I mean to say...

Thought it was him

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 02:20:29 GMT

I thought I saw Justin Long in a Geico commercial but it turns out it wasn't him. Sorry, Persnickett.

Also, am geeked on David Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter mysteries. Andy is my kind of smart ass.

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Fic: Alaskan Oil Spill

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 21:07:13 GMT

I wrote this one for Tria Kane's "Cocktail a Day" project on AO3. It's for movie Don and Timmy, is fewer than 500 words, and I really hate the idea of this cocktail. Sometimes we draw the short straw when it comes to fic. Don is annoyed in this one, so that helps. :)

( Belly up the bar )

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One more thing

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 07:09:13 GMT

Could someone please explain how why I have a minor crush on that foul-mouthed Gordon Ramsay?

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OK, I'll post

Sat, 21 Jun 2014 04:10:14 GMT

My livejournal friend selenic76 challenge her friends list to post every day so that we see more action on the site. She posted a picture of some fine-looking rear ends adorned with dandelions.

I have no idea how to top that, but I'll try:

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Who'd a thunk it?

Wed, 28 May 2014 05:06:17 GMT

There's a naked guy on "Adam-12." Fortunately, I can't see much of him. Seems kinda risque for a 70s show.

Speaking of shows, "Orange is the New Black" is finally available on DVD at Netflix. I'm so excited to watch the show.

I thought I would have more news to report, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

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Fic: Derailed

Sun, 13 Apr 2014 06:42:20 GMT

Title: Derailed
Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries - bookverse
Word Count and Rating Not very many and not very naughty but kind of.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Richard Stevenson
Notes: Written for the Year's Worth of Cocktails story on AO3

( Belly up to the bar )

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Fic: Two in a Can

Sat, 23 Nov 2013 01:44:59 GMT

Title: Two in a Can
Author: storyfan
Pairing: Timothy/Donald — bookverse
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Rain spoils an autumn camping trip. Or, does it?
Warnings/Spoilers: none
Disclaimer: Donald and Timothy belong to Richard Stevenson.

( click right here )

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Fic: Voice

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 18:00:55 GMT

Title: Voice
Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries (movieverse)
Rating and word count: About 1,600, PG
Disclaimer: Don and Tim belong to Richard Stevenson.
Notes: The random-word generator was kind to me this time. No beta because I felt bad for telling Nyteflyer the story would be done about a week ago.

( Two guys walk into a bar… )

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Fic: Good Reasons

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:31:52 GMT

Title: Good Reasons (Donald Strachey Mysteries — movieverse)
Rating & Word Count R, about 3,500
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Richard Stevenson.
Notes: I have several stories in my files that probably could use a little work before I post them, but I know I’ll never do it. I’ve decided to free those stories and let readers think of them what they might. Constructive criticism is always welcome. I’d love to hear your ideas for improvement, but it’s not likely I’ll do any rewrites. I’ll save your advice, though, and apply it to my new fics.

( Read more )

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Fic: One Last Time

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 02:54:17 GMT

Title: One Last Time
Pairing: Dave Brandstetter/Doug Sawyer
Rating & Word Count NC-17, about 1,700
Disclaimer: These characters belong to the estate of Joseph Hansen.
Notes: Written for smallfandomfest for the prompt “Dave and Doug try one last time to make things work.”

( Alone together, but to what end? )

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Fic: Backseat Birthday

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 21:12:00 GMT

Title: Backseat Birthday
Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries (bookverse)
Rating: oh, who cares?
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Richard Stevenson.
Notes: Unbeta'd and late. Story of my life. Also, too long at almost 1,300 words. Written for the birthday challenge at nick_n_nora.

( He probably should have had that checked… )

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The tutu problem is raging out of control

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:33:13 GMT

Andy Towle posts some good stuff, but sometimes the responses are even better.

I thought the tutu problem was a Midwest thing. Go figure.

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Fic: Aunt Moira Has an Idea

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:40:04 GMT

Title: Aunt Moira Has an Idea
Author: storyfan
Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries (Richard Stevenson)
Pairing/Characters: Donald/Timmy
Rating/Category: PG, M/M
Prompt: A letter from Aunt Moira
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Richard Stevenson
Notes: Thanks to nyteflyer for the beta, as always. All errors are mine. Story written for smallfandomfest.

