Pepper's Pad
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in the "Pepper" journal:[<< Previous 20 entries]
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02:47 pm
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Colour Me Confused
I've been reading through the comments about the latest LJ/SUP mild annoyance about the removal of Basic Accounts. Okay, the wank's flowing long and loud for this one throughout Fandom_Wank and 6A Cornefiled.
However, a this comment on my LJ-FL has left me totally confused:
Let me be clear here. I don't think that either JF (whose owner/admins have shown amazing contempt for their user base, both paying and non-paying, over the years) or IJ (whose admin/owner means well but still has a site with buggy issues and who will undoubtedly sell out at some point when it stops being something he wants to do) are the end all and be all of alternatives. I'm in the IJ camp, but I made the mistake of being all "this is perfect and we all should use this service, OMG!" with JF and I won't be doing that again.
In what way and at what time, have either Robin or Zorro ever "shown amazing contempt for their user base, both paying and non-paying, over the years" . . . or gave gave JF's members the impression that "this is perfect and we all should use this service, OMG!" with JF and I won't be doing that again.". [emphasis mine]
If anything, Robin has gone out of her way to be a model of efficiency and niceness. Four years ago, she was nothing but patient and courteous in answering my questions and explaining things to a total clueless journalling newbie. While I haven't had many interactions with Zorro, she's struck me as someone with a great heart (albeit masqued under a gruff exterior), who is willing to take on the thankless job of having to work with whiners, complainers while still delivering an excellent service.
These women have created and run a fun, friendly site for close to a decade. They do it on their own, with some support from volunteers. But in the long run, it's they who have to deal with the legal headaches and most of the financial issues, as well as keeping the site up and running through all sorts of attacks. They've both performed above and beyond the call to fannish service, and they continue to have my gratitude and support. So could someone please explain by what they meant about amazing contempt for their user base, because in four years, I've yet to see anything matching that.
Pepper
Current Mood: Pissed
Tags: bloggin sites, jf, livejouranl, lj, wtf
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03:39 pm
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Fandom: Obviously T'aint Workin' (OTW)
Having read a number of both pro and con posts concerning the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), I must say that my initial support for the organisation has shifted from oh yeah, that's cool!!!" to blasé to polite indifference to finally no way in hell!!!
There's not been any one thing that has cooled my original enthusiasm, rather it's been a number of little things that when taken together are worrisome.
( Read more... )
I wish I had higher hopes for OTW. Maybe when online fandom was smaller, just post-UseNet days, such an organization might have worked. Now, fandom is too large, too diverse and too fragmented to be easily placed under an umbrella.
Cross-posted to my LJ.
Tags: discussion, fandom, otw
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01:38 pm
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This Bud's for You
While I haven't posted much in recent months to my JournalFen, I'll always love this site.
Both Robin and Zorro have put so much blood, sweat and tears into making this place welcoming, enjoyable and fen-friendly that if there was sainthood in fandom, they'd both have halos right now.
I've been catching up on the technical upgrade posts, and am way impressed with all they're doing to make this site the premier journaling destination for fandom.
Not much else to say, except to give cookies, 'net hugs and a big THANK YOU to you for all you do.
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07:41 pm
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Compunction Junction What's Your Function?
Daily_Deviant is a LiveJournal community to write/draw/explore sexual kinks within the Harry Potter fandom.
Now, my definition of kink may be a little broader than some, and a little narrower than others, but personally, I don't see a kink in m/f, m/m or f/f (aka het or slash) fanfic. When one starts adding BDSM, vinyl/latex, rape fantasy, sploosh, diapers, Loli, water sports, shoes . . . or reading the Los Angeles Yellow Pages in Latin while simultaneously doing the Macarena, swinging from a trapeze, eating a bologna sandwich and shagging a goat -- that's kink.
Which brings me to the storm that was created when witchqueen wrote to the moderators of Daily_Deviant, stating she had a problem with their word choice for their kink selection for the month of July: miscegenation. The word is one of the ugliest and most-loaded racially charged words. Period. Unlike "nigger" (and its 'hood variant "niggah") which has been somewhat reclaimed through its use in rap and hip-hop culture, miscegenation cannot be sugar-coated. It has meant, means and always will mean: race defilement and blood purity. And I'll invoke Godwin here, and say that if that doesn't conjure up images of Nuremberg rallies and goosestepping, nothing will.
