This is my grandfather's niche at the military cemetary. The inscription may seem like damning him with faint praise, unless you knew that his best included years meticulously caring for my grandmother when she became quadrapalegic. That he woke up at 4 AM to drive truck, and still had time to be a Scout Leader. Most of his military service was not glorious or heroic, but he did it, and the stories he told about it were funny.

None of this is really about Veteran's Day. I think much more about my father's service when I think of honoring the day. But my grandfather, he did his best, and part of his best was military service.

one million commercials on tv touting the fact that southwest airlines won't charge you extra for bags. however, i just got a note from them that for an extra $10 one-way, i can get earlybird check-in.

guess you've gotta make it somewhere.....

I have not felt the slightest temptation to jump on the knitting bandwagon in all these years, even with half my flist posting gorgeous pictures of their creations. This scarf, though, just might make me cave....

This entry was originally posted at http://loligo.dreamwidth.org/383749.html. comments on that entry. Please comment there using OpenID.

Last night, I left work early and zipped down to Federal Way for a meeting of the Worship Committee. We agreed on many fine things, like using verses of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" as our call to worship during Advent. I love Advent. It was so much less frustrating than the previous worship committee, which I am working not to badmouth (cough)ecclesiasticaldance(cough). So yay. I am on tap to plan the service on the 29th of November, which is the start of Advent. Also the 20th of December. But not Christmas Eve.

And then my mom came and picked me up, because she was in town to crash with us last night. She had a thing in Renton at 8 AM. So she took me home, coughing all the way, and we had dinner, and she helped look over Baz's homework, and gave us advice on our upcoming teacher conference. All of which was helpful.

Then she pulled out the stuff from my dad. I saw some postcards printed on fabric and sold, at an extortionate markup, as a souvenier for gullible quilters. I thought dad could do something very similar with his nifty historical pictures. So I talked him through getting the printable fabric (no, dad, NOT the transfer paper). He printed the stuff out (although he ignored my comments on seam allowance), and I have to say, it looked pretty awesome. Then mom and I rummaged through my stash bin and found some fabrics that nicely set off the pictures. It's really like matting any other picture. So the 8x10 of the church in black and white I matted with an inch of crimson, and 4 inches of white with very light grey filligree. The postcards in color were terrible and I gave up on them. They didn't want to match anything. The historic postcard of the flowers and glaciers at Paradise really wanted a light purple I didn't have, but we did ok with a forest green from my sister's wedding quilt, and a particularly ugly stone/taupe that was the polar cap of Mars in my brother's quilt, and a white-on-white from my parents' quilt. I should have taken pictures, but it was late.

So they're off to Mineral when mom goes home, and we'll see what dad thinks. My goal is to get them finished up as examples before the Mineral Craft Fair, and then he can use them to sell the fabric pictures.

And today I finished the first motif on sil's Carrick Bend Cap. I am about 3 hours in, so that makes my estimate that the band takes me about 12 hours roughly accurate. my fears that the dark brown wouldn't show the cables are proving to be wrong. It looks perfectly fine. Not quite as OMGamazing as the cream, but definately cabled. Also, as testament to how many times I've knit this now, I did the whole cable motif except for the closing weirdness without recourse to a chart or instructions.

so i have this habit of cooking a lot of stuff and packing it into containers and freezing it for later lunches without really spending too much time at the tasting stage. which means that sometimes i pull a container out of the freezer and it's a little bit of a surprise.

today's lunch turned out to be spinach quiche (not the one that was too liquid that i wrote about--the one that i made about a week later that turned out fine) and some roasted butternut squash that i threw in there at the time because the quiche looked a little sparse. very tasty! and probably good for me or something silly like that.

After days of downloading, unzipping, poring over websites and forums, poking things with other things, pushing buttons in all kinds of esoteric combinations, and cursing, Sansa tech support finally got back to me, and my MP3 player is no longer inhabited by the spirit of a fictional 19th century curmudgeon. I have tunes once again!

