So I went to the doctor to see about the chronic and limiting knee pain. ( Read more... )


Links of the Day:
zauberer_sirin's Epic (Or Hilarious) Star Trek Picspam (Why The Next Generation beats all.) and I AM DAMON BRADLEY! A celebration of romantic comedy. picspam.
The Titanic Conspiracy - *shakes head*
metaquotes's Serious mommy points. - If only my mother were a teeny tiny bit like this.
Chocolate Cake in 5 Minutes


* Common expression

I set my alarm for 6:30 (I did fall asleep at 10, after all) but alas, it was not meant to be. I was woken up at 3:30 am by excruciating pain in my right knee. Thankfully, I'd stuck some water inna box into the freezer, so I lay in bed with an ice block wrapped in plastic bags for a while, two advils running around uselessly in my bloodstream, for an hour or so. This morning, biking to work was just short of torture, and right now, sitting at the desk, my knee's throbbing in pain.

I made a doctor's appointment as soon as I bought credit this morning, having fantasized about it last night as a lump of ice melted on my knee. Something has to be wrong with the old articulation. It's been in pain for a week now, no matter what I do. Just lying prone is painful. Appointment's in 1.5 hours, so, yay.

:(


Links of the Day:
fatedcinderella's SPN Fanvid: Gone
leonidaslion's SPN Fanfic: The Bright Lights of Disturbia - Part 24
spnkink_meme - \o/
5 Scientific Theories That Will Make Your Head Explode - Thank blizzardcake for the 'splodey!


* Barry Gibb

Today was a bit a repeat of yesterday, only with more. More guilt over not working, more pain in my knees (I was an inch away from crying) and, surprise of all surprises, more things accomplished. I managed to post some letters and postcards (chaosvizier, please don't hate me for the ultra-late postcard). Some of y'all are going to get envelopes hand-delivered because I'm cheap going to see y'all sooner than the mail will get there. I even worked a little tiny bit on my report, but wussed out because I was utterly incapable of making a graph with the newer version of Excel. *grumbles* Stupid program.

I'm now an episode away from the end of this season's Heroes. There was this massive lull in my watching it because it was abysmally boring. Why, Heroes, why? My knees have stopped hurting for now, but hot dog, I couldn't walk they hurt so much. I'm going to sleep early tonight *fingers crossed* and will, hopefully, make my limping way to the office tomorrow.


Links of the Day:
bad_peppermint's SPN fanfic: The Hapless Soldier's Sigh
leonidaslion requests SPN wallpaper links - flocked
lere8's SPN Media Art
ninety6tears's Star Trek Drinks Recipies
wondermark's Genre Microfitction - ...the conversation turned to how short a story could possibly be and still have some recognizable genre.
ursulav's Interview: Cretor of Oddities - From a not-quite fire-breathing dragon to a (somewhat) brave shrew, the creatures that fill author/illustrator Ursula Vernon's comics and books captivate kids and adults alike. Parent & Child takes a peek into her world in this exclusive interview.
10 Great Books for (Traumatizing) Children
Wil Wheaton conmemorates Patrick Stewart's birthday
BBC Radio Readings


* "Sunscreen Song", Baz Luhrmann

When I was younger, I had a really good drama teacher for a year. Apart from setting up a wonderful puppet show using different puppet styles (I controlled the bunny and helped make the paper mache tucan) and him being a mime at the drama show (which would've gotten him sent to the scorpion pit by Vetinari), there's one other thing I remember clearly about those times.

He made us do a mental experiment in which we'd lie down and imagine that a great weight was pinning our limbs to the ground. Then we were asked to raise our arms. Most other people reported not being able to, but I felt nothing out of the ordinary and just pretended to struggle a bit.

Today, though, I know exactly what they meant. Moving, getting dressed, making the bed, hell, even putting thoughts together: I have to tackle these one minute action at a time. And then I'll just randomly break out into tears and be completely incapable of moving. And I just know that if I had one ounce more of will power, if I just stopped faking it all and pulled myself together like I know I can (there are a number of lies in this clause) then I could go about my business.

