she had eyes that laughed glen hansard/markéta irglová, pg.
what remains after we try and fall out of love. 1,310 words.

notes: for twirls! merry holidays, m’dear! i hope you enjoy this. and i hope i do them justice. ♥

( - )

the key to the city vesper, m, pg
the truth is that it’s not the world they want. it's always been about what to need. spoilers for casino royale. 1,692 words.

notes: happy christmas, or post-christmas, first! and an update later, i promise. this is for gracelessheart and it's has been sitting on my desktop for a little bit due to the copious amounts of bond watching that i love to do. and wine. and a conversation about the women in bond films. so here we are. happy holidays, love.

( - )

...have a very clear far-right slant. I just saw (and clicked on) a banner which said, "Do you want to have to wait 100 days to see a physician?"

(I'm not saying there are no reasons to dislike the healthcare bill - I'm saying that it's frustrating to see lying scare tactics from any side.)

On an unrelated note, you should head over to wickedfaire and check out my latest entry.

So I often tell people that I pretty much don't play any games which aren't at least 10 (now, it's about 15) years old - because, to be honest, being an insane workaholic is not really compatible to experiencing really immersive gaming. When I'm really curious about a more modern game, I force the_sea_lingers to play it.

All this being said, I do have a game I've been playing for 22 years. It's not exactly immersive in the modern sense, being all text and characters - and now that it's a much, much quieter place, I'm seldom drawn into chatting. Plus, I'm intentionally a member of a guild which needs long periods of rest between what are, conveniently, usually very brief kills. It's a really perfect way for me to both remind myself to take brief breaks once in a while--and then remind myself to get back to work.

It's Igormud. And just a few minutes ago, I passed a point which is meaningless to almost everyone who's reading this - but it means a lot to me:

Level: 50 Dexterity: 47 Hit points: 498 (498)
Score: 1,001,353,956 Charisma: 5 Spell points: 435 (544)
Experience: 6,057,727 Constitution: 57 (44)
Gold: 236,671 Intelligence: 51
Explored: 8.66% Strength: 21
Guild level: X Wisdom: 49
Tradeskills: Sword*: Average (75.3%)
Herbalism: 80
Combat spell: octo.

One. Billion. Experience points.

That took a reallllly long time.

I could almost cry.


....okay! Enough sentimentality! Time for me to pimp the Wicked Faire promotion post! Time for me to update the Wicked site! Time for me to go make World's Fair plans!


....a billion experience points. Good Gods. I started that when I was twelve. Wow.

I got Snow Leopard, the new Mac OS for my computer. My parents tell me they got me other things, but they forgot them at the office. Same as last year. I discovered this when I brought my aunt to my sister's family's house for Christmas. To discover they'd all eaten long since, and most of the presents were already despatched. My mom insists they told me if we were running late, they'd start without us. She didn't. One of the gifts I bought my niece was way too old for her, so that goes away for later. The books I got her? She said she really prefers a different series. The adorable crocodile blanket and pillow set for my three- year-old nephew? He hit me across the face with it, and declared that he hated it. It goes back Monday.

Days like this, I wish I drank.

Dear Friend,

If you're receiving this letter, then you either are or have been a gifted student, a parent of a gifted student, or know or have known a gifted student at some point. No matter which of these categories you fall into, you probably know very well some of the trials and tribulations gifted students face, even in the best of schools. Many of you also probably know some of the extracurricular programs developed for gifted students within the schools, as well as some of the summer programs. Unfortunately, in this economy, many of these programs are drastically underfunded, many of the summer programs find themselves needing to cut corners wherever possible, and overall, the quality of education is not as high as we all might like it to be. While we cannot fix everything at once, we would urge you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to SPARC, the Summer Project for Academic Reach and Creativity. As a 501(c)3 organization, SPARC is aiming to create a summer enrichment program to serve gifted students not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. Our goal is to use charitable contributions to help us attain the best faculty and staff, as well as campus rental, all without having to be so expensive that it becomes difficult for most families that currently have gifted children, i.e, the ones who need it most, to afford it. Any and all contributions to add up, and will have the effect of improving not only the academics of the students, but helping to enrich the lives of all involved.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Rebecca Robare, President

