... also waiting for the ADD clinic to call me back.

The boy has had trouble in school. This year is by far the worst. Its gotten so bad that he has handed in blank tests to avoid getting questions wrong. His homework for spelling include sentences that say things like, "You are worthless in school."

When asked, he says its not directed at anyone, it was just the only thing he could think of for a sentence topic. Still, its pretty obvious that he's not even treading water. His math teacher is frustrated, his classroom teacher is frustrated. His reading teacher is his best advocate, because she is an angel (that looks a lot like Jennifer Garner, amusingly) but sometimes he makes her take a deep breath, too.

I almost screamed last night- That's it. I'm fucking homeschooling him next year! Hes not stupid, just flakey and beyond easily distracted. Unmotivated to learning these things for which he can't see the value.

Yeah, and how nuts would I be? That would be a lot harder than just having him do extra reading and writing like I did last summer. And a few day just that alone almost broke me. Hell. Getting him to do his homework sometimes does.

He is going to fail 3rd grade. I'll be utterly shocked if he doesn't. His self esteem is already easily bruised. Sometimes I think he got that from watching me, which makes me sick to think. But as long as I keep giving him lots of love... at least he'll have that.

That's one thing he knows that is not affected by stupid crap like school. I make sure of that. Goddamnit. I need to find someone that knows how to teach a flakey, flighty child like mine.

I forgot to mention! New episode of Made of Fail is up. "It's like... fudge... made of out PEANUT BUTTER."

Meanwhile! Right after I posted that last entry--seriously, I hit "post" while putting on my shoes--I went out and saw Sherlock Holmes again, this time with my mother. ( More Holmesian nerditry )

(For those of you wondering when I'll ever shut up about Sherlock Holmes: IT'S NOT TWILIGHT, OKAY? So shut it and count your blessings.)

Meanwhile: omg so cold. I love it. It's already one o'clock, but it's still only 26°F, which means it only gets colder from here. In fact, we've got snow predicted for Thursday. The dogs are bored out of their minds because I won't let them stay outside longer than ten minutes at a time; I'm under a fleece blanket (NOT A SNUGGIE) in the den at my laptop, and I had to put on my huge floor-length coat and my gloves just to take them out front. (I do have a pair of full-coverage gloves, but I put on my favorites just because they are pretty: fingerless gloves recycled from toesocks, because a hole got into one of the toes, and they were too awesome to throw away. Bonus photo feature: My stubby little hobbit hand.)




(Speaking of accessories: the purse I decided on, because it's simple, and the grey-on-black paisley is interesting but casual. I'm going to try to fix my faux Fendi for more stylish occasions, but this looks like a good everyday bag. And it's from Etsy, yay.)

And I think I had something else to mention but I can't remember what but I'm sure I will later. Very busy, tons of work, trying to alternate footnotes with novel-writing, yay.

For your gifts and your thoughts and your general friendship. I know you're all there, out there, available in the case that I can ride my personal Charybdis through to the other side.

And on the flipside of the same coin, I am here for you, too. I may not be able to write you a tale or something else mentally consuming, but I can offer advice or confirmation that yes- I think about you (insert your name here because I think about everyone all the time, remembering good times and in general wishing the best) and love you all in my funny little ways.

***

I'm graduated, but in a way, that was only the beginning of another set of trials. I'm studying and realizing that I didn't retain as much of the sciences as I wanted. Irritating. The worst part... or the best I'm not quite sure... is that I got a study guide for the nationals and the hardest part is the WAY things are phrased, and the conservative nature of some questions, and others that are out of scope entirely. I realize that the out of scope ones are to show and UNDERSTANDING of things like pathology, but it's just wack to ask for a diagnosis one minute and the next to say its out of scope to diagnose things at all.

Its just my wonky brain again, I guess. I like clarity, I hate to assume things.

I also dislike waiting. I'm waiting for the call to take the tests that will make or break my next moves. I'm waiting for the snow to stop. I'm waiting for the cold to get out of my bones. I'm waiting for the sun. I'm waiting for my PMS (not really P but current but it doesn't matter, pissy mood is still pissy mood) to end. Waiting for motion.

Hibernation is good. I wish I could do that.