I woke up late again (seriously, I don't know why I have an alarm clock anyway). I've been dilly-dallying about going to work, but have finally decided that no, I can't. I've promised myself I'll try to work from home for a bit today, and make an actual day of it tomorrow. My knees are hurting again. They didn't when I woke up this morning, making it the first break in a few days, but they're back with a vengeance now. This makes me want to do absolutely nothing at all.

But the real reason I'm doing fuck-all again today and being an absolute failure at anything is that I can't seem to function. I've made a list of basic things I need to do to even make it out the door. And make it out the door I will: I need food and I'm going to send those godsdamned postcards for once and for all.

SMP Films: When Life Gets You Down: ( Embedded )


* Warren Buffett

Nothing much to report other than I've spent 90% of my day in bed and 100% of my day in pain. Seriously, my knees are killing me. When I stand they actually throb and I've taken to waddling about swinging my stride from the hips because it fucking hurts.

Oh, and, I'd forgotten how much I liked Vincent from Excess Baggage. He's all soft-spoken and hand-waving and adorable. Also started work on a fanvid, but neglected other ongoing projects. Yay.

Apart from that, have a couple of videos everyone should watch:

Don't Talk to Cops: Mr. James Duane, a professor at Regent Law School and a former defense attorney, tells you why you should never agree to be interviewed by the police.


Part 2: An experienced police officer tells you why you should never agree to be interviewed by the police. ( Embeded )


Links of the Day:

ChocolateFrizz89's Excess Baggage Fanvid: Crash and Burn - D'aww.

* Chris Rock

Today was weird. I woke up around 11, which was glorious, and internetted from my bed, which was heavenly, although eventually the lack of dinner and breakfast at by then the incredibly late hour of 2 pm was working me over. So I made it out of the house and took the 4 pm train to the Hague.

I'd been fantasizing about Argentinus, an Argentinian restaurant specializing in big-ass hunks of meat. Sadly, by the time I was in the neighbourhood I was famished and it was, I decided, probably too late to a) see if they were still seving lunch and b) I would have starved to death by the time I was served. So it was Subways.

I continued my Hague movie weekend tradition (broken by last week's Stay in Bedroom All Weekend tradition) and watched The Reader. I was holding back the most powerful sobs all throughout the movie. Ye gods! but that was one sad film.

And then, on a whim, I walked to my old house, which is some 4 km from the center and took me an hour. Then I walked back to the center, scoffing at my taking the train at the closer HS station, because I'm just that stubborn. (I did, however, buy some wok take-away, because, hello, starving.) My knees, which had been aching ever since I'd started running and had been quietly killing me all week, were about ready to jump out and stab me in the neck if I didn't give them a break. They really, really hurt now. Like, oh gods, don't make me walk. Or bend my legs.

Throughout my stupid, pointless and rather nostalgic stroll, I was hit on by at least three men. ( Read more... )

I've been rewatching childhood classics recently on YouTube, too. Things like the Care Bears Movie 2 and the My Little Pony Special. It's awesome how things I don't remember at all are suddenly so very familiar once again. Oh, and I always found Dark Heart damn fine. ;) (Although no one compares to Disney's Robin Hood. I had such a crush on him as a kid... I would convert to furry-ism for that one.)

And now I'm all aching knees and unshed tears. It's 1:30 am but I'm not sleepy, so I'm off to watch the only movie I ever found Benicio del Toro hot in. (Which is Excess Baggage, Part 1 here.) I'd like him well enough now if only he'd catch up on that decade of sleep it seems he's missing.


Quote of the Day: ursulav, here

I examined this situation from all angles and came up with "So basically, the take-away is that I shouldn't have waved back."

"No, that probably just encouraged him."

I slumped down on the bed. "The problem is that I've never figured out the point where being friendly stops and encouraging them begins. As far as I can tell, if I don't run you over with a car, I'm encouraging you."

Kevin considered this analysis and failed to refute it. "Well..."

