If you had invoked me before you began this journey,

So, I'm currently on the couch, watching Hustle (oh, how I love a good con), with Ryan playing WoW, and a furry body under my feet.

In other words - we got a dog!

Her name is Roxy, and she's a black and brown 7 year old shepherd mix of some ilk. (The rescue says Belgian Shepherd Tervuren, which is very likely utter BS. Of course, it doesn't matter in the least to us.) Utterly adorable and a complete sweetheart, we both fell in love with her when we met her on Saturday. Happily, she seemed to fall in love with us as well. Or at least our backyard and the smell of cooking pork in the oven.

We're still in that adjustment period - where we're figuring her out, and she's figuring us out. This isn't bad, as it means we're going to need to be more on top of things like dishes. She's just tall enough to nose around on the counters if she stands up. It's kind of amusing, but just requires more diligence from us. She's also quite fond of wandering along the back of the couch that is near the window.

Consequently, we've spent most of the rest of the weekend (ie - today) letting her get adjusted while I did schoolwork and Dom's been goofing off in other respects. We did a bunch of cleaning yesterday, which was a relief as well. Means this week I can concentrate on writing of papers. (Argh!)

There's a small album on Facebook and I'll get better photos up on Flickr soon.

First off - anyone on the flist who may be interested in giving CSA a (free) shot in a few weeks - leave a comment. Dom and I will be gone for a few weeks and while we've no qualms with our share being donated, if anyone in town wants to try it - tell me. The only request I'm making is be willing to give (almost) everything you get a shot.



Counting today, I have 3 days of class left. This is quite peculiar.

Final schedule is pretty straightforward: art education - presentation on Thursday and everything else due Tuesday, photo - sit-down final, Judaic studies and Islamic art and architecture - take home and likely submit on d2l. Then just make sure my diploma is posted and get a copy of my transcript to the Graduate College.

Also need to order the bloody cap and gown. *mutters*

So, it's clearly been a long while since I updated this list. I've finished all the Robin McKinley I own

3. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley.

Aerin! Luthe! Talat! Damar! Aerin! no, i don't love it... no, not at all... *grin*

4. The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley.

And here we have Harry. And a mountain. I love this world (Damar), and while I'd love her to write more in it - McKinley's been pretty adamant on her blog that it likely won't happen. She's right in that her writing has changed over the years - themes, style, etc - and no matter what, these will always hold a special place in my heart. Honestly fans - be happy with what you have, don't torment the author about what you want.

5. Deerskin - Robin McKinley.

Retelling of Donkeyskin (without the money-producing ass I remember from Lang). Similar tale is the Many-Furred Creature. and i'm blanking on the aarne-thompson classification. i used to know some of them, and this was one. hrmmm Book about the standard themes of growing up, womanhood, love, etc. Damned good though. it's probably worth warning anyone who hasn't read it and isn't familiar with the source material - the rape scene can probably be considered rather graphic.

6. Sunshine - Robin McKinley.

More recent McKinley (2003). It involves vampires and a baker. Not nearly as corny as it may sound, my copy is well-loved and dog-eared. This is an honor that likely only belongs also to Good Omens, which I had to recently replace because of it.

7. Rose Daughter - Robin McKinley

Beauty and the Beast. Prefer it to the earlier Beauty, as it's more... fulfilling.

8. Beauty - Robin McKinley

Earlier version of Beauty and the Beast - one of her first books I think. Not bad, but not my favorite. That honor, as I've said before, belongs to Angela Carter's The Tiger's Bride.

Note - I am willing to concede part of my weakness for Carter's may be the last lines, which begin "And each stroke of his tongue ripped off skin after successive skin, all the skins of a life in the world, and left behind a nascent patina of shining hairs."

9. Medalon - Jennifer Fallon

Hrmmm.... interesting world. This is the first in a trilogy (Hythrun Chronicles, and I just found my copies of Treason Keep and Harshini) about a young woman created to destroy a god. Life gets interesting when said young woman when you consider how she was raised... Certain parts cause a minor twitch, but overall enjoyable.

Currently, I'm working on finishing up books I have half-read. This includes the infamous NorsePunk All The Windwracked Stars, which I started from the beginning again just to read the aftermath of (what is assumed to be) Ragnarok and the transformation of Kasimir. She's got a portion of the prologue over here. I fully admit to having a weakness for grandiose statements such as You are not so fallen as you think, and I am the coming Age of the World.

