i'll space you

SUCCESS!

2008-08-19T20:26:59Z

- phoenixmonthly is awesome!

- I HAVE A ROOM. AND A ROOM NUMBER.

- FINANCIAL AID FINALLY APPEARS TO BE FACTORED INTO MY BILL.

- I AM ALMOST DONE WITH THIS FRAKKING DOCUMENT OF DOOM!

I THINK THIS CALLS FOR CELEBRATIONS.

Yeah, so Mondays are kind of a trend

2008-08-18T17:17:08Z

So I get into work and the Minions look spooked. I go towards the kitchen to put my lunch in the fridge and they hiss, "don't go in there!" and I realize that there is shouting coming from there. Since our kitchen is attached to a meeting room, I just sat tight. Eventually the yelling stopped and the drama was over. It was still kind of tense for a few minutes and Minion J went on about "there are drills for this!"

I kind of hate this week already, considering that school just switched computer systems and I'm not sure if they get that I'm registered. It does have fees for myself, even for housing, but I don't know what ROOM I'm in, just the dorm. I may need to call the dorm people tomorrow. Also, my financial aid is taking ass forever to get itself through, which is kind of got me paranoid. I discovered on this shiny new system I was supposed to confirm my registration on THERE TOO, which pisses me off a little. But I've got it clicked now and I have charges for my room, which means someone thinks I'm staying there at least. I just need to calm.

Today:

- ff_fanlisting Monday Updates
- Figure out how the hell to explain this ass of a mission so that we can do learning objectives
- Stop checking school site, it only makes me crazy
- Finish packing kitchen stuff, mostly just need to clean a few things
- Vacuum books for homeless kids (hey, it's the best way to clean them!)
- Start on protect_vester's Sekrit Earrings and other items for package
- Put items in taekwonangel's package
- Finish eating lunch
- Start laundry

Tomorrow:

- Call housing, make sure they didn't dick me out of a room again
- Find out if there's a meeting with the group, hopefully have SOMETHING together by then
- Continue and hopefully finish laundry
- Some more packing related stuff

Rest of Week:

- Don't die

~Cendri

P.S. phoenixmonthly's FIRST ISSUE IS UP. DOWNLOAD IT. PRINT IT OFF. SHARE IT.

Packing break!

2008-08-16T22:53:56Z

OMG I managed to keep the majority of my shit packed this summer, but I still have lots of crap. This at least gives me the excuse to go through it. But lord do I hate packing.

GENERAL

Have you ever:
[X] been involved with a fandom?
[X] been OBSESSED with a fandom?
[X] cried over fandom?
[X] spoken/used fangirl japanese? (as a joke)
[ ] been called an otaku or a weeaboo?
[ ] wished you were asian?
[ ] told an asian person you wished you were asian like them?
[X] stalked someone through fandom? (IN THE NON-CREEPY SENSE... and she was stalking me too)
[X] been stalked?
[ ] gone out with someone because they looked like your favorite character?
[ ] gone out with someone because they acted like your favorite character?
[ ] dumped them later because they weren't similar enough to the character?
[ ] fantasized about a fictional character?
[ ] fantasized about a fictional character while with a real person?
[ ] dumped the real person because you liked the fictional character better?
[ ] thought about naming your child/ren after fandom characters?
[ ] NAMED your child/ren after fandom characters?
[ ] wanted to change your own name to that of a fictional character?
[ ] CHANGED your own name to that of a fictional character?
[X] referred to yourself or your friends by the names of fictional characters, due to your personalities being like said characters?
[X] dressed up as a fandom character for Halloween (or something outside a con)? (several times. I like costumes!)
[X] written a school paper about your fandom? (and a poem or two)
[ ] about fandom in general?
[X] had dreams about fandom?
[X] had smutty dreams about fandom? (though I was more disturbed than anything)
[X] told other people about those dreams?
[X] started questioning your sexuality because of fandom?
[ ] changed your sexuality because of fandom?
[X] been on one side of a pairing war?
[X] been involved in fandom wank?
[X] STARTED fandom wank? (inadvertantly)
[X] had fandom wank about YOU?
[ ] been mentioned on fandom_wank?
[ ] been FEATURED on fandom_wank?
[X] made a secret at fandomsecrets?
[ ] had a secret made about YOU at fandomsecrets?

FANWORKS

Have you ever:
[X] written fic?
[X] drawn art?
[X] written smutty fic?
[ ] drawn smutty art?
[ ] purely for the sake of smut?
[X] was it a present for someone else?
[ ] requested it as a present for yourself?
[X] beta'd or critiqued your friends' porn?
[X] searched for smutty fic or art?
[ ] been sad when you couldn't find any?
[X] made a request on a kink meme?
[X] fulfilled a request on a kink meme?
[ ] started a kink meme?
[ ] wanted a kink meme but couldn't find one?
[ ] masturbated to a fanfic or fanart?
[ ] then told the creator that you did?
[ ] drawn a character who shouldn't have wings with wings, or something along those lines (bloody tears, demon horns, halos, etc.)?
[ ] drawn the cast of a non-Asian show/book/comic in anime style or as chibis?
[ ] been "unable" to draw non-anime style after picking it up?
[X] written an author's note?
[ ] longer than the fic?
[ ] just to beg for feedback?
[ ] and been really bitchy about it?
[ ] held your fanworks "hostage", saying you wouldn't post/continue until you reached a certain quota of responses?
[X] made fandom icons?
[X] made smutty fandom icons?
[X] made smutty fandom icons for use during roleplay?
[X] and used them (in RP or not)?
[ ] been involved in icon wank? (there is icon wank?!)

