Whispers

All at Sea, Day 2

2008-11-02T18:45:55Z

10.7 k and things are moving slowly. I'm bored to death by all the scene-setting and character-introductions, but things will get better soon :D

Day 2

After a restless night filled with dreams of my mother telling me that I should go do something useful in my life, like having children and getting married, and dreams of running towards the station, missing my train and discovering that I was still naked, getting stared at by John and chased down the aisle by Hunter and Jamison, only to find that LT was the priest that was supposed to marry me and the new captain... I was glad for morning to come, even if the short pointer of the clock had barely passed six. I had a long day ahead of me, and stress dreams were not going to help me get the job done.

Feeling as if someone stuffed a ball of cotton in my head I wandered over to my little bathroom and splashed some cold water in my face. Oddly enough the only part of the dreams that I really remembered was the part where Frank Reynard took my hand, told me he didn't mind the fact that I'd shown up on our wedding naked, and that he loved me anyway. “Oh for Fucks sake, Lenore. You so don't have time for this crap right now.” I told myself. Still, I decided to take a cold shower before getting started. That ought to chase the thoughts I was having out of my system.

Little less than an hour later the whole ship was already bustling with activity. People were running around, arguing, cursing, but in general they at least did what they were supposed to do. By ten in the morning everything was ready for the arrival of the family. Even Chef Valette had managed to pull herself together in time to witness the limousines pulling up. “That can't be a good sign.” LT whispered to me. I shook my head. It probably meant that the youngest child of Noah de Buitrago was somehow displeased with this trip. I said as much.

“Or his old lady is passed out drunk in the other limousine again.” Isabella offered. I held back a giggle and managed a little mock glare. “What? We all know it's true. His old lady is a sauced minx. I hope Valette stocked up on the Crystal, because Old Regina's going to want to bathe in it.” I shrugged. Regina de Buitrago was no older than Isabella. In fact, I suspected that the sultry maid had a few years on the socialite, but it seemed like the busy social life that Regina was leading was taking it's toll on her. Exhaustion, as it was called in those circles. “Nothing but a slutty little drunkard.” was what Isabella liked to say.

The doors of the limousines opened, and it seemed that for once Isabella was wrong. Regina got out on her own, and managed to stand upright. In fact, she even looked rather sober. Noah de Buitrago followed her out of the car. Again it surprised me how much Hunter looked like his father. In twenty years, he would be a carbon copy of his father. The gray hair and the beard seemed to veil the fact that his blue eyes were still hard and cold. He was still a strong and attractive man, even at his age. I suspected that about fifty percent of his appeal came from the power we knew he possessed.

As much as we all would have liked to stare at the man who paid our wages, our attention was drawn by the opening of the door to the other limousine. It opened with a violent swing and a loud crash as it swung into the side of the car, no doubt damaging it. “Woah. Tantrum.” LT said, watching calmly as Liberty de Buitrago jumped out of the car, stormed past the extended hand of her mother, and raced right up the gangway. “Brace yourself.” LT said. Just in time too, because fifteen year old Liberty launched herself into my arms the second she stepped onto the deck.

“It's so unfair, Lenore.” she said, half muffled by the fact that she was burying her face in my blouse. “I know, sweetheart...” I said, wrapping my arms around the teenager and trying to console her. I felt no tears on my shoulder though, so I realized the tantrum was mostly a show she put up for her father. “He can't just interrupt my life like that. On a fucking whim! One day I'm just a happy teenager, going to school, getting good grades and all that, and the next he drags me off to God knows where because he thinks it's a good idea. I have friends, you know. He can't ask me to leave my friends behind each time. Not that he asks. He just tells us what we should do, and we're supposed to jump?! I'm so sick of it!”

The tantrum was impressive, even though I did realize that it was fake. Next to me I could see Isabella and LT melt for the heartaches of the poor young girl. The look on the new captain's face told me that he was nowhere near convinced though. A hard man to fool. I liked that. “There there...” I muttered, keeping Libby close to me for a while. Noah de Buitrago and his wife made their way up to the deck, which was my cue to send Libby off. “Why don't you get yourself settled in? We'll talk further as soon as I get the old man on board.” Liberty nodded, and ran off as soon as she saw her father coming.

