DameRuth's Corner

Sherlock Seattle card exchange design.

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 18:36:10 GMT

“Why, Mr. Holmes – it’s a Naval Treaty! Just what I wanted – thank you!”

“You’re welcome, and a Merry Christmas to you.”

“Hmph. All he gave me was a pair of socks.”

“Hush, Watson.”

(This year’s Sherlock Seattle card exchange design, hastily photoshopped from a Sidney Paget illustration, a Victorian Christmas tree illo, and a freebie vintage holiday frame. Happy holidays, all!)

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Got promo cards for a book/etc?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 18:31:58 GMT

Hello, all! Yeah, long time no post. I'm alive and occasionally check my Friends page, but haven't had writing time, and haven't really had a hell of a lot to say on DW/LJ, even comments (sorry, I read posts and all, but never feel like I have much to add to the conversation). Maybe one of these days I'll be less brain-fried and more able to engage (at least I get to retire in 20-ish years, so there's that free time to look forward to . . .)

At any rate, for once I do have something to say/share: I’ll be going to Norwescon later this month, and thought I’d offer to take any printed promo cards people might have for books, editing services, etc. that you think might go well on the “freebies” advertising table there. I’ve done this for a few friends before, and it usually looks like at least some cards get picked up every time. Norwescon isn’t exactly a gigantic con, but it’s the biggest one I go to, and it’s in Seattle, so it’s a nice way to reach that market. If I have anything left over, I’ll happily take them to MisCon in Missoula, MT (smaller than Norwescon, even, but people there seem to like the freebie table a lot, so …).

If you’re interested, we can message and I can give you my mailing address, or, if you have printable PDFs, my email.

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I'm back! Again! Sort of . . .

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 07:57:31 GMT

Hello, all! I'm still around -- still more on Tumblr and FB than here (DW and LJ), I fear, since time constraints have been such that the instant-gratification nature of those sites (and the short attention span required to make use of them) have been more suited to the short nibbles of internet time I've been getting. However, I had a free evening today, and went back to "skip=780" (the max LJ allows right now, it seems) and skimmed through it, so I'm mostly-sorta caught up from 3/3 onwards.

Note that when I say "skimmed," I mean it, so I didn't read a lot of posts in depth, but I did my best to get an idea of what was going on.

In general news about my life, RadCon went *very* well this year (and no norovirus, thank all the gods), so yay. Spring has sprung here, and the new house is revealing spring surprises in the form of massive quantities of flower bulbs. *So* massive I'm not sure they'll provide much in the way of blooms (since I suspect the bulbs are overcrowded), but if they do it will be spectacular. Only the snowdrops have flowered so far, but they're always my favorites:

The cats have adjusted just fine to their new home since the move last July, and are even getting a bit comfier with each other, as this image proves:

I snapped that pic as I was on my way out the door to work, and noticed that the cats were more than happy to take over the nice, warm bed I'd left them. Such a hard, grim life they lead, yes . . .

So, things continue, and I maintain a tenuous foothold online. Not bad, really. :)

More as I have the time . . . and good to "see" you all again!

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Another kitty vid . . .

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:29:37 GMT

Probably the only other really decent vid I'd gotten of the cats. A bit of explanation: I've been trying to socialize the kitties (well, Dex and Lumen, Fry is already socialized to a fault) by having other people over and feeding them treats, etc. I realized about halfway through this session it might be worth filming, so this sort of starts in the middle, but it's a nice illustration of the cat, esp. Fry's relative size, which is impressive.

My friend Mattias is doing the feeding, here, and the cats are pretty good around him by this point -- though Dex, as is shown, isn't quite up to being petted yet. :) Also, Lumen is a bit shy about taking treats from people's hands, hence the comment about taking her into another room (away from her ravenous counterparts) so she can be fed her treats from a bowl.

The treats are Greenies, theoretically healthy, teeth-cleaning treats, but the cats gulp them down so fast I can't help but wonder if they're getting any real dental effects. They love 'em, though!

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Some really crappy quality video of my cats being cute.

