shit kenzi says

I have been very busy reading comics for the past couple of days. Ever since hearing that JDM would be in the Watchmen movie I've been soaking up comic-y goodness. I read that and then I filled in some Birds of Prey holes and I finished up with Y: The Last Man. I'm a little comic-d out, for the moment, but it was definitely a fun way to spend a couple of days.

There certainly are a lot of parallels between comics and fanfiction. It's no wonder that I have quite a fondness for both media.

I am in a crazy baking mood. Oooo, I know, I'll bake some of my great-grandma's sugar cookies for the camping trip. I love those things. They're not traditional in that they're not of the cut-out variety but they're absolutely delicious. They'll be perfect for the day trip to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.

Reason I come by my dorkiness legitimately #7,052 - When discussing our upcoming camping trip via email the following exchange was had.

The Da: We will have to watch out for large sand worms, although they might help spice up the experience.
Big Lug: We'll just need to get that one fellow from Tremors, Burt I think it was, with his guns. That should lead to a feeling of security about the giant sand worms.
Me: Don't worry Dad. Large worms or not, the spice must flow.
The Da: [Big Lug] just doesn't get these refined literary references. All he can think of is movies.

I kinda love how no matter how you slice it every member of my family is a dork in one way or another. =D

Saw Order of the Phoenix in IMAX 3D. It was awesome. Definitely worth the extra money.

Had a dream a couple nights ago wherein I had a tattoo and now have a strange desire to get one. Also have a strange desire to have my palm read as my heart and life lines are fused together and I wonder what that means.

It's cold and snowy here in Michigan. I've never seen a stronger argument for global climate change then 60 degree weather in Michigan in January. If I had been in Florida that would've been okay but here in the Great White North it felt wrong and creepy so I've been rejoicing over this return to form. Plus, the snow is so dang pretty.

But, there is something to be said for summer. In an attempt to pass the time as well as remind all of us northerners what we have to look forward to in a few months, here are some photos from the family camping vacation I took last August. We went to the Wells State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula right on Green Bay (hence all the Packers penants people had flying). I didn't take nearly as many photos on this trip as I did the year before but I still got some good ones.

( Camping with the Family )

I like this tradition we've started of taking a family camping trip every summer. I really hope it continues.

Another weekend of camping accomplished.

It wasn't quite as perfectly relaxing as last weekend. Doing anything with the Big Lug and his friends can be called many things but 'relaxing' is not one of them. We did have some adventures. Spent a day on Mackinac Island, visited Fort Michilimackinac, crossed the Bridge and ate pizza in St. Ignace. We also spent much time swimming in Lake Michigan.

I did end up doing most of the camp work like building fires and making the few meals we had and packing things up on Monday. I'll be the first to admit that I got a little annoyed, especially when everyone spontaneously decided to be oh so melodramatic on Monday morning but, hey, it's all good. It wouldn't be vacation without the Big Lug having some sort of bee in his metaphorical bonnet

It was absolutely gorgeous up there. I'll have to show you some pictures. I need to start figuring out how I'm going to afford some sort of summer home in Northern Michigan. *plots*

Came back this morning to discover that my office had been completely moved around while I was out. WTF?! That seriously grates. If you want to move my stuff around at least have to common courtesy to tell me about it! Don't just wait till I'm gone on vacation and do it then! RAGE!

Yeah, whatever. Am off to give blood today. Will then go home, turn off my brain and let tv soothe everything away.

Word Origin of the Day: Satan - Both Latin and Greek use this word with the same spelling and meaning, but it originated elsewhere, in Hebrew. In that ancient language, it was first used as a generic term for "adversary" or "enemy," derived from the verb form - spelled the same - satan, meaning "to act or plot against."

Wow, it's storming something fierce this morning. Cool.

Last night I kind of half woke up around 4AM. A couple seconds later my power went out so I had to get up and set the alarm on my cell phone. It wasn't storming but I'm sure all of the air conditioners and fans and things that were running in the city last night contributed to a little electrical burp.

I just have to get through today and then BAM! two weekends of camping. Have become increasingly nervous about monetary funds but will not let poverty stand in the way of having some good, old fashioned fun, gorramit. Swimming and lounging and driving and playing with the Pup. I can feel the stress draining out of me by just thinking about it. *big theraputic sigh*

Stepped into a local used bookstore the other day. I'd always meant to go in but ... well, anyway, it was great. The owner was an aging hippie with long, grey hair. The shop smelled of book dust, coffee and hashish. It was soothing to walk in there and escape from the rat race by browsing the shelves, if only for a little while.

