Taking Eccentricity To New Levels

Ficlet rec!

2009-11-15T09:08:29Z

My week has been tough in terms of divaism.

What absolutely made my day, nay week, was debjunk's ficlet tonight. Go read A Complex Diva. There were several good drabbles tonight, by the way! Thirteen (!!!) in total! Yay for Saturday night drabbles!

Friday!

2009-11-14T06:24:34Z

That means good things, right?

Let's see:

- Dorkboy went to Fresh Market yesterday and brought home chanterelles, which resulted in the most amazing omelette for lunch today. <3

- The Dominosteine season, aka Christmas season, has finally arrived, and the one sophisticated store in the ghetto actually carries them. I am one happy Germish person this week, for I have Germish Christmas cookies.

- Despite being a month later than I'd hoped, the supplies for super-sekrit Project Awesome arrived today, and I'm working on the first one. Some friends have done amazing deeds for me, ensuring that this has been an amazing year despite all the troubles, and it took me a while to figure out what I could give in return in order to maintain the karmic balance. I'm happy right now.

- The temperature during the day is still regularly in the mid-70s, but it cools down by about 4.30, which is pure bliss. Last night, the low was 40, and I put on my woolen sweater, the one I only managed to wear maybe five times last year. It made me very happy.

- I've been writing. Lots.

The Lightness of Love

2009-11-12T19:48:19Z

For ferporcel, who prompted with Severus, white stone, and barefoot

Belongs not to me
Potterverse to JKR
Nathan to dear Fer

He walked on the sand
Again, as he did daily
Barefoot felt so good

The white stone called him
Again, as it did daily
He sat down on it

He was comfortable
And the stone began to tell
Its long history

Interesting snippets
Of a girl not long ago
Sitting down on it

Longing for someone
Someone she’d known long ago
Longing for—a git?

Did he hear that right?
Messy-haired know-it-all, her
Really, was it her?

She whom he’d dreamt of
Too often to count the times
Perhaps she liked him?

‘Thank you, Stone,’ he said
Then returned back home, barefoot
No shoes still felt good

He considered it
Wearing no shoes in classes
Instead he sought her

‘Good day, Miss Granger.’
She stared at him and his feet
‘Hello,’ she whispered

She stretched out her hand
‘Shall we go for a walk, sir?’
‘Lady, I’d love to.’

They walked on the grounds
Until a white stone was reached
‘Home,’ both voices said

‘I dreamt,’ she started
‘As did I,’ his words came forth
‘I heard,’ the stone said

‘Get together, you
‘The love is there between you
‘Live a happy life!’

And they both obeyed
And Nathan was born to them
True joy had arrived

Every year they went
To visit an old, white stone
Who said, ‘Hello, dears’

And they greeted it
With happiness and much love
‘Hello, dear white stone’

The old white stone smiled
‘Dear humans, it feels so good
To have spread such love’

Hermione and Snape
Felt much of the loved stone’s warmth
Nathan felt its love

‘Mum, Dad, it loves you’
He stated matter of fact
‘And I love you, too.’

A/N: Grateful thanks to annietalbot for the beta.

lady_karelia @ 2009-11-09T22:32:00

2009-11-10T04:35:24Z

The Happiest of Birthdays to pokeystar and ferporcel! I hope you had a most wonderful day, and may this year bring you nothing but joy!

Feel free to give me a prompt; it may even result in a drabble or ficlet.

In which I ramble

2009-11-09T21:46:32Z

I remember this day twenty years ago. Just having started maternity leave, I was at home and had been following the news quite avidly. There had been demonstrations and peaceful, passive rebellion all over Eastern Europe, but on November 9th, the Berlin wall finally, finally came down. I cried because I was unable to travel, but was happy--for the only time in my life--that I had a tv on which I could follow all the events. May today be the start of the journey on the road to true freedom for humanity.

A friend posted a rec somewhere for Harmonic, wondering whether music, mushrooms, astrophysics were part of my knowledge, whether I'd researched it, or whether I had friends who had the knowledge. I felt an incredible surge of affection for her when I read that because she was one of the very few who went beyond the pleasure-reading and wondered about those things. Which probably brings me to writing, but I'll start by answering those questions.

