Beware of Flower.

My Daughter

2008-07-20T18:22:09Z

Sometimes my daughter is none too bright, she seemed surprised that we both happen to be members of the nanowrimo community on livejournal Of course given that both her parents could/can be somewhat dense about people things this doesn't come as a huge shocker to me.
I also respect something she has decided to do this year. diannaskye has decided that she's going to seek writing sponsors as a way of fundraising for NanOwRImo since she can't afford to donate herself. I plan on sponsoring her if she will agree to a couple of conditions which I am not posting here because I want to present them to her before mentioning them to anyone else.

Help me Flesh Out Tristan

2008-07-08T17:30:15Z

I've decided, based on input from the two people who looked at my script and actually got back to me with useful input, that Tristan needs to be fleshed out quite a bit. Either that or dropped from the strip entirely. Since I like the dynamics that he brings to the story I'd rather not drop him if I can avoid it.

I don't know much about him, he lived in Toronto before following Bronwynne through the portal, he's a heathen with specific loyalty to Odin, reads runes (I don't know how good he is at it), and I'm thinking he also has a fondness for games- possibly LARPing.

As to his personality I don't have much more, only that he's impulsive at times and is in love with Bronwynne.

So, what I would like is for people to ask "Tristan" questions, and with any luck this will help me turn him into more of an actual character.

serpentrose @ 2008-06-30T12:14:00

2008-06-30T16:20:51Z

I wish I could post a picture of me in my new hat, but sadly I'm lacking in the camera department. I bought it yesterday when I went to Pride (I just walked down Church and looked at the vendor type people.) It's not a particularly gay hat, it just has a nice rainbow on it.

Partly because of things I've read on my F-List this morning I find myself wondering about the attitudes of people who read this towards sex and sexuality. Some I have a decent idea of because I've read stuff they've posted on their respective LJs, others I really have no idea.

And just to be fair, here's my attitude in a nutshell: As long as everyone involved consents then it's good.

Bronwynne's home Town

2008-06-06T16:41:43Z

First off the town is as yet unnamed, though I'm thinking something Irish/celtic would be appropriate I don't yet know what. It's fairly small, and the inhabitants are largely farmers and hunters. I'm not yet certain if I want the local terrain to be hilly, foresty, or forested hills, or maybe something else.

Winters are fairly long and tough, due in part to the wildlings who, especially in lean years, will supplement their diets with food raided from the village and surrounding areas.

I had an idea that the locals would share a central storehouse and living quarters during winter to make the supplies easier to protect. This place used to be Lord Owen's Keep, but it was abandoned a long time ago when the wells went bad. Hauling water for a few hundred people up to the top of a hill is not a desirable task. I've decided that the wintering residence would also serve as an Inn and Tavern during the warmer months. During the warmer months the villagers disperse to their various farms and summer homes- whatever and wherever those might be.

I haven't decided on a great deal of technological details, but since the village is located well off the beaten track it wouldn't be at the same level as the cities. About ten years ago the Innkeeper made a deal for an enchanted cauldron that produces a good hearty stew, haven't decided for how many though, every evening. About eight years ago a skilled healer and midwife moved into town causing the infant and child mortality rates to drop dramatically.

Weaponry would be mostly things which are fairly easy to make and maintain, or useful enough in hunting that they'd be worth the effort to maintain.

If I decide the area is forested the villagers will undoubtedly keep an area around the village cleared so that the lookouts can see the wildlings coming. There may, or may not, be a wooden wall about the town- I'm not sure if it would be worth the effort to build and maintain.

Sometime I Really Love The Onion

2008-06-06T11:44:20Z

Right now there are two articles that I particularly appreciate. The first ,<a href=http://www.theonion.com/content/news/report_love_letters_from_u_s?utm_source=onion_rss_daily>Love Letters From U.S. Troop Increasingly Gruesome</a> has a disturbing and serious undertone, and th other <a href=http://www.theonion.com/content/news/liberty_city_police_face>Liberty City Police Force Allegations of Incompetence, Brutality</a> can't fail to amuse anyone familiar with the Grand Theft Auto games.

