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I'm on day four of trying to cut down on my Mountain Dew intake.
Typically, I would drink three cans a day on weekdays: One first thing in the morning, one after I got to work, and one after lunch. On weekends, I tended to drink four cans a day, spread throughout (although I tend to drink more when I'm at home, period).
My goal is to cut those down by at least one can. Because I can use fewer empty calories. Because caffeine isn't particularly good for one's blood pressure. And because soda, in general, isn't very good for my stomach.
Friday, day one, did not go well. I did not drink most of my first-thing can, and I skipped my "once I get to work" can. That was not a good idea. I felt unbelievably exhausted and foggy all day. I do not know how much of that was related to lingering illness remnants; however, it is consistent with previous attempts to cut down on caffeine, and consistent with what I know of caffeine withdrawal.
Saturday, I drank only two cans. While I felt a bit lagged in the afternoon, I was otherwise much better than on Friday. Sunday, I drank only two cans. I felt fine all day. Today, I had my two cans, and I'm also fine -- as fine as I can be on a Monday, anyway :)
Please note that Friday was also the first day I started antibiotics for my lingering crud, so that has also contributed to my feeling better. Still, it's obvious that on a typical day, I can survive perfectly well on two cans of Mountain Dew. The first can seems to be absolutely critical, though.
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I wish panel 2 would have been in the actual show. My thoughts exactly.
http://abstrusegoose.com/207
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Saturday I hied me and Themselves over to the library to enjoy Train Day, but Himself had a screaming meltdown when he wasn't allowed to touch any of the trains and cars. *sigh* We left early.
And yesterday I took them for a walk up the hill, spent some time swinging with Herself's best friend, and visitede with a total of 4 different households because they were outside. Also saw one of those 2-wheeled skateboards; the kid told me the correct name, but I forget. The initial impulsion was granted by the letter U, I found an extra in the stroller and guessed (correctly) at the actual owner of the letter.
Today is laundry and, since I got almost no sleep again, otherwise take-it-easy day. Tomorrow is meetup at NMAH, and Wednesday we'll prolly need to do a grocry run for milk and rice.
And thank goodness that Halloween mostly cleared out our cache of hard candy! I think we have a bucket o' Dumdums remaining, but they're nowhere obvious and so are not being summarily tossed.
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Today, I watched a TED Talk by Eric Sanderson, showing Pictures of New York City, before the city. The idea is that his team looked at historical maps as well as the combination of food, water, shelter, and reproductive needs for various plants, animals, and other aspects, and built up a 3D image of what the island was like in 1609. Good also for those interested in his views of 2409 based on similar assessment.
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This morning I started out with 90 pages of revisions to go. I wrote 2800 words today. Now I have 95 pages of revisions to go. *weeps*
So last Thursday Ted and I went into Dublin to meet GRRM, or at least to get him to sign books for us. This mostly involved standing in a very long line with increasingly achy feet, but involved some chatting with friends, which was great. When we got up to the man himself, the guy in front of us, with whom we’d spoken some, took out what must have been a first edition hardback version of A GAME OF THRONES, with a cover I’d never seen.
“Ah!” said Mr. Martin, “don’t get mugged on your way out of here, this one’s worth about a thousand dollars.”
I happened to be carrying a copy of the SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH anthology, which is a great big thick hardback book, as well as my paperback CLASH OF KINGS, so I put the paperback down on the signing table, said, “Excuse me,” to GRRM, and made as if to whack the guy in front of me over the head with SONGS so I could steal his thousand dollar copy of GoT. There may be photographic evidence of my utter lack of propriety, but my coat, which I was carrying over one arm, flew up in front of my face, so possibly there’s photographic evidence of *someone* but not *necessarily* me trying to mug a guy at the GRRM signing. :)
Ted and GRRM were both wearing flat caps, and GRRM clearly recognized Ted later at the after-signing meet-up, which I suspect was in part because of the cap. :) We didn’t stay at the meet-up very long, but it was all around a very nice evening.
