For my birthday, I got to have dinner with my dad, my brother, and my half sister. (My half brother is flying in from San Diego [lulz for context] this weekend.)

Much as I love and missed them, I could have done without them being in New York for why they're here.

Charles, my boss, presented me with a bottle of excellent bourbon saying, "Happy birthday. I'm sorry it's for forgetting rather than celebrating."

My sister raised her glass to me at dinner saying that we should not forget it was my day. I drank vodka tonight (oh god so much vodka) for Mom. We told stories of Mom, how amazing she is, how everyone loves her because she treats everyone like a human being. (Apparently the door/elevator men from the building sent a card. The building is full of old, sick, and dying people. I doubt they do that for everyone. In fact, I'm sure they don't.)

Tonight, I saw my father wish one of the nurses--one I'd barely met--a lovely weekend, and hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. This is how my family is.

After dinner, I got to the bar and it was full of people I love, who cheered when I came in the door.

Today was terrible, but it was absolutely made better by the love of the wonderful people around me.

I even joked with my mother, as I hugged her good night, that oh god, worst birthday ever. She grinned at me and hugged me again.

I am blessed. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

For those of you who never met her or saw her picture, this is my Mom:


That's her on the right.

My mother is the most beautiful, glamorous, fabulous person I have ever known.

That hat doesn't nearly do her justice.

If you haven't read this post about Prop8, you absolutely should. It's beautiful.

(via idwoman)

I had lunch with my Dad today, and I apologize for forgetting the lead in, but he made a crack about not wanting to "get accused of shooting women in hotel rooms."

Because of the word "accused," it took me a minute to realize he was referring to The Craigslist Killer.

I gaped for a second, then explained that Markoff was in a similar vein as The Preppie Killer*, in that he was a wholesome-looking white boy from a wealthy family, who has serious issues with women. I had to tell him that Markoff had solicited prostitutes from Craigslist, and that he then (allegedly) robbed and/or hurt them.

My father admits that he skims the news, reading only the first couple of paragraphs of most articles. That's fair, he has a lot of reading to do, and generally, unless it pertains to his work, he doesn't really have time to read in-depth.

So for him to be aware of the case, but not know the VERY KEY DETAIL of why Markoff was (allegedly) around these women? That information should be in the first paragraph!
MAJOR JOURNALISM FAIL.

I'M LOOKING AT YOU, NEW YORK TIMES.

Ugh.

*Also like the Preppie Killer, this guy's lady is standing by her man. ::gibber::

Even aside from the murder and robberies that occurred, I'd be done as soon as I heard my fiancee was "allegedly" seeking prostitutes, and that there was physical evidence to support the claim.

There's so much "NO" to this situation, even John Ringo's head is spinning.

woogledesigns analyzes the NOM or 2M4M (or whatever they're calling themselves) ad.

He raises some interesting points.

At his journal, bodlon tells us all why the National Organization for Marriage are a bunch of despicable people who are petty and hateful.

He also doesn't devolve into profanity the way I would.

woogledesigns analyzes the NOM or 2M4M (or whatever they're calling themselves) ad.

He raises some interesting points.

supergee wrote in his LJ:

In some of the comments to rm's post on FanFail (though not in the post itself), there were complaints that fandom welcomes fat people with no fashion sense.

That's a feature, not a bug. It's an extension of the principle under which fandom welcomes people of all colors.

To this, I responded:

I think that's a function of the newer blood coming into the scene.

These people are finding themselves interested in SF/F maybe in a way they never have before, and seeking out conventions because in 2009, that's what you do.

So to go to a con, especially an old one like Lunacon, and be confronted with the fact that yes, many of the "nerd stereotypes" of the 70s and 80s are still very much alive and well in the attendees...it's a shock. Lunacon isn't hip and sexy like San Diego or Dragon*Con, nor should it be, because that's not what it's for.

But I will also say this: Having been to mostly those "hip and sexy" cons in the last year and a half, it was jarring even to me. And I self-identify as a geek and a nerd.

There's a new kind of person entering fandom, and they are much more mainstream than people are used to. The question now is should the Old Guard change?

In cases of the sort of behaviors rm listed in her post, absolutely.

But in cases of "Your shirt is ugly, your hat is dumb, and for Gods' sake, comb your hair," no, they shouldn't have to.

