go forward and walk....

2014 holiday wishlist

sio — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 00:38:38 GMT

per usual - no one is obligated to get me anything, of course. but if you decide to, that would be wonderful :) :)

1) fleecy slipper socks with non-skid soles, to fit my giant feet (i wear women's size 11 shoes). my feet get very cold during the winter, the ones i have are wearing out and the local stores don't seem to be selling them at all anymore, which is disappointing. any colors, i'm not picky. my feet just want something soft and warm.

2) if you'd like to donate to a good cause, please consider donating to the rescue. as usual, we're struggling due to lack of community support. it would make Dawn's day--and mine--if you did. and don't worry if it's a dollar or two. in reality, no amount is too small and the animals will be grateful to you.

3) gift certificates/cards to Amazon. (my wishlist is a disaster. plus i will likely need to order school books once i know what books i will be needing for next semester)

4) regardless of your belief system (or not), please don't assume that someone saying "Happy Holidays" is some sort of secret attack. y'all know i'm Christian. and nothing gets on my absolute last damned nerve more during the holiday season than the "war on Christmas" crap people spread around. there is NO "war" on any specific holiday. our Christmas celebrations/beliefs will not be taken away. "Happy Holidays" is an all-inclusive phrase that (IMHO) covers from Thanksgiving to New Year's. so be you a fellow Christian, pagan, Wiccan, Jewish, atheist, whatever--please receive the wish in the good spirit it is given to you and return it.

[tl, dr: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, it's all freakin' included, so STFU and enjoy it. /holiday soapbox]

5) write me a nice fanfic or draw me something. most of my fandoms/pairings, y'all are aware of ;) but ask if you want a full list. :)

6) paid LJ time would be totally awesome. i enjoy being ad-free and having my extra iconses, precious!

7) gift certificates to any of the following license shops (if interested in doing any of these, let me know and i will give you my license numbers as that is required for gift certificates):
Pics for Design.
Arthur Crowe's Factory
Jose Cano
The PSP Project
[FYI - these sites could be considered NSFW as some of the artists have provocative pieces]

8) fudge or cookie bars! ever since mom went Atkins crazy, she doesn't make sweets for Christmas anymore. boo! fudge - with or without nuts, doesn't matter, but with nuts would be preferred if you care. :) cookie bars - the best is the recipe on Eagle's Condensed Milk can label.

9) cocoa! i'm a cocoa fanatic during the winter (best time to enjoy it, of course!) kinds i have tried and really don't like - fruit flavorings, cinnamon/Mexican chocolate, most mint chocolate (too cloying).

10/pipe dream) the Avon perfume Persian Wood. It is from the 1960s, i think (i know, old!) i had a stoppered bottle of it but the cat broke and spilled most of it a few years back and i'd love to get some more if it's even acquirable.

11/the other pipe dream) a fully expense paid trip back to Europe (including Greece!) with zeugma. Minimum time of trip - one month. (one of these days, it will happen, damn it! LOL)

for gift certificates and such, please send to celticmoon47(AT)yahoo(DOT)com. please PM me for my snail addy if interested in any of the items requiring such or if you have any questions.

thanks and Merry Christmas....OR whatever you happen to celebrate!!

fic thoughts meme

sio — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 22:12:44 GMT

stole from cruisedirector! Give me a letter & I'll answer!

[crossed out items have been asked already]

A. Describe your comfort zone--a typical you-fic.
B. Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?
C. Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?
D. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?
E. Share one of your strengths.
F. Share one of your weaknesses.
G. Share a snippet from one of your favorite pieces of prose you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.
H. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.
I. Which fic has been the hardest to write?
J. Which fic has been the easiest to write?
K. Is writing your passion or just a fun hobby?
L. Is there an episode section of canon above all others that inspires you just a little bit more?
M. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?
N. What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?
O. If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?
P. If you only could write one pairing for the rest of your life, which pairing would it be?
Q. Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?
R. Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?
S. Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?
T. Describe your perfect writing conditions.
~~U. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?~~
V. Choose a passage from one of your earlier fics and edit it into your current writing style. (Person sending the ask is free to make suggestions).
W. If you were to revise one of your older fics from start to finish, which would it be and why?
X. Have you ever deleted one of your published fics?
Y. What do you look for in a beta?
Z. Do you beta yourself? If so, what kind of beta are you?
AA. How do you feel about collaborations?
AB. Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.
AC. If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?
AD. Do you accept prompts?
AE. Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?
AF. How do you feel about smut?
AG. How do you feel about crack?
AH. What are your thoughts on non-con and dub-con?
~~AI. Would you ever kill off a canon character?~~
AJ. Which is your favorite site to post fic?
AK. Talk about your current WIPs.
AL. Talk about a review that made your day.
AM. Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?

