Denise3

August 9th...

vysed — Sun, 18 May 2014 19:03:49 GMT

I'm just...

... yeah.

Wow! I haven't been here in forever.

vysed — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:00:07 GMT

Shame on me!

One vacation cancelled (Boston) another created (Chimney Rock)

vysed — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:18:42 GMT

How I spent my weekend that was supposed to be spent in Boston.

I updated my blog that I am using for now to put up pictures from vacations. (And to keep family away from LJ. LOL)

Here's the link: I am horrible to do nature stuff with, evidently.

Where I've been

vysed — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:33:03 GMT

Busy working and reading. I've fallen in to some weird other world where I spend all my free time reading. Like seriously, hours upon hours - reading.

See me HERE at goodreads.
I occasionally check my twitter feed HERE.
And I go to my tumblr sometimes, too. HERE.

In other news. I'm going to Boston for a long weekend May 31-June4. And then in October... Italy. I can't wait.
Ashley leaves for her Europe backpacking trip May 22nd (thru June 27th). I'm nervous. My child will be on a different continent - backpacking. I'll be a mess of stressed nerves the whole time.

My brother is getting married Sept 14th in Charleston.

And that is all that is going on here.

Men - I just... yeah.

vysed — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:21:53 GMT

This story really got to me. There has been a ton of interviews and news on the shooting in Aurora. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't read it because it was so heart-breaking. I tend to avoid most news reports that would make me cry. I'm a wuss and got the news by twitter feed and blurbs on my homepage. But this headline caught my attention on the yahoo homepage and yeah, well, it got me right in the big ol' cold heart in my chest.

"Of the 12 killed in the Aurora attack, four were men who died shielding their girlfriends from harm."
Story Here

RE: July 12th Internet policing

vysed — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:00:52 GMT

So, if I want to to DL a torrent, I can go sit in the Barnes and Noble cafe or McDonalds? Then my internet provider won't know, right?

798 (129) - ALL U.S. INTERNET PROVIDERS WILL BE POLICING DOWNLOADS BY JULY 12, 2012

vysed — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:53:55 GMT

Originally posted by agathons_fan at 798 (129) - All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by dj_rocca at 798 (129) - All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by richyl88 at 798 (129) - All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by margerydaw_s2 at 798 (129) - All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by seshido at 798 (129) - All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by at All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by teagues_veil at All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by fuyuhimi at !Important Mod Post

Originally posted by vodkashakes at !Important Mod Post

Originally posted by classicdramatic at !Important Mod Post
Originally posted by at 798 (129) - ALL U.S. INTERNET PROVIDERS WILL BE POLICING DOWNLOADS BY JULY 12, 2012

*IMPORTANT UPDATE: PLEASE READ*

All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by tifa at All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Originally posted by awry at All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

All U.S. Internet Providers will be policing downloads by July 12, 2012

Seriously. WHAT THE FLYING FUCK WORLD.

"File-sharers, beware: By July 12, major US Internet service providers (ISPs) will voluntarily begin serving as copyright police for the entertainment industry, according to Cary Sherman, chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The so-called “six-strikes” plan is said to be one of the most effective anti-piracy efforts ever established in the US."

The article goes on to give details. After six notices, internet providers will decide to throttle a person's internet speed, or cut it off altogether. I don't know if they will crack down on torrents only, or if it is up to the internet provider. I get the sense it is up to the internet provider. So some people could get away with downloading non torrents, while others might get their internet service cut off. I urge you to click it and read, as we all know people who download.

No more downloading eps of your favorite shows for vidding, gifs, or fanfiction art. No more downloading screencaps possibly. I'm so sorry my friends. I don't even know if BT Guard will work to protect you, but I would google it if I were you. It is a professional service that supposedly can protect you from the invasive eyes of your internet provider.

Just, my friends, please make each other aware. Please be aware of the date JULY 12TH. Mark your calendar and double check with your internet provider by then. If you start receiving notices of downloaded activity, this is why. And your internet service could be throttled or cut off.

Fox News confirms this:
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/17/us-isps-become-copyright-cops-starting-july-12/

Youtube video explaining this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5OG0R-yS-c

ETA: Petition for RIAA and the Obama Administration: Stop ISPs from launching a massive copyright spying scheme this July 12th

I've been taken hostage... by books.

vysed — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:04:58 GMT

2012 Reading Challenge

Denise has
read 135 books toward her goal of 150 books.

hide

135 of 150 (90%)

view books

Google Privacy Issues: Web History

vysed — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:06:24 GMT

Reposted from: anjak_j and kitel78
Google Privacy Issues: Web HistoryIf you are going to do this, you need to do it before March 1st. It has been said that users will not be able to do anything about this after that date.

