Foxi's Place to Kvetch

sillyfox — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 01:36:45 GMT

2012 is over. Thank goodness.

Let's hope 2013 is much less stressful.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Info about Ginny

sillyfox — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:19:15 GMT

Final Update: 9/11/11 9:20 pm

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Ginny decided on her own that it was time to leave us; she passed away at about 1 am on September 9, 2011.
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Since we have family and friends scattered across the entire world, this is the simplest way to provide information about my mother-in-law Ginny.

Ginny's house caught fire late Sunday night. The fire started in the kitchen - the fire marshall is blaming the electric rangetop, but the insurance assessor believes it was the refrigerator. Ginny was in her bedroom and was trapped inside.

She was not breathing by the time the firefighters were able to get to her. She was able to be revived and was taken to the local hospital before being almost immediately shipped to IU-Methodist in downtown Indianapolis.

We have learned that the extent of Ginny's brain damage and lung damage is too great, beyond what modern science and medicine can heal.

Ginny made it clear that she wished to be cremated and to not have a viewing (she hated viewings), and we are respecting this. Instead, we will hold a visitation and memorial service on Tuesday evening. (Since this is an open post - if you want the funeral home information, please email, call, or IM me for the details.) Wednesday, we will be driving to Cincinnati to inter her at the family burial plot.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Fairland Volunteer Fire Department, the Moral Township Volunteer Fire Department, or your own local volunteer fire department.

Both of Ginny's cats, California and Truman, perished in the fire.

Her daughter arrived from CA early Tuesday morning. Her uncle and aunt drove up from Cincinnati to see her Wednesday around lunch time. Her daughter's husband arrived from CA late Thursday night.

The house has been boarded up as best possible. The advantage of living in a small town is that everyone knows each other, and our family's insurance agent was already making calls even before we got to his office Tuesday morning. The assessor from the insurance company has been to the house Wednesday afternoon.

My shameless begging for money

sillyfox — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:40:30 GMT

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As some of you know, my Nana and my aunt are both Breast Cancer survivors, Nana back in the days of 'point and pray' radiation treatments. Things are better now, but the only way things will improve even more in the future is if we put more money into research and support.

So, I'm now shamelessly asking you guys for money to help me support the American Cancer Society. I'll be walking in their 5K a couple of weekends from now (10/17), so if you can spare a few dollars, I and this great organization would much appreciate it. Please click the link below. Thanks!

The American Cancer Society

Oops

sillyfox — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:40:58 GMT

For those of you on my AIM - if you get a link from me listing a place called ff.implayin.com DO NOT CLICK ON IT.

I was had by this phishing link this morning. So, ah, sorry!

sillyfox — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:22:49 GMT

Decided that after so many years, it was time for a new sillyfox icon.

Checking In

sillyfox — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:52:21 GMT

We're okay here. We didn't even get the rain, really, just the OMG Tropical Storm winds. We lost power briefly, and the trees lost some limbs. All things considered, lucky here.

Indianapolis proper is about the same, only with more downed trees and more power outages. The further north you go, the worse it gets from what I understand.

Is everyone else okay? o.o

Because it's my favorite holiday...

sillyfox — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 12:36:11 GMT

My LiveJournal Trick-or-Treat Haul
sillyfox goes trick-or-treating, dressed up as The White Mage.
bzarcher gives you 9 orange licorice-flavoured jawbreakers.
canemex gives you 18 softly glowing strawberry-flavoured wafers.
degraine tricks you! You lose 14 pieces of candy!
doomflower tricks you! You get a used tissue.
heatherbeast gives you 18 mottled green vanilla-flavoured gummy worms.
neeri tricks you! You lose 9 pieces of candy!
soreth tricks you! You lose 19 pieces of candy!
tigerfox gives you 2 yellow strawberry-flavoured wafers.
tyrr tricks you! You lose 3 pieces of candy!
wondergecko tricks you! You get a toothbrush.
sillyfox ends up with 2 pieces of candy, a used tissue, and a toothbrush.
Go trick-or-treating! Username:
Another fun meme brought to you by rfreebern.

(I needed a new toothbrush. Thanks!)

An Introduction to Filk

sillyfox — Sat, 09 Apr 2005 09:04:44 GMT

I was involved in a conversation about "indie" music last night, and I mentioned filk music as a form of independent music.

The blank stares I received (or the equivalent thereof) made me realize how many people haven't heard of this genre of music.

So what is filk? It is a genre of music that has its roots in folk music but has expanded to include other musical forms. The music is almost always lyrical, and the lyrics usually have a science fiction and/or fantasy theme. The genre also includes songs with a humurous bent and songs with commentary about fan organizations and fandom in general. Aside from the occasional play on Dr. Demento, these songs are rarely heard on the radio and almost never seen in the mainstream.

If you've ever attended a convention and heard the "filk room" mentioned, it's an area set aside for live performances of filk songs, sometimes by well-known artists and sometimes by average fans who happened to write a song. One need not be a professional songwriter/musician/performer to perform filk, though being able to carry a tune is preferable.

Thanks to the author John Ringo, Heather Alexander is probably the most well known filker, though I understand that she considers herself more a celtic musician than filk performer. My personal favorite singer is Michael Longcor (known as Moonwulf in SCA circles). Another up and coming star is the Great Luke Ski, who has been on Dr. Demento several times and is predicted to be the next Weird Al.

If any of you are fans of John Ringo and/or David Weber, the music that has been included on the CDs included with certain hardbacks are filk music.

And now, some links!

The Heather Alexander Official Website

Michael Longcor's Albums (Alas, he has no website of his own.)

The Luke Ski Official Website

Changing Jobs

sillyfox — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 18:02:54 GMT

I promised myself that if I wasn't in my new job by April 1, I would walk.

Today is April 1, and I'm not there.

So, I did as I promised. I cleaned out my desk at the end of the day, laid my resignation on my boss' desk, turned in my ID card and walked out.

Don't worry about me. I expected this would happen, and so I have another job lined up already.

Monday, I pick up my crystal ball and head scarf.

Yes, my friends, I will now be working for the Psychic Friends Network. I will be paid to read people's fortunes - or more likely tell them what they want to hear. It's not that far a stretch from customer service, and I have plenty of telephone experience. I was told by the recruiter that I'm a natural! It's a bit of a pay cut, but I think the job is worth it.

So, from now on, you'll be able to reach me at 1-800-797-4477. Ask for Madame Barbara.