I'm going to start working on an art project soon which I will need to collect lots of things for. I'll be hitting up Goodwill of course, but if any of you have something I could use taking up space, I would love donations.

I'm mostly looking for: small Christmas/winter decorations & figurines. By small I mean probably no larger than a breadbox. Things like ornaments, fake snow, Santas, reindeer, snowmen, penguins, polar bears, elves, small toys, lights, stuffed animals, little scarves & mittens, small boxes, toy satchel, nativity set, angels, tinsel, a house or building (like the ones in those miniature Christmas villages), and anything else you can think of. It doesn't matter if it's traditional and pretty or totally tacky.

If it's something you'd like returned then that's totally fine; just let me know so I don't glue/paint/bedazzle/eat it.

Also, if you have any leads on where to get these knick knacks on the Very Cheap, lemmeknow!

Back in September Jesse asked, "What are the things about sex that you like that aren't the actual act itself?" Obviously blowing your load is the customary goal, but aside from actual down-and-dirty thrusting, what do you love most about sexy time? "Like, the pillow-talk, the foreplay, the washing up in the other person's bathroom right after, the undressing, the snuggling, the falling asleep, etc. I'll define sex as anything involving direct genital stimulation," as my inquisitive and fagtastic friend clarified.

I'm also curious, how important are these other aspects to you; how do they weigh in priority? What if your lover is a casanova once he gets his dick in you, but licks your ear too damn much during foreplay? What if they're not a post-coital cuddler, is that a dealbreaker?

And as warned in the original post, if any past conquests partners respond, I'll of course assume you're talking about us, because my ego likes it that way. :)

So I've been cuddling with my hangover all day. There's ginger ale and fluffy cat so it's not all that bad right now, but puke did come out my nose this morning. Just sayin'. While complaining via chat to Dave, he tried to convince me that bacon sandwiches cured hangovers. I called bullshit. And then my mind was blown.

Bacon sandwich really does cure a hangover
A bacon sandwich really does cure a hangover - by boosting the level of amines which clear the head, scientists have found.

Elin Roberts, of Newcastle University's Centre for Life said: "Food doesn't soak up the alcohol but it does increase your metabolism helping you deal with the after-effects of over indulgence. So food will often help you feel better.

My summary of this article: bacon is magic. "Bingeing on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters too, but bacon contains a high level of aminos which tops these up, giving you a clearer head." MAGIC. And magic is science. Or the other way around, whatever. But I think in order to properly battle what ails me I am going to go do a science experiment right now in the kitchen, and then settle in to watch some hulu. I'm projecting that I'll be well enough in time to go out and do it all again this evening. Science Pub tonight! GECKOS! I'm going to take illustrated notes since Kat can't go.

Okay. Time for science!

People often send me Batman-related things they find on the internet. This pleases me a lot, because I like Batman things, but also because it's a reminder that I'm in my friends thoughts. Sometimes people I don't even know - random twitter friends - message me with links to Batman-comics or whatnot saying "this reminded me of you", which is just oh so neat. There's definitely worse things to be known for.

So, with my amassing collection of batty images, I've decided to create a blog dedicated to all the things people send me/I find. Giving credit will be difficult since I've forgotten the origin of many images, but...well, whatever. I'm pretty sure I'm going to use tumblr for this project, but I'm having trouble deciding on name. Cast your vote?

Poll #1477736 What should I name my Batman blog?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 31

something.tumblr.com

or something else entirely?

In a post quite a while ago I put out the request for a copy of a photo-editing program and a few of you offered me photoshop. Well, I would still like it! Please. And on top of that, I have even more demands. Would anyone be willing to give me a short crash-course in photoshop once I acquire it? I've stared at it a few times in the past, blinked rapidly, gotten intimidated by all the buttons, and left with tail between my legs. I'm not asking for an in-depth explanation, just a tutorial of the basics to get me started. In exchange I will: get you drunk, take naked pictures of you, bake you something, cut your hair, babysit your tumor, taste-test bacon for you, bedazzle your favorite jean jacket, or some combination of.

