slr2moons

The bank appraisal on my potential future condo happens tomorrow, Wednesday. *gulp* This will be the deciding moment, guys! If the bank says the place is worth less than my offer, and the seller won't take the reduced amount, then my search resumes. Ohhh boy.

In work news, I was able to scramble enough to finish Seraph with the extended deadline Seraph Editor 2 gave me. Yay! Mab came over and did some work of her own, and having her here in person helped keep my energy up! Especially when she read aloud two of her racier fics! *laughs* Oh my!! Corrections were sent to me the next day, and I completed them this past weekend.

I'm a few pages into Bloody v3. Thankfully no horrid omake spreads to deal with this time! (Check out v2 when it's out and you'll understand immediately. GAH.) I'm finally getting the hang of the interspatial pages for this series, too! ^^V Unfortunately, this volume will be rushed. But I've already done the two worst pages! Most of Bloody's pages have only one or two minor FX, which means it usually goes quickly.

Have script for Behind v1 and Skip v37. Have yet to start either, though I've made my key sheet for Behind. This one is a little easier than v1, as is usual for manga. Gotta put a lot of effort into vol 1s, to catch those readers and earn those votes!

As usual, I'm in the middle of several different audiobook series. I very rarely read (meaning listen to) more than one book in the same series in a row, to avoid burnout. Well, unless one volume ends on a terrible cliffhanger and I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. *laughs*

But I think I'll save my current reading ramblings for my next post. ^^ I am trying to post more often, and gotta pace myself!! Also if I delay posting this right now, I might not post at all. I know myself well. ^^;;;;

Onward!

Hi, everyone. Yes, I vanished again. *sighs* I certainly didn't WANT to. *headdesk*

The past few weeks have been interesting, in that Chinese curse way. In the past week alone: I'm 3/4ths through the process of buying a condo. (SO MUCH PAPERWORK GAH) Estimated taxes #4 were due on Friday (I am le broke now), the annual apartment inspection for water leaks and potential meth labs is Monday (which means I have to deep clean this weekend UGH), my right-side work monitor finally died and I bought another new one to match the recently replaced left monitor (see le broke note), and this weekend was a local convention I wanted to attend with a friend, but had to cancel because of everything else going on. >< (I had my Agatha from Girl Genius cosplay mostly ready, too. Wig and trilobite pin and all.)

And work is hanging heavy over me, as usual. Annnnd I've been 25-75% sick throughout it all. Fun times.

I want to post this now, so I don't put it off any longer. GAH.

More tomorrow or Monday. If I don't follow through with that, please poke me. Seriously, I miss posting!!!

Um....hi, guys. *waves sheepishly*

So...I see it's been over three months since my last post. I'm sorry, if anyone has missed me. The past few months have been a non-stop scramble with work. When I'm super-stressed, I withdraw from social interaction--including posting online, and all I really want to do is sleep, eat, sleep, sleep, and sleep some more. And when I'm sleeping ~12 hours a day, including naps, it doesn't help me get any work done. *sigh*

The fun every-other-weekly write-ins I've been doing this year ended before my last post, and I do miss them. Again, if it weren't for the weekly-weekly walks with Mab and Sno, the only actual people I'd have conversations with in these months would be my regular grocery store checkout woman and the Fed-Ex guy. (The same guy has been bringing me my Viz stuff since I moved here. We're on a first-name basis.)

Those of you who Yuletide have probably noticed I stuck to my guns and didn't sign up this year. It would have been my fifth year, but...given my already heavy stress levels, I think I made the right choice. I followed the Yuletide coms and threads on FFA and such for a couple weeks, but I had to stop. It was too painful to see everyone having fun and chatting, while I was just watching and knowing I really shouldn't sign up this year. It was easier to cut it all off. I haven't arranged any write-ins for the Portland area. I hope someone else is taking care of that. *wistful sigh* And I also stop reading my friends list, to avoid all the painful Yuletide cheer.

