Forum Flasback...

I found this in the depths of Facebook.  Dude, this show was stressful (I will NEVER do a musical again) but fun.  I played a Protean, so I got to be more than one character, which I always love doing.  My hair looks fantastic.  What happened?

I'm going where the cold wind blows

20 years ago today Nirvana's Nevermind album was released.  Pretty much anyone who knows me, knows that Nirvana is my favouritist-favourite band.  The band that you don't always mention when someone asks you your favourite music because it's a given.  I think no other album has stood the test of time like Nevermind (although In Utero in my favourite) and whether you like Nirvana or not, you have to admit that they changed the sound of popular rock music from the smooth, polished guitar and vocals of hair metal, to the deeper, rougher sound we've become accustomed to.

Instead of posting "Smells Like Teen Spirit" or "Come As You Are," I'm sharing one of my favourite, lesser known songs; one that I think is particularly haunting, considering.

Nirvana performing their cover of Lead Belly's "Where Did You Sleepy Last Night?" from Unplugged.

Some interesting things about this performance-  It almost didn't happen, as Kurt Cobain and the MTV producer's didn't agree about most of Nirvana's choices for the performance, from their choice of The Meat Puppies as guests (MTV wanted someone like Tori Amos), the lack of Nirvana "hits" on the set-list, to the stage decorations (lilies and black candles, which the producers said looked like a funeral to which Cobain said, "Exactly.")  When it came time for the actual performance, Cobain, suffering from drug withdrawal and the health issues that plagued him his whole life, almost couldn't go on.  He was unable to sit in the high stools everyone else was seated in, so a computer chair was found for Cobain, and, as they say, the show goes on.

After the band finished "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," the producers wanted an encore. Cobain refused, saying he couldn't top the performance he just gave.

Kurt Cobain committed suicide 4 months later.

I'm on tumblr.  And... (don't say it) Twitter (shut up!)

On another note, Eluveitie, the Swiss pagan metal band, are fantastic.  I love pagan metal, I think the combination of tradition folk instruments and harsh vocals is really interesting.  Shane wants a tattoo like the one the lead singer has on his lower arm/palm.  You can see it in this video.

Inis Mona is also one of my favourites.  The video is kinda meh, but the song is fantastic.

Let's hate on Twilight, mmkay?

I really dislike Twilight.  Back when I was young and not quite as cynical, I read the first book to be culturally relevant.  I like it enough to read the second, which I liked because Edward actually decided to do something (!), although that thing was kill himself (too bad that plot line didn't pan out).  Anyways, then I read the third book and decided that I was actually curious what happened with the characters in the last part, which had just been published at that time.  So I actually bought the book.  For the full price.  That's right, Breaking Wind... excuse me, Breaking Dawn.  After reading a chapter or two, I kept flipping back to the copyright page, thinking maybe someone had put a shitty teen-romance-paperback in the Twilight dust jacket.  It quickly dawned (haha) on me, that what I had on my hands was a pile of literary crap.  

Pretty much me by chapter 2

I read a little more, now using gloves to turn the pages and a clothespin to protect my delicate nose from the stench of the bad writing.  Then I got to Chapter 18 (yeah, that chapter) and my soul shriveled up and died.  I never don't finish a book... and I still haven't been about to finish Breaking Dawn.  It's just that bad.

Squidward evidently read Chapter 18 too

The thing that bothers me most about Twilight is that Edward is blatantly abusive and young girls look at him as the model for a perfect partner.  He has an uncontrolled temper, exhibits extreme, irrational jealousy and a desire for control (basically the whole plot of Eclipse, and where I personally started to become uncomfortable) and, one of the more disturbing considering the target age range of the books- use of force during sex (the whole "violent-sex-honeymoon-chapter"... just... just... what the hell was Meyers doing?).

Anyways, so time for laughs now, okay?

And while we're at it, I highly recommed the Blogging Twilight series of posts of sparklife.com.  Essentially the guy had the exact same reactions that I had when reading the books, and, funnily enough, wanted to stop reading at the same part I did (yeah, that chapter.).

[T]his is perverted freak fan-fiction, the kind of crap you'd find if you searched the internet for "perverted freak fan-fiction." This isn't lovely. This isn't romantic. This is wrong. It's wrong on every level. Only on opposite day could I say with a clear conscience that Chapter 18 wasn't the very worst thing I had ever read, and even then I would scream, "Opposite Day!" so loud glass would shatter and butterflies would lose their wings.
Jacob loves a baby?! A baby!? He wants to marry a baby?!!?
I made a lot of jokes about Quil, and he deserved the mockery. But at least Quil had the decency to fall in love with someone that could form words, eat solid foods, and support her own neck.
Jacob…I…I don't know what to say. But I don't hate you, Jacob. It's not your fault. It's the fault of your master, the Shadow Queen.
And to those who say Jacob's love for baby Optimus Beyonce is pure and innocent, I say, "PFFFFFFFF!" And if you try that argument again, I will say, "Double-PFFFFF!" So Jacob is going to be a father figure for Optimus until she's of age? What age? Is there a switch in Optimus' belly that can be flipped from "Cute Kid" to "Sexually Attractive Woman"? When will Jacob know it's OK to give Optimus a special hug? Is Imprinting bound by the laws of the government? On her 18th birthday, will Jacob look at her and suddenly realize: You know what? This child that I cared for is actually very sexy. Maybe I should do her. ...