( She's not asking for much … )

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Fic: Threads

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:45:43 GMT

Title: Threads
Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries, bookverse
Rating, word count: PG-13, but just barely, about 1,200
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Richard Stevenson.
Notes: To get myself back in practice I'm once again writing a few random-word fics. This time, the Oxford American Dictionary (wish I could afford the giant OED) gave me "needlecraft." Thank you, as always, to nyteflyer for the beta.

( He should have done the laundry … )

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GBs vs. MBs — Advice needed

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:50:34 GMT

We're trying out Verizon's little Jetpack hotspot, just to see if, at $50 per month, it's a better deal that the astronomical sum I pay each month to WildBlue for my satellite connection.

Here's the deal: With WildBlue, we are limited to 17,000 MBs of download for every rolling 30-day period. If, at any time during that rolling 30 days, we go over that limit we are put on dial-up speed until we get back to 70 percent of our allotted usage. We also are monitored on upload, but we're always at about 18 percent for that so no worries there.

With Verizon, we get 5GB which I'm assuming includes download and upload. I'll have to check on that, but since we don't upload much I don't see that as a problem. Our usage is monitored over a straight 30-day period.

So, what's the better deal? When I use a calculator, I'm getting about 16GB for the 17,000 MB which really is a better deal even though it's so expensive — almost $90 per month? Or, am I calculating incorrectly?

Although we'd like to be able to stream movies and watch endless Youtube videos we've never been able to do that so it's not like we'd be missing anything. We just want to be able to do online classes, look at our favorite websites, upload pics now and then, IM, all that sort of thing. In two days we've used about 142 MB, and that's just me trying things out. The kids haven't really been home these past two days, so I don't know what our regular usage would be.

This thing will activate my Verizon account tomorrow, but I still have about 12 days before I have to decide whether I'm keeping everything — if I do nothing I'm locked into a 2-year agreement. The guys at Best Buy couldn't believe we'd been "subsisting," as they put it, on 17,000 MBs. They both said the 5GB is a much better deal at almost half the cost. Also, with a 4G connection, this thing is much, much faster. We like that of course, but that has to be balanced against cost.

I've read some reviews from people who said these hotspot gadgets devour data, but who knows? Maybe these folks tried to stream a ton of movies or something. It's hard to tell from angry reviews. Professional reviews are a lot kinder, but then again, I have no idea if the reviewers are paid for their glowing remarks.

I'm not versed in this stuff. I'm just looking for something that's less expensive than what I have. Frankly, I wouldn't have been checking at all had my WildBlue modem hadn't gone out.

Any advice? What do you think?

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Stonewall Uprising

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:55 GMT

Just watched Stonewall Uprising, an excellent PBS documentary now available on Netflix disc. It could be available to stream, but I don't know about that.

I knew Stonewall was the major flashpoint for the gay rights movement, but I had no idea that it lasted for several nights and that crowds grew on subsequent nights. I was amazed at the way such disparate groups were able to band together afterward, using the event to facilitate real change. Interviews by those who were there, including one police officer, are informative, insightful and at several points made me want to cry.

While there are very few images available of the actual events, PBS has used historical footage and recreations to excellent effect. Also included are those terrible '60s police-warning videos as well as an old CBS news report on homosexuality in general. There is also footage of the first gay pride parade that will leave you smiling.

I realize I'm preaching to the choir here, but I think this is essential viewing for everyone. Even if you've been an activist for years, either as a gay person or a straight ally, there is something to learn, something you can use to push the movement even further forward.

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Things to make — and a weather report

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:05:18 GMT

1. Big snowy owl:

Here's the website with instructions: http://www.purlbee.com/big-snowy-owl/

My daughter was looking over my shoulder while I was perusing this wonderful site and begged me to make this owl as a doorstop. I certainly wish I could make it with the beautiful recommended yarns, but the project would be unaffordable. I do have some decent yarns in my stash, though, and I'll make it out of that.

2. A Valentine scarf made with this cable:

I have some pink yarn on hand that would work perfectly, but instead of making a long scarf, I'll make a short one that just crosses at the throat. I have a large pink button that would work nicely, and adding a buttonhole wouldn't take much time at all.

Update: Sadly, this cool cable didn't show up well in the yarn I chose. I might try it again with different yarn, but in the meantime I'm on the lookout for a heart pattern. I might have to use something that requires two colors.

