Karma Laundrette

Now, I consider myself a novice. (I say this because a friend's husband is a sommelier, and WOW do I love when they invite me to dinner!) I grew up hating wine (hey: Mormon), and until I had GOOD wine, I didn't understand.

And now I do. And I'll say this: while not having an education beyond trying and failing, trying and loving, making notes, etc., when I recommend wine, I've never heard back that someone didn't love it. Maybe they're not telling me I don't know. But I have a pretty decent palate, is what I'm getting at. (And honestly a big secret is to pay attention to WHERE THE WINE IS FROM. Regions tend to have similar tastes.)

Apparently I have an expensive palate, too. But now, my daily sip (I'm talking a glass, maybe two, please don't worry about me) is Ladera, Napa, 2009 CabSav. I can get it for about $28 a bottle in bulk, but their website has it for $40. Which means I'm filling up my wee wine cellar with bottles while I can. Easily one of the most sippable wines I've encountered. (Cheaper, and fine as well, is Markham Merlot - 2009 at around $16 bottle. Let it open up for a bit. Napa Cellars Cab was my previous "cheap" daily vino at $21 - not their merlot, though. Their merlot has a different mix, unlike Markham's merlot vs. Cab.)

I just don't care for most whites. They tend to taste weak or like dirty socks. I like to taste the grape. I don't want to taste the American oak it soaked in (which is why I avoid labels that point out the oak - that's the vanilla flavor on the back of your tongue at the finish - no me gusta) and have learned that many California wines add chunks of oaks to stainless steel barrels to get that flavor, because Americans like their wine sweet. NOPE. Gross. Not me. Me and an old Frenchman with broken blood vessels across his cheeks would get along fine, topping each other's glasses off and sharing hunks of bread while laughing about the absurdity of life.

I basically want to have several friends over to open about four or five bottles and talk shop and get drunk and then devolve into telling dirty jokes. SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT NIGHT TO ME. :D

(BTW, my sommelier-friend hooked me up with maybe my most favorite champagne ever: Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose. WOW, is that the most delicious champagne for under $200 - hey, it can get pricey - I've ever had. And it's romantic. Two families, rivals, daughter and son fell in love, made their own champagne and have been going strong for over 100 years. And it is exquisite. If you're in Texas and can access a Central Market, this normally $150 bottle is $90. If you have a special occasion, or have the coin, get it. Trust.)

YEP, I HAD HALF A BOTTLE TONIGHT OF MY LADERA LOVE. What of it? :) Now to dig up some cheese and veggies....

I have in my possession a delightful square of honest to goodness shortcake and some nummy white tea, the sun is shining outside, there are birds flitting about, the cats are chittering at the window in their attempt to hypnotize the robins to come closer (so the cats can fling themselves pitifully at the glass), and all of this makes for a perfect day to write.

And I have zero motivation to do so. Zip. Zilch. None. What I want to do is curl up on a lounger outside and take a nap or read something. I also want to have the hot pool guy from that ad I mentioned yesterday show up and give me a massage. And then finish ripping out the front garden for me so I can redo it. HOW ABOUT IT, SCIENCE?

Random things:
* pedantic behavior continues to crack me up. I am proud of myself for not telling someone to screw off for their glasses adjusting, pointed cough of "Hem, hem, well, you see...." malarkey, because they are clearly the type who plop into chat rooms and comment sections to correct people. Wow, that's a sad pastime you got there, chicky-pie. I mean, hey, whatever floats your boat, but that is the least interesting conversation I can think of.
* wait, no, the LEAST interesting conversation is when someone tells you what they just said, then the response is what they thought you said, then says again what they meant to say and then it's a round robin of me wanting to stab my brains through my ear
* I finished posting my Teen Wolf body swap fic on the AO3, Trust Fall, and it's gotten more hits, kudos, or comments than anything I've written before, which is shocking, delightful, and strange. Because it's been very quiet, that story; people aren't linking to it or reccing it (I'm not whining, I'm just acknowledging that) and it's a stark reminder that the Teen Wolf fandom is MASSIVE and generous with unknown writers, as far as giving something a read is concerned. Which is nice.
* speaking of Teen Wolf fanfic, I would like to read stories where Stiles is kicked out of the pack (or made to feel like he doesn't belong/isn't wanted) and then has a happy ending. The best one (the most painful one) is called Sandpapered Corners and No Points by hayesgeneration. Oh, that one hurts in all the best ways.

