Curios & Ephemerae

watching through my fingers

philomel — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:58:26 GMT

Day 2, nightmare persists.

It's a horrible, wretched thing to be struck with the thought: thank goodness my mom didn't have to live to see this. And I would do nearly anything, nearly any-fucking-thing, to have her back. But she was spared this. She would have been horrified too.

I'm trying to think proactively. Other people are so much better at it. I've never been strong, but I am always willing to fight for what I believe in. And the harder the push, the harder I push back.

And I'm not delusional. I live in a state that, statistically, stayed blue. But I know damn well that blue status was thanks to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. My part of the state is much redder. So it should not have surprised me that our state went red Tuesday night. But it's another small disappointment on top of the much larger, much scarier one.

Even under President Obama, I've been afraid of many things. For example: simply holding my girlfriend's hand while walking down the street. Even in metropolitan areas. Under Trump (a joke, right? how is this still not a joke??), under the president-elect, that fear escalates beyond measure.

But I know we're not alone.

Regardless of how close the numbers, Clinton won the popular vote.

We have our voices. Quiet as I generally am, I refuse to be silenced.

And the map for the youngest set of voters was so beautifully blue. Like an ocean surging forward to wash away the hate. It offers hope.

I'm trying. I'll keep trying. Let's all keep trying to fight against the destructive thoughts and actions of the people who voted for Trump... and, most of all, against the arrogant, self-interested king of the bigots himself.

philomel — Fri, 06 May 2016 10:48:29 GMT

Arts&Crafts Exchange!

Everyone loves getting snail mail, snail mail that doesn't have red lettering or random bumf on it. For anyone who 'creates' why not come along and sign up to send and receive something pretty in the mail. All Arts&Crafts welcome!

Deadline for sign ups 19/5/16.

Thought some of you (who haven't pimped this already) might be interested. :)

philomel — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 02:19:06 GMT

It's only a number, but...

Here's to a better year.

May there be a little more light, a little more laughter, more joy and love in all our lives. May we fill them as full as we can bear. And let us be strong enough to share the load for others when their lives overflow beyond their abilities.

I hope you all are well. And will be well.

<3

oh the weather outside is melty

philomel — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 19:06:25 GMT

Thank you aerynsun5, arcadiaego, desertgoddess, and modmerseygirl for the cards! <3333

I had true intentions of doing cards this year, but spazzed completely. Same with a mix. Maybe I can send out some random mid-winter cards. I might also still try a mix: a simple "best of 2013" kind of deal.

In other news, here is the last fic I wrote:

Title: Bottleneck
Pairing: Dan Howell/Phil Lester
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Spin the bottle, improv style.
Featuring a rather frisky Christmas tree and a complete disregard for rules.
Word Count: 2,348
Disclaimer: This stuff is made up.

I'd post the thing here, but I'm unaware of any Dan/Phil communities on LJ. So linking to AO3 seems the better option. If my muse for other fandoms (like SPN or Sherlock) ever returns (*crosses fingers*), I will post those here. I've not abandoned ship. (Pun pretty much intended.)

Oh, and this is the previous Dan/Phil, which I don't believe I linked to over here either:

Title: Morning Anatomy
Pairing: Dan Howell/Phil Lester
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Phil wakes Dan up. And possibly vice versa. (Sleepy human alarm clock fluff and porn.)
Second person POV. First time.
Word Count: 1,015
Disclaimer: Also made up.

If I don't post before Wednesday, I hope all of you who celebrate have a very Merry Christmas. Happy Yule as well. ♥

walls and barricades surround our golden age

philomel — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 21:04:42 GMT

• Currently going mad with the itchiness of bug bites. Just three, all of them on my ankles. Flipping ankles. What the hell, insects?

• I'm almost caught up with Welcome to Night Vale, which I highly recommend, especially to those of you with a dark sense of humor. You can listen to it via any of the links on their website or here.

• Also, Summer in the City (a YouTube convention) happened this weekend in London, and there was an excellent panel based around Ben Cook's Becoming YouTube series. The first part of the panel lives here. I'm not sure how much appeal it would have to anyone who hasn't really watched any YouTubers. But then, I'm terrible at keeping up with most of the ones I like, with the exception of Dan and Phil. Anyway, the panel features Dan, Ben, Hank Green, Emma Blackery, Chris Kendall, and others.

• Music: Still in love with the new Toad and Civil Wars records. (I actually had a dream about Toad last night, but an unhappy one, as they were split up again because Todd wanted to do some project in Jordan or Jerusalem or someplace possibly starting with a J. Meanwhile, Glen was walking around with a banjo and then, later, he made this sculptural replica of Todd's favorite tree — something cypress-esque, made out of interwoven brown vines — to mail to him. I don't know where Randy and Dean were.) Also very much looking forward to the new Neko Case album.

I'm still trying to decide if I want to brave the Neko show alone. I do finally have some other (definite) shows on the concert calendar, which is happy news as this year has been concert-free thus far. Besides the aforementioned Fall Out Boy show scheduled for next month, future concerts include: Colin Meloy, Toad, and Neutral Milk Hotel. I'd also really like to see Bastille, but that would be another go-it-alone show. And Mark Lanegan is coming back to Philly in October, but it's during a working weekend. :/ Given that I start at 6:30 on weekends (as opposed to 8 a.m. on weekdays), it makes me very hesitant to go. It's guaranteed I'll be worn out before the show even starts and then barely get any sleep for work the next day.

• Three of my SPN fics were apparently nominated for No Rest For The Wicked awards. Being generally clueless, I've never heard of those awards. But still, that's pretty damn cool. Never the less, it feels rather weird as I've been in a dry spell for well over a year now. This long-term creative impotence disturbs me, but finding the motivation to overcome it has been difficult.

• I wanted to post some St. Augustine photos today, but not feeling ambitious enough. So. *procrastinates*

• I hope you all are well.

geek-centric update

philomel — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:52:53 GMT

• Finally saw Star Trek: Into Darkness today.

First, I admit that my adoration of Benedict outweighs my interest in Star Trek, despite liking the first JJ Abrams reboot and watching TNG when I was a kid. That said, I thought the movie as a whole was excellent and brilliantly acted by not only the Batch (I don't know why, but it amuses me to call him that, and so I do) as well as Chris, Zachary, Karl, Zoe, Simon, and John Cho. I wasn't terribly surprised by the reveal of Benedict's character. As cagey as he's been ever since getting the role, it was just too easy to figure out, even for a non-Trekkie. But that's not a complaint. He was deliciously badass. No wonder he had fun filming it. My only possible issue with the movie is that there wasn't enough Cumberbatch for my liking... but there never really is.

Has anyone seen it in both 2D and 3D? I went to an IMAX 3D showing (because of reasons... that have nothing to do with a giant screen and thus a giant Benedict... no, really). Unlike The Hobbit, I felt a bit more bothered by the 3D this time. I'm not crazy about the "THINGS COMING AT YOU!" aspect of 3D, which was much more prevalent in STID than in The Hobbit. That said, I absolutely loved the effect of warp speed in 3D.

Anyway, I am tempted to see the movie again in 2D before it leaves theaters.

ETA: Phil Lester (a.k.a. AmazingPhil on YouTube) just tweeted about seeing STID, and called it "lesflaretastic." LOL Perfect.

• After watching the first two episodes of Game of Thrones, I bought season two off eBay. So, obviously: hooked. I have two episodes left of the first season, which I'll likely watch tonight.

Love seeing Sean Bean in something again. The internet being what it is, I know that Ned Stark dies. And also because, well, that's the fate of characters played by Bean, as per the law. Also love seeing more Aidan Gillen (he does wicked and slimy so very well) and Peter Dinklage. Other than Ned and Tyrion, favorites at the moment are Arya, Jon Snow, Daenerys, Caitlyn, and Bran. So, yeah, I guess I'm very pro-House Stark. I mean, they have dire wolves, for fuck's sake. However, I know dragons will be coming soon, so. Hrm. Wolves, dragons, wolves, dragons.... argh!

I could do without some of animal-related violence and gore. Yet I anticipated it. Honestly, the hardest scene for me so far was when Tywin Lannister was gutting and skinning the deer. Had to hold my hands up to block out the bottom of the screen. Yes, mutilate as many human characters as you like, but as soon as it's an animal, I will cower.

• I think the season finales for SPN and Doctor Who being so close together was basically an emotional pummeling. I loved both. But I don't feel like speculating on either. Just going to wait and see where the ride takes us from here — my usual approach. I will say that, whatever happens with Who, Matt Smith's acting has been remarkable. Same for Mark Sheppard, Misha, Jensen, and Jared. I love my shows.