Mushrooms: I knew the names of mushrooms before I could even speak. And I could speak the names of chanterelle and cep in German before I could say the names of my closest relatives. I find mushrooms where nobody else finds them. I remember an occasion some years ago when I lived in Berlin and a couple of friends and I went for a walk in the woods in autumn. We returned home with a basket full of chanterrelles and ceps and other bolets, and those friends thought me weird for finding them; I'd simply dive into a space and pick them whenever the mushroom fairy whispered to me.

Music: I do have a decent foundation of knowledge, but I did do a lot of research with regard to the music of the spheres, for that particular knowledge was less than basic. But then, I love researching, getting really deep into a subject to enable me to view it from every possible angle. For me, that's part of the writing process.

Physics: Let's not go there, lol. When I lamented the fact that my knowledge of physics is non-existent, my friend told me that I didn't need to know about it as long as my character did. Uh, yes. Hermione surely knows a lot more about that than I do. When it comes to maths and physics, I seem to have a block, and even when I did make the effort to dive into it, the result was epic fail. So I'll just pretend I know something about it... :)

I do tend to write about the stuff I know, and most of the time, when I feel I don't know enough about it, then I learn about it until I do know.

I have various fics in various stages of writing, but at the moment, I'm concentrating on one that I'd like to see completed by Yule. One friend unleashed a monster when she mentioned something, and I've been scribbling away happily.

Being part of team Mercury in the Intergalactic Quidditch Cup is great fun, and the first poll, in which you are ~~Imperioed~~invited to vote for your favourite first chapter, is posted on the potterplace community.

Before I started rambling here, I beta-read the final chapter of A Murder of Crows by hogwarts_91. While I'm happy, very happy, that this story is completed, I'm feeling bereft. Kind of similar to the way I felt when little_beloved sent me the final chapter of Denial. I can only hope that Dani gets bitten by a rabid plot bunny that will produce another epic.

Team Mercury

2009-11-09T00:39:37Z

Yay, the first chapters of the Intergalactic Quidditch Cup are up now. Our first chapter of Quicksilver was written by stefdarlin, and it sure is worth the read. I should mention that teams receive points for every review, and you totally want my team to win, right? And besides, who would want to mess with Mr Malfoy?

You can read it here.

/Imperio

Retail therapy

2009-11-06T03:41:27Z

I needed it. Nice lady at Godiva gifted me with a lemon chiffon truffle. I like her, yes, I do.

Am very happy with my new pyjama pants.

Tired

2009-11-05T09:29:44Z

I'm tired of the histrionics of some authors. Really, you're nobody. Live with the fact. Most of us do happily so. Why can't you?
I'm tired of the shit that's hitting me left, right, and centre. Yes, RL, I know. But rly? Get real. I don't need this.
Yes, I came second in the Variety Challenge one-shot category. Oh, thanks so much for spoiling it. You'll be pleased to know now that it means absolutely fuck all to me, even though it was an anonymous challenge, in which, one would think, people voted for what they liked best since they were unable to vote for names. Of course, seeing certain authors vote for each other just deflates the whole thing.
Tired. So tired.

lady_karelia @ 2009-11-03T13:02:00

2009-11-03T19:03:40Z

A belated, but Very Happy Birthday, m_mcgonagall_65! Hope your day was wonderful and the year ahead the best yet!

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-30T02:31:00

2009-10-30T07:59:54Z

Clearly, there are days I should stay in bed. Today was one of them.

1. I don't care for wank, so pls humor me and stop. kthx.

2. It's freaking 73 degrees at 2.30am. The a/c is back on for now because srsly, can't cope with that kind of temperature in the middle of the night. It's warmer now than it was at 3 in the afternoon.

