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With great regret - because of changes to LJ and most especially because of excessive spammers who have been posting garbage messages - I will be turning my LiveJournal into a Friends Only journal.
This arena has changed so much, I can't imagine I'll have any new friends here anyway so it probably won't make much of a difference. Most have gone on to other social media forums, and those I know who are still here already have friends-access to this journal.
But I wanted to add some protection to my site. I'm tired of seeing spammers posting obnoxious stuff to my entries and to the communities that I enjoy. I don't want them to have access.
So, if by some weird chance you and I aren't currently LJ friends but are in similar groups (and you're not a spammer), please feel free to message me privately to be added. ♥
"In my dreams, we had space and time..."
Jun. 18th, 2020 10:57 amI've been having a lot of strange dreams lately. Most of them, I don't remember for long after I've woken up.
But today a fleeting snippet of a dream popped into my head right before waking, and it's stuck with me.
In the dream, I was leaving some sort of event, exited via a very crowded café. To my left there was a woman singing, and her voice was gorgeous.
However, when I looked around, I realized that not a single person in the crowd was paying any attention to her, which made me think, "How can this be? Why is everyone ignoring her? Don't they hear how wonderful she sounds?"
As the tide of the crowd pushed me toward the exit, I looked the woman in the eyes, put my hand over my heart and said, "You sound beautiful." She faltered for a moment, just the tiniest moment, and then she gave a small smile and kept on singing.
But today a fleeting snippet of a dream popped into my head right before waking, and it's stuck with me.
In the dream, I was leaving some sort of event, exited via a very crowded café. To my left there was a woman singing, and her voice was gorgeous.
However, when I looked around, I realized that not a single person in the crowd was paying any attention to her, which made me think, "How can this be? Why is everyone ignoring her? Don't they hear how wonderful she sounds?"
As the tide of the crowd pushed me toward the exit, I looked the woman in the eyes, put my hand over my heart and said, "You sound beautiful." She faltered for a moment, just the tiniest moment, and then she gave a small smile and kept on singing.
In 2005, I was recommended to read a piece of X-Files fan fiction online. I enjoyed it so much, I felt compelled to send the author an email with my compliments. Here's a snippet:
"I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your work. You have a great gift for character and character motivation, and I admire it immensely... You have an understanding of human nature and motivations, of 'human choices' and difficulties, of their flaws and their triumphs, and of the many shades of 'grey' in people. So your interpretations of these characters come across as very real."
I didn't expect a reply, or if she did write back, I expected it to be a quick "Thanks!" Instead, she gifted me with an insightful, thoughtful response, which opened up to a thorough discussion between us about characters and story. And the conversation kept on going...
Eventually, our chats switched to getting to know one another beyond writery interests, and we became good friends, me in Illinois, her in Oregon.
She found delight and fascination in even the smallest of things, through her writing and her photography or even just sending me a quick email telling me about some new thing she'd tried to make or do.
I had the pleasure of knowing Susan for almost 10 years. Not nearly enough time!
This year marks 7 years since her passing (way too soon), and I miss her fun friendship, her writing mentorship, and her wise counsel.
Monday March 16 would have been her birthday, and I just wanted to put it out there in the universe. She is not forgotten. She was a great friend, and I was privileged to know her.
"I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your work. You have a great gift for character and character motivation, and I admire it immensely... You have an understanding of human nature and motivations, of 'human choices' and difficulties, of their flaws and their triumphs, and of the many shades of 'grey' in people. So your interpretations of these characters come across as very real."
I didn't expect a reply, or if she did write back, I expected it to be a quick "Thanks!" Instead, she gifted me with an insightful, thoughtful response, which opened up to a thorough discussion between us about characters and story. And the conversation kept on going...
Eventually, our chats switched to getting to know one another beyond writery interests, and we became good friends, me in Illinois, her in Oregon.
She found delight and fascination in even the smallest of things, through her writing and her photography or even just sending me a quick email telling me about some new thing she'd tried to make or do.
I had the pleasure of knowing Susan for almost 10 years. Not nearly enough time!
This year marks 7 years since her passing (way too soon), and I miss her fun friendship, her writing mentorship, and her wise counsel.
Monday March 16 would have been her birthday, and I just wanted to put it out there in the universe. She is not forgotten. She was a great friend, and I was privileged to know her.