“I suppose my daughter isn't pleased with me at the moment.” Noah said as he climbed the last step. As always all thoughts and reservations I had had about the man earlier faded like snow in the sun. His voice was deep, warm and soothing, and his eyes, that I had described as cold and hard earlier had a merry twinkle in them. “Nope, she's pretty much convinced that you're just doing this to mess with her life.” I said. He laughed, “Which is one hundred percent through, of course. I can't stand the thought of her growing up so fast. Before long she'll be bringing boys home from school, and then I'm going to have to knock twice before I enter her room, just to make sure one of those worthless young men doesn't have his hand up her skirt at that very moment.” Noah shook his head. “No, if I can push that moment back a little further by 'abducting' her, then I'll do it.”

I smiled at him, once again warmed by his caring attitude. That only got stronger when he turned to help his wife on board, who had been struggling with a the last few steps. Regina looked less steady than she had when she exited the limousine, and I briefly wondered if she was sloshed already after all. If so, she was holding herself fairly well. “Oh my.” she said, smiling faintly at the sight of her husband. “I think I got up a little too fast.” Noah smiled warmly at his wife and patted her hand. “That's fine dear, it's been a long drive. Why don't you go lie down in our cabin for a while?” She nodded in agreement and let one of the sailors escort her to the cabin she shared with her husband.

With a few nods and smiles from Noah the crew dispersed, leaving just me and him behind. “Thank you for being here, Lenore.” he said, beckoning me to walk with him. “I know I could have given you more notice, but sometimes a man just has to act on his whims.” I smiled politely, knowing full well that if Noah had whims, he most certainly wouldn't act on it. All in all I had a strange feeling about the trip, but as I was as ready as ever to leave for sea I didn't seek too much in it.

“Did my son arrive safely?” he asked then. I halted for a moment. I had never heard him ask about his sons whereabouts and wellbeing directly. “Uh... yeah, he arrived last night. Safely, by limousine. He and...” I wasn't sure if I could mention the boyfriend to Noah. After all, it was like Hunter had said the night before, Noah did seem to be in denial about his sons sexuality. “Jamison arrived safely as well? Good... yes, good.” He nodded to himself and continued his stroll on the deck, leaving me no choice but to follow him.

“Everyone's settled in then?” he asked me. I nodded. “Yes, everyone is settled in, with exception of the doctor and Liberty's teacher, but I've been informed that they'll arrive within the hour. The... new second officer and the new captain are just getting a feel of things as well.” I glanced sideways, trying to see if that got a reaction out of him. “Hrrm. Yes, all good, all good. So what do you think of the new captain?”

I shrugged. “I didn't have any issues with Andrews or Royle, to be honest... But if you think that Reynard and Benoit will do well, then I have no problems with it.” I paused for a moment. “Though I would have liked it if someone had informed me about the change of staff before they arrived.” Noah laughed at that. “You don't like surprises, do you Lenore?” he said, stating the obvious. I shook my head. Surprises are the bane of every organized person. “Me neither.” Noah said, sounding oddly serious for a moment.

“Ah well, I'll leave you to your preparations then.” he said, smiling at me again. “Oh, and will you talk to Liberty when you get the chance? She might see more reason when you're the one providing it.” I chuckled. “I doubt I can make Liberty see anything she doesn't want to see, but I'll do my best.” Liberty would get over herself again. She always did. Noah nodded, and stepped inside the ship, leaving me by myself on the desk.

Though almost everything was prepared for the journey, there always seemed to be a thousand things that needed to be done at the very last minute. Ed Keane was running around, barking at people, and Lisa was making the last preparations to cast off. A rushed teacher was ushered aboard and into his cabin, where he would no doubt stay for a few hours after departure at the very least. The man always suffered from terrible seasickness the first days at sea. Halfway during my last round I almost bumped into Frank, who looked a little more tense and severe than he had done last time I saw him. I had intended to nod and smile and walk past, but his hand closed around my lower arm. “I need to ask you something.” he said, barely audible over the steady beating of my heart.