3. It rained in the morning, which was blissful. But then it stopped and got warm and humid and yuck.

4. The freaking sprinklers are on. Again. We've had more rain in the last two months than we normally have in a year. And they're still running the sprinklers every night. In order to think positive, I envisage a hydroponic set-up. *snrk*

5. The car park is flooded. That's because of the sprinklers adding to the rain water there already. The good thing is that I have boots that don't get wet.

6. The humidity messed up my hair. I'm divinely unimpressed by that.

7. I didn't write today. Well, 22 words don't count, really.

Now, to the good stuff:

1. At Starbucks, I received an extra shot of espresso in my triple cinnamon dolce, which made it a quadruple, because chick who did it made an extra shot accidentally and offered it to me.

2. My second sock is finished.

3. Tomorrow is a new day in which the low will drop to 45 degrees. Bliss.

4. I will be writing tomorrow. At least 500 words, possibly more.

5. I have friends whom I absolutely adore.

6. The Intergalactic Quidditch Cup is on, and we're plotting. Sort of. It's going to be good. My team is an awesome mix between intelligent, quirky, and cliche, which makes it very exciting. I expect to have fun.

7. I've been knitting six rows a day on Sara's scarf, which I started two years ago. It may be finished by next week. Yay.

8. Lucius tells me it's time to listen to tango. *disappears*

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-21T22:51:00

2009-10-22T04:04:57Z

Shamelessly stolen from ferporcel.

The problem with LJ: we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other. So ask me something you want to know about me. Something that should be obvious, but you have no idea about. Ask away. Then post this in your LJ and find out what people don't know about you.

Here's your chance. :)

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-20T13:58:00

2009-10-20T18:59:25Z

Speedy healing vibes
For friends and strangers alike
Everyone needs love.

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-19T21:02:00

2009-10-20T02:07:07Z

So, corianderpie gave me a prompt, and Lucius gave me the words.

Encounter of the Unusual Kind

Disclaimer: Never mine.

So the cottage was inhabited; he’d wondered on his previous foray to that area of the forest. It had suddenly felt as if there was another human presence.

A woman, perhaps in her late thirties, was inspecting the small, fenced-in garden, as if to decide what to plant. Not that the woodland leant itself to a great variety of vegetables or flowers, though at least the plot itself was devoid of the deciduous trees making up the forest. And the lone rosemary, which he’d been harvesting since he’d discovered it, seemed to defy the elements with regularity. Given its size, it might as well have grown in Southern France.

I don’t want to share my forest, he thought, irritated, and realized at the same time how irrational the thought was. His own dwelling was a good two miles from here, and the forest had more than enough to offer, though perhaps only one rosemary bush.

He startled when she looked up straight into his eyes. “Do you always stare?” she asked, sounding amused.

Something about her was familiar. He’d probably encountered her in a previous era, one he’d left behind some twenty years ago. His only contact with his former world was the occasional dinner with the Malfoys.

“My apologies. No, I do not. But it is unusual to encounter other humans here,” he offered.

“Good to know I’ve made the right decision then,” she said. Her smile was infectious, and he felt her magic crackle around her.

“I take it you’re a witch?” He couldn’t help himself; the question had tumbled out.

She nodded. “One who’s had enough of civilization, Muggle or wizarding.”

“Something I completely understand. I took off when I had the chance, and I must admit, life has become very tranquil and peaceful,” he said, looking at her curiously.

He was surprised to see his own curiosity reflected in her features until, suddenly, her eyes widened with rapidly dawning comprehension.

“Professor Snape,” she whispered, wrapping her arms closely around her chest. “The world thought you dead, but I never believed a word of it.”

“I’d appreciate if you don’t share your find with anyone,” he said. Had anyone recognized him ten years ago, he’d have Obliviated them, but somehow, it didn’t matter now.

She shook her head. “I’ve come here to figure out what to do with my life; I’m unlikely to come across anyone. As far as anyone in the wizarding world is concerned, I’ve rejoined the Muggle world and gone abroad.” She shrugged. “And besides, even if I were still part of it, I’d not tell.”

“I… I must go. Dinner isn’t going to cook itself,” he said and turned away, still no idea who she was beyond figuring he’d taught her.