It's going to be a great weekend, for all of us. Cheers!

Word Origin of the Day: Forbidden - The Gothic word farubiudan is the precedent here. This comes from the root word beodan, meaning "to offer." When combined, as in the Old English form Forbeodan, the meanin is shifted to indicate a "command to not offer." Beodan went on to infulence the modern English verb "bid." Faurbiudan also has links to other Germanic words, including the modern German owrd verboten.

The past few days have been absolutely gorgeous. This would be a spectacular weekend to go camping. It's a shame we had to put the trip off till next weekend but I'm sure the weather will be nearly as nice. It had better be as nice or I will SMASH REND KILL!

Ahem. =D That reminds me. Seeing as the camping trip will be my only real vacation of the year, if anyone wants a postcard from Michigan's Upper Peninsula email me with your address and I'll be more then happy to send it out. Domestic, international, whatever the case may be. I can be reached at liptonrm [at] livejournal.com. Postcards are love.

Am going to see The Wedding Crashers with the Big Lug tonight. Generally I'm not a big fan of wacky comedies but it's a free movie and it looks better then most. I'll let you know what I think.

Had a very interesting discussio with the Mum last night about religion, feminism, gay marriage, family values and all sorts of things. I always enjoy a nice, chewy discussion on topics that have no exact or specific answers, that deal with human beliefs and emotions and philosophies. I'm a firm believer in Truth but I also believe that people interpret and redefine Truth in their own particular, personal ways and that those personal Truths are just as real and valid. I enjoy the complexity in attempting to understand the whys and wherefores.

Last night I flipped by one of those nightly news magazine shows, Nightline or Dateline or some such, that was doing a piece on the strange polygamous cults that seem to be growing out in the Mountain West. That subject tends to be especially difficult for me to contemplate as those sects tend to go be the name 'Mormon Fundamentalists'. They claim to follow the same religion that I do and yet our interpretations of that religion are so vastly different as to have little to no resemblance to each other. It horrifies me to think that something that brings so much good into my life can be interpreted in such a way as to be a force for evil.

That's what we do, the very act of belief can not only change the believer but also what is believed. We see examples of that in so many aspects of modern life. Islamic terrorists strongly believe in a Muslim religion that is completely alien to adherents of what can be considered by outsiders as the same religion. It is one of the great human tragedies of both this generation and all those that preceded it that such deep philosophical differences can rarely be resolved without pain and bloodshed.

And somehow I have managed to turn this whole post into one big downer. =D My big, squishy brain just can't stop turning this subject over and over and poking at it with sticks and things. It requires constant vigilance to keep the little grey cells in line.

Viva Friday!

There were more blasts on the London tube just a short while ago. Those fucking terrorist sons of bitches.

Am addicted to action figures now. I can't help it. My Bilbo came in the mail yesterday and last night when I went out to Target to buy some camping supplies I bought little metal figures of Flash and Batman from the Justice League cartoon. Have also just bid on a Buffy Summers figure. If this keeps up I'm going to have to buy new shelves just for my toys.

Am going camping with the Da, the Big Lug and the Pup next weekend. We've decided to head to the Lake Huron shoreline up by Alpena. This is probably the place we'll be staying at. I'm rather excited, haven't been camping in much too long. Plus I get to use the new sleeping bag I bought last night. It's name brand and it was on sale, two great tastes that taste great together.

beizy has linked to a picture of Rupert Grint in his new, non-Harry Potter film. I can finally and officially say that I am a dirty, dirty old woman.

I am feeling the strongest urge to write a Hufflepuff story. The only problem is that I don't know canon nearly well enough to make me comfortable actually, you know, attempting it. So, I demand someone, somewhere write me that story. Someone also needs to write the Harry Potter Child of Divorce story because if I can't write about Hufflepuffs then I definitely cannot write about the Boy Himself.

For that matter, where is all the post-HBP fic? Enough with the meta and the commentary I need stories, people. Because, yes, the entirety of fandom everywhere does revolve around my wants and needs. ;-)

Discuss: If, like some have intimated, certain parts of fandom are rather like a high school cafeteria with their popularity games and dramas, then does that mean that all social interactions devolve into adolescent bullshit?

Am starting to feel the need to go back and tag all of my entries. Am still valiantly resisting the impulse.