ROLEPLAY

Have you ever:
[X] roleplayed on LJ/IJ/GJ/etc.?
[X] roleplayed on a forum/by e-mail/etc.?
[X] roleplayed on an MMORPG?
[X] roleplayed het?
[X] roleplayed shounen-ai?
[X] roleplayed shoujo-ai?
[ ] roleplayed smut?
[ ] more than one kind of smut (het/yaoi/yuri)?
[ ] roleplayed purely for the sake of smut?
[X] fell in love with someone while roleplaying? (not because of it, but the timing, yeah)
[ ] fell in LUST with someone while roleplaying?
[X] had someone fall in love or lust with YOU while roleplaying?
[ ] roleplayed with someone expressly for smut?
[ ] joined a roleplay expressly for smut?
[ ] roleplayed smut with yourself?
[X] carried roleplay off the internet into RL? (IN A CAR, HA!)
[ ] carried SMUTTY roleplay off the internet into RL?
[X] been turned on while roleplaying?
[ ] masturbated while roleplaying?
[ ] roleplayed furries?
[ ] roleplayed furry versions of non-furry characters?
[ ] roleplayed furry versions of non-furry characters having furry sex?
[ ] bought a paid account for your LJ RP journal?
[ ] bought a paid account with 100 userpics?
[X] taken personality quizzes "in-character"?
[X] referred to another player/other players as a "mun" or "muns?"
[ ] insisted on using Japanese suffixes (chan/kun/san/etc.) even if completely inappropriate?
[ ] insisted on using an asian PB even though your character is not asian?
[ ] roleplayed on Neopets?
[ ] roleplayed on Gaia?
[X] been part of RP drama?
[ ] STARTED RP drama?
[ ] had RP drama centering around YOU?
[X] started shipping players (not characters) in Rps?

CONVENTIONS

Have you ever:
[X] gone to a convention?
[ ] gone to a specific convention (for a single series/yaoi/furry/etc.)?
[X] cosplayed?
[X] crossplayed?
[X] crossplayed so convincingly no one could tell? (not at a con, though. that was a fun time.)
[ ] fell for a crossplayer without realizing s/he was a trap?
[ ] cosplayed/crossplayed just to do het/yuri/yaoi?
[ ] harrassed other cosplayers to do het/yuri/yaoi for you?
[X] cosplayed with a group?
[X] been in a cosplay photoshoot?
[ ] been in a cosplay contest?
[ ] won a cosplay contest?
[X] made out in cosplay? (WHICH I DID NOT START, BTW. I HOPE NO FANBOYS WERE WATCHING.)
[ ] had cosplay sex?
[ ] bought porn at a convention?
[ ] while underage/for underage friends?
[ ] with the intent of scanning it later for the masses?

Ugh, PEOPLE

2008-08-15T19:24:01Z

...I... words... fuck it I give up. Work = fail.

One week left of work (OMG WHERE DID THE TIME GO) and I have to go back to school. Realization that I haven't even BEGUN packing has set in. Thankfully Boss #1 managed to calm a little of my hyperventilation, as she was checking in, not necessarily getting demanding. I really need to calm down with the paranoia. I hate office politics.

Also, my left big toe apparently has something arthritic going on. I don't WANT to go to a doctor, but I may have to. Bah. Last time I'm wearing heels that long, evar. Figures, I decide to look cute and I injure myself. XD I may have to figure out a way to do non-heeled boots for my Terra costume--cause that ain't happening again.

~Cendri

Take me to that place that plays the jazz and puts spice in their food

2008-08-14T17:36:57Z

There is nothing I am more hedonistic about than food.

I am somewhat particular; not one of those "can eat anything" types, but very certainly not the white bread type. Being of the more Eastern European descent, I can't eat food that's... bland. While salt tends to fix a lot of things, I much prefer paprikas and garlics; if I don't need a mint by the end of the meal, it's bland. XD My favorite little cafe in town has a creole/cajun bent, which is most excellent, because that's another group that believes in strong flavors. Hell, they make me like seafood, and the only other way I'll eat it is, well, in sushi.

This comes up because I decided to go sit in the cafe today, and read my Joyce and generally behave hedonistically. This meant the worlds' most flavorful steak wrap (aka: the reason I can't go to "Mexican" restaurant and order a beef wrap without some sighing) which balances the peppers and tomatoes and actually puts a sauce in as well as doing the well-done just right... I had a very nice lunch, basically. My wallet feels it, but this is the first day I've felt hungry since getting sick, which means I need to reward my returning appetite.

I need to get some more cooking skills, because I quite adore food--I just get caught up in things and don't want to prepare it. Since I've managed to train myself to keep things generally clean (this was a rather hard habit to change, I am scatterbrained and sort of always doing five billion things at once), I figure this year would be a good time to train myself to not always fall back on food prepared by other people. I won't have a normal meal plan this year (or a kitchen of my own, but one will be nearby), so I suppose this is the best time for that. I recall when I lived out in Dayton by myself I was pretty good with feeding myself, but college makes one lazy. XD

In other news, no one is at work today and thus I have not been hassled. Considering that I've gotten more done than just about anyone else and managed a vacation in the middle, I think I've earned back my "girl gets shit done" title. About damn time, it was really starting to irk me. I am not Scotty. I am not a miracle worker.

I'm also going to see an old friend of mine on Friday, which is exciting. I'm bringing her kid some books. Since everyone I knew from way back is married or spawned. Ha, I'm getting old.

Also, phoenixmonthly should be coming out soon! I think we finally have an idea of what's involved, which is good. Look for it on Monday or sooner!

~Cendri

Book Review: "Beauty" by Robin McKinley

2008-08-13T23:09:37Z

Finished reading my last of the required three books for the herding cats reading challenge Recced by Melissa.