for anyone interested...icon goodies

sio — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:00:23 GMT

since school is out, i've had time to enter some icon contests here on LJ.

for hbic20in20, I chose Farscape's Aeryn. entry here.

for nostalgia20in20 (which is brand new and allows lots of options), I chose seaQuest's series premiere. entry here.

i don't belong here

sio — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:50:52 GMT

i hate the desert. i hate the ugly scenery, i hate the heat, i hate the people in this town.

but most of all, i hate the heat. because i hate summer.

summer is good for about four things:
a) important birthdays (mine/Nat-twinnie's, my niece's, Tiffany's, Poppy's)
b) 4th of July
c) swimming
d) BBQs (sort of tied to B)

lately, i can also say e) break from school.

i have 23898934905 things to do (both real life and Internet) and all I want to do is sit on my secondary facebook account and play Pet City, because the heat is sapping my energy/motivation to do anything.

even with school looming, can't it just be Labor Day already? uggh.

/whine

sio — Sun, 04 May 2014 23:53:45 GMT

so guess what just landed in my school inbox about an hour ago?

~~about fraking time!~~

though, at least it was positive. the only thing negative* was to point out the parts that were not yet done (which are being worked on).

so now at least I can get working on that. FINALLY.

now the IT people need to get off their asses and fix the fucking Moodle already.

* - since the assignment was to submit a rough draft of the project, i don't consider it negative feedback for her to say "the following elements are missing and must be incorporated into the final draft".

writers' resource - RealTimeBoard

sio — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:51:37 GMT

so for all my fellow writers....i ran across the mention of this site on tumblr last night:

http://realtimeboard.com

it's an endless virtual whiteboard. there are templates for various designs (charts of all kinds) or you can make a blank board and put stuff on it. and by stuff, you're not just limited to text. you can put photos, videos, post-its and more. oh, and not just one board. you can make multiple boards.

working on a project with someone else? want your beta reader to look at your outline? you can invite them to the specific board and both use the board together.

i already have a board set up for my current fic project and I set up another for the NaNo monster and put the working timeline onto it. and that is just for starters. i can see so many things i'll be able to do now that i have this.

tl, dr: where has this site been all my life?? :P

mostly friends only

sio — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:20:47 GMT

I'm usually cool with friending most people. Leave a comment and tell me a little about yourself (i.e. what interests we share, etc).

Trolls will be banned/reported to LJ, so don't waste your time.

writing meme

sio — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 02:11:42 GMT

snagged from zeugma:

Put a number in the comments and I’ll answer accordingly. (hell, pick two, if you like XD)

The mission for those of us who answer the questions, should we accept it, is to stay positive about our writing and ourselves, but to also be fair about our shortcomings

1. Of the fic you’ve written, of which are you most proud?
2. Favourite tense
3. Favourite POV
4. What are some themes you love writing about?
5. What inspires you to write?
6. Thoughts on critique
~~7. Create a character on the spot... NOW!~~ [only crossing out this question because, with school going on, this question might derail things if my muse likes my on the spot inspiration and suddenly wants to go on a plotting bender. i'll come back to it some day!]
8. Is there a character you love writing for the most? The least? Why?
9. A passage from a WIP
10. What are your strengths in writing?
11. What are your weaknesses in writing?
12. Anything else that you want to know... (otherwise known as Fill in the Blank)

sio — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 04:24:55 GMT

i want a new layout for here. or at least a new header.

problem is, i'm not sure how to set it up. Bel gave me my beautiful Odo/Kira header i've been using for years and i think she set up the coding too. i wouldn't even know how to set up a new layout. though i suppose i could just keep the layout and try to make a new header.

i'd kinda also like to do a new layout period on dracosdreamer as i'm a little bored with the autumn leaves. but the same problem applies. :P

oh and it seems that Local Paper took my pointed comment in their direction to heart when i wrote my letter to the editor project for communications class. the rescue did an event yesterday at our local Senior Citizen's Center. smack on the front page of today's paper: an article and a photo of our special needs kitty Diamond.