“I have a chicken baking in the oven. Perhaps you’d care to join me? I’ll never finish an entire chicken myself,” she offered.

“Chicken.” He never cooked anything so elaborate for himself. “All right.”

“I want to keep the cottage,” Hermione said, a hesitant tone in her voice.

His eyes met hers as he frowned. Ah, this is the end then… “All right.” He turned his head and stared unseeingly out of the window. Damn. I enjoy her company! One year isn’t enough with her…

He felt her approach but didn’t move when she put her arms around his shoulders. “Severus,” she whispered. “What’s wrong?”

He shook his head, unable to speak as scenes of the recent past flashed through his mind. The first time they’d made love; when she’d brought her baking tray to make rosemary-crusted baked chicken for him; their frequent hikes through the forest when she’d suddenly come to a halt to admire the coloring of a leaf. He sighed imperceptibly. It had been good while it had lasted…

“Severus, talk to me.” She nudged him to turn around, and eventually, he did.

“Look, if you wish to leave…” he started, but was silenced by her cry of incredulity.

“What? What makes you think that?” She frowned, and then her lips sought his. “How can you think that?” Her whisper still had a hint of incredulity, and a tiny spark of hope stirred inside him.

“I… you want to keep the cottage.” His voice was flat.

She laughed then. “Oh, Severus. I think I need to gift you with some confidence. I want to keep the cottage because that way, we can be sure to have the forest to ourselves.” Her lips brushed his again, but this time, he captured her mouth in a kiss.

When it finally ended, he relished the sensation of her head resting against his chest. “The gift of yourself beats everything,” he murmured and slowly stirred her towards the sofa.

A/N: Poor blue_paris was Imperioed again to beta the ship she likes not. Thanks, my lovely!

corianderpie mentioned a forest, and someone who seems like a stranger, but isn't.

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-19T18:47:00

2009-10-19T23:49:35Z

Wow, just wow. Look at this amazing art made of food.

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-18T20:54:00

2009-10-19T01:56:34Z

Happy Birthday, darling corianderpie!!! May this be the start of the most wonderful year yet!

And since your last prompts so inspired me, I'll be brave and offer a drabble or ficlet if you provide a prompt or two or seven.

Meh

2009-10-17T21:24:25Z

The router has died :(

No interwebz for a few hours.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-16T20:28:00

2009-10-17T01:31:56Z

We're having a good time. :D

dragonsinger954 sets up her computer

A simple dinner for a change: Chicken in wine sauce, stuffed mushrooms, broccoli, petit pois, potatoes Dauphine, all with coffee.

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-16T15:05:00

2009-10-16T20:16:55Z

Good things? Oh, yes!

- Have written nearly 4k since Sunday. Sequel is progressing at a slow but steady pace (there is lots of research involved), and in the meantime I'm having fun writing something just so I can prove to myself I'm incapable of producing purple prose in any serious context. *snickers*

- The likelihood of the West Coast issue has increased significantly, so I have hope for normalcy. Eventually.

- In an hour's time, I'll have a reasonably clean and tidy kitchen and dining area

- I'm about to start cooking

- dragonsinger954 and calypsobard are coming for dinner

- There will be knitting, and my sock the second may make considerable progress

- It's a blissful 55 degrees outside and feels actually coldish

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-12T01:48:00

2009-10-12T08:03:38Z

Looking back now, it has been a most amazing week. Monday could be totally scrapped, of course, since I don't enjoy feeling sick to my stomach because of shit hitting the fan I can't control in the least. But the week improved marginally until Friday and drastically from there on.

The writing has been pretty much blah except for Thursday when I betaed my darling stefdarlin's most awesome If Only. It's dark, oh, yes, it is, but it's not just dark. It's captivating, it's fascinating, and it ends on a high note where the theme of love is concerned. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for?

On Friday, I received a handful of reviews, but I thought, well, it's the w/end starting and people have time to read and are kind enough to review and make some points for their houses. Friday night, we picked up Dorkboy from the airport. His flight was nearly 2 hours delayed, but omg, i haz the happies again now that he's back home and I can cuddle with him and he makes me breakfast and I cook dinner for him and, you know, love him and be loved by him.