On Ratings and Content

2008-05-23T17:03:26Z

I've been thinking about As We Know It (a comic about the end of the world) and come to the conclusion that my original plan of sticking to a PG13 rating might not be workable. I don't have anything planned for it that I feel would be unsuitable for a thirteen or fourteen year old to read, but then I have a different opinion of what is suitable for a fourteen year old than many other parents do. Mostly around sex.

It should be noted that I am aware that my fourteen year old daughter reads and writes slash. I suspect when she first told me this it was in the hopes of getting a reaction out of me. Since I remember being a teenager who thought about sex a lot I wasn't surprised. I also wonder if the Internet had been around when I was her age if I would have done the same. I can't say for certain that I would have, nor that I wouldn't have.

I'm not going to make As We Know It and "Adult Comic", but neither am I going to go out of my way to avoid sexual content if/when the story requires it. I don't know, beyond a handful of things which must happen, exactly where the strip will go. The story has already altered significantly from what I originally had in mind. This is a good thing, because the changes are, overall, for the better. It just means I don't know what's going to happen.

If I decide to create a strip about Modren's story I might need to include sex, though I suppose I could fade to black. The thing is there are certain elements of his story wherein sex and sexuality are important. Including that he was the lover of an Arcanian Prince. I know some idiots consider the merest mention of homosexuality to render something unsuitable for children and teens.

I'm also intending for the violence to be brutal rather than romanticized- largely because some of my favorite works (both books and film) depict violence in gory glory. They can be hard to read/watch, but are much the better for the nasty reality they include. I'm thinking it would be interesting to make the comic mostly black and white, but with the addition of red in the battle scenes. I'm not sure about that one yet, but it was a thought that I had.

Not who I would have expected.

2008-05-10T22:48:04Z

[url=http://www.quiztron.com/tests/goddess_lurks_in_sou_quiz_22388.htm]Which Goddess lurks in your soul?[/url]

My Results:

[url=http://www.quiztron.com/tests/goddess_lurks_in_sou_quiz_22388.htm][img]http://www.make-a-quiz.com/quiz_images/full_103154403.jpg[/img][/url]

Athena

You are a wise one, my dear! Athena is the Greek Goddess of wisdom, disciplined war, philosophy and knowledge. She is a selective Goddess, as she only inhabits those of your high intelligence and keenness to learn great things. You’re usually not seen without a book in your hand or your eyes glued to the internet (which is, after all, the great information highway!). This should not suggest that you don’t enjoy people, as your cleverness and sharp wit are usually in full force when in a social situation, to everyone’s delight.

Sript Frenzy Help- sentient race name needed.

2008-04-06T19:21:07Z

Right now I"m stalled on my script, so I'm going to make a request of anyone reading this. I need a name for one of the intelligent species, they're sort of elf-like and sort of dryad like. Here's something I wrote from the perspective of someone who is essentially one of them.

I was raised by my mother and her sibs- there were eight of them, including my mother. There are rarely more than five or fewer than three. Three were differentiated [gendered] and two were juvenile trees, having planted themselves at a young age.

Mother was, biologically speaking, my father. She was a switch and had became female during puberty. After my human mother died in childbirth my (dryad) mother became female in response.

There's more, but I don't feel like typing it up and it has more to do with his love life than with his one parent species.

"Sibs" are siblings born at the same time, and they tend to be very close.

Tristan (who comes from Toronto) will tend to think of Torell as a half-elf, but I want a name that they call themselves, rather than just calling them elfs.

Some Stuff I Wrote a While Ago

2008-03-29T00:09:17Z

Certain entities have been poking for me to become a flamekeeper, and I find myself wondering if certain things I've written could qualify as additions. I've decided to post theme here for the sake of simplicity. I'm also curious about what some people on my Flist would think of them.

Life, the Role Playing Game
Sometimes I find myself thinking about the meaning of life. Why are we here, for what purpose do we exist? Is there a meaning to life, or is it just some cosmic coincidence?

My current opinion is that life is an incredibly complex role playing game (RPG). Each incarnation is like a different character.

Every character has a player, and each player will, over time, play many characters. Each Soul will have many lives.

In each life the player gets to examine a different set of circumstances. In each life the player gains an understanding of different things.

Given this image God would be the GM (Game Master). In most RPGs the GM allows random die rolls to determine many events, however sometimes the GM will over rule the rolls for the sake of game play.

Miracles are when the GM over rules the dice and decides that something else will happen.

