October 2000

General Strangeness

I watched the first ever(?) male beauty pageant last night. It was called "The Sexiest Bachelor in America Pageant" and was hosted by Caroline Rhea. This was the most paradoxically weird and double standard pageant I have ever seen. First, Caroline sucked. She was trying to be sexy and coy the whole night, flirting and making all sorts of comments about the contestants. Second, it was hard for the guys to seem excited without seeming goofy, while looking 'manly' the whole time.

Then, there were all of the questions about sex and the automatic expectation that they were having sex. I was kind of hoping one of them would say something like, "Well, Caroline, I can't really answer that question because I have chosen to save myself for marriage." In a female beauty pageant, the contestants are to be held to the highest degrees of morality and questions of sex never enter into it. In this male pageant, sex and innuendo were the norm and it seemed to support the double standard of women being held to high morals and men being able to be sexy and to have sex without repercussion - and, in fact, was rewarding them for it.

Frankly, I don't care if people have sex before marriage. What I care about is the double standard that is held up between men and women concerning it. If a woman has pre-marital sex - she is bad, a whore, unclean, etc... If a man has pre-martial sex - he is good, a stud, a man's man, etc... Frankly, it's just not fair and I'm sick of it! There should be one standard. Period. *grump*

The more my leg heals, the more it aches. What's up with that? And, if you are curious, here is a picture of my knee and what I broke where.

I love carpooling but I'm beginning to really dislike the way Pryia drives. Her driving style is paradoxically both very aggressive and overly cautious at the same time. She's very timid about changing lanes but really aggressive about getting into the carpool lane or which ever lane she perceives as moving the fastest. Sometimes, it's really scary driving with her.

I mean, it was an adventure carpooling with Casey but at least he was confident in his driving and he knew all of the rules of the road - even if he constantly broke them. Pryia will stop when there is not stop sign or try to give right of way to people who are expecting her to take the right. For example, we're turning left onto a road. They have a stop sign and there is no one approaching us. You just turn left, correct? Well, she will come to a full stop and sit there in the middle of the road, waiting for the other car to go when it is waiting for us to complete our turn. Occasionally, I will comment - "We have right of way" and she will look surprised and go. Most of the time, it's all I can do to keep my mouth shut. I'm considering the sleeping defense.

It's now to the point that I consider her a bit of a danger and no longer want her to drive my car. (We switch off cars each other day.) Fortunately, it's occurred to me that she isn't insured on my car and shouldn't be driving it anyway. I'm going to tell her tomorrow and hope we make it home in one piece tonight.

This has not been a good week for me emotionally. (Yeah, I know it's only Tuesday. See my point?) I've been fighting emotional swings from PMS or my depression or both. I'm not sure. I got into a 'discussion' with my boss today that half way through, I realized I was arguing with him just to argue. I was lashing out. It was kind of hard to back pedal from that but I managed it without doing too much more damage. In general, though, I'm having to bite my tongue, go away or just not answer in order to not snap at people who don't deserve it.

I'm feeling lonely, helpless and frustrated. I hate this brace. I hate the fact that my leg is broken and it's my own stupid, clumsy fault. I hate having to rely on some to get me food, help me wash clothes or do a myriad of other everyday things. I hate it that my leg aches. It doesn't -hurt- but it does ache. It makes me feel old and decrepit. It makes me feel ugly, too. I'm often too tired to really do anything about my appearance and anything that looks good on is ruined by the crutches.

I'm actually glad that there isn't a game on Friday because of my mood. I just wish I could curl up in bed for the rest of the week and hide. Thank goodness Buffy and Angel are on tonight.

Tarot Card for the Day: The Sun, Inverted

In Deep Trouble

Going Meta for a Moment...
I got a really nice email from a reader named Laura. She wanted to let me know that she enjoyed my journal and it's helped her see that she's not alone with some of the problems she's had. I really appreciated the compliments to my journal and my writing but I think what I really want to say is that we all are a lot more alike than we know or realize. It's part of being human.

