Well, I did use a jar of Newman's Own pasta sauce in the making and bought my soup broth, but the rest I did.

Bread inna breadmaker, chickpea soup onna stove, and pasta sauce to which I added onion, garlic, a tin of tuna, and a tin of black beans. (No actual pasta will be et with it, mind.)

I had meant to do other chores around the house also, but cooking took priority today. (And dishes, which I've done twice.)

Patricia Bray and I just went to see this movie, starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, and goats. I thought it was a great, fun movie, with lots of in jokes regarding SF and the SF/geek world. Lots and lots of lines and situations that made both Patricia and I totally crack up. Based on the reaction of the other people in the theater though . . . we were enjoying it far more than they were. I'm sure a good chunk of them were wondering what we were laughing about. And I really think it came down to the fact that we were SF geeks and SF writers, so knew all of the references and innuendos, probably at their deepest levels.

Was it a spectacular movie? No. Was it fun? Yes. Much slapping of the head, shaking of the head, smiling, and genuine laughter. The SF group out there will likely enjoy it more than most. Waste of time? Definitely not. After yesterday's little adventure in signing, this was a nice little relaxer. *grin*

AND THERE WERE GOATS!!!

see.....

I don't know what just made me type in Runshaw College (the College where I did my A Levels), into YouTube just now, but oh my goodness, look what happened there on Thursday...

Our particular College bus was a bit of a joke - always breaking down, a frequent smell of burning or turning up with the destination of 'Wymott Prison' on the front of it, (lol!), but it never actually went up in flames (although many of us prayed it would at times). On Thursday however, one did.

From the Lancashire Evening Post Students look on as bus 'explodes'

And some video.  Um... 'scuse the language - there's lots of it.

I'm actually at the NaNo Sunday Write-in here in Tally, and I have written 1,111 words so far today. *g*

But, that's not the entire reason I'm posting. And you'll notice I'm not using my NaNo icon.

Green Bay fans, I am sorry. But...

YAY! GO BUCCANEERS!

Pip just found this... some footage from the Wembley show on Friday night...

And look who you can see at 0.41 in the crowd... Would that be us two...? It surely is!

I was standing a little further back after being crushed once in the mad rush to play Lindsey's guitar and also I could see Stevie a little better.





And here's the clip... Go Your Own Way, Friday night at Wembley Arena - enjoy it...we did!

Is anyone here looking for someone to stay with for Wicked Faire? The person I thought I'd be sharing a room with already has rooming plans.

I'd sort of resolved not to gripe about my MIL on here ever again, but for goodness sakes there's just something utterly wrong about this situation:

If she calls and Simon answers, she's on the phone for a good 20-25 minutes.  He's gone out tonight and she's just rung.  She could not get off the phone fast enough when I answered and she realised he wasn't here.  1m 27 seconds exactly - my phone records call lengths.

Am I really that bad that I am not even worth 5 minutes of her time?

And we were only talking today about offering to do Christmas.  I was quite up for it, convinced things were better.

Obviously, I am sadly deluded in thinking that way.

Hey all!

She's done! Thank you so much, editors, for all your help!

I've been thinking about the comments in the previous editing post, and here's what I think:

1. Yes, we should stop bugging the editors with PMs, etc. to do their edits because it kills some of the fun. Taken care of- we're going to pull back a bit.

2. I don't like the idea of mandatory editing from members not otherwise included to do so. Halfhearted edits and people not competing because they don't want to edit will hurt the community. That being said, we had more than enough editors this week for everyone to have two, so I'm going to cross my fingers and chaulk it up to a burp in an otherwise perfect track record. That seemed to be to be at least half of what was thought in the editing post comments from last week anyways. Any opposed?

Also- we're working on improving the editing chart. Here's some changes we made:

1. We merged "Tough and Polite" into one category. They're almost indistinguishable anyways.
2. We merged the link to the entry to be edited with the name of the person whose entry will be edited.
3. We got rid of those "X"es and periods and replaced them with text- that might be more compatible with our members who use LJ with screen readers.
4. Edits are now sorted purely alphabetically, instead of organized by how tough they are.

