme:

These are harder, so I'll give you further clues.

9. "In 10 minutes exactly and approximately!" A foreign film. Marigolds.

12. "Someday we'll be reunited. In another world, a much better world." "I'll be waiting. And you'll be late... as always." Most people only remember this movie because of a scene featuring early computerized special effects. Hooray for shagalote!

Young Sherlock Holmes was the first movie I ever "fangirled". I even went so far as to transcribe it long hand (I still have that copy, BTW, although I bought the script from one of those script websites many years later). The music, the mystery...I still campaign for the music to be released on an official soundtrack CD. It's never been commercially available, although bootlegs and promos make the rounds regularly, and I managed to find an almost complete mp3 collection during the heady days of Napster.

Gacked from all over the friend's list -

a. Pick one dozen movies that are ones that you have special feelings about.
b. Pick a few lines of dialogue.
c. As people guess the film, strike out that entry.
d. After the film is guessed, explain why that movie made the list.

( Definitely not an all-inclusive list...Collapse )

It's been a while, I know. I'm still alive. Lots going on that I can't really talk about and/or don't want to talk about. Practicing avoidance is the life story.

I hope you all had a marvelous holiday season!

Spoilers inside: ( Lost thoughtsCollapse )
( Disjointed thoughts on AliasCollapse )

In other news: CNN lets Tucker Carlson go - I'll be glued to The Daily Show tonight, bay-bee! AND Andrea Yates' murder conviction overturned because an expert witness lied about an episode of Law and Order.

Super-sekrit message for trixalicious: I love the gift you sent and I have all kinds of guilt/remorse/self-flagellation going on for not getting yours out in time for the holidays. I'm making them, and I promise you'll be a very happy woman when you finally get them. :)

The last several days have been very bountiful!

I got a Christmas card from sasha_b that made mention of our mutual obsession, Clive Owen. Psst! I haven't forgotten the Lancelot icons - I found a couple of pics to use, now just need to find the time to sit at the computer and make 'art'.

yahtzee63 sent a calendar via my Amazon wishlist - wicked hip art by Shag and drink recipes which I cannot wait to try out!

I received a cool set of homemade refrigerator magnets from rochelle. So pretty!

And finally, beautiful orange fabrics and variety of neat beads came in the mail today from auroraselene!

Thank you all so, so much for taking time to bring a little joy to my holidays!

It's been so awesome to have a little surprise in the mail every couple of days...I just hope the wishes I've granted have made the recipients as happy as my wish granters have made me!

Disclaimer: No, I don't work for them, nor do I get referral fees for directing traffic their way.

But I've had several people ask about my love for my bank recently, so I thought I'd give ya'll a chance at the good stuff.

( Why my bank is the best bank evah!Collapse )

I cannot recommend them highly enough - I've been banking with them since I left for college (ugh, over 10 years now), and I've never had a bad experience.

I also love my car, but that's another journal post in its entirety.

I did an interest search for iPods and found some free iPod 'conga line' communities. So for ageofaquarius and trixalicious, here's some links:

00freeipods00, _freeipodconga, free_ipod_rfrl, freeipodscom, freeipodslj, freestuffconga, getyouripod, ipod_conga

Hope this helps you!

My free iPod came today!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, those of you who contributed to its arrival!

(((((friends)))))

foodsthatcan: hey, question...how soon does sark start showing up in alias?
AurraSing5: hee
AurraSing5: I think his first appearance is in like ep 11?
foodsthatcan: hmm, k.
AurraSing5: you didn't get the package already?
foodsthatcan: i had the S1 dvds on my netflix queue...just finished watching the pilot.
AurraSing5: aha
AurraSing5: are you now contemplating skipping ahead to sark eps?
foodsthatcan: man, the cardboard disc that comes below frozen pizza is more exciting than vaughn.
AurraSing5: BWAH
foodsthatcan: and probably is a better actor, too.
AurraSing5: can I quote you on that?
AurraSing5: bc. that's PRICELESS
foodsthatcan: the telegraphed TWU WUV of s/v was almost painful.
AurraSing5: yeah
foodsthatcan: sure, quote away. *is proud*
AurraSing5: it gets more painful
foodsthatcan: he stares at her like a little puppy.
AurraSing5: get ready for his forehead
AurraSing5: that's all anyone can talk about
foodsthatcan: i was kind of getting excited, because in the pilot, he doesn't show up until, like, the last ten minutes. i was starting to think, "hey, he's not even IN this episode!!" then my hopes were dashed.
foodsthatcan: oh, vaughn and dawson are totally cousins.
foodsthatcan: and to get back to your question...yeah, i was sort of contemplating skipping ahead to the sark episodes. ;)</font>

Best part of my day!