You know what's great in a time of emotional crisis? Tea. I swear, I should be British.

And, noting that I was running out of high-quality tea, I went on a tea spree. I bought another box of Numi's Bouquet, because Starlight Jewel and Dragon Lily are two of my favorite teas ever, and I like the rest a lot, too. And then I saw that Numi has a new variety pack out-- Exotic Bouquet. Check this out:

Golden Jasmine: Rare golden-tipped black tea is scented with delicate jasmine petals. When steeped, a ring of light flowers are released imparting a smooth depth with divine floral perfume and hints of chocolate.

Also included-- a honey jasmine white and a buttery amaranth oolong. Right. Mmmhmm. Mkay. Sold.

These teas really are among the best quality teas I've ever tried. They're not hearty for everyday drinking. It's funny how to me, a simple cup of Lipton hot tea with milk and sugar is such a comfort. I think that's probably because I grew up with Lipton and nothing else, and so it has a has a homey, comforting attachment to me. Flavored teas like Teavana Almondina Biscotti have more of an indulgent flavor to me-- the flavor is rich, almost like coffee. But the Numi teas almost have a delicate, meditative quality. And watching them unfurl into petals is almost a zen experience in itself.

Next paycheck-- Omg Sephora binge like whoa omg.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to mock my co-worker. She's listening to Muse. It's the most emotastic crap I've ever heard.

I have been sucked into Supernatural, and it's all aggiebell's fault. She tempted me with the shiny first season box set-- I'm not even eight episodes in, and I'm fangirling Jensen Ackles in an entirely embarrassing manner.

I'm not usually one to swoon over pretty boys... erm, okay, so maybe I am, but at least not ones who used to be in soap operas (and I know this because my mother is a hardcore Days of Our Lives fan). I didn't expect much from him in the way of acting, though. Pretty boys (yes, Tom Welling, I'm looking at you) aren't generally cast because they're the most gifted thespians, you know what I mean? Though Jensen/Dean hasn't been given any really meaty scenes thus far, I can say that damn, he is fun to watch. And it's not just the pretty, I swear. I love the way he does sarcasm. He's like Sawyer on Lost, only I actually give a shit. He had me from the very moment he called Sam "Dr. Venkman." My heart was his. Lalala. The wedding will be in Hawaii, please RSVP. Lalala.

Okay, enough. It's a fun show-- better written and acted than I expected. Not exactly Buffy, but then again, what is? And there are great guest stars. I've seen Sarah Shahi (oh my god, marry me, my love) and Amy Acker in the first couple of episodes. Plus it doesn't hurt that there is extreme eye candy in both sexes.

Nano is coming slowly. I'm a pressure writer, so I didn't expect to have so much apathy about it. I think it's that terrible thing known as "real life." Real life of late has made me want to pull the blankets over my head and not come out, so you'd think that'd transfer to writing a seventeen year-old girl, right? Apparently not.

I have noticed something, though. It is infinitely easier for me to write when I'm playing in someone else's universe. Growing up, I read a lot of LJ Smith, and I know her characters backwards and forwards. So it stands to reason that some of my favorite writing that I've done is in that fandom. I have a handle on Gabriel's voice, so writing it is second-nature. I think part of my problem is that I don't know my main character. She's the weak link in the story. I've got the plot. I finally have my villain nailed down, and the male lead is easy enough... but the heroine? I'm terrified that she'll be every bit as exciting as matzoh bread. Argh. Teenaged girls. What is there to say that hasn't already been said?

Briefly, I have signed up to write my annual fanfic. I generally only write one a year, and it's generally a Secret Santa-type deal. Considering I was pleased as punch with my submission last year to LJSanta, I figured I'd do it again. I might post it here sometime, even though virtually no one I know outside of fandom-types has ever even heard of LJ Smith, and so you'd all be lost, but it'd be good for posterity's sake, I guess. Though I suppose I'd have to pretty it up a bit--it was posted with a few grammatical errors that make my inner Virgo gnash her teeth. Eh. Such is the pain of writing an entire short story in four hours. It was fun, though. I killed off about half of LJ's most beloved characters and got to write in a really interesting crossover-'verse. It was a good exercise.

ETA: OMGWTF, Livejournal? I am so tired of this thing not working. ARGH.