With reference to Google's policy changes and how everything you do with your Google account will be tied together into their super-cauldron of information, you will probably want to clear your Google Web History out - if you turned that feature on - before month's end. After that, you won't be able to clear it, and everything you search for will be connected with your account.

To check settings and/or clear out your Web History:

1. Go to Google. If you aren't signed in already, do so.
2. In the top right-hand corner you'll find your email address or name, perhaps an icon if you have a Plus account, and a little downward facing arrow. Click on the arrow and a menu will pop up.
3. Click to 'Account Settings'. This will take you to a page called 'Accounts'. (If you have a Plus account, you might go via a Plus sign-in page.)
4. Scroll down to a section called 'Services'. Here you'll find an option called 'View, enable, or disable web history', which has a link next to it. Click on the link.
5. If you never turned web history on, you'll get a page asking if you want to turn this service on. Just click 'No Thanks' and all is good. If you did turn it on, you should have a list of your searches. At the top there is a button that says 'Remove All History'. Click this and follow the instructions which will remove all items from your Web History and pause the feature so nothing else will be added in future.

Also, you can completely remove Web History as a service from your account by clicking THIS LINK, checking the tick-box and confirming you want to remove Web History. To be safe, it is probably best to do the steps above first to remove any history that might have already been collected.

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Happy Holidays

vysed — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:28:11 GMT

WHY LJ... WHY?

vysed — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:52:21 GMT

LJ was supposed to be my happy place. I don't handle change well.

INK

vysed — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:37:32 GMT

So, this morning I wake up to go downstairs to my office and my house is filled with... boys. *gasp*

I have a daughter... and her bff Liz or some other girl friend might stay the night a few days a week... but today... boys. 5 of 'em. They are in a band and their concert got cancelled in a different city last night, so they drove on here with their little cute tour van and pully thingy full of instruments and crashed here. *hee hee* (We have a pretty decent size house so there was plenty of room -still... there are boys in my house!) My house is not boy-prepped.

And now, one is running out to the van to retrieve his shampoo because he refuses to use our "girly" smelling stuff. Bwahahaha.

This is the band that is currently using my den as a habitat. HERE and HERE

Did I mention there are boys in my house?!?!?!

Holiday Mailing List

vysed — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:11:29 GMT

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BAD Internet Laws Heading Your Way

vysed — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:33:59 GMT

Originally posted by write_light at BAD Internet Laws Heading Your Way

From the flist:

Spread the word, even you're not a US citizen, it is important for everyone!! It easy to do and it can change everything. More info by clicking on the banner.

Website Blocking

The government can order service providers to block websites for infringing links posted by any users.

Risk of Jail for Ordinary Users

It becomes a felony with a potential 5 year sentence to stream a copyrighted work that would cost more than $2,500 to license, even if you are a totally noncommercial user, e.g. singing a pop song on Facebook.

Chaos for the Internet

Thousands of sites that are legal under the DMCA would face new legal threats. People trying to keep the internet more secure wouldn't be able to rely on the integrity of the DNS system.

Read this analysis from boing-boing.net

Get on the phone and call your representative. Express your disapproval. Tell him or her exactly how you feel, and that you don't support this. Tell your friends to call their representatives, their Congressperson, and complain. Mention that you are a registered voter that takes your civic responsibility seriously and that you will use that vote to express your feelings about this.

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_60/Internet-Companies-Boost-Hill-Lobbying-210345-1.html?pos=olobh

“We support the bill’s stated goals — providing additional enforcement tools to combat foreign ‘rogue’ websites that are dedicated to copyright infringement or counterfeiting,” the Internet companies wrote in Tuesday’s letter. “Unfortunately, the bills as drafted would expose law-abiding U.S. Internet and technology companies to new uncertain liabilities, private rights of action and technology mandates that would require monitoring of websites.” The chamber-led coalition in support of the bill includes Walmart, Eli Lilly & Co. and Netflix.

Google and other opponents of the legislation argue that restricting the Internet in the U.S. sets a bad international precedent and that the language defines infringing too broadly.

The Fictionators

vysed — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:24:09 GMT

Catching up at The Fictionators website. I am a bit addicted to the guest reviewers' recs, and katinki 's AU reviews.

Oh, lookie... they're giving away Crossed, by Ally Condie. I still have to read Matched. I've dl'd it. I'll start it at work tomorrow if it's slow.

... And Happy Birthday to kassiah

Google, Bing, Yahoo

vysed — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:26:57 GMT

So I just Google'd, Bing'd and Yahoo'd myself. I thought my name was so unique that I'd be the only one. Sadly, or maybe happily, there is another.

