sundries

[rm]

We had a very nice weekend that mostly involved hiding in places with airconditioning and Patty singing the Batman theme to the cats a lot ("CAAAAAAAAATCAT!" instead of "BAAAAAAAAAAAATMAN!"). It was awesome.

This is the final week to bid on things at graduate_maria. I'll be putting up some new items tonight. For those that missed it Maria (theotoky is a long-time friend that I helped get out of an abusive relationship many, many, many moons ago and is now trying to finish her last semester of college but has run out of funds, (this after supporting her abuser through school when they were together). Maria has just, on top of everything else, lost her job and so needs our help more than ever. Projected fundraising total is currently at about $1,200, which means we've $3,800 to go to get her tuition bill paid. Can we do it Internet?

lucylooo died over the weekend. Her work was familiar to many in fandom, and while I knew her stuff but not her, I get the impression she was pretty awesome. Fuck cancer. Do what you can to fight it. This snuck up on her fast and took her quick. My condolences to those who knew her. I saw this multiple times on my friendslist yesterday, so my impression is that there are a lot of you out there hurting.

While there aren't plane tickets or anything involved yet, yeah, it looks like I am heading back to Switzerland in October, which I pretty much already knew but it just got more official.

At least a partial Dragon*Con schedule this week, I'm guessing, since one of the tracks that has the biggest impact on my schedule has promised me "before the end of the month." And hey, tsarina will be attending too!

30x30: dance in the streets of New York.

Scuzzi the cat.

I got this from eumelia who is in Israel about something going on in the UK: but "Brokeback Coalition" what? I assume this is the further, and increasingly less amusing, outgrowth of the whole "let's write slashy RPF about our incredibly disatisying coalition government"? Anyone who can fill me in here?

Peripherally on point, I suppose: xtricks's hilarious guide to teh buttsex! which was linked yesterday is now, among other things, serving as a listing of the worst things we've ever read used as lube in fanfiction and pro erotica. Current entrants (ha!) include chocolate, peanut butter, alcohols and guacamole. Can you add to the horror? I bet you can.

Where are all the lesbians in UK TV?¹ The article asks (I'm over-simplifying their oversimplifying) if we are invisible because we're not about men the way UK TV is. I ask how slash does or does not factor into an attempt at visibiity by queer women in fandom by making it about the dudes, since femmeslash remains fandom's arguably least visibile component. via andrewducker.

A letter to patients with chronic disease has been making the rounds, largely to very positive reviews. I've had a profound problem with it, however, as, despite containing useful, pragmatic and even illuminating information, read as one long, condescending tone argument to me (and I may be the most allergic to the tone argument of everything, because I'm loud, and I don't strive to take up as little room as possible, so I get it a lot).

firecat has a good, brief critique that hits at that sideways by talking about the inherent doctor/patient imbalance in the system and the implications of what that means when a patient has to expend lots of energy reassuring the doctor that he's still the most powerful guy in the room just to get their condition dealt with.

Have not seen Sherlock yet. Will get on that ASAP, which probably means like next week, schedule being what it is.

For those of you who don't read the Internet on the weekends, I wrote a looooong thing about marketing online. Stil owe you a post about Inception, though, that's other than "Suits, pretty."

Okay, I'm only like 20% through the Jack/Auggie story, but it's finally working.

---

¹ Maybe Buffy stole them?

Comments

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

A few weeks ago I saw "The Secret Diaries of Miss Ann Lister", who was supposed to be the first "Modern Lesbian" and had a quick epiphany that practically all the Lesbians I see on UK teevee are either Regency or Victorian (and then I thought of the Torchwood Lesbians, yeah).

I've actually made it my business to seek out ein my newer fandoms, because I haven't sought out femmeslash in years. Buffy had quite a lot at some point, but years ago!

[lilacsigil.livejournal.com]

Yeah, firecat is spot-on. As for doctors being "scared" of patients with difficult or chronic conditions, I wanted to say "Grow the fuck up, Doctor." It is not your patient's job to coddle you and be nice so that you behave yourself!

[delchi.livejournal.com]

I altered one of my auction items , adding a second copy of my DJ CD. Top two bidders will receive a copy of it.

[graene.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I was going to ask if more copies would ever be available.

[andrewducker]

The brokeback coalition thing is particularly annoying, as it's basically "LOLZOR, TEHY ARE TEH GAY" about Cameron and Clegg, and it's coming from senior Conservatives on the right-wing of the party. Specically David Davis, who came second to David Cameron in the leadership elections.