In other news, not much is more fun than cropping photos of the crucifixion in such a manner to suggest homo-erotic undertones.

Hello LJ-land. I missed you too.

So here's what I am going to do this evening if anyone wants to join me: Head over to to Chapman School (1445 NW 26th Ave, off Raleigh) to watch the swifts and hopefully take a few photographs. This doesn't really happen until 6:45-7ish but I was warned to get there before that in order to secure a spot. After watching the birdies I'm going to head downtown to Ash Street Saloon (225 SW Ash St) for In Music We Trust MusicFestNW show. It's $6 without a wristband. Really I just want to see Rob Wynia (singer/guitarist of Floater) do a solo acoustic set, and he goes on at 8pm. There are five other acts after him and I'm not sure how long I'll stay. There will probably be some pbr drinking and voodoo donut eating involved.

Fun times shall be had, basically.

I'll be doing these things whether people decide to join me or not, but the more the merrier! (in which merrier = shenanigans)

(oh and for anyone who is unfamiliar with "Floater" or "Rob Wynia" just know that his voice is next to jesus and if you come listen to him it may make your groins tingle)

I need to borrow Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince from someone because my stupid ex has all my hp books. (And has had them for more than a year and won't give them back and I hate his stupid face and I just want my harry potter.)

I'm not feeling clever enough to write up a full review, but I have to admit that I liked the movie. First impression: favorite hp movie so far. Granted, my expectations have been extremely low for all the adaptations. I'm not as into the movies as I am the books, but I'm clinging onto the last shreds of fandom. I busted out my Gryffindor scarf for the midnight release tonight. (er, last night? I haven't slept so it doesn't count as tomorrow yet.)

They didn't really have much plot surrounding the title character, ya'know, the half blood prince. I really wish they would have set it up better for the big: Severus, Good/Evil? But they've always been bad about giving proper backstory for important plot points. A lot of the movies have focused too much on relatively trivial details. But whatever. This movie was kind of quirky and awkward though - in a good way. The main characters are 16 of course. Remember what that felt like? There are a couple adorably uncomfortable love/lust moments. The climax and big ending were pretty powerful. The very end was meh. I liked that they showed an actual quidditch match. Draco was creepy & emo. Harry is growing on me. Ron was adoooorbs. Still ambivalent about Hermione. Wtf did Neville go? Toooo much Lavender. Awh, Luna's dress. I miss Sirius.

Anyway. I am a little wacky from no sleep, hyper, post-drunk, and typing this on my phone. So. Apologies.

If you're a Harry Potter fan, go see the movie, it's worth it. If you're a hater, well, this movie probably won't change your mind.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

I am in such a terrible, awful, grumpy mood.

Stoppit, self. You're seeing Harry Potter (!!!!!!) tonight. Be happy.

Well kiddies, I'm back. Not that I expected any differently, but it's always weird to return and see that life kept moving forward without you. People have said "Oh you know, this and this and that", but no, I don't know. I didn't read any twitter (except for tweets @ me) or livejournal while I was away and I have no intention of going back and catching up.

Thanks to a ride from Mike (<3!) I was able to make it back to town in time for Brie's birthday party Saturday night. "Shads, are you drunk?!" I was asked more than once before I'd even gotten any alcohol in me. No, I was just so delirious from sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion that I couldn't walk or focus properly. Spacey and in a haze, I stumbled through the night. People would say "Oh, yeah, I know what you mean, I had a long week too." I didn't argue with them but I wanted to reply "No. You really don't know." No one can possibly understand what is was like unless they were there and doing the things I was doing. Natives Camp every year is the most exhausting, emotionally draining, hard-working, and rewarding week of my life. Being surrounded by my culture is such a cleansing but difficult experience. This year was especially hard. Not only did I have to deal with the death of an extremely important lady in my life, but I had to essentially take over her job. This was intimidating and heartbreaking.

