Ugh. This is two nights in a row I haven't slept well. I really hope9 for my sake and the sake of everyone around me, that I sleep better tongiht, and to that end, I will shortly be going to bed.

However, insomnia can yield interesting results. For instance, when I couldn't sleep on Sunday night, I wound up finding, in the deep dark places of the world Internets, an audio-book version of The Call of Cthulhu (read by Garrick Hagon, who will always be Lee Scoresby to me). I'd never read any Lovecraft before, but now that I've read/heard at least a bit, while I wouldn't say it's exactly my thing, I can see why he's so popular and ahs been so influential on so many writers, game designers, and webcomic artists. Headdesky racism notwithstanding. >_>

Also, I want one of these T-shirts now more than ever.

I finished reading "Storm Front", the first of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series of novels today, and while I wouldn't say I adored it, I did go out and borrow the second and third books from zinjadu anyway. XD I do think Mr. Butcher is a good writer, when he forgets to write 'for guys' and just writes.

The first round of No True Pair has finally concluded, and I have a few more art pieces that I've finished to share with you.

• "It's All About Balance" - Bleach - G - Matsumoto and Yoruichi play a game or sport together
• "Comin' to Rock Your World" - Persona 3/Utena - PG - Mtsuru/Utena: riding out the storm
• "Better Than Ice Cream" - Bleach - G - Tatsuki and Matsumoto have something to celebate
• "Play With Me" - Akagi/Baccano! - G - Ichikawa/Luck: Don't make me come over there

I hope you enjoy them! Feedback is always appreciated.

Hokay, time to give a good night's sleep a fresh chance! Wish me luck!

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News
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Challenges
Challenge #133 at supernatural100
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Fanfic: Sam/Dean
Oh Lately It's So Quiet by darkangelazure (NC-17)
Hello Kitty - Daddy's Home by softbluebuddy (NC-17)
Never Let You Go by gestaltrose (NC-17)
Feel it by christinchen (PG-13)
Be the Girl (4/4) by authoressnebula (R, girl!Sam/Dean)
How You and Me Became "Us" (2/5) by atsugari8 (PG-13)
Carnaval Noir by philomel (NC-17)
Up Against a Wall by logos_00 (NC-17)
Until We Bleed by mytimehaspassed (R)
Sub Rosa by malcolm_stjay (PG-13)

Fanfic: Gen
Entangled: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 by fluffykitty2001 (PG-13)
The Water of Life by pwcorgigirl (PG-13)
Hate is Strong and Mocks the Song by liptonrm (PG)
Burner Buns by st0psmackinme07 (PG)
Phantom Load by lovesrain44 (NC-17)
The Road Goes Ever On and On by tahirire (PG-13)
Along That Lonely Plain by sylvanwitch (R)
Enough by sylvanwitch (R)
Around the Bend by sylvanwitch (R)
Under the Full Moon by dolimir_k (G)
Cry Freedom by magicletters (PG-13)

Fanfic: Het
Unity in Duality by aratocriel and jadeblood (PG-13, Dean/OFC, Sam/OFC)
These Ghosts of Christmas Present (6/13) by sendal (PG-13, Sam/Jess, Dean)
No Reprieve for Those in Shadow by paper_cranes (PG-13, Kate/Luthor)
the way we remember by littlealex (PG-13, John/Mary)

Fanfic: Other
Hell, and Back 10/? and 11/? by kikkimax (PG-13, Criminal Minds crossover)
Looking for Answers by iluvroadrunner6 (PG-13, Heroes crossover, Adam/Bela)
Heat of the Moment by iluvroadrunner6 (PG-13, Heroes crossover, Adam/Bela)
Bad Moon Rising: Trouble on the Way by x5649 (PG, Torchwood crossover, Dean/OFC, Jack/Ianto)
What Was and What Could Have Been by dellavie (PG, Gilmore Girls crossover)
The Ghosts that sell Memories (16/?) by bluewhiteskies (PG-13, Queer as Folk crossover)
Don't tell mom, the babysitter's a fed (2/3) by pen37 (G, Smallville crossover)
Methos and The Fearsome Five by strangevisitor7 (G, Highlander crossover)
Meeting Heroes by sweeteen_200 (G, Smallville crossover)
Tabloid Trash Goddess by divas_lament (PG, Smallville crossover)
Ripple Effect Nine (1/3) by minkmix (PG, Dark Angel crossover)
Battles, Part Two by phantisma (NC-17, Sam/Dean, Caleb/OMC)
Rack Up the Balls (4/?) by oldbatj (NC-17, Dean/OMC, Sam/OMC)
Turn the Page by fluffnutter (NC-17, John/Sam, Dean/Sam)
Trick or Treat? (8/?) by annie46 (NC-17, Jared/Jensen/Sam/Dean/others)
Always Sere, Never Blooming by smilla02 (NC-17, Dean/Victor)