[shehasathree]

Thanks for posting firecat's critique! I share your sentiments!

[fmanalyst.livejournal.com]

The thing that bugged me about the letter to patients is that it reads in such a gendered way, the medical version of The Rules and other dating guides: be a good girl, don't be too smart or too threatening because he doesn't have to put up with you, he'll just find another girl who's not as much trouble as you are, and you're so much trouble, aren't you, you're not easy like those other girls who demand nothing and let him get on with his important work.

As a 20+ year chronic pain sufferer getting ready for another surgery Friday, I find it infuriating.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

Speaking of singing " Batman.... "

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8KRKlWrztA

[n-decisive.livejournal.com]

Glad you posted the video. I thought of it immediately when I read the first part of the post. :)

[eredien]

Thanks for that link to firecat's journal. I'm going to post it back to a discussion that some friends and I have been having elsewhere on LJ because I think it gets at something that a lot of people found frustrating and angering.

I feel like saying, "people with chronic illnesses know you're the most powerful person in the room--you can prescribe meds, or do surgeries, or any number of things we can't do without your help and most importantly your consent. And you're asking us to remind you of that, so you don't feel intimidated and can feel safer providing us with help? I wasn't aware there was a part about 'provide treatment when you feel safe' in the Hippocratic Oath. Buddy, we already know that you've got the power of life, death, surgery and medication over us--that's part of what's making us angry."

[graene.livejournal.com]

True. And honestly, sometimes doctors like he portrays himself are almost worse - they do take the time to listen and ask questions without the judgemental tone. And then still pooh-pooh you and pat you on the head while handing you useless information. Thanks, I knew I was in pain. Yes, it's helpful to know its not your specialty, but that's really all you can say? Sure, I'll try to have a nice life while you get back to your productive day.

[(Anonymous)]

Anon lurker in the UK dropping by to say that it seems that David Davis (right-wing Conservative MP) was overheard by a Financial Times journalist (the article that broke this is available to subscribers only on the FT website) reporting that Lord Ashcroft (big Tory party donor) described the partnership between Cameron and Clegg as the 'Brokeback coalition'. It's reported in The Guardian here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/24/david-davis-brokeback-coalition-pub-talk, and there's a 'humorous' manip on The Mirror website here: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/07/25/nick-clegg-we-are-not-in-a-brokeback-coalition-115875-22438275/

[rm.livejournal.com]

Thank you for being super-useful anon!

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Person with all the power in the relationship writes a letter telling the other party not to be too mean or scary? That's special.

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

That doctor's letter is so infuriating! Thanks for posting the link, and the one to firecat's LJ. It's good to see all the comments, and know I'm not the only person to run into this sort of crap.

[wynkat1313.livejournal.com]

You know, I've been thinking for a while now about how much having a chronic illness dropped on my head has made me aware of the realities of some of what is discussed in all the raceFail and genderFail conversations that have stumbled into since getting into fandom... at right about the same time as my illness (funny that). And now reading that Doctor's letter all I could think about were the recommendations of how NOT to talk to people of __________ when you are not them. It had all of the same energy and clue-less-ness and "I have to be right, and let me show you that I have friends like you" crap that always seems to come up in situations like this.

that was painfully illuminating on a number of levels. yuck.

It also explains the last four doctors prior to my current one. Especially the one who put crap in my file the screwed my Social Security case. mmm... fear, how, tasty.

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

That letter from the doctor kind of pisses me off based on the experiences I've had with not only trying to get help for myself, but everything I've gone thru with Bill over the last few years.

Oh, and did you see about the UK Film Council getting the axe?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jul/26/uk-film-council

[aviv-b.livejournal.com]

I have a question about 'graduate maria.' Is there somewhere I can make a plan old $ donation (Paypal perhaps)? I would like to help out, but really don't need any 'stuff' at the moment (I'm trying to de-stuff my house at the moment).

[rm.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that's very kind! The paypal fund is at: mariatheo74@gmail.com

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Note to self: do not use guacamole as lube for vampire butt sex, since I always put garlic in mine. Jesus riding a raptor.

[nicoli-dominn.livejournal.com]

That letter the doctor wrote really made me bristle. How is it that the person suffering must also be responsible for petting a doctor's poor fragile ego, and must constantly forgive the doctors for their inabilities to control their tempers and bedside manners? That's like white people telling people of color people that their anti-racist activism is too angry and it makes them uncomfortable.