3. I've decided to make a lavender blanket for my bed. Again, I wish I could make it out of a beautiful wool, but that would cost me a small fortune. A couple of companies make decent acrylic and sell it in very large skeins, so I settled for that. Aside from time, the project will cost about 10 bucks since I got the yarn on sale. I was going to use a cable pattern that I found online (the project was done in a gorgeous red), but there's something not quite right about the pattern. I didn't find that out until I was about 7 rows into it, so I had to rip it all out. I'll use this pattern instead:

4. This is the hat I'm making in blue and brown for a wee special guy:

(photo credit: Brandy Fortune)

The instructions: http://petitepurls.com/basics/b_earflap.html

Simon Pegg has been tweeting about all the snow that's falling on England. For a bit I thought he was exaggerating, but then I looked into it a little further. Wow! England has already had far more snow than we've had this season, and this is supposed to be a cold, snowy state. Stay warm, my English friends!

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Psmith fic!

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:15:17 GMT

Title: Psmith Has The Cure
Fandom: Mike & Psmith
Characters: Just like it says on the tin: Mike and Psmith!
Rating and word count: G, about 2,900
Summary: Mike's famous temper rises to the fore as he thumbs his nose at his cricket team. For good measure, he tells Psmith there's nothing he can do about it. But then again, this is Psmith we're talking about.
A/N: Thanks so much to hazeltea for taking a monocle to the story. The story was written for smallfandomfest.

( Mike Jackson wanted a fight )

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Damn cats

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 22:22:59 GMT

Some people say cats don't do anything on purpose. All I can say is that I'm glad my new "American Vampires" comic book was in a protective plastic sleeve.

The comic book in question was resting atop a TV tray positioned a foot away from the couch. In order to ralph on the comic book, the suspect either had to either climb onto the tray itself or rest its back feet on the arm of the couch and its front feet on the tray.

Vampires are not for everyone, I get that, but this this expression of distaste goes too far.

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Since everyone needs a giggle

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:22:10 GMT

Here's a comment I saw on Rachel Maddow's blog:

The State of Washington made both gay marriage and pot smoking legal as of 12:01 a.m. December 6th, 2012.

It's the fulfillment of the Biblical prophesy: Leviticus 20:13. "If a man lies with a man as he would with a woman, they should both be stoned."

Here's the link, and it includes a marvelous picture of a lovely couple.

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Fanart for Smallfandomfest

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:37:22 GMT

Title: Safe Harbor
Artist: storyfan
Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries (movies)
Pairing/Characters: Donald Strachey/Timothy Callahan
Rating/Category: G
Prompt: Safe Harbor
Notes: My imagined book cover was made with a watercolor wash on canvas paper. I used a movie screencap, and the print is a handwriting Mac font. Created for smallfandomfest on livejournal.

Click on the thumbnail for a better look:

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You're welcome

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:10:06 GMT

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Purty

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 02:20:26 GMT

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Charlie Parker series

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 04:11:37 GMT

It took me a while, but I'm finally diving into the Charlie Parker detective series by John Connolly. He's on the library shelf right below Michael Connelly, who hasn't yet seen fit to write me another Mickey Haller story.

I've read three Charlie Parkers so far. They're inventive, scary, fill with psycho killers and have an engaging leading man.

The trouble is, I'm far more interested in his dangerous sidekicks, Angel and Louis. They're a semi-retired burglar and hit man, respectively. They've been a couple for a long time, it seems, and two men were never more different. Trouble is, I don't know how they got together or what keeps them together. They're both smart and have a dry sense of humor and are prone to bastardizing any number of ancient philosophies, but that's about all I know.

Charlie's a good character, too, and I'm liking him more as the books progress, but I sometimes find myself hurrying through his parts to get to the bits about Angel and Louis. Then I have to go back and re-read the parts I rushed. Inefficient, that.

The books are based in Maine, for the most part, and I'm waiting for Charlie to run into one of Stephen King's crazies.

The good thing about getting into a series late is that I have nine more books to read to catch up. That should keep me busy for a couple of weeks.

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Art Post 4

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:22:37 GMT

Crocheting and I do not get along very well, thus I was determined to defeat Crochet.

I'm reasonably pleased with the result of my first crochet project. I'm still having a hard time counting stitches, and this yarn had so many slubs in it and was so tightly plied that it was hard to control (don't you love my excuses?), but the mistakes are well-hidden and it's still wearable. By me. My kids won't touch it with a 10-foot pole.

The yarn is bright, but an earthy sort of bright, if that makes any sense. If nothing else, I'll stand out in a crowd.

Here's another view that shows my desolate rural area:

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