• I hope you all are well.

philomel — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 23:23:40 GMT

I wrote this a year and a half ago for a Blindfold prompt, putting off posting it in the hopes that I could write a sequel per a request from sychononny. However, at this point, I don’t see myself being able to get any more out of this little story. So, here it is, as is.

Title: Of Winchesters and Wombats
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Ben Edlund
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ben brainstorms a new monster and bares his inner Deangirl.
Set prior to season 8.
Word Count: 2,070
Disclaimer: This stuff is made up.
Notes: Originally posted in response to a blindfold_spn prompt here.
Also at AO3.

"Werebats."

Leaning against the doorjamb with a brand new script — the first script of the season — cradled in the crook of his arm, Jensen waits for Ben to explain himself. As if anything could explain Ben Edlund.

The office is quiet with everyone out for lunch. Everyone except Ben, who's scribbling all over the white board with increasingly cracked out story ideas and the random illustration of a monster. Jensen watches as Ben flicks short strokes of marker into an oblong shape, rounded at the edges. It resembles a furry parcel. Finishing with two curved triangles — tusks, Jensen thinks, or, no, fangs — Ben taps the bottom of the marker under the fresh drawing and turns to Jensen, says, "A man who turns into a bloodthirsty wombat. Werebat." Ben tucks a lock of hair behind his ear and looks at Jensen like it's his turn to talk now.

All Jensen offers is a punched out huh. He doesn't know if Ben is joking, never truly does. Chances are, he's probably serious. This is Ben, after all.

Punctuating the air with little jabs of the marker, Ben quickly returns to the board and taps two dots over the fangs. Eyes, obviously. He looks back at Jensen, eyebrows pushing crinkles into his forehead, as if that was what the drawing was missing and surely Jensen gets the concept now.

Exhaling slowly, trying to stave off the smirk that's twitching at the corner of his mouth, Jensen walks into the room, tosses his script onto the conference table and joins Ben at the white board. "Werebat," he echoes.

"Yeah." Ben's nodding enthusiastically. Like a little kid, Jensen thinks. Like Jared. Same difference. "See." The marker squeaks as Ben adds a simple circle over the fangy wombat. "It changes when there's a new moon. Not a full moon." He waggles the marker in Jensen's face. "Because wombats are from the southern hemisphere."

"Right," Jensen says.

"You know," Ben keeps going. "Like the water drains in the opposite direction. It's a myth, right? The Coriolis force can’t possibly apply to something that small. But. So. The werebat changes according to a cycle contrary to that of the werewolf. Which is much more northern hemisphere in origin. Obviously."

"Obviously." Ben has a tendency to do this to Jensen — leave him speechless, capable of little more than parroting. This time he manages one additional comment, brain cells rejuvenated after the three months' break. "So, Sam and Dean go hunting at the zoo?"

Ben's face lights up. "Yes! Lots of snark from you for having to investigate a zoo. And then, oh, I mean, it's—" A strand of hair falls over Ben's eyes, and he stops to push it back. "It's total fan service, with all the cute, cuddly animals." Ben's shoulders hunch up as he says this, voice pitching a notch higher in mock cuteness, and Jensen smiles, caught up in Ben's animated gestures. "But, yeah," Ben continues. "Dean jokes about the animals being responsible for the zookeepers’ deaths. Like, ‘Did the toucan do it? Was it an actual man-eating lion? Or a possessed tortoise? Do they have a caged chupacabra?’ You know? He pretty much gets off on ridiculing the animals during the case. Well, not gets off, because that would be... another show entirely. But it's so ridiculous. Cryptozoology at the zoo. Go figure. And then Dean—"

"Dean makes fun of the wombat," Jensen suggests.

"Werebat," Ben corrects. "Because it just waddles around. Like some kind of fur-covered footstool. An ambulatory ottoman." More grayed-dark curls come loose, covering Ben's face as he ducks his head, grinning at the images coming from his own twisted brain. Jensen reaches out, brushes them back. It's reflexive, really — something he does for Jared automatically now. Long hair having a mind of its own. Ben stills, and Jensen forgets to move his hand back even as realization catches up with him. Ben's hair feels softer than he'd expected — had he many expectations about Ben's hair at all — given the oil slick shade of it, still predominant despite the silver threads that seem to double in number each time Jensen sees Ben. It's silky, however, a little sticky with product, but no worse than Jensen's own hair. It slips around Jensen's fingers as he attempts to sweep it over Ben's temple.

"So, uh." Quieter than before, Ben tries to pick up where he left off.

Ben's a hard one to derail, and Jensen might feel a sense of accomplishment if he wasn't shocked by his own actions. He jerks his hand away, stuffing it into his back pocket and averting his eyes. An apology scarcely forms on his lips when Ben cuts him off.

"So I see Dean being relentless with the wombat, who's really a werebat, though Dean doesn't know it yet. And it sparks ire in the little furry guy. And it seems to glare at Dean. Unlike a normal animal's eyes, almost human but not even that. I'm thinking we could do a little trick with CG there. Nothing too crazy."

Jensen laughs despite himself. No, nothing too crazy at all. He licks at his bottom lip, a little nervous that the laughter might seem judgmental when, honestly, Ben's nothing but—

Staring at Jensen's mouth. In a way that seems undeniably predatory.

Jensen wets his lips again, a self-conscious tic.

Ben's gaze flicks back to the white board.

Scrambling to fill the silence, Jensen says, "Dean gets to him, huh? And unknowingly makes himself the next target?"

"Mmm." Ben's filling out the werebat's eyes, stripes raying out from the pupils, making it appear manic.

"And that's a whole show? A full 40 minutes of wombat terror?" Jensen can't help teasing, he really can't.

There's a breathy snort, then Ben drops the marker. "No," he says, crouching to pick it up. "I think it will be a distraction. A distraction from what Cas is up to." His face turns up toward Jensen, hair coming loose again, wild tendrils falling over both eyes. It's the first thing that gets Jensen's attention. The second being Ben's proximity to Jensen's crotch. Ben appears to be aware of it too — hyper aware, the way he steals quick glimpses before meeting Jensen's eyes briefly, awkwardly incapable of settling on either view for more than a second or two. He starts to get up, says, "Oh." He's looking at the marker, fingertips scrabbling over it, when he loses his balance. The marker goes rolling. Jensen grabs at Ben's arm to catch him. It's too late. Ben lands on his ass, Jensen on his knees in front of him.

Ben starts laughing immediately, more of a giggle, face scrunched up and shoulders shaking. He falls forward, forearms hooking over his knees with his legs spread wide, heels dug into the carpeting.

"You okay?" Jensen asks. But it's barely intelligible through his own laughter. His smile stretches so wide his face hurts.

Ben nods, squinting at Jensen through his mop of hair, face pink and eyes bright. It's endearing. He's all craziness and charm. Jensen finds himself shuffling closer until his stomach brushes against Ben's hands. His skin jumps at the contact, and he sits back on his heels, leaving a few inches between them, uncertain. Ben's head cocks to the side and Jensen loses sight of his eyes, now completely shadowed. But then Ben's long fingers stretch toward Jensen. He hesitates, then flattens his palm over Jensen's abdomen. His thumb tugs at Jensen's t-shirt, drawing up the hem. It tickles. Jensen bites his lip as Ben's thumb touches bare skin. He tracks the circular motion of Ben thumb on his skin, the tendon standing out, the thin lines of bone and thicker rivulets of veins on his hands. The pivoting of Ben's wrist distracts him, beaded bracelet rolling against an immobile leather cuff, both dark, a sharp contrast against his pale skin.

"Dean should've been tattooed here," Ben says, almost to himself. "Maybe not the pentangle, but another one. Maybe here." His fingers graze over Jensen's hip, a light touch, still tentative. Hooking his thumb into Jensen's belt, he traces patterns, dipping into the crease, then up over Jensen's hipbone and back around to his stomach.

"What— what kind?" Jensen says, pulling up his shirt to see what Ben's outlining. "Hoodoo or something?" He finds himself incapable of saying hoodoo in his own voice. Instead, he enunciates it in Dean's scoffing tone.

Ben's lips quirk, as if he caught Jensen's character bleed. He lowers his legs, splays his free hand high on Jensen's thigh.

Jensen risks disrupting Ben to comb his fingers through Ben's hair, holding his thumb there to keep it out of his eyes, stroking at the hairline. It's the way Dean might treat a girl, that gentle reverence.