Also have The Far Traveler and Ghost Train To the Eastern Star partially finished. I'd add Animal, Vegetable, Miracle to the list, but I've decided I can only take her in smallish doses as she seems to be inciting ragey!Willa bits...


Right, back to more mundane things. With only two classes today - from 2 to 4:45, I'm currently debating just hitting the library, pulling the damned Mapplethorpe stuff and going home and tidying up a little bit, then relaxing. (Good paper topic, Willa... *mutters* take one of the most written about photographers and chose to write about what no one writes about.)

I do love Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea. They may not make the OMG!Best mochas in town, but I feel loved when the owner comes by and gives me extra for free. ("Here - I've got some more. Want it?")

And the food's pretty good as well.


Took yesterday off to finish up some schoolwork. Apart from the horrid writer's block, got a decent dent in stuff. One of the classes I had something due today in got cancelled, so it's now due Thursday. So I'll try and get half of it cleaned up tonight, and the other half tomorrow. Better medieval Jewish history than Mamluk architecture.

Dinner at Benihana was fun - we did the teppanyaki show/thingy. I've been to hibatchi before, but it was a place in Newport, and never to Benihana proper. Dad put forth a few places he wouldn't mind, and as domnall and I hadn't done Benihana, and it was close to dad, that was the verdict. As usual, had a good time with my dad. The tuna steak, by the way, really tasty. I didn't mooch any of dad's scallops, though domnall did and liked them. I had chicken, further proving I'm hopeless, or something. *grin* The boys talked iPhone apps, we all talked movies, jury duty, work, and so on, and I discussed my plans for graduation gift to myself.

Still arguing with Financial Aid. (no, really, that "graduate student" bit on my FAFSA is serious...) it's no longer quite as serious, what with the job situation and all, but if I can get some money to cover a bit of rent or books? I'd be happy.

raventhourne - I'm trying for the digital copy of that book today, though I put in an ILL request for a hard copy.

elinor_dear - when are you on campus/have a break? I really should pick up that movie from you and I'm usually free Tuesday/Thursday from 12:15 to 2.


Finally - I know several people on my friends list either have tattoos or know people who do. Where do you all suggest as good places in Tucson to get a tattoo? I've heard good stuff about Fast Lane (and seen nice work, as well), and ysabet recommended Enchanted Dragon, but there are so many, and as soon as I've got the stuff in hand, I'd like to start looking.

Today, I got to tag along on a tour of the rest of the Western Archeological and Conservation Center.

Dear gods - we have some really cool stuff. More on that likely tomorrow though.


Then came home, had dinner (very tasty pasta - even if domnall confused the cilantro with dandelion greens. to be fair, both had been in the fridge for awhile and looked similar).

Went up to the Apple store. Alia's battery life off-cable has been laughable. They replaced and all was good.

Now, I'm home (again). Have chocolate cake from AJ's (very decadent, but I feel I've earned it) and a white russian. Must remember to make ice - it helps.



I am happy...

First off - found a message on my phone from yesterday. The Nurse Practitioner I've been seeing at Campus Health got back to me, which made me very happy.

Then went up to Phoenix. I was tagging along with domnall and weavedancer for the BTY Book Review. It was done over lunch at the Cornish Pasty Co. Very tasty, and we got extras for dinner tonight - I burned myself on the pan doing so. I iz klutz.

But, at any rate, finished up and then wandered Ikea before heading back. Got to Tucson, dropped off weavedancer, dropped off the other pasties, and headed home. I then renewed my membership.


All in all - good day. Tomorrow, need to do school stuff (and get the car washed).

So, I'm fairly sure I've got a low-level something in my system. Eyes are no longer watery, but the throat is uber-scratchy. And I forgot that when I'm like this, dairy in general isn't too good (I feel worse, usually), so the ice cream is sitting in the freezer.

After I got done with Alvernon Optical, I was feeling shitty, so I just came home and lazed about. I did actually finish the school-work I needed to at about 8:30.

domnall's home, as 40k was cancelled. He found this out after he got there, but oh well. I think minis are going to be painted this weekend.

I've got Cloverfield on. Reminds me I'd like to sit down and watch Alias from beginning to end. On the TV front, Dollhouse will either be quite good or oh god no. The first episode shown didn't grab me 100%.