I picked this one because it is my favorite of the classic fairytales--I don't know, I just have a thing for "appearances can be deceiving" morals. But what made this stand out was the author pulled this with the heroine--Beauty is really only called that because of something smart alecky she said as a girl. Even more than the Beast is her transformation, one that I've always empathized with; that from a prickly and clever girl into a confident woman.

This is also an introduction to a writer that worldbuilds without rambling; something I'll admit to being more than annoyed with. Exposition is flowing, and goes with the action and feels natural. Not only that, it's interesting because the characters within the world are interesting. It doesn't suffer from the typical fairytale problem of only using the older siblings as plot devices, nor does it make them perfect.

My only complaint is the ending felt a little rushed, as if breaking the spell just sped everything up. It felt abrupt and I wanted more. But considering the author had another re-write of this story I have a feeling she knew this.

Verdict? I need more McKinley, even though I'd already been told this five billion times. I'm getting to it!

Main reasons you should read this:

- If you like prickly female leads

- If you like good family dynamics (this is something I look for, I won't lie)

- If you like fleshed out fairytales

haven't quite found the secret to inner peace, I'll let you know when I do

2008-08-13T22:56:13Z

So I was at work for an hour before I decided to come home and work. Because I'm not playing the schedule game and because I'm still hacking up a lung. But thankfully this staying out of a cold office and sitting at a desk that has two monitors did help me feel better and get stuff done. Wahoo.

I have an excuse to make my Terra costume more detailed (and get a green wig, ha) since darcenciel wants to be Shadow and start up an FFVI group. I'm down with that. I may even get a prop sword out of the deal!

And awesomeness! They went with one of my themes suggested for fst! I suggested mentor characters, cause, yeah. This is me we're talking about. I have far too many mentor characters I adore, I may need some help picking when that comes around. XD This is basically silly, but at least that comm is picking up a little again and is full of less fail. I can't help it, I like music, and I like mixtapes. So.

I finished Beauty today as well, mainly because it's due back at the library soon, so I spend a little longer doing lunch break. It reminded me why my favorite moral was always "appearances can be deceiving" because yeah. If there was ever a childhood moral I clung to, it was that one. I guess that's why I'm so utterly and completely turned off when people redeem prettyboy villains--it just doesn't jive with that principle. And I'm nothing if not stubbornly principled. I guess this carries on with my trend of liking facially-scarred regretful types (and I mean UGLY scars) as they exist in a grey area between. It's food for thought at least. Not that heroes can't be pretty, I mean, I like Cecil (he's my favorite because he's flawed probably more than anyone would like to admit). But I have to wonder if less villains would get redeemed if less of them were pretty.

Maybe it's indicative of my own journey of principles. I'm all about balance now. I guess that means for me acknowledging that certain things exist side by side or something existential like that.

Book review to follow.

~Cendri

So there's this artist

2008-08-13T01:02:04Z

Since I know some people *cough*cumuluscastle*cough* like to journal about art, and I'm feeling less like death and I was gone for a few days, I figured I would ramble about this artist I fell in love with in Artist Alley.

Meet Alice.

There are two styles of art I've always, without fail, been drawn to; impressionistic surrealism, and stark art deco. I'm well aware these are basically opposites. XD But in a sea of anime drawings (not that there's a damned thing wrong with them) I was rather struck by this haunting and colorful image of a man kissing a woman with a guitar string tattoo on her back. Thankfully she has a deviantart account, because this is what I'm talking about. The inspiration behind it warms my heart a little, though I didn't know it when I bought it. I also bought this one, because I have a thing about people breaking instruments.

So yes. Very much in love. I kind of want the whole series now. Because it's mythology and it's gorgeous and it's very personal feeling.

Plus her husband has an adorable accent and was such a lovely fanboy and helper for her.

~Cendri

Yick.

2008-08-12T16:07:07Z

Ugh. Stayed home sick, which I prolly shouldn't have done but my balance is all off and I don't want to be a zombie at work. Been sleeping on and off and having a shit ton of broth. Plague is suck.

Will be posting a picspam later, mostly from first_seventhe's pic stash. As she's awesome. And I didn't bring a camera.

So this made me think of how we got lost on Friday, guys.

Alright, time to find pictures and hopefully get better.

so I was out of town for a few days

2008-08-12T00:41:05Z

I'm cutting this for those of you that have far too many "OMG I WAS AT OTAKON" posts in you LJ or you didn't go or feel bad or something.

Chances are I'm leaving out some things.

Thursday

- Was very very drunk.

- Was very very philosophical

- Wandered around the airport waiting on drakonlily to get out of La Guardia airport, and may or may not have scared a couple of people, as I was feeling friendly.

- Apparently drunk dialed everyone not waiting at the airport and was nearly incomprehensible. Ha.

Friday

- Vowed never to drink again.

- Remembered why I like planes more than cars. Dear Maryland: learn to drive. You're officially worse than Ohio.

- Managed to be in the car that got to the con first, proceeded to stand in line with drakonlily. Pre-reg obviously means you only had to wait an hour, not two. Got stopped by random people as I was dressed as Terra that day. drakonlily also got stopped, as she was Beatrix.

- Got my picture taken by the Emissary of the Internet. Seriously, this guy was like, "CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE FOR THE INTERNET???" and Drak and I were trying not to laugh at his seriousness. The internet is serious business, apparently.

- Met darcenciel, who I also refer to as Hot Cidtifa in my head. This day she was one of the best done AC Cid's I've ever seen. It warmed my heart, and I refrained from glomping as we'd just met.

- Discovered my limit for heel wearing. Omg, feet DIED. Decided not to wear heels for the rest of the con.