So? Got any recs that fit that bill for me? (I like reading sad things when it's beautiful out, because I can let the ouch go better that way.)

then you should watch St. Nick, a beautiful film I was fortunate enough to be in (briefly as the mother.) It's wonderful, beautiful, quiet, and is the first huge sign that the director, David Lowery, is about to be the Next Big Thing. (Sundance and the NYTimes agree with me here.)

Glee last night made me incredibly happy. (Link goes to recap/discussion post.) This stupid story that I've been writing since the end of April (good god) actually has a moment in the beginning that happened on this episode. Prescient? LOL, no, there just was only one logical conclusion for a certain song to express a certain emotion. /zips lip to avoid spoilers.

Speaking of stories, did all of you Gleeks on my flist see that flaming_muse is posting a continuation to Near Misses? Because it starts here, is 5 parts, and #2 went up today. She's worked her tail off on it, so be lovely and tell her you like it, if you did.

There is the annual Love Meme up and running, and you should put your name there AND SHARE THE LINK so I can secretly send you praise! (I have only ever participated in these - meaning, putting my name in, I LOVE to leave comments to people - one time and was incredibly embarrassed to do so, but you know what? Screw that. I could use nice things said to me this year. Just if you feel so inclined.) <3

NOTE TO PEOPLE REPLYING ON THOSE THREADS: be sure that you hit the REPLY link under the person's name and not the "leave a comment" link. Because then there's an anonymous comment to the main post that no one knows who it belongs to. I always get sad when I see orphan comments, knowing someone didn't get their message. :(

We get to have a nice, long visit with The Boy tomorrow, so we're driving down tonight in order to have the whole day with him, before having to drive back tomorrow night. I need to find a Sally Derg-sitter to let her go potty in the morning, make sure everyone's packed up, make a million phone calls (true story: I loathe the phone) and transfer the twenty Sterek stories I dl'd off the AO3 to my Kindle. And THANK YOU for your recs the other day! <3

Hey! I'm old, WHEE!!

I have some pretty amazing friends, I must say. My old boss from my improv comedy clubs day made a video of him lip-synching "Happy Birthday" to some crazy-ass song, I've had lovely messages sent, the ever delightful flaming_muse wrote me a STORY and it is SO SO SWEET and I LOVE IT, and I will share it with you: Forever.

(And now I'm a sobbing mess because the door just rang and she sent me TULIPS because she remembered that they are my favorite, and HOW DID I EARN SUCH GREAT FRIENDS?) I love you guys. <3

And I am not going to lift one damn finger today to do anything! Well, I'll brush my hair and stuff, but no dishes or laundry or anything else. GO ME! I'm going to play Skyrim and eat fruit, no: cheese, and I'm going to drink some wine tonight and I made an apple pie for Emily's birthday yesterday, and I'm going to have some of that, too and I'm going to have it with ice cream. (make sure you say that all like Judge Smalls' grandson. And if you get that, then you are my special love for the day.)

\o/

I had plans to write up a navel-gazing post about what all I've accomplished in 40 years, but my air conditioning died and I've had workmen all morning long. FUN! (One of them is from Jordan and we talked about his beautiful children and coming from large families, and he was DELIGHTFUL. And then he showed me the estimate for replacing the system and he stopped being my friend. Lol.)

I still want to do that, because I've been down in the dumps for several days now, and it's good for me to remember that while I've had a tough row to hoe (despite how I present myself) there are a lot of great things that have happened over the (many many) years that I've kicked around on this pebble.

But for now: I GO EAT THAI NOODLES. Like a boss.

Because this isn't some slap-dash unf fest that drops off into WTF? land in the end, like almost everything I've tried reading lately has done. More times than not I've found myself going along with a fic, a fill on the kink meme and then drop my chin to my chest and say, "So close."

