gacked from fluterbev

What happens...	When you/your friends do it, it is...	When other people do it, it is...
1. Self-pimping of fannish product:	Thoughtfully informing fandom of something they might enjoy.	Thrusting sub-standard work in everybody’s face.
2. Self-pimping of fannish product, accompanied by bold declarations about its sterling quality:	Thoughtfully informing fandom of something they might enjoy, coupled with a demonstration of justifiable pride in something you have created.	Thrusting sub-standard work in everybody’s face in an insufferably big-headed way.
3. Self-pimping of fannish product, accompanied by bold declarations about its relative quality compared to the rest of the dreck out there:	Thoughtfully informing fandom of something they might enjoy plus a realistic assessment of your product’s relative worth in the wider context.	Thrusting sub-standard work in everybody’s face in an insufferably big-headed way, coupled with a blatant attempt to badmouth the opposition.
4. Fannish product gets pimped/recommended by others:	A genuine endorsement of quality by people unconnected to the creator	Nepotism and bootlicking
5. Nominating your own product for fannish awards:	An unselfconscious declaration of pride in your own work, and a realistic assessment of its quality and mass appeal.	Promoting a sub-standard product in an incredibly tacky way.
6. Voting for your own product in fandom awards:	Well, politicians do it!	Tacky and self-centered.
7. Getting all your sockpuppets friends to vote for you too:	Levelling the playing field, because you just know that everybody else does it. Otherwise, how would those bitches have won last year?	A blatant act of cheating by people you dislike cheating cheaters who cheat, with intent to deprive you and your friends those who are more deserving of their rightful due.

Wow! I have had an intense July couple of days...

I was fighting a migraine that started at work on the 2nd of July, but forced myself to stay as I wanted my holiday pay. I had the 3rd and 4th off via holiday shift bid, then and the 5th and 6th off as my normal days off. The migraine was on and off all weekend...and continued into Tuesday. Spotty no workie, so no holiday pay. I was absolutely miserable and wouldn't have been worth shit at work. Except that it was still there on fucking Wednesday. Once again, both of my FMLA days in the beginning of the fucking month. *sigh* Thursday and Friday, I was fine. No worries. Saturday? I was feeling not so hot in the morning, but went to work. I came home at lunch. The queasiness and growing migraine were too much to concentrate on work. It was bad enough that I hadn't put in my contacts Saturday morning, or I'd have tried to do the sunglasses at work thing [tho' I don't think that would have worked anyway]. Came home and passed out for several hours, then was groggy as fuck until I went to bed.

Yesterday was spent writing. Srsly. thelittlebang is due in 2 days and my health the last 2 months has NOT been conducive to musely cooperation. FFS! But I am determined not to punk out on this one. So when shatterpath & amyrayh went to get groceries, I cranked up the Disturbed playlist and started writing. In approximately12 hrs, I managed to churn out 5416 words. I collapsed into bed at like 2330 last night, and passed the fucking fuck out.

And yet, I was wide fucking awake at 0530 this morning. The writing mojo wasn't quite as powerful as yesterday, but I have managed to get 3298 words written today. My thelittlebang story [which still doesn't have a good title] is sitting at 24037 words right now. I've sent off this version to ct for a first round beta and shatterpath knows to check the files on my public drive as well. Right now, there are 6 different scenes/journal entries that need to be completed/reworked and the whole thing is done for now. I'm hoping I can finish up those 6 scenes and still post this bitch up on Wednesday, but it really depends on work and the weather. At the latest, I'll be able to post it on Sunday, which is my next day off.

I'm really fucking proud of this story right now. It's still not going to be exactly what I wanted, but I don't think there is ever truly a final copy where Light, Water, Muses is concerned.

So my word count for these past 48 hrs is 8714. Beat that, bitches! Just kidding!

And now, I'm completely wiped out. I'm gonna finish watching No Reservations and head to bed.

