Long time no post, yes?

1.) Health: Exercise at least 3x on weekdays, 1x on weekends (hiking counts).
a.) Join a gym. IMA (my university's gym): $240 / 1 year. 6 am - 10:30 p.m., M-F.
b.) Lose 20 lbs. (No worries, I'm within my BMI now, and losing that amount would simply put me at the lower end of that BMI range).
c.) Learn at least one new healthy recipe every month.
d.) Limit sweets. For heavy-calorie desserts, no more than 1 per week. (I have a terrible sweet tooth, and the law school is always exploding with free sweets and food).
e.) New schedule: bed by 11:30, up by 6:30. 7 hours is pretty good for me.

2.) Write for 2 hours on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends, for total of 16 hours (note: 168 hours in a week, so that's about 10%). I'm hoping waking up earlier and leaving work earlier means it will be easier for me to feel energized for exercise and writing. Note that it's pitch-black here at 4 pm now. :(
(Side note: Maybe attend some of the Clarion West's daily workshops in Seattle. Springing for the 6-week course seems a bit intense and expensive now, though.)

3.) Limit Internet time. No more than 1 hour/day on weekdays.

4.) Buy a used car. Probably the one from my friend.

5.) Get a raise or get a new job. Then plan a new budget.

This post is my sticky-post that organizes all my fanfiction. I've written mainly Hikaru no Go and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles.

Currently Working On:
An original steampunk novel with magicians, dragons, wolves, vampires, and kitsune/kumiho/huli jing (Asian foxes) set in Seattle in the 1890s. Unfortunately, I work full-time, so this means I do not have time to write fanfiction anymore, as much as I wish I did. Cloning's still illegal here.

I am pleased, however, to announce that the translation of desynchronization into Russian was completed, and a translation into Vietnamese is well-underway. Please scroll down to the desynch section of that's of interest to you.

--September 14, 2013


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Create your own visitor map!

I'm the star in Tokyo Baton Rouge Seattle. If you see this post, drop me a note and let me know which "star" represents your location. ♥

Subtitle of my post: In which Ontogenesis engages in far more schadenfreude than is healthy. OR: Is that just the math you do as a Republican to make yourself feel better?

OBAMAAAAAAAAAA!!!! MORE WOMEN IN OFFICE!!! MORE MINORITIES IN CONGRESS!!! GAYS IN OFFICE AND NO ONE REALLY CARES!!! EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS!!! Yes, the people have spoken, despite the best results of the GOP to suppress the vote, forcing voters in Florida to stand in line for nine hours due to the severely reduced number of voting days. Latinos and blacks and Asians and young people turned out in even greater numbers than 2008 to vote. Holla. (And our new 113th Congress is more diverse than ever, electing the first Japanese female senator, first lesbian senator, first gay Asian rep, first Hindu rep, first Thai rep (female war hero), and 20 female senators! We've got a long way to go, but this is a step in the right direction).

Did I wake up in the Netherlands?

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In the US, it's the first Tuesday of November... Election Day. 33 Senate seats, all of the House seats, governorships, 4 states have gay marriage issues on the ballot, and of course the presidential race, which is very close although seems to be in Obama's favor. I'm worried about the voter suppression issues, though, and ridiculously long lines in Florida (I want everyone to be able to vote easily, no matter who they are voting for).

I have to say I feel more personally invested in this election than any other. It's because for the first time, a president has stood up for LGBT rights in very real and significant ways, and I want him to be rewarded for that. If Obama fails, the media and politicians will probably point to that as the second reason (after the economy) that he did not get re-elected. I don't want that to happen, for supporting gay = political suicide to become linked. The Obama of 2008 was for civil unions but against gay marriage, and at the time even that was still welcome for me, escaping from my homophobic upbringing. But he's evolved, and I respect that. I do support Obama for a lot of other reasons, too.

I've also given money (for the first time) to political causes, and campaigned (also a first). Unfortunately, as WA State only requires that ballots be postmarked by Election Day, it could be up to a week before we have our results. Everyone knows WA will go for Obama, but the governor's race and Ref. 74 (gay marriage) may be tight.

Today I received a bit of a nasty jolt from a co-worker who I just assumed was a supporter because she seems really logical and fair-minded... she told me that she thought marriage was religiously based so LGBT should only have civil unions (to which I calmly? said that I would be fine with that if everyone got civil unions with equal rights and then could get marriage licenses as a bonus, but pointed out that "separate but equal" hasn't worked out yet in reality, as per the Connecticut Supreme Court's review of a study on such, esp. in critical matters). I mentioned the cases of gay partners denied deathbed access. It's a real thing. It's horrible.