Fanfic: RPF
Dark of the Moon (6/?) by griftx (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
My Prince (17/?) by my_sam_dean (R, Jared/Jensen)
Kidnapped! (20/?) by freakn_out (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
The Next Texan Face (4/?) by freakn_out (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
The Bagboy (3/6) by huntress69 (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
On the Range (2/4) by calysta18 (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
A Lesson Never Learned (4/8) by hay1ock (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
Tequila Sunrise by fricky_writer22 (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
Rebel Fish by not_refined (PG-13, Jared/Jensen)
Moments (12/?) by garvaldmains (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
The King, The Hero and The Mute (2/?) by unrequited666 (NC-17, Jared/Jensen, Jared/Justin)
Getting dressed in the dark by sazzlette (R, Jared/Jensen, Jared/Sandy, Jensen/Kristen)
Fairy Tales - Sleeping Beauty (1/?) by annie46 (NC-17, Jared/Jensen/others)
Intermission Before the Third Act by shinywhimsy (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
Black as Night, Red as Cherries (4/?) by rah_ram (NC-17, Jared/Jensen)
The House of Morgan by phantisma (NC-17, Jeff/Jared, Jeff/Jensen)

Recs
Gen fic recs at crack_impala
Fic rec at looseblackrifle
Spoiler-free fic rec at spnfencentral
Gen fic rec at looseblackrifle
RPF fic recs at crack_impala

Icons
19 SPN and 6 Dean/Rose icons in a multifandom post by alisea_dream
32 Hell House and Nightmare icons by smidgy06
3 SPN icons in a multifandom post by prinston_girl93
50 Dean icons by stillxmyxheart
SPN icons in a multifandom post by dgtall
SPN and Jensen icons in a multifandom post by llenka

Screencaps/Picspams
Jensen in Dark Angel screencaps by raloria

Fanart
14 Sam and Dean fanarts from Malleus Malaficarum (3x09) by raloria
2 "It's a family thing" wallpapers by fluffy_o
2 SPN chibis by gnome781
24 Sam icons and 4 banners by dayzee38
1 SPN banner and 1 Jared & Jensen banner by wuzzlybear
Confessions: an SPN comic by noah_shiro (PG-13, Sam/Dean)
Linearts by oatmeal_queen

Songvids
Devil Inside by ilovedrwilson

Multimedia
Call Me Sir: A John Winchester Musical Tribute by cheshirepuss and tpanda
The Journey of Two Sons: A Supernatural Season One Fanmix by bowtrunckle

Miscellaneous
Ask the Author at spnroundtable
Mod post: Ficathon reminder at spn_epific
Kabluey (one of JDM's upcoming films) trailer, DVD release news, and review posted by olympiabinewski

Fandom: Live Free or Die Hard
Pairing: John McClane/Matt Farrell
Rating: 13+
Warnings: Language.
Spoilers: None.
Word Count: 2,309
AN: Part of my ongoing Die Hard universe. I recommend you read Save As first, but otherwise it should stand alone. Follows almost immediately after Save As.

---

( It's just dinner with my kid. )

Okay, so I tried to make things understandable enough without explaining everything in the littlest detail... But I know the universe, and a new reader wouldn't. So if there's anything where I really ought to slip in more description or explanation, please tell me and I'll try to find a way. I don't want to make everything crystal clear just yet either, but it's not supposed to utterly confuse everyone.

Subject to rewriting at a later date if I figure I have more stuff to fix / edit / remove / foreshadow or whatever else. Or I might scrap it all if I find a better idea, but eh, I'm not looking so the idea will have to come looking for me.


Genre: worldbuilding, action, scifi, psi powers.

Summary: The civilization that genetically engineered mermaid-shaped humans as underwater workers fell; deprived of any kind of industry, the merpeople regressed to primitive nomadism. A few hundred years later, Lìadan, a young mermaid, is ready to go on her adulthood journey.

( It was almost noon when Lìadan saw the Great Dragon cross the Sea-above. )

Very Important News Item The First:
Fanboys get legitimized. At least, in the eyes of Merriam-Webster.

No such luck for fangirls. *eyeroll*

Very Important News Item The Second:
This totally helps cheer me up after the DW finale. *busts spleen laughing*

I want some of whatever she's on plz.

