Somewhere East of Life

Woo! Has it really been that long since I posted? Long enough for most to write me off I imagine. O.o Truthfully my migraines have been kicking my ass. Turns out they are hemiplegic, which means its like a stroke when I get one.

The actual day
But back to happier news. My birthday was awesome. It was my week to cook, so I made my own birthday dinner. So I made chicken fajitas. I ordered chocolate covered strawberries from Sherri's Berries for my dessert. Truthfully, the only present I got was from myself. Presents on the way from family though. But I made my birthday order from Sephora and got my haul today too. Got an awesome deal on Charlotte Ronson lip gloss and Urban Decay eyeliner. Added in a new desert colors palette (like I don't have too many already). There were a few other odds and ends, but those three were favs.

The entertainment
This weekend we're going for our annual birthday meal and a movie. Usually its lunch, but this year its breakfast because I'm dying to have a cinnamon roll from a nearby cafe. Those things are huge, and so yummy! We're seeing either Elysium (my choice) or Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Mom's been trying to get me to see it.

Mom is funny

Some of her co-workers were asking after our plans. Some know of our annual film fest. So she tells them we're going to see Elysium because "Rhonda likes Matt Damon." Before they can answer, she follows that up with "...and a high body count."

"Do you mean dead bodies?" One of her coworkers asked her very hesitantly.

Of course she answered with a very cheerful "Yup!" Then she turned and walked away before they could really process it.

She's pretty sure her coworkers think I'm very odd. And in case you were wondering, she was referencing my love of action movies.

She's a funny lady. :-)

I feel bad for not updating more, but to be honest it's been more a case of lethargy. I have finally been able to put a name to my condition and that is familial hemiplegic migraines. For me, they tend to manifest as vistibular migraines. But that basically means is I get dizzy and confused quite often. Unfortunately they are completely out of control and I'm getting migraines on a daily basis, which is frightening because a serious condition will see people having them one week. What does that say about me?

 

Rethinking life goals

 

There are a few things I have had to rethink in my life. The most obvious is my ability to work. I don't think I will be able to seriously hold a job outside of the home anymore. Which is a really hard thing to face. But given my job skills I don't have this set required to telecommute at any serious level. Which means, I need to go back to school. I will have to re think my degree and change fields completely.

 

In that I am actually hopeful that I have an idea for my future. It is just going to take a helluva lot of time and effort get there, mostly because I have to come up with a way to pay for my schooling while I'm having trouble being able to do any significant amount of work. But I will find off way before, because I am very determined.

 

That's it for now

 

There is more to this thing called my life, that but that is not enough depression for one day. Maybe I can try to update more than once a year. We will just have to see how that goes, right?

I had an absolutely awesome birthday. It was honestly pretty quiet, but still a day that brought me happiness.

 

I actually started celebrating this weekend when my mother took me out to lunch at my favorite Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet (which has excellent coconut milk chicken by the way). Then she took me to see Men in Black 3, which I have been dying to see for ages now.

 

Presents
For my actual birthday she gave me a native american-style necklace. She has one that I have been eyeing for ages in a similar style, and apparently she had bought mine at the same time and only now remembered that she even had it (which I'm thankful for because I absolutely adore it). If you have Instagram I put a picture of it there: saifai @ Instagram

 

I bought myself something too, and made my birthday order at Sephora. I'm getting tons of samples and luxury size items to try out, sale items, a palette or two... things like that.

 

...

 

That's about it for now. I want to thank all of you that sent me birthday wishes. I am off to take a sick today, and watch a movie. Hopefully I can update more later

My mom got back from her annual trip to see my sister with a bad case of pneumonia. She's only just now getting better after a month and a half.

 

Last week on her regular follow up, or rather right before we left, she slipped on the stairs. She flew down to the landing below and ended up fracturing three ribs. Unfortunately it was on the same side as her pneumonia.

 

She goes back to work Monday at least part time. Cross your fingers.

 

Not much else has been going on lately as I've been home taking care of Mom.

 

More on all other things later.

Cats
My cat is like my alarm clock. She waits until there's sign of life, and starts the meowing campaign. It doesn't really stop until I go upstairs towards the kitchen.

Once I get close enough, she'll walk in front of me as close to my feet as possible. If she could put me on a leash and lead me to her food bowl, I'm certain she'd try it.

I yelled at her this morning to get off my feet, or at least tried to, "Diamond! Will you get off my paws?! Err... I meant... pffft, you know what I mean. I'm trying to walk here!"

