Long Days

Sunday was a lot of fun. No, wait... It was a lot of angst, then about 12 hours of driving, with a couple of stops. We had the car packed and ready at 9:45, but Ape couldn't find the gifts she'd bought Saturday. So we tore the car apart, then the condo, then the individual luggage, then...about an hour later we repacked and left. Argh!

Worse yet, we had to skip breakfast, my fave meal. But it'd all work out when we found an IHOP that looked promisingly clean. They were having some holiday promotions, including Egg Nog pancakes. Imagine two pancakes, with vanilla cream between, laced somehow with egg nog flavor. Cap it with more cream, whipped cream, syrup, nutmeg and cinnamon. It sounds truly horrifyingly sweet.

Turns out, for the most part, it tastes a lot like a vanilla or banana Moon Pie. This is actually a good thing! :3

The ham, eggs and biscuits were fantastic as well, and the portion was so big I had leftovers for a late night snack.

The rest of the drive was uneventful, and the stretch on 321 from Charleston to Savannah was quaint and charming as always. We got in just after midnight, no traffic to speak of. After unpacking the car I set up shop and logged in briefly but I don't think I did anything significant.


Monday was another long day. I was supposed to have the day to myself, after bringing in the Christmas stuff, putting up the tree, a little cleaning, and finishing off Clone the Elder's science project board.

All of these things would take longer than planned, plus meals and the like. In any case, I was able to spend several hours in Vana'diel. I used that time to start dumping unnecessary gear to make room for the gear held by Jesup.

I also got to join Demire's all-day Qufim party, on PLD of all things. I got it all the way to 40! She kept that thing going from like 2pm to midnight, swapping out as needed. I think half the shell passed through that group!

Later I spent a little time with Soho, again in Qufim looking for some hand-to-hand weapon dropped in the treasure coffers. After Soho took off, I found Demire's group and PLed a bit and then Autum arrived, as the PL :3 So we dual-PLed some then I left.

I tried to get with Kepi to unlock COR but she came back from dinner too late. We talked over the plans and Kepi seemed a bit put off. I apologized profusely for not being able to do it then, but it'd have meant starting at close to 11, and she doesn't have her staging points yet...

I'd prefer to give that run a go with some shell 75s helping because of the True Sight danger. And maybe we could work it into a staging point, COR and PUP unlock run...

My AIM buddies may be wondering where I'd disappeared to but basically on the trip Ape hogged the laptop and we were running around or entertaining at our place.

Rushing Ninjutsu

(It took long enough!)

I lost track, and couldn't find anything to make notes on, but I had two brief parties on NIN. Enough to hit 37! The first was in the Citadel and I think Erolynne was in charge. The second was in East Ronfaure [S], and I believe Chelcie was coordinating on behalf of the mostly Japanese crew.

I died just as I made it to camp, but I sorta made up for it when Soho tracked me down and offered a level's worth of PL help. Poor fella's been having some headaches lately so he was tired. The help was appreciated all around!

Also appreciated was how Chelcie handled my leveling. She expected I'd be done at 37 and put the question to me. I concurred but said I'd stay as needed. Turns out after I hit 37 and said I'd stay 20 more for a rep, they wrapped anyway ^^

From My Heart...

(I think I lost the battle of the vows)

Today we renewed our vows, as did my Sis and her Hubby (aka The Springfield Connection). We were on 15, they 10. I had thought Mom & Dad were doing it too (at 41!) but they didn't. Our aunt (the one who lives in Sevierville, TN) handled the officiating and the location. She found this really beautiful and picturesque spot where, withing like 500 feet, you could use an old barn, covered bridge, rock-lined stream, or grassy hills. We opted for the bridge.

After an opening prayer and pronouncement, Ape and I went. She blew me away with what she'd written. Perfectly describing us and rhyming, too! She said she'd been sketching it out in her mind for days but only just put it to paper last night. Mine were written months ago for the planned Vana wedding. I incorporated pretty much all the major facets (friendship, partnership, divinity, love) but I didn't do it with her style.

And now, for your reading pleasure, my vows to Ape, and hers to me.

----------------------------

Destiny

(face guests)
Everyone has a destiny. That destiny may be a moment of greatness, or spectacular triumph. Sometimes it is marked by sacrifice or failure. And sometimes, Destiny is eight years old…

(face jesup) /em look into eyes

It is often found where paths meet, where an exchange of mind or heart takes place. Nearly thirty years ago, our paths would meet for the first time. We were preparing to proclaim our devotion to God, unaware that God had plans for us.