Ben pushes into Jensen's touch like a cat. "Something rock and roll," Ben says finally. "Heavy metal. A skull. Roses. No." He interrupts himself. "Flames?" Narrowing his eyes, he drags his fingernails up, drawing them together as if they're meeting into points of fire. "Classic tattoos. Dean likes the classics."

"Pinup girl?" Jensen says, as Ben scratches back down his stomach. "Busty, Asian?" The leer is all Dean.

Shifting closer, Ben takes Jensen's other arm, twisting it to expose the inside. Below the inner elbow, he forms what appears to be a heart, crosses straight down the middle. "Sacred heart," he says. "Or here." Pushing up under Jensen's sleeve, his own tattooed hand disappearing beneath the fabric, he repeats the same shape on Jensen's bicep.

Jensen's fingers slip around to the back of Ben's neck, threading through the damp curls to uncoil them. "Not my baby?" he teases, giving in to Dean's low purr, tomcat-rough. He presses the pads of his fingers to warm flesh, rubbing over the notches of Ben's spine and urging him forward.

Ben's eyes stay fixed on Jensen's body, but he goes willingly. Both hands slide beneath the front of Jensen's shirt and he says, "Here." Tapping at the swell of Jensen's chest, just to the side of his breastbone. "Dean would have the Impala right here." Jensen watches the shape of Ben's hands under the thin cotton. "If, if you didn't have the anti-possession symbol right there," Ben continues, seemingly oblivious to Jensen's stare. "You'd have her."

"Ben," Jensen says, leaning in. He tries not to think of how it's the same name as Lisa's boy.

"She'd be black and gray, of course. Highly detailed." Ben strokes and strokes along Jensen's chest.

Jensen can picture every detail through Ben's eyes. Dean would love it. Moving in closer, his nose bumps against Ben's cheek. He blinks too fast. His breath comes quick. "Ben."

"Wisps," Ben keeps going. "Like smoke, all around her, to indicate movement. Like she's kicking up the road behind her. And." Ben's eyes close as Jensen's open mouth ghosts over the side of his face, all heat and invitation. "And you'd be impossible. Hovering—" He swallows. "Hovering over the artist, making sure he gets everything perfect, exactly the way you want it."

"A total pain in the ass," Jensen says against Ben's lips.

"Incorrigible." Ben's mouth curves up, eyes falling shut.

Tilting his head, Jensen smiles into the kiss, hushing Ben before he can say another word.

Outside there's a rustle and a jangle of keys, then the slamming of a door that rattles through the walls. Jensen and Ben jump back just as the smell of fried food wafts down the hall, followed by the sound of everyone coming back from lunch.

They're both up and on their feet, avoiding each other's eyes, backs to the door. Ben's scratching at the back of his neck and Jensen's fumbling for his script when the other Bens come shuffling in, Sera behind them, then Bob. He attempts to look casual as he holds the pages in front of his pants, hopes they think he's just gotten too much sun and that that's why his face is red when he greets them.

Ben's out the door, muttering about the bathroom. And Jensen wonders for a moment how suspicious it would be if he excused himself to use the bathroom too.

They wouldn’t have to know he was using the same one.

And anyway, as far as Jensen is concerned, Dean's no stranger to fooling around in restrooms. Only, dirtier ones, in dive bars. It's his personal canon. Maybe it's Ben's too.

paper beats golem, fire beats undead nazi zombie freaks

philomel — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:45:47 GMT

1.) Oh man, it feels so good to have a weekend off. Especially after working nine days straight. Nine stress-filled, maddening days as we integrate a new system that's supposed to make things better, more efficient. So far, not so much.

2.) Not much else has been going on. Been feeling disconnected a lot and have had hardly any time to talk to anyone — anyone important to me, that is.

3.) I believe Supernatural has been on an upswing. I've really enjoyed the last few episodes.
"LARP and the Real Girl" was pure joy.

Despite the retcon regarding John's dad (see "In The Beginning," when Dean meets young!John and some random guy tells young!John to "say hello to your old man for me"), I like the concept of the Men of Letters introduced in "As Time Goes By" and how it's bringing back that contrast between Dean and Sam from the early seasons, but now rendering it something complementary. The clandestine knowledge of the Men of Letters meets the practical application of hunters. There's potential for awesomeness. Also potential for power and the inherent corruption therein.

Anyway, it looks like the soap opera is finally over. (And hopefully the writers won't revisit the teenybopper wretchedness of "Bitten" — one of the few times SPN truly disappointed me.)

I'm an Edlund fangirl, so there's obvious bias, but I adored the re-imagining of the golem myth in "Everybody Hates Hitler." LOVED it.

Also, Sam in a sweater vest!

And Dean playing with a scimitar like a little boy on Christmas morning.

And the bat cave works for me. I'm sure it won't last. But I'm delighted that the boys are together, without any apparent angst or conflict, in a safe haven. For now.

4.) What else? Enjoying the new Frightened Rabbit album, Pedestrian Verse. I wish I could see them when they come to town in April, but it's not only during a working weekend for me but it's also on my mom's birthday. So, nope.

5.) Still spending most of my online time on tumblr. Because, you know, it's actually active.

6.) Spending way too much time lately looking at dresses I can't afford and would have nowhere to wear on ModCloth. Like this one, and this, also this, and also this.

7.) Over the holidays, I received quite a few fragrances, and I don't think I ever reviewed them, although I wrote up notes on them (because I'm a nerd like that). So here.

• From rosemarygrace @ Etsy:

- The Righteous Man
... inspired by Dean Winchester, is a musky, woodsy blend with spicy anise and Cinnamon, smooth sandalwood and a touch of cypress highlighting the unique blend.
Wet: Anise is strong. Definitely spicy. Almost clove-like. Reminds me of Easter ham cooking. LOL
Dry-down: Less intense but much the same. I must admit I like this best when mixed with Wayward Son. Wincest shipper for life. *g*

- The Wayward Son
... celebrates Sam Winchester with a bright, complex scent. Hyssop and Sage provide soothing clean notes, while a hint of Patchouli and Amber add a subtle dark and mysterious presence underlying the scent.
Wet: Warm amber with a lovely earthiness. Light.
Dry-down: Yeah, quite possibly my favorite of this set.

- Thursday’s Child
... was created for Castiel, the Angel of the Lord. His ethereal, natural scent carries the angelic notes of Sweetgrass and Lilac, underscored by earthy Bayberry, sensual Vanilla and Exotic Sandalwood.
Wet: Masculine. Changes quickly. The vanilla and sandalwood combine to make something warm and intriguing.
Dry-down: Loses the masculinity to become more unisex, imho. Lovely.
Okay, a little later, I swear it flutters toward masculine again. Make up your mind, Cas!

- Demonic Forces
... is a dark, loamy scent, based on the Demons of the Supernatural World. Rich Fig, Heavy Myrrh, and Dark Patchouli are punctuated with the sharp tangy notes of Bergamot, Bay and Cedar. Mysterious and Strangely Enticing.
Wet: Enticing indeed. Dense and intoxicating. I get glimpses of each note, but they all fade as quickly as I catch them, coalesce into something dark and sensual, and maybe a little sinister.
Dry-down: Fades too quickly. Fucking demons, always jetting off in their fancy black smoke.

- Angelic Visions
... for the Heavenly Host. Clear sweet Verbena, Holy Frankincense, and Calming Sweetgrass blend seamlessly with masculine Musk and Rich, Spicy Vetiver to create a scent highlight both the Warrior and the Otherworldly aspects of these divine beings.
Wet: Spicy and sweet. Vaguely citrusy and rather clean.
Dry-down: Stays strong and about the same as wet.

• From falsenostalgia @ Etsy:

- Don't Forget The Pie
Don't Forget The Pie! - A pie buffet that Dean would not be able to resist: cherry and apple with luscious double crusts, along with a dollop of vanilla "PUDDING!" (because crazy works), with just a touch of oak for a sexy base.
Wet and dry-down: Cherry pie, full stop. Unabashedly foody. Quite nice.

• From delightfulriot @ Etsy:

- Hufflepuff
A homey, comforting scent, built out of several woodsy notes overlaying an earthy, herbal base, sweetened with a touch of maple.
Wet: Warm, low-key. The maple isn't distinctive, but I think it centers this in a foodiness that makes me think of campfires, fire pits and hearths. It is earthy, grounding, and inviting.
Dry-down: Definitely homey and comforting. I only wish it had a bit more strength.