- Ran into an awesome Kefka with Sev and Becky being FFVI cosplayers like me, practically attacked him. He EVEN DID VOICES. He was great. I can't wait to see if any of the pics that were taken of us with him came out. Because yeah.

- Got an Aeris action figure because I clearly do not have enough girly action figures. Plus she was adorable. Plus drakonlily got the OGC!Tifa one (I didn't as I already had AC Tifa and a teeny OGC!Tifa figurine and that might look a little creepy). My goal now is to find a Cid Highwind one so I have more guys. Have not seen him!

- Watched the Olympics opening ceremony at a bar. Somehow that is awesome.

Saturday

- drakonlily is the hottest Cid Kramer ever. For realz. Corsetry factored into this.

- Realized Victorian women were fucknuts, and why they had fainting spells. It was actually rather not hot outside, but in black taffeta and velvet it is REALLY freaking hot outside. Still, looked awesome, so. Will not be dressing girly for MONTHS now. Seriously.

- Our little FFVIII Steampunk group got pictures with this fucking amazing Ultimecia cosplayer. She was so nice and seemed so surprised that we were like, so impressed! XD

- FF meetup was epic, and in a weird place. Not sure how the pics came out, considering. darcenciel took a couple of my costume, so you can see me in my full out gothy glory: Just me and me knighting one of the Seifers, the one that was probably the best male one. I thought that Seifer was fun, and felt a little shy, I'll admit. I figured there would be another Edea around there. XD

- Saw a ridiculously dedicated FFXII group down where Ultimecia was hanging. Sort of want to steal the Fran, because, omg.

- Actually glomped darcenciel because she was a postively fabulous OGC!Tifa and yeah. Adorable.

- Ate the most fabulous burger I have ever tasted.

- Had a fun photoshoot outside with the other FFVIII steampunkers. Results of this will happen later when the photographer uploads.

- Beards are itchy, so I totally just wore my 20s!Veld cosplay after getting out of the Edea costume. Walked around with first_seventhe and katmillia as other Turks.

- Pwned some snarky fanboys with a your mom joke. Felt satisfied

- Collected some gorgeous art. I am such a whore for random artists' work. My apartment/dorm is going to be AMAZING with all the art I've saved up.

- Broke my vow about drinking and might have consumed a half bottle of wine. Talked about Pimp Jesus and our new religion.

- Went for a walk around Baltimore with Drak and saw an idiot jump off a parking garage onto this walkway thing. Told a guard dude about it. Hope he broke his ankle so he learns not to do dipshit things like that.

- Fell asleep in the middle of talking. Narcolepsy much?

Sunday

- Woke up with sore throat. Got syphagonaherpalaids*, obviously. Proceeded to down liquids and search for soup

- Crazy checking out

- Blitzkrieged the dealer's room for manga, posterage, and something for my sister. Got the next volume of Fables (omgomg SNOW WHITE. BIGBY. CAN I MENTION I LOVE YOU TWO?). And an Iron Man poster. And several volumes of the manga -FAKE- (shut up, it has gay and detectives, that's like telling me it TASTES LIKE BACON). Got Missy a fabulously cute cell phone dangly. Drak and I are FABULOUS DEAL SNIFFERS.

- Had a crazy fuckton of soup and liquids and cough drops.

- Some random guy in a hat shop cleaned and brushed my fedora for free! He was AWESOME and I feel bad that I spent all my money at Cheesecake Factory and couldn't buy another hat from him.

- Got to sleep in a bed OMG. Stayed up and giggled with Drak because we're weird like that.

Today

- Made flight! Yay!

- Nearly passed out on plane! Boo!

- Can feel my left big toe again, mostly, yay!

- Got the beer stains out of the shirt I wore on Thursday DOUBLE YAY!

- Am currently trying to get better so I can go to work tomorrow. WE'LL SEE IF THAT WORKS. If not, I'm totally not going to sweat it. Because I'm a little afraid to find out what happened whilst I was gone.

~Cendri

*See Also: Con Plague

P.S. firefly99: I thought of you when I saw this walk by.

Also, there were some actually decent Snake cosplayers. I didn't have a camera though, but you can feel proud.

THAT MESSAGE POST THING

2008-08-06T21:31:43Z

Gone to Otakon, leave a message here and I should get to it when I get back.

ALMOST THERE

2008-08-06T16:02:32Z

Stayed home today, so I am doing work stuff and other stuff kind of interchangeably. Had a ridiculously awesome breakfast and didn't have to change out of my pajamas and drive. Win.

So someone posted a few of the Complication soundtracks, and I have to say, I'm a little charmed by the Before Crisis one. Doesn't hurt that I find Before Crisis to be one of the few semi-worthwhile parts of the Complication. It's all orchestral-techno spy sounding stuff, which ah, I love. Anyway, if you didn't catch the link on ff_press, it's right here. There's something ironic about it being posted to a yaoi comm.

Funnily enough, the music makes me think of working on Grow Up And Blow Away. Techno Western Noir, anyone?

Have figured out that I can take a carry-on that's big enough to carry a costume and a change of clothes, will still need to check a bag due to the Edea dress being, well, huge. Also since I'm bringing another pair of boots and stuff like that, I need that suitcase anyway. In order to save room in the hotel room, I'll not take the carry-on with me there, just leave it at Jana's (IS THAT OK, JANA?). Trying not to take up too much room, but Edea = lots of stuff no matter what I do. XD Will put the stuff I've made for other people in the carry-on also, so there's no issues with the stuff possibly getting lost. I hope NOTHING gets lost or delayed, but I run on the pessimistic side.

Also, Otakon peeps, I can't take the new camera, since my parents just got it. But between Sev and Jana we're covered, right?

