salt is a weapon

Hi guys,

I'm really sorry for completely vanishing the past month: There was a big upset in RL when school picked up again after winter break. It finally got resolved, for the better, but it set me back a couple crucial weeks, so I've been running around trying to stay caught up. Then I got slammed with written assignments for all my classes at the same time last week, so in short, the last thing I wanted to do was sit in front of a computer after sitting in front of a computer all day writing longass papers.

In light of midterms this week and the next, I just wanted to say I'll probably be gone for a while. To be honest, I was really dissatisfied with the grades I got in a couple classes last year. Mainly b/c I know I could've spent a lot more time studying instead of just going out w/ friends or bumming around online.

Anyway! See you guys in a month or so. I'll miss you, and hopefully I'll see you now and again on AIM?

Leila

Aww, remember the days when my entries consisted of linking you to places?

dgficexchange: Sign-ups start Sunday, January 13 and run for a week. ARE YOU READY?

Tonight Means Somewhere Far From here is this AWESOME mix sandi_wandi made from this prompt:

we're not alone but no one speaks English, so we're free
to look into each other's minds
and see what we're thinking like we always used to
i miss talking to you
- Harvey Danger, Private Helicopter

From The Darkness is a Prison Break fic from greyskygirl, non-compliant with S3's "Good Fences" episode. But it should be how the show turns out. Michael/Sara, NC17.

"He wouldn't want you to do this," he says flatly. "Hell, he wouldn't even want me to tell you about it." He is challenging her, Sara knows, waiting for her to latch onto the first flimsy excuse he presents.

Harry/Ginny art from itsbeenvery! Ginny is SO pretty.

Two things I was thinking about (haha because I only had 2 thoughts all day): 1) You never read about a fugly vampire. SHOW ME. 2) What fashion designer/clothing brand is considered all-American? Like, VERY American? Tommy? Is it because of the models/ads they use? Whyy?

Title: UNTITLED!
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Chance meetings at the bar.
A/N: This is INCOMPLETE! I just keep adding scenes as I go along. 3 short scenes behind the cut. It's also really unedited.

( She walked into a bar... )

Saw this from moreteadk and decided to take the test. I was averaging 97-98 wpm listening to Sarah McLachlan, but then my iTunes random hit Gym Class Heroes's "The Queen and I" and I hit my high of:

112 words

Touchtyping

Lesson: music that pumps you up also hypes up your fingers!

All my D/G people are following round 4 of dgficexchange, yes yes? Featuring layout by twinklepug, sign ups start in about a week!

So, also got a question for you: Which of your own fics/art are you most proud of? Follow-up: Which fic/art of yours do most readers like? Same fic, y/n? I was going to ask which one is your favorite, but that might not be the one you're most proud of :P (It isn't for me!) Feel free to link me!

I've been wondering this for a while. I have this theory that the one you're proud of isn't usually the one most people seem to like. Example: The Barest Hint of Lemon is the fic I'm still getting reviews for. But, for many reasons, it's not what I'd put up as my best work. It's not that I don't like it, it's just...not what I'm most proud of.

On a related note, without a doubt, my absolute WORST has to be this D/G I wrote in 2004 called "Love, Ginny." Oh my god. It was worse than some of the earlier BSB fics I wrote. Best thing ff.net ever did was wipe my account clean and destroy that fic. Except like a year later I found out streetscribbles saved it. And then her computer got wiped and I thought now it's truly gone. And then she told me she somehow recovered it. Love, Ginny: The Fic That Just Wouldn't Die. Morbid fascination compelled me to ask her to send me the fic, to see if it was as bad as I remembered. It was so much more than that, I cannot say. For a while, before she sent it to me, I was debating whether I should put it up as a "how far I've come" thing, but for the good of all, that thing will never be up for public viewing.

New layout! I was going to change the colors from the default pink and black, but I think I'll let 'em stay for now. Will also fix up header later. (B, are you thinking of a certain love letter? ;D)

I've been talking to jandjsalmon about the dgficexchange, and I'm thinking I'll help mod the spring exchange! Exciting stuff.

A friend sent this to me, and I'm sharing it b/c I think it's pretty neat, and kind of funny: How to Read a Person Like a Book!

I had Chinese over the weekend and came up with these 2 fortunes from my fortune cookies:

Energy spent now preparing for tomorrow is sure to bear tasty fruit,

Finish your works on hand. Don't be greedy.