All the mods had a hand in this, but I'd like to especially thank pipisafoat and awkward_ostrich for the fantastic ideas and brainstorming help.

What do you all think? The biggest problem I see so far is with the color of the links. I've never been able to figure out a good solution for that. Any ideas?

( The Edits )

This is how I do the monthly comment stats. I hope you find this useful. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

( How to do monthly comment stats behind the cut. )

J. Bruce Fuller posted a very interesting article about persona in horror poetry:
Imagination and Persona in Horror Poetry
His points about using persona in horror poetry can apply equally well to speculative poetry in general.

Speculative poets often speak through an imaginary or historical narrator. I don't think most speculative poetry is meant to be confessional verse, at least not it the usual sense of the term. Speculative poets frequently take on the voices of others, and these others need not even be human. Speculative poets might speak with the voices of aliens, or fairies, or demons, or mythical beasts, or mundane animals, or even objects traditionally seen as inanimate. It should be obvious that the poets haven't actually turned into such things. It should be obvious that the poets are imagining. However, the concept of confessional poetry has muddied those waters, and the line between imagined and real might not always be clear to all readers or listeners, especially when speculative poets speak with voices all too human.

I've used this idea of persona again, and again, and again in my own speculative verse. I'm certainly not a demonic serpent ("Serpent of Storms") or a life-draining vampiric entity ("Life is the Life"), or a killer being driven to madness and suicide by visions of the face of the lover he killed ("Your Bloody Face"), or a bleak haunted island ("The Haunted Isle"). However, I spoke as if I were a demonic serpent, or a life-draining vampiric entity, or a killer, or a haunted island. I think the ability to speak in the voice of another is just as important to fictional poetry as it it to prose fiction. And it's one of the creative techniques that can set speculative verse apart from mainstream.

Not all poetry need be confessional, at least not personally confessional. Unfortunately, I think some poets seem to think otherwise. They apparently think poetry is, by it's very nature, confessional. And this can lead to a misunderstanding of speculative verse.

During one of the Poet's Live Corners I attended, after I stated that I had some dark speculative pieces to read, one of the other poets present mentioned the time they had a poet show up and read poetry about murder and mayhem. I got the impression that they had been shocked by this poet's material, as if it were almost confessional in nature. Did they truly have a murderer in their midst? I doubt it. I had to smile, knowing the dark and often diabolic nature of much of my own verse. Does that mean I'm a dark and diabolic person? Of course not!

Just because a poet writes about bloody murder doesn't make that poet a bloody murderer. There is such a thing as imagination. However, I think my experience at the Live Poet's Corner exemplifies the lack of understanding speculative poets and poetry occasionally face within the broader poetry community. And this is why I often explain the type of poetry I write before I begin reading it in public.

One of the first things a reader or listener of speculative poetry must understand is that such verse is imaginative verse. The poet isn't confessing so much as imagining (although confession may still be buried beneath the imaginative trappings). Unfortunately, if you operate under the notion that poetry is confessional by default, you might misunderstand the concept of persona in speculative poetry. You might not fully realise that the speculative poet is speaking as someone else, that they are imagining. And that means you miss the whole point.

Hey all!

It's that time again! I know some of you may be a bit, well, antsy for the topic by now.

::: Glances nervously at katden :::

*** New Members: Welcome! Check out the Main Contest Rules for info and guidelines on how to play! We're in the middle of our monthly contest right now, but you're always welcome to play just for fun this month and join in the heavy hitting next month!***

--- Please remember to submit your entry link in the poll below! ---

---

Your topic for November, Week 1 is....

Key

Sometimes, it's the little things in life that can be of the greatest consequence. A key is one such thing. It is your passage through boundaries- a tool of admittance, of entrance. Whether the key to your home, the key to your heart, or access to a secret garden, it is something small, and humble, that can make big doors open.