“Hmm?” I intoned, instantly very pleased with my very intelligent reply. Frank pulled me aside a bit, until we were almost hidden in one of the dark nooks of the ship. “I need to know if there's anything special about this crew.” he said, still looking very serious. “Wha... uh... I don't get it. What do you mean, special?” I asked. “Just... anything special. Anything out of the norm.” I shrugged. “I... uh... well, no. Nothing in particular. Is there anything this crew needs to know about you?” I passed the ball right back into his court. He bent forward slightly, until our faces were just inches apart. “Listen, I...”

A loud crash caused us to jump apart from each other. Cautiously I peered around the corner. A feminine shape was bending over, looking for something on the deck. Whatever it was that she was looking for, it was rolling towards us. Frank stepped forward, stopping it with his foot. The woman chasing after it stopped when she reached Frank's feet. There she slowly looked up until she saw his face. “Oh. I hadn't expected to find you there, Captain Frank.” Regina de Buitrago said, swaying on her feet with the fallen bottle of champagne in her hand. She smiled at him, a smile that would no doubt be enticing if she hadn't been so drunk that she was almost cross eyed.

“Misses de Buitrago.” I said, stepping into the light and trying to sound as calm as humanly possible. “Oh, it's you.” she said, sounding a little disappointed. Then she suddenly seemed to realize that she was out in the deck with a bottle of champagne in her hands, wearing nothing but a nightgown. “I... uh... my nerves, they were troubling me. I'm never good with travelling. It always takes me a couple of days to get settled in.” she laughed then, holding up the empy bottle of champagne. “I was just out here, looking for another drink.”

I nodded, as if that was the most natural thing to do. “Of course, misses de Buitrago. Why don't I take care of that for you?” I asked, pointing at the bottle. She smiled wryly and handed it to me. “And would you like me to escort you back to your cabin?” the older woman looked a little offended at that, and I was sure she was just about ready to tell me to mind my own damn business when she looked around herself, and seemed to realize that she had no idea where she was. “Why yes, thank you.” she said. I glanced sideways at Frank for a moment, before walking off with Regina de Buitrago.

To my surprise Regina followed me silently, without whinging about the state of the ship or the way things smelled or even the way I was dressed. The walk to her cabin was short enough, and I opened the door for her. “Why don't you lie down for a while, misses de Buitrago? It's been an eventful day for everyone.” She turned to me, looking at me like I was something she just scraped out from under her shoe. “Don't you patronize me, little miss perfect.” she spat. She sat down on her bed, and instantly fell sideways. Moments later she started snoring. “Huh. Oh yeah. I'm not patronizing at all.”

I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. A soft chuckle alerted me to the presence of Isabella behind me. “Like I said, his old lady is nothing but a sad old drunk. I can't imagine why he keeps her around. I'm sure he has plenty more entertaining options when it comes to women.” She winked at me when she said that, and then turned towards Noah's study. “Time to bring him his nightcap.” she said, making it sound like she was going to have him for a nightcap instead. I shrugged. It really wasn't any of my business what Noah did with anyone, as long as he didn't keep the crew from their work.

A giggle drew my attention to Emmy, who was standing in the middle of the hall. “Yes?” I said, sounding a little more gruff and irritated then I meant. Emmy didn't seem to hear though, amused as she was by Isabella's earlier remark. She was still grinning at Noah's door as she told me what was on her mind. “So... uh... the doctor arrived a while ago, and we had all of his stuff cleared in.” She looked at me then. “Man, was he pissed off. He said that the short notice was outrageous, and that he didn't feel like bowing to each and every one of mister de Buitrago's whim.”

She shook her head, and I imagined she was envisioning Doctor Darwin angrily waving his arms around and making it sound like his profession was the only thing that mattered in the world. Why we had to take him along was beyond me, but I supposed that Noah didn't want to take any chances with his family on board. “Oh, and he was worried that he didn't get all of his supplies. Because of the short notice, he said. And he said that it was absolutely vital that everything he needed is on board.” I nodded. “I'll have a word with him about it. I'm quite sure that we have everything he requested.”