I don't think there are any NonPlayer Characters (NPCs) in the RPG of life.

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Things are not as they should be, things are as they must be.

Honestly, I"m not really sure what the hell that means, it's something that came to me when I was writing things that popped into my head the other day. I think if I could really understand it I'd have a profound realization, or maybe a duh moment. I mean, it could just mean that things are as they are, how things are in this moment can't be changed, so it's how they 'must be'. But that sounds rather dumb doesn't it?

But then, who says messages from 'above' need to have some really incredibly deep and profound meaning? And what's wrong with "This is how things are, deal with them accordingly"? It's an important lesson to learn. You aren't going to change anything by pretending things aren't the way they are. It will just allow things to keep going they way they are, maybe they'll get better, more likely they'll get worse or just not change.

I'm a little out of it right now. Maybe I should try grounding myself (no, not as in sending myself to my room*G*), but I"m in such an 'airhead' state that would prove to be very difficult, possibly not even possible. I wish we had some bread, toast often helps bring me down when my head's floating like this. It's too late to run out to the store. *bah* Well, that's enough rambling for the moment. Have a nice (insert time of day here).

One of the Reasons We Have Gods is They Can See a Bigger Picture and Help Get Us Where We Need to Be.

The statement implies that gods are like navigators, their job is to look at what's around and find a route that gets us where we're meant to go. We are still the drivers in our lives, we can ignore the instructions if we want. I'm not entirely comfortable with that analogy, but like Mom says "If it were perfect it wouldn't be an analogy" and I'm unlikely to come up with one better.

Now, lets have some fun and tie this in with "Things are not as they should be, things are as they must be". Ideally traffic would always flow smoothly, there would be no gridlock, no accidents, no cars breaking down in the middle of the road, and everyone would get where they're going with little fuss. Instead we have all those things and other problems (like drunk drivers). While driving to work you can have your car radio on and maybe avoid some of the inevitable traffic problems.

The gods, like the traffic guy in the helicopter, can see more of what's going on than we can. Not only that, but they are willing to offer specific advice to those who listen. Different gods will offer different advice, and the advice will depend on the person they're talking to. After all, you wouldn't expect somone in an expensive sports car to go off road. We all have different capabilities, although sometimes gods forget our human limitations. (Hey, gods are people too, and nobody's perfect!)

Unfortunately there are some problems with this. We may not have our radios on, or have terrible reception, or just do what we want even if we know better. (Hey, why is everyone looking at me?) There's also no roadmap of the future, just a myriad of possibilities.

The road to heaven is paved with Joy.

Think about it, heaven is supposed to be this wonderful place where everyone is happy. Why would you be expected to follow a set of rules that make you unhappy to prove yourself worthy of living in the home of the one who made those rules? Shouldn't it follow that what makes you happy in this life will make you happy in the next?

There are two mindstates which I would like to spend more time in. One is the state of 'flow', the other is the state of Joy. 'Flow' comes when I am totally in the moment, there is nothing but the activity I'm undertaking, everything just flows beautifully together. Joy, which is what I want to discuss, is a happiness beyond happiness. It is a Mystery which most of us have experienced as children, and some of us as adults.

When I am aligned with my deities and with my purpose I have more frequent moments of Joy, and more moments of Flow. I've also had moments of Joy that were clearly brought about by events in my life- like the first time I held my baby girl. Having noticed more moments of Joy when I listen to my deities and do as they ask with little resistance I've come to the conclusion that Joy is like the cheese in a lab rat's maze. It's a reward for my doing well.

I should probably explain that Joy is not mere happiness, it transcends happiness. I can't explain what Joy is with words, either you've experienced it and know what I'm talking about or you've experienced it and don't realize that's what I'm talking about or you've never experienced it. Like all Mysteries it can't be explained with mere words.

Like many, I might even say most, pagans I went though a stage of looking for a spiritual form that fits with who I am. I looked at several paths, some Christian, some Pagan, some neither. Although many of them held something I wanted, or needed, none of them were entirely right. I still look at other people's paths, I feel there is much to be learned from them. For a long while I accepted the label of 'Eclectic Pagan' because it seemed to fit. I was building my own spirituality based on things I had read and experienced.