Happy New Year 2019
Jan. 1st, 2019 12:55 amFeeling a bit introspective tonight (as seems to happen most New Year's Eves), so I looked back at my LiveJournal for the past year. I only posted three times. Even though this place has changed so much and most have dropped out of the arena, that number feels kind of sad to me. So I'm going to try to post a little more, even if it's only to myself, or for myself as some sort of record. It's not going to be a lot, because I've already got a lot on my plate right now, but I'm going to do what I can.
In that spirit, here's a lovely quote from writer Neil Gaiman on the subject of New Year's Eve and looking ahead to the new year...
"Be kind to yourself in the year ahead.
Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.
Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.
Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them.
Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love."
I wish that for all of you out there, just putting it out there into the universe. Happy New Year, everyone. :)
In that spirit, here's a lovely quote from writer Neil Gaiman on the subject of New Year's Eve and looking ahead to the new year...
"Be kind to yourself in the year ahead.
Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.
Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.
Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them.
Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love."
I wish that for all of you out there, just putting it out there into the universe. Happy New Year, everyone. :)
RIP, Queen of Soul
Sep. 16th, 2018 12:58 pmOne of my favorite personal memories involving Aretha Franklin:
I didn't have my own car so I often would ride the bus to go to my college classes. One day I was walking from the bus stop, just a few houses away from home, when I heard this music BLASTING through someone's window. It was Aretha Franklin, and I thought, "Someone's got good taste."
As I neared my home, I realized it was coming from our house. It was a gorgeous day and apparently the front door and all our windows were open, so Aretha's voice was coming out loud and clear like someone's personal rock concert.
I walked into the house, stunned and confused, because my mom was always telling me to turn my music down, and here it was just jamming full out. 😁 What was going on??
I followed the sounds of the Queen of Soul all the way down the hall and found my mother in my bedroom, working at her sewing machine, grooving in her seat as my Aretha Greatest Hits CD blasted on my stereo.
I think I stood with my mouth dropped wide open for a good few minutes before she even noticed I was there. Then I said something like, "Damn, Mom, I didn't know you had it in you. Is this what you do when we're not home?" 🤣 🎶🎤
It was like I saw another side of my mom that day, one I'd never seen at this level before, and it was fascinating and really awesome. ♥
-
What are your favorite Aretha Franklin songs? I love all the most popular ones, of course (RESPECT, Ain't No Way, A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Save Me, etc.) but some of my personal favorites are You're All I Need to Get By, You Send Me, Dr. Feelgood, and Baby I Love You.
I didn't have my own car so I often would ride the bus to go to my college classes. One day I was walking from the bus stop, just a few houses away from home, when I heard this music BLASTING through someone's window. It was Aretha Franklin, and I thought, "Someone's got good taste."
As I neared my home, I realized it was coming from our house. It was a gorgeous day and apparently the front door and all our windows were open, so Aretha's voice was coming out loud and clear like someone's personal rock concert.
I walked into the house, stunned and confused, because my mom was always telling me to turn my music down, and here it was just jamming full out. 😁 What was going on??
I followed the sounds of the Queen of Soul all the way down the hall and found my mother in my bedroom, working at her sewing machine, grooving in her seat as my Aretha Greatest Hits CD blasted on my stereo.
I think I stood with my mouth dropped wide open for a good few minutes before she even noticed I was there. Then I said something like, "Damn, Mom, I didn't know you had it in you. Is this what you do when we're not home?" 🤣 🎶🎤
It was like I saw another side of my mom that day, one I'd never seen at this level before, and it was fascinating and really awesome. ♥
-
What are your favorite Aretha Franklin songs? I love all the most popular ones, of course (RESPECT, Ain't No Way, A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Save Me, etc.) but some of my personal favorites are You're All I Need to Get By, You Send Me, Dr. Feelgood, and Baby I Love You.
Books and TV and movies, oh my!
Dec. 10th, 2016 10:25 pmIt's snowing out there so I stayed in and watched a movie tonight, and (even though sometimes I forget) I'm reminded once again how much joy a good story brings me. Something engaging, funny, thought-provoking, suspenseful or just plain entertaining - whether it's coming from a book, a television program or a movie, it transports me and invigorates my mind. It injects me with energy.
And most importantly, it makes me feel like almost anything is possible.