~~- Locate all jewelry I'm taking. Some of it is "just in case" stuff, since I'm like the queen of costume jewelry, and I want to make sure we're all equipped right.~~
~~- Write up list of things you need to get there at the beauty supply store (like purple lipstick)~~ Totally covered.
- Make sure every item of every costume is together. FOR SERIOUS.
- Find slutty miniskirt. XD Bringing my lime green heels because it's hilarious how drakonlily reacts.
- Make sure the real clothes I'm bringing are sensible and interchangeable.
- Print off boarding pass after noon, as well as itinerary
- Plucker the fics I'd like to read on my Palm on the plane, as the book I'm reading will likely only take an hour to finish, if that. Also hotsync other e-books.
- Make sure the SD card for Palm is full of awesome music
- Go through packing list, follow to the letter
- Make sure money is all squared away
- DON'T FORGET OTHER PEOPLE'S STUFF: belt for Drak, boots for Sev and Katy, hairstick for Sev, necklace for Jana, and necklace for Katy.
- Figure out how to carry stuff while in costume, possibly borrow/steal carrystuff from mom and put crap on it

More stuff likely to be added. XD

~Cendri

SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A SPAMMER LATELY

2008-08-05T22:11:55Z

But a lot of this has to do with Otakon shenanigans. BEST NEWS ALL DAY: my parents got a new camera, to replace the broken one. And got a good little snapshot camera.

THIS MEANS YA'LL GET TO SEE THOSE HAIRSTICKS I MADE.

- THE DRAMATIC CLOSEUP
- A BETTER VIEW OF THE RIBBON
- THE ZOOM OUT

All of that made from these materials. Heck yeah, this is fun.

And I've determined I've run out of creative energy to make myself a necklace. Thankfully I have a nice old style locket that will do.

~Cendri

Pointless waste of time

2008-08-05T19:50:32Z

I mainly just needed something to look at for ten minutes that wasn't related to volume rates. Omg.

That Personality Test :: Your Results
The latest personality test from ThatSurveySite... now featuring more and better questions than ever!

Emotional (69%)	[......\|\|\|\|..........]	Logical (31%)
Concerned about self (33%)	[..........\|\|\|.......]	Concerned about others (67%)
Atheist (48%)	[....................]	Religious (52%)
Loner (65%)	[.......\|\|\|..........]	Dependent (35%)
Laid-back (28%)	[..........\|\|\|\|......]	Driven (72%)
Traditional (45%)	[..........\|.........]	Rebel (55%)
Impetuous (58%)	[........\|\|..........]	Organized (42%)
Engineering mind (19%)	[..........\|\|\|\|\|\|....]	Artistic mind (81%)
Cynical (29%)	[..........\|\|\|\|......]	Idealist (71%)
Follower (41%)	[..........\|\|........]	Leader (59%)
Introverted (42%)	[..........\|\|........]	Extroverted (58%)
Conservative (44%)	[..........\|.........]	Liberal (56%)
Logical (33%)	[..........\|\|\|.......]	Romantic (67%)
Uninterested (43%)	[..........\|.........]	Sexual (57%)
Insecure (38%)	[..........\|\|........]	Confident (62%)
Selective (25%)	[..........\|\|\|\|\|.....]	Tolerant (75%)
Pessimistic (32%)	[..........\|\|\|\|......]	Optimistic (68%)
Principled (67%)	[.......\|\|\|..........]	Pragmatic (33%)
Tolerant (49%)	[....................]	Opinionated (51%)
Humble (40%)	[..........\|\|........]	Elitist (60%)

Take the test!

Ha ha, we're ALL elitists, kids. Though, some of the questions irked me and made me wish I took the boy version. Just saying.

~Cendri

My day has a hormonal imbalance

2008-08-05T17:23:58Z

Ha ha, right, so, today has been weird.

Morning

Con: Raced a storm (storm racing IS fun though) and got to work later, because storms suck. Hate living out in the middle of farmland sometimes.
Pro: Had a really awesomely productive meeting! Have stuff squared away for testing and how we're going in another direction for next phase. Remembered why I love my minions.

Lunch

Pro: Had Greek! Sat and talked with Minion J about his ideas for a game narrative, which I may subject select members of my female network to, as he wants something that isn't dumb. Got called "self-confident" in a manner that wasn't an insult. Felt better about myself.
Con: Bumped a car pulling out of the parking spot (I HATE STREET PARKING). Luckily no one was hurt and it was basically A SCRATCH, but the guy I bumped was a bit of an ass. I knew the cop, though, he's a friend of the family and thus made the experience a lot less painful. XD

Afternoon:

Pro: OMG PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON MY FIXES SO I CAN WRITE UP A BETTER CONTENT DOCUMENT. MADE MY DAY. Am communicating in the same language with the curricular people, who are being less assholish with stuff. I think they may have realized that they pissed me off royally and they need my cooperation not to look bad.
Con: None thus far, except calling my dad to let him know I suck at driving. He wasn't upset, so, that's not really a con.

I'm hoping that the drive home doesn't suck, I am not looking forward to it. I may just stay home tomorrow, so I can work on things during lunch break and have two screens to work from. We'll see.

~Cendri

P.S. And no, I didn't wear my costume to work, because even if I was changing into it here, I didn't want to possibly damage it because it was POURING DOWN RAIN. If I go into work tomorrow I may actually wear a costume, but depends on how I feel at the end of today.

Mondays Why Are You So Much Fail???

2008-08-04T16:14:59Z

OH MY GOD I AM GOING TO DIE IN THESE NEXT THREE DAYS, FOR CERTAIN.