- Gryffindor
A bright, valorous scent, bursting with warm notes of verbena, mandarin, spicy jasmine and a deep amber musk.
Wet: Very bright and citrusy-sweet. A bit strident, actually.
Dry-down: Slight spicy quality. More appealing, but still sharp.

- Slytherin
A cauldron bubbling over with tart apple, spicy caraway and a heady cloud of dark incense smoke.
Not as apple-strong as I'd like, but a mysterious, mutable scent fitting the head of that house, Snape. The incense quality is most apparent with this one, but not a total head shop smell either.

(I don't know why I didn't try Ravenclaw too. Maybe next time.)

- Catwoman
A sophisticated and captivating urban scent. Feminine musk paired with just a teeny bit of sweetness, dusted over with touches of leather and catnip.
Wet: Sweet and pleasant.
Dry-down: Kind of sexy and fun with a good lightness. Could use more leather, but the musk is lovely. My only complaint is that it could have more throw. Something named after this character seems like it ought to be stronger.

- Leaf on the Wind
I am a leaf on the wind - watch how I soar. This quote ushered in one of the most triumphant and then suddenly tragic moments in cinematic history. The scent reflects both the triumphant, with a bright and sweet green top note, and the tragic, with a gentle, aquatic undercurrent of tears drying in the wind.
Wet: Urgh. No. Does what BPAL's jasmine notes do with my body chemistry and turns to a quasi-piss smell.
Dry-down: No.

- Persinette
Before Rapunzel, there was Persinette. A beautiful, alluring woman, blessed by the fairy, this scent reflects an entirely girly and sexy combination of pink grapefruit and sweet ginger, with sassy hints of pink peppercorn and a light musk.
Wet: Sweet, in that space between fruity and floral.
Dry-down: Getting the grapefruit most strongly, without smelling like I've squirted grapefruit juice on myself (as I have many times, eating them). It gives it an edge. Maybe that's the peppercorn working, without being obtrusive. This smells pink. But in a good way. A bold pink, not girly-girl. A pink with a bit of fuck you behind it.

- Setite
A slithery, seductive smell. A mixture of sweet forbidden fruit coated with snake venom and an alluring and subtle lemon-lime musk.
Wet: Somewhat soapy, with a hint of spice, a stronger hint of floral.
Dry down: Bitey and bordering on pungent. Not bad but a bit too harsh for my taste. The lemon-lime thankfully does not make it all like cleaning solution or candy — two common results with those notes plus my chemistry.

My favorite recently-acquired scent remains Saltwater by FirebirdBathBody @ Etsy, which is meant to capture the nostalgia of the ocean/seashore... and it does so perfectly. <3

8.) Finally, for those of you who didn't see Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer participating in Amoeba Records "What's In My Bag?": watch it and fall in love with them even more.

philomel — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 03:07:17 GMT

Wishing a beautiful Christmas and happy Yule to all of you who celebrate.

♥

Hobbit high

philomel — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:13:43 GMT

Holy shit, The Hobbit was fucking amazing!!!

Despite some trepidations after reading several reviews, I'm so glad I saw it in IMAX 3D. Full-on immersion in Middle-Earth! What could be better? :D

Also, got to see Benedict Cumberbatch's head about three stories high. The Star Trek preview wasn't half bad either. ;) (Seriously, I'm really excited about that movie. And not simply because of the Cumberbatch voice porn and eye candy.)

Maybe I'll collect my thoughts and write more about The Hobbit later when others of you have seen it.

Or maybe I'll wait until after I see it again. (Right now seems like a good time.)

philomel — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:59:25 GMT

Just a quick post to say the storm didn't knock out our power (for more than a second or two) so far, and everything seems to be all right here. Of course, there's still more rain and wind in the forecast. Haven't seen what the conditions are like outside yet, what with the lack of... oh, what's that thing called again? The sun?

Pretty lucky here. The pictures I've seen of Manhattan and NJ are chilling.

I hope the rest of you in the storm-affected areas are safe, dry, and have experienced as little damage as possible.

Hoping things go ahead as planned with my flight on Thursday. So far, the status has not changed.

philomel — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:38:22 GMT

SHOW IS BACK!

With mysteries! And untold pasts! And hidden stuff!

And classic rock!

And the Impala!

And there was a hug! WE GOT A FUCKING HUG!

The hearkening to previous reunions — as far back as the series premiere — was excellent. The pouncing (oh yes), the water/salt/cutting rituals, Dean's reliance on them, Sam's trust preceding them. It was a fantastic merging of the previously seen with a sense of newness.

I love that it's gone back to the demons, actually. That's where SPN started, so it feels right. On the selfish side, I don't really want all demons eradicated from Earth, because it means no more Crowley. I love me some Mark Sheppard so very much. But if that goal is accomplished, I'm sure it will be toward the end of if not at the very end of the season. Emphasis on if.

The glimpses of Dean in full-on hunter mode — more like a wild animal, a predator amongst predators — were so tantalizing. (Umm, not just in a shallow way. But, yes, also in that way. Rawr.) Although the "one year later" beginning nearly made me groan, I'm looking forward to more insight into his year in purgatory.

Also looking forward to more about Sam's year of settling down, which I wonder about: wonder if it's as simple as he makes it sound. Is anything ever clear-cut with the Winchesters?

While I was surprised that Sam (supposedly) didn't make any attempts to find Dean, assumed him dead, I don't blame him at all for trying to move on and try his hands at a normal life. Like he said, his entire family had died (or so he thought), therefore he'd been given a hard lesson that contradicted the more hunter-oriented attitude he'd grown into. So he reverted back to the normal life desire he'd had long ago. Maybe it represents a giving up of sorts. Maybe it's indicative of maturation. At this point, I'd say it's too early to make that call. But I certainly don't blame him for going that route if he truly believed he was alone. Instead of falling apart like when Dean went to hell, Sam tried to make a life for himself.

And just like the pilot, Dean comes back and pulls Sam back into the dark world of hunting. For better or worse. Hope Amelia doesn't end up on the ceiling.

Of course it breaks my heart to see the boys together but fractured, withholding the truth from each other. But we're used to that now. It's the Winchester way, and it gives the story a chance to unravel.

I want to know more about the southern vampire buddy Dean teamed up with in purgatory. (And am expecting slash.)

I want to know what was up with the glowy shit in Dean's arm.

I also want to know more about what really happened to Cas.

As far as season premieres go, this one feels very promising. A return to the old SPN (I'll admit last season was not my favorite) without retreading the same old territory.

So, is it next Wednesday yet??

philomel — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:26:44 GMT

Thank you for being an amazing, steadfast friend and kindred spirit! You are a beautiful person through and through, and I wish you limitless beauty and joy on your special day. ♥

Love you!

all your favourite eyelashes, all your bluest skin

philomel — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:44:14 GMT

• Completely flabbergasted by the news about Johnny Lewis' death and possible murdering of an elderly woman. Half Sack was one of my favorite characters on Sons of Anarchy.

Speaking of, I completely missed the premiere of SoA this season. So I think I'll catch up later when it goes to Netflix (assuming it does).

• But I did catch the premiere of Never Mind The Buzzcocks (err, thanks to an uploader on YT). Officially liking Noel's shorter hair now, especially with the highlights.

• Still loving this season of Doctor Who, albeit dreading the inevitable.

• Loved Parade's End. I assume it's coming to HBO eventually, so look for it if you get that channel. Stellar cast. Brilliant, understated performance by Benedict.

• The Emmys were disappointing from a Sherlockian perspective. Still, the show did get deserved recognition. And Benedict stuck napkins on his forehead. So it wasn't a total loss. *grin*

• On Tuesday, I got to see David Gray again.

We had amazing seats: 5th row! With two unused spots ahead of us and decently staggered seating, the view was unhindered and clear.

Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance opened. He reminded me a bit of Ray LaMontagne, but quirkier, and with a ridiculous mustache. Engaging and soulful and a definite win for an opening act.

David played with a full band through most of the set, sorting through the hits as well as some rarities. He shared a new song with us — one from the collection he's working on in preparation for his next album. The lyrics to the new song struck me as a bit repetitive and somewhat trite compared to his usual output. But it had a lot of potential, and it was a treat to hear something new from him.

The set flowed from bursts of energy to quieter, low-key moments.