*Cheers* Denise Vyse of the UK. Anytime you want to change sides of the pond just let me know.

iPhone

vysed — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:39:54 GMT

I finally got an iPhone - now that Sprint has them. YAY.

What are your favorite apps?
So far, I've got: tumblr, livejournal, twitter, ~~stupidfucking~~ facebook, words with friends, hanging with friends... what else are MUST have apps?

Share your faves!

Things I learned this past week.

vysed — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:12:19 GMT

10 9 Things I learned this week:

M&Ms and Sour Patch Kids do not a good dinner make.
Following my daughter on twitter is annoying, and there really are some things I should never know.
Pinterest is just like tumblr. (I wonder which came first)
Revenge, on ABC, is a really good show. Even it if is all soapy. IDGAF. I like it.
James Lafferty got a twitter yesterday. ThisIsLafferty. And I am bummed because the twitter inset takes up so much room I can't see his background pic!
Fondant frosting is easy to make, but super messy.
I hate Twitter, but I have to check it every couple of hours incase I'm missing something really important (Oh, and so far, I'm not. Missing anything important. At all!)
Smart phones are stupid. Mine is acting all broke, when I know it's fine. It has to be!!!
My cat, Jack, might be gay. I love him even more.

vysed — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:53:12 GMT

In every BxE Twilight fic I read where Bella is an author, I will now picture Bella as Veronica Roth (the author of Divergent). She wrote most of the book at age 22. And she fits the traditional Bella m.o. Have you seen her blog?

Veronica Roth
VR Books

Huh. Veronica Roth = Bella Swan. Who knew?!

That time of year again.

vysed — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:59:31 GMT

Atlantis behind the lighthouse at Nassau as we were pulling out on the ship.

The Bridge in Charleston that I hate driving over!

Mr. Lizard chillin'

Mr. Horse feeling degraded and ashamed in the crappy hat his owner put on him.

Sun setting

The seasons are changing. Wednesday and Thursday it was near 90 degrees here in Raleigh, then Friday it dropped to the 60s. So, of course, I got sick. Spent pretty much the last 72 hrs in bed with my iTouch on between long bouts of sleep time.
The stores are already so full of Halloween stuff which is the gateway to Thanksgiving/Christmas stuff. We're in to that part of the year that makes the weeks fly by. Soon it will be 2012.

I downloaded a whole bunch of books to read. I used to not have time for books because fanfics updated so often and there were so many that I was reading. But I think that free gravy train is coming to a stop. Stories that I have had on my "to be read" list haven't updated in months. So, I'll probably pull back for a while. (Yeah, yeah, I've said that before, right?)

I have created a watchlist at TVGuide. (They have the premiere dates, etc HERE )There are a lot of new shows this season that I want to give a go. The watchlist is cool because you can set it up by actor or tvshow and it will find all airings for you. I'm going to download the app as soon as I get done here. LOL
This is a big deal for me because I haven't watched TV (other than Sons of Anarchy and Entourage) in like 3 years. (Fanfic sucked me in deep, y'all.)

Ohhh, Ashley is home with my taco bell. I'm starving - and cheap. HA HA HA

Twilight Fanfic

vysed — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:50:39 GMT

Here is the list of all of the Twilight Fanfics I have saved to pdf. I posted at Eville, but I'm going to post it here, too.

Let me know if there are any you want to read and I can email them to ya.

*haters to the left. HA HA HA.

OH, and you all know I flounce like a mother fucker, but some of those fics are on here anyway. /kanyeshrug

Google Doc for easy viewing CLICKY

Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh, my!

vysed — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:12:57 GMT

Hmmm. So, last week I felt the earth move under my feet. Kinda cool.
Friday night hurricane winds and rain knocked our power out and it didn't come back on until last night. NOT COOL AT ALL. Good-bye groceries.

Tomorrow, Mike and I drive down to Charleston to visit my folks and then we're going on a cruise to the Bahamas. Where the weather will probably be all rainy. (sad face) But, hey, at least we didn't take our cruise one week earlier or we would have been right in the eye of Irene. Hmmm. Interesting cruise fodder, I 'spose.

So, farewell fine internet for the next week. I'll be back after Labor Day.

devymel12 - I expect you to take full fandom notes and keep me up to date of anything good that happens over the next week. (Check in on wd_den_mum from time to time. She's busy these days.)

afrocurl - let me know if the world ends and all that. k, thx. lol

I'm off to pack. I hope I don't forget anything. Sun block, swimsuit, sun glasses. That's all I need, right?!