At least I FINALLY got to talk to the developers from the first phase stuff so I can get together the crap for the report. So that's my next two days at work, having that done so that when I leave for vacation there is no bitching. And the Intern finally returned, as he was gone last week, with no particular reason as to why he was gone. I may end up strangling him. This is NOT how people work, kiddo.

Packing didn't happen this weekend, because I'm still writing up the list and double checking things and putting trim on my Terra sash. Fixing up the boots for Sev to borrow is also happening (apparently there was STILL some oil on them... from like my accident in January. wtf.) That's ok, I'd rather take my time packing than forget something.

Done:

- One of my "Comfort Zone" pieces. Rawk.

- Everything in the Edea costume except the last minute lace necklace. Am debating wearing it to work, can't take pictures as camera died.

- The finding of all the pieces for my gangster!Veld costume. Also rawk.

- The finding of all the pieces for my Terra costume. Whoo!

- Hemming the sash for the Terra costume. I am getting good at this sewing machine thing. It took like ten minutes, from pinning, to threading to actually sewing. I are impressed.

- Finding of sexy club wear. One hand-me-down dress from drakonlily actually fits now! YES FOR GAINING WEIGHT (shut up, this excites me).

- Discovering how much of my suitcase the Edea dress takes up (about half, with probability of being able to put light things on top of it... I just don't want to break it).

- All pieces of accessory things promised to kids (also doubles as birthday presents, since two of you had May birthdays and one of you has a birthday during the con).

- Finding of the bling for my Tellah costume. Gaudy grandma jewelry FTW.

To Do:

- Go to bank, deposit check, get cash back (will be doing that today)

- Buying Tellah's beard. Costume shop is on this side of town, do it before going home.

- Find ridiculous pants. Mom should have some, as she kept some things from the 80s and 90s.

- Finish filing heel on boots for Sev, so she doesn't wobble in them. Damn misstep.

- Make necklace for self. Use pretty shinies.

- Put trim on Terra sash.

- Make sure cat stops sleeping in suitcase and get the fur off of it. He's so cutely annoying.

- Figure out carry-on dimensions for realz.

- Make sure dad is ok to drive me to airport (he and mom were out for the weekend and he's not feeling so well and I worry :/)

There's other stuff, I'm sure. CAN I FAST FORWARD TO THURSDAY?

Also, should I wear my Edea costume to work tomorrow? I kind of want to test drive it.

~Cendri

Progress!

2008-08-03T13:49:18Z

Imaginary Beasts Issue is up! "Of the Ghost in the Wind" is mine. I'm thinking about downloading the other stories onto my Palm Pilot for reading on the plane on Thursday (as I typically read all the stories if I can). The art's pretty cool (ha, you can imagine I giggled at the cover).

I FINISHED THE HAIRSTICKS. ~~And promptly ran out of batteries and the batteries on the camera died. So, I think I should go get some, because I'm proud of these things.~~ Nevermind, the camera ACTUALLY died. D: They look AWESOME AND HAVE STEAMPUNK BUTTERFLIES ON THEM.

Still have to pack and stuff. Got a little tripped up doing work yesterday. At least the laundry is done, my work time has been put in, and I got the last piece of accessory made for someone. I like making things, I think I'll offer to make stuff for next con (which'll prolly be Otakon for me again, as school is going to suuuuck this year).

Right. Back to work.

~Cendri

A little break.

2008-08-02T17:08:45Z

Have about three hours of work left (because I decided to just go home instead of staying super late on Friday, due to leaving early for headache and hanging out with my mom other days) for today. Might take care of the annoying sort of tendious things that take a while so that starting Monday I am all set for things. Considering I only have a three day week and all. XD

Because of Otakon and all that, I felt very dramatic yesterday, so I wore my Edea hat to work. And played around with my tripod (it's a mini-pod) since I found it and the timer function on the crap camera my parents have. Darn Wardrobe Remix you're such an addictive little community. Then again, I used to be very camera-shy (I preferred to take pictures than be IN them), so maybe this has been a good thing.

And here's Step 1 of my process of making those hairsticks. Because it's fun to take pictures. Lord, I miss having my own camera. But there's talk of me getting a Canon Rebel for a graduation gift, so that's one more incentive to graduate. I'll get my own little snapshot camera for those times when I'm not being an Artiste.

Back to sewing and packing and working now.

~Cendri

P.S. Working outside is awesome. Thank you battery life on computer and parents for building this deck.

Friday, Friday

2008-08-01T16:53:50Z

I have been following with some amusement the epic struggle at work between the minions and our Political Game guy. The minions, while sometimes annoying, do get their shit done, and done well and cause me the least amount of problems. I went and had lunch today, where the gloves were off and they got to air their frustrations. We also shared humorous stories of weirdos we've known.

Granted, when I talk about "weirdos" it's with a certain sort of self-deprecation. Teasing is a family past time, and to keep it from abuse, you have to offer a little of your own strangeness. Minions apparently want Otakon pictures really badly for this reason.

Anyway, there was a comment about Political Game guy being a middle-aged prima donna (he is). So I took a sip of my tea and suggested they buy him a tiara and leave it on his desk. This idea seemed to please them greatly and there was much plotting. I may have inadvertently started something, due to being somewhat dry humored.

I'd like to think I have a healthy level of fantasy vs. reality, and like having reminders that I am in fact a dork (but I like being one). Hanging with the minions provides good perspective. I just wanted to say, I appreciate all my friends, and their quirks and everything. I enjoy knowing quirky and varied people. The world can look so grey otherwise. A lack of self-consciousness is something I'm getting back and I enjoy finding people that I don't have to worry about looking silly with.