Years later, while in the company of others, our paths met again. This would set in motion the events that would lead us to share one path forever.

/em hug

There have been times when things did not always go as planned, but such is Life. Our commitment to each other has seen us overcome all challenges that have befallen us. Our friendship amplifies our triumphs and soothes our failure. Our devotion has taken many sacrifices from both of us, but our love has been greater still.

I humbly thank you for all you have given me throughout these years. I’m not the easiest person to live with but your simple kindness makes me feel incredibly cherished. You have supported me throughout all my adventures, and for that I am eternally grateful.

/em join hearts

“From my heart to yours” a gift: A bond unyielding, a love unending.

/em kiss

----------------------------

[Aerin],

Fifteen years ago, when I became your wife
I promised to love and honor you each and everyday of my life.
I’ve cherished all the memories we have made throughout these years
The ones that brought us laughter and even ones that brought us tears.
We’ve stuck by one another through the good times and the bad
I feel blessed to have you by my side and for all the fun we’ve had.
Through a house fire, infertility, and job losses we’ve stayed strong
That through this path of ups and downs I know where I belong.
For you love me for who I am and you understand me when I’m low
And you treat me like the most beautiful woman in the room no matter where we go.
You hold my hand when I have fears and snuggle me when I cry
You are my happy go lucky, kind-hearted soul, glass half full, sensitive guy.
In fifteen years we’ve accomplished many things together as a team
Two boys, a house, trips, two cars, and so much more in between.
I love how we still get excited about seeing each other each and every day
How we don’t feel complete or able to sleep when the other is away.
I’m so proud to be “Jesse’s girl”, your high school sweetheart and best friend
And I thank the Lord for giving me this love that will never end.
So my pledge for you from this day forward is to continue to stay true
And I will hold your hand and be there to support whatever you may do.
I know there will be more challenges and bumps along the road
But we will be together to support each other's heavy load.
Thank you for these fifteen years and for sweeping me off of my feet
And I will love you forever and a day because with you my life is complete.

[Aerin],

I thank the Lord everyday for giving me you and for letting me have another day to love you and be with you. He brought you into my life because he knew I needed someone who understands me and supports me when I need it, who loves me when I’m not so lovable, and who looks at me with admiring eyes when I don’t feel so pretty. He gave me a man who makes me feel special and who has such a positive attitude about life so I to can see the positive side of things. I love our life, our children, and the way we compliment each other so perfectly. You are my best friend and I think that is why our marriage is so strong. Thank you for choosing me to be the one. I am blessed.

Love,
April

----------------------------

P.S. Post Four Hundred?!

Turkey Day!

Our Vacation:

Tuesday:
Left work at 4-ish, Ape had house ready (please forgive my slackness Babe!), left at about 5:30.
Drive was super easy - not the first bit of unusual traffic, no slowdowns...
Hotel we got on our points was nice. Managed to get net access for a brief chat.

Wednesday:
Got up at 9, ate a great breakfast. According to Ape, our food was prepared by Morgan Freeman.
Drive continued effortlessly, but the rock-slide detour (planned in advance) added about an hour to the total.
Checked in to our condo and chilled some.
Ate at Gondoliers, our fave Italian. Met the whole crew. Great food and free dessert!
Shopping for dinner tomorrow.
Got online later and helped Fumiko and Tessu with Kazham key drops. Got two of three before falling out. Had a great chat with Soho, but he's Xbox only, no PC (meaning no AIM)...

Thursday:
Turkey Day! Started with a Zipline adventure (very fun!).
Came back, made food, ate.
Went to SILs condo so the kids could swim (indoor heated pool plus 2 water slides)
Returned to our place for Survivor (ah, nuts! Recap episode)

Tomorrow? Vow renewal by the river!

Get Over It, People!

Friday's news was all aflutter with what Glambert did. And with whom. I finally got to see the whole thing. *MY* thoughts:

* The "trip and roll" was very smoothly handled, to the point where it wasn't certain he didn't mean it on purpose.
* The overall act was definitely risque, but not necessarily more or less than others' performances.
* No, I wouldn't really want to be watching this with my kids, but Lambert's orientation isn't the issue - He was blatantly sexual, with a thong-snap, crotching of a dancer, model-dragging, and some dominatrixy-style stuff.
* The kiss wasn't anything special. I did think the pianist was rather goofy looking...

