It has come to my attention, dear f-list, that today fucking sucks. In fact, this whole week has sucked. Therefore, I challenge you to a cute-off! Bring your adorable pics, videos, etc., and we shall see whose arsenal of cute is the mightiest.

( Bring it. )

Originally posted on agreencat.vox.com

ЕБТ - Если Быть Точным
УМАТ - Учитывая Мнение Автоpитетных Товаpищей
ПИД - Пpинося Извинения Дамам
ИИК - Избегая Излишнего Квотинга
ВКПБ - Возвpащаясь К Пpедыдyщей Беседе
СБУМО - Скипая Бpед Уважаемого Мною Оппонента
ЖОПИ - Желая Облегчить Понимание Изложенного
УДОД - Учитывая Девальвацию Отечественных Дензнаков

Согласитесь, похожа героиня на Земфиру.
Печальный фильм о последнем пути. Шепот сердца в темноте.

Holy crap this weekend has come and pass. I there will now be a new wave of stress ahead of me...

I'll just have to take my time.

So last week I spent all week massively looking for patterns, and arbitrarily sewing my 1920s dress for Drinkeatplay's Speakeasy.

On Thursday I met up with saitou_null and we had dinner over at Royal/T and so I could show her HK's 3 apples exhibit. It was a lot of fun! She gave me some teas and a copy of Arabesque. I can't wait to try out the teas and finally just sit down and read through it.

On Friday i spent a good chunk of time sewing my 1920s dress, and mentally preparing myself for Saturday.

Saturday morning came, and it was crazy.

I had only gotten perhaps about 4 hours of sleep.

I packed my bag for things i wanted to bring to PMX, packed my car full of topiaries, stopped by starbucks for some coffee and breakfast and then drove down to the LAX Hilton.

The drive wasn't bad at all, made it to the hotel relatively on time, got the topiaries out and delivered to the tea party room and went to park the car. I spent from then on up until the last half hour before the tea party helping with setting up. sooooo much freaking tulle in my life.

And really if its something that I really hate about people and cons, esp. lolitas who bitch about how things are lacking - people really don't know what it takes to pull something together for something you love. Nor do they probably know the 15 billion monetary related issues of business that comes along with it at a convention. I just want to say right now that the whole AP event at PMX was done with a labor of love, all the work I chipped in for, and all the hard freaking work all the other lovely girls did was all a labor of love.

It just reminded me of NY Comic Con 2007 with being on staff with T.M. Revolution. I didn't even get a nice TMR Staff shirt... :( But holy crap I barely slept during that con... it is a labor of love I tell you. A labor of love....

Anyway, tea party started relatively on time, but I had such a blast - talking and chatting with other lovelies and just being in high spirit and good company. I honestly wouldn't have traded that for anything else.

At one point Tarina Tarintino came up and said to An, "You guys have BLACK HK BOWS?!?!?! I WANT ONE! OH You also have lovely stars on your skirt! (turn to me) oh you too! I want a photo with you guys!" okay not like that but close enough. It was nice to talk to her and try and convince her that she needs to come to the bats and cats party this friday so she too can purchase a black HK bow. haha.

Her daughters were so cute and so were the top hats that they had. I want one now... T_T

( Random stolen photos from 06starr, Kelly and Nicole... )

I took a few photos, but they're still at home on my camera. I need to upload them.... ;;;

After the tea party was a quick rush to the boutique. I picked up a stary night theater headband in black, a pearl x black music clef necklace, a tote bag and a photo op with Maki and Asuka. I can't remember what other things they said besides, "You come every year don't you?" 8D Rushing out of the boutique, Aimee said she wanted to go take purikura so dragging Nicole with we did a quick one.

Rushing from purikura and then to go get my car, I rushed out of PMX with my topiaries to head home to go to the 1920s party. Yes, it was me with the loud voice who said, "Clear the way!" haha. It was sad the time it took to even try and get the bellboy and his dolly was the same amount of time for me to get my car, park it in front and grab those topiaries out from the 2nd floor WAR room, down the stairs and into my car. LAME SAUCE.

Anyway, my attempts to rush home was met with fail by massive traffic. But Brian was a darling and picked up things to make pizza for dinner. He met me back at the apartment and he dealt with me and my dress as I quickly finished making my dress. He made pizza and we talked about the tea party and his work.

Since I was losing time (we thought about taking the train to Hollywood)I decided to just fork money over and grab a taxi to Hollywood. I finished the dress, but was worried about it. It was bright turquoise blue... When Brian called the taxi, I thought we had an extra 10 minutes as they described, but the cab showed up within 2 minutes. T___T so i was quickly rushing out the door throwing clothes on and my wallet into my purse. Didn't even bring a camera... *sigh*

However, we managed to make it to the 1920s party relatively in good time. We got there at around 7:30, made our way in and just went with the flow of things.