In light of it being FINALS WEEK this week and the next, I find them very apt. B/c not only did I not study over the weekend, but I started writing new fic for fun instead. ALWAYS! Always when I have finals/papers, I write other crap instead. And I'm like...2/3s done with a fic. And 0/5 pages done on my final piece. And I have 2 finals on Tuesday and Wednesday. O JOY TO THE WORLD.

Also I saw The Golden Compass this weekend. It was enjoyable! I rate 6/10. Excellent acting in The Golden Compass + fantastic effects - editing/plot :( Still, it was entertaining. I think I just didn't expect much; I have low expectations when it comes to good book --> movie.

itsbeenvery drew me Dracobird + Draco/Ginny art!!! D/G fans, we're so very lucky. It's fabulous and I won't spoil the surprise so just go see!

There is a MAKE-HAPPY COMMISSION MEME going on and PARTICIPATE! That is how the Dracobird came to LIFE.

There are some Grey's Anatomy fans on my flist, and I'm happy to (belatedly) pimp greys_exchange, which is a gift to tide you all over during the summer break.

Okay so I was more or less offline for 1-2 weeks and it's like I missed all this great stuff. I get 25 entries a page on my flist and after going back like 4 pages I got hungry and stopped. (eating: a Costco hotdog ♥) So if I missed anything plz tell me!

Also, I didn't pre-order book 7 mainly because I currently don't have a confirmed address or anything. Is going out and buying it day of going to be a problem? Yes/No? I remember for book 6, a friend gave it to me. Book 5, I got from Costco, I'm pretty sure, but I don't remmeber if that was day of. Book 4 a friend got (don't know how) and I just read it in one sitting. Book 3 was from a family member long after it had come out and it was the first Harry Potter book I ever read.

I watched Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer. I like the Silver Surfer b/c he's really cool and has got a melt-y looking physique and was more or less spared the HORRIBLE DIALOGUE.

Also, I added an epilogue to Returning to London aka the bird flu fic :P Anyway it weels a little more rounded now I HOPE!

OKAY and now I'm going to make pasta for lunch! Must go mince garlic/onions/tomatoes and chop those mushrooms! Ya that's right. Costco hotdog for breakfast and awesome spaghetti for lunch in less than 2 hours. AWESOME! Except the last time I sliced and diced onions I got onionjuice in my right eye and it burned like NOTHING.

I keep meaning to rec this: The ABC's of Demon Hunting (art) by gnatkip. Best. Damn. Thing. And it became a FONT, TOO! More here at gnatkip's Supernatural fanart gallery.

Also, I pulled this from misconstrue's recs/bookmarks ages ago and found it again today! See: Hot Library Smut, or, sex libris

Lastly: The Hype Machine, which tracks down the uploaded mp3s on a bunch of music blogs. Great for discovering new artists or songs.

Speaking of songs, what I've been listenign to lately:

Aerosmith - What It Takes
Backstreet Boys - Helpless When She Smiles
Calexico - All Systems Red (acoustic)
Devics - Song for a Sleeping Girl
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine (Goodbye) [.m4a]

More alphabet uploads tomorrow 'cause it's REALLY HOT and I can't stand just sitting.

I keep rereading the first 6 Harry Potter books (except for book 2 because...I don't know what happened to that one, haven't seen it in years and I'm starting to think I never owned it) and I can't aughhh wait to read book 7. So absolute last thing: FIA is running a Deathly Hallows Theory contest with super cool prizes.

Title: Guns Up (1/2)
Ship: Sarkney
Rating: R
Summary: There's this saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
A/N: This is supposed to be a standalone one-shot, but I took a break and a second part was writen anyway, which is almost done. Anyway, this "one-shot" is broken up into 2 parts because...I'm not done yet but it came to a natural break and also I have to go out and get medicine so I thought I'd just post it first.

( You owe me. )

So highlights of the past week or so: had a great time, which naturally leads to getting sick because of late hours outside. Also, the weather kept changing from hot to cold. Anyway, I got sick as anything and it sucks! I have so much CRAP to do that's just not worthwhile at all, and I feel really despondant about it but it may just be the fever talking.

If anyone has Without You Here by the Goo Goo Dolls can you upload it for me? I've never heard it before today. Thank you!

Title: The Absence
Ship: Draco/Hermione
Rating: R
Summary: It all begins when Draco is declared insane.
A/N: Two years ago, I promised (probably in exchange for some Orlando/Leila fic) onecrimsontie a D/Hr fic. So, for onecrimsontie--for international phone calls and cheer packages, everything in between.

Big thank you to streetscribbles for reading this monster and brainstorming titles with me :D It's been a long, painful process. Thank you for helping me with it!