The Reaction
Aside from complaints flooding into ABC, Lambert's cancellation by GMA seemed extreme to me. Have these people ever seen a typical music awards show?

(fast forwarding to Thanksgiving Day)
Our condo has at least 15 people in it, all related to me in some way. Discussion turned to Amazing Race. My sister's co-worker is related to Sam & Dan, the brother-contestants who came out weeks before going on the Race. My aunt's reaction? "What a waste!"

Huh? If they find someone to love and they have good relationships with their lovers, what's wasted? Love is only wasted if it isn't shared!

The topic inevitably shifted to the AMAs and Adam's performance. More vitriol and intolerance, I'm afraid. I actually got up and left the room. I couldn't take it anymore.

Many of my closest friends over the last 15 years have been gay, and presently I can number at least 4 whom I'm close to. They're loving and normal and human, each of them, and I don't understand the resistance.

Dancing My Pants Off

(I really needed this!)

After Amazing Race, we realized our other two shows weren't coming on. The American Music Awards were on instead. I looked at Ape with a pleading expression (because I generally detest awards shows). She graciously sent me off. So I got a little Vana time after all.

Because AR was football-delayed, I didn't actually get logged in until about 9:30, and I did my usual shell and friendlist checks. Then I decided to flag up on Dancer, hoping to maybe get a short party that would get me 39 and on the way to 40. At about 9:45, Martimaki asked me if I wanted to join his group in East Ronfaure [S]. Heck yes!

It took me a little time to sort gear (sending the recollections to Surg and paying Demire for the animas), and I also OP warped to the wrong past-zone ><. But I got there. Just after 10, I ran up to the waiting party. I couldn't help but get flashbacks to the time I was here in March. But unlike then, we had no problems in the group and like that time, everybody was really nice.

I got asked to pull and so I did, trying my best. I had thought with only SCH for main-heal we'd be so-so on mana rests but there were two thing's I'd forgotten, not having leveled this high in ages: Zot, our SCH, had Sub, plus 2 charges. And I was expected to heal too (duh). Well, I had a little trouble with landing hits at first so Zot had to carry the load.

Until we dinged once or twice, then my ACC was plenty good and I essentially took over main-heal while Zot buffed, enfeebed and nuked. I started trying my best to chain-pull but I had to balance walking off to early to find the next link in the chain and fighting my TP up.

All that would change when the group hit 40. Zot immediately broke out one of the coolest Scholarly tricks, Accession. Then I remembered *I* had new tricks too! And oh my! Did I ever get a good one! Reverse Flourish pretty much gives me free TP, based on my usage of enfeebling steps. So now, as I joked with Deej (or was it in shell?) - I'm like a Samurai, but with /style/!

XP flowed fast and free, and there were no panics or deaths. I ended about halfway to 42, with much hope for finding parties again now that I have better abilities. I'll have to check with Demire but I'd expect at 45 I become everybody's best friend again with Haste Samba!

After Marti ended the party at just after 12, I got a whisper from Deej asking for Raise-help in Qufim. It took me a little time but I got out there, raised Kep, and stuck with the group (Hi again Sanwa!) PLing for about 20 minutes, then it was bedtime.

Random Dancing!

(Who knew bloodsuckers could be so tender?)

New Moon was awesome! I started the day in Team Jacob, but after what Edward went through for Bella, I had no choice but to switch!

I was marveling the other day... The Clones are 12 and 10, yet we STILL have, and use, some of their baby plates and bowls, as well as a few threadbare towels from their teeny-weeny youth. Blues Clues, Pat The Bunny, that stuff.

I swear there was some other random thought to go here... Ahh! Got it.

Maybe I'm the only one, but I adore the Old Navy Supermodelquins commercials.

Anyway, spent a really nice, but long day today with Ape for our anniversary. Had a fantastic brunch, then shopped for about 3 or 4 hours, then there was a concert and tree-lighting ceremony at the shopping center. Then New Moon!

Dreams in The Other World

(My real-world dreams are just fine, thank you :3 )

Today marks 15 fantastic years of wedded bliss with my Wifey! Ups, downs, ins, outs, we've had them all. And we've weathered them all. Together.