Hello, 2014

sio — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 09:49:26 GMT

let's hope you are better than 2013 for everyone.

at least my 2013 ended on a semi-high note with my 4.0 for the semester. coulda done without the blown tire four days before Christmas tho. just thankful i have an awesome dad who has connections.

and i am hauling my happy ass to bed. must get some sleep before i go to the parents' house for the annual All the Bowl Games Are Belong To Us fest . (aka what i call the eat/watch football/scream at TV "party": crackers, cheeses, oysters/kippers/clams, mustards, olives, weird stuff dad and his best friend John eat while mom and i go "uh no", and crab salad for the Rose Bowl.)

so...like....OMG XD

sio — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 04:48:21 GMT

for those not on facebook....

i was shocked, lol. tho i will say the only class i was "concerned" abt was medical terminology....and that is because that was the class with the teacher who took for-fraking-ever to grade anything, so i never knew how i was doing other than the weekly quizzes!

my 2013 wishlist

sio — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 22:30:43 GMT

just posting here to share with friends. no one is obligated to get me anything, of course. but if you do, that would be wonderful :) :)

1) fleecy slipper socks with non-skid soles, to fit my giant feet (i wear women's size 11 shoes). my feet get very cold during the winter, the ones i have are wearing out and the local stores don't seem to be selling them at all anymore, which is disappointing. any colors, i'm not picky. my feet just want something soft and warm.

2) gift certificates/cards to Amazon. (my wishlist is a disaster. plus i will likely need to order school books once i can figure out what classes i'm taking next semester)

3) if you'd like to donate to a good cause, please consider donating to the rescue. we are struggling more than usual this year. it would make Dawn's day--and mine--if you did. and don't worry if it's a dollar or two. in reality, no amount is too small and the kitties and bunnies will be grateful to you.

4) regardless of your belief system (or not), please don't assume that someone saying "Happy Holidays" is some sort of secret attack. you all know i'm a Christian. well, i'll tell you this: nothing gets on my absolute last damned nerve more during the holiday season than the "war on Christmas" crap people spread around. there is NO "war" on any specific holiday. our Christmas celebrations/beliefs will not be taken away. "Happy Holidays" is an all-inclusive phrase that (IMO) covers from Thanksgiving to New Year's. so be you a fellow Christian, pagan, Wiccan, Jewish, atheist, whatever--please receive the wish in the good spirit it is given to you and return it.

[tl, dr: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, it's all freakin' included, so STFU and enjoy it. /holiday soapbox]

5) write me a nice fanfic or draw me something. most of my fandoms/pairings, y'all are aware of ;) but ask if you want a full list. :)

6) paid LJ time would be totally awesome. i miss my ad-less existence and extra iconses!

7) gift certificates to any of the following license shops (if interested in doing any of these, let me know and i will give you my license numbers as i believe that is required for gift certificates):
Pics for Design.
Ismael Rac's
Arthur Crowe's Factory
The PSP Project
[FYI - these sites could be considered NSFW as some of the artists have provocative pieces]

8) fudge or cookie bars! ever since mom went Atkins crazy, she doesn't make sweets for Christmas anymore. boo! fudge - with or without nuts, doesn't matter, but with nuts would be preferred if you care. :) cookie bars - think the recipe on Eagle's Condensed Milk can label.

9) cocoa! i'm a cocoa fanatic during the winter (best time to enjoy it, of course!) kinds i have tried and really don't like - fruit flavorings, cinnamon/Mexican chocolate. but milk, dark, mint (if it's not too cloying)...i'd love it.

10/pipe dream) the Avon perfume Persian Wood. It is from the 1960s, i think (i know, old!) i had a stoppered bottle of it but the cat broke and spilled most of it a few years back and i'd love to get some more if it's even acquirable.

11/the other pipe dream) a fully expense paid trip back to Europe (including Greece!) with zeugma. Minimum time of trip - one month. (one of these days, huh, P??)

for gift certificates and such, please send to celticmoon47(AT)yahoo(DOT)com. please PM me for my snail addy if interested in any of the items requiring such or if you have any questions.

thanks and Merry Christmas....OR whatever you happen to celebrate!!

not a winner, but i don't mind

sio — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 04:40:23 GMT

okay technically, NaNo doesn't end til tomorrow but there's no way i can pull off 20K overnight.

but i don't mind not "winning". the challenge has been fun and i can always try again next year if i have a big enough idea and the time to do it.

now when i actually get to writing it (i have something else i'm committed to finish first), that will be a trial. a LOT of editing needs to be done :P some of my first draft scenes are okay, some are just awful and make me cringe, lol.

photo collage for my Nano project

sio — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 10:45:58 GMT

of Ben and his older sisters, now that the latter are all cast. over here if you'd like to see.

(and i just realized the title is wrong over at dracosdreamer as it isn't technically a manip. oy :P)

hell with it. going to bed!