Links of the Day:
Banana-Strawberry Cream Pie
Pecan Maple Bacon Cookies
Banana-Chocolate Cupcakes in Ice Cream Cones
Rocky Road Candy
kellifer_fic's SPN Podfic: It's Guy Love (Between Two Guys)
strangeandcharm's SPN Podfic: And I Wake Up Blind (Like My Dreams Were Too Bright)


* ursulav

While I scarf down nibble on a vending-machine waffle and wait for the closest thing I have to a painkiller to kick in (not that those things ever work), let me tell you about Wednesday.

Wednesday rose it's ugly, bed-haired head thinking, "Today, I will be a horrible, no good, very bad day!" ( Read more... )

I've been chatting more with Robert on Skype, which is lovely, even if it does mean late nights. He told me that the drought's still being a bitch and, as a consequence, the country's pretty much starving. See, the drought's been going on for like over a year now (so that's 2-3 rains missing) and with the post-election violence of last year, less farmers went back to their land, resulting in less crops to start off with.

I ought to work, but I don't know where to start anymore. Plus, in pain. Paaaaiiiiin. That and it took me an ongoing litany of variations on "Yes, I can do this," to get me out of my room, across town and into the office. I am not kidding.


* Digger, July 10th Comic by ursulav

I'm lately been thinking of what I would want in a house. So, naturally, I turn to television shows first, for inspiration and the likes. ( True Blood and Supernatural Homes )


Links of the Day:

Dollhouse Communities: imprinted, imprinted_icons, dollhousefics, claire_topher, dollhouse_art
meadowmines's SPN Podfic: Life Is a Banquet (and Some Poor Suckers Are Starving to Death) read by helloapollo
Dollhouse Screencaps
Dollhouse Wiki</i>
12_12_12 posts Idol Tour Videos
ack_attack's picspam of hilarity for the Half-Blood Prince London Premiere
lilyroseicons's Colour Tutorial
theflyingbeet's Batman_lulz Webcomic
sue_denimme's Doctor Who A tribute to the Tenth Doctor (with images)
whedon_lists's BtvS Fanon
True Blood Screencaps
Robin Hood Part 1
25th Hour Part 1
The Black Couldron Part 1
Jani's at the mercy of her mind - The parents of a 6-year-old schizophrenic search for help against daunting odds for a patient so young and a case so severe.
Myths Over Miami by Lynda Edwards - Captured on South Beach, Satan later escaped. His demons and the horrible Bloody Mary are now killing people. God has fled. Avenging angels hide out in the Everglades. And other tales from children in Dade's homeless shelters.
Noisbot.com's Funny T-Shirts


* James Brogan, 25th Hour

And to think this afternoon I thought, "All in all, a good day."

Started off somewhat lousy - woke up late, abused the snooze button, so on - but managed to work well in the morning. Then I went off in search of lunch and a postoffice and managed only the first objective. Then I worked pretty solidly for the rest of the afternoon, which was awesome.

Then off home to drop off my things, change and then back on the bike to go to the starting spot for running. I did better time today and ran more often that I walked, so I might need to rethink the length of the run a bit.

Then home, dinner (I actually cooked, for once) and Dollhouse, which was awesome. Lots of things made me squee and clap like a seal, though Alan Tudyk is the top reason. And oh gods, the ending!

( And then I called my mother. )


Links of the Day:
The Land Before Time - Part 1
dw_slash lists fic recs
Top 100 Movie Quotes


* Gone With the Wind

Today was spent mainly in bed. Granted, I did clean the larger house (and suspect it may have been my urn to clean this house, but oh well, tomorrow). But most of the time? Bed. I don't know why, but I've felt like a limp wet noodle all day, really tired-like.

I did watch Star Trek and thought it was quite a bit meh (except for Simon Pegg, who as awesome and Zachary Quinto when he was ass-kicking, 'cause oooh baby). Also watched last week's True Blood (whoot!) It felt like a filler-episode, but loved it nonetheless.

And I think I've picked a knitting project. Well, there's dozens that I want to do, but I've found a good starter (yes, it's a scarf, but it's a really cool one! Gloves incorportated!) So now I need to get the yarn and needle and skillz. Two out of three will not only be bad, but catastrophic.


