First things first, DO MY MEME!!! It makes me so happy!! Thanks to gimmick_game and xplodey_di, I love you both. <3

Here's my song for today, with the bonus of fandom wonderland since people were apparently expecting me to sing it. Please remember it is totally inappropriate for the holidays.



Still working on getting my layout to behave in a way I approve of - part of that will be fixing up this text. It's tiny and annoying looking. I am very picky, so if things start changing a bunch over the next few days, this is why. haha. :Db

I had a bunch to say on So You Think You Can Dance and then realized people might not be watching it. If you are, totes comment so I can exchange ideas with you. I am so aloneeee there's no one here besiiiiideeeee meeeeee.

I have 2 papers to write this evening because I am procrastinating harder than anything that has procrastinated before. O____O I am ready for this semester to be OVER. OVER OVER. Unfortunately, I have nowhere to go after this semester, so it's home to work? But possibly only for 10 weeks if I go back to drexel for their spring quarter. I am not going to be ashamed of taking time off. The idea of it has always scared me because I love school so much, but damn it! I'm getting my life back, you guys. It's 10 billion times more important to me right now.

Feeling determined! Very much determined!! Hope everyone else is pushing forward too. ♥

My next request is, I believe, the last single released by the defunct-but-legendary Kisaki Project - Byousha Kaze. Actually, the last kanji in the title can be read as either "kaze" or "fuu" (both meaning wind), and Google searches turned up a pretty fair number of results for each, so I'm not exactly sure which one is right. Kisaki fans, please correct me if I'm wrong!

Oh, also, "byousha" means depiction or portrayal. Depiction of wind? Wind of depiction? Wind that depicts? Take whatever translation you prefer, guys, 'cause I'm copping out on this one. :D;;

Kisaki Project - Byousha Kaze

( Romaji )

I remember...
The film reel begins to turn with a clatter
The screen behind my eyelids reflects a brilliantly colored kaleidoscope
Scenes from the past gently began to overflow

Back then I carried so much anguish, continuing to endure tears I couldn't show
When things were far more painful than they are now, my dear friends and I supported each other

I remember the wind on the Seine, and from its bridge
I watched the beautiful sunset for so long
Each of our paths is steep, and we will go astray at times
But I'll keep walking on with the desire to go back there

The form of my heart in the rain after the clouds, overflowing with memories, turns to sunshine
I'm alive today because I've overcome things that were far more painful than they are now

In the calm wind on the Seine, I painted my dream in the sky
I'm sure I'll never forget that smile, that laughter
Each of our paths is steep, and we will go astray at times
But I'll keep walking on with the desire to go back there


Disclaimer: This song belongs to Kisaki Project and Under Code Productions, not me. I only take credit for the romaji and translation. I'm just a fangirl trying to make J-music a little more accessible to English speakers. No copyright infringement is intended. Please don't sue me - I'm already broke. T__T

I had a couple of requests for lyrics from visual kei bands in my inbox when I came home from Nekocon last month, and since working with my bands always puts me in a J-rock/V-kei mood all over again, I went ahead with them. There's another one I've had sitting around MUCH longer that I want to get done as soon as possible too, for reasons I'll expound upon when I reach that point, but for now I'll start with those two.

First is Baptism by Juliadoll, an indies band that broke up last year. This one was a challenge because I (and the requester) couldn't find ANY official version of the kanji lyrics on the web, and we had to work with a fan's transcription and my own two ears. I'm pretty satisfied with the end result, but there were a couple parts where it really would've been nice to have official kanji. :\ Oh well... it's a very nice song, anyhow ♥ Enjoy!