As a follow-up to the Sherlock Holmes movie discussion entry, I feel like I should clarify that I don't actually think Holmes and Watson were doing it although I can absolutely see why you might. (And the movie might agree with you. Commenters pointed out that there were lines from Irene in the trailer ("They've been flirting for hours" and "Will you two just kiss and make up?") that got cut from the movie, as well as a line in the original script where Mary tells Holmes that Watson's "heart is generous. He has room for both of us." Also, Robert Downey Jr. apparently pissed off Doyle's estate by suggesting that Holmes might be "a very butch homosexual.") I am simply saying that they are in love, love, looooooove. It is not for me to specify the nature of that love; I can only point to the GIGANTIC BLATANT IMMENSITY of it.

(I should also note that the words "Satan," "Satanic," and "devil" are never mentioned in the movie, as far as I remember. ( Spoilers? )

I also spent a good bit of yesterday afternoon rereading the first two Holmes novels, A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four. ( Reading recommendations )

( Back to the movie )

I'm nearlyalmostmostlykindofmoreorless done with Christmas knitting. I actually took a break to knit a small thing for myself, then one or two more things and I can start on Big Me Projects.

I started the Christmas stuff back in August, to the shock of people who don't generally know me as a Planner. I knitted approximately one project a week, winding up with somewhere in the neighborhood of 17 total projects.

What screwed me up was people having babies, which I didn't factor in, and had to knit for. And then a couple of last minute additions and some charity knitting. So I'm a bit behind, but, you know. It's an accomplishment.


Meanwhile, L has also taken up knitting. It's funny, how we underestimate our kids. I didn't think to teach her anything like this but it took her lovely aunt all of half an hour on Boxing Day.

So, as my longtime people know, I am a huuuuuuuuge Sherlock Holmes fan. I have all of the short stories and the novels, annotated, and I was obsessed with the Granada series as a young teen, and I worship at the Holy Church of Jeremy Brett, so on and so forth. In fact, Brett is so thoroughly the perfect Holmes to me--and the one-hour format was so nicely suited to the cozy little short stories where not a whole lot happens--that I just said, what the hell. The movie looks like so much fun, I don't even care. It's got great people--believe it or not, Jude Law is actually really good casting for the younger Watson of the early stories. And he was IN an episode of the Granada series!--and Guy Ritchie'll bring something interesting to it, if nothing else, so: I have already had the "perfect" Sherlock Holmes experience; let's have a fun new one.  

( Spoilers, my dear Watson )

Party peoples of the internet! What are you doing tonight?

Why hello there, Twilight Zone marathon.

So that's pretty much all I'll be doing today and tonight, and I am perfectly content with this. One New Year's Eve, I had to work the late shift at the video store; a couple of years later, I ended up being driven "home" to school by a bartender at 5:30 am, through (of all things, here in Alabama) a heavy snowfall, back to a dorm that was technically closed for the holidays so that my friends and I could sneak back in. This, after one friend spent the latter part of the evening throwing up into a party hat. I'm just saying--New Year's Eve at home: not such a bad thing.

(I will also be on the hunt for a new purse, as the handle on my old one, the frustratingly complicated and bepocketed Fendi spy bag knockoff, broke a while back. I want something a bit smaller, black, simple but cute--"stylish," if I can manage it. Oh, and inexpensive. I went to Etsy, got 20,000 search results, and ran away. Suggestions?)

I have absolutely no resolutions, by the way. I like the initial pep-talk excitement of making them, but they never, ever go anywhere. I mean, you've seen me do this before with self-imposed deadlines--I talk a good, rousing talk, and then nothing ever goes anywhere. I know this about myself: setting hard goals works for a lot of people, but it just does not personally work for me, probably because I psych myself out so easily. The only way I ever accomplish anything is by not trying and not expecting. "Follow your bliss," as the man said. So I know there are things I would like to do or improve within myself, but... the only way to do that is pretend they're not there, like a child playing peekaboo. Hey, whatever works.


P.S. There will be Woodchuck.

Go and read mekkavandexter's fascinating post about mimesis.


Failing, that, you could have tea with a monkey.

Peoples of the internet! So I have read over your de-stressing suggestions--a lot of them were what I expected, but I was curious as to what people would recommend most often, and also the more unusual suggestions. (This is related, but I'll go ahead and ask up front where people will see it: does anyone have BPAL/TAL imps of Milk & Honey and/or Blinding Glory of Love they'd be willing to sell me? I kind of want to put off buying entire bottles at $25 each until I've tried them, and also, until I have the second e-book out.) So, I present to you some--not all, but some--of y'all's suggestions, with additions of my own where applicable:

( Read more... )

Peoples of the internet! I have another question. Stress relief methods: do you have them? Because my blood pressure is currently Not Happy, and I can tell it's an emotional thing--my doctor has told me that I have surprisingly good blood pressure usually, and the onset of this is sudden enough that--well. I won't get into the whole mess, but it's emotional, and I need to figure out a way to counteract that.

