Cautiously Surfacing
Dec. 27th, 2009 01:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
greygirlbeastI've just not been up for much in the way of blogging since an especially black mood settled over me on Wednesday evening. It was the gaudy fucking tyranny of Xmas and all the ghosts it dredges up every year (only, this year, hitting harder than I've come to expect). It was my usual depression and the bad dreams and having too much to write and not enough time and energy to get it all written. It was the peculiar homesickness I get for places that never much wanted me around to start with, so it seems odd and masochistic to miss them. It was the way I begin to feel when I do not leave the House frequently enough. It was all of these things, and then the news of Vic Chesnutt's suicide.*
I don't think 2010 can come soon enough, because 2009's been bloody brutal (and there's a popular delusion, that turning a calendar page, or changing calendars, will lead to better times). Anyway, at least I had a nice assortment of sweets and pain pills and benzodiazepines on hand to help get me through the so-called "holiday." I was thinking I'd try to recap the last four days...but I'm not sure I'll do anything but make a mess of it. And it's nothing very exciting. But, here goes:
Wednesday (12/23): I wrote 1,010 words on a new vignette for Sirenia Digest #49, which after monumental dithering and near lock-up, I called "Untitled 34." Truthfully, I've no idea how I wrote that much, as I was in a rage most of the day. It's my first Skogsrå story.
Thursday (12/24): I wrote another 1,074 words on "Untitled 34." The writing was much easier on Thursday than on Wednesday. It helped that I didn't have to fret over the silly artifice of a title. Later, I went with Spooky to the market, and saw that the snow had hardly even begun to melt. Later still, what better way to show Xmas the middle finger than watch Bad(der) Santa (2003) on Xmas Eve? Willie and the Kid and Mrs. Santa's Sister actually lifted my spirits for the first time in days ("Fuck me, Santa! Fuck me, Santa! Fuck me, Santa!").
Friday (12/25): I usually make it a point to work on Xmas, but this year I figured if the rest of the country can fuck off for no good reason, then so could I. We had an all afternoon marathon (stretching into the evening) of Die Hard films. Seemed sort of appropriate. John McTiernan's Die Hard (1988) is still probably the best of the four, and I was glad to see it has aged so well (despite all the 80s horridness). Not such a fan of Renny Harlin's Die Harder (1990), though. It's a bit of a mess, and lacks much of what made the first film work. But, fortunately, McTiernan returned in 1995 with Die Hard With A Vengeance, which is really rather delightful. There's a great chemistry between Willis and Jackson, plus we get Sam Phillips and Jeremy Irons as villains. I think it's best to pretend that Die Harder never happened. Die Hard With A Vengeance is a far, far better sequel to the original film. Alas, we didn't watch Len Wiseman's Live Free or Die Hard (2007), because we don't have a copy. Oh, we had hot dogs for "Xmas dinner," because, more importantly, it was Kindernacht. Spooky baked gingerbread.
Saturday (12/26): I sat down at the keyboard yesterday determined to finish "Untitled 34," and finish it I did. I wrote a very respectable 1,707 words. Later, we watched Doctor Who— "The Next Doctor" —and Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Somehow, it often seems this is the film that all but defines mine and Kathryn's relationship. Make of that what you will. And it is a comfort film. Also, yesterday I finished reading the paper on Massospondylus kaalae and began reading "The Postcranial Osteology of Rapetosaurus [Sauropoda; Titanosauria] from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar."
Yeah...I sort of made a mess of that. But you should get the gist. I left out all the WoW. We've played a lot of WoW the last few days. We'd decided to forsake the Borean Tundra and return to Dragonblight, but then we wound up fighting with the Tuskarr against the ghosts of sea giants, and that was actually very cool. Seeing Suraa and Shaharrazad, flanked by Tuskarr warriors, charging across the ice towards a line of phantom Vrykul sailors who were just clambering off their boat– exquisite. For that, I can almost forgive the ugliness and mess of Warsong Hold. Then we entered the Scourge's Temple City of En'kilah and the floating city of Naxxanar above it and assassinated Prince Valanar and his two lieutenants Luthion the Vile and Vanthryn the Merciless. After that, we aided in the evacuation of Taunka'le, which took us back Dragonblight and Agmar's Hammer. And...well, lots and lots more. We're now at Level 74, halfway to 75, and finally made it to Dalaran, where Shah's taken residence at the Filthy Animal in the Horde Quarter.
You know...it's been time to make the doughnuts for the last half hour. Sheesh. No one's going to read all this crap.
* Here's a link to Kristin Hersh's eulogy.