Keys need not be literal. A key can be a Rosetta stone- the guide to a map, or the key to an exam. Something that is key can also be the central feature- most prominent or necessary, such as a keystone or a keynote speaker.

However, taken literally, a key can have enormous applications. Will your keys be on a piano or typewriter, or perhaps you're thinking of islands, such as the Florida keys? What will you unlock this week?

Let's see some high-key competition this week! This may be the broadest topic I've ever presented: I challenge you to dig deep and bring something truly original to the table!

---

Click here to edit your submission
Poll #1482517 Contest Entries, Week 2, November
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 1

Please link your Week 2 entries here.

Submit your "Just for Fun" entries here.

Other notes, such as R-ratings, NSFW, genre, format, and length can go here.

*** Your Contest Entries are due Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 2pm EST. Because this is week 2, we ask that you try to keep your entries below 1,500 words to help the readers catch as many as possible. All the best to you! ***
 

Before we start - YES I know there are difficult circumstances and real, true problems, and YES I know there are really hard situations that people face through  no fault of their own. But I truly believe that the difference between those who overcome those difficulties and triumph, and those who are perpetually stuck, lies in what they tell themselves about the situation and how they *choose* to react based on beliefs such as this. Which is why you can tell me "Woe is me" and I'll totally support and help you...until it goes on indefinitely and you prefer to say "Woe is me" instead of taking some step - ANY step - to resolve the situation, or take responsibility for improving your own life.

Side note - this is NOT directed at any individual on my flist. This is the e-mail that was in my inbox for this week. So PLEASE, don't take this as any kind of subtle personal attach - I don't do that (despite opinions to the otherwise). However, if it resonates with you (or if it makes you feel uncomfortable), take some time to think about it and figure out why. There may be a message in there for you (which is why I share these - I think there are messages for ALL of us in these little missives...usually mostly me). :)


( This week's topic from Lynne Forrest - Life is So Hard )

I figured you all would get a kick out of this.

A NUN GRADING PAPERS‏
Can you imagine the nun sitting at her desk grading these papers, all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure!

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORDING AND SPELLING. IF YOU KNOW THE BIBLE EVEN A LITTLE, YOU'LL FIND THIS TO BE HILARIOUS! IT COMES FROM A CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST. KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.

8.. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12.. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.

16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST.. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.



These have to be from 2nd and 3rd graders

I've seen a lot of pooh-poohing of Muslims regarding the Ft. Hood tragedy and that American Muslims are afraid of retaliation. A lot of the comments run along the lines of this one:

"Well, the religion teaches exactly what happened in Ft. Hood, so they shouldn't be surprised about this sort of thing."

Yeah, because every single Christian believes the same thing, stones adulterers, gives up their worldly possessions, and follows their holy book to the letter too, right?

In case any of the people who believe the above read this post, I'll remind them that after when some religious zealots decided a smart idea would be to fly some planes into some buildings on U.S. soil, numerous people who's only affiliation to those terrorists was their skin color were murdered in cold blood simply because they had the same ethnicity. People (who, if you want to play the "religion and color of skin game" were white and Christian based on the demographics of the U.S.) walked into various places and killed Middle Eastern people as a method of vigilante justice to appease their anger and calm their souls.

But, yeah. Muslims are the only ones who are barbaric and commit heinous acts of violence, right?

The idea that a large group of people all believe the same thing and will act on it violently is absolutely ridiculous. That's true, regardless of whatever group we analyze.

Look, I used to work at a Christian Talk radio station. I ran the on-air board for a talk show on there for two years and every single time that a stereotypical comment about Muslims was said by the host (who was a former pastor), a Muslim listener would call up and argue that the host was wrong. This went on for a few months until the Muslim finally said:

"What issues do you have with my religion?"

The host took 45 minutes out of his show and confronted the Muslim about everything he had an issue with. The result?

