sundries

[rm]

I bought some plane tickets and now I feel better. For Dragon*Con I'm flying Delta in ATL on the night of Sep 2, and back out on the afternoon of Sep 6.

For Bristol, I'm flying Virgin Atlantic in to LHR arriving the morning of Jul 8 and leaving the evening of Jul 12. That ticket cost me a small fortune, but the good news is it gives me enough miles to get a discounted fare to the UK in the fall, which means going to see Patty in Cardiff shouldn't cost me more than $500. Weirdly the fare was cheaper on Orbitz than directly on the Virgin site, and tragically the seat options were really crap -- I'm behind the wing. But at least I'm on the aisle. Also a bit crap? In and out of Newark, but it seems if I reserve car service in advance through Orbitz it's pretty cheap compared to doing it on my own, and anything is better than three hours in the Supershuttle with the Real Housewives of Orange County. I've not even begun to figure out hotels for the trip, as I sort of know nothing beyond what nights I'll be in Bristol. I suppose I can start there. Wow, I really hope I get that grant; it won't cover much, but it'll help.

Soon we'll need to get our Chicago fares too. And once we know when Patty's going home to Ohio it's time to plan Beach Weekend!

Yesterday Patty and I had a great day, that involved stumbling on the Dance Parade while we were down at teh farmers market. I got to tell Patty about it's origin in protest to NYC's weird cabaret licensing laws while we got to see a hugely diverse mix of stuff. It awed me that dance schools from far away came in to participate and it moved me a bit too.

Growing up here I went to serious dance schools because they were available. For people who are serious about dance in other places, the options are often ridiculous and are never going to help them do what they fantasize about doing, but it's still pretty cool. Dance is one of the least appreciated and funded of the arts (a full-time professional actor makes money; a full-time professional dancer is still living below the poverty line in most cases). Dance Parade is an awesome thing.

The debsliverlovers auctions end TONIGHT. There's still work from Thomas Canty at only $200 and from Colleen Doran at only $50.

sparkindarkness talks about some 'oh no, gay people in sports' drama and pretty much says everything that needs to be said. I will also add, however, that fear of people perceiving queerness about me was one thing that made sports terrifying as a kid; in dance it mattered less, but it made me shy away from ballet, as it's only for beautiful girls and queer = not beautiful in the land of children. Also, no, being a queer woman doing sports is not more acceptable. Granted, fencing is its own ball of wacky gendered adventures, but it did not make things pleasant. I should post a fencing update soon shouldn't I? It'll be largely a non-update, but you know, thinky thoughts.

For those of you who may have been following the saga of Thundercats writer Steve Perry, it's taken a grim turn. Many people have reacted strongly to Perry's please for financial help for him and his son -- some by donating, some by calling it a scam due to the tonal quality of Perry's missives.

While all of us have been effectively on the outside of this situation, there is little doubt that Perry has needed help in a manner that has probably included financial support and liaisons to a number of social services. Money has been solely the only problem here. Everyone is hoping, of course, that Perry is still alive, although I don't know that anyone is optimistic about it at this point.

With the police involved at this awful turn of events, it seems likely we'll all know more of the truth soon. But I think it's worth noting here and now that money can't solve everything and that even people who ask for money in ungainly ways or have a terrible time implementing the aid they do receive still can and do need our help all the time.

A completely surreal profile of Mark Heller, Esq.: "His hunched shoulders and slight limp suggest a laborer joylessly shuffling toward the morning whistle — except it is 6:30 p.m. and he is wearing French cuffs."

On Fraught.

Being as it's Sunday morning there's not much news in the world beyond GDL got a haircut. GDL got a haircut. Thumbs up.

But! More Buffy and Angel last night. Cordelia is now part demon and floats. Boreanaz should not be asked to play crazy in that particular way; he's bad at it. One-armed Wesley broke my heart. Love that Skip is back. Sort of off-put by everyone's relationship interest in Fred. Gunn seems to be into her because she's there to be into and Wesley's interest, although somewhat sweeter seeming, is actually creeptastic when we consider his thing for Cordy (when she was still in high school) and his recent girlfriend (the supposedly virginal creature that he rescued). I don't know. I feel like everyone in this show has huge issues, and because they know one or two of them they think that eliminates the rest of them.

Over on Buffy we now know that there's a Pet Cemetery factor going on with Buffy, which we sort of knew anyway, but wasn't too disturbing until Spike said "you came back wrong!" Meanwhile, I still love the Buffy/Spike thing, although I think Spike's emotional states are too mercurial for cogent narrative at time. And, despite the fact that Spike is sort of a creepy, wannabe abusive asshole, Buffy's also behaving very, very badly. And that's before anyone hits anyone.

Meanwhile, Willow and the heavy-handed incoherent drug allegory plotline of doom, that's really only enjoyable for the fact that they went there? REALLY? It's not a good thing when a show like Buffy needs to be more subtle, but it needs to be more subtle.

Also? I still find Anya'a progress towards blond INCREDIBLY distracting.

Comments

[rm.livejournal.com]

There's a room waiting list that usually comes through for everyone, FYI.

I'm hoping VA is less incompetent about gluten-free than Delta which put croutons in my salad. I always fly Virgina America when I go to the West Coast and also swear by it, so I'm hoping this will be as good.

[maudelynn.livejournal.com]

Oh, goodness, I hope they are better at that, too.
I really don't care for Delta, but last I checked, they were the only straight through flight to Atlanta from here.

I love the Main Cabin Select on VA for the designated carry on bin, free checked bags and free food features already!!
That makes me very happy as I can get all my stuff in a carry on for 5 days in LA. 10 wispy, LA weather dresses and 3 sweaters will do me fine! It is the shoes that cause me grief, but if I plan right, I can find 3 pairs that match everything... but that NEVER happens sooo the free checked bag option is a BONUS!!

I am sure you were dying to know all about my packing habits, weren't you?

I will keep an eye on the room thing. I am sort of picky and stuff about my room. It has to be a king, lower floor, Mariott room.