Sailorcelestial's Haven

Since I can't post anything serious on here anymore... BAH.

78% Mike Gravel
72% Dennis Kucinich
71% Bill Richardson
65% Barack Obama
65% John Edwards
62% Chris Dodd
61% Hillary Clinton
60% Joe Biden
46% Ron Paul
46% John McCain
44% Mike Huckabee
39% Mitt Romney
37% Rudy Giuliani
32% Tom Tancredo
32% Fred Thompson

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Who are half these people, again?

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Well, it looks like GJ is done for.

So I guess I'm going to have to move journals. AGAIN. Which really, really sucks because I don't LIKE IJ. I tried to use it, I really did, but I just couldn't make myself, and I really couldn't tell anyone why.

I'm thinking I might try to export, but not actually MOVE to IJ, and instead wait for Scribblit to open. I've been intending to move there all along once they opened, GJ was intended to only be a temporary home anyway. The person/people in charge of Scribblit have said they're trying to get it open to the public in January.

Methinks this is what I shall do.

Basically, don't expect too much from me until the end of January. If Scribblit isn't open by then... I'll... think of something else.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Pain. In my upper arm. OWIE. Going to try to get in to see the doctor this afternoon. Until then, I blame you, reannon!

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Here are my Writing Goals for 2008, expanded... I'm starting off pretty light. Don't want to hurt myself. XD


1) Designate 2 days a week to devote to nothing but writing while at home.

*These days will officially be Monday and Friday.

2) Finish The Desert Throne. It's been five years, it's about fucking time.

*13 chapters to go. If I write a chapter per designated writing day, I could have it finished and ready for editing in approximately 2 months.

3) Do something significant on The Hakkan.

*I'm not even requiring that I finish this, just get some significant writing done. This kinda sucks, because I wrote a good bit on it before I decided to completely overhaul and start in a different place. >.<

4) Finish at least five short stories.

*I've got at least five waiting on my laptop. Problem is, not all of them could be worth finishing. I COULD plot out some more stories that go in the series "The Savage Beast" started.

5) Get a short story published somewhere (preferably not with CDP).

*I could always continue to publish my own work, but I'd rather not.

6) Work on a submission and marketing plan for The Desert Throne.

*I don't necessarily have to start submitting and marketing, unless I get the book edited to my satisfaction, but coming up with a plan would be a good idea. I know who I really want to submit to, but I should have several backups, just in case. As well as a marketing plan I can share with any publishers.

There they are! HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

I just had to delete an entry, because it was being spammed. ONE entry. The same sort of message, over and over no matter how often I reported it as spam. This, I suppose, was a benefit of LJ. There were flames, but there was never spam.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

My mother is fucking insane.

Now she's insisting I HAVE to wear a dress to my great-uncle's funeral because "it's in a church" and she wants me "to be respectful." Since WHEN did wearing a dress in church constitute respect? HE WASN'T EVEN PENTECOSTAL.

I have refused, and now she's saying that if I don't wear a dress, I won't go. Which means I took a day off work for nothing.

Why is this woman my mother?

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

This goes with my earlier random thoughts post, as found here.

( Moar thoughts )

Random thoughts, perhaps wisdom, perhaps not, for the day: check.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

P.S. I figured out the reason I don't update as much is because I've stopped complaining about other people, and stopped sharing deep, inner thoughts and desires. Without that, what is there to write about? XD

First, my mind is conspiring with Hollywood to rape and destroy my childhood. I am NOT THAT much of a slash fan, mind. So please, no more dreams like that. I'd appreciate it a lot. Thanks.

Also, LJ continues to be made of fail, but who really expected any different? The new adult content notice system system... "The content that you are about to view could contain adult concepts which may not be suitable for minors. To continue, you must confirm that you are at least 14 years of age."

Talk about your magic age. I mean, the last time I checked, 14 still made one a minor. So why must people confirm they're at least 14? Why 14? Seriously, WHY 14? Why not 16, or 17, or... you know... 18? Why, LJ, why???

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Last night, we got the call that my great-uncle, who's been sick for a long while, passed. Sucks that it happened on Christmas Eve, of course, but best that he's not suffering. And is family had come together from all over the country, so that's probably what he was waiting for anyway.

As for Christmas loot, here's The List:

Electronics:

Flat panel TV for my room
Tape-to-DVD recorder. WHOOT (my mom actually halfway ruined Christmas by giving these to me weeks ago).
New headphones for my iPod, the kind that arch over the ear to keep them on (this was also sort of ruined, because my mom made me try them when she first got them to make sure they'd work... but I'm a big girl, I can deal).

Movies:

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End
Spiderman 3
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Books:

No actual books this year, but the usual gift card to B&N. $50. WHOO HOO.

Clothing:

Five personalized t-shirts (my mom actually made them) with the following sayings:
Don't make me break out my flying monkeys.
Be careful, or you'll end up in my novel.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons--for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Sanity is back-ordered. Sarcasm is in unlimited supply.
Sarcasm, just one more service I offer.