Juliadoll - Baptism

( Romaji )

Even the sin of Eve is forgiven
The warmth wavers in confusion
Words predicting the future
Pierce my shattered worth

If I had thrown away the hypocrisy and lies
And looked up at all the stars reflecting the same moon
I wonder if I could have held your hand

The surface of the brilliant snow is cracking
Magic unfolds within my heart
If I can do it over again
I wonder if even I, as I am, could honestly love

The tedium is like a narcotic
A game that never falls silent
Particles of air that know no shame
Lovingly violating my body

Within the torn apart prayer that increases the victims
The voice of their blood echoes again today [1]
Fate gives no answer

The brilliant snow continues to groan
Magic unfolds within my heart
If I can do it over again
I wonder if even I, as I am, could honestly smile

The surface of the brilliant snow is cracking
Magic unfolds within my heart
If I can do it over again
Even I, as I am, want to try and enjoy living

The brilliant snow continues to groan
Magic unfolds within my heart
If I can do it over again
I wonder if even I, as I am, could honestly love


[1] This was one of those lines where I reeeeeeally wished there was official kanji of these lyrics on the web somewhere... In "chi no koe," that little word "chi," depending on how it's written, can mean either blood or earth/land. I think either one would've fit in the context of this song, but the "blood" kanji is what was written in the version I was working with, so that's what I used...


Disclaimer: This song belongs to Juliadoll (and that's all as far as I know, since they were indies), not me. I only take credit for the romaji and translation. I'm just a fangirl trying to make J-music a little more accessible to English speakers. No copyright infringement is intended. Please don't sue me - I'm already broke. T__T

in my continuing, insane quest for more readable fic, I found a short angsty Kirk/Bones fic, where, no lie, Bones is all angsty and shit because he can't see Joanna any more, and I am not making this up, because Jocelyn has told her that Bones is dead.

1. Wait, so Bones doesn't just call up his lawyer and scream THE CRAZY BITCH JUST TOLD MY DAUGHTER I WAS DEAD?

2. Man, if telling your kid the other parent was dead was all it took to get custody, I know some people who are going to be mighty sorry about all the time and trouble they spent proving their ex is an asshole and shouldn't be around their kids.

3. No, seriously, Bones just allows this? Seriously?

4. Jocelyn TOLD Bones she'd told Joanna he was dead? Why ... why would you even do that? What if he manages to call when you're not home? what if the kid picks up the phone instead of you? What if a mutual friend mentions something in front of Joanna?

5. CHRIST YOU GUYS I DON'T THINK I'VE MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, BUT BONES? NOT THE EASIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD TO LIVE WITH. QUIT MAKING JOCELYN A ONE-DIMENSIONAL BITCH, IT MAKES ME THINK UNKIND THOUGHTS OF YOU.

In conclusion: research and logical thinking DOUBLE FAILURE.

THIS IS THE WORST THING EVER I WANT TO CRY.

Okay, so, I really must be tired, because just a few minutes ago I accidentally deleted the CSS to my layout and then clicked save. Here are the reasons why this was a very bad idea.

1) I did not have this CSS saved on my computer nor anywhere else.

2) The stylesheet is one that was never shared by the user who created it. It was briefly up at her graphics community, I stole it from the page source and made several changes to it to make it work correctly. I CANNOT GET THIS STYLESHEET BACK.

3) I don't know if I have that Toma header saved. It's somewhere on tinypic? D: ONE THING SALVAGED >.>

4) I loved that stylesheet more than anything ever. For once I was only changing headers and colors and not the layout itself. I WAS GOING TO STAY WITH IT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

5) Nothing else seriously is similar to what I had. NOTHING. Not the big text area on the right, side bar on the left, classy header set up, no ridiculous text, not hurtful to the eyes, not too dark or too light.

EDIT: I got the layout as close as possible, but the comment set up pisses me off and there's so much WHITE everywhere. But you know, appeased to the extent of not throwing things now.

This has seriously distressed me on an emotional level that is truly ridiculous given it's a livejournal layout.

... *tears*

So after years of Amy informing me loftily that only freaks of nature made socks or worked with needles less than 3mm, guess who is sinking deep into the throes of the sock yarn pit?

HA. HA. HA.

oooh I got a hiyahiya needle! and some violently pink Happy Feet to do the short socks with, as if I stare at one more yard of Shibui Knits sock yarn in Earth I may actually kill myself. Mind, I love the color and all. And I was going to get some of the Listed Yarn but KPPPM? That is an ouchy sort of price tag, my friends!