Seventeen and a half years ago I asked for her hand in marriage (after getting her father's blessing, of course). I asked her, "Will you share with me my life, standing with me as my Wife?"

In about a week, we'll be doing a "group vow renewal", with our 15th, my sis's 10th and my parents' 41st. And I'll read the vows I wrote for Vana'diel, with only a couple of minor changes. I may even keep the emotes ^^

After we do the renewal I'l post them here.

Later!

Putting the Why in My Whyyyne...

I tried to explain to the Rogues why I was so upset and down yesterday. Later, talking with Kushi, I hashed it out some more. Here, in a nearly verbatim nutshell (but with clarifying notes added) is why I'm gutted over this Wedding pricing nonsense.

I was unfairly harsh to my friends, but sometimes, I need to be propped up too ^^

[Wed Nov 18 2009 11:25:59 PM]

I know it sounds tremendously trivial but I needed a goal - something on the horizon to keep striving for.
I can realistically chat with you and the others here [on AIM], and for free.
I know Sky, Sea, Goliard, AF2, Dyna, all that will never happen now.
But dammit, I had everything for that stupid, beautiful dress and the engraved rings with our real initials on them.

[After offers of help]
I'm trying with Rogues [on missions, etc.], but my timing isn't so good. They're already working on CoP 2 and 3 and I'm stuck fighting Holla.
I'm tired of Vana'diel feeling like a job again. For a long run, I was having fun with my friends and doing new or cool things. Then my [previous] shells fizzled and FF14 was announced. Siren's a ghost town now. Realistically speaking.

[...a short time later...]
It's hard to explain... I did want those things.
I wanted to gear my WHM up right and prove my worth in the harshest conditions. I wanted to be the best main healer so that I could give people real enjoyment at a level of the game not all reach.
More than that though, I wanted to experience the storylines.
Not just YouTube them - I wanted to see them unfold by my hand.

I don't really care anymore about the gear and the glory. It was never really about that.
I know I've made real differences in some people's lives and that's enough.
And I don't intend to stop either.
But this wedding was the one thing blessed by Ape in this whole world. Did I ever tell you how that came to be?

Last year (last year!) about October or so, Ape and my mom are doing weekly line dancing classes.
My mom bails and Ape doesn't want to go alone, so I offer to go with her. Somewhere along the way she mentions Facebook weddings.
It's not anything other than a status as it turns out, so the deal becomes, I line dance with you, you let me get us married. It'll cost a little bit and take some time, but do we have a deal?
She agreed and in May I got Jesup. Ape never had any intention of real play, but she did enjoy running around towns and messing with people in chats.
The clones got a kick out of it for a month or so.
Then Jesup became a $13/month mule. Well beyond his expected lifespan.
I'm telling you this haphazard story to get back to the main point:
This was the one thing in Vana'diel April had any partnership in, however tenuous. The vows I wrote and would have recited were very real.
Tomorrow is our 15th anniversary, and in a week or so, we'll be renewing our vows.
I plan to read the unused Vana vows. Almost verbatim. They're really good.
Yes, I really just wanted the dress so I could look prettyful. Yes, the rings with our real initials would have been nice too.
But I've spent nearly three years in service to the denizens of Vana'diel, doing my best to keep myself useful.

THIS was my one indulgence - by me, for me.

That's why, for the first time in like, ever, I've shown any kind of negative emotion around others ingame. Never had much need before...

No More Dreams in Vana'Diel

I may be through with Final Fantasy.

After getting a second full account in May (paying from June on)...
After earning the gil for a large wedding plus the dress (130k)...
After trying *three* chaperones and not having any luck with them...
And AFTER the new do-it-yourself system debuting the day before Ape and I celebrate our real-life 15'th anniversary...

Square-Enix decides to screw me. The dress and ring can now be bought straightaway. The problem?

The dress costs 8x what it did, and the ring (which would have been included in a ceremony as cheap as 30k) is 80k. For ONE. For Jesup and Aer to wed, I need 560,000 gil. 4x what it would have cost before.

And what's more - 130k before got a fully run ceremony - arrive and drive, as it were. Now, I *think* 560k just dresses the bride and provides 2 rings (needed for certificate) but the Player Event Service (for the actual ceremony) costs as well.

I hailed a GM, and was surprised to get a response. I made my case and got a polite "make a complaint" speech, and when I asked why the price would jump so high, I was told maybe 560k was the average of the previous ceremonies. Wha~?!