Links of the Day: ( Read more... )


* Dr. Thomas Fuller

I went running today! \o/ It was the first time in years! I went out a few times in Montreal: Mont Royal's a prime running spot (except for those nasty inclines.) I finally figured out a nice spot (I can't stand the idea of running where there's people). The spot's this lovely stretch of green and canal where I've gone biking. I also finally (finally) got the motivation. ( Read more... )

Yesterday after work (which I cut short) I went to the Hague and watched Ice Age 3 (in 3D! Neat!) and ate KFC for the first time (pretty lame, and the ketchup tasted like soap, as did the not-coke).


Links of the Day:

peskywhistpaw's Fanmix (General: Native American): Eagle Dreams: A Native American Indian-Inspired (Fan)mix and Cheeer Up Emo Kid: A (Fan)mix To Make Your Life Suck Less
emilywinter's Fanmix (General: Summer Love): Just Let Go: A mix for summer love, in all it's various stages.
renneroo's Fanmix (General: Determination): Time to Stop Watching Clocks
captivated's Fanmix (General: Depression): I Had A Bad Day Again


* teand's Running with Sam and Dean -- an interlude poem

I should stay and work for another hour at least, but considering my productivity is so pitiful related to time it may as well be negative, I'm going to throw myself at the weekend. (Also, I've started tearing up for no apparent reason, which is another sign I should stop.)

What I have planned for this weekend is rather simple. Today I'm going to run away head on off to the Hague and watch a movie. Depending on the time I get there, I'll watch Ice Age (in 3D, yes please) or The Hangover. As for the rest of the weekend...may wander around Amsterdam, but honestly, no clue.

This week's been pretty much shite all over. I've been working on a very boring and potentially pointless part of the analysis (making data sheets ftw!), so that's knocked me back a couple of brain cells. I've been completely unable to work on any side projects (which, seriously, how hard can that be?). I've been freaking out quite a bit (I blame the impending doom of hormones, not that it makes me feel any better). I haven't bothered going to the gym at all. (I totally should because I have never ever weighed this much. It's fuckin' scary.) I haven't hung out with people aside from Willy on Monday-Tuesday. In fact, most of my days the most social interaction I've had was speaking with the receptionist downstairs and Skype-chatting (although one may argue that words on a screen hardly qualify as "social interaction".)

And this all brings me to today's Quote-title. This may get messy. ( Horray from stream of consciousnes! )

And now I'm probably too late for Ice Age. Darn it.


Quote of the Day: Fionn Regan, "Be Good or Be Gone"

I have become an aerial view of a coastal town that you once knew.

Be good or be gone. Be good or be gone.

Links of the Day:
deanandsam's SPN Episodic Colourbars
natiyachan's SPN Fanfic Rec List
teand's SPN Fanfic: Eyes Wide Open, Running with the Winchesters poems
literaryquotes's Francis Spufford, The Child That Books Built - Flocked.
Bunny Comic Recipe: Flapjack Heaven
"Carry Me (Like A Fire In Your Heart)"by Chris de Burgh (lyrics)


* "Best Supporting Actor", One for the Team

Meme via snowgrouse: ( Read more... )


Links of the Day:

( Fanmixes )
( Other )


* Dollhouse

Happy Canada Day!




* Canadian National Anthem

...remember why you held on for so long in the first place.

I've had a pretty shit day, emotionally speaking. ( Yay! )

A few comments on television shows, belated by a couple hundred years:

a) When I was catching up on SPN and T:TSCC, I watched two episodes where both were focused on sucubi.

b) On SPN, Alastair singing Heaven when strapped down (or more technically correct, up) reminded me of Islington, of Neverwhere, singing the same thing.

c) Alastair and Islington need to have a chat. This could be in the same 'verse as the conversation between Crowley, Aziraphale, Castiel and Uriel.


Links of the Day

( Read more... )


* This image.

Today I:

a) Cleaned my room (in preparation for Willy's visit tomorrow)
b) Skyped with Robert (thrice!)
c) Correctly identified a lion from Rob's photo (booya!)

