Twisted

Memes!

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:46:25 GMT

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Got hypnotized a lot, bought a house

2. Did you keep your new years' resolution, and will you make more for next year?
I don't do new years' resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A few, yes. :)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thank the gods, no people. A cat I really liked did, though. (none of mine)

5. What countries did you visit?
France, Sweden. :)

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Self-assurance and calm.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 13. Friday, November 13. We bought Doomsday Manor. :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See above.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Loosening up. I made some in-roads, but lost it entirely.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
France was interesting. Other than that, nope!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
See question 7.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mother. She moved, grew, and became the mom I always knew I had, but was kind of repressed for a while.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The rest of my family. When your sister/daughter goes in for an MRI because she might have a tumor or aneurysm, you call to find out the results. Fuckers. (except one uncle, he emailed)

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. And then house.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
House. France. Sweden. Hypnotism. Fragrances.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Um... I don't know. I like music. I'm not sure that it necessarily reminds me of certain times, though.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or hardened? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? About the same, I think. Maybe fatter, actually. I don't know.
c) richer or poorer? That depends on your definition. Liquid asset-wise, poorer... but we have a HOUSE.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Enjoying myself. I worry too much.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about other people's happiness, or whether I pleased them.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
In Missouri with my mom!

21. How will you be spending New Years?
Eating good food, then at a fabulous party thrown by a fabulous lady!

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yep.

23. How many one-night stands?
one-ish?

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Supernatural, Dollhouse, Top Chef.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nah. Hate is way too much effort.

26. What was the best book you read?
Hmm... I don't remember.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Shazam!

28. What did you want and get?
A house.

29. What did you want and not get?
Can't think of anything.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Watchmen... or Inglourious Basterds

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Today is my birthday! I'm workin! Then cookin! Then SLEEPIN! I'm 30!!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to just let go and enjoy myself.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Pretty much the same as always. I try to be fashionable, but fail.

34. What kept you sane?
angrybunnyman and my friends. But mostly, angrybunnyman

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Johnny Depp. Always.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare.

37. Who did you miss?
My Faerie Princess, Gretch. Friends who are too darn far away.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Oh, gods... who did I meet new this year? angels_ember and messener... I think I've pretty much known everyone else longer....

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Don't stress.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Oh, I have no idea. That's ridiculous. I can't sum up my year with my OWN words, much less anyone elses.

January: Happy New Year, LJ Land!

February: Today's God is Asclepius

March: Ok. I don't like that this place has become a place where I don't actually write about what's going on and real thoughts

April: I woke up to snow on my car. Seriously?

May: Ok, so Coffee!

June: I dreamt that I was in the college cafeteria, being served by one of the 'mean girls' from my high school.

July: I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that I have tomorrow off.

August: I may be a little anal.

September: This is a reminder.

October: This whole thing is scintillating and weird and fun and just a touch scary.

November: I'm not lying when I say the only color correction I did on this was to clean up the fuzziness from my camera.

December: So tomorrow, we've got big-wigs coming, and the whole office is supposed to dress in business casual attire.

baahhh

I turn 30 today!

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:47:43 GMT

At 9:16 (I think) this evening!

I love the solstice, and I would love it even if it WASN'T my birthday.

Long nights are good. I like night, and I like winter and I just adore the rebirth aspect of it... I am a solstice baby through and through... and seeing as how I was 6 weeks early, probably chose the day even before I was born... *shrug* If you believe that kind of stuff.

Anywho.

My birthday party on Saturday was phenomenal! I had friends from out of town show up, friends I haven't seen in too long from Madison show up, and friends I see often show up... 27 in all, and we didn't even overflow into the den (except for a couple people at times trying to get away from the noise, which was surprisingly loud). It was just awesome. I appreciate everyone who showed up.

And I'm in wine for a good long time, too... :)

The house is PERFECT for parties, and I fully intend to hold lots of them in the future.

Though, we may need to put up a collection jar, because we go a LITTLE overboard on providing munchies, and it gets REALLY expensive...

Eh, it's fun. :)

Anywho. Back to work.

Happy Solstice, everyone!!!

The Hand That Feeds

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:24:30 GMT

The Hand That Feeds
Originally uploaded by ABMann

Feed the birds!

This was in Paris at Montemartre. Specifically outside of the Sacre Coeur cathedral. Those birds weren't shy. :)

Picture by the talented angrybunnyman

Update...

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:03:35 GMT

The metal object I swallowed appears to be passing through my system just fine, thanks. It seems to be in my large intestine and moving smoothly through, so as long as it continues, it should be gone in a day or two. Woo.