I don't think 2010 can come soon enough, because 2009's been bloody brutal (and there's a popular delusion, that turning a calendar page, or changing calendars, will lead to better times). Anyway, at least I had a nice assortment of sweets and pain pills and benzodiazepines on hand to help get me through the so-called "holiday." I was thinking I'd try to recap the last four days...but I'm not sure I'll do anything but make a mess of it. And it's nothing very exciting. But, here goes:
Wednesday (12/23): I wrote 1,010 words on a new vignette for Sirenia Digest #49, which after monumental dithering and near lock-up, I called "Untitled 34." Truthfully, I've no idea how I wrote that much, as I was in a rage most of the day. It's my first Skogsrå story.
Thursday (12/24): I wrote another 1,074 words on "Untitled 34." The writing was much easier on Thursday than on Wednesday. It helped that I didn't have to fret over the silly artifice of a title. Later, I went with Spooky to the market, and saw that the snow had hardly even begun to melt. Later still, what better way to show Xmas the middle finger than watch Bad(der) Santa (2003) on Xmas Eve? Willie and the Kid and Mrs. Santa's Sister actually lifted my spirits for the first time in days ("Fuck me, Santa! Fuck me, Santa! Fuck me, Santa!").
Friday (12/25): I usually make it a point to work on Xmas, but this year I figured if the rest of the country can fuck off for no good reason, then so could I. We had an all afternoon marathon (stretching into the evening) of Die Hard films. Seemed sort of appropriate. John McTiernan's Die Hard (1988) is still probably the best of the four, and I was glad to see it has aged so well (despite all the 80s horridness). Not such a fan of Renny Harlin's Die Harder (1990), though. It's a bit of a mess, and lacks much of what made the first film work. But, fortunately, McTiernan returned in 1995 with Die Hard With A Vengeance, which is really rather delightful. There's a great chemistry between Willis and Jackson, plus we get Sam Phillips and Jeremy Irons as villains. I think it's best to pretend that Die Harder never happened. Die Hard With A Vengeance is a far, far better sequel to the original film. Alas, we didn't watch Len Wiseman's Live Free or Die Hard (2007), because we don't have a copy. Oh, we had hot dogs for "Xmas dinner," because, more importantly, it was Kindernacht. Spooky baked gingerbread.
Saturday (12/26): I sat down at the keyboard yesterday determined to finish "Untitled 34," and finish it I did. I wrote a very respectable 1,707 words. Later, we watched Doctor Who— "The Next Doctor" —and Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Somehow, it often seems this is the film that all but defines mine and Kathryn's relationship. Make of that what you will. And it is a comfort film. Also, yesterday I finished reading the paper on Massospondylus kaalae and began reading "The Postcranial Osteology of Rapetosaurus [Sauropoda; Titanosauria] from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar."
Yeah...I sort of made a mess of that. But you should get the gist. I left out all the WoW. We've played a lot of WoW the last few days. We'd decided to forsake the Borean Tundra and return to Dragonblight, but then we wound up fighting with the Tuskarr against the ghosts of sea giants, and that was actually very cool. Seeing Suraa and Shaharrazad, flanked by Tuskarr warriors, charging across the ice towards a line of phantom Vrykul sailors who were just clambering off their boat– exquisite. For that, I can almost forgive the ugliness and mess of Warsong Hold. Then we entered the Scourge's Temple City of En'kilah and the floating city of Naxxanar above it and assassinated Prince Valanar and his two lieutenants Luthion the Vile and Vanthryn the Merciless. After that, we aided in the evacuation of Taunka'le, which took us back Dragonblight and Agmar's Hammer. And...well, lots and lots more. We're now at Level 74, halfway to 75, and finally made it to Dalaran, where Shah's taken residence at the Filthy Animal in the Horde Quarter.
You know...it's been time to make the doughnuts for the last half hour. Sheesh. No one's going to read all this crap.
* Here's a link to Kristin Hersh's eulogy.
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no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 06:04 pm (UTC)Nice.
I am glad you survived this season.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 07:38 pm (UTC)I am glad you survived this season.
It was a close call, but I think the worst is over.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 06:15 pm (UTC)http://kristinhersh.cashmusic.org/vic/
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 06:29 pm (UTC)Thanks. I'd not yet seen that.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 06:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 07:38 pm (UTC)I'm really looking forward to reading "Untitled 34" since skogsrået is my favorite mythical creature. I always got goosebumps when I heard stories about her when I was little.
Well I do hope you like this piece then!
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 07:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 07:37 pm (UTC)Did you get to retake Undercity?
Not yet (I asssume we'll get to that; we're behind and have not reach "Fall of the Lich King" yet). But Shah's is enraged by Thrall's disrespect (though Sindorei, she's always felt a stronger allegiance to Sylvanas than Silvermoon). Oh, and she loathes that Hellscream cocksucker in Warsong.