I sent Emmy on her way again, pleased that she seemed a little more comfortable being on the ship. The doctor had his own workspace on one of the middle decks. Noah took him along every journey, and they generally spent quite a deal of time together. I chalked it up to Noah's professional interest. Many of his billions came from his successful pharmaceutical companies, and he donated quite a sum to research and development institutes lately. Since I'd known him, I'd seen him support cancer research, the quest for a cure against MS and lately a cure to other neurodegenerative diseases of which I didn't know the name. I counted it as one of the many hobbies of an eccentric millionaire, and Doctor Darwin was just part of that hobby.

He didn't look particularly entertaining though, I thought to myself as I saw him through the door opening. He wiped the few strands of hair he had left out of his face as he paced his workroom, seemingly counting the things he saw again and again, and disagreeing with himself every time. “Doctor?” I said softly, trying not to startle him. He turned his head so fast I was sure he sprained a muscle. His eyes were focused though. Almost hawk like. “Ah. Miss Maes. Is everything ready for departure?”

I stepped into the workspace and nodded. “Yes, everyone's settled in, and we're just loading the last of the supplies. All we need now is for the good captain to give the signal.” A little smile tweaked the doctor's lips. “Ah yes, the new captain. Curious, isn't it? For years we're stuck with the same old drunk, simply because our boss isn't particularly fond of change and rash decisions, and now we're all here because of a rash decision of his, with a serious change in the upper management of this ship.” he nodded to himself. “Yes, very curious.”

“It does bring some questions to mind.” I agreed. “Are you all settled in then?” I asked him, looking at the rows of bottles with liquids and pills that I couldn't identify. “Oh yes, yes. All settled. In fact, more than settled. I would have expected... well, with the rash departure, I would have suspected that less than half of my equipment would be here, but here it is. All of it. Curious.” I arched an eyebrow at that.

“Well, I made sure that everything that was on your list was brought on board, so I suppose that's why everything is here.” Darwin looked at me as if I'd just sprouted another head. “Wha... a list? I don't recall handing in a list. Why, I wouldn't know where to start with a list.” he half muttered to himself, as if he was trying to figure out if he really hadn't sent a list after all. “Strange... I got a list a week ago, and most of the supplies were already provided for. All I had to take care off were the generic things, like needles.”

Darwin looked at me as if I'd sprouted a third head. “Needles? What would I need those fo... Oh, hello Noah.” he said, staring past me and my three heads, at Noah de Buitrago. “Darwin, good to see you.” he rumbled, winking at me. “I take it everything is in order?” the doctor glanced around again, seemingly counting the bottles again. “Why yes, everything is... well, it's perfectly in order. I'm surprised, really.” Noah smiled and clapped the smaller man in his shoulder. “I figured you'd be able to appreciate it. I took the liberty to make some arrangements.”

I followed the exchange with a sense of curiosity and also something close to confusion. Noah turned to me and smiled warmly. “Good to hear that everything has been arranged then. Not that I doubted you for a second. That's why I like working with you, Lenore. You get things done.” I opened my mouth to say something, but Noah's attention was already elsewhere. “Yes, I think I'll leave the rest of it to you. I'm tired.” He nodded to himself and wandered off, no doubt to get some rest, or enjoy that nightcap with Isabella.

Something didn't feel quite right about the situation with the list, but I had no chance to talk to Noah about it. Instead I made my way up to the bridge, where Lisa had already finished her preparations before departure. “So we're all good to go then?” I asked, staring out over the harbour where the sun was just setting. Despite the fact that I'd seen it countless time before, it was still a breathtaking sight. LT stood beside me, taking in the same sight. “Oh yeah we're good to go. I'm just waiting for the word from the captain, and then we'll be off towards the sunset. Though that would take us further into the harbour, so I suppose we'll be sailing towards sunrise first.”

I smiled at that. LT had a way of calming my nerves. I hadn't forgotten about the list though, and decided to ask her if she knew anything about it. “Hey... I was wondering, have you noticed anything different about this trip? I mean, we all know mister de Buitrago as someone who likes his life to be organized and predictable, and yet here we are, on this last minute trip, with a new Captain and a new Second officer, and just now when I went to see the doctor I found out that de Buitrago was the one to order in all the supplies. The doctor has no idea what kind of stock he has.”