Gil Cnaan, Vice President

SPARC INC 501 (C)3
111 N. 9th St #300
Philadelphia, PA 19107
http://www.SPARCSummer.org
becky@sparcsummer.org
gil@sparcsummer.org

Now Tuesday I was meant to do a walking tour of downtown, but I'd been enthused at so much about Momofuku Ramen it was time to head to the East Village to get some Asian food. By the time fatherdog arrived it was getting late but we did a quick run through St Marks Square so I could check out the goth shops.



These stores really don't vary all that much country to country, on the other hand I was a little surprised and a lot disappointed by the limited range of alternative clothing stores. I'd have been a lot better off shopping in Newtown *sigh* Still I did walk off with a pair of Pleasers and a Lip Service shirt because... well I'm on holiday and I'm a goth.



This bastard travels more than I do, but it's nice to add another sticker photo to my collection, this one's in the East Village, NYC.



Afterward on to Momofuku Ramen, the legendary New York eatery. I in fact was quite disappointed, it makes me appreciate Sydney cuisine but I was suspicious when the clientele were all white, and so were the staff.



Back to the hotel to drop off the shopping and then it was back downtown to at least do some of the walking tour we'd planned for the day. We headed down to the Ground Zero site however I was a little surprised that the main site is a very large construction zone with no public access whatsoever.



Instead what there is is a 'memorial preview' opposite St Paul's church. Shown here is the architectural model for the planned memorial and replacement *four* sky scrapers on the former World Trade Center site. I'm not sure you could get much more American really.

That being said the memorial is quite nice, I can't imagine working in the preview store though with the emotional 8 minute video on endless repeat. I picked up a book of photographs of New York around September 2001, some of the site, some of the survivors, some just celebrating the city. It's a lovely book but it weighs in at about 3kg so it's going back via sea post.





This should have stayed a somewhat sombre moment however then I spotted Century 21 the discount designer department store. This place is oh so good and oh so dangerous. Designer leather gloves for $20? Last season's designer heels at $25 a pair? I may have just walked off with enough clothing to make even the clerk in a downtown NYC shopping centre raise her eyebrows *facepalm*



Yonder to Ninja (!) the themed family restaurant for some Ninja-tastic Japanese/American fusion. The whole restaurant is decked out like a Japanese village and enthusiastic waiters sneak through secret passages to ninja you in the face.



Every dining room is its own private party and I think this makes a big difference as you are not subjected to group humiliation and can get a little bit into the silliness. A little too much ume shu and late night conversation and I fell asleep in the cab on the way home. Woops!

invitations are drugs kruger; ensemble, pg13
a reporter’s work is never complete, and sometimes the only things we’re really allowed to know are pieces. 3,114 words.

notes: merry xmas eve! for falseeeyelashes, who i love and adore and is completely and utterly awesome. this is … well, it’s definitely something a little different and definitely not christmasy, ha. but i feel like i’ve created a ‘verse of the sorts. at any rate, here we go.

( - )

From this.

( Cut for people who don't want to read about someone praising Obama )

It started at Louis Vuitton and it ended at the Russian Tea Room... yesterday was a day of delightful extravagance.

The entire day was set asside to go shopping and look at Christmas window displays, but given we had done much of this yesterday we chose to target only the items we hadn't made it to and take the rest of the day as it came. My stomach was unhappy with me after a day of endless American snacks and heavy fatty food so I had a light breakfast at the inn and we caught a cab to 5th Ave to go shopping. A long drive around Central Park was most welcome and gave us all sorts of ideas for the day.



