IE Begone!

So, after running Norton 2004, CWShredder, SpyBot, and Stinger, my IE is still riddled with crapola links. So I've officially switched to Mozilla. There are things I like more (the feel, more security) and things I like less (the backround on my journal now scrolls, the bookmarks need to be redone). But overall, I'll deal with it. I'm now a red dino kinda gal.

YA Novel Update

I also, thanks to my boyfriend, now have Microsoft Word. Which means I get to start writing. If you can see this post and you have asked to be added to my beta-team list, you have been added. I need an icon for those posts. :)

Christopher Pike-ishness

So. I did IM him. It was very brief-- I told him that I had no desire to come of as a obnoxious fan wanting his time. I just told him that I appreciate his writing and I wish him the best of luck... and that I'm looking forward to Alosha. Which, buy the way, he said will be delayed for two months due to cover issues. Bah.

I do believe I've read a book of his that I didn't like, though. The Grave. It seemed shoddily written as opposed to his other YA titles. Kind of as if he'd written as he went along. The plot was meandering, there was no consistent characterization... and I'm sorry. Pan? PAN?? lm, I'm dying to find out what you thought of it. I mean, it was an interesting corner to turn... it just didn't feel like it fit. At all.

Witchy Reads

On the actual witchcraft front, I'll be posting my thoughts on Venecia Rauls' (thesecondcircle) The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan. I also picked up Patricia Monaghan's The Goddess Path from the library in hopes of finding incantation inspiration, and I got The Accidental Buddhist to hopefully help me with meditation.

In fictitious witchy reads, I've started Cate Tiernan's Sweep series. Would anyone be interested in reviews, possibly contrasted with Isobel Bird's Circle of Three Series? I'm thinking I might do a book review page on witchy reads, both fictitious and non-fictional. I've got my sights set on Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic as well.

As of now, off I go to check my account balance. I'm thinking some technology-oriented planet must be doing the wonky right now... let's hope my money deposited safely.

1. Your LiveJournal user name & what it means:

Sihaya was Paul's secret name for Chani in Frank Herber's Dune. I thought that it was absolutely beautiful, especially as it means "desert springtime" among other religious implications. I paired it with my favorite number- 9.

2. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) how well does your LiveJournal represent who you actually are?

Seven, maybe. It's got a lot of the day to day and most of the thoughts, but I can be very sarcastic, and that rarely comes through. Also, there is so much about life that you simply cannot capture in words. My journal is an honest place, but words rarely capture the essence of a person.

( Cut for length.Collapse )

I am a complete and utter candle-holic. I admit it.

There are several scents that I consider vital to my existance. Among these scents are:

Yankee Candle Midsummer's Night - A deep black candle, scented like musk. For some reason, whenever I light this candle, my creativity just flows. The scent, to me, is very conducive to writing. I'm nearly out, and if I want this whole writing thing to work, I'm gonna have to get another jar. Maybe even a big pillar.

Yankee Candle Harvest - This is Autumn in a jar. It's warm and spicy, but not too sweet, as Yankee's other Autumn-themed candles tend to be (yes, I am a conoisseur). I'm out of this, so I'll have to get another jar by fall.

Yankee Candle Patchouli - Discontinued!! There is something special about this patchouli that puts it above the rest. So much so that Mike stole my jar when I had it. :) I have resorted to eBay. Hopefully I'll have a 14.5 oz jar of it soon.

Yankee Candle Macintosh - Crisp apple. It never fails to put me in a better mood because it is light, airy, and not too overpoweringly fruity.

PartyLite Amber Dream - PartyLite is all sorts of ridiculous expensive. But they do burn incredibly well-- they liquify completely so there isn't much wax left over when they're done, which results in longer burning time. Amber Dream is a new scent, and it, to me, is the smell of really good sex. Yes. The problem? You can only get it at PartyLite parties. Which I think is stupid. So, once again with the eBay. I stretched my dozen votives out over half a year, they're so precious to me. I bid on a 7"x5" pillar for $8.50, only to later find the same one for $2.00 under a misspelling. It looks as if I'll win the $8.50 though (*knocks on wood*), and even with shipping, I suppose I should at least be glad that it's less than it'd cost through the retailer?

Target Tahitian Vanilla - This is the perfect relaxation scent for a night with the books. It's very smooth, and it's more interesting than the average bland vanilla candle. Target's Champagne candle is divine as well, and they always have the cutest holders. My favorite was votives in a mini-wineglass with real wineglass rings attached. And they make prayer-sized candles that I love but am currently out of. They make awesome moodlighting and leave a fluted shotglass when they're done. :)

And Yankee also discontinued Stargazer Lily. I still have half a jar, though. Witness me pout.

As for other scents -

Bath and Body Works Sandalwood Rose - Heather turned me on to this. It's womanly, yet not very floral. It's seductive without being overly sweet. I only have the essential oil blend of this. I'm in love with the sugar scrub and need to get some more.

Bath and Body Works Blue Palmarosa Lavender - The perfect thing to relax me. Which is why I have it as a massage oil.

Bath and Body Works Cedarwood Sage - I used to use this as a pre-ritual scent, as it is very clean and natural. Then it was discontinued. I have half a bottle of the bodywash left. I will cry when it's gone. And then I will turn to eBay.

The Body Shop Satsuma - Sweet citrusy orange blend. It's a smile in a bottle.

The Body Shop Woody Sandalwood - The best sandalwood I've smelled. It's calming and sensual at the same time.

What candles/scents are your absolute favorites??