Lisa's eyes narrowed for a moment. “That is odd.” she said, glancing around for a moment. “Actually, there is something...” A cough behind us silenced LT. We both turned as though we'd been caught doing something we shouldn't. I barely managed to wipe the guilty look of my face when I saw captain Frank Reynard. “Timmons, I think it's about time for you to plot our course. De Buitrago wans us to head towards Gibraltar eventually, so you might as well take that into consideration.”

LT and I recognized a “Get to work, wench.” when we heard one, but apparently LT was in no mood to argue with her new captain just yet. I wondered how long she'd keep that up. She winked at me, before walking over to the chart table and getting to work. Instantly LT the friend turned into LT the sailor. It was an admirable sight. “And perhaps it would be a good idea to save the Nancy Drew antics for when Timmons is off duty.” Frank said to me. I smiled sweetly at him. “Why, I have no idea what you're talking about, Captain.” I said, before excusing myself. I felt his eyes on my back as I walked towards the stairs. Before I was even off the bridge I had already convinced myself that he was right, and that I shouldn't let my own nerves get the best of me.

Outside I encountered Emmy, who seemed to have lost her earlier happy state of mind. She was pale, and there was a worried look on her face. I peered along the side of the ship and saw that there were people present to remove the lines. Departure would be within thirty minutes now. “Are you okay?” I asked Emmy, who had been so lost in her own thoughts before that she almost jumped when she heard my voice. She offered me a weak smile and glanced at the shore, as if she wanted to imprint it on her memory.

“Yeah... yeah, I'm fine it's just that... well, I've just got this weird feeling like this is the last time I'll ever see Southampton again. Like I'm going on this trip and I'll never see home again.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The feeling wasn't entirely unfamiliar. When I'd been younger I'd gone through bouts of homesickness and doubt as well. Emmy seemed to realize that her feelings probably stemmed from that. She sighed.

“It's so weird. Before I arrived here I couldn't wait to leave home. I couldn't wait to get as far away as possible. But now that the moment is there, I'm reluctant.” she shrugged. “And that's nuts, because there's absolutely nothing I'd want to return to right now.” I took that as a sign that her relationship with her parents was no better than my relationship with my mother. Perhaps even worse, if the look on her face was anything to go by. She turned to me and smiled, trying to look determined.

“It's just silly, I know. I guess I'm just a little scared of starting over like this. It's all new, and I guess it'll take some getting used to.” I smiled at her. “The first time I left home for a longer time it felt like everything changed. But in the end the only thing that really changed was me. And that's good. We all need to grow up at some point, and some time far away at home is usually just what the doctor ordered.” Emmy giggled at that. “Do you think Doctor Darwin would recommend that?” I shrugged. “There's no telling what that man would recommend.

The departure went smooth as ever, and after watching the city and the harbour slide by I went for another round. Everything was peaceful though. Noah and Regina de Buitrago were sleeping, and I didn't care if they did so together or not. Valette was still bitching about the roster, and the doctor looked confused as ever. Liberty was nowhere in sight, but I assumed that she was still holed up in her cabin, avoiding her father. Hunter was no doubt doing the same, trying to postpone the moment when they'd all have to get together and pretend that there was nothing wrong with their family. I found that an oddly reassuring thought. Apparently even multi billionaire families were messed up.

Night fell swiftly over the ocean and while the lights of Southampton were at our stern, it already felt like we were miles and miles away from any port. I enjoyed being outside, breathing in the night air that was still a little cold. Though it was early May, the air seemed to remember the chill of winter. I liked it, and I wasn't the only one. Jamison joined me out on the deck.

“Lovely night, isn't it?” he said, staring out over the ocean and thinking of things that had nothing to do with the air, the sea, or the fact that it was night at all. There was a slump in his shoulders that hadn't been there before. I put a hand in his shoulder and squeezed slightly. “I take it this trip hasn't been all you expected it to be so far?” I asked. He sighed and shrugged. “I don't know why I expected it to be anything, really. It's just that... well, 'he' has never invited me anywhere personally.” Jamie said.