In a time like this, when the country is so brutally divided, when people can be so unkind and disrespectful to one another, I need to believe that good things are possible in this world. I need it.
If anyone's still out there... what are your favorite go-to books, movies or TV shows that uplift you or energize you or make you laugh and make you think? What brings you the most joy?
P.S. Completely random side-note: I baked zucchini bread tonight, and it was gooooood. ;)
And most importantly, it makes me feel like almost anything is possible.
In a time like this, when the country is so brutally divided, when people can be so unkind and disrespectful to one another, I need to believe that good things are possible in this world. I need it.
If anyone's still out there... what are your favorite go-to books, movies or TV shows that uplift you or energize you or make you laugh and make you think? What brings you the most joy?
P.S. Completely random side-note: I baked zucchini bread tonight, and it was gooooood. ;)
Thank you for some perspective, Firefly
Nov. 9th, 2016 04:38 pmSome words of wisdom via Nathan Fillion's character Captain Mal Reynolds on Joss Whedon's TV seres Firefly. Seems pretty apt today, after yesterday's disastrous election results.
Unexpected Moments of Pride and Joy
Jul. 24th, 2016 03:48 pmIt's always such an unexpected treat to get a "You've got kudos!" email alert from AO3, for a fanfic short story you wrote several years ago.
Especially when it's one you worked really hard on and still feel pretty proud of.
\o/
Yay!
Especially when it's one you worked really hard on and still feel pretty proud of.
\o/
Yay!
I need a nap!
Jun. 5th, 2016 08:11 pmI don't know what's going on with me. I am sooooo tired!
This past week my sleep has been strange. I've had highly vivid dreams, including one that startled me so much that I actually woke myself up calling out (in the dream and in actual life). After that I wanted to whimper and curl up in a ball, I felt so disturbed and unsettled. I'm really not sure why I dreamed something that upset me like that.
Then this morning I woke up extra early and couldn't get back to sleep. I knew I'd only had about four and a half hours of solid sleep, I knew I wanted to sleep more, but my mind couldn't shut up. So I laid there for an hour-ish, thinking, and then got up to read.
Now it's only 8pm and the lack of sleep has caught up with me. I'm so tired, I almost fell asleep in my arm chair. I am so TIRED.
But I'm afraid to go to bed this early. One, because it's only freaking 8pm, and two, because I have occasional insomnia so I try not to go to bed at weird times (weird for me) so that I don't throw off my whole sleep schedule. I don't want to go to bed now, and wake up wide awake at 3am.
What is up with me?
This past week my sleep has been strange. I've had highly vivid dreams, including one that startled me so much that I actually woke myself up calling out (in the dream and in actual life). After that I wanted to whimper and curl up in a ball, I felt so disturbed and unsettled. I'm really not sure why I dreamed something that upset me like that.
Then this morning I woke up extra early and couldn't get back to sleep. I knew I'd only had about four and a half hours of solid sleep, I knew I wanted to sleep more, but my mind couldn't shut up. So I laid there for an hour-ish, thinking, and then got up to read.
Now it's only 8pm and the lack of sleep has caught up with me. I'm so tired, I almost fell asleep in my arm chair. I am so TIRED.
But I'm afraid to go to bed this early. One, because it's only freaking 8pm, and two, because I have occasional insomnia so I try not to go to bed at weird times (weird for me) so that I don't throw off my whole sleep schedule. I don't want to go to bed now, and wake up wide awake at 3am.
What is up with me?
I have to wait an entire year for this?
It looks gorgeous.
Will they be singing, though? Is it a movie or a movie-musical? She's already got the bookishness down pat, no question -- hi, Hermione! -- but can Emma Watson sing?
If she's going to be Belle, she better bring it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite of the newer Disney animated films, my very favorite. I can still remember seeing it in the theatre with my best bud Todd. With the new technologies available, the images felt more real than the older Disney flicks, from the shimmering petals falling off the rose to the ever-building show of "Be Our Guest" to the way Belle's ball gown swirled and then swung back into place just like a real dress would, as she danced with Beast. It was so easy to get swept up in the story and the vibrant images and the beautiful music. Everything felt so funny and lovely and magical.
And Belle wasn't just some flighty princess. To me, she felt different from the usual female characters. A girl who loves to read and sing, whose dream room is a library filled with marvelous books, who daydreams of an interesting, exciting life? Of course it's my favorite.