I am honestly and truly gutted over this. I already gave up on dreams of endgame, of AF2, of Goliard gear and sea and sky access. This wedding was all I was holding onto and now they deny me even this.

I have made real mistakes sure, but should I still be paying for them? In this way?

I'm so ready to just walk away...

Somebody give me a reason not to. Please?

Healing Touches

Healer Kepi, I kneel to you. Than you so much for that chat while I was remoted into work - it was great fun comparing notes and impressions on the first book in the Last Herald Mage trilogy. It was also fun catching up on Milk history and the cool meaning of your name.

I hope you got as much out of it as I did ^^

Thanks!

Deej, you make me laugh. Glad I can be there for you :3

Tuesday I slept the sleep of Ambien, falling out at 9:45 but of course, waking up 5-odd hours later. I still don't know why longer sleeps elude me /still/.

Wednesday was some good (and gross) Rogues LS chat. I got some bad news (see next post) so after some self-pity, I opted to help Demire and Onie get two of his Bardic AF pieces. First was in the Nest and the second was in Castle O. No real drama and actually had pretty good luck with both. Logged out at 10:15.

Sunday Funday

(Busy but happy)

More housework - garage cleaning and some other cleanup.
Worked with Elder on some of his HW and Sci Proj, then took him for his choice lunch. Followed by GameStop and a Coke run (finally, on sale again!)
Spent a little time in Vana with Kepi and later Soho camping VE. Kep actually got claim but no drop. Soho gave her the pin she'd no longer needed ^^
Also had a long chat with Kep about the first book of Last Herald Mage and related stuff.
Matt and dad lost out and were eliminated on AR
Left at 9:15 to watch the rest of the shows.
Read at bedtime after finding batteries for my HP booklight

---

Got to work early and read 15 minutes, then an hour more at lunch. 'Lyndel's dead already?!
Waiting for car to warm up, I read 5 more minutes - actually shook when Van slit his wrists - I /felt/ it and since I drove off shortly afterward I felt weird and foggy for a bit after.

Did I Mention I'm Back?

(New books! New books!)

Today was a busy day. We're getting closer to two major deadlines - Clone the Elder's Science Fair project, and our annual family reunion in Tennessee. So more of my time is going to be spent with chores and helping with school. Like today f'rinstance:

We (by we I mean mostly Ape) cleaned, did laundry and dishes and other prep for Christmas decorating. I know I've said Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I stand by that. But only in the context of the singular day. There's something magical about the Christmas *season*, the decorating, spirit, weather, etc. that is heartwarming to me. And I forgot to mention that last week I saw my first Christmas display and it was very nice! ^^

While I did help Ape some with the chores I also got on AIM a bit. Got to chat briefly with Autumn and Kushi.

From home, we headed to one of my favorite places on this planet. Chamblin Bookmine is a used bookstore. But it's not like many regular stores. If you can imagine a largish building, with at least one annex jutting out of it, filled floor to ceiling with books, you almost have it. The aisles are nearly as narrow as the shelves are wide and there's plenty of odd angles and curves. It is a claustrophobic place, and what must be a firetrap to boot. And I'd live there if I could. They have books from around the world and of all vintages. All genres. Nothing is beneath or beyond them (so far at least).

I bet I could find 95% of the books on my list there, if only I knew where to look :3 All kidding aside, I went straight for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section to find three things. Silver Metal Lover (Tanith Lee), Magic's Pawn (Mercedes Lackey) and Burning Alive (Shannon Butcher). I found the first two but not the third. I wasn't surprised as BA is pretty new and by and large the new books seem to be from major launches, not a romance series. Yes, BA is shelved in Romance, as I found out when I asked the guy at Books-A-Million Friday night...

The other great thing about Chamblin is they will take much of your old book inventory for generous credit. And since most of what they stock is half-off cover price, it's not too hard to leave with a respectable number of titles in exchange for the stuff you've already read.

April hates being in there and gets sick quickly. See, she *is* claustrophobic, poor thing.

From there, it was off to Ape's school to complete the observations needed for the project. We finished the actual experimental part of Elder's project. Now all we have to do this week is to organize the logs and data and prep the board and report.