The highlight for me was when the band left the stage and David performed two songs solo with acoustic guitar — particularly the first song. "Tidal Wave," a castoff piece tucked away on his Lost Songs collection, has long been one of my favorite songs by him. So simple yet heartfelt and tenderly visceral. I never expected him to perform it live. Furthermore, it's a song that I have come to associate with Shannon. Thus it was an incredible surprise to hear him test out the opening chords to it, knowing just what he was about to launch into, and holding my breath, hoping he wouldn't change his mind and not play it. I wanted to call Shannon, let her hear it too. Yet it was so quiet, the audience attentive and the acoustics so perfect, I didn't dare move.

Songs played (I'm not even attempting the chronological setlist):
First Chance
Fugitive
Draw The Line
Jackdaw
Babylon
Please Forgive Me
My Oh My
Sail Away With Me
This Year's Love
From Here You Can Almost See The Sea
Tidal Wave
Nightblindness (w/ "Purple Rain" ending")
The One I Love
Lately

I'm sure I'm missing a few others (possibly "Hospital Food"?), but that's all I can remember now.

David's voice sounds as strong as ever. His head-bobbing continues to be a contagious sight. :) However, I detected a slight reservedness throughout the set. Comments like one about us all "gathering together in our shared misery" (paraphrasing) puzzled me a bit, especially as that was said shortly before "Tidal Wave," an unabashed love song and quite misery-free.

While my hopes for a Van Morrison cover were unmet, David did launch into a few brief covers, including all of the Beatles "Money (That's What I Want)," a snippet of the Supreme's "Baby Love," and the aforementioned partial Prince cover. There were others but, again, my memory fails me. He did make a comment that doing things in pairs seemed to be the theme for the night, hence a lot of the covers came in twos. He then joked about it being an OCD thing.

Overall, it was a beautiful performance.

• Once again, I've fallen behind. But I'll try to catch up with comments as soon as possible. And I am reading (the few posts) y'all share and commenting as much as I can. I hope you are all well. <3

between the viaducts of your dreams

philomel — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 23:57:52 GMT

• Does anyone know if Hobbit action figures are out there yet? I assume they will be made, but am curious if anyone has spied any. I know I told myself I was done with that, and even sold some of my LOTR figures out of desperation (and, yes, I do miss them). But I think I need a Bilbo — a Martin!Bilbo — assuming they follow the quality of the LOTR output and create a figure that truly looks like Martin as Bilbo. Okay, and I'll probably want a Smaug when he comes out, let's be honest.

• Looking forward to the Emmys tomorrow night. Hoping the Sherlock gang gets some deserved recognition.

• Thursday night, I took myself to see Glen Hansard.

First off, this is the first time I've gone to a Philly show, in Philly, by myself. Previous shows I've gone to by myself were well outside of the city, in safer areas. So there was some nervousness there. The worst, of course, is suffering through the downtime before the start of the show and between acts when you are shy, introverted, and full of the anxiety. But I made it through and it was worth it.

The Lost Boys, a charming Irish duo, opened. Their sound stays in the folk and rockabilly range. With the ginger lead sporting Buddy Holly glasses and the lead guitarist dressing like Marcus Mumford, they felt like they belonged to another era. But in a way that reminded me of Justin Townes Earle and other similar artists who cull from the past without sounding dated.

Glen... I don't even know where to begin. Put all the superlatives in front of me, and I wouldn't be able to choose just one or even a few. He captivates, he croons, he brings laughter and joy, and chills and near-tears. His voice lulls and shreds, digs deep into you and soars back up, taking you with it. He is a roller coaster ride.

It was my first time seeing him live, in any incarnation, and it was a transcendent first time.

I arrived at the venue early enough to grab a good spot near the front, maybe 4 or 5 people back from the stage. Miraculously, there were no tall people in front of me. In fact, there was a sea of shortness before me. \m/ There was a Padalecki-sized man toward the middle of the crowd, of whom I stayed very aware and very clear. Heh. At one point, some short-ass girls (shorter than me) asked to switch places with him. So I knew I was safe. Except, these short-ass girls had no consideration for the space they took up. Despite plenty of room in front of them, one kept bumping into me with her arm, her back, or her damn handbag. Seriously, ladies, can you not bring smaller bags to shows? Or place them on the ground, between your feet? Or leave them in the fucking car? I had nowhere to go to create more space between us, so I just put up with her. However, my faith in humanity was reaffirmed when this teeny, tiny girl to my left slipped into the space in front of me and actually turned around and asked me if I could see. Bless, I could see perfectly over her wee head.

Anyway, I digressed a bit there. But, the point is, I had a marvelous view of Glen. And the guitar. You know the guitar. People cheered for it. :)

I could also see Colm (violinist) rather well, although I was so sucked in to Glen's performance that it was difficult to drag my eyes away from him. The entire band — many of them borrowed from Levon Helm's band, if not Frames members (like Colm and drummer Graham) — were stellar.

I'm uncertain of the setlist, and my google-fu has failed me so far. But I believe it was very close to the D.C. setlist I found:

The Storm, It's Coming
Talking With The Wolves
Love Don't Leave Me Waiting
Philander
When Your Mind's Made Up
Seven Day Mile
Low Rising
Bird Of Sorrow
Leave
In These Arms/Back Broke
Astral Weeks
Moving On
High Hope
This Gift
Fitzcarraldo
encore:
Say It To Me Now
Gold
Tennessee Blues led by the Lost Brothers (with Glen on bass)
Drive All Night/Song Of Good Hope
Don't Do It/Passing Through

He also did the Frames' "What Happens When the Heart Just Stops" (heart-wrenching), so it wasn't a carbon copy of the previous night's set.

Somewhere in the encore, I believe before or after "Song Of Good Hope," he inserted a bit of the Irish traditional "The Parting Glass," stopping at one point to request 15 shots of Jameson from the bar for everyone on stage. Eventually, that request was filled, and Glen passed around the shots to all the band members as well as some people off stage (roadies, I'd guess) because they'd been brought extras. We all finished the song with our hands raised as if holding shot glasses, singing along, in remembrance of those we've lost. It was amazing.

According to an article (linked below) he covered Bruce Springsteen's "Sad Eyes," but I don't know much Springsteen so I don't know if that was in place of or in addition to "Drive All Night." (Could've sworn there was a bit of "Drive All Night" however.)

Oh, and he also sang "Happy Birthday" to someone in a Leonard Cohen-esque voice that had me giggling.

Now, let me talk about how fucking blissed out I was when I realized he was covering "Astral Weeks." Because I shivered through the song, it was that THAT thrilling to me. I'd never heard him cover it before on any recording, nor was I aware that he did cover it. Of course, he's done several other Van Morrison songs, so it wasn't surprising. But "Astral Weeks" is one of my top favorite Van songs, up there with "And It Stoned Me," "Madame George," and maybe one or two others. I LOVED every minute of it, including when he added a bit of Pearl Jam's "Smile" to the end, while layering noisy guitar parts into the explosive ending. It was probably the biggest highlight of the night for me.

(ETA: Okay, I just pulled out a live Swell Season recording I have, and "Astral Weeks" is on it. So, apparently I did know he covered it. I just didn't know that I knew. You know?)

The other major highlight was the beginning of the encore. Glen came out to do "Say It To Me Now" by himself, without any mics or other amplification. I know he's done this before, but that doesn't make it any less powerful. This is the song that made me fall in love with his music. Everything I'd heard and enjoyed before paled to that early moment in Once where he sings it: raw, ripping your heart out, ripping out his own and showing it to you, bare and vulnerable.

Then, after, Colm came out, and they covered "Gold" — Interference's contribution to the Once soundtrack. So, so incredibly beautiful. Also, Glen told of how Fergus O'Farrell (Interference) confessed to writing this song about a Native American's love for his/her land... not about a girl, as Glen had originally thought. <3

In all, he played for approximately 2 1/2 hours. Although my feet were varying between numb and worryingly in pain by the end of the night, the time flew by. Glen and his band were simply that engrossing.

Video of the Lost Boys playing "Now That The Night Has Come."

Video of Glen breaking out some "Respect." (Prompted, iirc, by a guy in the audience with whom Glen had been bantering throughout the night. The guy said he wanted to dance with Glen, and Glen kind of coyly flirted with him in response. Too adorable.)

Video of "Falling Slowly." Performed with a girl from the audience who'd apparently won some cover song contest. She was cute and quite good too.

Video of "Astral Weeks."

Video of "Say It To Me Now."

Video of "Gold." (Aww, the hug at the end!)

Review of the show from The Inquirer.

• On Tuesday, I'm going to see David Gray. Then there's Ray LaMontagne and Of Monsters And Men in the mid-to-latter part of November. I might go see Lord Huron in October, but that's a Monday night show, and I'm starting to think I should reserve work nights for artists I really, really want to see. Plus, there's all the standing.