We stopped for a look at Louis Vuitton, there's a much larger range at the store here than ones that I have been used to, even those in Europe. It was nice to see everything, particularly the oh-so-sparkly diamond jewellery in the shape of the Vuitton flower motifs but I really hadn't budgeted for a handbag upgrade and with no prices on display it was worth noting the adage "if you need to ask, you can't afford it" so instead it was off to Tiffany.



The Tiffany on 5th Avenue is a 6 story wonder filled with every Tiffany item I knew existed and some that I didn't (Why yes, I will take a house with Tiffany door knobs, why thank you!). I had walked in with an idea of the 'souvenir' item that I wanted to buy, and could afford - a replacement 1837 lock for my bracelet, however Scott bought it for me for my birthday along with an enamel Tiffany box charm. So of course I just had to spend my Tiffany budget on something else! I walked off with the remaining 1837 ring I didn't own - a black titanium and silver band that matches the others I wear, as well as a set of surprisingly affordable Tiffany/Riedel co-branded Riesling glasses.



At least I wasn't the only one struggling under a pile of blue boxes!

Afterwards we headed across the road to FAO Schwarz, I did stop to take a picture of the Apple Store but really as we have a flagship store in Sydney it really didn't seem all that necessary to go in. Instead I pounced upon the living toy soldier at the store's entrance.



The range of high class plushies inside is just *amazing* and I'm really surpised that the furries didn't gush at me more about it. There's an entire safari of animals leading up the major stairway with prices in 4-6 digits. The ones I liked were the bears overlooking the balcony though :o)



On arrival at the top I found the most glorious Harry Potter section, decked out to look like Diagon Alley.



This is where stores like FAO Schwarz really shine, I mean sure you can get most things you buy in New York in Sydney or even on the internet, but the range and quality of items in the store are amazing. I walked off with not only a pair of delightful Quidditch goggles with brass accents and hand stitched trim but also a gorgeous prop replica Time Turner from the Noble Collection.

I think I could have walked off with about $5000 of stuff for various friends if only I had the cash, but sadly all you get at this stage is pictures of some of the amazing pieces in the collection.



The rest of the store is really worth a wander, though there were limited other adult/collectable toys. Particularly at Christmas though the whole store is buzzing with family fun, and there's plenty of cute, nostalgic or just astounding items to be poured over.

The real highlight of the whole store though was the perfect timing, walking past the Big Piano just as a live show was about to start, so here's a little delight for you straight from New York to your nostalgia.



All that shopping really took it out of us so we stopped across the road at the famous Plaza Hotel for a drink.



Here's me living out my best Karen Walker fantasy sipping a 5 shot liquid lunch martini at the Oak Room Bar.



We were a bit nervous about walking around town laden down with Tiffany and FAO Schwarz bags, so decided to swing back to the hotel to drop off shopping and have a bit of a rest. My body shut down immediately (the extra strength martini and champagne might have helped here) and 3 hours later I had to drag myself up and dress for Carnegie Hall which was quite the struggle.

Sadly it appears there is a no camera policy at the concert hall but I did get a couple of shots off before the staff came and said something to me.



We were there to see Handel's Messiah, a very festive oratorio and fitting for our "Christmas in New York" themed holiday.

The concert itself was just beautiful, with a small orchestra and the Musica Sacra choir plus 4 soloists - Soprano, Tenor, Countertenor and Bass. The Bass singer was lovely, a jolly African American man whose voice started somewhere in his stomach but the real (and surprising) star of the show was Anthony Roth Costanzo, the countertenor. The man had the voice of an angel, something really special and possibly the best singer I've heard in my lifetime of concerts, operas and festivals. Amongst a long list of what I suspect was a small portion of his accolades printed in the program the man graduated Magna Cum Laude of Princeton and is the first countertenor ever to win the Opera Index Competition. In the end he was so strong that in the duet with the Tenor the CounterTenor lead the rounds.

Unfortunately the soothing music and jet lag caused a real internal struggle to stay awake, and in the intermission I had to grab a coffee and some sugar just to make it through. Boy was I glad I did because the rest of the concert was amazing and to see the Hallelujah chorus at Christmas in Carnegie Hall with a standing ovation? Pure magic.



