21 posts tagged “doings”
Pleasantly warm and sun-blind after a lengthy stroll through the local Catholic cemetery today. Spent a long time looking at the small small graves in the children's garden and photographing some beautifully mossy and decrepit headstones.
Been out in the yard more than usual at home, since the weather has been so fine. It's sweet to putter about in the dappled sunlight, hearing the occasional zephyr stir our Victorian glass wind chimes (a gift from ![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
seathroughghost and company). I found an interesting critter under one of my heavy clay pots. We've also determined that our popular bird feeder often doubles as a squirrel feeder. There's a particularly cheeky fellow who visits quite frequently!
We already have tickets to see 300 on Friday at the Metreon IMAX theatre. *bounce*
Listening to:
The Everything Test
There are many different types of tests on the internet today. Personality tests, purity tests, stereotype tests, political tests. But now, there is one test to rule them all.Traditionally, online tests would ask certain questions about your musical tastes or clothing for a stereotype, your experiences for a purity test, or deep questions for a personality test.We're turning that upside down - all the questions affect all the results, and we've got some innovative results too! Enjoy :-)
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| Politics Your political views would best be described as Liberal, whom you agree with around 64% of the time. | Socioeconomic Your attitude toward life best associates you with Upper Class. You make more than 0% of those who have taken this test, and 12% more than the U.S. average. |
| If your life was a movie, it would be rated R. By the way, your hottness rank is 71%, hotter than 96% of other test takers. |
TAKE THE TEST
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Fridays are usually very busy days for me, but the weather was just so gorgeous that the Grub and I couldn't resist a sunny stroll. We took lots of fun photos for my ongoing Strolling in Menlo Park set.
Friday evening was the fabulous Bent party in the City. The theme was Bent High: Back to School, and fan_boy and I had a delightful time making our costumes. When Principal Tiziano implemented my corporal punishment with my own copy of Smythe's Greek Grammar, however, I wished I'd chosen a less weighty text!
Saturday was a leisurely brunch followed by making ourselves fragrant with wine at a nearby venue (in order to fulfill our Purim obligation of yemei mishteh v'simchah, of course). But it seems that our local Irish pub was unaware of such festivities and had booked a rather raucous band whose presence served to totally harsh our mellow, as it were. So we wandered on and eventually made our contented way homeward.
Sunday was full of crafting, yard sales, and the like with tutordennis. We found an unfinished wooden toychest, and he's showing me how to sand and finish it with Tung Oil. I also picked up some enchanting buttons, one set for an Indian-style wrap I have, and another vintage set to replace the buttons on my brown mid-thigh coat. I finished sewing them on tonight, and I'm quite pleased. Yesterday eve, a group of us dallied and danced at Death Guild. During a lull, a pool of hot candle wax found its way onto my bare skin, and abditus used his pocket knife to very gently lift it off in one whole piece. *fans self* Oh, and spaghettisquash has the most splendid hat!
Listening to:
Oh, the joys and trials of living in a century-old Victorian! It's been less than warm at home these past couple of days, since our ancient furnace mysteriously ceased functioning on Tuesday. After poking vainly at the rusty, imposing contraption in the basement and attempting to follow the faded and cryptic instructions affixed to the side, we admitted defeat and called PG&E. They're sending a repair person tomorrow. So the Grub and company very sweetly loaned us a space heater or two, we put a heating pad on the bird cage (although Madi insists upon climbing up to sit on it, which is no doubt greatly unsettling to Furn), and we're using the adventure as an excuse for snuggling under lots of blankets.
Wednesday was a Tied House gathering. Quite a few people joined us, although I must admit I was very much distracted by seeing sichling's and 3diff's dear baby William again. I'd never been to the Tied House in Mountain View, and found it a bit noisy (I don't suppose it helped that we were spread across four tables). But I easily consoled myself with the wonderful company and a pint of lovely Ironwood Dark.
Tales from this weekend are forthcoming; meanwhile, a recent photo shoot with the Boy's avian mask (click the mosaic below to view the set):
And happy Purim!