In other news, hairstick materials all found, I laid out the materials and took a picture (which I haven't uploaded) in order to do some in progress shots. Because those are fun. I am excited about some of the materials I've found for them. ^^

And random fashionista picture. I have worn that purple sweater several times lately. But it's so comfortable. Plus, I love the couch at work. I may go sit on it later today.

So far so good today.

~Cendri

Getting this out of the way

2008-07-31T16:45:23Z

Today is going much much much better--we're all communicating and speaking the same language and no one's bitching about what I do and it's all wonderful. It's about damn time, I felt like I was speaking Sanskrit or something.

Some things:

- For the .05% of you that missed Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, they put the whole thing up on Hulu. It's nifty seeing it all together. I can't help it, I like mad science. XD

- Put an FST up. Didn't have time to either get a cover or make one, oh well. I like the music.

- I am excited because I have some new boxes. Seriously, that'd dorky.

- Updated my WIPs to reflect the requests. And doom. Lots of doom.

- Kind of want to make my "20 most impactful works" list, as it's not always books that do it for me, as I'm kind of a multimedia whore (book and film snobs would be abhorred by my influences. XD)

Maybe I should go to the cafe again (not to eat though, I just did that). Have some tea. I work much better when I'm not freezing to death (it's so COLD in this part of the office). Maybe later. Time to get something done.

Monthly Music Post: August

2008-07-31T05:15:13Z

So this month's theme, since it's August, which means Otakon and school starting for me is get up: dance like you mean it. It's shorter because the songs are longer and two wouldn't upload for some weird unexplainable reason. This is where my status as a child of the 80s is glaringly obvious.

1. Alanis Morissette - Uninvited (Freemasons Mix)
Heard this in a club once, knew I had to have it. Takes a creepy haunting song and puts it to a very nice beat--I am kind of in love with things that should not go together being put together.

2. Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again (Future Of Vision Mix)
I've always been a fan of Eurhymthmics, and I remember playing "Sweet Dreams Are Made of These" on our Commadore 64 piano keyboard thing, so it's been kind of a life long obsession. Just like Molly Ringwald always made me want to be a redhead, Annie Lennox made me want to have super-short hair. Another one of their hit singles, but revved up a little for maximum car stereo play-age.

3. Madonna - Give It 2 Me (Paul Oakenfold Club Mix)
I saw the video for this on youtube and knew I had to have it. Madonna is like dance destiny--at some point, if you are a dork that likes to move, you will encounter her and love her. Paul Oakenfold is a newer guy whose remixes tend to win me over, so there's nothing to lose here.

4. Rogue Traders - Voodoo Child
Guilty pleasure song. It's just so damn catchy. I secretly want to live in New Orleans. Or not so secretly now.

5. Kylie Minogue - BoomBox [Version 2]
Kylie Minogue is someone I wouldn't have known about without the internet, as I'm American, not Australian or British. But she's fabulous. I want her and Madonna to collab. Badly. I've been trying to nab a copy of her EBM album, "Impossible Princess" for a while (because songs from it keep playing on my Pandora, and I LOVE THEM). I suppose I may have to hit up Tracks for it.

6. Information Society - Baby Just Wants (Kain & Arvy Remix)
Not many people may know this, but the main guy in this group composed the music for the Legacy of Kain games, which is how I became interested. They also had a hit which used clips of Spock, and anyone that uses Star Trek samples in their 80's synth music deserves cake. This song is an updated version of their 80s synth music, and it's very Depeche Mode meets Stephen Hawking meets Queer As Folk. Awesome, basically.

7. Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (White Label Remix)
It's no secret I love Peter Gabriel. But finding a dance remix of Sledgehammer? UNPOSSIBLE. The song lends itself to a dance mix, and I have to say, I'm quite fond of it. I may have to use it to start some engineering dance parties, flicking light switches on and off and everything.

8. Andy Hunter - Mad World Remix
This is attributed to Andy Hunter and I haven't found enough meta info to deny this. It sounds like his style, so it's possible. It's also possible some other random British techno DJ did this. Either way, dance mixes of slow creepy songs to where they are something completely new brings me so much joy.

Rain, rain go away

2008-07-30T18:03:49Z

Raining, and my connection at work pissed me off enough that I fled to a cafe. Happens to be one of my favorite places to eat, so I feel much better even if walking here was a little soggy. Hostess recognized me, which is something I like about regular places; familiarity and a homeliness.

Sat everyone down and made them talk to me about wtf was up, what they needed, what the hell wasn't clear and all that, I am glad I'm going to the library after this, I need focus without distraction and the feeling of being WATCHED. I hate this thing going around that I wasn't working, now I feel jumpy to take breaks, which just snowballs into worse focus--so I said screw that and hence I'm out of the office all day. But not anywhere as distracting as HOME, which is horribly distracting, considering all my projects. I guess I'm perturbed this stuff didn't come up a month ago, when I had far more time and far less things to handle. But since everyone was busy with grants and they weren't exactly looking at anything to give me feedback...

But food is good, and I am feeling good. They're really on the ball today, not five minutes after ordering my food was out. Then again, I came in around 1pm, which is when lunch is usually ENDING for people.

Will do my Monthly Music Post sometime today, likely when I'm taking a break from spelling out every. little. detail. of crap. I'm not that innovative and intelligent, geez. I even avoided jargon! Why are we still not communicating?

Other good things, to keep my mood up:

- Went out with my mom last night, as she hasn't done that with me for a while. Purchased lots of ribbon and other jewelry-related things and finally used my Kohl's gift card. Bought those extremely skinny jeans (what the hell, you're only young once and I have great legs. at least they're pants, not tights) and went a little over budget over another Vera Wang article of clothing (I know it's a white button-up shirt, which may sound silly, but it is the most comfortable and flattering white button-up I've ever tried on, and it was marked down quite a bit from what you see on the website and is made of the softest cotton I've ever touched). My mom also found me some luggage (I was going to borrow their luggage set, but we found a really nice set that was marked down to a ridiculous amount... plus it's red) which is rather well-timed, considering Otakon.