We also swung down to Dawson Street, where the … Harris & Tweed, or something like that (Hodges Figgis, apparently), bookstore is. We had been told my books were being carried there, and lo, they were! So I signed the ones they had, then went and introduced myself to their SF/F guy, who looked at me in vague bewilderment, mostly because he had a hand-written list beside him of books he was ordering, and my name was on it for the TAKE A CHANCE* graphic novel, and it struck him as exceedingly unlikely that one of the authors on the list he’d just written out had walked up to introduce herself. :) Anyway, apparently my books sell quite well there, and though they didn’t offer to do a signing, they did offer to order in 20 or so copies of DEMON HUNTS when it comes out, and to do a face-out display thing and get me to sign the books and all, so we felt it was *well* worth having gone by. Also, they have a really good SF/F selection (for Ireland), and we may have accidentally bought a handful of books. So it was goot!
*He wanted to know what TAKE A CHANCE was, and I explained it was a graphic novel, which he seemed quite pleased about, as they have a pretty good GN section there. But he was confused because he hadn’t been able to bring it up in the system, and was somewhat dismayed to hear that was because the graphic novel has been delayed indefinitely.
(also, randomly, I think this mood icon is a particularly *terrible* choice for a mood of ‘fine’, because in this frame Gambit has been stabbed through the chest with a GIANT SWORD and Rogue is telling him “While I live, you don’t die.” That’s really not ‘fine’, I don’t think… (except I see that it's not the option on LJ, so this bit makes no sense, does it.))
miles to Minas Tirith: 38.05
ytd wordcount: 248,600
(x-posted from the essential kit)
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I made bigger changes than I expected. The first two chapters have been smoothed, and the last chapter has been heavily revised, with an addition of a plot development that I had planned to save for a sequel. (Never save things for sequels. Give 'em everything you've got, then invent more.) Also, one character had been a bit neglected at the end, so I've done what I can for her sake. And I did a little restructuring to heighten the drama. I'm much happier with version 1.0.
Which will be available soon.
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http://www.scatoday.net/node/14378 Elizabet Marshall has created an album of photos from Warriors' Naadam 2009 which took place October 10 in The Kingdom of the East. The photos are available on Flickr. read more
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I still have 90 pages of revisions to get through. Anyone who wishes to join me in my suffering knows where to find me.
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http://dreamcafe.com/words/2009/11/09/texas-wisdom-67/ http://dreamcafe.com/words/?p=768 “There’s lots of parables about a poor man learning to be content to be poor. That’s cuz most of ‘em were made up by rich folk who were content to be rich.”
– Billy-Bob Gautama
Copyright 2008 The Dream Cafe.
Texas Wisdom #67
©2009 Words Words Words. All Rights Reserved. .
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First of all, thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the Stellar University of Northshield a success. It was a wonderful way to spend my last day as Baroness. Thanks to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) zarhooie for making a quick run back to my place for various items forgotten or otherwise found to be necessary. Special thanks to all the teachers - the range of classes offered was truly splendid and I wish I could have made it to, well, most of them. I also enjoyed the chance to judge the A&S display with Mistress S and Master G. There was a large number of entries, many of which were excellent and I was pleased we could go simply by the numerical winners rather than having to make a choice on gut instinct.
Court, and so the end of my tenure, seemed to come quite quickly. Thanks to mightyjesse and sirzig for letting me take some time in Their court to try to thank those who have supported me over the last few years. I had planned on being calm and collected, but of course that was a lie. I got a little weepy, and then it only got worse once I looked out in the audience and saw a lot of folks already leaky too. I'm copying my November Skein letter below, since I was somewhat more articulate there. All the thanks in the world, however, are not adequate to express my gratitude to these good gentles - thanks to them, I never truly served alone, but had dozens of hands supporting me at all times. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve - it is an experience I will never forget.
Finally, I had to pull it together and ask to be released from my duties. Their Royal Majesties graciously allowed me to enter into retirement and made me a Baroness of Their Court. Mr.S made my coronet - a lovely little one similar to one of the older Jara ones, but with carved bone froggies instead of fishies. It's the cutest evah. The Baronial High seats were not empty long before goldfrog and Duke R were called forth and, having taken their oaths, they became to next Baron and Baroness of Jararvellir. Their lovely little spud joined them for much of the court and I was pleased that the little mini-me garb I made for her to match her mommy turned out reasonably well. (The coat is a bit big.... at least this week, but that was intentional.) Congratulations to goldfrog and Duke R on taking the Fishy High Seats! May your reign be great and joyful.