So that doesn't happen here. At all. Ever. This is so well thought out, so well executed, and - when it finally gets to this specific place in the story - so damn hot your retinas will burn. Singlehandedly the hottest, most intimate, most emotional and visceral love scene I've read in print or online. Period.

Okay, okay, enough of the slobbering, here's the first chapter to Near Misses, by flaming_muse. College AU where Kurt and Blaine didn't meet on a staircase. This is what happens instead. Also? This is 176,000 words, so you get loads to chew on with each chapter, and it's in both of their POVs, changing with each new scene. I have been reading along as she's written this, and it has been my utmost pleasure to be granted that.

Her posting schedule is every other day. She is a thoughtful, intelligent writer, and it's funny, it's painful, it's edge-of-your seat and it's always ALWAYS Kurt and Blaine. Even in this AU.

And for the love of all that's good, LEAVE FEEDBACK. That's how you encourage writers you like to write you more. :)

• First, I've been on a roll, posting fic, and that feels pretty great after almost a solid month of a complete lack of words. (Fireman AU one-shots here and here.)
• Second, #2 turned fifteen (new folks: I had her when I was six. Tragic, right? Babies shouldn't have babies.) and she's so freaking gorgeous and fun and I just really love my girl.
• Third, Emily graduated from elementary school yesterday and my too-cool for everything tomboy kid burst into tears when one of her favorite teachers (from first grade, no less) burst into tears at the sight of her. It's been 8 years with three kids at that building, and while I'm SO DAMN GLAD to not get the automated phone calls daily listing - in perfect Kindergarten Teacher Voice - all of the uh-may-zing things that happened that day, it's been a really great school. I mean, the teachers cry over the students, come on. They're good people. Just...exuberant.
• Fourth, this has been cracking me up all morning. PLEASE READ THE REVIEWS. Oh, sarcasm, how I love you when you are brilliantly executed. I think the dwarf + sex positions while driving is my favorite. (Also any review that cuts off without finishing. OMG, tears in my eyes from the lol'ing.)
• I want to rec two fics, one long and one short, both worth your time. SHORT: Boys of Summer, PG by flaming_muse Oh, this will make you feel warm and drowsy and smiley in the best of ways. Perfectly evocative of being young, in love, and having a moment of quiet bliss while being with the person you love on a beautiful day.
  LONG: A Parade of Paper Faces, NC-17, by a new to me author Tiriathurin (on dreamwidth) I saw this come through K_B, but was turned off initially by the Tumblr/media inserts. Wow, was that dumb of me. Gorgeous story, I had a lump in my throat for most of it, tears on my cheeks (and I'm far too sarcastic to cry often, so let that inform your decision) and it's so wonderfully paced and thought out and characterized. Every emotion is well earned, no short cuts are taken, and you should really leave her feedback after devouring all seven chapters (and epilogue!) Wonderful stuff.
• Just a reminder that Sam (of Avengers, Capt. America, and Thor recapping fame) will be recapping True Blood on HDJM. So just get ready. Just...oh my god, I am so excited. She's so.damn.funny.

I get to repaint bedrooms this weekend and buy cat litter. Jealous? Thought so. *rocks out to Sheila E's Glamorous Life* and try to write some dirty smut of my own oh god it is so haaaaard for me. Heh. Hard. /13

I am currently sporting a sunburn from working in the garden all day yesterday (my choice, promise) and am all standing with hands on hips beaming at how nice it's looking. So many primary colors are in bloom. :) I also harvested a 20 gallon bucket full of Bluebonnet seeds - that is a lot of seed, folks. But I've not had to buy bluebonnets in several years, so I am a-ok with the hard work.

Before I dash off to the eye doctor for new anteojos I wanted to link you up.

GAME OF THRONES recap! God, I love this show. And Jaime Lannister.
Supernatural recap!
Touch's recap! (And it was just renewed for S2!)

And a fic rec, and I've had the honest pleasure in watching this character study grow. It's beautiful, it's thoughtful, it's painful in places (as discovering who you really are often is) - Being Kurt Hummel by flaming_muse. It's NC-17, but don't think that this is some porn romp. This is thoughtful consideration at how this particular young man realizes who he is as the world mistreats him (and as some people love him.) Please make a point to leave a comment - that's how writers know you came by.

