Cocoa

I need like, 'time management for people with executive function problems who also find schedules terrifying'. Because it seems like everything that is 'time management for people with executive function problems' is 'make a schedule' which is basically an idea that makes me want to run screaming in the opposite direction because as soon as I fail to meet something on the schedule all hope is lost and I will shut down.

(or possibly I need to suck it up and find a psych my insurance covers)

Hello, Parallels author! Since you were assigned me, you either really like Shinsengumi stuff, or share my taste in in RE characters. But the odds are probably on Shinsengumi. While I know I put prompts down, I would basically be happy with anything that isn't horribly bittersweet because oh my god playing through routes in Hakuouki is like repeatedly punching myself in the soul. I just want happy. Also, an alternative to any of the Shinsengumi prompts - Souji or Hijikata and their families. Which would be delving into headcanon, I realize, but go for it, seriously. This site has historical information. Hakuouki is a dating sim with an anime adaptation - copies can be found online of both, buuut I'm going to try to keep blatantly illegal things out of this post *g* The plot is sort of ridiculous, but I love the characterization despite it. Peacemaker Kurogane started (and is still running) as a manga series, and also has an anime adaptation of the first five manga volumes (which... were published under a different title. Confusing, I know). Funimation has the anime online (or on youtube, for those outside the US), and Tokyopop was releasing the manga before they imploded, but some scans are linked here now that the manga is out of print. Kaze Hikaru is my favorite of the three, because there's so much detail put into the research, and the writer is willing to flesh out the universe with fill-in stories to historical facts. Unfortunately even if I wanted to link scans (it's currently being translated by Viz very very slowly), the fanbase is bitsy so they don't exist. BUT IT'S REALLY GOOD.

If you got matched on me for RE I'm... sorry.... That was my hideously self-indulgent pairing choice. My headcanon for them is based off of RE2 and RE4 (I haven't played 5 or 6 yet), and I tend to think of Leon/Ada as being my personal canon. ALTERNATIVELY you can write me self-indulgent Leon/Dante instead? HUGE DORKS FOREVER.

Cyberware

• » Commlink
• » Sim Module
• » Simrig
• » Skillwires

An implanted version of the commlink popular with hackers and salarymen on the go. Commlinks are the ultimate personal networking tool, used by almost everyone. They are a combination wireless router, cellphone, vidcam, PDA, GPS unit, chip reader, wallet/credstick, and mobile gaming device.

An implanted version of the external sim module, popular with sim lovers and BTL users. The sim module is an ASIST interface that controls the simsense experience. It translates computer signals (simsense data) into neural signals, allowing the user to directly experience simsense programs and virtual reality.

An implanted version of the external simrig, the simrig records simsense experience data (both physical and emotive) from the wearer. Simrigs incorporate a sim module.

Skillwires are a system of neuromuscular controllers placed alongside the body’s natural nervous system to override muscular movement. Skillwire systems allow the use of activesofts (Activesofts replicate skills that require physical activity).

Bioware

• » Bone Density Augmentation
• » Pain Editor
• » Sleep Regulator
• » Trauma Damper

In a long and painful process, the molecular matrix of the subject’s bones are altered for density and strength. The procedure also strengthens ligaments, but as a side effect increases weight.

The editor is a cluster of specialized nervous tissue designed to filter sensory stimuli. The subject feels no pain and is unaware of the extent of damage taken without examining herself or being informed by a biomonitor.

The sleep regulator modifies the hypothalamus region of the brain, allowing for longer periods of wakefulness. The recipient requires less sleep per day and the sleep she gets tends to be deeper and more restful.

A trauma damper is a clump of specialized receptors, implanted at the base of the thalamus, near the midbrain. Upon receiving sensory information indicating fatigue, pain, or physical trauma, the damper triggers the release of concentrated endorphins and enkephalins—naturally produced opiates and painkillers. These substances do not aid in repairing the trauma, but they may keep the user alive and conscious long enough for him to receive medical help.

Genetech

• » Adapsin
• » Genewipe
• » Neo-EPO
• » PuSHeD

Adapsin is a catchphrase for two proteins that can reduce the impact of non-biological implants to an organism. True adapsin is an immunoprotein that limits bio-stress upon implantation of cybernetics by down-regulating inflammatory response. The second protein produces a secreted polysaccharide that coats the implant with a bio-film, making the body believe that it is a normal organ, thus limiting xeno-rejection and immune response in the long term.

This treatment is a major genetherapeutic procedure that inserts a tag into the body’s neurotransmitters that triggers accelerated cell death whenever these cease to receive regular neurochemical signals from the body—causing epithelial cells and hair to decompose more rapidly when they are removed from the body. As a consequence, biological trace evidence left by characters with this treatment irrevocably deteriorates after five minutes (rendering it useless for genetic profiling or ritual samples).