After the event, we stopped by the Trader Joe's for munchies then went to MStC's for a postrevel and chili. Here, I made an error. I love spicey stuff and, seeing a jar of "salsa" that seemed to be positioned for adding to the chili, I added two scoops. Well, it was not salsa, but a concentrated chili paste. Wowie! My mouth and tummy liked it, but my lips were numb for an inch out and I don't think it is an experiement I ought to repeat anytime soon. :P The rest of the night was a load of fun with drinks and silliness and good company... I stayed out entirely too late (early?) and this morning I had a headache and a quality amount of dirt and grass stains in my shirt and jeans, clear evidence of a good night.
Once again, thank you all for a memorable end to an amazing six years...
***********************
November Skein Letter:
Greetings unto the Populace of Jararvellir from Eithni ingen Talorgain, This is my last letter to you as Baroness of Jararvellir and yet, it is not a letter of farewell. My time on the High Seat is coming to a close but I will be remaining in the Barony, continuing to serve and eager to participate in the next chapter of Jararvellir’s history. Therefore, rather than words of farewell, this is a letter of thanks. Thanks to all the autocrats, guildmasters, and officers who have served under my tenure, most especially my Seneshals: Yseult de Cherbourg, Marian Elizabeth Wollenschlager, Robert the Stout and Ivan Matfeevich Rezansky. Compiling reports, running events and otherwise generally herding cats is never terribly glamorous work, but it is your day-to-day service that supports the Barony and ensures that it runs smoothly. Thanks to those who directly supported me in my role as Baroness. Without your assistance, I could not have been successful in completing my duties or pulling off so many of my crazy schemes. Thanks especially to Baroness Josceline Levesque and Baron Adrien de Troyes who were gracious during the transition, guided me in my new role, and continued to give good counsel throughout my tenure. Thanks to Iohanna Carracci and Jois Corbet who so often were there to give me a helping pair of hands when it was most needed, often on short or late notice. Thanks to Marian for securing the Edgewood site for my Knowne World Costuming Symposium and for so many Baronial Moots. Thanks to Eliane and Colleen for reliably willing to be my Lady-and-Loon-in-Waiting for Baronial Court, even when that meant standing through long Warriors and Warlords Courts. Thanks to Masha for being my Amazing Helper Girl – no matter what I needed or where on site it was, I could count on you to teleport it to my hand! Special thanks to Robert the Stout, Chandler, AElfguire, Eliane, and Gwyneth for your private kindnesses and support when it was most needed. Thanks to the apprenti – Denis, Elizabeth, and Katlyn – who supported me and helped me feel a little more normal, or at least not alone in my insanities. And thanks to the innumerable others who at some point helped me load or unload my car, who carried, fetched, or created for me – there simply are too many of you to name singly, but your service was no less appreciated and no less critical to my being able to do this job well. I am indeed proud that this list can in no way be complete and inclusive – the Barony as a whole has been amazingly supportive, I would need to thank each and every person in some way for some assistance or kindness. Thank you to Duncan MacPherson and Seonaid inghean Dhomnaill who put their names forth to be considered for the High Seats. Once the nomination period was closed, I was content, knowing that whoever was selected would serve well and ably. Special thanks and Congratulations to Kitakaze Tatsu Raito and AEsa Gilesdottir for being willing to take on the challenge of serving on the High Seats as I seek my ease. It is not always an easy job, but it is a most rewarding one and I wish you all the joy and satisfaction of it that I have enjoyed. Last, but not least, thanks to the Barony as a whole for giving me this great opportunity to serve. It has been my honor and my joy to be your Baroness these past six years. There is no adequate way to express my pride in leading such a great Barony. Your talents, service, and enthusiasm make Jararvellir a shining jewel in the Crown of Northshield and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. It is not an easy thing to step down from the High Seat, but a right and good thing to see the stewardship of the Barony to pass to others at this time. I will hold the memory of these past years in my heart and treasure them forever. Thank you for a truly special experience. So, for one last time, I am yours in Fishy Service, Eithni ingen Talorgain, Baroness of Jararvellir
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I will be in the War Room all night if any other Zombie writers wish to join me.