• Holding off on watching the last part of Parade's End because, well, I don't want it to be over. However, folks on Tumblr have kindly spoiled me for some of the ending already. If I'd read the Ford Madox Ford novel, that wouldn't be such a big deal. But I never read it, and would have preferred to not learn certain things that I have already learned.

• On that note, I'm avoiding Tumblr until I watch tonight's episode of Doctor Who. Wish people there were more conscientious.

• Oh, and happy autumnal equinox. Summer, you may stay around a little longer anyway. I won't mind.

talking with the wolves

philomel — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:18:29 GMT

Bearers of happiness:

• The new trailer for The Hobbit! !!!

• Mumford & Sons' Babel. Soooo good.

• An autographed version of Ryan Bingham's new album, Tomorrowland, arrived in my mailbox today.

• Darling pandas from raynemaiden and tabularassa. Thank you!

• SPN S7 gag reel.

• Other TV: Jeopardy's back from reruns. Another solid Doctor Who last Saturday. And I'm officially sold on Parade's End. I wish the final episode wasn't this week.

• The Bon Iver concert last Sunday.

Anaïs Mitchell opened. Her music was good, but it lost my attention. More gauzy than gripping.

Bon Iver was excellent. I wasn't quite as wowed as the last (and first) time I saw them... him... them. Whatever. Point is, nevertheless: still incredibly awesome. Captivating from start to finish.

The set dressing included this raggedy material hanging from overhead, like Spanish moss gone wild. Images were occasionally projected onto it, such as bare tree branches during the "Christmas night" verse of "Holocene." The lighting was less seizure-inducing than the last time I saw them, and included candelabra-esque lights all along the stage, mostly toward the front, that seemed to enclose the band without obscuring them. During "Skinny Love," for example, these lights pulsed in synchronization with the percussion.

Justin did some chatting, but mostly allowed the music to speak for itself. I love how the songs keep evolving in the live setting, growing not only from the presence of so many musicians, but growing from the studio versions, growing further in the process of touring. They've become grander without becoming excessive. They've morphed without losing any integrity.

And Justin Vernon may still be the only person capable of using auto-tune without sounding like an emotionless automaton.

No, emotion and potency are not things that Bon Iver is short on.

Here's the setlist:
Woods
Perth
Minnesota, WI
Towers
Flume
Hinnom, TX
Wash.
Holocene
Blood Bank
Skinny Love
Creature Fear
Calgary
13 Lisbon, OH
Beth/Rest
encore:
The Wolves (Act I and II)
For Emma

Here is a better review, with pictures.

Video of "Holocene."

Video of "Skinny Love."

The antithesis:

• Work. It has been a trial this week. Of patience and blood pressure and my tolerance for being treated like a doormat. Gopher, scapegoat, doormat. Those items were not in the job description.

But! More sources of happiness:

• Glen Hansard concert Thursday night!

• My beautiful girlfriend.

(Yes, it ended on a sappy note. Deal with it.)

i better be quiet now

philomel — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:40:21 GMT

So I just found out that Jensen is singing a cover of "Angeles" on Steve Carlson's new album. You can listen to a snippet here.

On one hand, I'm happy that we get to hear Jensen sing some more. But, one the other (quite a bit larger and, yes, this is metaphorically speaking, as I'm not that disproportionate) hand, it's Elliott.

We're talking near-sacred territory here.

I... I'm not sure I want to hear the full song. Yeah, I said it.

ETA: I should add that I don't hold any negative feelings toward Jensen for choosing the song. In fact, I respect and like him more for liking the song enough to want to cover it. There's just that bit of extra sensitivity when it comes to Elliott Smith for me. That said, I do like the Decemberists' cover of "Clementine" and both Glen Phillips' and the Civil Wars's cover of "Between the Bars" (although Glen started performing that cover back when Elliott was still alive which, somehow, makes a difference).

In other news, I have scratches on my glasses that are very noticeable when I wear them. Gonna see if my optometrist is open tomorrow and if the scratches are shallow enough to be buffed out.

In other news (oh, so much news), I'm still playing catch up. Sorry. :/
I do hope you all are well. <3

philomel — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 22:15:21 GMT

Thanks to zimshan for sharing this:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Anti-abortion extremists mainstreamed to GOP leadership.

Rachel Maddow traces the recent history of Republican politicians making arguments about the legitimacy of rape victims' rights and shows that extreme positions are no longer contained in the party's fringe but have been elevated to the top of the Republican ticket with the selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate. Frank Rich, writer-at-large for New York Magazine, joins for analysis.

it's my worried mind that you quiet

philomel — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 18:56:58 GMT

• Happy Birthday to zelda_zee!
I hope it is a lovely day for you!

• On the 17th, I saw Band Of Horses and My Morning Jacket live. I'm a bigger fan of Band Of Horses, but both bands were fabulous.

Highlights include:

- Sara buying me a My Morning Jacket shirt with owls on it. Owls! I was torn between that one and the Band Of Horses shirt with an owl on it. So many owls!
- Band Of Horses plowing through their set like a fucking whirlwind and being generally amazing.
- Jim James' 1970s-esque stripey cape (which you can see here).
- My Morning Jacket's brilliant cover of "Rocket Man."
- Lighting for My Morning Jacket. Actually, "highlight" is rather literal, with the lights being very highly lit and strobing at times. I'm pretty sure they did permanent damage to our retinas. Next time I'd prefer a low-light.
- Jim James dancing like James Brown on speed.
- Leaving two hours into My Morning Jacket's set because we both had to get up early for work the next day, and thus getting caught in the rain. Okay, not entirely fun, but somewhat funny, near mud-sliding included.

Band Of Horses' setlist:

The First Song
Northwest Apartment
The Great Lake Salt
new song
Marry Song
Infinite Arms
Detlef Schrempf
No One’s Gonna Love You
Everything’s Gonna Be Undone (new song)
Weed Party
Is There A Ghost
The Funeral

My Morning Jacket's setlist:

X-Mas Curtain
First Light
Outta My System
Holdin' On To Black Metal
Mahgeetah
Into The Woods
Evelyn Is Not Real
Gideon
The Bear
Rocket Man
Strangulation!
It Beats 4 U
Steam Engine
Victory Dance
Circuital
Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2
Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 1
Wordless Chorus
Run Thru
Smokin' From Shootin'
encore
Wonderful (The Way I Feel) <-- apparently with BoH's Ben Bridwell!
I'm Amazed
It Makes No Difference (The Band cover)
Off The Record
One Big Holiday

I think we left sometime during one of the last two songs prior to the encore, because I definitely remember hearing all of "Wordless Chorus." I'm a bit sad that we missed Ben joining them onstage. But, on the other hand, we dodged the mad post-concert traffic and I got home in time to catch a handful of hours of sleep.

• Joshua James played a free show in Lancaster on the 19th. I considered going, but when no one else was able to join me, I decided it was best to skip it and simply rest after work. Besides, I think it would be better to see him in a proper venue, if my experience with seeing Horse Feathers at a free summer park series is anything to go by. The next concerts will be toward the end of September: Bon Iver again, then Glen Hansard, then David Gray (having not seen him since he toured for Life In Slow Motion — can't wait!).

• The debut, self-titled Milo Greene album is beautifully addictive. If you've heard their Civil Wars tour EP or any of the songs previously released through their site, then you've already heard about half the album. But it all flows together wonderfully. Such gorgeous harmonies.

• Got The Hunger Games on dvd, but haven't had a chance to watch anything yet.

• Likewise, haven't had a chance to watch the first part of Parade's End yet (sad but true Cumberfact).

• Doctor Who returns next weekend! (I hope there will be downloads somewhere for the BBC America-less saps like me.)

• I get to see Shannon in November!!! ♥
It's pretty much all I can think about.

philomel — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:30:36 GMT

Happy Birthday, halfdutch! :D

I'm sorry I wasn't able to prepare anything special for your day. However, if you would like a mix of any kind, please let me know (theme, artists, genre, whatever strikes your fancy) and I will be happy to put one together for you. :)

Here's hoping you have a beautiful and relaxing day, and a much less stressful year ahead of you.

♥

philomel — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:52:26 GMT

1.) Via nutmeg3:

I'd heard a while back about kiva.org, which allows you to make micro-loans (as little as $25) to help people in developing countries fund a business, and recent commercials reminded me that it was something I wanted to try. I just made my first loan, and I was given this link: http://www.kiva.org/invitedby/leslie4832/for/446003 If any of you join, we each get $25 to loan to someone. (I'm not sure if you have to make a loan first or just sign up.) It's a really good idea and a well-regarded charity, so if you can afford it, why not help someone earn their way out of poverty?