“Up until now, Hunter's father never once acknowledged my existence, or the fact that his son is gay. And then all of a sudden there's this invite to come sail with the family. That was a personal invitation from a father to a son, in which the father told the son: 'hey, and bring your boyfriend too. It'll be fun.'. I even canceled some jobs to get a few weeks off. And now we're here, and I somehow expected things to be different.” He shook his head at that. “I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so naive sometimes, you know?”

“I guess we all are.” I said. “I take it Mister de Buitrago hasn't been as welcoming as you hoped he'd be?” I guessed. Jamie let out a frustrated little sigh. “The man's barely said hi to me. Hell, he didn't even say more than two words to Hunter. If he was so desperate to have us here, you'd think he'd at least show some interest in us. We've met with Regina briefly, but... well, you know how she can be, and no one's seen Libby yet, though we've been told that she's actually on the ship.”

“It's just that... family is important, you know? And Hunter has a family at least, so I guess I just want him to be close with them. It's hard enough to get by in life without strife between family members.” He had a point there, but I wasn't about to interrupt him. He was clearly in need of a listening ear, far more than a helping hand. Jamison sighed again. “Anyway, I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm sure that the family will talk and all that, and if they don't... well, then the least I can do is make sure Hunter relaxes. He's been up to his nose in business deals lately. He couldn't even get three weeks off originally, but I think he managed to cut a deal about that after all.”

“It'll be fine.” I said. “I don't know what Mister de Buitrago has in mind for his trip, but I'm sure that he didn't just invite you so he can ignore you for weeks on end. Who knows, he might really be interested in what his sons lover is like. You've been together for two years by now, so maybe he's finally getting used to the idea.” I smiled confidently, hoping that Jamison would buy it. He didn't look convinced, but he didn't seem to be too keen on looking into it further either.

“Anyway, I need some sleep.” I said. The day started to wear on and on, and I was starting to feel very tired. “I'm sure everything will become clear tomorrow, after a good nights rest.” Jamison nodded, and being the gentleman that he was he escorted me to my cabin. It took me about half a minute after he felt to get into my bed, and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep. Everything would be different in the morning. It always was.

Dramatic drama of the DM kind

2008-01-16T10:04:44Z

in case people managed to miss this over at www.morningtide.nl :

This may or may not be an accurate retelling of the events as they occured on DM in the past few days. :p

In the beginning, there was the Code of Conduct. The Code was a device of control, installed by the powers that be to assure the obedience of their flock. Yonder flock did have a tendency to rebel after all, or at least to disagree with the powers that be, which is almost the same as rebelling anyway. The Code of Conduct stated clearly: Thou shalt not rebel, or disagree, or even think of disagreeing. Thou shalt not discuss the decrees from the powers that be in any manner, respectful or not. Thou shalt jump when the powers that be state that thy shall jump. Should thee feel compelled to disobey these decrees, the powers that be shall rain upon thee with fearsome banning powers.

Needless to say, there was much unrest among the little people. The powers that be did not approve of this unrest, and they set out to set an example. “We strip thee of thy power, ye ungrateful wench!” they called out to the spiritual leader of the White Tower. “Fine!” she cried out to them, “Be that way, ye blind fools!” For did they not see that her cause was just and her work solid? The public cried in outrage and called forth the mighty smiter of injustice. “Ye Bastards are mistaken!” he called out to the powers that be. He exposed to the people of DM the dastardly ways of the powers that be. The people cried in outrage and misbelief. Had they truly been deceived so thoroughly?

Before the seeds of rebellion could take hold in the hearts of the people, the powers that be acted. Rashly, at that. “We ban thee for sixty days and sixty nights, oh foul causer of dissent!” they called out from their ivory tower. The smiter shrugged, and settled onto a private forum, where he wrote and wrote, preparing to flood the world with his word as soon as sixty days and nights had passed.

In the meantime, in DM-land, not all was as it should be. The people had indeed been infected by the seeds of rebellion and even the young and careless gave voice to their worries. The former guide of the White Tower turned her back on the powers that be. “I will hear no more of your lies and deceit! The people will hear the truth and yonder ivory tower will crumble!”