Season 4 Teaser Trailer

vysed — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:57:55 GMT

Sons of Anarchy on F/X - Season 4 (September)

This teaser trailer makes me so damn happy and excited for this show to return.

BRB - licking my screen when Jax is on.

A Fanfic Reader Blog

vysed — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:36:57 GMT

I figured it was time for me to use my LJ to journal/blog my thoughts about fanfic. Put up or shut up, right? It's super long and you'll definitely not read all of it, but fuck it, I don't feel like reading tonight and I'm the first to admit that I can not write a story to save the world. But I felt like writing my thoughts on this so... oh, I should probably add a disclaimer up front and say that I’m not as smart as I think I am and these opinions are solely mine, but I’m not going to do that.

Summary, schmummary, I’m readin’ what mah girlz read.
Most readers depend on the opinions of our friends. We have those (chat groups, twitter friends, community buds, or established website reviewers) that we follow or talk to regularly and expect to don the fanfic condom and pop cherries for us. Our virtual friends who brave the Ff.n frontier and try new stories and then come back sometimes scarred, and we love you for that, to break it down for us who are too scared, lazy, or jaded to venture in to new stories on our own. A good summary and exceptional banner may draw you in, but you brave the cliched shop-a-holic Alices; exaggeratedly self-esteem lacking Bellas; and cursing hung-like-a-horse Edwards on our behalf. Thank you.

Hey, I like Poker Face as much as the next gal, but I’m not faking a birth on SNL or buying a blue-bobbed wig.
Just because a story has eleventy billion comments does not make it a great read. Maybe I’m becoming cynical (ok, “more” cynical) or maybe I’m just not ‘getting it’, but I’ve found that stories with an obscene number of comments seem to really piss me off. I’ve tried psycho-analyzing myself on this subject. Am I only nit-picking and finding things to hate because once a story gets that much notoriety in the fandom it seems negativity is sure to follow? Am I’m too cool for the popular kids - in my own mind? Or am I genuinely appalled that everyone I know is reading a story that causes me to rage? Why in the hell am I allowing myself to rage over a fanfiction story? Shit, I really am human and IDGAF, I love me some fic! It’s my opinion, I can cry if I wanna.

Then, I come across a story with 5000+ comments that I actually like and, yes, it’s total shite, but fuck me if I can’t stop reading it. Oops, I did it again. Baby, bye bye bye. I got 99 problems, but a fic ain’t one. In other words, and really only my opinion, a large number of comments can mean a story rates on the metaphorical scale of pop song to fic ratio anywhere from the catchy “Bad Romance” to WTF?OMG!ThisIsShit “Friday”.

Still with me?

She said it. I said it. They say it. So say we all.
Why do some readers fear a story written in third person and what makes us run away from the first person perspective? I’d like to advocate on behalf of the third person story. I went through a phase where I wholeheartedly preferred my main character to speak directly to me. First person stories (example: I’m Bella Swan) drew me in and made the experience more personal or intimate for me. However, these days I’m leaning toward third person (example: She is Bella Swan) because it is less likely writers will over-indulge their main character. Third person stories seem to allow less room to annihilate a lead’s short comings. Please note, though, that third person stories can still facilitate an over descriptive narrative. Sometimes it’s ok to just say the grass was green. It doesn’t have to be dew-dropped, effervescently smooth, and jade grass standing like soldiers ready to meet the dawn.

I sincerely believe that first person stories invite the authors to get lost inside their characters’ minds which in turn creates an environment that presents too many thoughts or carries the author away on tangents that make us fall out of like with that character. The best first person point of view stories are those that are able to share a character’s views while still knowing when to pull in the reins.

Every person has a limit as to what they’ll share with the world or themselves, and an author who recognizes and can define that is pretty much awesome. Letting your Bella go on too long about how inadequate she feels about herself can take the reader from compassion to complacency in a flash (or in this case, a really long, wordy, repetitive chapter).

I said metrosexual not whimpy pussy.
If your going to tackle a male POV in your story, please remember that men think differently than women. It’s hard to accomplish and I can only think of a handful of authors who are able to do it. You can have a caring Edward; however, when he starts going on and on about he’s going to worship Bella and what a goddess she is and blah, blah, blah... Well, you’ve lost me. Give him some spine, but keep in mind: a male POV does not necessarily mean an M rating for curse words. We’re not stupid enough to think he grew balls because he’s now going to fucking worship Bella and what a damn goddess she fucking is.

It’s ok to make a charming Edward. It’s ok to have him worship Bella. Just remember that most men exhibit romantic tendencies with less words and more actions. And, the ones who do “say” it more than “show” it are probably lying or covering up something. (Yeah, I said it. I didn’t say ALL MEN, so back off!) It only takes 3 words for him to say, “I love you”. But, it takes approximately 25 chapters and an epilogue for him to show it.