We all have money woes, insecurities, feel lonely, hate Mondays and a myriad of other things that are so common. I guess if we just stop and look around at one another, maybe we'll see that the world isn't such an awful place and karma isn't out to get just you... she treats everyone with the same indifference. *smile*

In any case, do something unexpectedly nice for someone today. You'll be glad you did.

The Family Way...
My sister sent me pictures of my 3 month old niece, Amanda. Wow. She really is cute as a button. Amazingly so. I have to admit, she's even cuter than Emily was at that age - but you will never hear me say that in front of either niece nor their momma. I'm looking forward to meeting Amanda and re-meeting Emily now that she's a little older. Amanda will be 6 months old and Emily will be just over 3 years old by the time Thanksgiving comes around.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, my brother is all happy that he and I are going to fly out together and such. I don't know. Maybe I've been a little hard on him in my mind. Maybe I should give him more of a chance. It's just that every time we talk, he ends up offending me in some way or another. *sigh* Ah, well. I suppose I really should worry about it too much.

Game Musings...
Oh, man. I think I'm in trouble. I think I have a new addiction in Skotos' new online game, Castle Marrach. I'm a beta tester. It's a web-based, text-based online role playing game. It's pretty neat. The worst part is that it IS web-based, so I can play it at work. I've specifically NOT put any online chat/game/IRC/etc... on my computer at work (except for AOL IM) so I wouldn't be tempted. Best laid plans and all that.

In any case, if you have the time, I would recommend that you check it out and even become a beta tester for them. If you do, say "Hi!" to me. I'm playing a character named "Elea" and I'll be online probably most week days at noon PST.

On the LARP front, Casting the Runes is tomorrow. I really have no idea what's going on in that game. I haven't figured out what Isabeau is going to do, beyond speaking to her clan about a certain, unpleasant rumor - that may get one of them killed. Otherwise, I believe that I'm going to pick a spot and stay there. Mostly because of the broken leg. I have the broken leg. Isabeau doesn't.

Misc...
I've relented a little on Pryia driving my car. It's only every other day for the next two weeks. I call my insurance and they've assured me that if I have given my permission for someone else to drive my car, my insurance follows the car. Obviously, they need to be insured on their own car. Any tickets are the driver's. If there is an accident, I'm still covered. So, I'm going to go out on a limb and trust her for the next two weeks.

I broke my leg almost 4 weeks ago and it still sucks. [As if it wasn't obvious.]

I've finished writing my review of Die Kruezritter for Black Gate. Now, I have to figure out which book to review next. Something new and interesting. Maybe I'll go for one of the novels.

No plans for tonight, so I think I'll be a bad girl, take of my brace and spend the evening playing on the computer.

Tarot Card for the Day: Judgement

Squirrels & Rainbows

Observations...
Monday was a good day for observations... the good kind of observations... like squirrels and rainbows.

After a long time, I finally got to see Little Bit out my office window. He's the little gray squirrel that spends a lot of time running from the big grey squirrel. It's been a while since I've seen any of the squirrels. He was hyper, running through the trees until finally, he leapt to the roof of our building. I wonder if squirrel hiberate in winter out here in CA where there really is no winter per se...

I saw the prettiest double rainbow on the way home Monday night. It was so cool. The colors were incredibly vibrant. Neon almost. The second rainbow was much paler but no less beautiful. I love rainbows. I've always said that rainbows are proof that God loves us. A way of saying 'Things will get better.' I say this cause you can't have a rainbow without a little rain. I just couldn't help but smile.

Meta Stuff...
OK. I'll admit it. I'm a bit envious of all the people who went to JournalCon, met each other and had a great time. I kind of wish they'd have a JournalCon here on the West Coast sometime. It would be neat to meet a bunch of the journalers. At least, I think so. If I can get over my shy streak.