Miscellaneous:

Various random knick-knacks from co-workers at work.
Various assortment of candy, of course.
A pair of gloves.
A pair of neon green socks with Tinkerbell on them that say "Moody Fairy."
Medicated lip balm. T^T I love this.
Some Cucumber Melon shower gel.
The Puss 'n Boots beanie baby that came with my step-dad's Shrek 3 DVD.
A calender for my office, BAD CAT. XD
From Chris-Brad - a 12 piece set of Asian dinnerware, including two pairs of chopsticks, two rices bowls, two dipping bowls, etc. I really, really wasn't expecting it, and that makes this hands-down the best gift all Christmas.

Now I've got to decide what shirt to wear today, and where to PUT all the other stuff.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

As promised, those random thoughts I've been thinking lately. A warning, though, they're personal of a nature I haven't shared on a public forum in a long while. So if that doesn't interest you, then move along, lil doggie.

( Beware All Ye Who Enter Here )

Now, I actually have to like... go do some work or something.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Went to see I AM LEGEND on Monday with Chris-Brad, which was fun as always. In our gift exchange, I got the best gift ever (no, really), because it was the gift of someone who actually listed when I said "Oooo, I like that!" Seriously, totally didn't expect it, and I love it. Thank you.

So, I AM LEGEND. **SPOILERS AHEAD

( I AM LEGEND )

I was going to also write about some random thoughts I've been having, but as it took me like THREE HOURS to write that review/summary, I think I'll pass. X.x I will write them later, though. Maybe in the morning before work.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

I took a page from reannon's book and came up with six writing goals for myself for 2008. Anyone interested can find them over at unspokenworlds.

Now... LUNCH.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Wisdom of the day: With cold-sores, the worst part is not the pain or the icky crusty part. The worst part is the ITCHING. MAKE IT STOOOOP.

Also, I am hungry.

Also, here's an updated project list, sans the finshed things.

My Project List:

1) Charmed oneshot fic: The Great Divide. (Haven't looked at it.)

2) Charmed oneshot fic: Claim Refuge. (Haven't looked at this, either. Damn it.)

3) Mended Wing 16. Kick the pilots, make their dialogue work. (Or this. GRAR.)

4) Finish writing the review of Constantine, because everyone needs some Tilda Swinton-centric squee. (SIGH.)

5) Finish family_haven assignments ON TIME. (Been working on this!)

6) Continue to virtuously refrain from killing family. Especially mother. Matricide definitely not on the To-Do. (This is going to be a constant on my list.)

7) Somewhere in there, finish some original writing. Something. ANYTHING. The Hakkan? The Desert Throne? WARS? Draka? SOMETHING. (WHIMPER.)

Having seven left out of a list of 12 isn't terrible.

CDP Project List

1) Get full manuscript from person, read it, make final decision.
2) Get a further list of possible topics for the seminar.
3) Claim some topics for myself, and let the rest go to guest essayists.
4) Issue invitations to the seminar ASAP.
5) Wait patiently for signed contract from chick in U.K. for her story.
6) Once received further edited copy of NIKOLAI back, look over it again and decide final release date.
7) Continue.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

So, about two or so weeks ago, my mom got sick of all the wires connecting all the electronic shit in my room. I have a TV, the DirectTV box, and a VCR AND a DVD player. The old TV was a big, boxy thing, and my request for Christmas had been a flat-panel TV with a DVD player integrated. So, to get rid of some of the wires, my mom went ahead and gave me the TV. The VCR was out, and the new TV with DVD player, in!

At one point, I'd mentioned wanting to be able to transfer all the anime I have on tape onto DVD, because even though I rarely used the VCR anymore, I still want to be able to watch the anime.

Today, for no apparent reason, my mom decided to give me my OTHER big present early. A VCR/DVD recorder. I have no idea why she didn't want to wait, but whatever. It's hooked up, and currently recording the first tape of the first Sailormoon series to DVD. Whoo hoo! Or... I THINK it is. It'll record for a little while (about 20 minutes the first time, a little more than 2 the second, and it's been recording for almost 3 and a half now), then stop suddenly and give an error of "this program is not allowed to be recorded." Which is weird, considering while it records, it DOES record. I can play back and watch what it's recorded. And each time it stops, it shows a new empty block, and allows me to overwrite it. So that's what I've been doing. So far, it's been working. O.o

Though, recording time DOES take as long as the tape runs. X.x So it's going to take me for freaking EVER to get all my tapes transfered (Sailormoon, Sailormoon S, Super S, and Sailor Stars, Inuyasha eps 1 - 52, and some Sorcerer Hunters). By the way, these are tapes I bought from fansubbers, not from a company.

It's been recording for 11 and a half minutes! Damn, it stopped again! Okay, I set it to record again! There's going to be gaps, I think, and unfortunately this means I can't just let it record all night like I planned. At this rate, it really WILL take me forever to get everything transfered. ::sigh::

Oh well. I also have two cuff bracelets that Rachel gave me because they are too big for her. They actually FIT me! I can't believe it! They're pretty, too. They both have diamond-looking (but not real diamonds, of course) stones all around both edges, and vine-like filigree between the stones. One is silver, the other is gold. If I wear them together, I have mismatching slave bracelets. XD They are a bit of a bitch to get on and off, though. Who wrote the rule that looking pretty means pain, discomfort, or lots of trouble?