Which is pretty much word-for-word the way I felt about that chapter.  I can't wait to see how they're going to pull of that chapter in the movie.  Or, wait, no, I can...

New Headshot

I needed a new headshot really badly, since I got my hair cut.  I think I look disturbingly tan in these pictures.  I'm not really crazy about them, but I payed $50 for the both at Picture People (shh! don't tell). I edit them myself, and I haven't gotten very far with the one on the left.  I can't decide which one I like more... or rather, dislike less.

Why is it I'm only inspired after midnight?

I've been feeling super crappy lately; I think my thyroid is way off again, plus I have my period so I feel anemic to boot.  I got blood-work done today (a saga in-and-of itself), so hopefully the thyroid thing will be sorted out soon.  But anyways, as a result of all of the above, I pretty much slept all day.  Now it's after 2am and I'm still kicking.
You may remember my idea about playing both Gwendolen and Cecily in "the tea scene."  Well, I have been plagued by several logistical issues. 
1) Costumes.  I have a dress that works for Cecily (the lovely Gunne Sax dress worn by the girl who played Cecily when I did the show in high-school actually belongs to me, score), but I'd need something for Gwendolen (I was never happy with my costumes).  And a fantastic hat.  And maybe a wig, now that I've cut my hair.  It'd be hard for me to legitimize spending that money just for a "funsies" project.
2) Location.  Filming outside is a B.I.T.C.H. under normal circumstances. Outside noises, wind, traffic, passersby, lighting, all sorts of things make me want to vomit when the production moves outdoors.  Double that with trying to keep the continuity between the different shots... it would be like pulling teeth.  I've also had a hard time finding a location that I like.  There's nothing around that looks "manor garden" around here.  Just horses.  And grass.  And.... horses. 

I'm thinking about my sewing projects and blam! It hits me.  Why not set it in the late '50s/early '60s and set it indoors, during a party? And at night so the curtains are closed!  I took a look at the script, and I think it can be done.  I have to do some creative editing around the cake and sugar part (I think I'm just going to have one of the girls throw their drink in the others face), but it should work okay. I was already planning on making some early 1960s wear anyway!  (On a side note, we need to plan lots of vintage-themed parties so I can wear this stuff.)
So, costuuuuumes!
I bought 3 yrds each of stretch taffeta (I got really excited by the idea of stretch(!) taffeta and it was on sale, so...) in these colours

Black

Purple!

Peacock Blue (my favourite)

B6582

B5603

I'm going to make Gwendolen's dress with Butterick 6582, probably view B (the blue), maybe A (black with bows).  My plan is to first make the dress as-is in black, then fool around with the neckline to make it more... Gwendolen.  She does like to show-off, after all.
Everyone's favourite "innocent" English rose has to have a circle skirt, and I found another Butterick pattern that looks like something dear Uncle Jack would let Cecily wear.

The "bathrobe" B5152

The perfect pink taffeta

  I found a pink taffeta for a good price that will be perfect.

The best part is, I bought all this, plus five yards of duchess satin for a vintage "bathrobe*" and it was right around $100.  I also bought lining and sew-in interfacing and zippers. Take that, JoAnns.

The satin for my robe

*It's not really a bathrobe. It's actually an evening dress from the late 40s.  But, it's built a lot like a bathrobe. And, frankly, it looks like a bathrobe.  I'm doing the long-sleeved version and ditching the shoulder pads.  I've always wanted a fantastic bathrobe to lounge about in that I don't mind somebody seeing me in.  My current one is made out of fleece and looks like crazy cat-lady wear.

One Month Old!

The kittens are four weeks old, believe it or not.  It seems like just yesterday they were little milk-parasites.  They really seem like mini-cats now.  

There are a lot of pictures of Skittles today.  She loves to sit in my lap and make cute faces, so, that's how that happened.  Plus, her siblings wouldn't hold still.  

I had to expand HMS Love Burrito, so now it's more of a compound than a boat, alas.  I also flipped the boxes over so the walls would be taller.  Leela (formally Oscar) crawled out about 4 days ago, fulfilling everyone's exceptions of her.

The black cat is now called Black Jack, or Jack (or Jax) for short.  Dad commented how he looks like a Halloween cat which made us think of Jack Skellington... then Black Jack, cuz it sounds cool.  He's kind of lazy, and always has a confused look on his face, so Vi and I want to call him Fry.

See the resemblance? ... No?

The kittens love this bridge. There have been many wars fought for control of the top.

Skittles hanging out in her favourite spot.

Peeka-boo!

Skittles, kitten model

Skittles is practicing her "cat that caught the canary" face for when she will be able to actually catch canaries.

Teaching Skittles how to take obnoxious profile pics

rwwwwr.

"Pssst! Leela! Jack is weird."