Yes, today I loaded my friends page for the first time in a month and a half. I don't know if I'll ever manage to read everything I missed, but I'm going to try.

I'm sorry my sadness of forcing myself to skip Yuletide kept me away from all of you. Checking my friends page has been part of my daily routine for years, but I let it fizzle away. And I remember when I had to force myself to post only once a day. ^^; I miss those fun days of LJ, when my traffic stats showed I had 50 different visitors a week!

I want to post more. I hope you'd like to read more. C: I'm going to try.

I've missed everyone. *hugs*

I've been under an extreme amount of stress for the past two weeks, mostly due to work, frustration with my continuing weight gain, money, and home ownership problems. But if I type everything out here it will just make me feel worse, so let me instead tell you about something more positive and uplifting.

Since the stress kicked in, I've felt this urge to read fanfiction. I've punted aside my various published fiction to-read lists, and aside from one exception, it's been fanfic all the way.

I'm not sure how many fics I've read, but it's been a lot. I'd estimate the word count to be over 700k--so far. I'm actually finishing up a fantastic 100k original m/m romance and angst fest story today. For my own amusement and to share any fics you yourself might want to try, here is the list of what I've read in this binge so far. Reconstructed from memory in three sections: fics already on or to be added to my recs page, fics I decided not to rec after reading, and fics I'm in the middle of and/or have yet to decide to rec or not:

( Surprisingly long list of varied fandoms and fic styles. I'll read almost anything. )

I think I know WHY I had this urge to binge on fanfic in a way I haven't in a couple of years. It's because fanfic, unlike prose, can give me exactly what I want, and it's relatively easy to track down.

Take all those Brienne/Jamie fics up there. That ship will NEVER happen in the show, and I'd be amazed if it does in the books. Hence, fanfic can give me what I want: a reverse beauty and the beast story, which almost never happens in professional media. (If you know of any, please LMK. M/M or F/F works, too!)

Now take a look at that Sherlock fic. That story emotionally wrung me out like a limp washrag and left me to dry. GUH. Can a pro author write something like that and have it published? Maybe. I've never found one like it. (If you know of any--any style ship--please LMK.)

And then, of course you have the most basic appeal of fanfiction: seeing my favorite characters doing things and being put in situations that could never happen in their actual canons. Yes, Sherlock canon certainly had fun with the gay misconceptions, and yes dark things happened in SoIaF/GoT--and gay and asexual people exist, though they aren't allowed to be too badass--and the great big yes: I couldn't love the characters and want to read fic about them if their canons didn't exist in the first place.

Maybe it's the short word count? Though the HP fic (~400k) disproves that.

In the end, I don't really know. I just wanted to read fic, like comfort food. So I did. C:

Feel free to share your own opinion on why you like to read fanfic, if you do. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Yesterday I was able to attend winnett's birthday party, and much fun was had. I had my first ever martini (strawberry, b/c I like the sweet fruity drinks), and then we went to box karaoke.

For those who don't know, box karaoke is karaoke in a private room, where only the people in your group can hear you sing. (None of that embarrassment by singing in front of a huge room of drunk strangers!) I haven't been to box karaoke since leaving Texas. My friends back home knew of a place in Korea Town in Dallas, and we went there three or four times. I had no idea box karaoke was in Portland, but I am muchly pleased.