- Sub-point: I need to get more hips or something so I can wear women's sized pants. Other than Levi's, Junior's pants are full of ill-fitting skankery. Seriously, I do not like my pants so low that I'd have to shave to wear them. I also do not have a ghetto booty. Or a desire to have lacing, bling, or other things on my pants. Junior's section, you FAIL. I know, I'm complaining about being too small... but there are frustrations in things being too huge in areas that are not easy to fix with a sewing machine

- I have started first_seventhe's hairsticks. I'm using wooden knitting needles as the base (they were cheap and nifty) and debating painting them. I think they will be cute.

- I am extremely fond of this cafe... I look forward to graduating and living in this general vicinity so I can walk here for breakfast or lunch on random days when I need a pick-me-up. It's probably a good thing that I have a high metabolism, good food is such a mood lifter for me.

- Ha, one of the waiters wanted to know where I got my hat (this fedora came from Delia*s, actually... it's my first fedora. got it in high school). I think I may have inadvertently caused hilarity, especially if he checks out the website. XD

- Um... yeah, mostly just waiting until next weekend. Gah. NEED VACATION.

~Cendri

P.S. Ever have one of those experiences of bumping into someone and then you don't know their name OR where you know them from and so you ask for the name, it doesn't jog anything and it bothers you for a while until it suddenly dawns on you?

Yeah, just had one of those. I ran into someone from the card factory (DARK TIMES THOSE WERE). Man, that was awkward. I remember he got fired over drugs, now that I think about it and liked to get into philosophical arguments with me and hit on the one trashy girl that sat at our folding table (I was sorta friends with the OTHER chick at that table, because she wasn't lazy or stupid and had a lot of interesting things to say which no one bothered because she had a thick accent... one of these days I'm going to write this all down, I swear).

Though, it did produce this little gem of a conversation:

"Hey, so how did your wedding go?"

"Wedding was fine, marriage was a shambles, I'm dating a hot woman now."

"..."

"Mind if I get back to work? I'm actually on the clock and have a lot of stuff to get done today."

"What do you do?"

"Educational video game design."

"Definitely a step up from the factory."

"I've leveled up in life, even if I'm a few random encounters short of having some decent levels Engineering Class."

"Alright, I forgot that you didn't speak plain English, nerd. Nice to see you."

Ah, lunchbreak

2008-07-29T18:03:18Z

Well, I feel much better than yesterday, which was primarily spent in the throes of being ridiculously pissed off, but as it tends when I have a bad day, my mom told me to do some Wii Boxing, and promptly mixed me a drink. She's so Catholic sometimes. Eventually I will get over my confidence issues (my response is usually to fold up for like, a half hour, and then do it better. Sin of pride? Prolly.) I also own the special DVD version of The King and I because my aunt finally sent my birthday package and she's basically awesome (and has my Amazon wishlist link, ha).

But some interesting things:

+ Writing meme-thing. This may or may not keel me.

+ I have sewed the feather trim onto my costume. I also have cut the lace for my nifty lace necklace/collar thing to go with it. Will be visiting the craft store to get the stuff for first_seventhe's hairsticks and other last minute bits. There's one popped seam on the sleeve left (I hadn't sewed it as well as I could) and I've got the cincher pretty much done. At least done enough for Otakon.

+ I still need to locate Sagemaster Tellah stuff.

+ I cleaned my room! OMG.

It's surprising how quickly my days are going lately, what with all these crazy deadlines, gah. I look forward to my vacation coming up, and the weekend, and basically having a chance to breathe again.

in other news

2008-07-28T16:24:33Z

Pet Peeve: People that tell me to continue a clearly marked one-shot. If I were going to continue it, I would have marked it as unfinished or said a "part" or something or added a number clearly indicating it was something chaptered. For god's sake, get some reading comprehension. Just because it ends before you want it to doesn't mean it's unfinished.

Some days I wonder how we ever discovered fire or invented the wheel.

~Cendri

P.S. Behold the power of peer pressure.

P.P.S. Today ended quite well, I am less cranky now.

If you're not busy, you're dead

2008-07-25T18:08:32Z

Man, craaaaazy Friday. Some highlights!

+ The issue with The Intern has been resolved and now he sort of jumps a little when I look over in his direction. I AM NOT SCARY. Seriously, I'm 5'2", tiny, and overall NOT SCARY. Just because I appealed to a higher power and they smacked down on you for playing at work and my evaluation determines how well you did on this internship does not suddenly turn me into The Devil. Alright, maybe that IS a little scary.

+ I have been given use of the Proposal Minion. This means I have someone that will fix up my things and get them publish-worthy. Whoo hoo! I have been given some more control over our curriculum and I have some teachers to interview soon. I will not let the power get to me.

+ Exciting things with phoenixmonthly! Letters are going out and awesomeness is happening. And Afterdark still has very few submissions, but that kind of makes me feel good about humanity? Is that wrong?

+ Prolly going to take Caricature off the wordpress so I can fix it up and make sure I have enough stamina to try and submit it to indianconundrum. I mean, what the hell. I can be a real hobby writer then.

+ Dorky fashionista picture.

+ I will do some massive costume work this weekend, as Otakon is coming up. SOON. OMG. Oh, the WIPs.

+ FSTs. Of crazy. Suddenly realized it's nearing the end of the month and I need to put together my Brick FST.

I kind of secretly love having all this stuff to do? I don't idle well. It usually involves waaaaay too much time browsing etsy and flickr.

~Cendri