FYI, Kiva offers a free trial loan of $25 to start off (and you can choose which business/individual the money goes toward) — that is, free to you. So if you're not rolling in the dough, you can still do something.

2.) New Bob Mould track. *thumbs up*

3.) Amazing/disquieting video for Tom Waits' "Hell Broke Luce."

4.) Last night was Good Old War at the Union Transfer. Performance = lively and lovely. Audience = too many talkers. (Seriously, concertgoers, why are you spending that much to yap through an entire show? Do you not know about these places called bars?) Really, desertgoddess and I were just happy they did "Coney Island." Also, they did a delightful version of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)." That always makes me think of Beetlejuice. :)

somebody has been there for us and deep-dived the words

philomel — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:16:33 GMT

1.) Tom Waits performing the heck out of "Chicago" on Letterman.

2.) I started reading Jeanette Winterson's memoir, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?, today during break. Instantly fell back in love with her writing, her thought processes, her gift for wielding words. Also once again experiencing my typical Winterson-specific problem of wanting to underline every damn line.

It's interesting to see her tackle the truth and fiction behind Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit directly rather than dismiss that novel as any sort of autobiography, as she'd done for many years.

3.) If anyone has yet to see this awesome scroll-able image of scenes from The Hobbit, check it out now. *hobbity squee*

4.) There are only two scones left. My half a cup of remaining tea is telling me: Eat them. You know how good they taste with me. Dammit, tea, when you're right, you're right.

5.) Tried the rest of my fragrances from delightfulriot.

• Castiel

Maker's description: A softer, clean masculine scent. A hint of frankincense, touched with heavy wet clouds and the worn cotton of a khaki trench coat.

My reaction: A clean, soapy scent. It doesn't make me think of Castiel so much as a guy stepping out of a shower. Which makes me think of Dean. Which might work for all you Dean/Castiel kids. ;)

• Blood Bath

Maker's description: A sexy, romantic bath with a vampire. Crisp water soaked with rose petals and a trickle of blood and musk.

My reaction: A deceptive rosy scent. I've never been crazy about rose scents — unless it's an actual rose I'm smelling. So I've no real desire to wear this. But if I had to choose a rose-based fragrance, I'd go with this one as it is nicely light and almost watery, like catching a faint whiff of the flowers on a breeze after a light summer rain.

Not so much with the blood bath, then. Maybe just a bath. Birdbath.

• Boba

Maker's description: A sweet fragrance, reminiscent of your favorite bubble tea! With notes of sweet milk, cinnamon and spice tea, and a touch of black coconut, this is a definite foodie scent, with a mild and sweet dry down.

My reaction: First thing: I want to drink this! Foodie indeed. Chai lovers will adore it. I adore it.

It's exactly as it says on the tin. Guh. Wonderful. Its only drawback is its lack of throw.

• Creeper

Maker's description: Ssssss... That's a nice everything you have... A powder keg stuffed with sweet lime and grass, this scent is innocuous at first with a smoky, spicy undertone.

My reaction: Green. Wet, the herbal note dominates. I probably imagined it, but I swear I caught the vaguest hint of mint leaves. A very fresh, light scent for the most part with a subtle smokey/spicy dry down that doesn't detract from the greenness.

• Die Gute Fee

Maker's description: A strikingly unique and quirky green scent. The odd and alluring mixture of lime, fig and white cinnamon brings about the sparkling image of The Good Fairy that pops up here and there throughout the fairy tale world.

My reaction: Initially, it hits hard. Sharp and almost too-sweet. Then its wickedness comes out to play. The cinnamon and fig darken it, make it richer and more complex. It pulls you in, as you try to puzzle it out. Green, yes, but a wet, dark, ripening green, tempered by brown. Olive green, really. Sensuous and addictive. Excellent throw and longevity as well.

Like Boba, it's a bury-your-nose-in-your-arm-and-inhale-repeatedly kind of scent.

• Djinni

Maker's description: Be careful what you wish for. What seems sugary and charming at first, with notes of lychee, black coconut and yuzu, soon reveals to have a sinister and smoky interior, curls of copal and dark musks floating out of what seemed to be nothing but sweet.

My reaction: Sharp start, with the lychee coming in fruity and sweet. I really longed for the black coconut to come out in this, as coconut is one of my favorite smells, but I can't detect it at all. The scent mellows over time, gains a muskiness that improves upon the bursting beginning.

• P.G.G.B.

Maker's description: Invented by Zaphod Beeblebrox, the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is described as "the alcoholic equivalent of a mugging - expensive and bad for the head" and drinking one "is like having your brain smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick".

With a bright lemon top note backed by a tropical, fruity scent, Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is reminiscent of a posh, pricey cocktail.

My reaction: Lemon candy, lemon zest, lemon wood polish. That's how it starts. But then the fruitiness takes on a more natural quality of non-cloying tang. Nevertheless, a scent for lemon-lovers exclusively.

• Poison Apple

Maker's description: An apple that bites back. With notes of green apple, lime and crisp, aquatic musk, this scent brings about the image of the poison apple that plagued the princesses of so many childhood fairy tales.

My reaction: Almost candy-sweet at first. Crystalline. Not as distinctively apple-y as I would have liked, and actually a bit too close to cleaning solution. As I usually adore apple scents, this is very disappointing, to be honest. BPAL's Hesperides does it better.

6.) Oh shit, I finished my tea before getting up to get the scones. Do I make another cup or save the scones for another day?

philomel — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:31:05 GMT

*scentgasm*

I got my order of (mostly) fannish scents from Delightfulriot on Etsy today!

Already tried Loki, Thor, Sherlock, TARDIS, Sonic Screwdriver, and '67 Chevy Impala.

In order tested:

• Loki

Maker's description: Smoke and mirrors. Notes of deep green herbs, incense smoke and a touch of frost. In true Loki fashion, I can't quite figure out if this is primarily a masculine or feminine scent. I think it's rather ambiguous, and could work for either.

My reaction: Initially, I found this to be too harsh, too cologne-like. Once dry, it goes slightly sweet and becomes more bearable. Then it disappears. Fitting for Loki. But not something I'd care to wear often.

• Thor

Maker's description: The scent of a thunderstorm. Rain, wet and heavy in the air, soaking through earth and trees alike, with a crackling note of ozone. I would say this scent is primarily masculine wet, though when it dries down it's far more androgynous.

My reaction: This is surprisingly lovely. Earthy and green and wet, but not the least bit oppressive. There's an electricity to it, like the hum of a faded storm, but nothing more. Comforting.

• Sherlock

Maker's description: Elementary. Based on the famous detective in literature, this scent includes a helping of pipe tobacco, spice cognac, 19th century cologne and stacks of dusty papers on old bookshelves. This is another unisex fragrance.

My reaction: This somehow manages to smell nothing at all like the description. All those elements are subtle, layering themselves into something singularly different. Even my beloved tobacco is a minor player in the overall impact of the scent. But, oh, it's gorgeous. I feel like there's a whiff of apple in there, taunting perfectly. A touch of sweetness and a touch of spice, but mostly it hangs out in the shadows. Still, it draws me in.

Actually, it reminds me a little of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's Samhain (2007) — one of my favorite BPAL scents.

• TARDIS

Maker's description: Inspired by the famous blue police box, this scent is the interpretation of a blueberry steeped English breakfast tea.

My reaction: Wet = whoa blueberry! But less foody than you'd expect. The tea note seeps in to create something warm and inviting. Yet the scent seems to fade and reappear. Could that be more appropriate?

• Sonic Screwdriver

Maker's description: Sweeter than it's partner, this scent is based in the same blue tone, but much more vibrant, with hints of heat and light in the form of mandarin and passion flower.

My reaction: Definitely a sweeter scent than TARDIS, and not really comparable in any way. The mandarin and passion flower (closer to passion fruit) come out loud. There's a suitable metallic ting to this. A nice, bright scent for spring/summer.

• '67 Chevy Impala

Maker's description: A man's scent. Bay rum, spiked with graveyard dirt, gunpowder, a touch of leather and a ring of salt, with an overtone of masculine musk. This scent comes on strong. A dab'll do ya.

My reaction: This is strong, but not heachache-inducing and not as masculine as the description states. It is earthy and salty and herbal. A little dirty. I could imagine worse smells associated with the Impala. (*cough* extra onions *cough*) But this is very pleasant. It smells like adventure and dark bends in the road you approach head-on.