The experimenting took longer than Ape expected so we were hustling to get wrapped up and off to evening Mass. This time, instead of the contemporary service on Sunday that irks me so, we went to the church we both attended for years as children, and the same one (same priest even!) wherein we were married 15 years ago! After Mass we bought two T-shirts. They're actually quite nice, with the name on the front and a nice picture of their rose window ringed with Psalms 96.

The rest of the evening was dinner at one of Ape's favorite BBQ restaurants (oops, originally typed resTARUants lol), a little shopping at K-Mart (I like to think of it as last chance shopping it's so dreary and draining - everybody looks half-dead in there), and finally home.

Just saw a great Law & Order while blogging - a little terror-mongering?. Also, given my feelings on the subject, I wonder why SVU is my favorite L&O? Maybe it has to do with Det. Benson? -runs away-

I finally made it into Vana'diel only to find Kushi and Kepi online in shell! If Deej had been on too it'd have been a right reunion! ^^ There was some chatter, but about half the shell was doing advanced CoP. Hiketun and K were working together as K PLed Hike on SCH. I took up Trail's offer to go to Kuftal Tunnel to skill up. At my levels, all I had available to me was Staff, but what the heck.

We had no trouble with he on DRK and me on WHM/SCH. Later, he asked if we could raise a friend in the Desert. I agreed of course, and some time later we found the corpse. Stoik's corpse! So I raised him after a little griefing, then he joined us as the SU became a Blue Mage spell party. After an hour and a half of effort though, Stoik still didn't have Death Scissors...

TM had left us around midnight to go eat with a friend, and when I left Stoik at close to 1:30 TM hadn't returned.

There was some chatter in shell about WHM and SCH aversions with someone asking who'd want to max WHM. I jumped up of course, saying for me it's all about the party support. Kushi shot back with a grin, "We all know /your/ excuse, Aer." Har-har ^^

In any case, I got to see Stoik again and help out TM, who I kinda had to leave hanging that night with Red. And I got 4 full levels on Staff, and an odd fraction or two on Heal and Enhance.

~-~-~-~

I started the Last Herald Mage trilogy with Magic's Pawn tonight. I got two chapters in and already I can tell this is going to be a powerful, emotional read. This one was up-voted many times on that recommended reading list, and Kepi has a lot of feelings for this series as well.

It only took a few pages, but it's clear I'm going to be affected by this one because I already see a lot of my youthful self in Van. A *lot*.

When I'm reading second-hand books, especially from a place like Chamblin's, I really wonder about the last owner/reader...

And finally, my heart aches for one of my friends - we talked about some stuff and I really wish there was something I could do for him...

Catastrophe!

As per our custom, Friday was Movie Night. All four of us went to see "2012". Three of us had eagerly anticipating it. Clone the Younger was not happy about it, but basically, we dragged him. We had plans to see an 8pm show but despite having tickets, there were not enough seats close enough together. We traded the tickets for a 9:30 and went to the nearby bookstore. I managed to find Soho's booklist recommendation, "Burning Alive" and it does look pretty good.

So, the movie... You'd have to actively be avoiding opinions on the latest CGI-gasm from Roland Emmerich. Pretty universally panned. We knew that going in but were hopeful it would work as a "mindless popcorn flick". By and large it did. I felt that the initial "escape" sequence was the best, as the action and terror (and scores of unfortunate victims) was much more palpably felt/experienced than the "plane-level" stuff.

In any case the premise is mostly crap, and the "unlikely hero overcomes a billion challenges to beat the odds" thing wears thin about halfway in. Yes, the visuals are pretty good. Yes, the apocalypse stuff is suitably scary. Yes, it was mostly enjoyable. But come ON... If the world was ending and this guy was really racing through L.A. in a limo, he'd wind up with a flat or stuck in debris 20 minutes in. Dead. All dead.

Or, said another way, if the world DOES end, and I have to track down my family and get them to safety, I'm going to be /really/ upset if I break my leg on a fallen tree limb and die in a ditch instead of saving humanity.

Also, I'm itching for Kep to get on (and having seen it as well) so we can bash the science. Neutrino storm, mutated particles, microwaved planetary core?

Oh, one last movie review note - there was a surprising amount of harsh language. Gratuitous and irrelevant to the plot/action. Oh well...

My FFXI grounding ended today as well, so I logged on. I saw the Rogues' /lsmes and thought it referred to another promy spire run. So I decided to farm recollections rather than rely on the amazing generosity of the Rogues. While there, Ben came on, also needing Holla. Sometime around now, I realized the planned missions were not for spires, but for the missions beyond. So we gamely tried to put together a run.

