urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark now with scheduled non-stop daily departures from reality Melody Clark 2008-05-12T07:15:36Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:101670 2008-05-11T22:55:02Z 2008-05-12T07:15:36Z This is the one that was dead in the water for a number of months after my gang mugging on the anti-slash forum. With Annie Booker and Lyn Townsend's assist, it's finally finished. It'll be available at MediaWest from Agentwithstyle<br /><br />One thing I noticed in re-reading it -- it's amazing how self-conscious about style that I was after that mugging. The differences in beta'ing the TS novel and the H/W novel were clear -- I made WAY more problematic style choices in the TS novel. So much for "criticism" being helpful. lol <br /><br />Quick question to my f-list -- one person is apparently offended by my new banner. If anyone else agrees with this, mind telling me why? lol<br /><br />Update: we have an answer. Note: for the 1.5 person who might have been "offended" by my banner. NO, it is NOT an "outhouse" -- it is the front door to John Adams' birthplace. See Adams quote ... Adams' door. It fits. Here is a picture as proof (notice the similarity of the house door to the door on the banner). <br /><br /><img src="http://static.flickr.com/65/177827863_f2d6c16588_m.jpg" /><br /><br />I'm just going to conclude this person was a troll. I can't believe anyone actually thought that was an outhouse. Purportedly, the person finds it offensive "as a blogger". (SHRUGS BIGTIME) Just so there's no further offense, I've changed the banner to something less offensive. ;) urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:101490 2008-05-11T07:48:37Z 2008-05-11T07:48:37Z Here I go again ... this was ganked from <span class='ljuser' lj:user='arhh' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://arhh.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://arhh.livejournal.com/'><b>arhh</b></a></span> I apologize for my smartass answers but I'm in that kind of mood. <br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a>What do you think the most common letter in the English Language?<br />I<br /><br />Have you ever worn shoes without socks? <br />I'm from LA. It's part of the dress code.<br /><br />When was the last time you popped a mint?<br />I have never shot a mint. <br /><br />Do you pop your gum?<br />I have never shot gum either.<br /><br />Do you know how to play any instruments?<br />Guitar<br /><br />Do you own an orange shirt?<br />Not on purpose<br /><br />Who do you want to be nominated as President of U.S. (e.g. Pitbull, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears)?<br />Paul Giamatti (he makes the Presidency adorable)<br /><br />Do you use chapstick?<br />When I need it.<br /><br />How many water bottles do you consume a week?<br />I've never consumed a bottle before. I do drink a relatively large amount of water as required. <br /><br />What is the best type of water (ex. Arrowhead, Fiji, Dasani)?<br />The wet kind <br /><br />Where do you want to work while in College, if at all?<br />I worked at a Koby Shoe store while in college ... it was a long time ago, when shoes were made out of leather. <br /><br />Are you currently in debt?<br />No<br /><br />Do you paint your toe nails?<br />I can't reach my toe nails.<br /><br />Off the top of your head, what do you think superfluous means?<br />I grew up in LA. Trust me I know what "superfluous" means.<br /><br />When writing essays, do you write in a notebook and then type it, or type it right out of your head?<br />I don't generally write essays. I write articles. I haven't owned a notebook since -- well, my last one had David Cassidy on it. After then, it's been Peechees, Peechees, Peechees, all the way down.<br /><br />Up to what grade level of math would you say you've completed?<br />Algebra 2<br /><br />Do you like bread ends?<br />I don't dislike them<br /><br />How many pieces of ham on a sandwich?<br />Ich bin eine vegetarian (and I spell badly in German no doubt)<br /><br />What kind of cheese do you like?<br />American, by gum!<br /><br />Plain chocolate or stuffed with caramel or cherry?<br />Plain chocolate definitely.<br /><br />What is your purpose in life?<br />To not have a purpose in life.<br /><br />How many area codes do you use, are you familiar with?<br />I live in LA County -- I've lost count. <br /><br />Do any of your siblings look like your twin?<br />I don't have a twin.<br /><br />Would you ever wear an afro wig?<br />No and an afro wig wouldn't want me to wear it<br /><br />Have you ever donated your hair?<br />Yes but they sent it back.<br /><br />Do you put lotion on your tummy?<br />Not on purpose<br /><br />What kind of lotion is your favorite?<br />The cheap kind<br /><br />What's your top best radio station for news?<br />NPR<br /><br />What was the last thing you heard on the news?