Listening to:
Saturday was brunch with my peeps (oat bran pancakes with fruit compote) before playing our new Zombies!!! game (second edition). fan_boy recently bought all the extension sets, too. It was as awesome as one might expect, and I prevailed against my foes by killing 25 zombies for the win rather than trying for the usual helipad option. Those poor naïve fools! Then I spent the evening with the Grub while the Boy popped out for a round at the Gaskell Ball, heading home for snuggles and the pitter-patter of raindrops as we fell asleep.
Next day, tutordennis very sweetly took me out to the Body Shop for some pamper-fu, and I got a new pair of oh-so-cute spiderweb Vans. We also went to the closeout sale at CompUSA and picked up a new battery and larger memory card for my camera. I'm looking forward to playing more with photography in future, especially since the Boy just upgraded my Flickr account to a Pro account (and it seems to be a creative endeavor I can pursue without putting undue stress on my wrist).
Monday evening we descended upon Death Guild with xthread, warlord_mit, spaghettisquash and abditus for dancing and the like. I finally tried the ubiquitous Disaronno, both in a sour and on the rocks. I found it not altogether to my tastes, although I did in fact suck on the ice cubes. Afterward we sallied forth for french fries (at the creepiest doughnut joint I've ever entered) and saw a brief but fierce flurry of hail through our reflections in the window!
Listening to:
We hied ourselves to Oakland last night to meet teawiththecheat, dicedork and tinellaq at the Parkway Speakeasy Theater for some grub, grog, and a flick. I'd never been to a speakeasy theatre before, and we had a capital time. tutordennis and I had a sandwich called The Easy Rider, and fan_boy had (of course) a Zombie Cow, but I think my favorite one was Oliver's Mummy's Tummy. We meant to see the critically-acclaimed and thought-provoking Babel, but due to a small case of deus en machina, we ended up watching the not-quite-as-intellectual Casino Royale.
But they had comfy couches right in the theatre! Sipping tasty cider and snuggling with cuddlesome sweeties while James cavorts with Bond girls and crashes exquisite cars...what more could one want?
A giant squid, you say? Quite so!
From baerana:
Your Squid Quotient = 164.75
Interpreting your results: An average Squid Quotient is around 100. A SQ of 100 means you have a normal affinity for squid. A SQ above 100 means you have an attraction or fondness for squid. Below 100 means that you should probably stay away from the deep ocean.
Find your own squid quotient!
Your squid name is: Emily the gelatinous ocean-dweller!
Find your own squid name!
This lovely long weekend was just groovy. There was bowling, a fine game of Gloom: the Game of Inauspicous Incidents and Grave Consequences, a yummy brunch, a cheesy movie, a great restaurant discovery, zombies, and a new book. Happy Presidents' Day!
Did you have a fertile Lupercalia? Ah, the fecundity! NB: If in future you plan to celebrate by watching Ginger Snaps Back, I heartily recommend whacking your loved ones with bloody goat hides instead. That movie was almost as bad as the Gryphon debacle (which was a shame as well, as it features wonderful Amber Benson of Willow and Tara fame).
It's been a fine week. My tummy was feeling not very how on Sunday, but was sweetly nursed by abditus and spaghettisquash, who plied me with steamed almond milk, cherry pancakes, and Hoopla. Then tutordennis went out and brought me electrolyte waters and soup and crackers while I snuggled with the kitties, and soon I was feeling much better.
Wednesday was quiet and divine. Dennis made a heavenly dinner for the three of us: Mápó dòufu with his secret stash of pre-ban Szechuan peppercorns, accompanied by Chinese greens and (n)oyster sauce. He gave me Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World, which I've been wanting, and most importantly, a Piglet Pez.
Afterwards, fan_boy called me upstairs to show me several new toys for drubbing naughty girls and boys. He just might rue the day. *wicked dance*
Also, by the Herculean efforts of the Bear (which unfortunately required driving between three different counties), the car registration has been renewed. And I finished my taxes last night. Now my happiness is a golden poem!