Then I started listening. I started to receive teachings directly from my deities. The messages have probably been there all along, I just wasn't ready to accept them. I have begun to build a path for myself, a path based on the messages I receive from my deities. I still use building blocks drawn from many sources, but now I have the foundation of my faith. I don't take a magpie approach to adopting lessons from other paths, I pay attention and if something enhances my path, brings me more moments of Joy, I will find a way to work it in.

As We Know It: Some Thoughts/ Ideas

2008-03-24T17:18:01Z

Right now I'm planning a webcomic which I intend to start posting at the end of October. This should give me plenty of time to get a three month buffer in place. I'm thinking the frequency of updates will be related to the size of the buffer I build.

It is the story of two young women and their lovers working to avert The Final War in which Humanity Will be Destroyed. A Seer known for being uncannily accurate has predicted that one of the women (who happen to be twins) must retrieve The Sword of Lord Owen- also known as "Skewer". (Lord Owen wasn't the brightest of people, fortunately his wife was.)

The Story begins with Bronwynne traveling back to Nexus from our world (or at least one very much like it). She is followed by the annoyingly impulsive Tristan and they are informed that the Seer has Seen the two of them have a good chance of at least delaying The Final War and The End of the Worlds.

There is some discussion and concerns about Tristan going along, but the Seer is adamant that the group needs to include him. (I'm working on the exact wording as the Seer predicted Tristan's arrival at nexus- all I know is that there will be mention of him being a follower of a One Eyed God.)

In Memory of Gary

2008-03-05T14:10:25Z

I Am A: True Neutral Human Fighter/Wizard (2nd/2nd Level)

Ability Scores:

Strength-12

Dexterity-12

Constitution-13

Intelligence-13

Wisdom-11

Charisma-11

Alignment:
True Neutral A true neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. He doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most true neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil after all, he would rather have good neighbors and rulers than evil ones. Still, he's not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way. Some true neutral characters, on the other hand, commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long run. True neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion. However, true neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of conviction.

Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Primary Class:
Fighters can be many things, from soldiers to criminal enforcers. Some see adventure as a way to get rich, while others use their skills to protect the innocent. Fighters have the best all-around fighting capabilities of the PC classes, and they are trained to use all standard weapons and armor. A fighter's rigorous martial training grants him many bonus feats as he progresses, and high-level fighters have access to special melee maneuvers and exotic weapons not available to any other character.

Secondary Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.

Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

It should be noted that I was definitely more good that evil, and all my D&D characters have been either Neutral or Chaotic Good in alignment. There were also several questions which I couldn't answer accurately because there wasn't an answer that fit properly. In cases like that I generally pick the answer which seems, not closest, but most likely to move the result in the direction of accuracy.

There was one question that particularly bothered me. It asked me to pick a job based on security vs lotsa money. Since neither of these would be a primary factor in the decision for me it was particularly annoying. I would decide based on which I would enjoy more and which would likely lead to more opportunities to do something I enjoy.

Peasant Soup

2008-02-26T16:55:54Z

Tonight we are having what I like to think of as peasant soup, so I told Dianna that I want her to go out and get me a peasant to put in the soup :D

Seriously though, it's just the liquid left from the roast we had last night with some vegetables added in. When I put it on this morning I did so with the assumption that I would be at work all day and it would be nice to come home to a nice hot meal. However since the snow has scared people from getting their cars washed I came home early.

I'm also thinking that I might want to make this a regular thing, as in make up a roast in the crockpot on Monday and use the broth for soup on Tuesday. I like roasts, and I like soup. I don't know how Mark and Dianna will feel about this suggestion, so I think I will do the shockingly sensible thing and ask their opinions.

serpentrose @ 2007-07-13T14:08:00

2007-07-13T18:10:59Z

I'm growing to hate online quizzes. Why? Because it seems that every one I bother trying has one (or more) questions where none of the possible answers fit me.

Please tell me I'm not the only one with that problem. It's uncomfortable being too far outside the norm.

Advice Wanted

2007-07-05T14:51:32Z

I've decided that I'm going to do my own online comic. I intend for it (possibly them) to be a serious thing rather than a hobby. I won't be putting anything up for a while, but when i do I'll be sure to post about it here.

Right now I'm trying to figure out a few things. The one I'm hoping to get some help/advice on involves the mechanics of getting the strips ready for online posting. I figure I've got two basic options with a few variations on the themes.