*pause*

*ponder* I wonder if it's my just herd instinct kicking, making me feel like I need to be part of the group. Probably

Gaming...
Casting the Runes was a bit on the slow side for me. Mostly because I was pretty much chair-bound and people had to come to me. Though, I'll admit, I had a really good scene with BrianT. I compared his character to one he was complaining about and he was amused and offended. He tried to counter-argue but couldn't really weasel out of my (admittedly unfair) observations. He ended the discussion gracefully by declaring... "You know, I'm finding myself liking and not liking you." Believe me, that's a compliment coming from his character.

Oh man. I did something I haven't done in ages. I spent ALL DAY on Sunday in Castle Marrach. It was pretty cool. I auditioned for the Poets' Convocation with my poem "Running..." That really surprised the audience. I got involved in a dispute. I have a secret admirer. And I'm getting to be good friends with one of the hosts. If I'm lucky, Black Gate will let me interview Skotos and do a review on Castle Marrach.*whoo-hoo* Won't that be fun?

(Later)
Whoo-hoo! I was chosen for the Poet's Convocation AND I got the go ahead on the interview!

Tarot Card for the Day: Judgement, Inverted

Things NOT to Say to Your Mother

OK. Things not to say to your Mother #439. I was talking to my mom on the phone about my up coming visit to North Carolina when I decide to check my email.

ME: Oh, look. They are looking for submissions about Masterbation. (We had been previously discussing my recent foray into the world of professional publishing.)

MOM: *pause* What was that?

ME: I'm on this female writer's listserv and (*pause* and actually REALIZE what I was about to say) someone is looking for submissions on masterbation for their book.

MOM: *pause* I don't think that's a really good subject to write on.

ME: You're probably right, Mom. I'm not sure what I would say anyway.

(Of course, my mind was telling me a different story. I could write on my first masterbation experience ... or something like that. Still, that's not something you tell your Mother.)

Ok. Today was the perfect example of why carpooling sucks. First of all, Pryia overslept and was 20 minutes late in picking me up. (It happens. I know.) Of course, she was all freaked out about being late. Then, we hit the worst traffic on the way to the bridge. She made all the wrong choices on which lanes to get into and ended up pissing off some drivers when she was too timid to take the spot they opened it for her. (And, it was extremely frustrating for me, too - my inner monologue was screaming "Take it! Take it! Just take the lane!")

We sat and sat and sat in the carpool lane while all of the other lanes continued to move. When I finally suggested that we switch to a lane that was... oh... actually moving, she responded, "I can't now. We'll cross the double yellow line and a cop will get us." I looked around and wondered where the heck the cop was going to come from to 'get us'? The trunk of the car??

So, I ended up calling my boss to let him know I would be late. This seemed to upset Pryia even more. She was so totally flustered that she started driving really eratically - speed up, slam on brakes, signal to switch lanes, piss off other drivers as it took her forever to take the lane, speed up, slam on brakes and repeat. More than once my inner monologue was like "Slow down. Slow down. Oh hell! SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!" I tried to calm her, telling her that we were already late, my boss knew, no big deal... "We'll get there when we get there." She nodded then freaked out as a truck drove by.

Have I mentioned that Pryia is -terrified- of big trucks? She's admitted it. She doesn't want to pass them. She doesn't want to get anywhere near them. She will drive 40 mph behind a truck rather than pass it.

Any wonder why her driving makes me crazy? Any wonder why I'm doubting that we are going to continue this carpool for long unless I'm driving? I -hate- not being in control. I hate not feeling safe.

Oh, and to top it all off... we arrived late to work and then she calls me at 2:50.

Pryia: "We have to go home. I have to pick up my brother from the airport."

Me: "Pryia, it's not even three o'clock."

Pryia: "I know. I told him I would pick him up from the airport."

Me: "How long have you known about this?"

Pryia: "Since Sunday."

Me: "Why did you wait until now to tell me?"