Afterwards for a real treat we headed to the Russian Tea Room next door, the famous caviar salon and Russian restaurant favoured by New York's elite. Originally I had only gone to get a picture of the menu, but being surprised that the prices - while hardly "cheap" - were affordable for a belated Birthday meal on a holiday we just *had* to go in.

I will of course be blogging on goth_gourmande about it, but as a teaser here's a picture of my caviar tasting plate.



Afterwards what with the 11pm dinner seating, champagne and the smug warmth of rich world class food I climbed into bed and crashed like a crashing thing, waking from a deathlike slumber just in time for breakfast.

After a delightful breakfast at the inn where we chatted with our mostly German fellow holidayers we suited up and headed out. Thanks to Yuumei and Tech we had some prepaid metro cards and so we wandered up to the 116th Street Subway and caught a very fast train to 42nd and Times Square.



The garishness of the lights and the sounds is a bit overwhelming, it's like Leicester Square caught tacky. Somewhat appropriately one of the first stores we came to was the Times Square Sanrio store, so I picked up some Hello Kitty souvenirs. Afterwards we went to a Starbucks to find some warming coffee which was very welcome as we trudged through the snow and the cold up to Bryant Park.



Bryant Park is well known to the fashionistas being the location of NYC Fashion Week each year (and of course much of the location of Project Runway), but for this seasonal time it's covered in festive booths, hot chocolate booths, Christmas trees and of course a skating rink! So we pottered about and poked at the snow and took pictures.



Here I am in the snow, looking super festive in front of the giant Christmas tree at Bryant Park.

Let me tell you if you ever want good service, wear something festive at Christmas time. I have never had so many smiles or such good service everywhere I went. By the end of the day it got a little grating because strangers approached me all day wanting photos, wanting to know where I got the coat, asking for items off their Christmas list and so on.

From Bryant Park we wandered up to 5th Avenue, by this time it was a bit after 11am and we were surprised that it was quite quiet. Wandering along to the Rockefeller Centre was just magical, there's so much festive cheer and decoration, no wonder everyone talks about New York at Christmas.



The Rockefeller Centre also just seems to be a love letter from Rockefeller to his fellow New Yorkers, the whole place just gleams with hope and civic pride. Rockefeller commissioned much of the building and the artwork during the depression giving hope and employment to many, all the art runs on this theme and a huge plaque bears inspiring messages of hope (and free enterprise ;) such as "I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"





We were surprised to find ourselves disappointed with the skating rink at Rockefeller. Compared to the bright and gleaming sweetness of the Bryant Park Pond this rink was small, slushy and surrounded by pushy locals. So instead we wandered about the shops on 5th Ave for a bit. I have encountered the horror that is American telecommunications... it's not just that there's only a couple of GSM/3G networks (?!), it's not just that the don't understand the concept of a sim card that's not tied to a phone, but a prepaid service starts at USD$60 and contains no data. For a land where the consumer is meant to be king, this is just ridiculous. It is cheaper for me to use my phone on roaming from home than it is to buy a sim card. The concept of a $2 convenience store sim was just lost on the AT&T girl.



Rounding the corner we discovered Nintendo World! There's some fun 'historical' displays including a GameBoy bombed in the Gulf War and an original Super FamiCom, but mostly I was there for the merchandise. I added to my Mario plushie collection and picked up a couple of gifts for the nerds in my life. I find it interesting that the *only* place I've encountered so far with modern EFTPOS equipment was in the store of a Japanese company. All the telecomms and banking infrastructure here seems to be about 10 years behind the times, something I find somewhat bizarre when America prides itself on modernity and consumerism.



In order to prevent my earrings freezing to my flesh for the 18th time I bought these muffs for the bargain price of $5. With as much hair as I have and these muffs there is no need for a hat even in the freezing cold!