Both cats kind of stopped and looked at me funny and then kept guiding to their future breakfast.

(Not so) Secret Identity
On a side note, I renamed one of my alternate accounts (different from the one I use to test layouts). When I first set this blog up, I wanted my old username but it was taken. So I went with the name of my website as a username. That name has been purged finally, so I took it back and used it to rename one of my alt accounts - foxshadow.

I'm still considering what I'll use it for (as I was when I got the alt account like 5 years ago). I'm thinking of just focusing on my interests in healthy, beauty, and art. Then this one would remain personal, fandom, and whatever hell else I can think of.

We shall see. Anyone have any thoughts in particular on this subject?

Got three hours of sleep last night before I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. That lasted about 3 or 4 hours before I crashed again. Woke up really groggy. You know, the kind where you walk into walls and it takes you three tries to make coffee because you keep missing steps?

HP FanFic Rec
I've been reading the cutest story. It's slash with a Harry Potter/Voldemort pairing. Not my usual cup of tea, but the author of this one was absolutely brilliant in the touch of humorous schmangst that's spread throughout the entire story. It's not currently finished, but it's regularly updated.

Title: The Black Bunny
Author: Windseeker2305
Summary: Harry's had it with his destined role after the Order does something he can't forgive. Now he's done with both sides of the war and wants to be left alone. But since when have his wishes ever counted for anything?
Pairings: Harry/Voldemort, Draco/Weasley Twins
Warnings: Slash, Mpreg,
Spoilers:

A Night Out
My mom and I were invited to the symphony. I love music like that! Mom and quickly realized though that we're very short on clothes to wear to such an event and we're going out shopping tomorrow. Hopefully I can find something cute! I'm thinking of getting a maxi skirt and blouse. Simple and easy. Not entirely sure though.

All Gaga'd Out
Lady Gaga is freakin' everywhere for her new album. All over my Facebook games I see little tidbits for Gagaville and it's driving me nuts. She's quickly reaching saturation critical mass with me.

Now I say this knowing full well that if Tokio Hotel pulled the same stunt I'd be all over it and squee'ing like the fangirl I am.

While we're on the subject of musicians...
I actually watched a music video that wasn't Tokio Hotel. I know, weird but true. I'm in love with the latest single from Beyonce. It's got a sweet retro beat to it that just makes me smile. Just caught the video today it it brought tears of righteous joy to my eyes. Women kick ass, don't we?

My cat loves to sleep under my computer desk. Right over my computer cords actually. I've had to setup a dog bed under there on top so he'll quit pulling my keyboard and mouse off their shelves.

His favorite hobby is to stretch and reach his big ass claws over to my foot. It's a game I suppose to see if I'm still paying him any attention.

There is a reason this is a big deal. First a bit about my cat.



He's a big cat. At his biggest, he was 19 or 20 pounds. He's smaller now, but the ginormous claws are still there. His claws are so big they stick out of his feet and he clicks as he walks.

Like a wee little tiger. He used to have fangs too that hung out of his mouth they were so big, but we had to have 'em pulled (poor guy his a permanent sneer now where the teeth used to set over his lips).

So, big cat, big claws, IN MY FEET!!!

Oww. *sigh* But I still love him, the big brat.

So many things going on right now, both online and off. RL is a bit tense sometimes (and not just a bit of a mess), so I won't get into it. I'd rather take my mind off it. So on that note, I shall ramble.

New Tokio Hotel Single
I love this. The sound reminds me a bit of 90s retro. It's on the "Best Of" german deluxe album.

ETA: And while we're on the subject, the Kaulitz twins did an ad for PETA (the photos were done to bring notice to the subject of cruelty to animals in captivity, though I'll freely admit seeing these two in chains just makes my muse cackle with glee)...


New Fandom Minion
My mother, bless her heart, has become a bit addicted to digital stories of the fan fiction variety. She's a fanatic of the written word, in general. However, lately her interests have taken a turn. I've been sharing with her my thoughts on funny or interesting stories I've read. Got her started out on some Harry Potter, then ventured into crossovers.

She's now discovered her favorite fandom: NCIS.

Not sure how that happened, and just a bit boggled by it. But there you have it. She loves Mark Harmon's character Gibbs.

NanoWrimo
I'm ridiculously behind on my word count. My health got in the way big time. But I've got a really good outline, ideas coming out my ears, and determination. So I'll get it finished, even if it does carry me over beyond November. I'm excited about my first ever writing adventure beyond the scope of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fandom. So it shall be written. Someday.