July 13, 2009
Cloudburst
Eric Whitacre
2006

( There are some people who were destined to be musicians. )

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July 13, 2009
Allowed To Be Happy
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

( You may feel happiest when in the presence of your loved ones today. )

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July 13, 2009
Experiences To Savor
Magical Moments

Most of us are adept at seeing the big picture. Caught up in the hectic pace of modern life, we feel compelled to immediately distinguish what is important from what is not. The assessment is an easy one to make when we are mired in the daily grind—everything relating to success seems significant and everything else seems comparatively trivial. But what is most precious in this life cannot be measured in affluence or influence. The truly noteworthy events in our lives are often the least momentous yet the most wonderful. They are the magical moments in which we are simply awestruck by the wonderment of life. Though our perception of magical moments may be blocked by worldly concerns, our days are filled with such moments. To experience them fully, we need only open ourselves to their existence.

Magical moments are not measured by the composition of an experience but rather by our reaction to it. Since such moments come and go quickly, they should be consciously savored and noted. They stick with us only when we recognize the impact they have had on our mood, our day, and our lives. In such instances, we may find we are suddenly and blissfully aware that we have evolved or that those around us have changed in some positive way. We may stand in awe at the beauty of a familiar object or derive great pleasure from an everyday activity. Or we may witness incidents of supreme kindness and compassion that do not directly involve us yet touch our hearts intensely. Nature is a constant source of magical moments. When we cherish such occurrences, we condition ourselves to take note of them when they happen and appreciate the value they add to our lives.

An idea for increasing your awareness of the magical moments in your life is to record all such happenings in a journal kept for that purpose. As these moments are personal, your journal can be a documentation of small joys or a testimony of grand revelations. You may begin to notice that there is more magic in your life than you initially imagined. In striving to make the most of each of these magical moments, you grant yourself permission to experience new levels of joy, surprise, tenderness, and personal fulfillment.

July 12, 2009
Childlike Wonder
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

You might notice a playfulness to your mood today which could make you feel as if you are living out your second childhood. Letting the innocent part of yourself come out to play might be a way for you to feel the energy and joy of your younger years as well as allowing you to experience the world in a simple and pure way. Maybe you can think back to a time as a child when life seemed perfect. Using this moment as a springboard, you might try to conjure up all the sensations associated with this memory – the sights, sounds, feelings that surrounded you. Try imagining that you are living this time again, relishing everything that is delightful about your child self, and you might notice that this visualization helps you to see things in a different light today.

Consciously bringing the childlike innocence we once had into our lives enables us to experience things fully. When we were children our world was unsullied – everything in it was alive with the wonders of exploration and sensation. As we got older, though, it became easier to notice the problems in the world and feel them as our own. Going back to the past, ironically, makes it easier for us to more completely experience the pleasure of the present moment, seeing that there is a wonder to the everyday things that surround us and basking in the happiness that comes from this realization. By connecting with your inner child today, your encounter with the world will be filled with bliss.

July 11, 2009
In Love’s Embrace
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

A quiet, almost somber mood can come over you today, compelling you to forgo your usual social activities so that you can remain in the soothing embrace of your personal spaces. However, even if you opt to spend your time engaging in meditative activities that can potentially help you better understand yourself, you may want to have your loved ones at your side. This can be a wonderful time to enjoy peace and quiet with the people you love most in the world because doing so will likely instill deep feelings of tranquility in your soul. You may even achieve a new sense of closeness with family and friends today as you enjoy life’s simple pleasures together.

The comfort and security of knowing that our loved ones will always be there to support us is heightened when we make a real effort to spend quality time with these special individuals. Almost all interpersonal bonds are strengthened by regular contact, which means that the time we spend with the people we care about is an important part of ensuring our relationships continue to flourish. Family and friends alike will regard our attentions as proof of our ongoing devotion and consequently will be inspired to include us in those peaceful shared activities that remind us that we are not alone in this world. The time we spend together leaves us with a lasting feeling of having been embraced by those we care most about. When you spend quiet time alone with the important people in your life today, you will understand more than ever that you are loved.