Option #1 is to draw the strips on paper, scan them into the computer, then add text and do any finishing touches that are required.

Option #2 it to create the strips entirely on the computer.

Either way I have need of suitable hardware (and possibly software). If I'm going to be drawing by hand then scanning them I'll need a scanner. I believe gimp would be sufficient for doing the finishing touches and text.

If I'm going to be doing it all on the computer I'll need a drawing tablet and a good drawing program rather than just an Image Manipulator.

I don't have a lot of money, so if anyone here could recommend inexpensive options for either choice (and it's quite possible I'll wind up doing something somewhere in between) it would be much appreciated. As would any comments on other webcomic creation concerns that I may or may not be aware of.

Mostly though, I want to find some good drawing software.

Curiosity, Mental Images and Memes

2007-06-03T17:00:13Z

For those of you who have not met me in real life I have one simple question- what sort of mental image do you have of me?

What images and ideas has your mind composed of what I look like and sound like IRL? Do you assume I'm male or female? How old do my writings make me seem to you?

A Couple of Thoughts on the Recent LJ Drama

2007-06-03T16:08:33Z

After reading this I've come to the conclusion that the mess was caused by a combination of greed, idiocy and ignorance on the part of 6A (as well as some deliberate manipulation on the part of another party.). I have downgraded my account and will only upgrade it again if I can see that TPTB are making what I consider to be a good enough effort to not only corect the situation but to make amends to the wronged parties and put things in place to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.

Regardless of whether or not you were personally affected by this it is something to think about. When people play the apathetic lizardman and just ignore an important issue it doesn't go away. And yes, this is an important issue even if you never post anything questionable or contraversial in your journal. This is about how complaints are handled and the fair treatment of LJ users and communities.

I like LJ and hope that this is handled well (so far it hasn't been), because I've a feeling that this could either improve LJ as a whole or spell the beginning of the end. So far i've yet to see anything which inspires confidence, which is a pity. Creating a new blog and getting a new batch of contacts there etc... will be a pain in the ass. I do not yet feel the need to abandon LJ, but I am wary and await further developments.

serpentrose @ 2007-04-04T20:21:00

2007-04-05T00:27:10Z

Leave a comment and I'll give you a letter; then you have to list 10 things you like starting with that letter. Post them in your journal and give out new letters to your commenters in turn.

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Leave a comment and I'll give you a letter; then you have to list 10 things you like starting with that letter. Post them in your journal and give out new letters to your commenters in turn.

<lj-user=apollonides> assigned me the Letter H

1: Harmony, I like it when people get along with each other

2: Happiness, need I say more?

3: Hickies, these are fun and I don't get as many as I might prefer.

4: Hippies, If I'd been around in the 60s I would have been one.

5: Hope, what's life without hope?

6: Humanity, I find human nature to be fascinating on several levels.

7: Humour, the gift of laughter is priceless!

8: Hero, Guitar. My BF has the second and we're hoping to get the first as well.

9: Hair, I love playing with hair.

10: Home, there's no place like it!

serpentrose @ 2007-04-03T16:55:00

2007-04-03T20:55:11Z

I want a job that will help me towards my goal of earning a good income through my creative endeavors.

I want a job that pays enough for me to cover my expenses with enough left over to do lots of fun things.

I want a job that I am happy to wake up and go to every workday.

I want a job that leaves me with enough free time and energy to pursue my interests.

I am more than willing to undergo a significant amount of training as long as I'm able to cover my expenses during the training period without the obtaining of said income eating up huge chunks of my spare time.

Google's New Service

2007-04-01T17:46:29Z

I took a look at this new service from Google and decided it's very suhweeet! What's not to love about a free broadband service!

Owww! My Eyes! My Childhood!

2007-03-18T16:56:57Z

Why? WHY? Why did I have to google "rule 34"?

Why did one of the links I click have to have visual examples???

I now realise that Rule 34 makes it so that there is nothing I can safely Google.

So Much for a Career as a Cult Leader!

2007-03-11T05:18:40Z

You scored 45 narcissism, 0 paranoia, 40 egomania, and 16 charisma!

A Successful Cult leader would have answered over 50% on all four variables.

If you have over 50% but not exactly 100%, you cult might not be one that will essentially go down in history, or might not be generally accepted as a noteworthy occult organization.