The host was convinced that Islam was not a religion of hate or violence.

It is so stupidly easy to assume the worst in people due to part of a population acting like complete assholes or hearing about religious zealots committing atrocities.

Resist it. Assuming only makes an ass out of you and me. Learn the truth.

I don't care about what people's opinion about the Iraq War is. But know that one of the main reasons that stability arrived in the region is because the Islamic terrorists started bombing Iraqi Muslims. That wouldn't have been happened if all Muslims were all on the same page.

Large groups aren't comprised of people who all believe exactly the same thing. Especially when it comes to religion and politics. That's why Anti-Americanism is just as wrong as religious stereotypes.

If you are against the former, but commit the latter, then it's probably time to do some analysis and get your head on straight. Otherwise, you're a hypocrite.

Hey all!

Just getting things sorted out.

The following editors missed their edits, or failed to check them offr for two weeks in a row. By Flame editing policy, I have to reassign those edits and remove you guys unless you contact me to let me know you're still interested. All interested editors will be welcomed back with open arms:

ailada
amused4ever
incommune
lezi

mullvaney. You should check this out. I couldn't respond to your PM today either, but I got it, and I appreciate it VERY much! <3

We have seven people catching on on last week's edits, but frankly, I take the blame for four of them, as I'm supposed to let our standby editors know about their edits on a case-by-case basis and I didn't.

Other than that, we're good! I think we might be able to give 2 edits to everyone this week, even! THANK YOU ALL!

( The Editors, as I understand them... )
 

OK, I figured that it was about time that I offer my own thoughts and beliefs on the whole health care thing. Everyone is welcome to their own opinions and thoughts on the subject. However, if the comments on this entry get too cats and dogs like, then I'll delete it. If any discussion occurs in the comments, it has to be civil and respectful.

On that note here we go:

I think that health care in this country (America) needs a huge over-haul. It is a horrible sucky beyond words system. People should be able to have access to health care that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and a health care system that doesn't come with a thousand and one different "exceptions" and "things that aren't covered".

People should not be denied health care for 'pre-existing conditions'. That is complete bullshit in my book. People have no control over whether they have so-called 'preconsisting conditions' or not. I never asked to have clinical depression or ADD. My 3 year old nephew never asked to have Type 1 diabetes. So why should the health care system punish people for things that are out of their control?

I think that the government needs to create/overhaul the rules and regulations that are in place for the insurance/health care system in this country. The whole buearocratic nonsense needs to be thrown out the window. People shouldn't have to decide between medication and life's other necesseties. Medical bills should not have to put people into bankruptcy because their health care refuses to cover things.

For those who are all "up in arms" about "governmental run insurance", may I just point out that Medicare and Medicaid is government run? So is Medicare and Medicaid horrible and socialist?

I also think that there are many people that automatically assume anything even remotely socialist/government run is horrible and evil and bad is because of all the governmental propaganda from the 50s and 60s and the likes of Joe McCarthy and the "Witches Scare/Hunt".

I also think that some people automatically assume that any kind of change is evil, whether or not it's for the better or for the worse of others.

Now, whether or not what was just passed within the pass 24 hours is the best solution to the problem, I'm not completely convinced. I don't think that people should be fined based on their own choices and beliefs on insurance. I certainly wouldn't want any of the Amish to be fined because they don't have any insurance because of religious beliefs.

However, on the other hand (OK, so I'm being your typical stereotyped Libra here, seeing all sides of an issue), even if I don't agree with what's done, at least Obama is doing something about it, instead of just saying that he's going to promise to change the system and then not do anything.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/11/sunday-sweets-sesame-street.html

Sesame Street is turning 40 this week, so consider these Sweets a few virtual birthday cakes for everyone's favorite Street.






Robyn and her mom made this adorable number for little Miller:


And here's our fondant-free cake of the week:

One of the reasons I'm in love with Last.FM is because they are a constant source of new music that I really enjoy.