So every other Thursday night, I meet with the best in-person writing group I've ever attended. It's the best because I really really really dig the people in it, and the people are not only great writers but write different stuff but mostly the group succeeds because the woman facilitating it kicks ass. Hard.

I wasn't a big fan of writing exercises until I met Kalima, who makes them fun, and makes them work hard for our current WIPs and again, maybe part of the success of all this is the group because with them writing exercises wind up being brilliant and silly and awesome.

For example, a few weeks back K had us do this exercise: "Write a eulogy for your favorite movie character."

What cracked me up is who we all chose, not knowing who everyone else was writing about. These eulogies kick ass. So!! For your enjoyment, I have struck the names from these eulogies so you can guess who they honor. Post your answers below!!

(I didn't include mine because it's on my laptop and this is probably enough to get you rolling.)

* * *


XXXX was a man despised by many as an outlaw and sociopath. But he was a brilliant and unpredictable crime fighter who taught us many things. He taught us that the absence of evidence is not always the evidence of absence; that there are known knowns, known unknowns, unknown knowns, and unknown unknowns; that there is bad in the best of us and good in the worst of us. But perhaps his greatest lesson to us all is to never compromise.
R.I.P. XXXX

G. Calicchia


* * *

Well... I don't really know what to say... How does one begin to even scratch the surface for a man who's entire life was dedicated unerringly to the fulfillment of his dream? He was a teacher, a father, a brother. He took us in, gave us purpose, protected us from a world of hate when no one else would. ...He was our light of hope.

A man whose mind was brilliant and unparalleled, whose heart, unconquerable. What is there to say to you, all of you, who's lives have been changed forever by this man and his dream?

...Except perhaps that he isn't really gone at all. Truly.

...No, seriously, he's not dead. I know you might not believe that or even understand it, but he isn't. See, what had happened was, when his physical body was atomized by cosmic fire, XXX simply slipped his consciousness into the body of an invalid under the care of his good friend XXXX. Mmm-hmm, yeah they're real close. Anyway she just called on her cell to tell me actually, just now, so... I guess we don't even really need to be here.

Yeah, and hey you guys, just go ahead and reshovel that dirt back into hole. Uh-huh, yup that's right, just like that, great...

A. Hyde


* * *


So much has already been said about you, my dear friend. It saddens me to see you go. Into the west as it were. Your spirit living forever amongst those who have seen too much. Experienced too much.

I wanted you to stay for a while.

Your relentless purpose and strength made me admire you from age 11 and my love only increased upon seeing your journey on the silver screen. Perhaps it was your angelic face. Your sincerity. Your palpable fear. Your ability to show that fear to all of us and keep the wind at your back.

It is easy to be dismissed when you are small. When you are seen as other. When you are minimized by those with more physical power. I see in you the strength I've needed to journey forth on my own paths through the years. XXX - this fan will miss you dearly. I know you've gone where I'll never be able to go... and that saddens me. Enjoy the journey.


K. Young


* * *


BONUS ROUND: Write your own eulogy for us to guess!!!

Peoples of the internet! Bring unto me the After Christmas Sales. I hear Lush has a huge one?

Previously on The Secret Life of Dolls: A lot of stuff happened.

So: Christmas in Shelfia, with a bit of catch-up from the Compocalypse. ( We Two Kings of Númenor Are )


(To be continued. Part two: Serafina. Part three: Anna.)

Pleasantly busy day, it looks like. Howling winds outside, actually, but sunnyish, so that's fine.

Have to wrap presents later. I hate wrapping presents. I mean, I do an okay job of it in the end, and I like presents to be wrapped, but it usually involves me wrestling with a large, fragile sheet of shiny paper for about fifteen minutes.

Still have to take certain pictures. TLB went missing earlier this morning, but was eventually located. I would rather not discuss how the tableshelf ended up covered in maple syrup.

Lizzie's McAfee trial ran out, so I was like, the hell with this, I'm putting AVG on. So now I'm having to do all the scans and setups and whatever, but I hear it's better anyway.