So I want this film to be everything awesome, and I want to see it now, please.
♥
It looks gorgeous.
Will they be singing, though? Is it a movie or a movie-musical? She's already got the bookishness down pat, no question -- hi, Hermione! -- but can Emma Watson sing?
If she's going to be Belle, she better bring it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite of the newer Disney animated films, my very favorite. I can still remember seeing it in the theatre with my best bud Todd. With the new technologies available, the images felt more real than the older Disney flicks, from the shimmering petals falling off the rose to the ever-building show of "Be Our Guest" to the way Belle's ball gown swirled and then swung back into place just like a real dress would, as she danced with Beast. It was so easy to get swept up in the story and the vibrant images and the beautiful music. Everything felt so funny and lovely and magical.
And Belle wasn't just some flighty princess. To me, she felt different from the usual female characters. A girl who loves to read and sing, whose dream room is a library filled with marvelous books, who daydreams of an interesting, exciting life? Of course it's my favorite.
So I want this film to be everything awesome, and I want to see it now, please.
♥
"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they've got planned..."
Sleep is Good and Necessary
May. 23rd, 2016 12:32 pmYou know those people who say they don't need much sleep? The ones who say they only need four or five hours of sleep and they're ready to take on the day?
Screw that.
I mean, good for them if that's really true. Maybe that's their superpower, not needing much sleep.
But I need it. I NEED IT. NEEEEEED.
And when I don't get it? I'm slow and groggy and crabby and short-tempered. Even if I don't express any of it, it's bubbling within me and it's only a matter of time before I snap, especially if you keep pushing me.
I need sleep.
Sleep is very good to me. When I get a good night's sleep, anything feels possible.
So you understand me when I say that I did not get enough sleep last night and today I feel like a slug. My brain is sluggish. And nothing I've done has kicked it into gear - not a healthy smoothie including spinach and banana, not a brownie (trying for a hit of sugar there), not a bottle of water, not slow deep breaths of wonderful oxygen, not getting up from my desk and walking around my apartment for a few minutes. None of that did shit.
That's because my body knows none of that is what I really need.
I really need some damn sleep.
How much sleep do you usually need, my friends?
Screw that.
I mean, good for them if that's really true. Maybe that's their superpower, not needing much sleep.
But I need it. I NEED IT. NEEEEEED.
And when I don't get it? I'm slow and groggy and crabby and short-tempered. Even if I don't express any of it, it's bubbling within me and it's only a matter of time before I snap, especially if you keep pushing me.
I need sleep.
Sleep is very good to me. When I get a good night's sleep, anything feels possible.
So you understand me when I say that I did not get enough sleep last night and today I feel like a slug. My brain is sluggish. And nothing I've done has kicked it into gear - not a healthy smoothie including spinach and banana, not a brownie (trying for a hit of sugar there), not a bottle of water, not slow deep breaths of wonderful oxygen, not getting up from my desk and walking around my apartment for a few minutes. None of that did shit.
That's because my body knows none of that is what I really need.
I really need some damn sleep.
How much sleep do you usually need, my friends?
Why can't I RELAX??!?
May. 15th, 2016 02:05 pmI had a super busy month, finally got caught up on all my web design work, yet for some stupid reason I can't give myself permission to relax and simply enjoy the weekend in whatever way I want?
WTF is wrong with me??
I even worked on a website yesterday afternoon, even though it could have waited until Monday. And today, my brain keeps saying, "You should really sort through and re-organize the folders on your desktop. You should really go through that giant box of photographs from decades ago and finally decide which ones to keep, which ones to display, which ones to toss because they're blurry and pointless, etc., so you can get that box out of your living room. You should really clean up that pile of papers on your desk. You should really clean your apartment. You should really get some exercise, maybe go for a walk (even though you have a blister on your heel from the last long walk you took and right now it seriously hurts to put on your shoes). You should really..."
ARGHHHHHHHHH!
Why can't I allow myself one weekend, or hell, just one DAY to do whatever I feel like, even if it's not Super Responsible Adult or Super Productive? Why can't I just take the afternoon to read a book? Or watch a movie marathon? Or go sit in a coffee shop and drink cocoa and people-watch? Or any number of things that have no real point to them but are just... fun?