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 07:08:46 GMT

. . . Or homicidal. Kinda the same thing, for cats. I've started taking these vids and putting them on YouTube mostly for my mom, but I thought folks might like to see the critters in action. Sorry about the lousy quality -- one of these days I'll actually put some effort into making the vids look good. :P

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Apologies for my not catching up on what's been happening here.

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:03:40 GMT

Hey, all -- back again for a bit (possibly longer, but I've learned not to promise anything after this last bout of falling off the face of the internet). There's no way I'll be able to catch up on what's been happening here, so sorry if I didn't see any major Life Announcements or am otherwise behind the curve. Glad to be back for now, anyway -- missed y'all! :)

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If Sherlock was a bartender . . .

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:40:17 GMT

. . . I like to think he'd come up with mixed drinks like these.

Pathology-inspired Cocktails, served at the St Bartholomew's Pathology Museum, of all places! How appropriate. Molly probably helped . . .

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Pumpkins + trebuchets -- it's autumn tradition, anymore!

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:12:48 GMT

So, after posting here and going all, "Yeyz, I'm back!" I kinda drifted off again; that was due to prepping for (and then attending) the Spokane Renaissance Faire this past weekend, where my historical group was demo-ing. No weapons this time, I was all about fiber arts. I spun wool for about 6 hours solid each day, and wow, my hands and wrists are feeling it . . . but I had a great time talking to patrons about what I was doing, so it was worth it. :)

Anyhoo, by now it's pretty standard for anyone with a trebuchet in their back yard (like the owners of the Faire property) to chuck pumpkins this time of year, and I found a great vid on YouTube when looking for something to send my mom. No idea who took it, but enjoy!

(My group's booth is off to the right; the small trebuchet to the left of the big one is portable, and was built by some of the SpoCon folks. They were using it to chuck tennis balls and other small objects as a kids' activity. The kids loved it, of course.)

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Bunny rabbit herding sheep.

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 03:27:16 GMT

. . . Or at least having a great time watching them run!

Video here.

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Video rec.

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:28:25 GMT

"Cookie Monster and Grover take on 'The Avengers,' 'The Hunger Games,' and more...in song!"

Exactly what it says on the tin -- with a bonus "Doctor Who" bit as well.

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Some things I found on Facebook.

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:01:49 GMT

I pretty much run my FB account (which I have because it's the only way to keep up with some friends and relatives, sadly) like a Tumblr, reposting whatever random shiny stuff I encounter that amuses me (George Takei's FB page is a real gem for that -- if you're on FB and haven't checked it out, do yourself a favor and take a look). Here are a couple-three vids I particularly enjoyed.

First, this one answers the age-old question, " What happens when you take a scientist, liquid nitrogen and 1500 table tennis balls?" Not like it isn't easy to *guess* . . .

Next, I don't normally post political stuff here, but if you're of a sufficiently cynical frame of mind you should get a laugh out of this regardless of your party affiliation:

Finally, Geek Parents Are Awesome (though I'm not sure if the animated expressions are cute or creepy):

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"My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic": the Bronies are on to something.

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 22:01:24 GMT

Yes, it's true -- while I've been off-LJ, I've gone over to the pony side of the Force, as it were. Since I don't participate in the fandom, I wouldn't say I'm a full-blown Brony by any means, but I enjoy the show and can see why it's developed an adult fandom. I also think it's worth reccing to anyone who hasn't given it a shot.

( Nattering and a sample link, under the cut. )

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Oatmeal cookies.

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 21:15:47 GMT

Now that I'm getting caught up on LJ, in the interim some RL friends have said I should be creating an online archive of my fave recipes; I've pointed them in the direction of this LJ and the "recipes" tag, and, as a result, will be trying to do a better job of adding material of that nature.

Last night was a baking night (the weather is finally cool enough for a hot oven to *not* be anathema), and since the bread takes an hour to rise, preferably on top of a warm stove, I've started piggybacking a cookie or other quick baking recipe to make use of the heated oven time. The current cookie recipe is an old family classic. I have no idea where Mom got it -- if it was handed down to her from my grandmother, or if it came from Mrs. Cancellor, our next-door neighbor when I was growing up (and possessor of Mad Baking Skillz). Regardless, it's simple. classic, and delish. Enjoy!