(I am really glad it has a rootkit scan, because isn't that what Sony put on its CDs for a while there?)

For those of you keeping track on the Aromaleigh front, Wish is really pretty with Damask. It's a similar look to Chloe/Amelie, but more pink and less peach.

My feet are killing me, which suggests to me that I need new/better shoes, or some kind of comfort-inducing insert (although those "I'm Gellin'!" commercials make me want to slap someone). I actually want to go buy me some Chucks with my next round of book money, although I doubt those will have any kind of support. Hm. I just want some of those because I rarely get more formal than sneakers, but Chucks are an ever-so-slightly more sophisticated aesthetic than scuffed tennis shoes, you know? And you can customize them! I kind of want to make a purple plaid. I do not see any way to order a foot massage, however.

A few things of interest (or not):

The Christmas village on the back of our piano


A less artistic overhead shot

A darkened street

My festive sleeve, which I managed not to set on fire or trail through the dip (you can also see my moonstone ring)

@alliancesjr: @cleolinda This makes me think of pre-1960 attitudes towards women and body parts. One of these days you're going to show us an *gasp* ANKLE

@cleolinda: @alliancesjr http://twitpic.com/uvgzt  

@queenanthai: @cleolinda You HOOR.

Lucy at the party

What I got at the swap:




The little china cup is actually a strainer that goes in the large cup; that's a wooden spoon sitting in it. The three teas are jasmine, green, and black, and there are little compartments in the box for the teas and the metal strainer. All of this is pleasing to me, particularly since I've been drinking my tea out of a coffee mug.

And for those who asked about "movie that will be made of certain book I was buying," I gave Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (movie version to star Natalie Portman), plus a guide to zombie survival.

Very tired--like, "sleepy" tired, not "verge of a nervous breakdown" tired. Maybe it's just because there's been a lot of holiday-related running-around lately, which is fun. And I've been eating out more, which means I'm drinking soda, which means I'm getting more caffeine than I should, which means I'm not sleeping very well at night. All I know is, a friend called yesterday and thought something was seriously wrong, because I sounded completely out of it. I woke up a bit late and didn't take my meds on time this morning, so now I have a headache, etc., which I'm hoping will go away by the time I go out to the Christmas swap party tonight. Speaking of which, I am still trying to find my boots (just short black boots to wear under my jeans, nothing huge), because I would really like to wear those. Also, I have very nearly talked myself into wearing a dark blue top with crocheted sleeves that are a bit... princessy. Eh, I will claim they are "festive."

First, a few Avatar links, since that's what the last entry was about. And thanks for such a civil and thoughtful discussion over on the Avatar entry. It took 360 comments for someone hostile to finally show up and inform me that I am a prejudiced, touchy-feely liberal. After the all-time high of cleoloindaisgay, this was a fairly disappointing flame.

James Cameron Reveals His Quest to Build More Perfect CGI Boobs. Unfortunately, I read this before I saw the movie, so I spent the whole thing staring at Neytiri's goods, curious to see if such a paradox as a CGI nip slip could possibly occur. 

EW on Avatar: Does story matter? "Titanic is Shakespeare compared to Avatar." ICE BURRRRRRN.

James Cameron Planning 'Avatar' Trilogy, Director Tells MTV News. Yeah, I told you.

‘Avatar’ could get nine Oscar nominations. I don't know if I'm just more mature mellow as a person now than I was circa Titanic, but I think I would manage not to claw my eyes out if it won something huge. I don't know--maybe my Zoe Saldana love is helping me hold on.

The "Moff's Law" link going around: RT @ebertchicago To people who say "Just enjoy! Don't analyze!" This speaks eloquently for me: http://j.mp/4XAkBR.

Meanwhile (alert alert alert): today's 50% off sale at Aromaleigh is the Eye Lustres section ( Quick reviews of the ones I like )

Speaking of color: Colorstrology. Something about birthdays and colors and Pantone sponsorship, I don't know, but it's interesting. December's color is Pagoda Blue, and the 14th turned out to be Green-Blue Slate: "Complex, quick-witted, expressive." "You are expressive and funny and people like it when you entertain them" in particular made me laugh. DANCE, HUMOR MONKEY!


Speaking of which, I am so behind on Secret Life. Oh God. The Christmas/catchup installment looks like it's going to be in three parts now. Dammit.