Pryia: *pause* "I didn't tell you? I'm sorry. I thought I did. I'll pick you up in 15 minutes."

Me: *sigh* "Fine."

So, I came in late and had to leave early, forcing me to attend my QA meeting via phone. Fortunately, my boss wasn't too upset at me. He knows I'm at the mercy of my carpool.

Tarot Card for the Day: The World

Creeping Crud

Catching Up...
Hiya. I know it's been a week since I updated. Mostly cause I've been sick - but I'll get to that in a moment.

Friday - James and Dave came over to visit and play James' Changling Game. It's been months, literally, since we played. It was fun. And, James admitted to me that driving to my house to play wasn't as big of a pain as he thought it would be. *cool*

Saturday - Rob came over and picked me up to play in his monthly sorta D&D/Fantasy game. Not bad at all. I sort of like my scary little ninja chick. It's nice that my friends have been so accomodating for me and my bum leg.

Sunday - I don't really remember. I think I played online.

Monday - Work and by the end of the day, I was dying: Sneezing, coughing, sore throat. The basic Creeping Crud. I hadn't paid too much attention to my room mate Scott who had been hacking and coughing all weekend. Guess I should have. Seems I caught his cold.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - Basically, a lot of hacking, coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose and sleeping. Not a whole lot of interesting stuff to write about in truth. But, I'm feeling better today - which is a good thing. I'm going to try to go to work tomorrow and I've got a Heather Alexander concert to go to on Saturday.

The Leg...
The leg is still broken - I guess. I'm really hoping it is healing well. It's been almost six weeks since I fractured it in those two places. In a week, I go back to the doctor's office to find out what's next. I don't know if I'm going to loose the braces and/or the crutches. I'm betting I'm going to trade the crutches in for a cane (won't I be stylin' then!) and keep the brace. I don't know for sure but I hope there is a change for the better.

Misc...
I've been having some strange vibes about a couple of my friends lately. Kind of dark, dangerous vibes. I've asked them if things are OK and everyone says things are fine. Part of me is happy to hear that. Part of me is whispering "Bullshit. If things are fine, why am I getting this vibe about you?" I've learned to trust my instincts. I don't always interpret my instincts correctly, though. So, there's not much I can do accept ask and listen if they want to talk.

And, we have two new journals for the SFBAJ site:

Anyone's Any - Monique.
Richmond. Moved to the Bay Area on the bohemian adventure of a lifetime: grad school, poetry, sex with women, and who knows what! If you like [anything] you'll love me.

Ever-quiet Dream - Jess.
North Bay. The life and times of an atypical 18 year old girl. Comic books, psychology and sarcasm included at no additional charge.

Tarot Card for the Day: The World, Inverted

Gremlins, Bards & Wind Spirits

I had an awesome time at the Heather Alexander concert last night. However, the night was not uneventful. On the way to finding the Bal Theater where the concert was being held, a little gremlin got into my car started messing with the warning lights on my dash board. First, it was the Wiper light. I'm not too worried about that. It happens. Then, it moved to the gas light. As I had over 1/2 a tank of gas, I still wasn't worried. I figured the phantom short in my dashboard lights was back. It made me frown but that was it. I guess that wasn't enough for our dear gremlin.

Suddenly, my brake light warning light blared red. Ah, crap! My brake lights were out? That got a curse, a comment and a few worried glances in my rearview mirror. Once we got to the Bal Theater, Johanna jumped out of the car to check and see if the warning light was a phantom or not. Yep. Phantom. My brake lights were working fine. Stupid gremlin. Guess he got his laugh on me. Enough so that he didn't bother me after the concert.

The concert itself was really good. The acoustics in the theater, which was niftily painted, were excellent. Heather, the consummate performer that she is, gave an awesome concert. We got to hear some of my most favorite old songs: "Old Man of the Barrow", "Stolen Child" and "Rock & Gold", and some tunes from her long awaited new album, "A Gypsy's Life."