What you hear is not a test, I’m a rappin’ to the beat. Me, the group, and my friends are gonna try to move your feet.
I hesitate to say this next part because most of the authors I read already know this nugget of truth. But, I feel I must type it because there are still so many who don’t seem to believe it: Not all of your readers want your witty notes before and/or after a chapter.

I’m a strong believer in less is more. I appreciate author’s who want to give credit, note thanks, supply links, etc. However, I appreciate them more when they tell me to visit their profile for all that shit. I understand some readers like to make BFFs with, and get to know the writers. I am not one of them. It is frustrating to get in to a story and then a bold author note catches my attention and for some petty, indescribable reason, I flounce because of something the author said.

Wait! Please let me try to clarify without making all of you hate me. Sometimes when authors publish a note with their chapters - fuck, who am I kidding more than half of the time - they involuntarily open a window that should have remain shut. Perhaps you can’t help defending your story against a comment you received that you didn’t like. Maybe you want to encourage me to vote for your story in contests I don’t care about. Or, you just want to share what’s going on in your personal life. Possibly, you feel like you need to explain what will happen or what just happened in the chapter. Any of these, along with many other seemingly innocuous little things, can turn a reader off.

I, for one, know that if I had to read a book and every chapter had a note from the author thanking her editor; yelling at readers for not loving the last chapter; and telling me that her kid had a cold... well, I don’t know even know what to say here. I have nothing witty or sarcastic to insert here.

It’s not all bitching. I feel love, too. What? Shut up, I do!
I know it seems like we complain a lot. Things like: that story never updates; that author is blackmailing for reviews; I hate cliffies. But, please, authors, know that we truly do love what you give us. (Not everything for all of us, but some of us for everything) Even a fic with 17 reviews has some readers and they appreciate the free gift of entertainment you are providing us. Not every story hits it out of the ball park, but a lot of stories do touch a lot of human beings on all kinds of different levels. I, personally, have read a shitton of fics that I’ve connected with. I’ve had my eyes opened to various topics that I hadn’t really thought about before, and I’ve came across stories that made me feel like the author was inside my own head.

Fanfic can be amazing and what one finds annoying another finds enjoyment. Just because I am complaining that your fic is too fluffy today does not mean I won’t be all over that tomorrow. Sure, I’m hating the depressing chapter after chapter angst right now, but I know I will be full on PMSing next week and hovering over my laptop with tissues and chocolate - probably stalking your twitter, too. So, authors, thank you for writing. Thank you for your patience with us and for your acceptance that our opinions change daily and there are just too many variables to control how one reader will feel about or respond to your story.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, come sit by me.
What’s that thing my BFF is always saying to me? Oh yeah, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. And to her I reply, “Bite me!”

I always feel bad when I have a negative comment to share with other posters/readers about a story I’ve read. I have to give myself a pep talk before I click on the little icon to post my comment because I worry that the author will see it and I’ll have hurt their feelings. Then I realize that I appreciate the sharing relationship I have with those other posters/readers and rely on their opinion and, as I get to know them, I find that what they might like or dislike in a story can save me time and frustration. Because I do let fic frustrate me. I get so engulfed in a story, so consumed by plots, that I create the world of that individual fic inside my mind. I move in, rearrange the furniture, pop popcorn and sometimes I even fucking talk to them. (They haven’t answered yet, thank gods, but lord knows I’ve yelled at Bella more times than I can count!)

The key is to surround yourself with a community or friend base that you trust. Not a group who will turn mean and start personal attacks! If that’s what you’re looking for, then you’re just not nice and while mean people kick ass, vindictive and intentionally hurtful people suck. (Unless they’re characters in a fic. No, even then, they suck, but they have purpose. Ask yourself, are you a character in a fic? I didn’t think so!)

Know that our passion-filled comments, whether in communities, on twitter, or on other blogs/websites mean we’re communicating and discussing something that you wrote. And please... bottom line... please remember there are a ton of things you don’t like that you talk about to your friends. I know it’s hard, but remember we love the human, even if we don’t love the story.

Yeah, that was a monster post. I promise I'm not even high!

discussion in my house right now

vysed — Thu, 26 May 2011 02:35:50 GMT

Mike: Hey, I have this weekend off. Do you want to drive up to Richmond?

Me: What the hell is in Richmond?

Mike: I don't know. We could look at some history stuff. Find Civil War re-enactments.

Me: ...

Mike: You could do some shopping?

Me:...

Mike: It was just an idea.

Me: (in my head) When in the fuck did we become Jasper and Alice?