Travel!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:24:17 GMT

Ooh... this is fun:

visited 21 states (42%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

And?

visited 7 states (3.11%)
Create your own visited map of The World

I obviously have lots more to visit in the world....

For Twilighttreader:

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:35:47 GMT

Have you seen this? Bacon Explosion!

The BRILLIANT Voices...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:09:23 GMT

angrybunnyman has brilliant voices in his head.

How to deal with ANNOYING cats in Wisconsin.

Apparently, she's really quiet now. :)

Bow under pressure

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:20:29 GMT

Bow under pressure
Originally uploaded by FlutterbyV

Nature rocks, man. It's absolutely gorgeous out, and I managed to get to work less than 15 minutes late. It would have been earlier had I not promised to pick up a co-worker from the hotel he was in, but I got there and did it.

And less than half of the people who work in this office are here. Which is understandable. I'm just crazy.

This is a tree in our back yard. That line of black is the chair-height bench on the deck.

Today is going to be interesting.

Dance.

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:02:09 GMT

So You Think You Can Dance...

I'm addicted.

I also seriously adore a couple of the dancers. Namely Russell. He's rockin. I adore him. I hope he wins.

I don't care about the women, really... I really like most of the men who are left.

And having internet is awesome.

Electra injured herself when I came home tonight... she got startled and fell of the cat tree, and now she's not putting pressure on one of her front legs. :( We'll see how she's doing tomorrow. I hope she gets rest and it's just a sprain or over-extended muscle or something. She lets me touch and press on the leg totally, so I'm pretty sure it's not broken. And it's not swollen... *shrug* meh. I don't like that she's hurt.

Right. It's time for bed, I think. It will be an early morning to get in on time because of the snow. Woo snow.

Still no Internet at home

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:36:30 GMT

If today doesn't go well, we're ditching the TDS idea and letting Charter dig up the back yard. 3 missed appointments is NOT OK.

Business Attire

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:54:07 GMT

So tomorrow, we've got big-wigs coming, and the whole office is supposed to dress in business casual attire. It's going to look like we've stepped into an alternate universe.

This also means that I have to leave the house no later than 7am tomorrow, unless it's still snowy, then it will be no later than 6:50. Just so I can make sure everything in the common areas is pretty, coffee is made, and everything's ready for the day when they get here "promptly" at 8am. Which in my head translates to 7:45. Which means I need to be at my desk and awake by then.

Good luck with that.

It's getting whiter out there. I'm really glad both ABM and I are allowed in the garage now... no more alternating who has to scrape. :)

Ok. I've got things to do to prep for tomorrow... thought I'd check in for a touch. I'm still reading, not so much with commenting or posting for the moment.

Recital!

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:40:12 GMT

Beloiters!

Enoch is having his Masters Recital on Saturday! It's in Lincoln Nebraska, University of Lincoln Sheldon Art Gallery.

I'm doing everything I can to get there by 6pm, when it starts, and you should too!

Turkey Time

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:07:36 GMT

Thanksgiving was wonderful.

I came clean to my mom about being poly, which she accepted and understood, and let me know that she wanted me to be happy, and didn't think it would make me happy, but she respects my choice. Overall a much better reaction than I'd feared. She'd also already pretty much figured it out and was trying to figure out how to ask.

The food was phenomenal, though, and for the most part, we all had an amazing time. angrybunnyman's dad brought a 19 lb. turkey and makings for stuffing, my mom brought makings for authentic trifle, a Greek salad, a drink, and roasted root veggies. angrybunnyman made mashed taters, green bean casserole, tsatsiki sauce, and spanakopita. twilighttreader brought bacon mustard mac & cheese, pumpkin dip, and a cosmopolitan cheesecake with a chocolate cranberry crust and vanilla vodka cheesecake. I was responsible for croissants, Pao de Queijo, pecan pie, giblet gravy, and the baklava for Greek Day. Our guests for Greek Day brought dolmades and some lovely Greek dessert bites.

Overall, it was seriously a wonderful time. ABM's dad seems much more relaxed now that work stress seems to have eased, and he's even looking into getting his house ready to sell, which will be a big project, but totally worth it. And my mom is always just a delight to have around. Our other guests were fun, relaxing, and enjoyable, and the house is as awesome for hosting as we thought it would be (though we definitely need more seating. :))

Both parents left Saturday morning, then ABM and I went out window shopping for the house again. Found some awesome chairs for the living room and kitchen dining area. I can't find pictures of the living room ones right now. Suffice to say they're orange and awesome, and I hope we can get them. :)

Yesterday, I didn't leave the house. It was wonderful, and the first day since we moved in that I've been able to do that. I did my first gardening in the form of chopping down the dry hydrangeas (thanks to twilighttreader for helping with that. The clippers I got are good, heavy duty ones... and they're heavy! Which worked muscles in my forearms that I didn't know I didn't have... it made answering texts and gripping things very odd for the remainder of the night, and they're a touch sore this morning. Odd. Not bad... just odd.