Paloma Faith is one of them. I love her music so hard. I made Nick listen to her and he said it best, "She's like Duffy, Adele, and Amy Winehouse rolled into one...but better". lol I tend to agree.

Official video for "New York"

( Read more... )


**Also....I'm totally in love with this video...

I remember many moons ago looking on this community and seeing a wonderful topic - Handclaps. It was this topic which introduced me to one of my all time favourite songs "Recovery" by New Buffalo, and I'd like to give something back to everyone on the same topic!

I recently heard this song by Just Jack from the album "All Night Cinema" (http://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Night-Cinema-Just-Jack/dp/B001Q8WLOS). Just Jack is an English guy, and has pretty much done all writing and production on this album. It's just great. About this song, Amazon says "Lead-off single “Embers” proves that some pretty moving productions are within his grasp, an emotive production of dancing violins, hand-claps, and harmonies that overlay in beautiful patterns"

This is a wonderful description, and for me the handclaps build the song up into something awesome. Let me know if the link dies and I'll re-upload. And let me know if you like! (:

http://rapidshare.com/files/304080203/Embers.mp3.html (not sure if this is working correctly - if not try: http://www.box.net/shared/kpg7l8aesg)

i have finally confirmed everything for my January Gallery show in Lancaster at the Mulberry Gallery. as promised last january it will be a show not just for my work, but also for anyone who has attended one of my workshops.

thats right

if you have attended any of my workshops.... ever.... i would like to offer you a gallery show with me this January 1st!

you are allowed to hang anything you like, up to 4 pieces, no content or size restrictions.

you do not have to show work shot at the workshop, you can show anything you want.

i am going to do everything i can to hang work from anyone who wants to be a part of this show, i would like to think this is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a pretty big event.

there is no charge to be a part of the show, all you need to do is get your work there, or to me before the january 1st opening

if you want in just send me an e-mail to scottchurch@scottchurch.net with the tag line "january show"

second thing:

my other upcoming show is this friday in NYC, you should go

"Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering." -- Don Miguel Ruiz

(Thanks for the quote, popfiend!)

So, the signing yesterday was a complete disaster for the most part, having nothing to do with us, the authors, or the bookstore itself.

Basically what happened was, we get to the bookstore. The books are out, tables set up, CRM there to greet us, etc. We settled into the store, all of the authors arriving, and start the selling. At first, it looks like it's going to be dead, since there aren't many customers and none of them seem interested in fantasy. But then things start to pick up. We're making some sales, chatting with the influx of people, being entertaining . . .

And then the lights went out. Emergency lights came on, but the registers are down, so no one can buy anything. We all automatically assume that the lights will be back on momentarily, so we continue on our merry "buy my books" way, but after a while, still no lights. Word is that the entire section has no power. We start making jokes about the zombie apocalypse. After much longer, still no power. Word comes in that there's been a fire at the Outback (someone ordered a Bloomin' Onion) and in the attempt to control the fire the power to the local grid was cut. The bookstore starts telling people before they even come into the store that there is no power and they can't check out, so two thirds of the potential customers aren't even seeing us at the store. We are managing to sell some copies to those that come in, but they can't actually buy them, they have to put them on layaway behind the counter and come pick them up later. (For a brief moment, the staff was allowed to do some cash sales even without power, but that didn't last long.) We were supposed to stay until 4pm, but when it had been over two hours without power and it hit 3pm, we decided to call it quits.

We signed everything they had in the store, so if you're in the area and want signed copies either for you or for gifts for the holidays, please feel free to stop on by and pick some of them up. The staff was great in the face of adversity and it really sucks that the power went out. Considering how much we sold with the power out, it makes me wonder how many we COULD have sold if everything had been running normally.