@#%&@%$

sio — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 07:18:06 GMT

i have 2398405 scene ideas in my head i want/need to do for the NaNo monster.

and my mind will not choose JUST ONE to work on.

ERG.

second Nano teaser is up

sio — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 07:37:54 GMT

this way!

and now since the muse is done cooperating for the day, i should really go to bed.

first Nano teaser now up

sio — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 07:27:00 GMT

if you're interested :)

whee

sio — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 19:29:16 GMT

days one and two: 1683 words total.

today, i'm almost on a roll. keep fingers crossed that it lasts.

and i owe it all to a certain ten-year-old.

:waves in the direction of AppleBlossom's kid:

i must be crazy, redux

sio — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:03:02 GMT

thanks to my muse working and a long, lovely chat with the equally lovely modestroad, i have fifteen pages of outline (okay scribbled notes and copied Skype content, but still, it's fifteen pages in Word!) on the Nano project...

and i want to start noooooooooooow.

but i can't.

cuz it's only October 21st.

:whine:

(hurry up, November.)

HOLY CRAP

sio — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 03:27:44 GMT

in all the whining about my paper for medical law/ethics class, i never mentioned my other "special project" for my communications class: write a letter to the editor on a subject you're passionate about. 300 words required and some specific formatting rules the professor laid out.

i had chosen to write about the rescue and Dawn even helped me by providing some extra information about the rescue's history and the many, many things we do for the community (which has been all but ignored thanks to BS that goes on in this desert hole--long story). so i wrote my second draft, using Dawn's pointers and keeping track of my word count.

turned it in sunday night. emailed it to the local paper's editor/bcc'ed my professor two minutes after submitting it for grading.

tonight: call to talk to a friend. her husband gets on, asks if i got his message. i hadn't. he then tells me his message was to compliment me on my letter to the editor.

THEY. PUBLISHED. IT. IN. TODAY'S. PAPER.

i'm still in shock. a) didn't really expect it to be chosen. b) they're FAST. i figured if they chose to publish it, i'd see it next week.

this and that

sio — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 21:53:55 GMT

paper: DONE. just need it looked over by someone who offered to do so, then i will turn it in.

kinda glad that three of my classes end at the end of this coming week. will make life a lot easier :P

life at the rescue goes apace. we had several adoptions last month and we have already two, potentially three, slated for November 1 since we participate in the "black out" of October (no animals are adopted for safety purposes. some places only limit black or black and white cats, Dawn's policy is NONE. desperate sickos won't just limit themselves, after all.) and i need to get more photos up on the rescue's facebook. especially of our newer foster kittens--there are four, three boys and a girl: John, Jacob, Jingle and Smitty. anyone who guesses the significance of their names will win internet cookies ;)

and then there's Lurch.

he is one of the adult cats, a brown and white tabby with one post-hematoma (bent) ear. he's SO frigging sweet and i can't figure out why no one's taken him yet.

in other news, my muse is trying to tell me to do NanoWrimo this year. mainly because the fic plot i have in mind could easily top 50K in its final form. (i never used to get ideas this big. what happened?) i keep telling muse "no, SCHOOL." and getting "la la la, i can't heeeear you!" in response. :facepalm:

if anyone is interested in the potential Nano plot, here's a promo post over at dracosdreamer. (yes, i'm writing for seaQuest now. why? talk to the muse. this tangent was her idea.

and if you are interested enough to read, feedback would be lovely :)

and now i'm off to do this week's medical technology homework before the week ends. yay rah :P

testing

sio — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:26:17 GMT

decided to download the LJ app for my phone...figure it will be useful from time to time.

got 2/3 of a page done on paper last night. reads totally sucky to me but its a start.

dogsitting this weekend. yay for money and spending time w two awesome canines.

Posted via LiveJournal app for Android.

sio — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 05:12:36 GMT

anyone want to write this med law paper for me?

i have ten days to write 3-5 pages and i don't know how to @##$^&^ START. :(

all i have is my chosen subject: mandatory reporting laws

arg.

sio — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 06:49:34 GMT

i wish LJ would set up the userpics so that if you let a paid account lapse and you had extras, you could decide which 15 you wanted to use and have the ability to change that at your leisure. i'd really like to switch around mine so i can use my seasonal ones for the rest of the year. now that would be a USEFUL improvement to this site.

i'm bored

sio — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 06:45:24 GMT

so have a virtual Meru, lol. (click the more tab and you can feed her too.)

adopt your own virtual pet!