New Orleans

I have I think *finally* sorted out the New Orleans holiday. Please someone smack me round the head with a wet Methos next time I even consider trying to organise a group holiday. I love my friends, I really do but I swear I have come *this* close to strangling most of them in the early part of this week.

Still after much 'restrained' shrieking on my part (yes, restrained, I do know the meaning of the word) I have got the cash off everyone and, fingers crossed, we should have airline tickets by the end of this week. My absolute *Goddess* of an american friend Emilie organised the accommodation, so we now have rooms reserved and today The Lodger got his passport!

Wahey!

The Lodger has never had a passport before and this was therefore a subject of much celebration 'chez nous' this morning. It's going to be interesting seeing how US customs respond to his picture seeing as he bears a truly uncanny resemblance to a serial killer but, hey, I guess it will be entertaining if nothing else.

This holiday will be the first time The Lodger has been outside the UK since he was 10 years old. I have a sneaking suspicion that once he gets to New Orleans I won't get him to leave....::grins::

So I can at last *finally* give out dates and a blanket invitation to all, to drop in for a drink with me and my assorted friends if your in the region of New Orleans during the time we are there:

We Fly in: Wednesday 8th October
We Fly out: Wednesday 15th October
We are staying here

I am mightily looking forward to finally meeting several people I know from the web face to face. *Squeeeeeeeeeeeee!*

Someone add more hours to the day..

....or I'm gonna have to start sleeping even less! I have no doubt that the concept of me on even less sleep and *even* more caffeinated products will no doubt strike fear into the hearts of all who know me, but...well....Gah!

For those who care, the secretary is back. Sulking but back. Work has gone predictably insane so if you hear on the news of any 'work rage' incidents in the south of England, you know who to blame.

In other news I have decided I cannot write for shite. No, really!. I did used to be able to, but now I just can't write fiction. I can write factual-report-type-journo things, with effort, but I appear to have lost my story telling ability somewhere.

This, of course, doesn't stop me having several hundred story ideas a minute, I just can't get them down on paper/on screen! The muses are very much frolicking but yet every time I start trying to actually write the images down, it all goes pear shaped.

Or should that be turd shaped...?

I dunno, anyway basically this means I end up in a blue funk after about the first few paragraphs, swear copiously, start editing, swear a bit more and then flounce off in a huff to go and do something else.

It does make me appreciate those I know who can and do write glorious fic however. You guys *ROCK* with mighty fists of steel! *smooches*

So there we go.

Now I'm going to rec a fic I have just got round to reading. Its called Deep Waters and its by the illustrious Chris
You can read it here

What can I say. The style and rhythm of the piece are deeply evocative of many of the old irish and scottish myths, so much so it actually feels like it should be read out loud! This is an AU but for me the characterizations of Duncan and Methos were absolutely spot on.

Most importantly however it's a *great* story! Go read and enjoy.

If you do like Chris's work I must also recommend her W.I.P Phoenix Fire which is here I wait each new installment eagerly and wish to share the pain ::grins::

What else, oh yes, another of my all time favorite fic writers has finally got an LJ. Go visit the deeply odd world of Sleeps With Coyotes here

In a similar vein C.Elsewhere sent me this today. If you happen to be very fond of slugs then I suggest you stay away. I thought it was hysterical!

Oh and while I'm pimping you may as well go visit the infamous Temple ov The Lemur. This is the website created and run by Darth Rich, C.Elsewhere, Steve, Dr Nick, Nom and sundry other RL friends of mine who get mentioned in this LJ quite a bit. There are even pics for those who really care..

I'm the unofficial legal advice!

And you think I'm joking.......:::evil grin::
Go here and have a giggle!

Did I mention I've given up drugs till after Xmas?

Well I have. Please pat me on the back. It was making me even more emotionally erratic then I am anyway. Not. Good.

During the meanwhile, hands up anyone who is surprised by this result!?

What kind of sex scene do you write?
brought to you by Quizilla

Oh and since everyone is doing it:

ARIES

Drinking style
Impulsive Aries people like to party and sometimes don't know when to call it a night. Their competitive streak makes them prone to closing-time shot contests. They're sloppy, fun drunks, and they get mighty flirty after a couple tipples. Getting Aries people drunk is a good way to get what you want out of them, should other methods fail. Aries can become bellicose when blotto, but they will assume that whatever happened should be forgiven (if not forgotten) by sunrise. They can be counted on to do the same for you -- so long as you haven't gone and done anything really horrible to them last night, you sneaky Gemini.

Trademark cocktails
Aries, born under the hot-stuff planet Mars, is the ruler of spicy food and red things -- and for balance, astrologers recommend they eat tomatoes, onions, olives and greens. That's right, Aries, you were born under the sign of the bloody Mary. Aries also rules grapefruit, and they've been known to kick back a salty dog and a sea breeze or two. For extreme hotcha, try a concoction with cinnamon liqueur in it.

Drinking buddies
Marlon Brando, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Al Gore, Thomas Jefferson, Elton John, Eric McCormack, Rosie O'Donnell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon

I'm not sure I agree that getting me drunk is the best way to get what you want from me. Its a good way to get mauled and/or mortally embarrassed I suspect. You'll have to ask lastrega what I'm really like when I'm drunk, she's had first hand experience ::snort::

Spookily The Ex is a Gemini ::grins::

Oh and the very witty corvus1970 createdthis which really made me laugh!