So yeah. Good weekend, and today seems to be going well aside from forgetting my phone charger, and having to deal with silence. :( slow no-music morning.

But things are good, and the weekend was awesome, and I'm getting to know our house, and life rocks. :)

Now we just need to find a sublettor.

Think I Can Climb It?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:45:29 GMT

Think I Can Climb It?
Originally uploaded by FlutterbyV

Poe got to explore the back yard last Sunday.

She was seriously considering trying to climb this tree for a bit. Means we need to get a ladder, for when she DOES... cuz there ain't NO WAY that cat'll be able to get herself back down.

I'm finding that I'm more diligent about making sure dishes are scrap-free before putting them in the dishwasher. Something about being ultimately responsible for the operation of the machine and not being able to call the building maintenance guy to fix it for free...

Tonight, my mom comes! Then there's cooking and cleaning and prepping the third bedroom for ABM's dad...

I'm really curious about how much of a big deal it's going to be to remove the built-ins in both additional bedrooms... because if it's not going to be that bad, maybe we can even do it sometime this weekend...

I'm vaguely worried about becoming complacent about the changes we want to make. Sure there are things that are going to be expensive, and we need to wait on... I just don't want to get to the point where we're used to it, and not fixing it. Especially the rooms we don't normally use.

So excited for this weekend!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:32:21 GMT

Happy Birthday to the ever-lovely annan_dum!!!

While I've been sorely out of touch, this gal is still one of my best friends, and I couldn't wish her more happiness than I do. She is one of the most vibrant, loving, loyal, gracious, graceful, lovely people I know, and she deserves the world on a platter.

Happy Birthday, honey.

Of the Pathetically Small

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:10:58 GMT

As I mentioned before, our dining table in our new dining room looks pathetically small. It's quite funny to look at. I have pictures, but we still have no internet, so you'll have to wait on them.

So, last night, angrybunnyman and I went out looking for replacements. And found a great one. This table with one of these chairs for the head, then some far less ornate, more modern looking chairs for the rest of the table (that match perfectly, in fact. I rock!). We saw these and liked them, but they were at the first place we stopped, so we went to a couple more, and at the last one, bought a hanging light to put over the table. That's when we realized we were going to get it, and went back and got it. :) (Oh, and? It was in the as-is section, so we got one helluva deal on it!!)

ABM is going to be taking before pictures tonight.

The cats are calming down, which is really nice. Electra is even out and wandering the whole house now. If skittishly...

The no internet thing is kind of annoying, but it gives us incentive to unpack, so I guess that's what we'll be doing. :)

Have fun, y'all!

To Look Up

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:24:57 GMT

To Look Up
Originally uploaded by FlutterbyV

See that light? The one over the 'te'? They have it in green. And I want it in our kitchen/breakfast nook thing.

This not having internet at home is a touch annoying because I'm actually busy at work, and don't have as much time to stay in touch on the interwebs...

Doesn't mean I don't love you guys and miss you... I'm just in this whole moving thing!

And I hope TDS gets back to us and we figure things out soon.

Reach for the Sun

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:27:02 GMT

Reach for the Sun
Originally uploaded by FlutterbyV

Our new house has an east facing bay window. Ginger has claimed the spot.

Electra actually came out a bit this morning while we were moving around getting ready. That was good.

And Poe, I think is getting less annoyed/freaked out by the new space.

Lots of unpacking yet to do, and finding homes for things. I'm not sure how well the kitchen stuff is going to work where I've got it, so we'll see if I move that.

I definitely want to make some black bean brownies within the next few days to introduce us to the neighbors.

And big, BIG hugs go out to the lovely shortcakeness, who lost one of her beautiful kitties to a ruptured bladder yesterday. My heart is breaking for her, and I can't imagine how she's feeling. So hugs. And more hugs.

This picture is at the Jardin Exotique, which was the botanical garden in Eze, France. The cactus here looks fuzzy, which made me smile.

Magical Sex Toys!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:21:29 GMT

Okay, folks, here, naamah_darling asks for ideas for magical sex toys. I know many of you are pretty darn kinky, and want your ideas too.