Also, I finally found out the name of that piece of music British Airways has been using for its commercials. GO ME!

but i was thinking today about what i'd want to sing if i could suddenly be a different vocal part for a day. i mean where i would be skillful at the other vocal part ;-) .

i'm still totally in love with the drinking song from the vaughn williams opera "sir john in love" that we sang in march, 2008 (which i just went and looked up--i thought it was this year. go figure.). i earworm it all the time, still. so i'd be a tenor and sing that, i think. though i'm sure if i thought longer, i'd come up with other stuff.

what would you swap vocal parts for a day to be able to sing?

We would love to see you at our annual Friday After Thanksgiving Thingy. We make a turkey and some of the fixings, you show up with leftovers from your festive meal, and we all get to have a second thanksgiving, but without so many relatives, and possibly with more Rock Band or board games.

Who: You, your friends, and possibly any small children you have on hand (ours may be with their grandparents)
What: Thanksgiving celebration on Friday
When: Starting around 2, turkey around 3, festivities continue until late.
Where: Our apartment in Kent, contact me for address/directions.
Why: Because it's better than Black Friday shopping, and has a higher chance of containing pumpkin pies.

To see the rest of this gloriously dorky webcomic, go here: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=612

I've done Yuletide signups twice, and probably will again, since I keep realizing I left things out of my offers. Have requested Preacher, The Order, and The English Patient (movie) (the last mostly because it's something I've tried to request in the past and the character list didn't match up with what I wanted to ask for).

I have a fourth request open and while there are other things I can think of, either they violate my vow to request things that are roughly equal in the number of offers and requests (because I have weird mathematical theories about gaming the system, don't ask) or they're fandoms which are still making new canon and/or there's significant canon I still have to absorb. (ie -- I would like Fables (comic) fic about Cinderella, but a new Cinderella mini series just started; and I have RPF-Monty Python thoughts, but am still in the middle of the new IFC documentary, and have books by Palin and Chapman that I want to read -- I'm not sure what fanfic's gonna cover that those guys didn't say about themselves!)

So. I'm probably thinking too much and might leave the signups as is.

Today there is lots of housecleaning I should do, but I realized I'm also running up against the time I need to write my xmmficathon draft (since I'll be on vacation when they're due). So I'm going to go to Panera and try to pound out 1500 words NaNo style, and edit later.

Will see how that goes!

A proper Yuletide request post will go up once I'm sure what I'm asking for.

what spice is there in butter chicken that might make it smell like corned beef?

(this was a frozen dinner (trader joe's, yum) so i can't tell you what spices i put into it or anything--otherwise this might be a different post ;-) .)

I still thinks it's a Frankensteinian mish-mosh of other sci-fi series, and I still think it has all the story-telling flaws that have come to characterize the whole SG franchise for me... but I'm finding it oddly compelling. I'm three episodes behind on Supernatural, which I'm actually fannish about, but somehow I end up watching SGU every week, by Saturday night.

So earlier last week, I was trying to pin down what on earth was drawing me to the show, and I realized that I look forward to it the way I look forward to Project Runway (flaws of Season 6 notwithstanding) -- they're fun and suspenseful and they don't make you think too hard. And that realization triggered a whole cascade of comparisons. For one, they're both structured around a challenge of the week that the characters/contestants have to complete, with limited time and inadequate materials (SGU finally varied that format this week, about which I have more to say later). Col. Young is the Tim Gunn of the crew, calm and avuncular, encouraging those kids to "Make it work!" Dr. Rush is the temperamental, eccentric artiste -- Epperson, for example, though every season has one. Camille Wray is Laura Bennett. Lt. Scott is one of those earnest, wide-eyed young men (Chris, Logan) and Chloe is one of the interchangeable ingenues. TJ is the straightforward, no-drama, super-competent Leanne Marshall. Eli is Chris March, open and optimistic. I can't come up with a PR comparison for Greer, but clearly, this points out a weakness in Project Runway.