Eythropoetin (EPO) is a hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells (erythrocytes), commonly used as a performance-enhancing additive in professional sports for over a century. Neo-EPO increases oxygen retention and athletic endurance by insuring a constant supply of oxygen. (This modification was attempted but ultimately failed, requiring further correction)

The PostSynaptic HyperDensity protein modification increases the size of neuronal bundles throughout the central nervous system. This has statistically been shown to grant an increase in subjects’ IQ.

Icons by Gregory Sujkowski

Not enough sleep and not enough food and forgetting to take your meds and then sitting in a tiny panel with a bunch of famous fantasy authors and sitting *next* to a famous fantasy author.

Listening to them talk about their craft and thinking of process knitters and product knitters. Thinking that you're no good at the things society has deemed 'art' (and I could get into that but won't right now). And all of these authors are terribly interesting people you would like to know but they are famous and you are not.

And then you end up standing in front of the knitting section at B&N wanting to just fit into the shelves somehow and not think all these things.

(don't be me. I can't recommend it)

I totally meant to do the rest of the Talkative December prompts (and may still do them!) but then school started and my Alienware decided to bite it on the same day. As far as I can tell, I shorted out something dealing with the power switch and battery charging, which probably means a new mobo, which means probably $100+, which means I'm now investigating buying a new laptop that has more than an i3 processor and ports that don't wiggle. In the meantime, I talked my mom into letting me put Mint on her EeePC (instead of the godawful netbook version of WinXP it had) and am using that, though it is tiny, and an Atom CPU means Firefox maxed out CPU and closed itself like four times yesterday.

Classes are going fairly well, although a week and a half in it's hard to say. Linear Algebra is going to be the hardest by far because all of my advanced math skills are really rusty, and it's a theory-heavy class and while I can usually manage if I have actual numbers to manipulate, I am so not good at theoretical math and proofs.

Arts of China is less interesting than the Japanese Architechture class I wanted to take (it got cancelled because of low enrollment), but it's still pretty interesting. Introduction to Theatrecraft has quickly turned into my favorite because it's all so interesting, and we get to make things! And do lights and sound for the theatre department productions (which this term includes Twelfth Night).

My computer science class (you know, the thing I'm majoring in) is actually the dullest, because it is Intro Java, and I need 'so you know another programming language and just need to know Java's conventions' and not 'let's talk about what an IDE is'. It's also from 5:30 to 7pm aka the point at which I have been on campus for eight hours already and just want to go home.

costume(s) you'd make if neither money nor issues of materials/technique were an obstacle? - akatonbo

Over ten days late, is anyone surprised I ever get anything done? I sure am. In my defense, akatonbo already knows the answer because it came up on the 30 days of cosplay meme I've been doing over on tumblr. The answer is... well, less grand than a lot of cosplayers, I think. Some of which is my willingness to tackle new things head-on, and some of it is... just not finding fancy designs/armor that really appeal to me? Clow Reed from Cardcaptor Sakura was my first cosplay, and ever since, I've wanted to redo it to do the outfit justice. I'm actually finally hitting a point where my skills are mostly there - I need to get better at embroidery, and I need to do research on 17th and 18th century Chinese garment construction, but the rest of the obstacles are monetary.

I also still sort of want to do one of the World of Warcraft Mage tier armor sets, but I can never decide which.

The topic I was supposed to post about on the 10th was Where would you like to see yourself in five or ten years? from wyldbutterflies. Better late than never I suppose? Which should probably be my life motto.

I've actually only been asked this question on an interview once, despite it being one of the ubiquitous 'interview questions'. I laughed and said 'A Canadian citizen, I hope.' That was three and a half years ago so technically there's still time for it to happen, I don't think it will. Five years from now - I'd like to finally have a job with some prospect of advancement, a job that's actually a career and not a series of entry-level manual labor jobs. I don't want to be living in my hometown - it has it's merits, here and there, but it's a city that's been stuck dead in the water for my entire lifetime, and it depresses me. Being home reminds me of being in high school, which was not a good period in my life mentally or emotionally. I'm trying to make the most of the benefits of it but it's not something I want to be permanent.

As for the physical 'where' of where I'd like to be - Boston, Vancouver, Seattle, maybe Portland. I love the Northwest cities and Boston equally but in different ways and for different reasons and it's a hard choice to have to make, even theoretically. Out of the Northwest, I'd like to live in Vancouver the most because if there was one thing I learned during university (which okay I learned a lot of things), it's that I am a big goddamn pinko commie socialist hippie. Which also means I don't really want to be American any more - I'm not proud of my country, and while there's always the hypothetical devil's advocate of 'but then why don't you stay and make it better!' - I don't have the energy for that, honestly. I don't have the energy for any real sort of major activism because I have my own shit to deal with.

...I think this is a long convoluted way of saying 'I'm not sure right now, but I hope somewhere good' *g* Long-term planning is not a strong point here. In ten years - hey, maybe if I'm lucky, I'll be working for Dreamwidth?

...as requested by somnolentblue.