Soho and Kit were in, and we kinda planned out loud as it were. But it soon became evident the run wasn't going to happen before everyone else started 2-3 Saturday morning. Ben eventually found himself a party and we put off the run for "as soon as possible". Meanwhile, for over an hour, Soho met me and we duoed for recollections and fun.

Soho apparently has maxed all jobs, and some more than once. She was on SMN and likely wearing their AF2 gear. We chatted amiably and then the fact she's a professor came back up. I'd read that from her LS welcome post but forgot. She mentioned also being something of a poet and she put up a work on Rogues. It's a sciency take on "The Night Before Christmas". Pretty good!

Once I'd maxed my inventory we parted ways. I jumped on AIM and got to chat with Kepi, who was rereading "The Last Herald Mage" trilogy again and quite affected by it. We chatted about generalities and favorite books and movies. It seems I need to find "The Last Samurai", and besides, I was wanting to see that when it came out theatrically.

Then after that, Deej came on. Apparently I've upset Kep and she didn't tell me. So now I have to figure that out as soon as I can. We had a great chat overall though, and then I went to bed.

Russell The Leprechaun

(I want his luck to run out!)

Watched the Thursday shows with Ape & (for at least the first two) Clone the Younger. Survivor turned out good: Russell found the second idol without clues but lost the chance to eliminate Laura when she won immunity. At Tribal, all but 4 of 10 votes were on Russell. He's gonna have to scheme harder now, but there's supposedly another idol out there. Yikes!

Chatted with Autumn for awhile during Survivor, she talked poetry and I liked her new one. Also read her Harry Potter "songfic" on FanFiction.net. Pretty good stuff! As the other commenters said, I'd love to see the aftermath. Sorrows post is 9/25.

Kushi came on after nearly a week away asking if I was upset. Huh? She's the one who said she was done. Reminded her but offered friendship, with the caveat that I wasn't sure how that'd work.

Normally I don't go for happy, tidy endings. But on Private Practice I was actually kinda happy the two crash vics made it, plus the breeched baby was delivered OK. Them Mom died when the rescue team popped the door. Argh.

Last night, went outside the restaurant while it was cool, drizzly and breezy. I love fall weather and don't always get to enjoy it. I made a point of doing so last night lest things get busy and I forget.

ALIVE

(I don't have a "deep respect and compassion" icon)

I bought a "To Write Love On Her Arms" shirt today. I've wanted one for awhile now but the selection at Hot Topic failed to thrill. But after a chat I had with a good friend the other night I made it a point to grab one. I picked up the light grey one that has TWLOHA written out over the right breast.

I'm not sure how much I've blogged in here about it, but I know I've shared with some of you. I have plenty of personal experience with depression/suicide and addiction, both my own (depression) and in helping others (both). I've lost family to suicide and I've helped others when they were on the edge.

My "Well of Sorrows" post is revealing here, because I accepted that gift during a particularly dark time in my life. So when my friend shared what they shared about their experience, I decided to stand up publicly.

Here's the best part... While the shirt is a little small for an XL, it's an appropriate length. It looks good. But my family insists it's a girl's shirt... /sigh

-~-~-

I just realized something - the first letters of my three shells spell "RMT". Time to shuffle the order?

To whomever was driving what looked like an Infiniti, maybe 7 years old, I'm sorry. I made things harder on you than needed during our little drag race. Please forgive me.

This...

SUCKS...

Maybe I can make it back by 11/18, for the wedding stuff...

P.S. On the way to Clone the Elder's school, i saw a Toyota Prius with Virginia plates. The plate read "HAL 9K". I tried to get the driver's attention but the honking didn't work. Wonder if the older couple in the car are bigtime Arthur C. Clarke fans, like the idea of HAL, or got the plate by accident...

Also, someone in my building has "K PLAH" [sic]. One day I'll track them down and ask just how "success"ful their motto's been for them ^^

From Bad...

(I hate that things can always be worse...)

Hello everyone!

It is with a heavy heart and bowed head that I must leave Vana'diel for awhile. This is not the break I mentioned a week or so ago. This is the result of mistakes I've made intersecting with family drama.

I have been sad all weekend because of some stuff that went down both here and at home. Last night at about 9pm it boiled over. Basically, I'm tired of hurting and disappointing people.