The one thing about Heather's concerts is that they are rather interactive. Many of the songs, the audience gets to sing along to and then there is the secret pirate sign (ARRRRH!). She spends time talking about her life, living conditions and her family. It's very friendly and jovial. All in all, a very good time was had by all.

The concert was scheduled from 9-11pm but got out at about 11:45pm. No big deal except that meant I had 15 minutes to get Johanna to a BART station. Not a big worry since I ... sorta... knew were it was. Fortunately, it was very easy to find. I got Johanna there with 5 minutes to spare. Cool.

Now, almost as soon as I dropped Johanna off, I noticed something. Wind seems a lot more boisterous than usual. In fact, it was down right scary at times. As I was driving out of the BART station (a feat much more easily said than done) a HUGE dust devil engulfed my car. I swear, this sucker was at least two car lengths in diameter and I'm not sure how tall it was. And it wasn't just dust - leaves, papers, small branches... It gave me quite a turn for moment.

So, I get out of that and head down Hesperian Blvd - one of the main streets in San Leandro - and I'm noticing small branches lying in the road. I'm thinking to myself, "Gosh, what a wind storm. I wonder what's riled up the wind spirits...." when I see, fallen across four lanes of road, on my side, a huge tree! Fortunately, there was no one following and no one approaching. I was able to drive around this obstacle and hit the freeway... while trying to call 911 about the road hazard. Of course, all the lines were busy and I discovered I had taken the wrong exit.

So, I hung up the phone and figured out how to head in the correct direction. The whole while the wind is tossing around my car like it was Dudley again. Dante is not a small Plymouth Horizon. It's a 626 Mazda four door sedan. A bit heavier and still, I had to fight for control.

The wind died down by the time I reached the Dumbarton Bridge but I still seeing branches lying in the road and dust devils dancing along side the highway. This morning I woke to the sound of the wind knocking the trees around by the house. I'm hoping none lose their roots and come crashing down.

The thing of it is, I normally love wind storms. They always make me feel powerful and alive. I usually stand in them to feel the wind whipping around me. But last night, it just felt odd. Like someone had really pissed off the wrong wind spirit. Whatever they did, I hope they make amends. Wind storms can be really destructive.

Tarot Card for the Day: Ace of Wands

Bloody Common Sense

I'm hitting that point again. That restless, itchy feeling. The need for change. The need for something new. To just get out, go, run... far, far away.

Last night, I suddenly got the idea that I wanted a new car. Why not? I can afford it. But, of course, the responsible side of me whispered "You haven't been debt free even a full year. Why do you want to destroy that?" My personal miser chimed in, "Don't you like the way the numbers grown in your account? Aren't you a lot more happy and relaxed now that you aren't living paycheck to paycheck?" Mentally, I sighed and nodded, and put away the thought of a new car.

Wouldn't you know it? I smelled something burning from my engine today. Burning water, I think... but burning anything on a car is bad news. How's that for timing? I think I'll take it in to Gary's on Thursday.

It wasn't a good commute into work today. It wasn't especially bad or anything. It was just its usual crap. Bumper to bumper traffic. I was on Willow Road, about to get on 101. I looked up and saw the traffic. My heart sank. There is nothing as depressing as seeing an eight lane freeway stopped in gridlock. I couldn't help myself. "Damn." I muttered "I have GOT to get out of the Bay Area!" What I was really saying was - I needed out of this grind. Out of the Bay Area where there are too many people. Out of 75 minute commutes. Out of $500K 4 bedroom houses. How can this place be so cool and so awful at the same time?

I thought back to last night and my conversation with a college friend. Lorena is in Portland. She's a nurse. She told me she's about to move to Bend (OR). She found a nice little 3 bedroom ranch house with a couple acres of land for $700/month. I could have spit nails. Of course, this is Bend, OR... and Bend is, well... Bend, OR. Pretty much the middle of no where.

