a constant exchange of incomplete but tantalizing information

But the Too Perfect theory [the idea that magic fails when it's too smoothly done] has larger meanings, too. It reminds us that, whatever the context, the empathetic interchange between minds is satisfying only when it is "dynamic," unfinished, unresolved. Friendships, flirtations, even love affairs depend, like magic tricks, on a constant exchange of incomplete but tantalizing information. We are always reducing the claim or raising the proof. The magician teaches us that romance lies in an unstable contest of minds that leaves us knowing it's a trick but not which one it is, and being impressed by the other person's ability to let the trickery go on. Frauds master our minds; magicians, like poets and lovers, engage them in a permanent maze of possibilities. The trick is to renew the possibilities, to keep them from becoming schematized, to let them be imperfect, and the question between us is always, "Who's the magician?" When we say that love is magic, we are telling a truth deeper, and more ambiguous, than we know.

The above quote from Adam Gopnik's "The Real Work: Modern Magic and the Meaning of Life" just came to my attention through lucretia_borgia. It is huge and can have implications all over the place. But for right now, I offer it to you in a "writers, take heed" sort of way, although it also serves as damn good advice for actors.

Especially if you are writing romance or really any relationship or any sort. And especially if you are doing either fannish writing OR original writing that you hope, when published, will inspire fannish participation.

sundries

- Shopping, article writing, other work, laundry -- all before Patty gets back here with her mom.

- It is raining.

- And speaking of articles -- I am doing a piece on the best screen kisses of 2008! I've got some het ones and some gay male ones, but if anyone has any lesbian and/or trans suggestions (the only mainstream trans character I can think of is on Dirty, Sexy, Money but I don't watch it often enough to remember a kiss) I would be grateful. TV or film.

- So ISMAC is waaaay early this year. But the timing sucks. I was hoping it would be close to when WriterCon was, so maybe I could just go to both of those while Patty was visiting family or something. Now it requires actual brain power though. On the other hand, with her being home for over a year this time, taking four days to go hit things with sticks seems less screwy (and she'd be welcome to come hang out, of course, but I think she'd be bored, and Detroit is hardly a tourist destination, now is it?). There are also scoholarships, but I probably won't apply, lacking anyone in a position of authority to testify to my personal code of honor and the fact that I can probably swing the $$. But I should go, yeah? I am finding, I really like our life of travels.

- Our holiday cards have been ordered. If you need to give us your address still, post here: http://rm.livejournal.com/1496339.html
If you need our address ask in comments there or post a link to your own holiday card post of that ilk. Reciprocal carding not necessary.

dinner

Chicken with zucchini and eggplant with carmelized balsamic vinegar.

I rock kinda a lot.


Patty, meanwhile, is stuck in rain and traffic, probably won't get home until midnight and still has a paper to finish.

fatnasy, reality and fanfic

This got fun. Weigh in. Because I ranted faaaaar too much.

http://better-late24.livejournal.com/13225.html