On Saturday, I woke up to nearly twenty reviews. I flailed. I squealed. And I kept receiving new review notifications and flailed and squealed some more. And then I received this:

Dear karelia,
You may have noticed a glut of review notices in your inbox today. A little birdie told the Slytherin Common Room that your life was treating you as its own personal punching bag. So we're delivering our love via a stack of reviews. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and let us tell you how wonderful you are, dear.
And should life try to give you additional grief, just shove the attached shiny in its face and tell it to piss off. :)
Hugs,
PJ

And this is the mentioned shiny:

I flailed and squealed and squeed and cried. Guys, more than 80 reviews in one weekend, omg! I don't know what to say except a very, very, very heart-felt thank you! And, yes, I will. So. Totally. Shove. It. Into. Any. Grief's. Face. *flails again*

And today I wrote some more. Just over 800 words so far. I have also started the second chapter of the sequel to Harmonic Resolution *points at icon*, and there is positively too much Mozart in my life for my taste, but Lucius insists and I obey and we're both happy that way. This Sunday, as has become a habit of late, was kind of taken up by drabbling for GS100. Haven't posted yet, but I'm nearly done.

New TPP Challenge

2009-10-11T02:30:44Z

*bounces*

The Petulant Poetess has just posted information on a new challenge that I'm sure will prove to be VERY fun!

Go check it out.

It's on the main page at TPP (under the announcement section).

Link:

http://www.thepetulantpoetess.com/index.php

*bounces*

*runs to sign up*

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-07T02:40:00

2009-10-07T07:48:02Z

LOLz. I wrote 501 words tonight. I started with just over 300, but then managed to add some. So, first chapter of Sequel is nearly done. Nowhere near enough for showing, but that first draft, at least, is there.

I wanted Beethoven for this one, really, I did. But Lucius won. It's Mozart. Funny enough, I don't have a problem with that at all.

That is all.

lady_karelia @ 2009-10-07T01:23:00

2009-10-07T06:26:12Z

Happy belated Birthdays to charmed310 and closetravenclaw!

And a Happy Birthday to somigliana!

Hope your days were wonderful, and may this year be the best yet!

Divinely Unimpressed

2009-10-06T08:46:33Z

The Mozarteum website has fuck all. I don't want to have to go to Austria in order to see scores or letters or even get an idea of what Mozart's life was like. All the freaking website does is pimp its museums and tours. *scoffs*

Mozart.at gives just a tiny bit more information, but srsly? Why do I have to look at American sites to get to the more meaty stuff? And it's badly written to boot. *shakes head*

But, yes, there have been some good things on this day of doom!

- Dorkboy made it to NY on his first assignment of new job

- things aren't looking quite as bad as they did earlier today

- I got a review from my favourite author

- The TV remained switched off. Bliss, I tell you, absolute bliss!

- Mercury has FINALLY moved out of retrograde, and we may actually see an improvement soon. Ish.

My heart goes out to everyone who's experienced shit left, right, and centre. I know there've been way too many. It's a time of transition, I think. Our future is in the stars, as Bob Dean says so eloquently.

lady_karelia @ 2009-09-27T02:04:00

2009-09-27T07:33:27Z

I love Saturday nights. Some of us meet in the TPP chatroom, and some write the odd drabble or two. It's great. Most weeks are pleasant, but then the odd occasion happens when everyone writes something really nice. I can't say which is my favourite tonight; they are all very enjoyable. It's been one of those nights where creativity bursts out of its seams, and I absolutely love when that happens.

I didn't drabble. I wrote haiku instead. About Severus in love cuz one of Lyn's prompts completely spoke to me. :)

On TPP.

On OWL.

My word count for today is abysmal, of course, but that's all right. I've already met the 5_for_five challenge this week and still have a day of the week left to write more.

lady_karelia @ 2009-09-23T23:37:00

2009-09-24T04:50:55Z