If you scored lower than 50% in any one of these categories, perhaps establishing an occult organization is not for you.

If you scored 100% in anyone one area:
you might have a fighting chance at being a cult leader, but perhaps you could play better in a supportive role in establishing an occult organization.

If you scored 100% in anyone two areas:
you have a good chance at being a cult leader, but you should work on the areas you haven't scored 100% in if you want to be the best cult leader you can be.

If you scored 100% in anyone three areas:
Near Perfect! You may consider taking the test again to achieve a perfect score! You could certainly be a cult leader, and perhaps you should try.

If you scored 100% in anyone all four areas:
Congratulations! a Perfect Score on this test certifies you really could and probably should make an awesome leader of an occult organization!

Kudos ;)

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 52% on narcissism
You scored higher than 0% on paranoia
You scored higher than 33% on meglomania
You scored higher than 14% on charisma

Link: The Could You Be A Cult Leader Test written by emmanuel2012 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Sugar Water, and Other Dietary Mind Games

2007-03-02T15:52:53Z

A while back I decided that a simple way to remind myself that pop isn't healthy was to start thinking of it as "Sugar Water", this has met with limited success so I have decided to enlarge my plan to encompass other foods and drinks.

Pop shall now be called sugar water.
Hamburgers are Fatty Patties
Sausages are tubes of flesh and fat
French fires are fat sticks
Potato chips are addictive salt chemical delivery systems
Fast food is readily available food like substances.
Coffee is Obligatory Morning Drug

I need to come up with more of these, and preferably ones that just roll off the tongue.

If Only...

2007-02-26T16:21:05Z

If only they had discovered this a few years ago. I just hope that it gets the trials needed to determine if it really is effective.

Gelatinous Crystal

2007-02-25T04:23:11Z

Right now, on my desk, there is the case for a movie in which people stand around a gelatinous crystal. Or at least that's what the one picture on the inside of the case looks like to my daughter.

So, what would you think of a scene in which a bunch of people in white hooded robes stand around a red gelatinous crystal?

Oh, and I doubt Wolvie appears in this movie, in spite of the name.

Some Thoughts on VD

2007-02-15T02:23:28Z

Lately, as I have been listening to the radio in the morning to keep me from just rolling over and going back to sleep, I've been subjected to a significant number of commercials saying "if you love your girlfriend you'll buy her the product that we tell you to." I'd like to think my lover is able to figure out what would make a good gift for me without resorting to tired old cliches or assuming that because I'm a woman I want diamonds, or flowers, or chocolate. Okay, I'll take the chocolate- but wait until tomorrow to buy it so that you can give me twice as much!

*ahem* where was I?

Oh yes, we are bombarded with messages that, in order to show someone you love them you must buy them the most expensive gift you can afford from list X if it's for a girl or list Y if it's for a guy- as modified by age of course. We must remember that no child can be happy without the latest console and video games.

We are expected to waste our money to buy specific things for specific people, or preferably everyone we can think of who might, or might not be, appropriate to offer gifts to on the occasion. Instead of thinking about what we know of the person and selecting something we know they'll like we're supposed to pick out something expensive that they may or may not actually care for.

I would rather get a gift that shows the person giving it cares enough to know something about who I am and what I like than someone who shows that they are able to spend wads of dough on junk. It's the thought that counts- so please put some thought into it.

and now for the rant I had originally planned:

Valentines day is an excuse to show affection to people, and I feel the same way about that I do about those days which are excuses to go out and get drunk- If it's worth doing it's worth doing when you will get enjoyment from it, not just on special days set aside for it. I don't want a lover who will shower me with gifts on the assigned days and then nothing for the rest of the year. I want a lover who will be nice to me all the time and occasionally give me stuff just because he loves me.

I get that some people are busy and need to make a point of scheduling alone time with their darling, and there's nothing wrong with that- but if you only do it once or twice a year that just isn't enough. At least I know damn well it wouldn't be enough for me and I intend that, no matter how hectic things get in our lives, my Love and I will spend a couple of hours just us time together at least once a week.

And if the ~~nightmares~~ dreams I've had of giving birth to twins are prophetic things will get really hectic. (No, I'm not pregnant and don't plan on getting that way until certain things are taken care of.)