<br />The Governator bitching about something<br /><br />How often do you pick up the newspaper to read?<br />Google news is all you need ... and I buy my coupons online.<br /><br />How many stripes does the flag have?<br />It depends upon how much sleep I've had. Seriously, to quote our founders -- "resolved, that the flag of the 13 United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white."<br /><br />Who made the original 13 starred flag of the U.S.?<br />We don't know -- the Betsy Ross story is a myth. Some have suggested that Martha Washington might have done it though I'd say Abigail Adams was a better candidate. The designer was probably Francis Hopkinson (Continental Congressman).<br /><br />Have you ever heard a song by Pink Floyd?<br />Probably<br /><br />How many blogs do you have?<br />Used to have several, now I just post here every other day or so.<br /><br />Have you ever used a sound as part of your password for anything (ex. kaboom, bowchiquiwowow)?<br />Nope<br /><br />What's your dream car? <br />One that gets 3700 miles to the gallon<br /><br />Ninjas, Pirates, Thieves, or Politicians?<br />No, thank you.<br /><br />Have you ever wanted to have a hook for a hand?<br />Not since my mother-in-law moved away.<br /><br />Do you think you'll ever have a six pack?<br />I have a six pack of Diet Pepsi in the fridge right now.<br /><br />Have you ever counted the number of stairs you've climbed, if so what was the number?<br />I try not to count anything that high.<br /><br />Have you ever worn cowboy boots?<br />I don't remember. Probably, on some childhood visit to Knotts Berry Farm (which once had a western theme)<br /><br />Who's Ralph Nader, and what did he do?<br />He used to be a consumer activist. He's now the reason we've had eight years of Bush hell. <br /><br />Have you given up trying to find Waldo?<br />No, but I have it on good authority that Waldo is trying to find me.<br /><br />Ever played jacks?<br />Jack's what?<br /><br />Do you think red lipstick is hot?<br />Once it sits in my car for a couple of hours in July it is.<br /><br />What does "drop it like it's hot" mean?<br />It means I left my red lipstick in the car for a couple of hours in July.<br /><br />Have you ever named a part of your body?<br />Yes but it went to court and had its name changed legally.<br /><br />What's the longest word you can remember right now? <br />antidisestablishmentarianist<br /><br />Have you ever said "fine and dandy"?<br />I was raised by US southerners. It is part of the everyday verbiage. <br /><br />What smiley face do you most often use? <br />The one that explodes on contact.<br /><br />BTW, here's a link for us old folk (the younger ones will know it already) -- <a href="http://urbandictionary.com">http://urbandictionary.com</a> It's going to feed my rant tomorrow or the next day about the scary evolution of language.<br /><br />One last thing, something I fear makes me a hypocrite but I've learned to embrace my eternal internal contradictions. ... <a href="http://www.imeem.com/people/EK7MDVY/video/pCTD1OUD/melody_john_adams_adamsjefferson_music_video_tv_video/">Adams/Jefferson music video</a> You've been warned. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:100812 2008-05-07T04:33:00Z 2008-05-07T04:33:00Z Barack Obama locked up the Democratic nomination tonight. There is simply no way (even an unlikely way) for Hillary Clinton to win the nomination. It also looks like he may well win Indiana along with North Carolina. He performed very solidly in all demographics. Now is the time to put our ground game together and get ready for the big and most important fight.<br /><br />The great part is we have 3.5 million new voters, too. Democrats comprised 68% of the voters showing up at polls. The distress sound you are hearing is the death throes of the US right-wing. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:100134 2008-05-05T01:43:56Z 2008-05-06T05:27:09Z We have fired up a comm for discussing the Adams/Jefferson relationship (yes, slash discussion accepted). If you're interested, go chere:<br /><a href="http://community.livejournal.com/adams_jefferson/">http://community.livejournal.com/adams_jefferson/</a><br /><br />Incidentally, I blame it on Tom Hanks (as many of us have said) :)<br /><br />Why I used the wrong icon on this, I'm not sure. lol urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:100087 2008-05-05T01:11:26Z 2008-05-05T01:15:24Z <a name="cutid1"></a><br /><div><br /> <h1>Your Score: <span>Dr. James Wilson</span></h1><br /> <h2>50% Eccentricity, 35% Confidence, 75% Kindness</h2><br /> <div><img src="http://is1.okcupid.com/users/348/108/34910810133136532/mt1148690071.jpg"></div> <br /> <p><br /> Congratulations, you're Dr. James Wilson! You've got the tough role of being the conscience and best friend to Dr. Greg House, which proves that you must be secretly (or openly) insane. You're always a good person for providing advice, witty remarks, free lunches, lectures, and (wanted or unwanted) psychoanalysis. You are about as confident as the average person, but you have some big issues with yourself, and may have problems living up to the ideals you have in your head. You do really care about other people, though, even if you sometimes express that caring by trying to get into their pants.