( 2/2 )

Title: The Absence
Ship: Draco/Hermione
Rating: R
Summary: It all begins when Draco is declared insane.
A/N: Two years ago, I promised (probably in exchange for some Orlando/Leila fic) onecrimsontie a D/Hr fic. So, for onecrimsontie--for international phone calls and cheer packages, everything in between.

Big thank you to streetscribbles for reading this monster and brainstorming titles with me :D It's been a long, painful process. Thank you for helping me with it!

( You go to sleep one night. When you wake up, you’re not the same. )

Title: Naked-Eye Viewing
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: R
Summary: Draco tries his hand at seeing the future.
A/N: How can I possibly write Draco/Ginny when I haven't, really, seriously, for months? Apparently, late nights and The Fader's "No Sleep 2Nite" will do it. Feedback is LOVE!

( On a clear night in September, this is what he will do: )

This is my first fanmix ever, and it is for Supernatural because in case I haven't totally spammed everyone in comments and IMs, I am addicted. Feedback is very much appreciated ♥

Explanation: A cover-all for Supernatural, touching on the brothers' relationship, their crusade, the demons they hunt. If there be a theme, then it's probably that they're haunted by their own demons and driven to the road, to do the things they do. Re the album art: the small text reads no rest for the weary and the crossed out characters read peace in Chinese. Following that vague theme, I chose "Things That Go Bump" for the title because of all the scary things they confront that keep them awake at night. The end.

( Things That Go Bump )

1. Thank you to everyone who filled out the poll! It was mildly surprising and very interesting.

2. Today by onecrimsontie. I've recced this before, but I'm doing it again because I just re-read it. This fic is an unbelievable piece of work. It's the trio, gen-fic, and you should read it because it is really, really good. It's also short as one-shots go, so definitely read and enjoy!

Here's the thing. I've been trying to write, really have, and I've scrapped everything I've started with. Something is not clicking, or something. I get to about 400 words and then I save it, and start something new. This could all be a lack of perseverance on my part, not enough effort, or it could be that I'm not inspired, or something. I tried writing every ship that even vaguely interested me.

I've seen this done many times in the past, called the drabble meme, but I'm not because what if I can't even work up 100 words or so? What if I can't even write a SENTENCE? That would be disappointing for both parties, I think.

It's like hitting the vending machines to see if something will drop down. Maybe it won't because it's just stuck there and that fucking sucks, but there's always the good day when you get a free Snickers/Twix/Lion bar/whatever candy/chips bag you like. I know I'm a dork.

So here's your mission (PLEASE PLEASE ACCEPT IT!):

The Vending Machine meme:
Please post 1) a pairing OR character of your choice, and 2) a line of dialogue.

I will then try my very best to write, erm, 50-100 words or so. But I make no promises! Maybe I'll suck and flop out and my brain can't handle anything. So don't expect a drabble. But maybe you'll get one. Maybe a drabble will become a fic (that would be the best scenerio). Maybe a fic will be good. Who knows?

Anything is game from these fandoms: Alias, Harry Potter, Prison Break, Veronica Mars. Okay, so just four fandoms. Darn, I thought there were more.

PLEASE FEED ME :D Or you, however you look at it.

( Economy in Love tidbit - just the Blaise )

Title: "After Sex"
Ship: Draco/Ginny
Rating: R
Summary: Exactly what the title says. A little conversation post-sex.
A/N: Oh my god, my first Draco/Ginny in a LONG fucking time. 498 words, small ficlet with no plot. Best I could do *weeps* I've got that longer D/G fic, it's about 5000 words right now, and will probably be posted in 3 or 5 parts. But I'm not going to post it until it's all done. And it's just not working right now.

( His voice was deeply irritated and tinged with complaint. )

So, it's been a while. I definitely recommend trying a new ship if you're locked in writer's block. During my unofficial hiatus, I have watched Munich and liked it and have discovered deep wells of sarcasm in me in response to possibly the most idiotic teacher I have had and hopefully will ever have.

Title: A Certain Private Conversation
Ship: Harry/Pansy
Rating: R
Summary: A hero, a journalist, two beers and a story on the table.
A/N: Written per bk11’s request, and I hope this is satisfactory. Thank you to bubbleforest for taking the first look. And oh, thanks to streetscribbles for “sharing the joy,” I suppose :D

( There's a lot of misplaced beliefs here. )

Wow. There were so many different styled fics, and it was a fun experience :) I signed up on a whim, and I'm glad I did. Am proud of fic, and flattered and happy that people enjoyed it.