But let's give those who coined the word the credit they deserve: it was coined in the United States in the 19th Century to incite and invoke terror of the possibility of freed slaves copulating with white women, thereby destroying the purity of the white race. Laws against miscegenation weren't repealed in the US until the 1960s, and, while not in affect, there were some still on the books as late as 2000 in Alabama.
Witchqueen's correspondence with the Daily_Deviant mods was more than polite. She went out of her way to carefully explain the history of the word, and why it was offensive. Not once did she yell. Not once did she make a wanky comment. But the Daily_Deviant mods were steadfast in their refusal to change the word. Uh, that is until the rest of fandom showed up. And the rest can be read at Metafandom.
But what bothers me in all this is not simply that miscegenation was mis-defined as an interracial relationship, but that an interracial relationship would be considered a kink at all. My mind boggles. Even in the fictional world of Harry Potter, where the magical bloodline is all important, I can't get my head around someone writing pureblood/mudblood or pureblood/half-blood sex and viewing it as a kink. What, Draco shags Hermione and then scourges himself or her for his impure thoughts and actions? Blaise Zambini and Cho have a secret rendez-vous in Hogsmeade to call each other nigger and chink, and give birth to wop chigros? I feel ill.
I know fandom and fanfic are places where fen are free to explore themselves and their passions in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. And I'll accept the rationale that what people write and what they get off on is not [necessarily] something that they carry over into RL, but . . . There's that but hanging there. If you really think that interracial sex is a kink, and define it as such, what does that say about your views on race, in general?
Cross-posted to my LJ.
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07:39 am
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Hit the Road Jack!
They're back! Listeners have spoken, and for once corporate listened: Jack-FM was given the boot</a>, and WCBS-FM 101.1 is back.
After two years of crap radio in New York City, the longest-running oldies classical rock station is back.
I'd been blithely unaware of the format return this time; my CDs have been keeping me company in the car and I'd made other listening choices on my home stereos. Had I'd not been changing CDs, I would have missed hearing the voice of one of my favourite DJs, Bob Shannon.
Never thought I'd have a reason to use this icon again.
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09:35 pm
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Fandom: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (*No Spoilers*)
I'll pick up the book tomorrow, and avoid the mania. But I did take a look at one of the online versions (the final chapter and epilogue).
Oh.my.God. It's bad. Horrible. Worse than I dreaded. It reads like some of the worst fanfic out there.
In a way, I'm glad I've yet to read Half-Blood Prince. JKR's writing was never that memorable to begin with, but if this is what it's devolved into, it's a good thing her series was only seven books long.
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03:12 pm
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Photo in Search of a Caption
If ever there was a photo that needed an appropriate caption, this is it:
Is the mark of the beast giving you trouble again?
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12:01 pm
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And the Band Played On
One of my post-New Year's resolutions is to write more. Not simply a random comment in some community or my own JF, but to sit down and grapple tooth-and-nail with my internal editor (who I wish would shut the hell up most of the time) and work on a minimum of a paragraph a day. And with all the plot bunnies floating around in my story_ideas.doc file, that really isn't a hell of a lot of effort. The greatest journey begins with a single step, grasshopper.
The idea I'm presently working on entails using plot-point elements from another fanfic writer's universe, and being a good little fen, I've contacted that particular author to ask her permission. Therefore, I'm presently in limbo waiting for the author's response (though, it won't stop me from writing this particular story, just posting it). This, unfortunately, caused me to wonder about Lee "here comes the wank" Goldberg, and his constant moaning about fanfic being written without the copyright holder's permission. Why do we, as fans, have the responsibility to ask each other for permission to borrow an idea, thread, character, plot point, etc., but we don't feel the same way about proposing the same request to TPTB?
( Read more... )
Fandom is allowed to survive because of our self-policed directive of "no money changing hands". As long as our money continues to pay the ad budgets/revenue of sponsors and networks alike, I think it's only fair that we have the right to play with what we are directly paying for.
Current Mood: E-V-O-L
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09:01 am
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Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel
Whether in real life or online, change is never to easy accept. I'm one of those people who like clean, simple lines and classic elegance, not a lot of clutter (okay, no comments from anyone who's been in my apartment).
Yet, I think it's going to take me a looooong time to get used to the revised layout of IMDb. It's a lot cleaner, a lot smoother; there's a lot less clutter floating around on the pages. But something's missing. In the re-design, it's lost its kitschy charm. Now, it looks exactly like what it is (and always was): a business designed to raise the entertainment industry's revenue stream.