At this moment, that sounds really, really good.

Why the heck can't I take my friends and salary with me?! Dammit.

Sigh.

The other part of me wants to buy a little survivalist place out in the middle of nowhere - just me, some cats and a T-1 line. I'll drive to town, a few miles away, once a month for supplies and I'll live online or in the worlds inside my head. Never mind the fact that I really do like some people, need some companionship and the forest at night gives me the willies. (Too many bad horror flicks.)

You know what I'm REALLY terrified of? I'm going to visit my family in North Carolina and I'm going to fall in love with the area. The impulsive me is going to say "Screw the fact that this is below the Bible belt and Gaming is considered akin to Witchcraft! I'm staying! Never mind the fact that my family, though I love them dearly, drives me batty, I can buy a house here!"

I hope I have more common sense than that.

But, there are times where common sense is the bane of my existence. I was offered my dream job yesterday - Some QA, Some Writing, Some NPCing, Some CS. A little of everything at a kick ass gaming company with great people. The only problem being that it pays 22K a year. Ah, no. Not in the Bay Area. Maybe if I was college student still living at home or if I was independently wealthy and didn't care about the pay check

Life Fulfillment: 2. Common Sense: 11576930.

Fuck.

Misc...
One of the Editor's of Black Gate magazine sent me a copy of Clan book Gangrel. I was really surprised. After an email or two, I discovered that if I reviewed a book on their list, they send me the complimentary copy for review - assuming I don't have it already. Oh. OK. Next time I won't express order it online. Anyone want an extra copy of WW's Revised Clan book Gangrel?

Yes. I'm a geekette. More over, I'm a gaming geekette. Check out my little vanity character website I've created for my Castle Marrach character: Elea.

Tarot Card for the Day: Ace of Wands, Inverted

Good versus Bad

The Leg
Good thing: I saw the doctor. My leg is healing great. No more brace! *whoo-hoo*
Bad thing: But, I have to use crutches for a minimum of another 4 weeks. *Damn*

Bad thing: Yes, this means I will be traveling to NC on crutches. *sigh*
Good thing: I might actually get preferential treatment and be allowed to board the plane first. An amazing feat for Southwest airlines' cattle call. *smile*

Good thing: My arms are definitely getting stronger.
Bad thing: My hands are being thrashed.

The Car
Bad thing: I took Dante to Gary's. It took them 3 hours to tell me what was wrong.
Good thing: I didn't have to be there. Gary drove me home as usual.

Bad thing: I have a busted radiator, busted radiator hose and I need new brake pads.
Good thing: My car didn't blow up on the side of the road.

Bad thing: This will cost me $800.
Good thing: I can afford it... but not without wincing.

Bad thing: Gary didn't tell me they were keeping my car overnight. I had to email into work today.
Good thing: I am able to actually work at home so my boss won't fire me over all of the time I've missed in the last two months.

Gaming
Good thing: I'm GMing the Thursday game currently.
Bad thing: I didn't have anything ready.

Bad thing: I'm missing my monthly Sekt Valir game on Saturday.
Good thing: Because I'm making it to Aragon and the Masquerade ball.

Bad thing: I'm missing the climax of a 18 month plotline in Sekt Valir.
Good thing: I'm witnessing the introduction of the new Prince in Aragon.

Good thing: I'm going to Skotos' Halloween party tonight!
Bad thing: I don't have a costume because my Ren Faire garb is just a little too dangerous to wear with crutches. The skirt is too big/long and I'm going into unfamiliar territory.

And, we have two new SFBAJ sites to wander through:

Idiot's Prayer - Tony.
Oakland. Spiritual women invade my thoughts. I say an Idiot Prayer to talk back to them.

Neologia - Jonathan.
San Francisco. Back in California after being converted to a Chicagoan. Allergic to cats, soy products and melons and enjoys Pepsi more than Coke. Picked up some bits of midwest lingo (such as "come with") but hasn't gone so far as to call it "pop" (it's "soda", dammit!).