Here's what she says: Partly for a roleplaying game and partly just for fun, Sargon and I are trying to come up with ideas for magical sex toys. This is surprisingly difficult, especially in a technological setting where so much is already possible. Sex toys as they exist today are pretty hard to improve upon.

Take, for example, anal beads. How the hell do you improve on anal beads? They do what they do, and they pretty much do it perfectly. They're fucking awesome. Yet there must be a way to make them even better with magic. If you wanted to get fancy, fine, they vibrate, but you could do that with technology. We're reaching for something more. A sexy curse, a naughty enchantment . . . the only limit is the perverted imagination.

So I open it up to youall. Anal beads, cockrings, butt plugs, pony tails, probes, dildos, harnesses, crops, collars, gags, ben-wa balls, gloves, paddles, ropes, corsets, the whole nine yards. Anything that could conceivably be associated with sex, especially kinky sex. Ideas? Thoughts? Inspirations? Feel free to get as bizarre and perverse as you like. I am sure my character will thank you extensively once he recovers. He's the kind of guy who would write thank-you notes, you know? He needs an ass-beating.

So, bring it on! Suggestions, please!

Celebrity Crushes!

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:14:53 GMT

Here are mine through my life so far...

Who are yours?

Pre-Teen Years

Tween Years

Teen Years

College Years

Young Adult

Now

Writer's Block: If these walls could talk

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:37:53 GMT

Would you rent or buy the home of your dreams if a brutal murder had taken place there? What if you got to live there rent-free? Would you think twice if neighbors warned you that it was haunted?

View 1001 Answers

Dude! I'd absolutely live there. I'd LOVE to see a ghost. I'm a weirdo, though, and think that the best houses are near cemeteries. :)

Coffee!!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:52:58 GMT

There will be coffee this morning at around 10 at Old Sauk Barriques. Come, visit!

Proved Right!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:22:26 GMT

I love when my recommendations prove good. I try not to recommend things unless I really believe that they're awesome.

So when I recommended West Side Service Center to a co-worker who was having trouble with her car, I was reasonably sure that they would prove honest, fairly priced, and as awesome as I expect. But it was really good to have her come up to me thrilled that she got the quote back from them and the work was EXACTLY what she and her husband suspected, and nothing more, and that the price was reasonable. She was so excited that she hugged me.

I know finding an honest mechanic is hard, and I'm SO GLAD we found these guys and can recommend them. It makes me happy.

On another note entirely, Sesame Street is 40 this week. Makes me want to watch the programs from my youth. I've heard it's changed since I watched it, which is fitting, as it needs to be current for today's youth, but it makes me sad, nonetheless. Reading Rainbow is over, Sesame Street is different, I can't find any reference to Rainbow Brite, though Strawberry Shortcake still seems popular... it's a new world, and I'm starting to feel a teeny bit old. Middle aged... something. Not as relevant, maybe.... no. None of that is right. Maybe just nostalgic.

I want to sew myself a Rainbow Brite costume for next Halloween. Maybe techdragon would be willing to give me a decent price for pattern help and sewing tips. And I hope that jinxedkisses still makes those yarn wigs, because I'll need a yellow one.

Writer's Block: Green-eyed monster

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:42:53 GMT

If your romantic partner told you that, given the chance, he or she would sleep with a celebrity/public figure you disrespect, would you be amused, jealous, or bewildered? How would they react if the situation were reversed?

View 583 Answers

hahaha

I'd ask why them... then, given a reasonable answer (she's HOT qualifies), I'd be amused.

Fragonard Sculpture

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:43:12 GMT

Fragonard Sculpture
Originally uploaded by FlutterbyV

I'm officially brain-dead, so I figured I'd post a picture from our day in Eze.

This was a work of art outside of the Fragonard laboratory/factory there. I can honestly say that our visit to the factory was one of my favorite things we did. (aside from eat amazing food all the time).

This location is where their "Nose" works. He is one of 150 "Noses" in the world, and went through 7 years of training to reach certification. 3 years of chemistry and 4 years of refining scent differentiation.

I left there wanting to go to school to become a Nose. In fact, I was GIDDY. It was really fun to smell the different smells and hear how they put things together, and shape the soaps and everything. It just made me happy.

Not to mention the AMAZING deals on perfumes and stuff. I spent a LOT of money there, but got so much more than I would have anywhere else for the same amount...

It's good to be back though. I like my job, which is still surprising to me. They missed me and are happy to have me back, and I'm really happy to BE back.

Not to mention the kitties, and missing all my friends and such.

And having internet readily accessible! That was hard.