Like I need to be doing any fucking writing when both thelittlebang & femslash09 are due in the next 10 days, but writing is writing, right?

gacked from leyenn & cleo

Post the first line of a story here, and I'll write the next five (or so). No context or prompts, just a line.



Fandoms up for grabs :: BSG, CSI: Miami, CSI:NY, Guiding Light, In Plain Sight, Leverage, NCIS, Poltergeist: the Legacy, Private Practice, Star Trek: TNG, The West Wing

July 10, 2009
Cumbolo
Culture
1979

( Culture is one of the groups synonymous with the organic, summery sound of vocal roots-reggae. Spearheaded by vocalist Joseph Hill, Culture became known for its spiritual, social, and political messages sung effortlessly by Hill. )

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July 10, 2009
The Passage Of Thought
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

( Your trust in your own intelligence will likely soar today as you engage with the individuals with whom you share your environment. )

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July 10, 2009
Exercising Flexibility
Mind Stretching

Flexibility is the capacity to bend without breaking, as well as a continual willingness to change or be changed in order to accommodate new circumstances. People with flexible minds are open to shifting their course when necessary or useful; they are not overly attached to things going the way they had planned. This enables them to take advantage of opportunities that a more rigid person would miss out on. It can also make life a lot more fun. When we are flexible, we allow for situations we could not have planned, and so the world continues to surprise and delight us.

Since reality is in a constant state of flux, it doesn’t make sense to be rigid or to cling to any one idea of what is happening or what is going to happen. We are more in tune with reality when we are flexible. Being in tune enables us to adjust to the external environment and other people as they change and grow. When we are rigid or stuck in our ways, instead of adjusting to the world around us we hunker down, clinging to a concept of reality rather than reality itself. When we do this, we cut ourselves off from life, and we miss out on valuable opportunities, as well as a lot of joy.

Just as we create flexibility in our bodies by stretching physically, we can create limberness in our minds by stretching mentally. Every day we have the opportunity to exercise our flexibility. We can do this in small ways such as taking a different route home from work or changing our exercise routine. On a larger scale, we can rearrange the furniture or redo a room in our house. If these are things we already do regularly, we can stretch our minds by imagining several different possibilities for how the next year will unfold. As we do this, our minds become more supple and open, and when changes come our way, we are able to accommodate and flow with the new reality.

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July 10, 2009
House Blessing, Shadow Effect, Weight Loss, 40 Days Revolution
Gift Of The Week

( this week's 4 gifts... )

gacked from nnaylime

ETA :: Pick one of the available fandoms and *I'll* answer the meme.... *shakes head at shatterpath...

Favorite character:
Least favorite character:
Character with the best hair:
Character with the best eyes:
Character with the best smile:
Character I'd most want to kiss:
Character I'd most likely have sex with:
Character I'd make lunch for:
Character I'd go singing in the rain with:
Character I'd go shopping with:
Character I'd go dancing with:
Character I'd take over the world with:
Character I most want to see more of:
Favorite pairing:
Least favorite pairing:


Available fandoms: BSG, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI:NY, Guiding Light, In Plain Sight, Leverage, NCIS, Poltergeist: the Legacy, Private Practice, Star Trek: TNG, The West Wing

July 9, 2009
Bija: Soothing Music and Mantras for Yoga and Meditation
Todd Norian
2003

( Todd Norian is a renowned yoga teacher who applies the spiritual tenets of the practice to his music, creating works such as the compelling Bija: Soothing Music and Mantras for Yoga and Meditation. )

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July 9, 2009
The Gift Of Wit
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

( Your own wit can astound you today as you hold your colleagues and loved ones enraptured with your anecdotes and jokes. )

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July 9, 2009
Walking Through
When Doors Open

When a door opens, walk through it. Trust that the door has opened for a reason and you have been guided to it. Sometimes we have a tendency to overanalyze or agonize over the decision, but it is quicker to simply go through the door and discover what’s there as that’s the only way to know. Even if it doesn’t seem right at first, opening this door may lead to another door that will take us where we need to go.