Oh well. I've been talking (when asked about what I've been up to) about campaigning for Ref. 74, so it's not like we don't talk about politics sometimes. I know where she's coming from (raised in South, religious background, blah blah). It still hurts, though.

I don't think she knows I'm gay, in retrospect. I have a policy of not telling people unless they ask (and I trust them). Stealth lesbian here.

I'm sure everyone is already well-aware of this horrible, disaster. I grew up where hurricanes, tornadoes, and tropical storms are a way-of-life... but this is mind-blowing, both in the damage and sheer number of people affected.

This isn't something the Northeast can handle on its own.

If you are able, please pitch in with a donation at a charity like: http://www.redcross.org/ Or a blood donation: all the blood drives for that huge affected area had to be cancelled, so any blood donation is appreciated.

(Collecting items isn't quite so useful due to the logistics of disaster relief, but your local food bank or charity would really appreciate those items...)

aishuu, I hope you will post as soon as you are able.

Exciting Reader Response Question: Has your money ever inadvertently gone to a cause you detest?

I'm the sort of person who is happy to buy things to support the fundraisers of my co-workers' children -- it's always for some educational purpose, and heaven knows how much schools' budgets have been slashed. And it's usually Girl Scout cookies! NOM NOM. Anyway, last fall I ordered a magazine subscription for National Geographic, a magazine my mother has ordered since I was young (I'm probably the only person in the family to read it cover-to-cover.) I don't live at home now so I've been missing my Nat Geo fix.

Well... come January, I'm expecting my monthly issue. By the time March rolls around, I figure there's a mistake and tell my co-worker. Today she gives me a link to the website where I can check the status of my order. It tells me I've been getting my issues since January... my issues of National Catholic Register.

The hilarious part is that I just sent a letter to NCR this week, asking them to please take me off their mailing list, and that I am not a Catholic. I've been throwing their bi-weekly mags into the trash, trying to not even look at the headlines -- a bit unusual for a bookworm like me, I read compulsively -- but the headlines tend to be "SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN!" or "RELIGIOUS FREEDOM UNDER FIRE" (referring to birth control, 'cause women's lady-parts in America routinely try to maim bishops and priests and pastors). As a gay woman, I am not their target audience. Well, I am their "target" as in their cross-hairs, I suppose. :rimshot: (I have the honor of being the real threat to America, whereas the head honchos of the Catholic Church have trouble even saying sorry and meaning it for actual pedophilic crimes.)

I got no beef with most Catholics -- I grew up in the only state in the union that has "parishes" instead of "counties," for Pete's sake -- and we gotta thank 'em for Mardi Gras. And Catholic churches have awesome architecture. But the Vatican, and the head brass, yeah, we've got issues. They started it!

This is a relatively minor thing, though. I'm pissed that $30 went to an organization that actively campaigns to destroy the lives of LGBT folk, yeah, but I think it was mostly vexing to learn this after I was reeling from the Saints' news.

A nice thing that happened! As I was getting off the bus (returning home), I heard something fall, but couldn't find it. A nice man jumped out of his chair to grab my cell phone from under a seat and hand it to me. Thank you nice guy!

I am also glad that my library procured a copy of this 19th century guide for my novel's research. I didn't want to drop $100 on it. Actually, I had to return it today, but I wanted to keep some decades for reference, so I put my new scanner/copier/printer into overdrive last night. ^_^

I'll admit it, I laughed yesterday when reppu posted this photo: You have to admit, it is a pretty funny photo mashup. And LSU fans have reasons to dislike Timmy (when he was the Florida Gators' QB, he made sport of taunting the LSU student section, according to my little sister - of course, the LSU fans proceeded to get ahold of his cell phone number... and spam the heck out of it.

Today, though, the NFL Commissioner announced the penalties for the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" system. To put it into perspective, these are the harshest penalties in the history of the NFL, ever. But it seems the Saints were indeed encouraging the defensive players to severely harm their opponents (like Bret Favre) -- Greg Williams, the defensive coordinator, was involved with the bounties. Sean Payton (head coach) knew about it and did nothing to stop it even after being warned. It went on for three years, from the Super Bowl Championship season through last year's season.

That a team who was turned around in large part by the talents, leadership, and character of a QB (Drew Brees) who was thought to never again be able to throw -- for that team to deliberately set out to injure other quarterbacks is unforgivable. I can cheer for a team who loses games. I can't cheer for a team who lost its integrity. Not even the team credited with bringing hope back to New Orleans through its victories (both on the field, and off the field with charity work).

Can't help thinking that this is why the Saints slapped Brees with the franchise tag (which means although his new contract hasn't been signed, he can't speak to any other teams until July, I think). As much as Brees loves NO, and NO loves him back, the Saints knew this report would shake him -- I think he really does believe in honor -- so they wanted to cling to him. (If they hadn't thought this was the case, why not use the franchise tag on Colston or Meachem?) Just feel kinda sorry for him, reading his letter on his website. He adores Payton. http://drewbrees.com/

I think the Saints will lose Brees. I think they've lost me.