( Recipe under the cut. )

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Points to Pixar . . .

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:35:29 GMT

. . . Their animated archery looks better than the archery I've seen in most live-action movies.

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Operation Kitteh is . . . going to plan, actually.

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:26:36 GMT

So. Managed to trap both Dex and Lumen last night, in live traps borrowed from the Spay/Neuter Clinic, and they are currently there getting their makeover into non-reproductive indoor cats.

( The rest of the saga under the cut, for the interested. )

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Misc: Dreamwidth invites, kitties.

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:08:28 GMT

Dreamwidth just sent out more invite codes, which gives me a total of 7 I can hand out to anyone interested. I find it amusing that they seem to wait till LJ screws up before issuing codes . . . but it may be coincidence. I haven't experienced the glitch myself, but it seems to be a doozie. (Thx to settai for the info link.)

On the kitty front, Lumen let me pet her this morning. She was doing almost-rubs against my legs when I came out to dispense kibble, and, almost automatically, I reached down and stroked her back. I realized the second after I did it that I might be doing something that would spook her badly and set back the work I've been doing . . . but she just looked around at my hand on her back with a mild "WTF?" expression and no other reaction. Pushing my luck, I gave her another couple pets on her back, and she didn't move away, but did make it clear she was far more interested in the kibble scoop I was carrying.

So. The last of the main domestication hurdles crossed until tonight, when traps get set. Then comes the question of whether or not the humans will be forgiven for a no-doubt terrifying and painful trip to the vet tomorrow morning. Most animals get over it, though, with a lot of love and apologies (i.e. treats), so hoping for the best. Thanks to everyone for the good wishes! They seem to be working so far. :)

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"Invention of Love"

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:27:11 GMT

Not the most original storyline (if I may be a little brutal about it), but lovely music and steampunk visuals:

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News from my part of the world . . .

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:53:54 GMT

"Zombie Hunters Take Over North Idaho."

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Latest Doctor Who trailer.

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:51:40 GMT

Still looks like a cracker of a finale! We'll see how well the Mighty Moff pulls together all the threads he's been weaving . . .

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You just know the Doctor was there watching this . . .

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:11:38 GMT

. . . With popcorn . . .

"Earth had two moons that crashed to create one, study suggests."

. . . If he wasn't the reason it happened in the first place. ;)

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Life On Mars (UK version) survey up online . . .

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:56:26 GMT

edzel2 has a post up on lifein1973 in which she links to a quiz from a friend who's writing a thesis about the character of Sam Tyler and how/why audience members do (or don't) feel a connection to him. It's pretty short, and I like helping out people with projects like this, so I thought I'd boost the signal.

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Still have Dreamwidth codes . . .

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 02:52:14 GMT

Hey, all! Sorry I haven't been responding much to LJ comments -- for some reason I *get* the things, but then LJ's been bad about actually allowing me to reply back. *shrugs* It'll work out . . .

OTOH, for all I think ElJay will get through this OK in the end, if anyone wants in on Dreamwidth, I still have invite codes. PM me an email address, and I'll give 'em out till they're gone. :)

Note: as yamx has pointed out, don't post your email in a direct comment here, since it might get harvested for nefarious (or at least annoying) purposes.

In other news, still not dead, etc. TTYL more later! :)

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Dreamwidth invite codes . . .

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:28:39 GMT

Hey, all -- I'm seeing an uptick in Dreamwidth activity, thanks to the continuing LJ hacking. I have about 5 invite codes, if anyone out there needs one, or knows someone else who needs one. Just PM me an email address; offer open till they're gone!

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This is awesome.

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:46:30 GMT

Sorry I went AWOL there again (the summer student's project went a bit nuts again, among other things), sorry I haven't answered comments yet, but I was linked to this and just had to share it with all the other con-costuming fans on my f-list.

(And I aten't dead yet, I swear. TT Y'all L!)

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"Torchwood: Miracle Day" trailer.

Sun, 22 May 2011 20:00:58 GMT

Not particularly spoilery, I don't think, so not under a cut. Gwen, Jack, stuff blowing up: I'm there! :)

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