So, I've made what peace I can with the three people I *know* I've wronged. If there are any others please know I'm sorry. If you have a hankering to talk to me (or yell at me) there's a number of ways to reach me outside of in-game chat: POL message (I check those via web at FL+), AIM (aerinofsiren), and Yahoo mail (aerinofsiren at yada yada). I'm trying to figure out how to enable the cellphone texty thing from AIM so I can get updates live.

I will be back. I love you all too much and would miss you too much to stay away for good. Plus there's the wedding and Jesup's exit to do...

Fare the well, Friends. I will see you as soon as I can.

~Aerin

Ex-Spired

(Old habits and all...)

Friday night - nothing was going on. Was I too late? I offered my services but nobody needed me :( Got on a chat with all the Milk members, and wound up chatting with Kep about reading for like 2 hours. Also had a long chat with Kushi, and she decided to go for good.

Saturday - Logged on at 2:15 to prep for the 3pm Promy marathon. Farmed for a bit then finally assembled for Mea. Kit stayed out while the rest of us (see pics) did battle against the Delver. I was on WHM duty. I warned the group I hadn't done 30 on White Mage in forever, but Mea was cake. And actually quite exciting.

There was a looong wait while we changed the lineup, got meds and figured out stuff. There was some AFK time from some. Somewhere along the line we changed the planned spire to Holla, meaning if we won, I'd be done and finally able to get to Tavnazia.

Remember my warning to the group earlier? Yeah, I blew it bigtime. The climb was uneventful and the fight started well enough, but then I pulled hate. And died. With a nice unused reraise scroll still in my pocket. The wipe didn't take much longer. Craaap. Craaaaaap.

I feel horrible about it, seeing as how 5 other people waited with me for like 90 minutes to kick off the run, plus the hour of the run itself and my gaffe probably wasted it. Never mind the lost animas and meds.

I apologized profusely and then had to go help Clone the Elder with his science project research. Everybody was very good-natured about it but I can't escape my WHM guilt ^^

Wed/Thurs

Tues - Can't remember anything specific. Working very late lately so less time.

Wed - Autumn took me and Hiketun on MMM runs - interesting and fast. Short night. Teased Autumn for not checking the board.

Thurs - Only had time to say Hi because Ape didn't stay in the LR and Maat had homework I had to help with. During Grays I actually cried when the little boy died, his parents saw him and then mom, the doc (Callie's sad GF) and dad said the "sleep spell" Bad dreams bad dreams go away good dreams good dreams here to stay.

Oh, got a lol from Autumn when I turned a typo about Utsusemi: ni and ninjas into a Python-ed "Knights who say ni" bit. Apparently she and some others love the movie.

Plans underway for avatars tomorrow night - will join if I can after date night.

Dance Fever

(It's about time!)

Monday night was rushed. I'm still working overtime and Ape-time and housework don't go away just 'cos I'm overworked ^^ When I got on I made my greetings to the Rogues, some of whom were going for the Royal Jelly BCNM. Dragonsamurai, a.k.a. Kitary was leading the runs and Deej was in one group.

I don't have a suitable 40 yet, so I deferred with thanks for the offer. About this time, Fhox pops on asking what I'm doing. He's back in Batallia soloing tigers for XP and SUs. I decided to join him on DNC37 as he was BLM38. I know the last time the four Brigaders tried it we were lower, maybe 34. But when I arrived I found soloing the tigers was very easy, if a little slow.

So Fhox and I worked our way around, doing a couple pages and having an easy time of it. This was excellent practice for me, and I got to fix my DNC macros too. Because I totally forgot I now had Drain II and Healing Waltz, the Dancer equivalent of Erase. Even so, I proved to be a much better DNC than NIN, and joked with Fhox about it, who roffled :3

After his second page, I logged out to get some rest. I got to chat a bit with Deej, Kushi and some of the Rogues but it was a short night overall.

Now, fast-forward to Tuesday dance class. "Wave on Wave" / "Push It" has fallen! I can now dance that infernal dance! It's actually a very good, fast dance with some graceful sections and some hip-hoppy sections. I had to stop the teacher finally because I just wasn't getting two of the transitions.

Ape had fun because she brought a friend who had a good time and they chatted after class for about half an hour. Of course, a pumpkin-flavored custard helped too ^^