<br /> </p><br /></div><br /><br /><table cellpadding="20"><tr><td>Link: <a href="http://www.okcupid.com/tests/16796408764367959527/House,-MD-Personality">The House, MD Personality Test</a> written by <a href="http://www.okcupid.com/profile?u=freedomdegrees">freedomdegrees</a> on <a href="http://www.okcupid.com">OkCupid</a>, home of the <a href="http://www.okcupid.com/online.dating.persona.test">The Dating Persona Test</a><br /><a href="http://www.okcupid.com/profile?u=freedomdegrees">View My Profile(freedomdegrees)</a></td></tr></table><br /><br />Gacked this from <span class='ljuser' lj:user='arhh' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://arhh.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://arhh.livejournal.com/'><b>arhh</b></a></span>who finds all the cool quizzes. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:99585 2008-05-03T08:15:15Z 2008-05-03T08:35:12Z Heya. Schmeckled this shamelessly from the most marvelous Fawn aka <span class='ljuser' lj:user='adaveen' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://adaveen.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://adaveen.livejournal.com/'><b>adaveen</b></a></span> -- a writer's questionnaire (commonly called a meme but I don't think that's what Dawkins and McKenna had in mind). <br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a>What's the last thing you wrote?<br />The last thing I worked on was an American Revolution reincarnation AU gay romance novel (set in modern day Washington) that'll probably be pro. And that's all I can say about it as of right now. And yes, to a couple of people wondering, it's exactly what you think it is. See, I told you I'd find a way.<br /><br />Was it any good?<br />Don't know yet.<br /><br />What's the first thing you ever wrote that you still have?<br />Short story for a Dark Shadows zine. I wrote it when I was 18. It's stuck in a drawer somewhere.<br /><br />Write poetry?<br />Sometimes<br /><br />Angsty poetry?<br />Sometimes<br /><br />Most fun character you ever wrote?<br />Most fun original character -- probably Laurie in my Fin/Munch novels. I liked David in my House/Wilson novel, though. <br /><br />Most annoying character you ever wrote?<br />Probably Laurie in my Fin/Munch novels. Of the fan fic characters, Cosmo about drove me nuts when he took over the Cure but I forgave him his trespasses.<br /><br />Best plot you ever wrote?<br />Maybe my first Fugitive fan novel, the Cure, or maybe my first Blake's 7 novel, the Last, Best Hope. I like the plot of my Smallville novel I'm working on, too.<br /><br />Coolest plot twist you ever wrote?<br />My Brokeback Mountain story "The Marrying Kind" maybe ... although the plot twist in the Smallville thing is fun, too.<br /><br />How often do you get writer's block?<br />Word incontinence is more of a problem for me than blockage (which should be obvious from reading my blahg). <br /><br />How do you fix it?<br />Read poetry. Repeat. Rinse.<br /><br />Do you type or write by hand?<br />I now type everything but I used to write the first draft in longhand.<br /><br />Do you save everything you write?<br />Good grief no<br /><br />Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?<br />Occasionally<br /><br />What's your favorite thing that you've written?<br />Usually the last thing I've written. <br /><br />What's everyone else's favorite thing that you've written?<br />You'll have to ask them.<br /><br />Do you ever show people your work?<br />I always show my work.<br /><br />Who's your favorite constructive critic? <br />I'm my own toughest critic.<br /><br />Did you ever write a novel?<br />Numerous ones. They never write back though. Ungrateful kids.<br /><br />Have you ever written fantasy, sci-fi, or horror?<br />SF and horror ... never fantasy in the fuzzy-footed unicorn sense<br /><br />Ever written romance or teen angsty drama?<br />Romance. Teen angsty drama gives me a rash. <br /><br />What's one genre you have never written, and probably never will?<br />Westerns<br /><br />How many writing projects are you working on right now?<br />Four or five. <br /><br />Do you want to write for a living?<br />I do, if you can call it a "living". <br /><br />Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper?<br />Soap Opera Weekly, Soap Opera Digest, Fate Magazine, and a couple of others.<br /><br />Have you ever won an award for your writing?<br />Yes<br /><br />Ever written something in script or play format?<br />Yes<br /><br />What is your favorite word?