Honored by the readers at dmhgficexchange:





And thank you to whoever nominated the fic at Dangerous Liasons Awards and the readers who voted there!





Title: Atrophy in the Library
Ship: Draco/Hermione
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Names, terms, etc. don't belong to me. The book titles do, however. Took me the better part of an hour trying to make them up *headdesk*
Author's Notes: Written for the dmhgficexchange. HBP spoilers are included. Special thanks to onecrimsontie for the usual beta and feedback routine.
Summary: Hermione finds her own personal library in Draco Malfoy.

( It’s not like they’re friends. )

Am back at school. Jetlagged. Going to sleep now, so as to wake up for 9 o'clock class tomorrow morning.

I got my midterm grades back, and I did really fucking well! I didn't expect that, but it has reminded me what I'm doing here and that I've been doing something right.

Got hooked on Smallville from watching S4. Tom Welling. I'm shallow and stuff, I know it, but he is so hot it's ridiculous. And although there are many things wrong with that show, it was still enjoyable. A few cringeworthy moments, but overall, I like it. I've also gotten back into Gilmore Girls (YAY) and one of my friends plans on buying S5, so I'm going to kill myself with all the Logan.

Title: Planets
Paring: None
Rating: PG-13
Summary: That 11-year-old, the one with the correct posture and the sulky, sullen look on his face—that is Sirius Black. In two minutes he will have another reason to hate his cousin Bellatrix even more. In seven minutes, he will suffer awkward, stiff farewells from his parents, and then he will board the Hogwarts Express. And in twenty-four minutes and thirty-nine seconds, he will meet James Potter.

A/N: Challenge #25, when Sirius met James, written for sirius_loving.I must have been crazy to choose this prompt. It felt too big for me to handle, and I almost wrote a cop-out of a fic, maybe still have done so, but anyway, here it is. Feedback = love.

( The date is September 1st, 1970; the place is Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross station. )

Title: "Surfacing In Unknown Waters"
Ship: Sarkney
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: Alias and its characters belong to J.J. Abrams.
Summary: She is the leper. No one is willing to take her; no one is daring enough to touch her.
A/N: When a plot bunny bites, it hangs on like the devil, all teeth and just so annoying, and the only way to quash it is to appease it. Over 2000 words, and all in a day. Crazy. Feedback appreciated :P

( Let me be empty and weightless and maybe I’ll some peace tonight. )

Fic for nyruserra, who commissioned me at the_fund and asked for Fred/Hermione, Post-Hogwarts, fluffy-romance. I can't believe I've finished it so quickly. It's over 3000 words! *is pleased*

Title: "A Christmas Story"
Pairing: Fred/Hermione
Rating: PG13
Summary: It's that magical time of year, and Hermione buys a gift for herself at Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes.

( Hermione was hiding something. Fred was sure of it. )

Title: "Summer Nostrum"
Pairing: Sirius/Ginny
Rating: PG13
Summary: Just a moment during the summer of No. 12 Grimmauld Place. Ginny watches Sirius. That's kind of all there is to it, I'm afraid :[

A/N: This is for _citanul, who guessed correctly that the reason why I wanted Rachel Yamagata's "Worn Me Down" is because I've been sort of obsessed with The O.C.. No worries, it's not a big thing, just a thing that I watch. Like an entertainment thing. No new fandom or anything like that. Anyway, _citanul asked for Sirius/Ginny, PG or PG13.

( 'There goes another one! Catch him, Sirius--!' )

Also, someone commissioned me at the_fund! So, a Fred/Hermione one-shot has now taken precedence over all other fics and will be posted in the coming week.

mynuet has gathered all the nominated classics and voting as begun! You can vote for the long fics here and the short fics here.

Whoever nominated "Here, Tonight"...thank you. I did see that :P

Furthermore, I just learned from inkpuddle that the fandom newsletter sunday_prophet is looking for a third editor. If you're interested, send them an email at sundayprophet@gmail.com and let them know!

I've had an epiphany, although it's not really an epiphany, more of a lack of willpower, and that is that I'm just going to write what I can write. By that I mean I revoke my vow of not starting anything new until I complete something. For example, I discovered that while I'm stuck on a few fics, streetscribbles and I brainstormed and ended up working on a D/Hr piece that's coming along nicely. I've never been good at writing Hermione, but by following Bet's lead, I manage not to mangle her post-HBP-mangled character. Anyway, it's really fun.

Also, I began fixing up The Road Too Far. Slow going.

The beginning of my New Untitled D/G Fic, which is now titled. This isn't even a full chapter, but it's the set up, un-betaed and unedited.

( Great Romances )