Very Important News Item The Third:
I just realized Lauren Cohan was in Casanova. Lucky girl - bedroom scenes with Heath Ledger AND Jared Padalecki? *fans self*

Very Important News Item The Fourth:
Sitting down and finishing Secret Smile, and David Tennant is creeping me the fuck OUT. Seriously, guys. He does the psychotic axe-murdering stalker thing TOO WELL. O_O;;

Hey All!

Just in case some people would like to get me a B-day gift here are a few things I am interested in:

Plain cash in an envelope to fund my convention times!

Nintendo DS Star Wars Light Up Lightsaber Stylus 2 Pack (Light-up type) ($16.99) at Amazon

Othello [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD)
by William Shakespeare (Author), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Narrator), Kelly Reilly (Narrator), Ewan McGregor (Narrator) ($15.63) Again it's at Amazon

Star Wars Legacy, Vol. 3: Claws of the Dragon by John Ostrander (Author), Jan Duursema (Author) ($15.00) Again it's at Amazon (I sense a trend)

R2-D2 Trash Can!!! It's expensive but I had to put it!

Star Wars Mighty Muggs Yoda or Commander Cody About ($10-$15)

New Clone Wars Movie Figures Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker or Asaji Ventress (ToysRus They come in white plastic cases)

Gift certificate to Amazon, GameStop and Image Anime (Any Amount!)

Yay! Good luck to me!!!

As it was too hot to venture outside, I spent the day lounging around like a lump and watching the first season of [Mad Men]- fuckin' awesome show, btw.

But tomorrow it's outside again, because I hate being cooped up in my tiny apartment for more than 24 hours, even if there are video games and books here.

I need a freakin' job.

There's lots of debate going on about whether the Federer/Nadal Wimbledon final is the best tennis match of all time. I didn't get to see all of it, thanks to all the annoying redecorating going on in my house, but I did see the last couple of hours, and mannn. Incredible. I love Wimbledon. It was a nice way to ease myself back into life without football every night, too.

( Friday Night Lights spoilers. )

House is on. He's yelling and being a complete asshole. Should I have watched beyond season 1? I need new TV shows to watch, friends list.

This past weekend was way too much fun! A bunch of my family and I went up to my parents house up in Ellenville, NY for the 4th of July weekend. We met up on Thursday afternoon and drove up with a pitstop in Denny's and Walmart. We finally got to the house at about 1230am after a scary drive in misty, dark back roads with crazy deer running by.
The next morning after a yummy breakfast of french toast and some fauna and flora photos... we got ready to wage war. We got out our brand new paintball guns and marched into the woods. First round we had 60 rounds and I escaped unscathed!!! But I managed to get my Uncle Jorge right on the hand and one in the side. For that battle it was me and Joe (my Step-Father) against Jorge Sr, Jorge jr and Aisha. I know Aisha and Jorge Sr had a serious gun fight against Joe but I couldn't assist him as I had run out of ammo.

Second round was a bit more even... Mom joined us and now we went boys against girls... and we went a little deeper into the woods and had 100 rounds. This time I thought I had run out of CO2 and stopped playing only to realize later that my tank had unscrewed a bit. This time I got hit on my right side over my ribs... hurt like a mutherf*cker!!!

Third time was beyond awesome. We went really deep into the woods where the trees are really thick and there are downed trees and mud pits from the rain. This team was Mom, Me and Joe versus Aisha and both Jorge's. We had 120 rounds a piece and the battle was on. I didn't mention it before but the goggles really sucked cause they kept fogging on everyone and if you had glasses it was worse cause both fogged. So, I had to keep taking off my glasses and shooting half blind and then had to keep wiping the goggles in order to even see the blurs!
Anyway, I still got to catch Jorge Jr against a tree as he shot Joe from behind, caught Aisha in a crossfire with Mom and whooped her ass... she tried to do a Superman leap over a small pond and busted her ankle while we shot her up... needless to say she cried uncle. While I was trying to get some visibility from my goggles Mom came charging up with Jorge Sr chasing her. I tried to get her to duck down but she ended up falling into a mud pit however I did get to shoot her attacker in the leg.... but he shot me in the head--- guess I lost that one. I was also shot in my left side and on the arm... beautiful rainbow bruises. I had sooooo much fun!
Later on we had grilled burgers and hotdogs, saw a deer really close to the house, played tons of games on the Wii (major battles in bowling) and watched some Tv.

Next day we drove back to Nyc and did a brief stop at BJ's and Wendy's. Back at Mama's house for the rest of the weekend. We had a Prince of Tennis Marathon, compared bruises, watched weird animal shows, played some Sugoroku and ate even more yummy food! Such a fun 4th of July.