Of course, the only things I watch with serious regularity are Fringe, Top Chef, and Top Gear. Everything else kind of piles up.

Hrmm... it just ended. Felt shorter than it was.

I'm hoping to get my credit card paid off in the next few months. This will happen because I want it to damn it. Besides, then I can order more linen guilt-free.

I'm looking forward to Watchmen. Muchly. Hopefully, will see Coraline this weekend.

Am also debating building an open-air clay/brick/etc oven at my dad's place for baking experiments.

The NyQuil is kicking in. Night all.

I need to dredge up some of my Alice In Wonderland/Charles Dodgeson-related nonfiction...

That said - today was good. Not that Saturday's Sable Knight wasn't, but today was enjoyable overall.

Even if we did leave home with one shield and come home with two. I learned - if you can't find domnall on the field, look for him in the shield wall. They're currently both propped up in what passes for a hallway in this apartment.

And they're both going to war with us - I forsee some interesting games of tetris. I think it's also going to mean it may be practical to look into a period pavilion over the course of the next year...


At any rate - even if I wasn't as social as I was on Saturday, I still had a good time. And since he so rarely updates his lj, domnall had a good time as well. Apart from a bit of worry involving his back - was coming down off a hay-bale and was knocked backwards onto his back - all is good. But he was quite pleased, and we should be starting to come out to Tuesday more regularly. his new(er) helm shall also be done by estrella, damn it

I, on the other hand, shall be assimilated into the rapier blob.


In other news, not a massive amount of Estrella sewing - coat, tunics, and pants for domnall (all rather simple, and from the current stash) and a few under-dresses for me. I'm going to need to order more linen for new fighting stuff for him - gambeson, pants, and possibly coat of some type. But that's post-Estrella.


And now, I'm going to collapse. Sleep!

So, the big thing I managed this week was to sew new clothing for domnall. (And an underdress for myself.) And, if I do say so myself, it looked pretty good. Mind you, it needs some work, namely actual, working, closures. I'm thinking I may take it in a little on the sides, just to fit it better, but I'm unsure.

When he says "I could live in this," I'll take it as a good sign. *grin*

Besides, god damn it, I actually finished it. Ha! Yes, the picky part of me points out that all the hems were machine-done. And there was interfacing used. However it was linen, and I made the buttons (it's the little things!), it looked very good. Particularly as I've not made anything like this before. I think I did pretty well, all things considered.

Let's see, domnall is now Exchequer. I forsee much chaos, and fully intend on doing as much as I can to help him. (Read as: make sure he gets food/water at events. Make sure everything gets out before events. If he's the only one at troll and needs to run an errand - hold the fort down until he returns by telling people to hold their horses.)

Along with this comes the fact that he's planning on getting back out onto the hardsuit field. Hrmm... exchequer plus hardsuit will equal some work. He's planning on fighting at Sable Knight, and we'll be at War Practice. Both things are good. On the downside however, I highly doubt that he'll be able to fight in Baronial tourneys/events for at least a small while - but who knows, we'll see. Simply my personal views on the matter, though.

The weekend, overall though, was really good. On Saturday, a new baron and baroness elected! Woot! And there were people to see and talk to! And I was a suitably space-cadet prior to coffee. (I swear, my brain hates me sometimes. I really think I lack short-term memory occasionally.) I was once again reminded that we should be more social - there were at least a few comments of "we need to see more of you guys." I think we certainly will be more social. I constantly forget how much I enjoy hanging out with some people...

Estrella To Do:
* Make hats and coats.
* Make another kaftan, pair of bag trousers, and two underdresses. Sure, we'll be wearing stuff multiple times, but I don't care.
* Repair all existing stuff that's coming.
* Sew fleece for bedding.

I just happen to be fond of Alia...


At the least, stuff is going well. School starts tomorrow, though I don't have any classes until Thursday. I'm taking four classes, and I anticipate that they should be at least marginally interesting. I do need to make sure that I get my graduation stuff in order soon, the less I worry about it, the better.


Have cut out new stuff for domnall, it should be done by polling. With luck, I may be able to finish an underdress as well for myself. I anticipate good events the next two weekends, at any rate. Even if I'll likely be wearing the same stuff... *grin*

Bed sounds like a lovely concept right now. I think I'll be off.