If there is one person or more on your friends list who makes your world a better place just because they exist and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the internet, then post this same sentence in your journal.

Which perfume oil should I get? They're Nocturne Alchemy, for anyone curious.

Poll #1409716
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

I should get the oil that smells like:

Yes, I am a foody scent fiend. However could you guess?

One of my flisters (thank you sjwashere) made a thought-provoking post about a controversy that recently happened concerning an Australian show about advertising called The Gruen Transfer. One segment of the show, called "The Pitch", challenges two different advertising agencies to come up with an ad based on a "difficult sell" concept. Donating money to super-wealthy CEOs, keeping Cane Toads as pets, living next to a nuclear reactor ... that sort of thing. Oftentimes the results are silly; sometimes they are serious.

This week, the two agencies were asked to come up with ads selling the idea of "Fat Pride", addressing shape discrimination in Australia. The government-funded ABC network that runs The Gruen Transfer deemed one of the resulting two ads acceptable to be shown to the viewing public. The other was declared "a breach of ABC Editorial Policy" and denied a chance to be broadcast, though they did consent for it to be placed on a separate website with an explanation and content disclaimers to facilitate discussion and debate.

You can see the first ad here. It presents the concept that fat people are helping Australia's economy by consuming more goods and resources.

The second ad does contain ugly, discriminatory jokes about race, homosexuality and religion as well as body size. You can watch it here. ETA: I forgot to mention that this video also includes a debate and discussion on the reasoning behind the ad, including explanations from the ad's creator.

For any of you who do not already know, I am (as medical professionals delight in writing on my charts) "morbidly obese". After watching both ads, ( I left the following three comments on antiprejudicead.net )

So. Obviously I've made my take on this subject fairly clear. Feel free to comment, discuss and express your opinions whether they agree with mine or not.

I felt in need of some cheering up today, and found some in Tweenbots. I think I'll let it speak for itself and pass it along in case others could use a pick-me-up. Thanks towhetherwoman for the link!

*tosses a meme at the flist*

From kingpsyborg: Post a list of all your roleplaying journal names and explain what the names mean, if anything.

All of them? Righto!

( Long list is long ... )

You can ask me to answer these questions for another one of my muses, ask me to request answers for one of your characters or both. :D

( TADHG )


( RORY )


( ANRAÍ )


( MONTY )


( LIAM )


( BILL )


( KIA )


( RUAIRÍ )


( CAIT )


I apologize for dropping under the radar for the past few weeks. Lots has been going on of ... varying sorts. *oog* I will be catching up with flistiness, but if I missed anything critical that you really want me to see right away, go ahead and link in a comment. *MWAHS entire flist*

What Is Your Battle Cry?

Rampaging along the tundra, cutting down all who dare stand in the way using a thorned whip, cometh Karihan! And she gives a bloodthirsty cry: "I'm going to pummel you so badly, your screams will reanimate the dead!"

Find out! Enter username: Are you a girl, or a guy ?

created by beatings : powered by monkeys

A thorned whip? HELLZYEAH.

This isn't directed at anyone, just something that came gushing out this afternoon.

( stream-o-emo rambling behind cut ... )

Seeing cauliflower on one's own tonsils is never a good thing.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to watch BSG tonight. *ooble*

Me: I've almost got Rory's post done, and then I shall tag.
Me: I had to take a nap in there. This throat is kicking my ass.
Me: ........ which is a very odd mental image.
Hinky: haha
Hinky: physically challenging
Me: And yet somehow it manages to do so. :D

I was tagged by docladyblade.

A. People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blog and replace any question that they dislike with a new, original question.

B. Tag eight people. Don't refuse to do that. Don't tag who tagged you. (I'll add an addendum that I'm certainly not going to get my knickers in a twist if someone I tag chooses not to do it. :)


( HAVE SOME QUESTIONS OM NOM )


I tag: altitudeandwine (were you tagged already, hon?), clearillusion, dien, _faeriequeen, hinkydoodle, mjules, saltroseortopaz, sphinxvictorian, and anyone else who wants to!

Mmmmm ... a niece born with Down's Syndrome, started work as a substitute teacher, a historical election, ongoing money woes, and many wonderful doings with my online buddies. I think what I want most out of 2009 is a way to kill off my inner procrastinator. *heh*

Yuletide authors have been revealed and the New Year Resolutions Challenge is now open! You do not have to have participated in Yuletide to write an NYR fic for one of the unfilled requests. In fact doing so can be an excellent way to dip your toe in the Yuletide squee and see if you like the temperature. By all means do keep browsing the archives and leaving comments; authors love those no matter what time of year it is.

Now I can tell you what stories I wrote!

My main assignment: Friends in Need in the H. Beam Piper - Little Fuzzy fandom for gritkitty.

Treat of the last-minute variety: Resistance in the POW (2003) fandom for hinkydoodle. This one's slashy, but there's nothing even remotely explicit in it. If I wind up writing a sequel, however ...

And that treat was well chosen, because guess who wrote my gift story this year! *tickles hinky*

So far I've drawn two Yuletide assignments that required glossaries. We'll see if the trend holds out next time. ^_^

Dang, I need a new Yuletide icon ...

Here's a look at my desktop:



This does change on a semi-regular basis, since I keep downloading new wallpapers from Webshots. But for now, I have a pretteh birdie!

The holidays have been pretty good. I haven't been out of the holiday spirit, but I must admit I haven't been 100% in it, either. I did enjoy seeing my nieces and nephews squee over the gifts I got them; apparently I made some good choices. One of the best-appreciated is ( some jewelry I made for my niece, Lindsay. )

The Yuletide fic exchange was just as squeeful the second time around. I can't tell you what stories I wrote until the big author reveal on New Years Day, but I did get a lovely, fun-filled fic written for me based on R.A. MacAvoy's The Grey Horse. It's called Just a Kiss and it is cute as all get out. Go! Read! Browse through the main archive, where over 2400 stories were uploaded this year alone! With the massive number of small fandoms represented, there are bound to be a few you recognize. Heck, we have Calvin and Hobbes and LOLcats fic this year! And if you enjoy a story, please do leave a comment for the author. You don't have to be a Yuletide writer to offer kudos. ^_^

I'm very pleased that after some extended wrestling with the muse, my writing mojo is getting back in the swing of things. I was able to post two Yuletide fics, keep up with my muses and get going on some new projects as well. I'm determined to get myself on a schedule and keep the flow going. I'm also determined to stay in better touch with you lovely folks. *strikes determined pose*

I hope everyone on my flist has the very best possible new year. *huggles all of you*

If you could force me to write anything, what would it be?

The view outside my window:



*sips hot cocoa*