But clearly the old and the new are going to have to hash this out.

Note: This does not apply to my friends, or the lovely people I *did* meet this weekend.

Lunacon has been filled with some of the worst stereotypes and bad memes about Fandom, and it has made me hate my "tribe" in a way I haven't done in a very long time.

I found myself distinctly uninterested in the panels, after hearing what a fiasco one of my friend's panels consistently were.

I found myself distinctly uninterested in socializing other than with the people I already knew, and the friends they had with them.

I found myself horrified by behavior reported to me by creditable sources.

I went to computer camp for six years. I have been active in fandom online and off. I have been active in the SCA.

This is by no means my first experience with this community, but it's definitely the first time I've been unhappy to be here.

I know that this convention is usually a fun, positive experience.

I feel worse for the organizers and the hotel staff than for myself with this. I will still attend conventions, SCA events, Pennsic, etc.

But dude.

What. The literal. Christ.

Oh god, I am already sick of people whining about how there were crying kids in their theatre, and how dare the marketing pander to children the way it has!

Look.

People who make that complaint deserve the same scorn as those who were surprised the boat sank at the end of Titanic.

Watchmen, as a piece of our culture, has existed for over twenty years.

Even if you've never read it, it's not hard to find a synopsis, commentary, or reviews.

So shut the goddamn hell up with "HOW DARE THEY NOT MAKE IT MORE OBVIOUS THAT THIS SUPERHERO MOVIE ISN'T REALLY ABOUT SUPERHEROES."

Complain about the crying kids in the context of those truly deserving of such ire: THE IDIOTS WHO BROUGHT THEIR KIDS.

So the amazing, beautiful, and talented bassringer needs some help for San Diego Comic Con this July...

Reposted from her LJ:
In which our heroine prostrates herself before San Diego Con-goers

Soooo I dropped the ball on San Diego this year. [Ed. note: I blame the Canadian Post.]My submission arrived one (business) day past the due date (thanks a bunch, Xpresspost) so no table for me. This is a long shot, but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh?

Do any of you con-goers know of anyone who might want to share a table? Maybe someone who's worried about expenses and would like to shoulder off 3/4 of their table fee in exchange for 1/2 their space? My failings - mathematical and otherwise - can be your gain!

I kept trying to look on the bright side of not going (more time/energy for smaller local cons, less sweatshop disaster in my house) but if there's a way I can still manage to squeeze in that'd be way better.

3/4 chip-in is based on small press prices, but if there's a regular booth to be shared, well, I'm a featherweight negotiator. Offer may or may not include a tiny tiny dog.

I can personally vouch to the EXTREME LEVELS OF AWESOME contained in bassringer.

Also, she makes cute hats. And is pretty darn cute herself.

Here's some 80s nostalgia:( THEIR PRICES ARE INSANE )

WHY IS BOB DYLAN SHILLING PEPSI?!?!

That said, I really kinda liked that remix...

19:00: So...Year One, eh?

They decided to remake History of the World Part One and have it star Jack Black and Michael Cera? Ouch.

Gregory Hines may be glad he's dead for this one.

19:16: Doritos and GoDaddy for major fail.

GoDaddy, I expect that from, but Doritos?

There was nothing about that commercial I didn't find offensive.

19:51: What the FRESH HELL was that Teleflora commercial? WTF is so egregious about FLOWERS in a BOX?

I just...what?

( This is the best picture you will see all day. )

See? Told you.

See the rest of the awesome here.

The bread came out quite tasty.

The next time I make it though, I'll use four tablespoons of peanut butter instead of three, and I'll use crunchy instead of creamy.

But for a baking risk, I am quite pleased with the results.

We had three brown, soft bananas left. You know what that means, kids? BANANA BREAD!

While mixing the bananas with the eggs, I remembered to put nutmeg in, and then decided I was feeling adventurous.

What if instead of walnuts, I used peanut butter?

So I did it.

I am well aware that the oils in the peanut butter may render this project a waste of bananas and peanut butter, but THAT'S A RISK I'M WILLING TO TAKE.

And honestly? If it tastes anywhere nearly as good as the batter, I will declare it a success.

A quick peek into the oven shows it rising neatly and looking and smelling good, SO...

::crosses fingers::