<br />Word<br /><br />Do you ever write based on yourself?<br />Everything you write is based on yourself however it's more conscious and structured than non-writers may think. <br /><br />Where do you get ideas for your characters?<br />I buy them from unsavory-looking fellows on street corners. Seriously, they evolve out of what I'm writing.<br /><br />Do you ever write based on your dreams?<br />Not that I know of.<br /><br />Do you prefer happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers?<br />I prefer finished endings.<br /><br />Have you ever written anything based on an artwork you've seen?<br />Not that I know of. <br /><br />Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?<br />No coz that huked on fonicks thang has rally worket out good fir me.<br /><br />Ever write something entirely in chatspeak?<br />If I ever do, kindly shoot me.<br /><br />Does music help you write?<br />It can help prime the pump, but it gets into the way of the dialog flow sometimes and then I shut it off. <br /><br />Are people surprised and confused when they find out you write well?<br />You'd have to ask them.<br /><br /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:99392 2008-04-28T20:10:44Z 2008-04-28T20:10:44Z This has had me curious lately although I've noticed the pattern before. Why are so many fans seemingly afraid/ashamed of fandom? They're afraid to admit to participating ... they discuss "real life" hobbies as if they are somehow more worthwhile. Personally, I can't imagine how stamp or coin collecting, for instance, could be somehow more "understandable" than reading/writing fan fic, etc. Is it the Shatner "get a life" mindset or something else?<br /><br />I find nothing odder about participating in lit/TV/film fandom than I do participating in sports fandom yet one isn't "acceptable" while the other is. Is it because women tend to be lit and media fen? urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:99162 2008-04-27T14:11:51Z 2008-04-27T14:25:08Z We dream of stars with points and purpose but the reality is nothing more than consolidated minerals and gas. Still and all, I prefer to think of stars as poetry. I guess maybe that's why I prefer to see modern politicians as human. In some instances, as with George Bush, the reality is far too blatant to ignore. <br /><br />He opposes everything I am for and is against everything I embrace. It's that kind of truculent, bitch-slapping nihilist that triggers revolution. I wasn't at all surprised to hear of the new t-shirt cropping up on Obama supporters in Philadelphia -- it says "Philadelphia Freedom 2009". A-fuckin'-men, brothers and sisters. However, I'm really way past the top of the hour when it comes to this primary. <br /><br />In the words of Goethe -- <div style="display:inline; font-style:italic;">Der Worte sind genug gewechselt, lasst mich auch endlich Taten sehn</div>! Now I don't know what the hell that means since I don't read a word of German, but Babblefugue mangles it into: <div style="display:inline; font-style:italic;">Enough words have been exchanged; now at last let me see some deeds!</div> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:98975 2008-04-27T00:15:41Z 2008-04-27T00:23:38Z I give you ... <br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br /><lj-embed id="46" /><br /><br /><br />NeoCon Republicans who consider Hamilton a superhero may well want to skip this (although what Neocon Republicans are doing reading my blog, I'm not sure) -- it reveals the truth that most of the founding fathers couldn't stand the guy and didn't trust him (in fact, a couple thought he was a quisling). (My apologies to Rufus Sewell fans ... I think he's a very good actor, it's his character I can't stand). urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:98597 2008-04-26T11:11:30Z 2008-04-26T12:33:24Z I'm starting a House/Wilson slash only comm that will be open framework (and no tags required). I'll post about that stuff once I'm on my feet again.<br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br />The cool news I got (listen up, Adams folk) came from an unnamed friend of mine at a certain Adams-related destination (there are only really four main ones, so that narrows it down, but I don't want to get her in trouble so I'll not say which). Usually, on a typical Friday spring/summer morning, they get around ten tourists for the first tour. The first morning after the series began they had ... wait for it ... 74. My friend nearly swallowed her tongue. It has only been increasing over the weeks that the series is on -- today they hosted nearly 600 tourists by the end of the already extended tour day. She said, "My god, you'd think it was Monticello or something!" lol Somewhere, I'm sure Mr Adams is quite pleased (although I dare say he didn't enjoy all the tromping around). urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:98511 2008-04-25T23:46:08Z 2008-04-25T23:46:08Z I'm beginning to be afraid to look at my email.