And yes, I am going back! XD

The karaoke place has their song list online, and I made up a list of all the songs I wanted to sing. I was able to do most of them, too! I only ordered one drink there, for I am a lightweight. IDR the name, but it was some form of sake + plum or plum sake. Delicious. :9

I danced and sang without reservations, likely due to my two drinks. *laughs* It was so much fun!!! Winnett and her BF were the only two people there that I already knew. The other five seemed quite nice, though! I think I made a new friend, who sent me a friend request on FB. (Alas, she isn't on LJ, like so many people these days.) We sang for three hours, and they pretty much had to kick us out. XD The final song was one specifically requested by the birthday girl, Weird Al's "Yoda". I practiced it just for last night! ^^V

Getting home was interesting. I rode the train in so I wouldn't have to worry about being sober enough to drive--and wouldn't have to bother with parking. Which was a VERY good idea last night, as Portland was hosting THREE different professional sports games. Hockey, basketball, and soccer. ^^;;; The train we saw pass by at my train stop to go home was already full from the hockey and basketball games, which happened on the other side of the river. The soccer game (right next door to the train station) was winding down, and ended as we were waiting for the train. And waiting for the train. And waiting and waiting, as more and more people piled out of the stadium and were waiting with us. (Winnett and her BF kindly walked me to the train stop and waited with me.)

At this point, with the train not coming and the masses of people who wanted to board said missing train growing and growing, I began to have memories of 4th of July '13, when I watched the fireworks with book club friends in downtown Portland. The masses of people all leaving the fireworks show at the same time, the super-crowded trains, all meant I didn't get home un 4 AM. yes, it took me FIVE HOURS to get home by train. D:

I asked if Winnett would drive me home, b/c GAH. Thankfully she agreed! Whew! So the three of us tromped the mile and a half or so to their place, and after a short food and water break, they kindly drove me home. OMGYAY. They also met Kakashi. :3 (Alas, Spicer was not in the mood to say hi to strangers.)

Today, I am sore from all the dancing, my voice is rough, and I am very very tired. But it was worth it!! Like I said above, I definitely want to go back. YEAH!

Almost two months since my last update. So much for being the change and posting more, huh? Ugh.

Okay, so...

tl:dr: I have been very busy lately. Lots of stress. Staying in my current apartment for almost another year. Spicer is not doing well. Work is crazy-busy. Haven't been able to do anything creative since Yuletide.

( The whole nine yards, for those not yet given in to the influence of the brief-content platforms of FB, twitter, and tumblr. )

Greetings, everyone!

Yuletide fics went live on Christmas Eve (which was midnight UST), and I was pleased with my own gift fic. Once again, my assigned writer wrote for a fic early in my fandom's alphabetical list. C: (There's definitely a pattern here. '11: DOGS, '12: Blacksad, '13: Basara, '14: Claymore.)

Yes, I received my Clay fic for Isley!! XD It is short and sweet, and I am happy with it:

fandom: Claymore
title: And I Am Undone
author: still anonymous until the 1st
genre: Adventure
ships and characters: no ships, a gen fic; Isley and Rigaldo
length: 2,306 words
rating: PG for canon-level violence
summary: Isley had never intended to rule over the North. He’d only wanted to do his duty.

Please swing by and give it a read! C: The title is the link.

And then, a day later, imagine my surprise when I received a treat for Yuletide Madness! (Madness is a companion collection to the main one. It remains open until the 26th, and is for optional fics (not assigned) less than 1k words, or longer fics not finished in time to go into the regular collection.)

My lovely treat fulfilled my perpetual House of Five Leaves request, at last!! \o/ I was delighted to see it, and even happier after I read it. It's very good.

fandom: Sarai-ya Goyou (House of Five Leaves)
title: Tonbo-giri
author: still anonymous until the 1st, but I'm pretty sure I figured out who it is. :3
genre: Drama
ships and characters: Masa/Yaichi
length: 3,666 words
rating: PG for canon-level violence
summary: After meeting with Monji in the woods, Yaichi comes back to Katsura-ya and hopes to be left alone. He's used to not getting what he wants.

Again, please give it a read! Both of my gift fics deserve more love. :3

I'll post with info and links to my own stories on the 1st, when authors are revealed and we can freely talk about our fics. C: Once again, I didn't write a Yuletide hit, but I am happy with how my fics are doing. The manga/anime fandom one in particular is being well-received. Yay!