Went to the new yarn store up the street from Yarn Garden, didn't find anything I wanted, went to Yarn Garden, got the aforementioned yarn and knitting needle (they have a brand of yarn, probably local, with a color named City of Roses, beige and cream and rose and green. I actually want it so badly I can taste it) thence to New Seasons and food for the week. TANGERINES ARE IN SEASON.

that's all I think. the service went fine yesterday, it was basically just the family and some of the staff, so it wasn't all, you know, funerally.

Hello je_holiday participants!

Your fics are now due in 23 hours and 43 minutes when it will be 11:59pm PST. If you have not done so already, please email us if you need an extension. Or if you want to turn in your fic early. :D We like it when fics are turned in early. But right on time is wonderful too.

Don't forget the housekeeping notes on the previous post.


As for the rest of you, are you excited yet? Because your elves totally are! :D

ATTENTION FRIENDS LIST!!!!!!

I have decided I want to start a December meme. Please comment here if you will join me! DETAILS -

❄ HARK! ❄
the livejournal friendslist sings!

Guidelines:

❅ If you have any type of recording capability, during the month of December (or up until Christmas, if you celebrate), post clips of yourself singing or playing part of a holiday song as often as possible.

❅ Clips can be audio only, or have accompanying video.

❅ Save your favorite holiday song for the last.

❅ If at all possible, provide a download link for your favorite personal clips. At the end of the meme, you might be included in a holiday musical medley! ;D

❅ Fantastic singers, decent singers, tone-deaf singers, make small children cry singers, and OMGIAMSECRETLYFAMOUS singers ALL WELCOME!!

Let me know if you have any questions, but people singing carols makes me happy in my pants. SO PLEASE DO THIS, KAY?

PS: Someone said to link this - Christmas Karaoke Tracks (I don't use torrents, but if you do - go for it!)

I'm not linking back here, so you can PIMP this however you want. But in case you like my simple text up there, here's the code:

<center><font size="5"><font face="tahoma"><font color="#8798EC">❄ HARK! ❄</font></font></font><font size="3"><font face="courier new"><font color="#A1A2A9"> the livejournal friendslist sings!</font></font></font> </center>

Brain: ....
Brain: You know what we need?
Meg: What?
Brain: Crocs. For work.
Meg:
Meg:
Meg:
Meg: Oh my God, I hate that I can't even argue with you.

Argh my fake Danskos are wearing out - they're a year old and have served nobly - and the Docs are fine but the foot bed is painful after about six hours worth of lifting and walking. Also they are very, very heavy.

-- HOLY SHIT YOU GUYS I HAVE EIGHT MORE INCREASE ROWS TO DO ON THE FEB LADY SWEATER. and then .... like six or seven more mind numbing garter stitch rows to slog through, but! THE END IS IN SIGHT. I borrowed one of Amy's Addi's and I have a terrible feeling it's actually a size seven, so may have to go get a new one, but aiya, so many stitches!

So this morning...

I was walking to class, and then suddenly I wasn't.

Instead I was sprawled out on the ground, thankfully with my head just above the brick walkway (though my messenger bag almost strangled me), and my ipod and cellphone on the grass a few feet in front of me.

"Are you okay?" someone asked, but I didn't even see them when I struggled to get to my feet.

And then hobbled into class, holding back tears. Even now, my shoulders and knees are sore and my hands are stinging from the beating they took.

This must just be the place I'm in, but when I sat down and shakily began to write my statistics notes, all I could think was...

"At least I got back up again. Chumbawamba would be proud."

1. You know, when they told me I was a very creative person I didn't think my capacity for bullshitting would be put into play by cheerfully and instantly explaining to someone who was pacing up and down the halls until she nearly fell down, and is now convinced she forgot to send my parents a thank-you note and should get up again to do it, that Mom had already gotten it. Also, she loved the stationary. You know, the one with the cardinals on it. She thought it was so cute and so thoughtful of Resident. It must have slipped Resident's mind, but my mother had just thought it was so nice of her to do it.

