Creature of Mad Enthusiasms

So fascinated, I wanted to pass these on:

In light of the racism in Who discussion, I found linaerys's post on how her evolution into a liberal feminist has made her reassess her understanding of racism fascinating and useful. Developing a real feminist identity is what actually made me realize that there was more to fighting racism than "not seeing color." Refuting arguments telling me women and men are equal already made me think about the arguments I'd heard from Campus Life, arguments like, "When you say you're color blind, you are negating my experience" started to make sense. Someone who says that men and women are equal, that they treat them the same, is negating my experience.

Those who think that there isn't a racism problem, especially online where "nobody can see you," are cordially invited to go look at the hysteria now that a Harry Potter kink comm has equated sex between the races with sex between species. Pointing this out to the mods is apparently both offending them (for the crime of being called racist) and censoring them.

Creating Space paintings in a matter of seconds. Mind you, this is like charging $1 for hitting the machine and $1,000 for knowing *where* to hit it, but this process just fascinates me. I foresee paint-covered hands in my future.

Fic Rec: Protector by wendymr. Jackie, Rose. ( spoilers for Doomsday and Utopia )

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep Martha, Doctor. Nice bittersweet piece about different lives. (If you liked my "A Good Life," you'll probably like this.)

And from a locked post - I think I'm going to have to join OG. It sounds like the most entertaining crazy goes on in their forums.

ETA: to keep from spamming:

Tom's Glossary of Book Publishing Terms: ADVANCE COPY: A bound book that when opened by an editor will instantly expose an embarrassing mistake.

I thought I'd have something new to report when I saw the Washington Post had a front-page, above-the-fold article on Plan B, but it boils down to "Sales are up now that women can buy it for themselves: women's health groups thrilled, religious right groups appalled. End with quotes about how religious prejudice still makes it hard to buy over the counter." IOW, no new news.

The morning schedule these days, when I can peel myself out of bed, is up at 5am (gak!), feed cats, put on sneakers, get on treadmill. I'm using workout clothes for PJs. You can see why it's hard to be motivated in the mornings. However, the first of the custom-blend exercise music mixes was a resounding success. I've drafted up about 8 of them, all running approximately 26 minutes (because it's too early in the damned morning to spend half an hour!) with slightly slower songs at beginning and end as a warmup/cooldown.

Today's inaugural one was the one dubbed ( Dancing on the Treadmill I )

[Poll #1020649]

On the bento front, it becomes easier to throw one together as I fill the fridge with options. Today's is in the viva box (I'm almost becoming more fond of those than the thermos ones, although I'll be taking a thermos-style one to Shore Leave) and has cherries, rice pudding, two mini eclairs, two bonabel cheeses, and a half cup of seafood salad. There's a side dish container with some sweet potato chips in the bag as well; I wanted that separate so the chips didn't go in the fridge.

On the fannish front, look for me at Shore Leave tomorrow; I'll be helping with the masquerade and moderating the "Morality on Doctor Who" panel. I'll be the one in the New Who logo t-shirt during the day and the black "Bad Wolf" shirt at night.

On the crafting front, here's a video of how to weave in ends in knitting. Wow, that's so helpful! Sometimes even 1000 words aren't worth a video.

ETA: The ten words that should end Harry Potter *snicker*snort*

ihasatardis has such high volume that it's hard to keep up, but this? Is a work of sheer genius no matter what ship you sail in fandom. Spoilers for Last of the Time Lords.

Fic Rec: Gingerbread Houses by dark_aegis. Jack's POV on ( do we still need to spoiler cut for Utopia? )

I know y'all just couldn't care less are all wondering how the madness is taking its toll.

Poison Ivy: dodged that bullet, whew! Still getting psychosomatic itches, but no bumps
Sodden moldy insulation: thrown out
Lawn company: Fixed! Huzzah!

Gutter status: unknown

And then... there's the car. Poor Eddie is having a bad time of it.