Greetings, my flist! All ~5 or of you or so who, like me, are still on DW and LJ and check it regularly. ^^

I haven't said much here lately, and I admit, it's b/c everyone else is on FB and it's nice to say something and start a dialogue. *sigh* I so miss this platform's glory days. But I should stop contributing to the problem by not posting here, and post more! Ha!

Okay, so...here's an update on what's happening in my life.

Tl;dr: Not much, as usual.

( Longer version within! Work, Yuletide, car, health, living arrangements, misc, and entertainment. )

I guess that's it for this long update. It feels good to talk to you guys again! Please leave a comment, if you have anything to say or ask. C:

These days it's all work-work-work for me, but in this bought of Work Hell, I gave myself two days off. The first was for book club, and the second was for queenie-mab's Halloween party. Which was last night!

( Party summary! )

I came home with full intentions to work (I did a pink Voice page before the party, actually!), and I sat in front of my computer monitors, checked my email, blinked, and 45 minutes had vanished. I was SO TIRED. I flopped in bed a good two hours early. ^^;;

This morning I only slept in a little, and made myself exercise for real. I did a loop through my residential neighborhood and walked one minute, jogged the next, walk, jog, etc. Half an hour long, and I didn't cheat! But OMG I am so out of shape. *wince*

I've been pretty much a zombie (and not in the fun costume way) all day. The running on top of exhausting myself yesterday at the party has really put a dent in my productivity. I'll finish my Clay daily quota tonight, but it's gonna be tight. At least the pink page for the day is done. Poor Voice has to wait until tomorrow. Again.

I signed up for Yuletide!!!! XD This is the one fanfic exchange I let myself participate in every year, and those of you who have been around a while know how much I LOVE IT. My letter has been public for about two weeks. You can find it here! I would not object to a treat or three...

I'm requesting the full six fandoms, as usual. Four manga (all which I've lettered!), one movie, and one short story. I've been stalking the sign-up stats so far, and only the movie, the short story, and one of the manga titles has anyone offering to write. It's early days yet, though! (But now I think about it, poor Clay didn't have any offers last year. That will probably be true again this year. I suppose I'm the only English-language Isley fan...T.T)

Last year I went crazy and offered to write for 28 different fandoms. This year, I'm keeping things under control. I've offered only 10 this year (7 anime or manga, 1 live-action, and 2 comics). But TBH I'm reconsidering the live action and one of the anime titles. I'd like to see the letters for those, first.

I've made a promise to write at least one treat in addition to my assignment, and I had a flaily fit of joy today when I read someone's letter and FOUND IT! The request I want to treat!! *flails more* I've been wanting to write a fic about that character for several years, and they were requested by someone whose fanfic wishes seem to mesh well with me!!! Ohhhhhhh!! XD

I am SO excited. I am offering this canon, though, so there's a slight chance I could be matched to this person anyway. Which would mean my treat would become my assignment, and I've have to find a 2nd person to write for. ^^;; But I'll deal with that if it happens, which it probably won't! This fandom is a Yuletide fave, and always has a ton of offers. That means low odds I'll be matched. *clutches her treat's notes file to her breast* I have another episode to take notes on, then find the corresponding manga chapters and read those, too. Heeeee! :3

YULETIDE! I LOVE THEE SO!!!!! But for now, back to work. I need to finish my daily Clay quota. (Alas, Isley I miss you. If only you were still alive...)

ETA: OMG, someone offered to write Clay!! *tears of joy* Thank you, kind writer, should you see this!! I am delighted by the possibility of receiving Isley fic this year! XDDDD

As the subject says, I survived.

I've been sleeping a great deal this weekend, no doubt to make up for the continuous stress I've been under for the month before the trip, and the work-week immediately after, when I had three deadlines due on the 26th. Speaking of, Seraph vol 4 is completely finished, Skip vol 34's first draft is done, and so is the first volume of Requiem.

( Lots of words and some pics! below the cut )