Lord I was glad I did though because the line for the Radio City Music Hall was about 2 blocks in the snow. On arrival I was ecstatic to discover alcoholic hot chocolate on sale in the lobby, hot chocolate and Grand Marnier really takes the edge off the cold!



The Rockettes are corny ridiculous festivity, but god I had fun. The whole thing is so cheerful and optimistic in a way that only America could do, 'shine the light of love' seemed to be refrained about 1000 times mixed with traditional holiday songs and themes, cheerful War Era pageantry and pleasant American formalwear.



The dancing itself was sheer precision and beauty, reminiscent of the opening scene of the Temple of Doom, every tap and click to perfection, chorus lines moving with grace and speed. Some of the dance rotations and synchronised line dancing were just breath taking and made even my cynical little heart gasp with delight. Less delightful was the 3D animations that made me motion sick and had me staring at the floor, but they had a lovely "history of the Rockettes" film toward the end that was sweet and interesting.

Of course it wouldn't be American without a hefty dose of Jaysus so there was an extended living nativity complete with camels and sheep, the scripture readings were a bit much but in my seasonal excitement, secular society and atheist parents it's easy to forget 'the real meaning of Christmas'



By this time the city had really started to get busy, and the snow had really started to melt, so it was time to get off the street. Heading into Saks on 5th Ave both a very good and a very bad idea if you get my meaning. The girls at the M.A.C counter fussed over my hair, coat, stockings, nails and makeup and were more than happy to serve. I didn't go silly really but it's worth noting that the cost of M.A.C retail in an upmarket dept store in New York is still 2/3 the price of it duty free in Australia.

I was actively disappointed with the designer clothes on sale, though they had a number of my favourite designers including Nicole Miller and Vivienne Westwood on sale for 40% off (god bless the poor economy!) there was not a single thing worth buying in my size. Even the rubber Westwood platform Mary Janes that you'd think would be oh so me, had a heel so small that I felt awkward walking in them. I did however hit up the "outerwear" section for a lovely new cashmere military style coat with fur collar, suitable for Sydney winter, and a pair of black fur ear muffs suitable for wearing with my black trenchcoat after the Christmas season is over.

Again the Christmas outfit did me some good, I got excellent upbeat service the whole time, and noted with pressed lips the rude rich New Yorkers barking orders at the service staff and willed them to learn the difference that a smile makes. Afterwards a quick run by an Irish Pub for an energy regenerating Magner's ($7USD for a 330ml bottle, ouch) and we were well into the evening. Instead of heading home for a nap we decided to push through the evening and get everything out of the way.



Firstly a run up to Top of the Rocks, the observatory at the top of 30 Rock. The wait was nil and the upstairs not crowded, definitely a better choice than the run to the Empire State Building we had planned to take today. Unfortunately the wind 70 storeys up was far too much for a long stay, particularly after dark in a coat that only reached my knees! There were some beautiful views though and it was well worth the entry fee, especially given the super fast talking elevator to the top floor. For awesome souvenirs of awesomeness I got myself a ViewFinder, complete with a Rockefeller Plaza disk, super happy with that purchase.



Afterwards we decided to head back to Times Square to find a truly horrendous touristy restaurant to round off our day. We succeeded! Here's the giant Reubens sammich I bought at the Roxy Deli after about 15 minutes of eating into it and giving up. I had them pack the leftovers because I couldn't bear to send back that much food, but I do wonder on the etiquette of giving food to homeless people, the rest of my sandwich could have fed two people easily and the lack of support for the needy here is enough to make my blood boil.

Between the long long busy day, the hefty food and the strange waking hours I was super tired after dinner. We caught a taxi home (they're very reasonably priced here) and I almost fell asleep on the way home. On arrival I managed to get my coat and boots off and climb into my bed, where I woke up 3 hours later dripping sweat... I had forgotten to remove any of the rest of my warm clothing in a heated room under a doona.

Once again it's the middle of the night and I'm wide awake by virtue of my nap (ah normality!) but it's given me plenty of time to blog and upload pictures. I hope that wasn't information overload!