<br /><br />My friend Alina passed away suddenly last night. She was 82 so it was no great surprise, but she was in great health last I saw her. That's three friends in two weeks -- on the heels of losing Larry's best friend Gino and having a scary close-call with my adopted brother Harry. I'm feeling very sad and very mortal. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:98111 2008-04-25T04:46:11Z 2008-04-25T05:01:25Z Okay, these are finally finished. I had trouble with the aspect ratio (long story) so I gave up and letterboxed them. My apologies for the crappy clip quality in some places. I plan to redo these when the DVDs come out (they're always better than TIVO'd and backed-up ones).<br /><br />I'm putting them behind a cut for those who don't give a hot damn. <br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br /><div align="center"><lj-embed id="44" /><br /><br /><lj-embed id="45" /></div><br /><br />More H/W stuff shortly (after I, you know, make money and stuff).<br /><br />For more info on Julia Ecklar's beautiful music check out <a href="http://www.prometheus-music.com/divine.html">http://www.prometheus-music.com/divine.html</a> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:97945 2008-04-25T01:57:04Z 2008-04-25T04:46:57Z <a name="cutid1"></a><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/melodyclark/pic/0000pt1a/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/melodyclark/pic/0000pt1a/s320x240" width="320" height="236" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/melodyclark/pic/0000qyzg/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/melodyclark/pic/0000qyzg" width="320" height="240" border="0" /></a><br /> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:97621 2008-04-22T07:34:58Z 2008-04-22T12:32:09Z I'll put this at the top in honor of Earth Day ... <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080422/NEWS05/804220396">Michigan family definitely at the top of the green wave.</a><br /><br />I've no idea if this will actually make TPTB wake up and realize that tall Jewish guy in the corner (you know, SVU guys, Belzer ... the one that's on Bill Maher's show all the time) isn't an extra boom operator but an actual actor from the series, but it seems the new SVU guy Adam Beach (Detective Lake) is leaving the show. <br /><br />The last installment of HBO's John Adams was Sunday ...<br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br />The last episode of HBO's John Adams ended, of course, with multiple deaths ... first Nabby, then Abigail, then in one fell swoop (since they both died on July 4th, 1826), Presidents Adams and Jefferson. I seldom cry at TV shows, but I got very teary-eyed when John was grieving so openly over Abigail (OMG, Giamatti was amazing). You could feel his heart-breaking -- it was a truly moving performance. The scene at the end as Adams lay dying, hearing the sound of thunder and thinking it was cannons was also deeply moving. I was also glad that the film admitted the fact that Jefferson had conspired with Hamilton against Adams before the 1800 election (one can understand the political reason, but given the fact that Adams knew everything about "the matters" in Jefferson's personal life and never breathed a word to anyone of what he knew even though it would have cinched the election for him, well, says something about both men, I think). Mr. Adams was an amazing man. It's so nice, after all these years, to see him appreciated to this extent. BTW, if you'd like to know more about the real John Adams, here's <a href="http://johnadamsweb.com">my website</a>.<br /><br />I'm working on another House/Wilson thing (more on that next week). I've also been talking with Mysti about reviving my Smalville novel since it had a kind of "fix it" plot strategy to it that I liked and that I think would make for a nice resolution novel for the end of it. The only problem is I watched a season 7 episode and .... yech. I stopped watching seasons ago when they went cartoonish with Lex but my heavens. Anyone been watching it to the end, you brave soul? I'm going to beg my poor beta Annie to be my regular beta, but I could use a storyline beta, too. Email me if you'd like to try (I'm pretty easy to work with -- and I've had my shots). <br /><br />Lost another friend on the 17th. A wonderful writer and very bright spirit, Morgan Grayson, who had suffered all her life through one illness or another, passed away suddenly. I'll never forget our trip to an adult business convention when the guy with motion lotion started trying to sell us stuff. Being in the written end of the realm, we had no clue what it was. Morgie and I thought it was body wash or something. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard as when we found out what it really was. I'll miss you, Morgie. Working on the web means you get to know a lot of wonderful people -- which unfortunately means you must lose some of them. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:97324 2008-04-22T02:19:39Z 2008-04-22T02:19:39Z This is insane ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/21/BAQK109AA7.DTL">120-125 US Iraqi and Afghan war vets</a> are committing suicide every week -- it's averaging 18 a day.<br />And need I remind US folk of what has become of the Veterans Administration. There are those who talk a good game about "supporting the troops" and then those who actually support them.<br /><br />Then again, if we can't expect simple compassion from BushCo for the hundreds of thousands of killed, maimed and orphaned children in Iraq never mind mercy for all the soldiers (from all countries) that have died ... <br /><br />I was going to make a fun post tonight but I'll keep that till tomorrow. :( urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:97252 2008-04-20T10:19:15Z 2008-04-21T09:02:47Z <a name="cutid1"></a>There is something that has been bugging me for awhile now. My friend Monica touched on it in her blog the other day. How has the assumption evolved that we're all somehow required to post stories in the form most accessible to everyone? As if it's not enough that we've worked our brains out to offer up a story, but that somehow we are the ones duty bound to go the extra mile to make the story available to everyone? Shouldn't the reader do a little too? I mean he/she is the one getting something for free. No one should be made to read all fan fic. Should we then be required to provide free fan fic in a way to please everyone? <br /><br />It seems too often that, shortly after posting something, the first thing writers get is a complaint about formatting or accessibility. I'm VERY grateful to all the kind people who read my stuff and comment, but it only takes one or two mopers to kill a mood. <br /><br />Okay, rant off. We lost an old friend the other day. I hadn't seen Jonathan Sackler in years, but I enjoyed enough laughs in days of yore with Jonathan and his late wife Karen that I was very sad indeed to hear of his passing. He and Karen were some of the kinder, gentler people of the world. Karen died far too young but they were such a close couple, I wasn't terribly surprised to hear when Jonathan passed as well. At very least, they're beyond pain and problems. And just maybe they're onto the greater mystery. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1729524-7,00.html">Cool article on Obama's mama</a>. Given that Obama has rendered the DLC obsolete (which is why he is hated by them) with his kitchen table money-raising operation, the article is especially timely. I had forgotten that Obama's mother was the originator of micro-financing. She helped inspire the system through which the US political system may well yet shake loose the tentacles of corporate control. <br /><br />Here's a nice little picture of "Barry" Obama, his mom, little sister and grandfather.<br /><br /><a name="cutid2"></a><img src="http://melodyclark.fanfictiononthenet.com/barry.jpg" /><br /><br />Oh, some anti-slasher sniped at me on a board the other day, "If you're okay about writing slash why do you hide behind an obvious pen name?" When I told her the sad truth that Melody Clark is my actual, real, legal name, she Googled me and posted various other "startling" revelations about "me" garnered from melodyclark.com -- the only problem is THAT "Melody Clark" isn't me (that Melody Clark is a psychology writer -- I should mention there are several other people with my name on the web who aren't me either.) Some anti-slash people can't seem to grasp that some of us simply aren't ashamed of being human with hormone-filled bodies. We don't have to hide. I suggest they all come out into the light of day with the rest of the human race.<br /><br />I forgot to add -- I'm not saying anyone who uses a pseudonym is "ashamed" -- I'm saying these jerks who keep trying to find "dirty secrets" about others are. They're among the reasons people use pseuds. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:96999 2008-04-19T02:42:59Z 2008-04-19T02:51:09Z <a href="http://melodyclark.fanfictiononthenet.com/alreadyspring.pdf">This is the PDF version -- now beta'd.</a><br /><br />The new House/Wilson story on my site will be updated to a pdf shortly, too. Many thanks to my wonderful betas (and adopted triplets) Annie Booker and Lyn Townsend for all their hard work amid all the real life stuff. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:96736 2008-04-18T06:15:30Z 2008-04-18T23:54:16Z I've posted another H/W story that I won't be putting anywhere but there (and a zine). I'll post it for awhile so anyone from my flist who might like to read it can. It's short -- around ten pages. It's NC17 and again in a doc file. It's the second entry on my H/W fic page: <a href="http://melodyclark.fanfictiononthenet.com/storysite/modules.php?name=Downloads&amp;d_op=viewdownload&amp;cid=6">"Greg, Jimmy and the Unnatural Sublimation of the Everyday Raspberry Popsicle".