And yeah, Lagaran, indeed!
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 07:56 pm (UTC)As for the Undercity event, it's not tide to the Fall of Arthas phase; there's a quest chain that starts in Dragonblight, just outside of the gate to the Icecrown Citadel. If you haven't seen that yet, you should grab Spooky and head back there. There should be a Horde fort on the eastern side of the gate (in the center of the northern mountain face) that you have to go to. I'm sorry I don't have the name for you, as I haven't run Dragonblight on Hordeside yet.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 08:03 pm (UTC)Garrosh Hellscream is an SOB who is going to make the Horde harder to sympathize with, in much the same way that that King Varian Wrynn has done for the Alliance with this expansion.
Shah's always had a fondness for the orcs, but her encounter with Hellscream and the occupation of Undercity has left her shaken.
As for the Undercity event, it's not tide to the Fall of Arthas phase; there's a quest chain that starts in Dragonblight, just outside of the gate to the Icecrown Citadel. If you haven't seen that yet, you should grab Spooky and head back there. There should be a Horde fort on the eastern side of the gate (in the center of the northern mountain face) that you have to go to. I'm sorry I don't have the name for you, as I haven't run Dragonblight on Hordeside yet.
Ah, we just saw the Wrathgate this weekend, on our way to Dalaran. I can't recall the name of the Horde fort, but yeah, we viewed the gates from there. Thanks for the heads up. That's one I'm looking forward to...
I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas
Date: 2009-12-27 07:41 pm (UTC)Take heart. We had a friend show up on the 24th after his wife, kids and in-laws pitched him out on the 23rd. We fed and consoled him until nightfall. On the morning of the 25th, our friend's dog commenced dying. My wife (too fine a woman for words) went and bore witness at the vet's as they put Niall to sleep.
It's a sucky holiday. The congestion of generally weird energy descends in ever-quickening spirals like mud flushed down a toilet. But it ends. The good news is: it ends. Welcome to the rest of December.
Re: I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas
Date: 2009-12-27 07:43 pm (UTC)The congestion of generally weird energy descends in ever-quickening spirals like mud flushed down a toilet.
Very well said.
You have my condolences.
Re: I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas
Date: 2009-12-27 07:48 pm (UTC)Thanks.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 09:14 pm (UTC)I agree, and the not so subtle propaganda of happy families and wonderful times. I dont decorate for it either, but I have to admit that I love to go ornament shopping because you can find so many things with antlers on them. Like Hello Kitty.
I hadnt realized that Chesnutt had killed himself, I thought it was a non directed death. I tend to be selfish, I want what makes me happy .. and the people I admire to keep outliving me.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 10:07 pm (UTC)It's a social pathology, this insistence that during this part of this month you must feel good and you must spend money you don't have or there's something wrong with you. You must receive lots of presents or no one loves you. You must be with your family, or you're an outcast. There must be cheer...whatever. Fuck it.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 10:16 pm (UTC)Fun choice on movies. I've decided that Die Hard films are a bit like pizza and sex, good even when bad. I like that Die Harder at least acknowledges that it's ridiculous. It's too cartoony for my tastes for me to 100% like it (you're a little broad there, Dennis Franz, glad you got to be more complex on NYPD Blue), but my soft spot remains. And Die Hard With A Vengeance is a lot of fun, playing well with expectations; I love that Irons really doesn't give a rip about his dead brother, but knows that acting like he does is a great way to manipulate the cops. (Trivia: the hateful message on the sandwich board John McLane wears in Harlem was digitally added to the blank board. It gets changed in network and basic cable versions to I HATE EVERYBODY.)
RE: the Late Cretaceous paper: How much do you keep in touch with the scientists you worked with back in your paleontology days? And how much do you keep up on the news and literature?
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 10:55 pm (UTC)I did not know that.
RE: the Late Cretaceous paper: How much do you keep in touch with the scientists you worked with back in your paleontology days? And how much do you keep up on the news and literature?
After my Alabama velociraptorine paper was published (coauthored with Dave Schwimmer) in 2005, I pretty much lost contact, though I'd begun drifting away in 2002. It was just too much, trying to stay active in paleo' and deal with all the writing. I am still a member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (since 1984). I keep up with the literature as best I can. Hence, all those paleo' books on my Amazon wishlist.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-27 10:18 pm (UTC)I hope 2010 is better for you.
A cthulhu holiday
Date: 2009-12-28 02:41 am (UTC)If you check out my journal you can see an action shot of Spooky's craftiness on our yule tree. My partner loved the ornament.
Blessed Be,
~WC
Re: A cthulhu holiday
Date: 2009-12-28 04:51 am (UTC)For me, that's a very good thing, indeed.