In sum, a good day. There was a lot of squee and misty eyes. Now, if only I had some new episodes to watch...


Book Meme! via celestineangel

According to the BBC, the average person has only read about 6 of these books. ( Read more... )


Links of the Day:

( Read more... )


* Arnorld Lobel

"What the fuck" gives you freedom. Freedom brings opportunity. Opportunity makes your future. *


I feel like I've been leaving this LJ a bit on the side - not that I'm absolutely loaded with activities. In light of this (and because I feel like writing and am also avoiding work like the plague), have some summaries:


( I talk about my work. )


( I talk about my mother... )


( ...and my plans for the summer. (Ooh! Rhyme!) )


( I talk about my boyfriend. )


( I talk about random shite. )


Links of the Day:
amplificathon's Audiofic: Back Country Roadmap by astolat, read by rhea314
ontd_political's Gay senior lives less openly in care facility - \o/ People's reactions are lovely! (via rex_dart
cleolinda's Everything I can think to say about Michael Jackson
robinalaska's Meta of TV shows watched
tehopheliac's Audoific: Where All Paths Lead by tracy_loo_who, read by tehopheliac
How To's Basic podcasting software and Audacity, the audio editing program, tutorial


* Miles, Risky Business
** Reconsidering marriage and kids? Me? Who'da thunk.

I need to rant about something and work it through. ( It's my damn soapbox. )

TL;DR? Short Version: , ****


Links of the Day:
videorama
ursulav is on a Marvel comic! (Or at least her pear is.)
morgandawn's poll and discussion about the distribution of Fanvids on DVDs
Buffy vs. Edward: Twilight Remixed
The McGill Daily Archives (♥) and an old Literary Supplement (With Disappearing, which I love.)
Diane Schoemperlen interview for Our Lady of the Lost and Found
100 Love Poems
Jon Stewart's discussions with Mike Huckabee about gay marriage and abortion are really interesting. Jon kicks ass! \o/
Jack Handey quotes
Mitch Hedberg quotes


* Demetri Martin, "If"
** Why do people do that? Why?!?
*** Translation: black-mailed by a friend. How lovely.
**** First icon by sickle_icons, second by iconomicon

Pretty pointless day today: wandered around Scheveningen. All I wanted was a nice little cafe where I could sit and write for an hour or so but I didn't find any place appealing. Didn't even manage a decent lunch (but did have my first Slushie, feeling like Elle all the while). Got a call from Willemijn, but whether she'll come over tonight for a chat is still up in the air. We'll definitely hang out tomorrow, though, between her meeting with Supervisor and mine. It will be nice to talk to someone who's going through the same thing as I am at the moment. (We're freakishly in sync with each other. Like, we'll think or feel the same things. Freakish but awesome.)


Matthew Macfadyen reads "This is just to say":


Links of the Day:
paxlux's True Blood 2x01 Recap, userpicks (awesome!)
azurelunatic's Signs you might not be from LJ originally (some of LJ's rules, both social and not-so-social)
metaquotes tells us about a Montana city requiring employment applicants to provide their user names and password information for online forums and social network sites so they can make sure they only hire those who have the "highest moral character".
Refacing Government Tender - Dollar bills with Batman's characters' faces
True Blood Commercial - The American Vampire League is proud to release this new television advertisement, urging Americans to "Accept the Truth." ♥
John Hodgman at Radio & TV Correspondents' Dinner
Alan Rickman reading Sonnet 130 (My mistress' eyes) by Shakespeare
Matthew Macfadyen reads Sonnet 29 (When in disgrace) by Shakespeare


* TPratchett, Guards! Guards!

I finished Supernatural Season 4 tonight. Aw man, I love this show. There's one episode (4x12) in particular which is brilliant: Sam'n'Dean encounter a guy who's writing Supernatural novels, not knowing that the boys actually exist. The boys read the novels, surf the web and discover Fandom.

Cue hilarity:



♥!

Oh, and Jensen Ackles was actually asked what he thought about fanfiction at a convention:



\o/


* Jensen Ackles