Much as I was enjoying this type of episode, I was starting to wish they'd change things up and dig for some emotional depth. I guess I got that this week. I'm not sure I liked it. (BTW, did you all know that Janelle Monae was on last night's episode? Some things *have* changed from the previous SG series).

( spoilers for Earth )

what is the advantage of a messenger bag over just getting a backpack?

i've been allergic to something in my kitchen all week. couldn't figure out what. this morning i was going through a bunch of stuff that i brought home from last week's singing to recycle. there, at the bottom of a bag of newspaper, was a bottle of hand sanitizer. it's out back, now--i'll take it into work for someone to use. but my god that stuff is deadly.

I'm such a terrible example of the bitter, cynical, everything-is-photoshopped, nothing is true, and the world is a crapsack gen-whatever I'm supposed to be part of. I tried to hold out, really I did.

Mom was watching Fred Claus on one of the movie channels last night while I was cooking dinner. That movie, despite having Vince Vaughn and the disturbing CG face swapping in it, gives me the warm fuzzies every damn time. This, in conjunction to the mysterious appearance of two cartons of eggnog in the fridge and the pretty, pretty ornaments that are already up at Target (yeah, I looked. Bite me) has led me to where I am at this moment.
Sitting in front of the computers in my jammies, grinning like a moron and singing (quietly) along to this song:
( A New York Christmas, by Rob Thomas )


The boy and I are both out of work again, with nothing on the horizon at the moment. We have bills due, and what money we have saved up is going to go into fixing the brakes on Homey, so we don't go careening into Lake Como some snowy day. This past year sucked a dead Detroit sewer rat through a neon-pink crazy straw for pretty much everyone I know.

And yet, here I am, feeling laughter bubbling up my throat, filled with childlike glee over some cheesy old songs I've heard a thousand times.

• 10:45 A nice call to action for the medical establishment in the NYT re: treating the chronic pain epidemic in the US. bit.ly/3DQK6z
• 14:04 Yay: down another .4lbs. Boo: Don't think I'll make my 11/15 goal. Resetting for 12/1. Three more to go, then reassess! Here's hoping...
• 15:53 I am confused at how @techdragon 's cat is shedding down feathers. I don't see a fresh kill, & he's not looking any guiltier than usual...

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[The Princess Bride]


CPAP update.

First to joshuwain - So far late day caffeine still doesn't do anything to me. I still have the ability (the sleep clinic was impressed) to drop off to slumber within about 60 seconds of the head hitting the pillow. We'll see what happens as time goes by.

To laurel: I did not know you had such extensive experience with CPAPs. Thanks for the offer of advice, and the advice, I shall definitely keep you in mind.

As to where we are now - I had a rough night on Monday or Tuesday. I suspect I did not achieve a good seal and had some leakage and un-maintained pressure. Wednesday I was dozey agan at work in that not-well-slept way I've come to recognize, and actually took a nap at home between work and going to Heritage Theater. I was also a little dozey during the show, same way I've come to recognize.

Today though - today I consider a magic day. I asked myself how I am now compared to say 4 - 5 weeks ago. And sudden;y I can't remember in some respects what it was like to be sleep deprived. And I realized that this now is how I'm supposed to, and used to, be. I've reverted so quickly to a "well" state that the deprived state is a not well kept memory. Oh I know what it feels like when it's happening, like the other day. But to call it up arbitrarily for the sake of comparison - difficult to do.

As I said before, it's no panacea I'm sure, but damn, it's helping.

And so it goes....

She is so strong and lithe and big-kid looking. She and her brother weight just over 50 pounds apiece, but she is maybe an inch shorter and a shoe size smaller. Lately, we have been treating her curly hair with more care, and it is rewarding us with even more curl.

( more and pictures )

Yesterday, in the spirit of our Easter viewing of "Return of the King" and Christmas holiday season showing of "Hogfather," the Taller Half and I made up a new yearly movie tradition. Every November 5th, since fireworks are long out of season here, we will have a Hugo Weaving movie marathon.
This is more amusing and mind bending that it first sounds, since Mr. Weaving has played roles as diverse as talking penguins and dogs in "Happy Feet" and "Babe," a flamboyant Australian drag queen in "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert," a psychotic computer program and a murderous robot in the Matrix trilogy and "Transformers" respectively, Elrond Halfelven of Lord of the Rings fame, and, of course, the titular super-smooth ninja badass terrorist vigilante in "V for Vendetta."