1. Splashdown is a band with a unique, intriguing sound, and the lead singer has an absolutely enchanting voice. Some of you may have heard their song "A Charming Spell" on the series Charmed. Legal Downloads of All Their Songs. Since their albums aren't available, the band put the music up to be shared.

2. Artifice is a gay sci-fi webcomic, and my goodness is it well-written *and* well-drawn! The comic takes place in a psychologist's office, and the main characters are Dr. Maven (the psychologist) who works for an evil corporation, and Deacon, a killer android created by said corporation. Basic plot: Deacon was sent to a colonist planet to wipe out all inhabitants, but he spared one young colonist. Dr. Maven wants to know why: Deacon is extremely valuable to the corporation, but not if he can't be controlled. Basically, it's a psychological mind game between the two, and the life of the young colonist hangs in the balance. Warnings for violence, sexual situations, etc. If you like sci-fi, go now!

3. The Prince of Cats is a tender-hearted comic with hints of high-school BL. It's just getting started at about 45 pages, but the characterization and soft pastel coloring drew me in. I also like that the main pair is interracial. (Too much of mainstream media is white, white, even to the point of recasting POC stories as white. That doesn't reflect the multiracial America I know). Also, you may enjoy her gallery (No. 6, Natsume, Tiger & Bunny, Sailor Moon).

Here's an excerpt from the author's "About" section:
Lee's story isn't about cats. He's seventeen, and all he should have to worry about is getting into a college where he can study biology. And maybe trying to not ruin the relationship he has with the only real friend he's got. Frank has been his best friend since grade two, and didn't doubt Lee for a second when he announced that he suddenly had the power to talk to cats. But things are changing between them, and Lee has to learn to be sensitive to the economic and social differences between them if he's going to save their relationship.

I am certain none of you could have failed to notice the utter fail and sheer number of misogynistic bills circulating throughout the United States. I know many of you don't live in the US, but some of these bills, such as Arizona's your employer can pester you about *why* you need birth control to Virginia's Probalicious Fun are so utterly horrific that I am certain they've made international news.

I'm pretty pissed, as someone who believes in the dignity of the individual above all. Granted, I was raised pro-life, but I don't like men telling me or other women how to live, and especially not when they believe they have the right to step between women and their doctors. Especially NOT to the exclusion of women's voices: my state Senator, Patty Murray, had it right: time machine indeed.

Well, I predict the misogynists propagating this BS are going to get trashed at the polls come November, especially by moderates and Independent female voters. But let's ensure a trashing, and reclaim the rights of women by mobilizing, and letting our voices be heard.

Mission Statement of the March's Organizers. Join your state's march. If you live outside of the US and want to support women here, your messages to political leaders are still welcomed by us! Especially if you harass them on Facebook in an entertaining manner.

:Edit: If you're interested in the Seattle march, LMK. It starts in Capitol Hill.

Regardless of pro-life or pro-choice, I think it's disconcerting what sort of anti-woman language is being used by these legislators, and it's obvious they think women's bodies are to be controlled. Rick Santorum doesn't even think women should be allowed to use birth control! In his own words. He claims he (if elected president) won't block it, but thinks it's harmful. States can block it, though, he's OK with that.

We women are powerful, and we can roar. Let's go for it.

I love you, Hayao Miyazaki. Just saw this movie, on opening night yesterday. I'm so glad Miyazaki's movies can start out in wide release (Princess Mononoke was his first movie to make the big screen in America, but it was limited release). It's based on the children's classic, The Borrowers, and Miyazaki does an excellent job of capturing the sense of wonder and strength of children. It's a relatively narrow slice of life and environment compared to the usual Studio Ghibli fare, but it works because the main heroine is only about two inches tall. The movie does a perfect job of showing what the life and ethos and culture of "little people" would be like. My only complaint was that it's dubbed; I would like to see it in Japanese (I liked most of the English voice actors, though, with the exception of the young human male. Arrietty and the father and housekeeper were particularly good).

In short, magical and it made me feel alive, like so many Miyazaki movies.

In the ugly real world... this is what a theocracy looks like. Anytime a group of people is called forth to speak about the fate of a people who is entirely (or almost entirely) EXCLUDED from the discussion, bad shit is going down. Men are the experts on women's reproductive rights and health, apparently. Religious authority male figures > real women.

The Republican rationale for excusing the young female college student from giving her testimony was that she was not a religious "authority," but I think it's sad that they themselves did not produce a single female religious figure.

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