Long story short, the technician overtightened something which was A Bad Thing and the best way to fix it was to get a special tool from someone who worked at a Subaru dealership. So they got the tool and fixed one side of the car... but when they went to the other side to even things up, the tool snapped.

So since I made a big fuss about hating the minivan on account of I hated the minivan, they're renting me a smaller car (at their expense) to toodle around in until this is fixed (we all hope tomorrow).

Part of me is relieved that someone else is having a worse week than me.

In the meantime, is it wrong how funny I think this is? Or this?

And continuing the perverse humor streak, the Life on Mars episode by episode slash guide Added not so much because I'm that big on slash as because it's that funny.

linaerys had this link to a cartoon that anyone who's ever lived or worked with a scientist MUST read!

Severe drinkables warning - it's the first time I've ever *actually* done a spit-take at work.

Since I'm home feeling sorry for myself (and translating "get lots of fluids" as "alternate water and a black-and-white shake"), some stuff to raise everyone's moods: Doctor Who comics.

First, the Gorpo Ten Doctor Comics (read in sequence):
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth

It doesn't seem to be entirely completed, so keep an eye on the gallery for more

"That's the nicest thing I've ever said to myself." *sporfle!*

Then the Whooligans regen comic that made me laugh like a Hyena when I saw it.

MARCELLUS
Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again!

BERNARDO
In the same figure, like an azure cabinet.

MARCELLUS
Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio.

BERNARDO
Looks it not like a casket? mark it, Horatio.

Vworp!

Pharyngula has a link to some of the most righteous and hilarious bumper stickers I've ever seen.

Photocopied maps with highlighter and handwritten notes make me happy. They make me happy before I go because they're full of sparkling hope and wonder and curiosity, and they make me happy when I get back because they're memories.

I did it first for the Scott Cohen fanclub trip to NYC. I did it again for M's & my Christmas trip to NY.

Right now I'm looking at a mismatched frankenmap taped together from printouts at two different scales, but it's still making me VERY happy. Because the handwritten notes on the bottom go:

1 - Hotel
2 - Howells (filmed as Hendricks, Rose. Opens at 10. Food, clothing, luggage)
...
5 - New theater (Panto @ 7. Also where Unquiet Dead theater scenes filmed)
6 - National Museum (open 10-5, Impressionists)
7 - Queen's Arcade (auton attack filmed)

The playground that got graffitied in "BAD WOLF"s turns out to be in a bad neighborhood and many of the Torchwood sites turn out to be too far away from where I'll be to get to in a day (in a choice of touring film sights and shopping, I'm shopping!) but... geek heaven.

seti_drd, I've made you a copy. Ask me when we meet up.

Cardiff was the easy map; only one day there. Now for the biggie - marking up the London map! Man, I was under 10 last time I had *this* much fun with highlighters and colored pens!

For those who've made it this far and are thinkging STOP BRAGGING, DAMNIT, something completely different: a worksafe-ish (he does say "hell" a couple of times): Classical music standup geek humor on youtube. Put all drinkables far, FAR from the screen!

Some random things of interest.

That's So Clever
Famous authors challenged to write 6-word fics. My favorites:

Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer?
- Eileen Gunn

Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon

The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly.
- Orson Scott Card

It’s behind you! Hurry before it
- Rockne S. O’Bannon

That's Just Wrong
For the three people on the f-list who haven't seen this yet, how to make a Dalek-o-lantern

No, Really, That's JUST SO WRONG!
( Torchwood spoiler for second episode )

Knitting
A couple of baby lap blanket patterns as the temperature drops:
Fun Stitch Blanket I really want to make this one, either in Rowan demin or a handpainted yarn.

Pinwheel Blanket A bit pointless, but nifty.

Anyone interested in the crockpot lamb recipe? I used lamb neck, which is as cheap as you can get and it worked out rather nicely. Sort of a pot-roast thing.