Within the ivory tower the powers that be heard these words and trembled. They gazed upon each other in horror and silence while the turmoil in DM-land grew steadily. “What can we do?” they asked themselves.

Step down. That’s my advice, ye wicked bitches from rp admin land :p

full of win

2007-11-05T20:23:58Z

that's what I am.

50k went down in 5 days. insane.

'bout that time again, eh?

Righto...

30 k :D

2007-11-03T16:07:45Z

quiet day today, because my arms really do feel like falling off. I just aimed for 30k :)

stupid nano forums are still not working :(

You still don't like me

2007-11-02T21:58:56Z

25k :D

and no, I don't actually intend to finis my nano in 4 days. it's just that I have the weekend (and the first 2 days of november) off, and after that it's back to the chaingang for me. I just want to get a decent headstart, you know? ;) and my story is all sorts of love.

The only thing that really pisses me off is that the nanowrimo forums are slow as all hell. Damn it, forum people. I get 1 chance a year to gloat just a little, and you're ruining it. Thanks.

You don't like me

2007-11-01T23:08:24Z

trust me, you don't. I wrote 12500 words the last 24 hours.

Even my arm hates me :p

Nano time :D

2007-10-31T22:58:48Z

This year my nano can be read in my new log, www.morningtide.nl . Make sure you register there, because it'll be friendslocked as usual. :) Happy writing everyone.

moving house

2007-09-06T18:26:00Z

http://www.morningtide.nl/

that's where I'll do most of my posting from now on. Hope to see you all there :)

uh ow

2007-09-03T05:08:19Z

first day of my internship now.

Wish me luck :)

but why is my rum-tolerance gone?

2007-09-02T11:33:43Z

Either I've suddenly turned into a pussy who can't hold her liquor past four glasses of wine, or that wine Derek brought last night was just plain evil.

bluegh :S

at least I seem to have ventured out of hangover city now.

so uninspired

2007-08-27T18:09:04Z

so much stuff I need to do before my internship.
so little time.
so little energy.

first nightshift starts now.

Isa is preggers

2007-08-16T10:22:50Z

yup :D

back

2007-08-13T08:33:27Z

yup...

I sleep now.

eh?

2007-08-11T02:12:30Z

I've got freckles on my legs O.o

that's never happened before.

Stateside, day 5

2007-08-08T02:36:50Z

I went jetskying today :D it was awesome, and awesome, and awesome, and did I mention it was awesome already? :D

Stuff is a little messy in the head of me right now, but I suppose most of that is just being away from home and destressing and stuff.

anyway, back to watching firefly :D

I'm going to drive upstate with Kat tomorrow to see my cousin, which should be good.

day 3, stateside

2007-08-05T17:26:23Z

I saw a walmart today. I'm pretty sure that was the first and the last time I'll ever go into one. It seems to breed lethargia. My braincells were starting to leap out of my ears after about 20 minutes. brr. But at least we got a working phone so we can reach people when we're out of the house, without borrowing a phone from someone who might need it as well.

we're going to see my cousin who moved to New Jersey a while ago on wednesday, so that should be great. With a little luck, we might even hit the beach today :D

all in all, there's been a lot of lugging around with stuff during the past few days, which should stop for a bit from now on. Vacation time is finally there. I might get to read a book. I might get to write a bit :D

i'm actually enjoying my stay quite a bit :p but, relaxation will have to happen soon.

oh, and to add vagueness to this entry, which is 'liberated' WT related: Very mature of you guys. Really. Negative surprises ftl.

I'm here :)

2007-08-03T20:44:50Z

after a grueling 8 hour flight that was 1 hour delayed, and a trip back to Kat's house which involved a lot of traffic. And a lot of big, big trucks. That's one thing that's bigger in the US than it is in the Netherlands. Trucks. Big f'ing trucks everywhere. I liked it :D

And that's about all the opinion I have of my vacation so far, other than that flying sucked, continental shows crappy inflight movies, and I'm tired :)

Also, my mobile phone doesn't work :S

So I can't actually call anyone to say I've arrived safely, which sucks.