I'll still use it; it's been my entertainment bible since first discovering it yonks ago. But, I won't be rushing to play "six degrees" solitaire anytime soon. Though, if a good wank shows up on the new message boards, I probably won't pass it up either.
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11:29 pm
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TMI is a Dangerous Thing
The vet had me bring Pinky in today for a temperature follow-up, since she isn't eating much.
Thankfully, her temperature was normal, and she's even put on some weight since the attack.
I guess because of the marked improvement, and that she's out of danger, the vet felt that she could speak frankly -- a little to frankly. She informed me that at the beginning of last week they hadn't expected her to survive because of the severity of the abscess and its subsequent infection. While I'm glad the vet believed I should know the truth about my kitty's health; however, it was definitely knowledge I could have lived with knowing.
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06:04 pm
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Long Day's Night into Journey
Saturday, Pinky slipped out the patio door; I'd stupidly left it open to air the apartment after cooking. At first, it was all right: she'd jumped over to the neighbor's patio. However, when I went to fetch her, she scooted, but she remained in their yard. And no amount of coaxing or prodding would get her to come back.
I was a little worried, but she'd been an outdoor cat before materializing in my friend's farm house. Foolishly, I went back inside, figuring she'd return after her adventure.
While I was cooking, I heard the horrifying sound of cat fighting. Running outside, I saw Pinky two yards away being pinned down by a big stray. I'm sure the neighbors thought I was a nutter, standing there in my pink flannel pyjamas yelling, hissing and yowling to get them to separate. The garden hose was frozen, so I couldn't even get off a shot, and our backyard gate was padlocked, preventing me from getting out. (Hindsight being 20/20, I should have jumped over onto my neighbor's patio, but I was too worried about my munchkin to think clearly.)
As long as I kept hissing and yowling at them, they were keeping apart. Then another stray cat came across to join the fray. With this added problem, there was no choice, I had to run back in and get the keys for the padlock. When I got back, Pinky had disappeared.
Talk about being in a panic. I ran up and down looking for her, but she was no where to be found. Thankfully, when I got back inside, she was in the apartment licking her wounds.
I took her to the vet today, and she's running a fever and has and abscess on her tail, plus some scratches. She'll be staying overnight, and while the vet told me not to worry, I can't help it. I miss my little one.
ETA: Some good news to report. As of Thursday, the Pinky's fever has finally broken, albeit slightly -- it's down from 104° to 103°. The vet is hoping to have it down to cat normal of 102° by tomorrow. She's feeling a little bit better, as she's been eating and her tail has finally gone from being down and tucked under her body to a natural, upright position. Deity willing, I'll be able to bring her home on Friday (Saturday at the latest).
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06:58 pm
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Apartment for Rent
If anyone knows of someone looking for an apartment in the New York City metro area, please contact me and I'll put you in touch with the owners.
• Bright, modern apartment in a two-family house
• Upgraded modern kitchen and bathroom
• Hardwood parquet floors
• Spacious living room
• Dining area
• Large master bedroom and cozy second bedroom
• Includes private, covered patio with electric outlets, as well as backyard
• Heat, hot water & cooking gas included
• Pets welcome
• Quiet neighbors
• Close to public transportation to Manhattan
• Street parking, close to churches, schools, shopping
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09:38 pm
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Public Service Announcement: Health Care
Some fans have more income than others. Some fans are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Some fans are not covered by medical insurance -- in this day and age probably the most vital commodity of all.
Thankfully, I'm one of the lucky ones who is covered by medical insurance. However, standard medical procedures have not been overly effective. So, I decided what the hell -- my friend had been talking up the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) School of Naturopathic Medicine.
While Naturopathic and Homeopathy are not covered by my insurance policy, the initial visit price was $35. I was given a full-two hour examination with three interns, and one certified doctor. Imagine, actually being able to spend two hours with doctors, and having them evaluate and listen to you. It beats the fifteen minute in-and-out with the primary care physician of my insurance plan any day.
Follow-up visits are $15. Right now, with the nearly $150 a month increase in my work insurance, I'm actually paying less than my co-pay to visit the Naturopathic doctor! And those follow-up visits can be anywhere from an hour to two-hours long.
While my insurance doesn't cover Naturopathic medicine, it does cover tests (like blood work), provided they're done through a lab that my insurance covers.