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I was doing some cut and thrust practice today. I love cut and thrust. If you do not know about it the best summary is here. You get to use a real sword, if late period. You get to swing it like a sword. You are supposed to use it with the needed force against unarmored combatants. I learned today something about that.
I have a small gash in my arm. Cut through the rapier jacket and through the skin. It is not bad. I felt the shot. It seemed hard, but I have been hit so much harder in armor with rattan. But this gash was made with a very dull blade. Swung with notable, but not extreme force. And it went through a heavy rapier jacket. And it still cut me. This makes me very aware of what a sharp blade would have done. You would not have to swing hard against an unarmored opponent. Not with a nice sharp sword. I can imagine right now what would be left of my arm. When you wear amror you have to hit hard. When you are not wearing the armor, you CAN hit hard and do more damage, but you do not have to hit hard to do lots of damage.
Cut and Thrust is a great simulator for unarmored combat with the rules in place in most kingdoms. I would love to see it in armor with another set of rules to experiment as an option instead of rattan. Rattan is similar to the wasters that people trained with in the Middle Ages. So it must be a good choice as it worked for them to learn with. But it is still different than a nice sword.
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Ellie was talking on a pretend cell phone in her carseat. I was eavesdropping.
Hi, who is this? Minnie Mouse? Oh, hi, Minnie Mouse, this is Ellie. How are you doing today? You want me to come over to your house? Oh, I can't do that because I'm real and you're pretend. Okay, bye!
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http://www.scatoday.net/node/14459 Archaeologists in Denmark are puzzled over the discovery of a large building "littered with bits and pieces of exquisite golden jewellery, glass and bronze broaches, high quality artifacts, such as drinking glasses and ceramics, which all seem to have been deliberately smashed in some ritual." read more
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http://www.scatoday.net/node/14454 Baron K. Braden von Sobernheim reports that two citizens of the Kingdom of Artemisia were offered Peerages by Their Majesties at the recent Feast of St. Esabell. read more
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I have written 12 062 of NaNoWriMo. Lagging one day behind, but still proud of the amount of words.
When I finally get myself a MacBook Pro, I want a gelaskin to go with it. They just look gorgeous.
When I finally have the MacBook Pro, I'll probably be saving up for a PS3. Roy does not want it, but I want to be able to play FFXIII. It just looks so gorgeous.
I've been into playing games lately. I've been playing the new Kingdom Hearts for the DS. I've been making great progress, but now it is getting more difficult and I'm having more trouble to get through the missions.
Roy has bought me Dragon Age: Origins. I love it. I love the way it looks, I love how it feels like Baldur's Gate, though the system has improved a bit. Still, I die in the first real mission my character gets, but yeah, that's just me.
Roy also bought me Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn for the Wii. I had been wanting this game for ages, but it was too expensive. Friday we finally saw it for two thirds of the original price. Score. I've only had about 40 minutes to play with, because my parents have been hogging the TV for the rest of the weekend. Which is frustrating, because I was really getting into it.
Roy bought Mass Effect for himself.
Picasso is still limping, but happy. He doesn't use the toes on his injured foot anymore, but sort of drags them along. This has chafed then, so now we need to keep an eye on that as well. He seeks the comfort of our feet when we sit in the chair. He just snuggles up to them. Cute.
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Considering I felt much the same way last year, it's not as if I really think the New Year will bring True Change.
But my brain feels better when some kind of arbitrary "marker" goes by, so I'll continue to wait impatiently for this stupid year to be over.
And, no, things aren't really that bad for me right now. And I've even been in a pretty good mood for most of the day, but just now a lot of things hit at once, and all of the various sad, angry, grumpy, discontented, frightened feelings all jostled around to the top.
I'm missing all those who are gone, and all that I will never know about them.
My love to you all.
-jazi
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Now... until... uhm... my kid comes home from his playdate...
Here's the link.
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amused
exhausted
okay![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif){kind=small}
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small}
contemplative
nerdy
calm