BOO-FRICKIN'-HOO.

I read

[newwaytowrite.livejournal.com]

the Scuzzi the cat story yesterday. Finally a tribute to a cat done with heart but not soppy sentimentality. What a cat!

[n-decisive.livejournal.com]

I appreciate that this doctor took the time to point out things that might help people with chronic illness(es), but I feel he could have had a more positive effect by 1) speaking to some of said patients about how they feel and perceive these situations, and 2) taking his observations from the exam room and the patient discussions to HIS PEERS, because ultimately, it's some of their attitudes that need to change in order to better serve those they've taken an oath to care for.

Has anyone read his updated piece? I haven't yet and should probably do so to see what he learned from posting the first one.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Didn't know there was an update. Thanks for letting us know. I will check it out now.

[smirnoffmule.livejournal.com]

The whole Clegg/Cameron thing has, to my eyes, always been coming from an uneasy giggle-behind-the-hands kind of place rather than a slashy RPF one (excepting the fandom people who are actually writing slashy RPF here) - David Davis's comments just reflect that edge of hostility rather more overtly than previous commenters.

[rm.livejournal.com]

For me it took a while to track on it, because there was actually a bit of mainstream Clinton/Gore stuff that wasn't meant as hostility (it was meant as "woah, young, reasonably attractive politicians, when did this happen?") back in the run up to '92. So the nastiness with which that has been intended slipped under my radar, both because I'm not in the UK and miss the nuances, but also because my expectations were otherwise quite outside of fandom.

[verasteine.livejournal.com]

The Brokeback Coalition thing... It's made the headlines this time, but actually, I'm in that fandom (yes, really) and I can tell you that this is nothing new. In varying degrees of seriousness and randomness, journalists (although this was a politician) make comments about how in love they are, how much it's like a gay marriage, etc.

The fandom, not to be confused with the press, is as fandoms go a pretty cool one. The press, on the other hand, not so much. But this, in and of itself, is nothing new except for the comments being made by a politician.

Sherlock, which I've just seen, is high recommendable.

[austengirl.livejournal.com]

Pretty much everything verasteine's just said. I sort of skirt the edges of the lolitics fandom, but it's been pretty good so far and is getting at least a few people interested in politics beyond the slash, which is probably a good thing.

I look forward to reading your thoughts on Sherlock; I found it enjoyable overall, f-list opinion diverged wildly.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

re: fuck cancer

I'm doing Blogathon on Saturday for LiveStrong. Because, really, cancer can kiss my shiny metal ass. Any signal boost you might be moved to give to Blogathan in general or to my effort in particular, I'd really appreciate.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Sure, point me to specific links on Thursday, as that's the last high-traffic day before the weekend.

Dragon*Con

[onmyownterms.livejournal.com]

I realize this is a long shot, but considering that I'm an Atlanta native, I would *really* like to meet you in person when you're in town. I can even provide curbside pick-up and transport to a restaurant with a gluten-free menu while you're here. I've become very enamored with your writing and just want a fan girl moment... LOL

Re: Dragon*Con

[rm.livejournal.com]

As I am schedule-free right now, I can't answer.

However, I'm definitely going to plan a lunch of a dinner at Legal Seafoods (which I love for it's gf menu and which we don't have here) for some window of free-time I actually (hopefully) will have. I'm happy to include you on the invite list for that, and what my time is like beyond that -- we can talk when I actually know something (D*C panel programming runs form like 9am - 2am which is how much I don't know what's up yet.).

(FYI, D*C makes me sort of crazy as it's very overwhelming for me. Because of this, escaping the con is Very Good For Me. But I also have to be careful not to overschedule myself).

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

The "guide to buttsex" was the funniest thing I've read all day. Doubleplusgood that part 2 mentions David Attenborough - the funny is amplified by imagining the entire post read in that voice!

[ydnic.livejournal.com]

re: Dragon*Con

I have a (still tentative) schedule for the Alt History Track. No Gents Fashion panel, sadly (no room--will bring it back next year), but I do have you penciled in for a Rapid Fire Reading (with Broad Universe) and an Alternate Regencies panel. Email me at theydnic at gmail. com and I will give you times and all that.


re: guacamole.
The mind boggles.

[rm.livejournal.com]

AWESOME. I was going to ask about that Regency panel (SO YAY), and I've got the BU thing in my tentative schedule already.