The University of Bridgeport obviously is going to be of no help to someone without insurance in Nebraska or Montana or Ohio, but there are quite a few colleges now offering Naturopathic Medicine as a course of study. For anyone who is uninsured or underinsured, this may be a viable, low-cost alternative for your health care needs.
Current Mood:  calm
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12:28 am
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Second Bananas
I'm not really big on cons. Media*West is the only fan-run one I attend on a regular basis, and that's more to catch up with friends than for panels. (Just don't ask me how much money I usually drop there, though.)
Then, there's Chiller Theatre: a zoo that makes Gaia and Furries look sane.
Mainly, I go for the celebrities. No, not as a groupie. But to say "thanks for the memories" for those who made me smile, made me laugh or made me write fanfiction.
Short of Bruce Dern (who totally creeped me out in The Cowboys), I've always managed to keep a distinct line between character and actor. But, it's always a pleasure to meet an actor who is a warm and genuine person.
One such man is Bill Daily, best known for his roles as Major Roger Healey on I Dream of Jeannie and Howard Borden on The Bob Newhart Show. Mr. Daily is a delightful gentleman, with a certain degree of that "Roger Healey" roguish charm. I'm grateful for his kindness, and the fact that he brightened my day.
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10:48 pm
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To Quote Charlie Brown: Uuuuuugggggghhhhhhh!!!!!
I give up. I've followed the instructions. I've tried all the permutations. And I still can't get my LJ-cut tags to work.
I know I've used them before, and they work. This time, however, they're eluding me.
So, I apologize for the length of yesterday's post.
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07:28 am
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Soup for the Chicken's Soul
I wrote this over ten years ago, during a very trying time in my life. I'd forgotten about it, but decided that it might be worthwhile to re-examine it now:
A Personal Declaration of Independence
( Read more... )
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04:15 am
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Shock & Awe
Of late, I've been reading The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen the sordid tale of MsScribe. There are no words to describe the feelings I'm experiencing over this.
Charlotte Lennox's tale is extremely familiar and all too common in internet fandom: the lying, the sockpuppetry, the manipulation, the cowardice, the big lie. There's nothing new in this story; just the fandom and players are different. It's happened before; it's happening now; and it will happen again.
All that chicanery done to achieve some supposed level of status...to be a BNF.
God, how I hate those three letters.
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11:01 pm
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Too Dumb to Live
It's only been twenty-eight days since my new housemates moved in. I didn't have much say in the choosing of the new tenants, as I don't own this place, and the owner lives about 250 miles from here. So, it was luck of the draw in getting this pair.
But...
...how dumb can you be, and still manage to breathe?
( Read more... )
My former housemates bought their own place, and moved on 31 March. I love them like brothers, and God, do I miss them.
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07:35 pm
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Questions, But No Answers
- Why is it that ten years ago most of the people in my life were Wiccans, Pagans and gay? Today, most of them are (ex)Seminarians, Roman Catholic priests and gay?
- What is faith, and how do you go about finding it, especially when you've got an analytical mind and hate ritual?
- Why am I so scared of death when I believe in reincarnation, and perform past-life regressions on people?
- How do you learn forgiveness, not just the words, but the true, internal, let-it-go meaning?
- What makes me stay in fandom, while knowing some of the nutbars that lurk in its inner recesses?
- How do you re-connect with your muse and/or your inner child?
- How do you find out who you are, when you don't really know yourself?
- When did having a "career" turn into "getting a paycheck"?
- If you look younger than you are, feel older than you look, and act younger than the two put together, how old are you?
- Why do I hate TV being everywhere I don't want it to be?
- If I can thank Ronald Reagan for turning my mom, a born-and-bred hardcore conservative Republican, into a Democrat, can I thank the current administration for turning me into a Jeffersonian Trotskyite?
- When do you know you've finally crossed the Rubicon, and there can be no turning back?
Current Mood:  thoughtful
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04:29 pm
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Death Takes No Holiday
Death seems to have pulled out all the stops over the last two weeks, as though to catch up on an end of quarter quota.
First, there was Al "Grandpa" Lewis. Now, in under three days, we've lost Dennis Weaver, Don Knotts and Darren McGavin. These were men, whose performances and own personal stamp on their characters, made lasting impressions on those of us of the TV-as-babysitter generation.
It's a terrible feeling to have the blinders of childhood ripped away so suddenly. We are all dying from the moment we're born. It's just very sad to see that three men, who made an impression on me, have crossed over so quickly.
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