Working with kids all day every day is tiring enough as it is. A lot of these kids have a ton of problems, both environmental and biological. You have to keep a brave face for them. Keeping that much energy up is so draining, but manageable as long as you don't let yourself stop to think about it too much. Getting up at 7am every morning, going to bed after 1am, on my feet all day teaching very physically demanding dance classes, two powwows, lifting and carrying stuff around, catering to both the kids and the elders... On top of the normal classes I teach, I was one of only three "young adult" workers, meaning lots of grunt work. Physics apply here: a Shads in motion wants to stay in motion, a Shads at rest wants to stay at rest. As long as I kept moving it was okay. As long as I didn't give myself time to think about how sleepy I was or how much my muscles were on fire or how totally overwhelmed with emotion I was, it was okay.

I'm glad I made it to the birthday party, but I was definitely not on my party game. I grew tired of people asking me over and over if I was okay, so I apologize if I got cranky at anyone. It was just taking every ounce of effort not to collapse into a puddle of skin and bone and broken muscles and tears on the floor.

Sunday was hard; I felt as if I could barely walk. My legs seized up and it took me a good ten minutes just to convince myself to flex my feet. I woke up early that morning and felt the full weight of the week. Thankfully I got to spend a relaxing afternoon and evening with one of the best friends I've ever had. Chris and I made pizzas and watched Tank Girl and had some really tough but really amazing conversations. When I fell asleep Sunday night I slept hard, and then proceeded to sleep through most of Monday. When I finally awoke for good around 3:30pm, I felt slightly more human.

I'm still a little tired now, and still a little sore, and still processing a lot of things in my head, but things are okay.

Jesse
11:34 AM
You know how I know you're gay?

Shads
11:34 AM
because i'm listening to disney songs in my underwear?

Jesse
11:34 AM
No because you're listening to Can You Feel The Love Tonight

Shads
11:34 AM
IT CAME UP ON RANDOM I'M LISTENING TO DISNEY OKAY

Jesse
11:35 AM
You could be listening to that song as covered by Johnny Cash while wearing a leather jacket and a Stetson and I'd still know you're gay

Shads
11:36 AM
wait, does Johnny Cash really cover Can You Feel The Love Tonight?

Jesse
11:36 AM
no
but if he did
...it'd still be gay

Shads
11:36 AM
dammit Jesse, don't tease me like that.

The Worst Thing Ever has just happened. My mom added me on Facebook. (oh, white middle-class problems)

I know this is a common lament these days, but trust me when I say this is really bad. Thankfully most of my stuff was already friends-only, but as soon as the notification email hit my inbox I had a five-second heart attack, then ran to make everything friends only. Tagged pictures, contact info, most albums, and info were already private. I felt my heart pump in my chest as I hid profile pictures, friends, the rest of the albums, and interests. Of course my profile picture right now is me in a bikini, but I'm not so much worried about that as her finding evidence of me drinking. Or doing anything remotely fun.

Less than 10 minutes after she friended me and only a few minutes after I managed to make everything private she called me. AAAHHHHH. I didn't answer. And she didn't leave a message, fuck. So then I got really paranoid and I locked my twitter updates and made my flickr unsearchable.

You probably think I'm over-reacting. And I am. But... You don't know my mom. There's a reason I am the way I am, and it's because I'm the opposite of her. Thankfully we didn't have a hostile relationship when I lived at home, but we didn't get along ever. Now that I've moved out our relationship has definitely improved, but there's still a few things that won't change. She is super straight edge. She's disapproving of my hair, tattoos, and piercings but I suppose lots of moms would be. The toughest thing though is alcohol. Ever since she married my step-dad, a recovered alcoholic, she has been evangelical against the juice. She somehow believes that I never drank in high school and she seems to think I don't drink now. She wouldn't let me have a drink on my 21st birthday. If people talk about drinking she gets upset. If a waitor offers us alcohol she can't simply decline, she has to snip "no" and "we do not drink" in a superior manner. It's embarrassing, and annoying. And it makes me sad that there's certain experiences that I'll miss out on with her. I get jealous when I hear of friends going out for a drink with their parent, or just being able to have an honest, adult conversation with them. My mom is so out of touch though.