By God it settled her down to sleep like a lamb, though. If I had had to I would have as cheerfully pulled out my cell phone and told Mom that Resident would like to know if her thank you note had come, so could she reassure her about it? The one on the CARDINAL STATIONARY. About the THING.

2. Some of you may remember the resident who was yelling for her mother. Two coworkers were more or less wrestling her into her night clothes when I wandered by to see if they needed help and/or point and laugh at them (howls of "MAMA! MAAAMAA!" clearly audible down the hall) when she caught sight of me, and quavered, "M-Mama?"

Bastard coworkers promptly told 'Mama' she could put her daughter in bed, and fled like the cowards they are, leaving me to make soothing noises about those horrible people and tuck her tenderly into bed.

3. There was a craft show at Pioneer Square and I bought a delicious hazelnut truffle and chocolate-espresso covered almonds, and the dude with the nuts gave me extra because I was like, yeah, caregiver, and he was like, DUDE.

4. Read first book of Dresden Files. It was pretty good, I guess? I mean, I'm kind of glad I got it from the library instead of buying it and I dunno if I'd like, write massive porno starring Harry or whatever, but pretty good! Definitely better than the Anita Blake books.

adskfl;ka I want to write but all I have is terrifying work stories and half-formed jokes. I have to go to the libary tomorrow anyway, will try there.

it seems like my life would be totally complete if only I got to see Mike Whatsit dealing with giving someone a shower and watching in resignation as ... you know what, never mind, I'm sure someone's eating. (We were watching the marathon - well first they were watching Grease but I was ... not in the TV room on account of loathing Grease so much I cannot watch it without shrieking things like HE'S A DICK, STUPID, DON'T DO IT. That and the final number does things to my blood pressure that are not to be described. SURE, CHANGE YOURSELF COMPLETELY FOR HIM, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.)

I had two showers to do tonight. They were both pretty good about it but the second one I was dumb enough to let her have the shower thingy and God bless her, water got all over me.

Also there's a service for the lady who died yesterday on Monday at the facility (actually more common than you would think - Amy kind of blinked at me, but it is kind of their home and also, space to meet in!) and I'm probably going to go because the family (a bunch of sweethearts) said especially they hoped the caregivers would all be there since we'd done such a wonderful job etc etc etc.

I am working on a joke about how the only times Bones and Spock agree is when they're about to beat Jim's ass like a taiko performance. I think it will be funny but then again I was thinking about the Starship Seasame Street again too, so we'll see. (I picture hissed, agonized comms between Bones and Jocelyn over who has to be the bad parent and break it to Jojo that Miss Amanda is dead -- and then Bones going FUCK YES I'LL GO ON THAT SHOW and Jocelyn hating him FOREVER. How to win at being the cool parent, is all I'm saying.)

Almost done with the diagonal mitts, decreasing the second one. I dunno if I'm going to have enough yarn or not. I'm kind of thinking I will, because I bought another skein. (because, of course, if you spend ten dollars on another skein of yarn Just In Case, the damn thing only takes the first skein and you're left staring at an odd ball of yarn and cursing a little in your heart.)

Good morning, writers! For you Americans out there, I hope you've been having a good Thanksgiving break. I've just finished answering all of the emails we've received the past couple of days -- the fics are starting to come in! With that in mind, a couple of notes:

1) If possible, please send your fic as a .doc, .txt, or .rtf attachment -- no .docx, please, we don't have new enough computers for them! If you're at all unsure, just paste your fic into the body of the email.

2) Make sure to use the fic header that was included in your assignment email.

3) Please include your LJ name, and the LJ name of the person you wrote for, when you send in your fic. It just makes it a bit easier for us!

If you have any questions these last few days, you can email us at jeholiday@gmail.com, catch us on Gchat (at jeholiday), or send us a tweet @Santa_Johnny. Or you can just leave a comment here. All fics must be in by December 1st, 11:59PM PST. (Need a world clock?)

Good luck in the home stretch!