Tarot Card for the Day: Two of Wands

Parties & Games

The Skotos party was pretty awesome. Getting there wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be and I managed to find a great parking place. I arrived on time and found how to actually get into the place without that much difficulty. And, yes, I was recognized as 'the limping gal' because of my crutches.

I found Lisa and Eric, two of the programmers almost immediately. That was nice. Sometimes, me meeting new people is a little weird. Matt was there. That was cool. It added to my comfort level to know that there were some people there that I knew and, if necessary, count on. I started chatting and immediately discovered one of the other players I knew, Punzel . What a great gal! She's sweet and tiny and just a joy to be around.

Then, I saw Heather Alexander setting up. YES! Skotos got her as the Bard for the party! That was the whole reason she was here in CA. I was happy. I actually talked to her this time. She said she remembered an email from me from three years ago. I'm not sure if she remembered or was just being nice. She sang a couple of my favorite songs for me at my request, so I was like a kitten... only, not distracted by shiny things. Just distracted by Heather's singing.

I finally got to meet Karen and Par (sounds like Pear). Karen is another Bay Area Journaler that I talk with and Par is her hubby and the lead programmer at Skotos. The two of them are the all time cutest couple. I didn't spend that much time with them but enough to know that the both are very sweet. And I got the impression that both were actually fairly shy around lots of people and people they don't know.

Also, surprise, surprise, Amanda was there!! Turns out she's one of the "Skotos Seven" - those people who will be building other worlds of Skotos. She's in charge of something called, "Ironclaw" ... I think. It was pretty cool to see her. Unfortunately, John, her hubby, had to stay back in LA. There is going to be much pouting to be had on his part once he hears.

Now, I have to admit, I spent most of the time with just a few people. Mostly Renee (a CE person) and Lisa. We tried to talk Castle Marrach Magic 101 but we kept getting interrupted. A lot. Lots of drunk people around. Lots of fun conversations. It took a lot to keep the conversation on one topic. I ended up leaving late 1:30am.

The Aragon LARP on was Saturday night... I must say, much to my pleasant surprise, it was a really great game! We had a change over of Prince and retinue. I was afraid this was going to be just another "Let's beat on the neonates because we are big, bad and scary elders" game. I think a lot of people had the same fear/opinion. I know a lot of people were really surprised and very happy.

Now, it wasn't all happiness and light. We all got to see just how ruthless these new rulers could be when someone screwed up. Ironically, the one character I never thought would screw up, got the wits scared out of him twice and the heck beat out of him once. Kayley , personally, got to see what happens when the new prince feels like he is being made fun of. *Shudder* Scary stuff. She was still scared even while he was very quietly apologizing to her for loosing his temper in front of her.

I think I'm going to really like this new cadre for Aragon. They are a good blend of scary, polite, old world charm and old vampire bestiality. I must say, if nothing else, I'm certainly going to have a most interesting in character report to write. Not to mention that I gained a minor boon and the status traits: Acknowledged, Knowledgeable and Resourceful to go along with Quick-witted(Clan) and Loyal.

The only bad thing about the night was that people kept kicking my healing leg. All on accident. I spent too much time on my feet and thus my leg swelled merrily. By the end of the evening at around 1:30, I was just dragging. HUGE kudos to my friend Adam, who ran back in the (light) rain to help me to my car. He was such a sweetie. I appreciated it.

I crawled into bed about 2:30... which was, because of that whole time change thing, back to 1:30 again. I was one tired kitten. I had some very, very weird dreams. I never thought of glitter as dangerous. I'll never look at it the same way again.

On the writing front, I'm running behind on my review of Clan Book Gangrel for Black Gate . I have to get that done and sent in by this coming Wednesday. Then, I have to start thinking on how I want to structure the Skotos feature article. Still, I have months to think about that.

Tarot Card for the Day: Two of Wands, Inverted