First and foremost, COOKIES ARE DELICIOUS. Food-as-gift is totally acceptable to me, and I will chow down anything not full of raisins, cranberries, or white chocolate chips terrifyingly fast. Raisins and white chocolate get a try, but cranberries are totally out because no. Storebought cookies will also get devoured quickly because delicious and low-effort. My favorite commercially made cookies are Tagalongs - which I think have different names in various parts of the US? They're the vanilla cookies with peanut butter filling on top coated in chocolate, and last year I basically drove to Bellingham and shoved a twenty at the scouts and was like 'GIVE ME AS MANY BOXES AS THAT BUYS' and then they were gone in two weeks. Such is the tragedy of Girl Scout cookies. My second favorite store-bought cookies are mint Milanos, but they're on sale approximately never, so usually I just get Chips Ahoy, aka the only commercial chocolate chip cookie I actually like. And frequently on sale!

My legit favorite cookies though are my mom's chocolate chip cookies. Which she makes using the Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back of the bag but through arcane mom magic they always manage to be the perfect balance of crispy and chewy. I've been trying to replicate this for years with only one or two true successes - mine always turn out too 'cakey' which is an eternal disappointment. I'm more likely to make no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies which are chocolate, peanut butter, oats, and far too much sugar and butter but are delicious. It's like an energy bar! In cookie form! And they look sort of ugly, but are nearly impossible to screw up.

I also used to do decorated fandom sugar cookies for friends (see icon) and somewhere have about a million photos of them pre-shipping, but I tragically do not know where said photos have ended up. I also haven't had time to do them recently because decorating little sugar-cookie people in detail is both messy and time-consuming.

...I would end this with recipes but they are downstairs and I am in bed, and should have turned out my light at least fifteen minutes ago. Tomorrow, perhaps!

I could probably write a whole post on Thanksgiving and family and feels and all that, but I am prone to too much navelgazing, so I'll just say that I had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving, and am thankful for the friends I've made, here and elsewhere, for family, for opportunities and chances.

And, now that we are into Winter Holiday Of Your Choice Season - I don't think I'm going to be organized enough to do cookies or cards this year because my organization for getting physical things done is like, nil, so instead - digital presents! You may request any of the following:
-Custom layout/custom profile or CR code
-One of spire's layouts to be ported as an official layout (with your choice of color theme, if you want something other than the default)
-an effort-minor DW bug (I'm willing to consider some effort-mediums, maybe). If you don't hang around the 'Zilla you can name a thing and I can tell you.
-some other digital thing you know I can do but I can't remember right now?

I had kind of a lousy 'morning' (aka early afternoon) - stayed up too late arguing pointless things on the internet, woke up to news that the Republicans were being even more of asshats than usual, and drove to an eye doctor appointment only to discover it had been canceled because the doctor went home sick. So when I got back home, I basically went 'FUCK IT, I'm going to go to that Vienna Teng concert in Boston tonight, brother will you come with me if I buy your ticket?' to which the answer was 'yes'. Drove and parked at Riverside, I forgot how long the Green Line takes to get into downtown but it was okay anyway. We went by Million Year Picnic, and then the new (to me) anime store in The Garage (which replaced a larger one that had been there for years but who's name is lost to me now) where I bought Gintama cellphone charms, and then to the Newbury Comics so bro could look at albums and I could check out merch. Mad forever that X-Men merch is so hard to find but oh well. We grabbed some food and then headed over to the concert.

The whole concert was sort of a cascade of serendipity - I was talking to Fey on IM Saturday and Sunday night, and she went 'Hey, you like Vienna Teng, right? She has a new album out and it's all up streaming on her website.' I went to look and oh, hey, concert dates! In North Hampton on Monday, and Boston Tuesday! Which is how I ended up buying tickets today (and paying $6 extra for it ugh). Then, in the process of trying to talk my brother into coming, he said 'Don't you have friends in Boston than you can go with?' and I replied 'Well, yeah, sort of, but not like... friends I can call right now and be all 'HEY do you want to come to a Vienna Teng concert with me tonight?'. Lo and behold, after the concert is over and people are milling around the merch table and the chairs... I spot some of aforementioned friends, of the DW variety. Which included one I had not met in meatspace yet! So that was a lovely little cap to a lovely concert.

It was mostly new-album stuff this time - which was lovely live, and I always like hearing the little stories behind each song, although I secretly wished for more early stuff. But I think some of that was that I've listened to those albums over and over and over so they've kind of engraved themselves in my soul, and the new one hasn't had time to do that to me yet. It was really interesting to see some of the effects done live, and learning little things like the percussion line in 'Copenhagen' being played on plastic cups. And there was a little signing line/meet and greet after and while I didn't have anything to sign, I went to tell Vienna how much I love her music and was glad to see her again because the last time had been at Club Passem in Cambridge, way back in 2005 (just under a year before I moved to Canada, so it feels sort of like a bookend). And I got an unprompted hug and then had a friend take a photo of us on my cellphone so I can sit and sigh dreamily at it.

(for the curious, the songs played, in order by album rather than by played, were Gravity, Green Island Serenade, Recessional, The Last Snowfall, Antebellum, Grandmother Song, and all of AIMS except 'Never Look Away')