When did I stop knowing how to do stuff for the sake of FUN?
WTF is wrong with me??
I even worked on a website yesterday afternoon, even though it could have waited until Monday. And today, my brain keeps saying, "You should really sort through and re-organize the folders on your desktop. You should really go through that giant box of photographs from decades ago and finally decide which ones to keep, which ones to display, which ones to toss because they're blurry and pointless, etc., so you can get that box out of your living room. You should really clean up that pile of papers on your desk. You should really clean your apartment. You should really get some exercise, maybe go for a walk (even though you have a blister on your heel from the last long walk you took and right now it seriously hurts to put on your shoes). You should really..."
ARGHHHHHHHHH!
Why can't I allow myself one weekend, or hell, just one DAY to do whatever I feel like, even if it's not Super Responsible Adult or Super Productive? Why can't I just take the afternoon to read a book? Or watch a movie marathon? Or go sit in a coffee shop and drink cocoa and people-watch? Or any number of things that have no real point to them but are just... fun?
When did I stop knowing how to do stuff for the sake of FUN?
Happy Birthday, Kat!
Apr. 9th, 2016 12:13 pmJust wanted to wish ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
krazykitkat a gigantic, great-gusto-filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope you are feeling well and having a wonderful day.
♥ ♥ ♥
krazykitkat a gigantic, great-gusto-filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY!I hope you are feeling well and having a wonderful day.
♥ ♥ ♥
Under Pressure
Jan. 12th, 2016 04:00 pmIn honor of the late, extraordinary David Bowie, a little something that raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Wow.
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury singing Under Pressure, a cappella.
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury singing Under Pressure, a cappella.
Ch-ch-ch-changes
Jan. 12th, 2016 01:17 pmYou know how there's such a VAST amount of fanfiction out there? Some good, some bad, some really really ugly?
And how some are just complete and shiny jewels that speak to you above all else, and you feel like, "Ah, at last I've found you"? And you make sure to bookmark this new favorite author because you love their style and what they have to say about the characters and because you don't want to miss a single new story?
There's just something sad about what happens when a show ends. Everyone's writings and commentaries for the show start to peter out, and then (sometimes) it stops completely.
But what's really sad is when your favorite authors move on to new fandoms... but it's not a fandom you're into so you don't get to read their awesome writings anymore, unless they start up in a fandom you also connect with.
A writer (whose work I enjoyed) just switched to a new fandom that I don't watch. Bummer!
That is all.
:)
And how some are just complete and shiny jewels that speak to you above all else, and you feel like, "Ah, at last I've found you"? And you make sure to bookmark this new favorite author because you love their style and what they have to say about the characters and because you don't want to miss a single new story?
There's just something sad about what happens when a show ends. Everyone's writings and commentaries for the show start to peter out, and then (sometimes) it stops completely.
But what's really sad is when your favorite authors move on to new fandoms... but it's not a fandom you're into so you don't get to read their awesome writings anymore, unless they start up in a fandom you also connect with.
A writer (whose work I enjoyed) just switched to a new fandom that I don't watch. Bummer!
That is all.
:)
Happy Birthday, lostakasha!
Jan. 7th, 2016 11:22 amHappy Happy Birthday to a wonderful, talented writer and hilariously awesome, brilliant friend!
AF, I hope you have a fantastic day. ♥ ♥ ♥
I miss our epic email chats. We really need to resume some of that chatter. Maybe we can come up with a more time-manageable way to do it. *GRIN*
P.S. Seven years ago, almost to the day, I wrote you a tiny bit of fanfic in honor of your birthday. (Wow! Seven years ago. Has it really been that long?) In re-reading that, I was almost inspired to write you something for this year's birthday, but it's been so long since we've chatted about fandom stuff, I have no idea what (if any) your newest interests are! We must remedy that. Besides, I would love to return to creative writing and the pure enjoyment of it. How about you, talented one? *hugs*
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 26th, 2015 11:57 amCrazy day - about to head off to my aunts' house for the day - but I wanted to pop in for a second and wish everyone a giant Happy Thanksgiving!
Wherever you are today, whatever you're doing, I hope you know I'm thankful for you.
♥
Have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Wherever you are today, whatever you're doing, I hope you know I'm thankful for you.
♥
Have a wonderful day.
xoxo