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Last night, I dreamed about working on Nikolai. Wow, am I dedicated or what?

My patience and my beliefs on how to deal with certain types of friend situations has been tested recently. I cannot and will not post the gorey details, because I've grown past that stage (mostly) where I feel it necessary to tell the world the details of my every issue with other people. It seems I've even grown past the stage where I must have a confrontation with the person immediately. I'm able to step back and say, "Right now, confrontation would do no good." It really wouldn't. The person in question is in no mental or emotional state to hear what I have to say and actually think about it and respond in a reasonable manner.

This person is in no state to begin to comprehend what they've done, how much stress and anxiety they put me and other people through. At this point in time, they honestly do not care about anyone but themselves. It's hard for me to think about a friend being that way, but it's true. It's not entirely their fault, but I'm still disappointed in them, and in myself for not understanding sooner what was happening.

Until such time as my friend chooses to come out of their hole, there's nothing I can do. To be perfectly honest, I have no desire to talk to that person right now. What purpose would it serve but to piss us both off and possibly damage a friendship that's already seen some heavy battering? Also, I can do better what they are not trying to do, and I can do it without their help. I've got two great people who are helping me, and wonderful at their assigned jobs. There is organization to the process that wasn't there before, and everyone knows what they are responsible for. If something new comes along, we discuss it, decide who is responsible for it, and it gets done. This is how things should be. Sure, there's a lot of work for only three people, and we're all hoping one day for our fourth person back. In the words of Tim Gunn, however, we've learned how to "make it work."

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

At long last, Twilight and Thorns is out. Okay, so it's been out for a couple of days, but I've only now had a chance to say anything about it.

The story of how this anthology came together is best felt to be told at some point much later than today.

For now: Twilight and Thorns is out, and ready for your reading pleasure! Only $5.95 and an email away! Indulge yourself in the hopeless and creepy, in a story about spiders and a story about cruelty, and many more in between. Also included is the first chapter of Circle Dark Publishing's next project, the novel Nikolai by Angelia Sparrow.

BUY! READ! ENJOY! Make this craziness worth it. Please.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

I am in Hell.

I am a creature of habit, and I hate new things. Not always, but most of the time. I'm not so bad about food anymore, not since sushi became my favorite food, but I'm still uneasy about driving new places, or taking new routes, new music, new TV, or about new computer programs.

So is it really that much of a surprise that I have only now, after years of people telling me I should, downloaded Trillian to use instead of the ten million messengers I've been using until now?

So far, I actually like it. It looks enough like AIM that I feel comfortable with it, and it has tabbed IMs, which I LOVE. I hated that Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger don't have tabbed IMs. Tabbed IMs are the best. They rule my world.

For now, looks like I'll be using Trillian. At least until it does something to piss me off.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~

Okay, so I'm an RP whore. We all know this, just like we all know I'm also an angst slut.

So I let myself be talked into joining a post-DH Harry Potter RPG. It was a moment of weakness.

I've been reading over the old posts from characters whose players joined before me, and I must be the only RPer in the world who doesn't think it's entertaining when two characters get into a fight, and then proceed to argue with the walls. They must be arguing with the walls, because they sure as hell aren't arguing with each other; that requires listening to something the other says. Do real people really argue in such a disconnected manner? I don't think so, because real people listen. We may not be listening to comprehend, and we may attach ourselves to certain points and forget others, but we still listen. How else are we going to find the ammunition to fling at each other?

But RPing characters apparently are reality deficient that way, nevermind they're supposed to be as real as possible. Most of the time. Okay, SOME of the time.

Point is, two characters are obviously dysfuntional when a conversation turns into an argument because one missed the point of something that should have been as obvious as a Mack truck going 95. What it tells me is that one or both of the players are in a power struggle. Maybe they don't like each other in real life. Maybe one of them thinks the other is stupid, or a dipshit. Whatever, they're characters are still having an argument that jumps around more than a Mexican jumping bean.

It's irritating.

It's even more irritating when one character makes a blatant and desperate attempt to fix things, and the other goes off with "You're being a martyr now!" or "You're just being selfish and stupid." Because obviously, no one can ever REALLY want to fix things. No one can ever act out of nobility, and it wouldn't be interesting if the boneheaded character accepted the apology or attempt at reconciliation without being a dumbass about it.

Players... WTF? Seriously. Is it just because I'm on the outside looking in at the dysfuntion and can clearly see the points the characters/players seem to be purposefully missing? Like, is that part of the plot? Is it part of the plot that your two previously deliriously happy characters must now fall apart? Because if so, I'm certain you can find a less irritatingly thick-headed way of doing so. Especially since at least one or two of the characters are supposed to be intelligent people. Intelligent people are capable of having arguments without calling each other martyrs. And it is possible for someone to just want to FIX things, you know?

Geez.

~~**Sailorcelestial**~~