Really, it's similar to abstinence-only education. And just as unsuccessful.

I know I can't hide from her forever. I have to see her in just over a week when I go down to Eugene to work for the Natives camp. But dammit. :(

Update: she's now friends with my ex on facebook. I'm not even friends with him. We don't talk. We hate each other. fml.

Oof, I ate that veggie burger too fast and now I feel all roly poly.

I was going to try to think of something interesting to say but I just stared at the computer for five minutes spacing out and chewing on my lip.

So nevermind. Substance later.

If any of you lovely ladies are looking for a new summer 'do, you should go see Michelle at Hello Gorgeous on NW Johnson & 19th. She's an awesome gal and a great stylist. I'm still stubbornly growing my hair out and she managed to make my hair feel so light and soft while still keeping the length. She showed me lots of pictures and had lots of ideas. I'm pretty unpicky about my haircuts though so I left it mostly up to her opinion and I was right to trust her.

And just so there's something for everyone, a gratuitous and irrelevant picture of me hosing Michelle down:

Zombie Prom was last weekend (the theme was "Under the Dead Sea"). Despite the last-minute costuming and apprehension over the lack-of-shirt, I really love how my costume came out. I may need to find an excuse to wear it again.



( a zombie sea creature with an insatiable appetite for flesh! )

Now that I'm 21 & flashing my id often I get a lot scrutiny regarding my perceived age. So, satisfy my curiosity, friends. If you didn't know me, how old would you think I was?

Poll #1403198
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 33

How old do you think Shads looks?

My dad's in town from Oklahoma this week. Today we were hanging out/driving around/running errands. We started talking about my hair. I don't think he particularly likes it, but he doesn't give me hell for it. I was telling him about different positive and negative reactions I've gotten to it, and how I feel like it's perfectly acceptable for me to have blue hair now, while I can. Someday I may not be able to.

"Yeah, I would have liked to have hippie hair when I was your age, in the 60s. I admit I was a little envious. But I had just gotten out of the airforce, was working at the bank, Kasie was already born and Jay was on the way."

I just sat there dumbfounded for a minute. I already knew all this information, but it was just so surreal to think of it like that. When my dad was 21 he had military training, a career, and a family. Whoah.

He wasn't trying to make me feel guilty by saying this. He doesn't expect me to start popping out babies anytime soon. Things were just different then. Being empathetic, I keep trying to imagine what it would be like. But I just can't fathom being a grown-up right now. I think I'm much younger than my dad was at my age. This is fine with me, I'm in no rush.


In other news he bought me a shit-ton of groceries, so if I complain of hunger in the next month, tell my lazy ass to get in the kitchen (where it belongs). Groceries including... beer!! Holy shit, my dad is cool.

Anonymous friends, whoever you are, make my heart flutter.

<3<3<3

batty,

Your LiveJournal paid account for user "dark_knightly" is expiring in 5
days, at which time it'll revert to its previous status.

If I don't renew it are all my icons and stuff gone forever or do they get saved someplace magical?

Edit: Awh, shucks guys. Anonymous friend, I <3 you.

Edit again: Holy shit, 6 months worth, I just noticed! !!!!! I want to shower you with hugs.

And in other news, I now have a lifesize cardboard Batman cutout thanks to _fool ! Now taking suggestions for possible photo-ops. 

He's totally staring at me right now, still wrapped in plastic, folded in half.

I need a few minutes.

So, this pretty much made my day: 30 Awesomely Bad Unicorn Tattoos. Although, I think some of them are just awesomely awesome. 



This, however, is not one of them.

I'm never going to be able to use the phrase "unicorn jizz" again. It's fine until you actually imagine it.