ETA: The saltiness picks up as time goes on. And all I can think is: single, perfect man tear. *grin*

Only eight more fragrances to go!

oscillation upon the pavement always means an affaire de coeur

philomel — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 01:37:32 GMT

I finally saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows tonight. While I enjoyed it just as much as Ritchie's first Sherlock Holmes film, loved the visuals, adored RDJ and Jude Law and Jared Harris (who I felt did a lovely turnabout as Moriarty, from benign to sadistic) and Noomi Rapace and Stephen Fucking Fry (possibly stealing the movie with one particular scene), I couldn't help but find that it paled in comparison to Sherlock.

It's not fair to compare and contrast the two. As others have said, there is plenty of room for all of the many (many, many, many) versions of Doyle's classic tales.

But, my god, Moffat and Gatiss have ruined me for all other versions. Benedict and Martin have become the quintessential Holmes and Watson — or Sherlock and John — now. And I cannot see others without their light being dimmed, outshone by what the Mofftiss has created.

I'm not even sure I'd enjoy the canon as much were it not for the way it unravels elements that are woven into the show.

Okay, going to go watch (re-watch, technically, but this time a non-grainy, non-pirated) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy so I that I can return it to Redbox tomorrow. I needed a Cumberbatch fix... something that wouldn't rip me apart quite as much as a re-watch of Third Star or Hawking.

Yes, it all comes back to Benedict these days.^*

In fact, I couldn't quite place Jared Harris while watching Game Of Shadows, though I recognized his face (besides the resemblance to his father). So of course I go to imdb, only to find out he was in To The Ends Of The Earth with Benedict. Incestuous, I tell you. *g*

Later... eventually... I will catch up with comments, etc. I promise.
I hope you all are well.

[* Note: of course I still love Supernatural (and my other fandoms) immensely. Don't think the SPN love has gone away. It's a thief of hearts, capturing them and crawling inside to burrow down permanently. Luckily, hearts come with multiple chambers.]

Sherlock fanmix: up until you hit the ground

philomel — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:50:34 GMT

It seems like this was a long time coming. I mean, I had a mix for The Hunger Games within a week of finishing Mockingjay. Almost immediately after watching S4 of Doctor Who, I put together a mix for that run of the show. I can't recall exactly how long it took me to start on my first Supernatural mix, but it was only a few months after getting into the series.

Yet I've been a fan of Sherlock for over a year and a half, and a full-fledged fangirl since January, with no mix to show for it.

Until now.

It's for science, Jawn!

up until you hit the ground
A Sherlock (BBC) mix.

This covers "A Study In Pink" through "The Reichenbach Fall." It may contain a John/Sherlock slant, but only if you look for it. (Not that you have to look very hard. Ahem.)

1. Zoë Keating - Lost
[Instrumental solo cello piece by a contemporary artist. I thought sticking to strings as often as possible — even if the featured instrument was not a violin — was important, for obvious reasons. Lots of quiet tension sets the stage for the place John Watson's life is at when we first meet him and where his life is headed.]

2. DJ Shadow - Midnight In A Perfect World
[Melodic but repetitious electronica, chosen more for the atmosphere and the title than the lyrics sung by the female vocalist (which focus on love). This song is for John's sleepless nights post-Afghanistan/pre-Sherlock as well as for the "perfect world" he soon inhabits, occupying his time with the adventures Sherlock drags him on, often eschewing any adherence to "normal" hours.]

3. Bad Religion - All Good Soldiers
[This requires some hand-waving at the references to the American president. Otherwise, it's another John-centric selection, alluding to his military background. Of course you could replace "president" with "Sherlock" in the line: "All good soldiers... will go anywhere the president says." And instead of "god," the higher power could be Sherlock's own intellect.]

4. Leila Josefowicz - Ernst's Le Roi Des Aulnes (Grand Caprice for Solo Violin after Schubert D. 328 "Erlkönig")
[Instrumental solo violin piece based on Franz Schubert's lieder (solo vocal and piano song) "Erlkönig," which was based on Goethe's poem of the same name. To crudely summarize and rephrase, it's about being lured in to another world, possibly to one's death. The game is on.]

5. Jon Brion - Play The Game
[A cover of the Queen song. One of many on-the-nose "game" references throughout the mix. It's a three patch problem.

When you're feeling down and your resistance is low,
Light another cigarette and let yourself go.

This is also where you may or may not choose to start seeing indications of John/Sherlock.]

6. Thievery Corporation - Doors Of Perception (featuring Gunjan)
[Instrumental electronica with a vaguely Eastern flavor that can represent "The Blind Banker" as easily as it could illustrate the general mystery and on-the-edge pace of each case.]

7. Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives
[Another too-easy choice. I couldn't help myself.

But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart.]

8. James Vincent McMorrow - Wicked Game
[A moment of reflection. And prescience.

I'd never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you.
I'd never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you.

Note: Cumberbatch fans may be familiar with McMorrow already because of the heart-wrenching accompaniment of his "Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree" to the final scene of Third Star.]

9. King Creosote - You've No Clue Do You
[Cluedo lyrics! How could I resist? Also, here's the luster coming off Sherlock's genius, with a nice dash of humor.

There's few good moves in there for some,
That even you've avoided,
With no small success.]

10. Wild Nothing - Bored Games
[Yes, we have a segue. ;) Hopefully the song won't make you want to shoot at the wall.

Where are you going?
Can I come with you?
I don't feel right without you.]

11. Julia Kent - Schiphol
[Another instrumental solo cello piece by a contemporary artist. Schiphol is the main airport in Amsterdam as well as a train station — neither of which bears any importance on this selection within the mix. Her style is quite similar to Zoë Keating's, so I chose this piece to create some consistency. I also liked the atmosphere being both lulling yet with an ominous air of discord. Also the simple layers coming together to create a complexity reminds me of the baroque form, which crops up in other areas of the mix and, in my opinion, suits Sherlock (and Sherlock the character) well.]

12. U2 - So Cruel
[A bit of an Irene versus Sherlock theme here. This is the darker side of Sherlock's persona, but also Irene's: manipulating to get what they want. It's Sherlock boiling love down to science and calculations, and hurting others in the process. Including John.

And you don't know if it's fear or desire,
Danger the drug that takes you higher.]

13. Björk - I've Seen It All (featuring Thom Yorke)
["You see but you do not observe." I hear this as both an internal argument within Sherlock as well as an external dialogue between him and John.

I've seen it all.
I've seen the dark.
I've seen the brightness in one little spark.
I've seen what I choose and I've seen what I need.
And that is enough.]

14. Felix Ayo & I Musici - Vivaldi's Concerto for Violin and Strings in E-Flat, Op. 8/5, RV 253 "La tempesta di mare": III. Presto
[Instrumental baroque piece for strings. This features a rather frenetic violin that reminds me a bit of how Sherlock's brain might work. (As such, I used it in a John/Sherlock fanfic.)]

15. Love Spit Love - Am I Wrong
[A fly in the ointment.

And I've seen
You don't need their seeds
When their dirt goes in deep
...
Am I wrong?]

16. Hüsker Dü - Friend, You've Got To Fall
[Every night it's gotta be adventure.
The way you live your life's a crime.
And if you're guilty, will you serve the sentence?
You're already doing time.]

17. Yo-Yo Ma, Kenneth Cooper - J.S. Bach's Viola Da Gamba Sonata #1 In G, BWV 1027 - 3. Andante
[Baroque piece played on cello and harpsichord. As you can guess, it was partly chosen because of Moriarty's mention of Bach in "The Reichenbach Fall." Additionally, the andante movement contains a melancholy that works for the episode, particularly as realization hits Sherlock... and as it hits John, seeing his friend on the rooftop. It also serves to represent the aftermath.]

18. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
[Mostly John, after the fall.

Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places.]

19. Mark Lanegan Band - Harborview Hospital
[Not St. Bartholomew's, but close enough.

One part Sherlock:
And all around this place I was a sad disgrace.

Another part John:
And with a vacant stare I’ll leave a flower there.]

20. Zoë Keating - Escape Artist
[Instrumental solo cello piece bringing some symmetry. But the title, of course, hints at Sherlock's reveal at the finale of "The Reichenbach Fall."]

To downolad the mix, copy and paste the following:

www.mediafire.com/?a2sfaj78dpyzf3k

Or listen at 8tracks.

Feedback always appreciated. ♥