I didn't get to sample much of the horderves, but the alcohol they had in the vip room was interesting. The place was pretty much a hotel ballroom type thing, low lighting, a real live band, a food area with sweets and fruits, and various bars and tables. The Edison and The Varnish both had a bar like counter, and then there were 20+ tables with various alcohols to taste.

let me say I was so glad we took a taxi over.

At each table, there was at least 4 -5 different hard whiskeys, rum, burbon, etc. We went to a good chunk of tables so you leave with at least having sampled more than a shots worth of various liquor. By the end of the night I was close to being fully wasted, but was well composed, and Brian... lets just say the dear doesn't remember anything after the lights went up.

My favorite hard liquor I had that night was probably CapRock's Organic Gin. My favorite mixed drink was Varnish's Hummingbird down... though Edison's Enlightment was very tasty (despite not really being a fan of pomegranate flavor). There was also another rum that I liked that tasted like candy... I'll have to find the tag for it somewhere.

During the course of the night we met a lovely couple. Actually the lady confronted me as I was leaving the bathroom to tell me that she loved my dress and that it was probably one of the very few that was actually period acceptable. She really did make my night. Actually the both of them did. Bri and I later ran into them again and we were chatting only to find out that they're both into industrial music!!! YAY. We wandered around to sample more alcohol, and once the event closed decided to go eat.

Before we wandered out of the venue to eat, I made a quick trip to the bathroom, and then on the way out I started talking to this random girl and her bf. Originally I wanted to compliment her on her cute dress which I did, but then we started talking and she said, "You know funny enough we were just at an anime convention..." and I was, "HOMG! PMX RIGHT?!?!?!"

Best moment ever. granted I was really tipsy so... XD

I ended up talking to these people for a while. Talked to the girls BF and we started talking about Japan. He doesn't seem to believe me that Fukuoka is the best place in the world, with amazing food and the nicest people in the world. haha. It was a total 'nihon-jin' moment as we sort of switched over to 'i am japanese... really' sort of conversation.

We parted ways and went with my new friend and her BF, and Bri to find something to eat. Everything was closed, but I remembered that Mel's is open 24 hours. So we wandered over there. Little did I realize how f'ing drunk Brian really was. So my trip to Mel's was shortened to rescuing Brian, getting food to go (paid by the lovely couple who wouldn't let me pay), catching a cab and dragging Brian home.

There are good people in the world... and the kindest people in the world can truly make your world turn.

To sum up the rest of the night, lets just say a lot of it was making sure that Brian was a-ok. He's such a funny boy, and really interesting when very drunk.

Sunday we spent the morning recovering - he had never experienced a hang over before and I got to experience that with him. I don't think he was very fond of it. But it was interesting to share my experiences with him. In the afternoon I went back down to the LAX hilton to hang out with An for one last day. We went to Lupicia to stock up on tea, to book off to buy things, and then to Gaja for some good food. I had a great time hanging out with her all weekend long and i'm really sad she lives so far away. :( :( :(

I have more to write, but I need to focus on work....

$2 ENTRY @ 10PM WITH RSVP

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Every Sunday in Los Angeles
Darkwave Industrial EBM Synthpop Elektro
with DJ Amanda Jones and DJ Xian
MILITARY COSTUME CONTEST
FOR SKINNY PUPPY TICKETS
@ MIDNIGHT!!! (on the patio)
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I don't really know how to describe the sensation in my chest as I sit in the studio listening to the mix being finalised. Anticipatory excited fluttering, an inexpressible shiver in the spine and a mixture of disbelief and patience. It's been nearly 6 months since we began recording, and now we prepare to send it out for production.. sending parts of ourselves out into the world.

Later.

-Me.

Thanks to all of the veterans on my friends list. I'm sorry that the veterans in our country don't get the thanks they deserve for their sacrifices and that many of them must work today w/ fallen friends on their minds. ( This should be a day to think about sacrifices people have made to protect you... ) Well, it is an official holiday for UF - However, I did go into lab for a bit b/c I'm a grad student and don't really get ANY holidays off unless I fight for it. lol Anyway, I am out for the day now - b/c my lab work is done, and I must study at home w/ the rain as background noise. Nonetheless, I will NOT forget to take time to seriously think about my friends and family, dead and alive that have served today...

I, like everyone else, have seen the new Lady Gaga video. If you have not, you can see it here:

When looking at it I had a nagging feeling it reminded me of something I kinda had seen before and then it hit me. I might be off and just see things differently but it reminds me of this video from the 90's:


Not the music, but the style, though it's the intro music and end music of the Lady Gaga vid that made me think to look the other vid up.

Do you guys see it too or am I just nuts?

WEIRD!

Mabel has the silhouette of a face on her back!!!

Sorry for crap quality of pic. I woke up to see Mabel in her usual spot on a bedside cabinet drinking from her water bowel when I noticed…the face! I got to the office, grabbed the camera, and managed one shot before she turned round to see what I was doing. The weird thing is that neither Lynda nor myself have ever noticed the face on her and we see her there drinking every day.

I presume you can see it? I think it may be Alfred Hitchcock.