Okay, off to get some cute glasses. <3

First, Hey, Don't Judge Me is cooking today (with lots coming later today, too.)
Game of Thrones! Hope you like your incest. And baby killing.
Dexter! The rewatch continues with the beginning of Season 2, eps. 1 - 3.
Touch! The new Keifer show that is steadily picking up steam.
Later today: Mad Men! Bomb Girls! And THE RETURN OF THE BORGIAS (but debuting on HDJM!) Show my girls some love, if you would be so kind. They're working for praise, so how about you give them a raise? :)

FIC REC: one of those "Please drop what you are doing, read this, leave encouraging feedback, and marvel that this is in the world" kind of fics.

Sweet! A Love Story Told In Sugar by ohquixotica (I believe there are two other authors contributing as well?

WHY: Did you love Pushing Daisies? Do you love surreal romance and beautiful words and maybe a little Like Water For Chocolate? Because this story is all of that and more. I very rarely get emotionally moved by a lot of fanfic. I'm a jerk, I suppose. I choked up, clutched my heart, squealed with happiness, and felt everything right along with the characters. So funny, so sweet, so achy in places I could barely catch my breath. Everything I love in a story and all I didn't know I needed. PLEASE. Track this one. It's a WiP.

And those in Glee fandom? THAT IS HOW YOU WRITE 3rd PERSON OMNISCIENT. Know your POVs, it seems to be a problem. Do I sound snippy? I'll tell you why. But before I cut, PLEASE PLEASE READ.TRACK, BOOKMARK SWEET. You'll thank me later, I guarantee.

( In which I go all Santana-like on entitlement, manners, why people share fanfic in the first place, and mother frakkin' TONE. )

And here come the anonymous "Stoney's a bitch" comments, I'm sure. Sorry for having opinions in my own journal. *

*no, I'm not. And one last time: CATCHING TYPOS is one thing. Talking down to me is another. Guess which one I'm cool with? (And christ, the story is 148,000 words. There's bound to be an error. Find me a printed book without a single error, would you?)

• It is dancetomato's birthday! Oh, DT, you are one of those people online that makes me happy knowing you're alive. Keep having birthdays, please. <3 <3


• I want to reiterate the purpose of Hey, Don't Judge Me: fannish love. If you want to make fun of shows or bitch about how horrible something has become, that's what ONTD and TWoP are for, not Hey, Don't Judge Me. Creepy fannishness (as in, if one thing doesn't go how I like with X character, I am going to post 1000 words on why I hate the show and everything about it) isn't tolerated. Character bashing isn't tolerated (Well, Will Schuester being inappropriate is okay to talk about because come the hell on.) I recently had to tell someone in comments that if they felt a certain way - which they're entitled to feel, of course - then they should a) maybe stop watching the show (Southland) and b) stop commenting on my site.
  
  Bad PR? I don't care. I want there to be ONE PLACE ON THE INTERNET where people can be happy with shameless love for something. There's no judgement for whatever you love - it's in the title of the URL for crying out loud.


• A girlfriend needs my help today, so I'm running out the door for a bit, then it's off to the school with The Mr. to put the smack down on the school for their handling of yesterday's situation. I said this earlier, but if you hear a sonic boom, that's what it is from. :)


• I am working on not using two spaces after a period. It's not easy. [/learned on actual typewriters OMG]


• flaming_muse wrote a super sweet (and heart-achy) episode tag fic for The Spanish Teacher (Glee 3.12) and you should read it: Feelings. I haven't steered you wrong yet, have I? Exactly.


• I pulled a muscle in my neck so badly that I can't turn my head. Muscle relaxers and hot tubbing are in my future. Mind, I'm not complaining about that.

FRIDAY ZOMG. Hoorays! (And THIS made me laugh - as I say there - until snot-streams waterfall'd off my face. SO NSFW. - the audio, not the image.)

THE TALK WITH THE SCHOOL re: MY CHILD AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT. ( JUST GOT BACK FROM TALKING WITH THE SCHOOL. )