Think about that combination of films for a moment.

Does your brain hurt yet? Mine does.

Title: Like a Family
Continuity: RPM - spoilers for Ranger Yellow
Pairing: Gen - Summer and Ziggy friendship
Rating: PG
Summary: It was almost like having a family again.
Disclaimer: Really not mine.
Word Count: 950
Notes: Thanks to harmonyangel for looking this over. Written for queenriley, who needed a hug.

( Like a Family )

Class Schedule:
I keep my classes small and they will fill quickly. Please email me at class@altkilt.com in to get your spot (payment is necessary to secure it). I am also willing to teach individual versions of these classes if the group dates do not work. Sewing machines will be provided or you may use your own – please let me know if you will need a machine to work on. All classes will be taught at 2310 Packers Ave Suite B, Madison, WI 53704

Beginning Hand Sewing: Never even picked up a needle before, let alone use a sewing machine? Learn how to sew on a button (both shank and 4 square), repair a hole with a slip stitch, hem your pants with a whip stitch and without sewing at all. Materials and tools are provided – Fee: $20 (Mon 11/16, 6-8:30, Sun 12/6,10-12, or Mon 12/14, 6-8p)

Beginning Machine Sewing: Bring your own or use one of ours – we will teach you how to thread your machine, clean and care for it and start you sewing. A serger is also available for those who would like to try it out. Project is a small folded purse with a button closure. Material and tools are provided - Fee: $30 (Thu 11/19, 6-8p, Sun 11/22, 10-12p or Thr. 12/3, 6-8p )

Sewing A: Use a variety of techniques to make a functional tote bag – includes setting a zipper. This is a great class for you if you have very little or no sewing experience but are able to operate your sewing machine's basic functions. Material for a canvas tote will be provide but you may also bring your own (please email for information) - Fee: $40 (Sat 11/21, 9a-12p, or Mon 11/23, 6-8p and Mon 11/30, 6-8p)

Scoodie Class – Learn to make winter’s best accessory – it is part hoodie and part scarf and it will be reversible too! Participants will need to provide 1 yard each of two different fabrics (more information will be emailed out) This class is for anyone who has little or no sewing experience but can operate the basic functions of your machine. This class will leave you with a reusable pattern so you can make more since these are a great gift. - Fee: $40 (Sat 11/21, 12-4p, Sun 11/22, 12-4p or Thr 12/3, 6-8p and Thr 12/10, 6-8p or Sun 12/20, 12-4)


Patterns 101 – Find pre-printed patterns to be daunting? Learn to accurately take your (or someone else’s) measurements, pick and cut the right size pattern parts and learn how to alter it so that your garment fits. Techniques will also include how to build a fully lined garment. This class will provide of one of two patterns for a lady’s or men’s vest and you will need to purchase fabric (about 1.5 yards), lining and buttons. More information will be sent out as your spot is confirmed - Fee: $60 (Sun 12/6, 12-5, Sun 12/13 10-3 or Sat 12/19, 12-5)

just typed the following into an IM window:

it's so warm in here that i think my brains are cooking. do zombies like cooked brains?

(my furnace is on the fritz, yet again--this time it won't shut off.)

And I almost forgot.

For some reason, I like remembering the 5th of November.

It should never be forgot.

And so it goes.

Title: Need to Know
Written for: xmen_on_lj's UTOPIA ficathon.
Characters: Gen. Bobby Drake, Scott Summers, Warren Worthington, Betsy Braddock (Iceman, Angel, Cyclops, Psylocke)
Rating: PG-13 (language)
Wordcount: ~4,000
Thanks to harmonyangel and inlovewithnight for beta-ing.
Note on Background: ( canon note )


( FIC: Need to Know )