Listening to:
The recent PEERS Gotham City Black and White Ball was tremendous fun. The costumes were superb; there were mobsters galore. As for superheroes, their alter-egos turned out in force: several Poison Ivys, Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Two-Face, the Joker, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, The Voice, Alfred, and, rather incongruously, Neo and Trinity from The Matrix as well as Jayne Cobb from Firefly. I waltzed myself dizzy, and enjoyed all the period dance styles (swing in particular). Check out the Boy's swanky new fedora from Fino Fino on my Flickr page.
On Sunday, tutordennis and I roamed far and wide, first strolling to Central Park, then winding our way through downtown. We even nipped into Draegers and surreptitiously sniffed the black truffles. Mmm.
1. If I were a planet, I would be: poor, poor Pluto.
2. If I were a month, I would be: October.
3. If I were a day of the week, I would be: Wednesday.
4. If I were a time of day, I would be: dusk.
5. If I were a sea animal, I would be: a selkie.
6. If I were a direction, I would be: over yonder.
7. If I were a piece of furniture, I would be: an armoire.
8. If I were a sin, I would be: vanity.
9. If I were a historical figure, I would be: the Loch Ness creature.
10. If I were a liquid, I would be: the little milky drop that wells up when one plucks a dandelion.
11. If I were a stone, I would be: smooth from the river.
12. If I were a tree, I would be: a ginkgo.
13. If I were a bird, I would be: on a wire.
14. If I were a tool, I would be: a whittling blade.
15. If I were a flower/plant, I would be: black-and-blue salvia.
16. If I were a kind of weather, I would be: cloudy and bright.
18. If I were an animal, I would be: a rabbit.
19. If I were a color or shade, I would be: twilight.
20. If I were an emotion, I would be: gladness.
21. If I were a vegetable, I would be: a very small eggplant.
22. If I were a sound, I would be: vespers bells.
23. If I were an element, I would be: Xenon.
24. If I were a car, I would be: a midnight blue PT Cruiser.
25. If I were a song, I would be: Pale Blue Eyes by the Velvet Underground.
26. If I were a movie, I would be directed by: Sally Potter.
27. If I were a book, I would be written by: Donna Tartt.
28. If I were a food, I would be: a chickpea.
29. If I were a place, I would be: a forest with a creek.
30. If I were a material, I would be: brown corduroy.
31. If I were a taste, I would be: Mexican hot chocolate.
32. If I were a scent, I would be: spicy vanilla.
33. If I were a word, I would be: aporia.
34. If I were a body part, I would be: the little piggy that goes, "Wee wee wee" all the way home.
35. If I were a facial expression, I would be: repose.
36. If I were a subject in school, I would be: Laughing and Grief.
37. If I were a cartoon character, I would be: Vincent.
38. If I were a shape, I would be: a spiral.
tutordennis came down to Menlo on Friday and took me and the Grub to lunch at Lulu's. I had a really good time. I adore going for walks with my people.
We've seen some splendid movies lately. tutordennis and I watched My Fair Lady the other night, which I've never seen. (Yes, I live under a rock. A mossy one.) Halfway through the first scene, though, I realized I'd read the screenplay in one of my Linguistics courses and thus thought I'd seen it before. Anyway, I loved it.
Then a few days later, fan_boy and I saw Lady in the Water. This one had a few more plot holes and a bit more vanity than I like to see, but it was engaging, and I quite fancied the scrunts.
I'm looking forward to reading Shyamalan's eponymous children's book.
Thursday night, all three of us went out to Su Hong's (where I received the rather grisly fortune: "patience is worth more than a bushel of brains") and then to see El Laberinto del Fauno.
I think it's Guillermo del Toro's best movie since El Espinazo del Diablo, although Cronos remains my favorite of his films.
This weekend probably merits its own post. Whee!
And from tiger_spot: Color Meme
Red
1. Closest red thing to you?: My mouse pad.
2. Last thing to make you angry?: I recently wrinkled my nose because a check and a late notice crossed in the mail, and I thought my payment might be counted as late.
3. Do you have a temper?: Everyone who observes me teach remarks upon my calm demeanor, but I don't feel like a particularly laid-back person. I can be impatient at odd times, but I have a generally sunny approach to life.