I'm sure things will be more inspiring tomorrow.

oh, and for the Resonance readers: I wrote a little side story involving Chang Kun Wei and the reason why he left the league for two years on the plane today. twas good.

rawr

2007-08-02T19:11:32Z

I'm antsy as hell :D

ok, so i'm nervous. I've never been on an inter-continental flight before.
*huffs*

chill out, birthday girl.

they're happy nerves though. I need a break, and apparently the weather is great over there.

see you all in 10 days or so :D

Dear DM/WT/fellow rp'ers

2007-07-27T21:20:42Z

I would like the hate-fest to stop.

That's all :)

I would like to keep rp'ing without feeling overly guilty about people losing staff positions. Been there, done that, wasn't fun the first time around.

come to think of it, the second time sucked as well. Just about as much as the third time. And the fourth time. Maybe the fifth time was a little less aggravating, but the sixth time is definitely epic.

Don't hate on people, and people won't hate on you. Therefore: I love you people. Each and every one of you.

fangasm

2007-07-25T21:46:55Z

you know, when I was a kid, I had the biggest crush on Optimus Prime. I don't remember quite when or how it started, but I'm pretty sure it lasted a good 4 to 8 years. I was such a fan. I was beyond a fan. I was Optimus' most loyal defender. So no, Megatron is not cooler. Megatron was not cooler. Megatron will never be cooler. And don't even get me started on that pussy Galvatron. ugh. or Rodimus, for that matter. Or that asshole who made Optimus into a fire engine. What. The. Fuck.

Optimus. Optimus, Optimus, Optimus. Optimus.

and grimlock too.

but Optimus :D

so to make a long and Optimus Prime filled story short, I saw the transformers movie just now. There was so much wrong with that movie. Like when they made... and then that guy... and since when is... and what about...

but oh man. Oh. man. fangasm. Back to 5 to 12 or so year old me. It was a movie with transformers. it had Optimus Prime. Can I see it again tomorrow?

an overabundance of brains, I have not

2007-07-03T19:33:38Z

proof that too much sun and fun and stuff is bad for the brain:

I'm returning to DM with Rosheen and Nyssa, and maybe eventually with Sohvi and Lev.

Why?

Because I talked to James this morning, and first he made the sound of having an Aes Sedai sound so tempting that I almost went and made a new novice. Crisis averted on that one :p And then he said he was almost at WS 20, and he can't reach Ws 20 before an actual respectable warder char does, because that would be a travesty!

So there I was, thinking: "hrrm... you know... why the heck not?"

And it's been fun, so far. Like, all 9 hours of it so far. No drama yet. Wooh.

aftermath

2007-07-03T06:14:15Z

well, I'm utterly and completely fuxxored after Werchter. man. how much snot can one head make? and my voice is gone, and my head hurts, and... and...

well, the usual, actually :p

Werchter was worth it though. rarr.

_o_ zzZZzzZZ

2007-06-24T12:19:51Z

so... bored...

Lyanna needs to hurry up and get here already, before my brain shuts down completely.

edit: Lyanna arrived, and my brain survived. yay :D

here's to hoping

2007-06-22T20:25:55Z

Work again tomorrow. It hasn't been as good lately as it used to be... too busy, too chaotic, just too much in general. There has to be a balance, you know? I could deal with stressy school and stressy work, but only as long as the work attitude was good. At the moment it seems to have dropped below zero, and I'm starting to feel it. Like when I know I'm missing a deadline at school, or when I know I'm doing stuff wrong. I instantly feel like utter crap. My stomach ties itself into knots and I don't sleep well. I got that way a lot in my previous study, and occasionally with this one. Nowhere near as often now.

For the past couple of weeks though, I'm having that unpleasant sensation on thursday and friday, because while school wasn't all that, end of term being what it is, work was a tangled mess of negativity.

This week they started up with a new basic plan, which we get to work with. It's not as 'tight' as the previous one, but last time I checked it did look like we wouldn't have enough drivers to make the plan work. I have an afternoon/evening shift tomorrow, which is usually one of the more stressful shifts. I guess I'll find out if things have changed for the better pretty soon.

*sighs*

uh ow

2007-06-22T08:26:05Z

I'm feeling very groggy at the moment. tired, unfocussed... you know the deal.

not a good state to take a test in. not at all...