Here be an index of some things that my readers and general passers-by might be interested in. All my Still Life research and much of my writing, all in one place. Wow.

( Project Still Life Recap )

( Supernatural fic )

Fun with SPN Trivia

Numb3rs fic index

Crochet projects

The Eagle has landed.

The package has arrived.

*squeee*

( See, here's the thing . . .  )

You know, SPN just oozes irony. Do the brothers realize it when it applies to them?

( There is a house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun. )

For my f-listies who claim they "can't cook" . . . izhilzha? I'm lookin' at you.

( Four Ingredient, No Pre-Cooking Baked Mac & Cheese )

I finally got around to downloading Jason Manns' self-titled album off of iTunes. Good stuff. The combination of his smooth, easy vocals with his acoustic guitar make this a perfect album for relaxing at the end of a hectic day, preferably with your special someone. Two particular standouts are "Crazy Love" and the more up-tempo "Another Number." It's warm, comfortable music that just makes you want to sit back and take it all in. Like good jazz, it makes me feel the need to complete the 3-element combination: good music, good company, and a nice glass of wine.

I'll have to start keeping an eye out in case he ever comes within traveling distance of my own self.

And in case you'd like to hear him ( duet with a special guest artist )

First, to be perfectly clear: I do not mean this to be offensive or insulting in any way. Given that the only language I speak with any proficiency is my native language, English (and American English at that--Mid-Western American English, if you want to get really specific), I tip my proverbial hat to those who can read/write and/or speak a second language with any sort of fluency.

It must be very difficult/frustrating/challenging at times to be an active part of an active fandom the source material for which is not in one's native tongue. I mean, I know I miss a lot of in-jokes in British properties like Dr. Who simply because I don't have a British point of reference for the more obscure (to me) references. Geo, being much more in tune with such things, often has to explain things to me. (Heck, he often has to explain the classic rock references in SPN because I don't have t touchstone for all of them, either.) But to be an active member of an active fandom--and going to conventions where the actors don't speak your language, and you only rudimentarily understand theirs--must be a challenge.

Here's what brings this up: I was watching the following video and became very confused. The text that the vid-maker includes as sort of a "synopsis" of what's going on says that Jared and Jensen assisted the bride who fell at a wedding.

But that's not what Jensen says at all. Or am I missing something? Is it maybe the fact that the woman was apparently carrying flowers that leads to the supposition that it was the bride?

The vid-maker of this particular vid gets a little carried away with the "production value" of the vid. Lots of music and graphics and such. But it's still work a look-see simply for the clarity of vid and audio quality, and the inclusion of little tidbits that I haven't seen show up in other clips from the con. Jensen's portion starts at the 1:50 mark.




This next vid is also worth a look-see for the tidbits that didn't make it into any other clip I've seen. Same vid-maker. Jensen's portion starts at the 1:20 mark.

Looking back from S4? This ep takes on a whole new significance, I think.

( Dean, you're enjoying that way too much. It's kinda making me uncomfortable. )

This? Is a really great episode. There are some nice moments of humor, but overall, it hurts my heart a little.

( You workin' for the mandroid? )

I need to stop reading JB's status updates until September, apparently. I think I just did get spoiled for something I really didn't need to know this early.

It's kinda hard not to read his FB, though, because he actually is fairly awesome.

I haven't thought about Michael Jackson this much since high school. Long before the scandals.

( More rambly thoughts )

Some women's husbands bring them roses.

And some women's husbands bring them horror movie DVDs. Starring Jared Padalecki.

Guess which category mine falls into. :-)

( I got you something, says he )

On the day he passed, I made a post about how I was a huge Michael Jackson fan when I was in high school (specifically, my freshman year). I wasn't as huge a fan when the Bad album came out, and after that album, I pretty much lost interest. But his music still speaks to me of that era of my life. It brings back memories.

I forgot that today was his memorial. Had I remembered, I might have Tivoed it. But with a reminder, I've been on-line and looking at some pictures and reading some articles, and my heart kinda hurts.

Because when you strip away all the glitz and the glamour and the scandal (which I don't have an opinion on) and the weirdness, he was a man, an incredible entertainer, but more to the point, a brother, an uncle, a father, and a friend. I feel for him, and for his children and his siblings. He could have had anything he wanted, but didn't have what he needed. Or if he did, he didn't realize it.

So often (though not always) the most brilliant artists are also the most tormented. And so it seems it was with Michael Jackson.

I just . . . don't quite know what to do with all of this.

And on the totally opposite end of the spectrum, I've watched the first half of this video entirely too much in the past couple of days.

Spoilerphobes: Nothing to see here. Move along.

Spoilerhos: You probably already know this, ( but . . .  )

Fly-by greeting between festivities . . .

To my American f-listies and readers, have a safe Independence Day, filled with good food, good friends, family, fun, and fireworks!

And to my non-American f-listies and readers, I still wish you a happy July 4, filled with all the same things (even fireworks, if you've a mind to)!

Every year at this time, Geo pulls out the soundtrack/cast recording to 1776. Ever since we did a community production years ago, it has become July 4 tradition. Great music and a great history lesson. I'm proud to be an American. I really can't imagine being anything else.

God bless America!

*grabs burger, waves little flag, settles in for fireworks*

I see fireworks!
I see the pagaent and pomp and parade,
I hear the bells ringing out,
I hear the cannons roar!
I see Americans - all Americans
Free forever more!

~"Is Anybody There?"~ 1776

I'm up to "Crossroad Blues" in S2. There's been much to comment on in the previous eps, but I just haven't had the wherewithal to post 'em. But "Crossroad Blues" has some things that take on another facet in light of what's to come.

( This ep well and truly freaked me out the first time I watched it. )

So. It's July. That must mean july_july_july has a b-day. Which seems way too obvious, but there you have it. Since she's actually July-cubed, maybe she actually has three birthdays this month.

Which might be problematic for her. But would be awesome for the rest of us because looking at the b-day fic that's on my list is pretty much as awesome as she is.

'Cause, ya know, she's smart and speaks Scandinavian languages and stuff. And she graduated all smart and everything.

And her fic ain't bad, either. Particularly when she writes Dean. Not that I would notice how she writes Dean or anything.

In fact, she is apparently so awesome that SPN is going back into production today in honor of her b-day.

So, ya know, happy b-day.

*hands july cake*