Thanksgiving Snow
We gots snow, and lots of it. And it's freakin' cold! My mom and I got sick of the traditional faire for our Thanksgiving Meal, so with the exception of the Turkey we're cooking all new recipes this year. I'll do another post on that a bit later with links to the recipes. But we're doing Pumpkin Dessert squares instead of pie, pull-apart cornmeal rolls instead of crescent rolls, mashed sweet potatoes with toasted pecans, citrus and cranberry salad, and apple bacon stuffing muffins. I'm really excited to try them all out!

Ooh! And for breakfast that day I'm making breakfast migas, which is done in the slow cooker overnight. Yummy!

***

That's all for now folks. If I don't hear from you again until after the holidays, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

STAY WARM!!!

I fiddled with my layout again. Same design, but I changed the sidebar. I curved it along the top, and then lightened the color a bit (thanks to a comment from bunnyohare).

I pushed the navigation links up to the right side of the header image. Didn't plan it that way, but it actually works very well with the half logo there. Plus, I rather like having the title of my page in one neat package all by itself without the links messing with it.

I think I like version 2.0 better than the original one. Comments?

In other news...

• I've been working through plot holes in my head for my Nano. I haven't written it all down yet, but I'll get around to it one of these days. I'm planning on getting caught up during Thanksgiving vacation, which starts next Thursday for me (four-day weekend).
• I uploaded a bunch of new icons (including this lovely specimen featuring the lovely Bill Kaulitz of TH). *points to entry icon*
  
  
• My mother's been driving me insane with her comments making fun of my new favorite band. It's a debate every day. Her current most favorite way to bug me is to ask about "that Tokio Rose band." When asked, she said she likes Tokio Rose better as a band name because it fits the lead singer better. *sigh*
  
  One day last week she got into a debate with me over the gender of the lead singer (if you're confused, he's the one with the black hair that often resembles a lion mane). Then I told her the lead singer and lead guitarist (the one with dreadlocks) were identical twins...
  
  Mom: No they are not twins. Look at them!
  Saifai: Oh yes they are. I've got photographic proof!
  Mom: *looks at pictures* I don't see it. Are you sure that one is a boy?
  Saifai: *rolls eyes* Yeesss, Mom.
  Mom: Hmph. Well I still say they're not identical. *points* That one has a smaller nose.
  Saifai: *sigh* There's only two difference between them, that I know of. *holds up two fingers* Two!
  Mom: Riiight. Like one has a vagina and the other doesn't?
  Saifai: *head.desk*


LOL - That's my Mom for you. But I gotta love her. She keeps me smiling, I'll give her that.

Irish Physical Characteristics
As fun as it is to let people think my physical characteristics come from my mother's native american ancestry, the high cheekbones and dark coloring, it's actually from my Dad. They're scottish and irish for the most part, but my dad's color (black hair and brown eyes) are definitely irish. Did some research on it, and I guess it's fairly common to have brown haired irish. Black hair is less common, and black eyes are rare. My eyes are several shades darker than my Dad's, and almost black (depending on the light). I'm guessing I'm closer to being black irish, or more accurately Fir Bolg. Legend says they were short, unaturally white, and had black hair and eyes. That's pretty much me (and my Dad) in a nutshell. Well, my hair is more very dark brown (a bit lighter than my Dad's), but still. Got the short, dark, and white going for me.

NOTE: Oddly enough, my mother's family are quite fair of hair, skin, and eyes. My great-grandmother was native american, and my great-grandfather was german. Both were very fair. My mother ended up with blond hair and hazel eyes, which later turned a light brown. We don't know what ancestry my mother's birth father had. Grandma refused to talk about him other than to tell us his name.

NanoWrimo Panic Setting In
NanoWrimo is coming up in *checks* five days. I still have no idea what I'm going to write about. In all the years I've done it, this has never happened. I always have some idea, or character, or something. But this time? I got nothing. I'm thinking I'll just start writing out my thoughts and letting it take shape. Not like I've got much of a choice on that.

German Rules
This will probably come as no surprise to you, but I would like to learn German now. Sign me up for the language lessons.

Much Chores Await Me
I need to sweep the porch, clean out my room (because movers are coming in a couple weeks to remove my furniture to be replaced by smaller single-person sized stuff), and possibly water the plants. Watch me not do it. I'm very good at procrastinating. I'm thinking dinner and a movie sounds much better than housework.