Doors open when the time is right for us to enter a new space, metaphorically speaking, and we can have faith that walking through is the right thing to do. Sometimes we linger in the threshold because we are afraid of leaving our old life for a life we know nothing about. We may have voices inside of our heads that try to hold us back or people in our lives saying discouraging things. These voices, internal and external, are known as threshold spirits, and they express all the fears and doubts that arise at the beginning of a new life. Nevertheless, none of these voices can hold us back, and they will fall silent as soon as we cross the threshold.

There are many doors that open in the course of our lives, leading us into new relationships, jobs, friendships, and creative inspirations. Our lives up to this point are the result of all the doors we have walked through, and our continued growth depends on our willingness to keep moving into new spaces. Every time we walk through an open door, we create a sense memory that encourages us to move into the new fearlessly. When we enter the new space, we almost always feel a thrill and a new feeling of confidence, in ourselves and in the universe. We have stepped across the threshold into a new life.

July 8, 2009
Rabbit Songs
Hem
2002

( Rabbit Songs begins with a single unaccompanied voice singing a fragment of a traditional lullaby in a dusky alto. )

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July 8, 2009
Moderate Truths
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

( Your thoughts and opinions will likely be diplomatic in nature today. )

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July 8, 2009
Permanently Parents
The Changing Nest

Once individuals become parents, they are parents forevermore. Their identities change perceptively the moment Mother Nature inaugurates them mom or dad. Yet the role they undertake when they welcome children into their lives is not a fixed one. As children move from one phase of their lives to the next, parental roles change. When these transitions involve a child gaining independence, many parents experience an empty nest feeling. Instead of feeling proud that their children have achieved so much—whether the flight from the nest refers to the first day of kindergarten or the start of college—parents feel they are losing a part of themselves. However, when approached thoughtfully, this new stage of parental life can be an exciting time in which mothers and fathers rediscover themselves and relate to their children in a new way.

As children earn greater levels of independence, their parents often gain unanticipated freedom. Used to being depended upon by and subject to the demands of their children, parents sometimes forget that they are not only mom or dad but also individuals. As the nest empties, parents can alleviate the anxiety and sadness they feel by rediscovering themselves and honoring the immense strides their children have made in life. The simplest way to honor a child undergoing a transition is to allow that child to make decisions and mistakes appropriate to their level of maturity. Freed from the role of disciplinarian, parents of college-age children can befriend their offspring and undertake an advisory position. Those with younger children beginning school or teenagers taking a first job can plan a special day in which they express their pride and explain that they will always be there to offer love and support.

An empty nest can touch other members of the family unit as well. Young people may feel isolated or abandoned when their siblings leave the nest. As this is normal, extra attention can help them feel more secure in their newly less populated home. Spouses with more leisure time on their hands may need to relearn how to be best friends and lovers. Other family members will likely grieve less when they understand the significance of the child’s new phase of life. The more parents both celebrate and honor their children’s life transitions, the less apprehension the children will feel. Parents who embrace their changing nest while still cherishing their offspring can look forward to developing deeper, more mature relationships with them in the future.

gacked from tod_hollykim

You Belong in Brooklyn

Down to earth and hard working, you're a true New Yorker. And although you may be turning into a yuppie, you never forget your roots.

LOL! That's pretty fucking funny, actually...