4. Are you a fan of romance?: Not as such.
Orange
1. Closest orange thing to you?: The top of a bottle of glue in my craft organizer.
2. Do you like to burn things?: I like fire, but I'm not a pyromaniac.
3. Dress up for Halloween?: Oh yes.
4. Are you usually a warm-hearted person?: I think so.
5. Are you usually full of energy?: *bounce*
Yellow
1. Closest yellow thing to you?: Down the Rabbit Hole by Iassen Ghiuselev.
2. The happiest time[s] of your life?: Either right before I began my studies at UC Davis or right now.
3. Favorite holiday: Every day is Halloween, baby.
4. Are you a coward?: I'm very brave. Except sometimes I take Spencer to the bathroom with me in the middle of the night because it's dark and the house is creaky.
5. Do you burn or tan?: I tan, but don't like doing so.
Green
1. Closest green thing to you?: A bottle of Ravens Wood wine.
2. Do you care about the environment?: Yes, but apparently not enough.
3. Are you jealous of anyone right now?: No.
4. Are you a lucky person?: Very.
5. Do you always want what you can't have?: That sounds like a very poor idea. No.
6. Do you like being outdoors?: Aren't there bears out there? (Hee. Actually, yes, I do.)
7. Are you Irish?: Probably a sliver. Those Irish get around.
Blue
1. Closest blue thing to you?: I'm wearing a blue-and-grey pinstripe shirt.
2. Are you good at calming people down?: Children in particular.
3. Do you like the sea?: Yes.
4. What was the last thing that made you cry?: I was discussing fox-hunting a couple of days ago, and my eyes stung, although I did not cry as such.
5. Are you a logical thinker?: Quite.
6. Can you sleep easily?: These days, yes.
Purple
1. Closest purple thing to you?: My Canon PowerShot SD20 camera.
2. Like being treated to expensive things?: Those expensive things that I do enjoy are appreciated for their own merits, not because of their cost.
3. Do you like mysterious things?: I enjoy puzzles of most kinds as an intellectual exercise.
4. Favorite type of chocolate?: Dark chocolate truffles.
5. Ever met anyone from an online community: Sure.
6. Are you creative?: I create things of various types, yes.
Pink
1. Closest pink thing to you?: I spy Madeleine's pink paw pads, as she's currently reclining on my monitor.
2. Do you like sweet things?: So many!
3. Like play-fighting?: A bit of resistance-play now and again.
4. Are you sensitive?: Quite.
5. Do you like punk music?: Some.
White
1. Closest white thing to you?: Spencer.
2. Would you say you're innocent?: In many ways, yes.
3. Always try to keep the peace?: Unless my critters are threatened.
4. How do you imagine your wedding?: I don't.
5. Do you like to play in the snow?: Yes.
6. Are you afraid of going to the doctor or dentist?: No. But I don't like hospitals very much.
Black
1. Closest black thing to you?: Several items on my altar.
2. Ever enjoy hurting people?: With consent.
3. Are you sophisticated or silly?: Silly.
4. Would you like to go to space?: Yes.
5. Do you have a lot of secrets?: Yes, but I can't keep them. I usually just borrow them for bit and give them back.
6. What is your favorite color?: Purple.
7. Does the color you wear affect your mood?: I don't think so, but the reverse might be true.
Listening to:
There was a sinister slumber party at Bondage-a-Go-Go last night! It was great fun. Why, yes, I always wear a corset, garters, and fishnets to bed, silly goose. Sweet Stefanos led a naughty game of Twister, and Michelle received her birthday spanking in spades (being obliging sorts, the Boy and I helped out with this arduous task). Happy birthday, dear! I wore my new pettipants, and even brought my heavenly fleecy robe. So comfy; I could have danced all night. As it stood, we closed the place down, took our devilish friend home, and then roly-poly, pell-mell, tumble-bumbled into bed. The rosy-fingered dawn came all too soon to tempt us out of our wine-dark sea of repose.
As I sleepily sipped coffee from my wonderful Cheshire mug this morning, I was reminded that the 175th birthday of Lewis Carroll is this Saturday (27 January). Help celebrate by participating in the third annual LiveJournal Rabbit Hole Day. Because we can pretend that the world makes sense the other 364 days of the year.
There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge. In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.