So I'm noticing that something has changed in the way my mind deals with the world, in the wake of the race!fail and sexism conversations I've participated in on LJ.

A good example of how happened a couple days back. I was discussing a person I know who is doing foolish things and I said 'I don't get it, because she's a smart woman'-- then paused, shook my head, and said 'I'm sorry. I don't get it because she's a smart person: her gender's irrelevant to the question'.
While it's not an example of me being perfectly proper about sexist use of language, it's at least a good example of me noticing the sexism implicit in the language I used, and navigating around it.

Ax Aankáawoo, daa kayéil' ax jeet sa há.
Ch'a daa sá goot yéidei teeyí hél ax tukawuxeelík,
Latséen ku.aa ax jeet sa há ax jeegaa yateeyi át kidéin daankaneit,
ka atwuskú ax jee.


My mom says I've lost my backbone.

I say all the better to curl up in a ball and hide from harsh reality.

• 13:35 DMV will be closed tomorrow & Friday, that means I have to get it all fixed today or Thursday, or another $420 in storage. FUCK! #
• 14:04 Ugh, tickets in DMV have cleared, but the insurance notification hasn't - another day to wait. I miss paper.... #
• 16:38 Does that go in your pocket? Is it a book? No? Then it's a purse or bag, not a pocketbook. #fb #
• 18:01 Garlic mashed potatoes with cauliflower & homemade gravy, fresh pineapple, & Fallout. Ahh, relaxation. #fb #
• 19:20 Hey! Dexter's wife, Rita is in the pilot for Buffy - I'm finally watching Buffy for the first time. #
• 20:46 Gotta pack for watching the nephews while Kelly's in Aruba, all the way in San Carlos. Plus, new nails! yfrog.com/j7996fj #
• 21:59 @jaelynkitten Aww, was that the little guy with the mini-me? Poor little guy. #
• 08:07 Everyone needs a tauntaun sleeping bag! It's full of win & intestines . bit.ly/17diZz #
• 08:24 It's too early In the day for this much cute! yfrog.com/0h43934212j yfrog.com/j6gyjj #

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

So, buz and I have this ongoing discussion about writing; he says it's obsolete. The very idea is horrifying to me and I feel that one must make a conscious choice to not write things by hand. Now, I will admit to having romanticized "old fashioned" things that could be replaced all together by technology.

But I enjoy writing letters (and getting them... who doesn't enjoy getting a card or letter in the mail?),
I find that I am more responsible about paying my bills when a paper bill shows up in the mail and I write and send a check
I take notes on paper in meetings (when I'm employed) and commit them to digital form later,
I thoughtfully sign my name on receipts, checks and documents- I never NEVER scribble a line to simply indicate that I was there,
I prefer to play a board game with actual humans than playing my video games (shocking, I know),
I could go on...

This has me wondering; is pen and paper really obsolete? Do you write actual notes/letters? Do you keep a paper journal (not youphreddiva, we all know about your realjournal)? If so, what is your handwriting like?

See, I fear that handwriting is a lost art. That as computers and cell phones become more and more ubiquitous and more and more capable, pen and paper will fall completely by the wayside. Handwriting is no longer taught in schools. Is the physical written word to become some victorian-era relic like a dance card or a fainting sofa?

 (also, the irony of me typing and posting all this to the internet is not lost on me)

Давеча обчиталась Хеллсинга, захотелось вспомнить молодость - пересмотреть.
Вспомнила, что с тех самых времен он у меня в традиционном ВХС.
В связи с чем решено было заморочиться подключением видеомагнитофона к компу.
Уже полезла копаться в железках и софте, решила, что для простоты лучше потренироваться будет на подключениик компу ДВД-плейера...

...Поняла, в каком месте я мудак >_

Какой, нахуй, стационарный?! Его в свете последних тенденций образа жизни пора награждать титулом "походно-полевой"!

The good news is we've cracked the Fred Cat Chair Problem. He's always after my nice big comfy office chair, so I end up sitting on a horrible wooden thing while he lounges in splendour. Well no more! Lynda saw a cat bed when we were out getting supplies the other day and so we stick that on the wooden chair and he lays in it. All pretty good, except that last night, with him generally unaware that the bed slightly overhangs the actual chair seat he fell off, the imbecile, landing on the floor with the bed following and ending up on top of him. When he emerged he gave me a look that implied I had played this cruel trick. The advantage is he gets so cosy I can drag his chair right next to mine, and there he sits, Sub Cat Editor in residence.

I am forgetful, which Lynda exploits. Nothing seems to amuse her more than kissing me before she goes out, then coming back to find I am still Lipstick Boy. Today was a particularly determined impact she left, in a truly livid/vivid red. I was still in bed, having had another troubled night. She expected to find me there when she got back.

Now, if you wish to ensure that religious doorsteppers move on swiftly, presenting yourself in a dishevelled and grumpy manner, while looking like the world's ugliest drag act certainly worked for me.