July 7, 2009
Guided Meditations for Love & Wisdom
Sharon Salzberg
2009

( Sharon Salzberg, founder of the Insight Meditation Society and a meditation teacher with 30 years of experience, is distinctive for her plainspoken style and no-frills user friendliness. )

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July 7, 2009
The Meaning Of Abundance
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

( Sudden good fortune that appears in your life today can cause you to reevaluate the meaning of abundance as it applies to your existence. )

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July 7, 2009
Opportunity for Reflection
Hard Days

We all have days that seem endlessly difficult and hard. On these days, it is as if the odds are stacked against us and we just can’t get a break as one challenging situation follows another. We may feel like we’re standing in the ocean getting hit by wave after wave, never able to get a full breath. Sometimes it’s necessary or worth it to stay in the fray and work our way through. Other times, the best idea is to go home and take the breath we need in order to carry on.

If the only choice is to get through it, a hard day can be a great teacher. It will eventually end and we can look back on it, taking pride in the stamina, courage, and ingenuity it took to hold our ground. We may also look back and see how we could have done things differently. This knowledge will be valuable when we face hard days in the future. Trust your gut as you’re deciding whether to work through it, and know that sometimes a timely retreat is the best way to ensure a positive outcome. Getting space can remind us that external circumstances are not the whole picture. Once we catch our breath and re-center ourselves, we will be able to determine our next move. With a little perspective, we may even find the inner resources to change our attitude about what’s happening. We may begin to see that what we saw as hardships are actually opportunities. As our attitude changes for the better, our actions and the circumstances will follow suit.

Sometimes all that’s needed is a good night’s sleep. No one is immune to having a hard day and these are usually the times we can learn the most. If we can find it in our hearts to examine the day, and maybe make one small change in perception, we can ease our pain and greet the next day that much wiser.

Just a minor flist cleaning, primarily of comms [dropped like 70-80 or something like that] and journals that either haven't updated in quite some time or that I no longer seem to share any interests with.

If you feel that I shouldn't have dropped your journal, leave a comment and we'll go from there...


ETA :: If you got a notification that I removed you from my flist, you were on my flist. BUT like 95% of my entries are public, so you can still read my journal, even if I'm not reading yours [which is primarily what the cut was for].

ETA 2 :: If, when you comment to this [or any] post, you get a notification that your comment is screened, that means you're not on my reading flist.

July 6, 2009
Bumpin'
Wes Montgomery
1965

( Self-taught, boundary-busting jazz-guitar great Wes Montgomery is partially known for bringing his harmonics and elegant fingering across the border of bebop and soul jazz into soft jazz sophistication with his 1965 hit, Bumpin', a masterwork that flows with lush strings and fireplace-friendly arrangements. )

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July 6, 2009
Mental Reminders
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope

( You may have the need to spend with reckless abandon today, which may be the result of the influence of your feelings on your rational mind. )

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July 6, 2009
Conscious Decisions
Going Against What Is Popular

Just because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. However, part of the way that something becomes popular is that many of us don’t take the time to determine what’s right for us; we simply do what most of the people we know are doing. In this way, our decisions about life are made by default, which means they aren’t what we call conscious decisions. There may be many other options available, but we don’t always take the time to explore them. This may be the result of feeling overwhelmed or pressured by family, peers, and humanity at large, to do things their way, the way things have always been done. Regardless of the cause, it is important that, as often as we can, we decide for ourselves what to do with our lives rather than just drift along on the current of popular opinion.

It is not always easy to make decisions that go against the grain. Many people feel threatened when those close to them make choices divergent from the ones they are making. Parents and grandparents may be confused and defensive when we choose to raise our children differently from the way they raised us. Friends may feel abandoned if we decide to change our habits or behavior. Meanwhile, on our side of the fence, it’s easy to feel frustrated and defensive when we feel unsupported and misunderstood simply because we are thinking for ourselves. It can be exhausting to have to explain and re-explain our points of view and our reasons.

This is where gentleness, openness, and tolerance come into play. It helps if we are calmly persistent, consistent, and clear as we communicate to those around us why we are making the choices we are making. At the same time, we have the right to say that we are tired of talking about it and simply need our choices to be respected. Our lives belong to us and so do our decisions. Those who truly love us will stand by us and support our choices, never mind what’s popular.