One thing I learned after becoming a parent is that plans can change in an instant with a change in health of your kids. Case in point, today we were planning to get together with Gwen and have breakfast then go into the Natural History Museum and look at the dinosaurs and possibly go to the central part zoo or half a dozen other things we could do while in the city. However when I came downstairs I found Caroline with a very stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, and looking very glassy eyed. She is a little warm but nothing terrible. She complained that she hurt all over and it was hard to swallow. Caroline is pretty body aware so if she makes these sorts of complaints, then she is feeling it pretty bad. Right now she is bundled up on the couch with her pink blankie under her head just vegging out.

I am feeling much better than I did a couple of days ago so I am on the mend but it is taking forever to get over whatever this was. I don’t feel like my head is full of cotton wool. I just know that I have to be careful so I don’t end up right back at sick again. Sick on top of jet lag just sucks.

So my day is restructuring around my daughter’s needs at this point which is fine. Her health is important.

I am grateful that she is not running a fever.

How is everyone on this fine Sunday morning?

It's a bit chilly here in Central NJ, but with a few extra cuddles from the Missus, I've been able to make it through. :D

Today it's chores and football for me, not necessarily in that order.

I'm putting together the Sunday links as well, so be on the lookout.

But I digress, how are you doing today?

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
-don Miguel Ruiz

Today is my first weekly volunteering session for Audubon. Unfortunately, it's early on a Sunday morning, and my duties were poorly thought out.

I was handed an assignment to make signs. But the details are fuzzy, and the printers aren't open today, and the Audubon coordinator guy surely isn't accepting phone calls this early on a Sunday morning. Other than that, I can certainly do the project. Most of it is stuff I've done before, and I'll muddle through the rest.

By the way, I discovered something interesting about our Audubon facility - it's really, really cold inside the building. They keep the heat way down so as to avoid burning up all their grants and donations on utilities.

Just thought I'd mention that, in case anyone was wondering, "Hmm, what organization can I donate to this year that doesn't spend all their money on marketing and building maintenance?"

Hi! I'm marketing! And the thermostat hasn't been turned on yet.

(Note: This post only refers to the Long Pasture, Barnstable facility. Audubon Society as a whole is run by different people who have their own priorities.)

I saw fireworks. They went BOOM! Flash Bang Pop Crackle BOOM BOOM Crackle Fizz Pop Bang. And so on.


I gluff fireworks. I like the really loud one best, that sound like a whole cannon has just gone off, and I like the annoying screamy screechy ones that are funny because they're so annoying, and I like the BIGGEST round ones that go bang (not boom) and go everywhere.


I'm chilling out at my parents house this weekend; needed a break from London so have escaped to more rural climes, at least until tomorrow when I has to go back to uni. It's good to be home. It's as though nothing really applies here - everything that has been swimming around my mind and everything and everybody that has been causing drama is so irrelevant so long as I am at home. Stuff to be reclaimed on return to Londontown, but not until tomorrow.

Eep, I think I'm burning the lunch, must run to rescue it.

http://yafgc.shipsinker.com/index.php?strip_id=1260

Great news for readers in Nova Scotia, Canada! Heather Dale, Canadian folk singer/musician, whose music inspired YAFGC storylines including the current "Jone, Half-Orc" saga, as well as made an appearance in Elf form as Lady Marion of Heatherdale in the "Bardic Challenge" story, is coming once more to Halifax, Nova Scotia. This Saturday (November 7) in particular.

From the schedule on her website:

6181 Lady Hammond Rd., Halifax NS, B3K 2R9, 902-429-9467, www.scotiafestival.ns.ca. Showtime 8:00pm; come and enjoy an evening of enchanting Modern Celtic music! Tickets $20, $15 for students/seniors/HarbourFolk members; tickets available at the door, and at the Halifax Folklore Centre (www.halifaxfolklorecentre.com).

(Click the link below to visit her website)

We'll be there, hope you'll come too!

-Rich & Hilary

http://www.cartoonlabs.com/comics/index.php?date=2009-11-08&show=sinfest

Sinfest
Tatsuya Ishida

http://thedevilspanties.com/d/20091108.html

Devil's Panties comic for Sunday, November 8, 2009