</a> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:96420 2008-04-17T07:33:49Z 2008-04-17T07:33:49Z Okay, firstly happy birthday to <span class='ljuser' lj:user='desrose' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://desrose.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://desrose.livejournal.com/'><b>desrose</b></a></span>, someone else I've forgotten (please email me at melody@melarry.com and remind me), <span class='ljuser' lj:user='inamac' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://inamac.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://inamac.livejournal.com/'><b>inamac</b></a></span>, <span class='ljuser' lj:user='lexin' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://lexin.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://lexin.livejournal.com/'><b>lexin</b></a></span>, and <span class='ljuser' lj:user='miss_sigma' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://miss-sigma.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://miss-sigma.livejournal.com/'><b>miss_sigma</b></a></span>. I bequeath unto you each your choice of graphic (I suck at them -- I made most of mine, so you can check to see), music video (a little better at these) or story. The stories take me awhile (sometimes up to two months). I advise not posting your requests here -- I'd suggest emailing me because sometimes I forget to check (I am old and addled). My email address is melody@melarry.com. I love doing this stuff but sometimes it takes awhile. <br /><br />Below you will find House/Wilson music video presents for <span class='ljuser' lj:user='miraclekind' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://miraclekind.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://miraclekind.livejournal.com/'><b>miraclekind</b></a></span>, <span class='ljuser' lj:user='kahendorphins' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://kahendorphins.livejournal.com/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif' alt='[info]' width='17' height='17' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://kahendorphins.livejournal.com/'><b>kahendorphins</b></a></span>, Teri Peach and Morgan (I forgot your IDs, guys!). Their song ideas, my execution (sometimes in the literal sense). I know "Reason to Believe" is a little country-ish, but I like using the actually songwriter of the song and I think Tim renders it better than most. "Always" almost made my eardrums explode. Oh, and happy frickin' birthday, Harry Kenney (especially after the you-know-what happened ... I'll call you tomorrow, bro). Here's a link to his <a href="http://tvchefsblog.com">foodie blog</a> as a little gift. <br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><lj-embed id="40" /><br /><br /><br /><lj-embed id="41" /><br /><br /><lj-embed id="42" /><br /><br />To those who don't read House_Wilson, wait till you get a <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/house_wilson/2295331.html">load of the episode description of the two-part season ender titled "House's Head" and "Wilson's Heart"</a>. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:95845 2008-04-15T22:20:20Z 2008-04-16T18:00:37Z The music vid I posted has a major glitch in it, so I'm pulling it (except for the JA comm itself). I hate looking at it when I've "seen" it. lol<br /><br />But, speaking of politics, <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=NIxmi3e2Vmo">here's Obama's "Annie Oakley"</a> speech from yesterday ... I started out an Obamagnostic, as my friends know, but I like him a little more every day. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:95676 2008-04-14T06:47:04Z 2008-04-19T03:19:56Z Title: Already Spring<br />Author: Melody Clark<br />Fandom(s): House, MD<br />Genre (general, hetero or slash) Slash<br />Pairing/Characters: House/Wilson<br />Rating: FRAO (NC17) - Adult, smut, mature, etc, etc. <br />Summary: A person from Wilson's past changes his future.<br />Warnings: Minor bondage.<br />Acknowledgments: Many thanks to Annie Booker and Lyn Townsend, my wonderful betas. <br /><br />The beta is finished and the pdf file is at the link below. It is for adults only. <br /><br />Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I'm going to be locking out anonyms from this, to keep trolls at bay, but if you'd like to email me comments without putting them here my email address is melody@melarry.com - I have a good spam catcher on it now so I can just post the thing.<br /><br /><a href="http://melodyclark.fanfictiononthenet.com/alreadyspring.pdf"><br />Novel download link -- pdf file</a> <br /><br />Incidentally, to keep the trolls from attacking, this is only staying up for two weeks. <br /><br />I've now changed the above link to a pdf file. If you'd like a doc file instead, replace "pdf" in the above link to "doc" and the file will download. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:95348 2008-04-12T22:15:29Z 2008-04-13T03:03:09Z I got such a chuckle out of this -- someone posted it over on Youtube. Let's say it's sort of "John Adams, Protective Father meets Drama Prairie Dog". <br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><lj-embed id="38" /><br /><br />The H/W novel tomorrow. Birthday stuff tomorrow, too.<br /><br />Oh, one more thing -- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBzYSUI5_GM">Bill Maher weighs in on "elitism".</a> urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:95033 2008-04-10T19:29:39Z 2008-04-10T19:29:39Z I knew it was just a matter of time. I knew it. I prepared myself ... I said, "Mel, don't let it shock you. You know it's bound to happen."<br /><div align="center"><br />DEAR GOD ((BREATHY GASP)) -- <div style="display:inline; font-family:Minya Nouvelle; font-size:10pt; text-align:; text-transform:; text-decoration: ; color: ; background-color:; ">somebody wrote Adams/Jefferson slash<br /></div></div><br />I haven't felt this squicked since I stumbled over the Paul McCartney mpreg and we all know what fresh hell that was. Now I'm not for a moment saying it shouldn't be written ... everyone has the right to write what they like. I'm just saying that, well, my brain imploded at the sight. It is most definitely my problem but well, it is my problem.<br /><br />The H/W novel is still being beta'd. My beta (who is excellent and dear and profoundly patient with me) is having a real life situation so it'll be a couple of more days. I'll be putting up a download link to it when it's ready. This link will only be left up for two weeks before it's moved since I have to watch out for the trolls. <br /><br />Is it me or is veggie thin crust pizza just noxious? I think I'd rather eat rice cakes ... and that's only a little better than gnawing on styrofoam. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:94832 2008-04-06T23:31:23Z 2008-04-08T18:09:51Z I feel very sorry for the press guy who has to go into the front office at Fox and explain the results of <a href="http://globosat.globo.com/universalchannel/">this poll</a> to the old jelly-bean toking jerks in there (click on Blog de House and the poll is on the left) . Wilson is edging 60%. It's essentially been a war between the Hilson folk and the various shippers, but we're smoking them. Not that I voted of course ... I'm far too sophisticated for such silliness (but we SMOKED 'EM). Since this is the second such poll Hilson has won, Fox men must be sweating bullets. I should mention 1) the "sophisticated" crack was a joke and (2) the info on the poll came from <span class='ljuser' lj:user='house_wilson' style='white-space: nowrap;'><a href='http://community.livejournal.com/house_wilson/profile'><img src='http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif' alt='[info]' width='16' height='16' style='vertical-align: bottom; border: 0; padding-right: 1px;' /></a><a href='http://community.livejournal.com/house_wilson/'><b>house_wilson</b></a></span> - I knew I'd get in trouble for something today.<br /><br />Edited to add: Ausiello actually caved (the Hilson folk kept at him) and added Wilson to his TV Guide <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/house_wilson/2277540.html">"House's one true love" poll</a>. Wilson is currently leading the pack. How's that for an infantile poll name, though? Ick.<br /><br />Getcher <a href="http://www.logobama.com">Obama logo</a> (like my icon) <a href="http://www.logobama.com">here</a>.<br /><br />Lots of ethnologists have suggested that a new language is arising from the net. For those of us old fangirls surfing the LOLZ, FTWs and WINs on LJ with wrinkles across our confused foreheads, I have found <a href="http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Main_Page">this</a>. I finally understood some of the fan fic reviews I've received!<br /><br />BTW, this is Sunday's post. The other Sunday's post was Saturday's post. Probably none for tomorrow, so you can relax. lol urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:melodyclark:94493 2008-04-06T08:07:42Z 2008-04-06T08:21:14Z Somebody must have sprinkled stupid salt on my popcorn the day I rushed through HBO's John Adams. Paul Giamatti is brilliant in it. Watching it over the weeks, my brain somehow unfroze and I was able to see clearly. The man's complexities are perfectly portrayed. Laura Linney is perfect, too. I was just a raging lunatic the day I saw it or something. BTW, I meant "Court of St. James" the other day of course but I was so anxious to get to my King George joke, I flubbed it. lol<br /><br />The H/W novel should only be a few more days (it is being beta'd). I just gave a short House/Wilson story to Mysti for Snarkcasm. The title is "Greg, Jimmy and the Unnatural Sublimation of the Everyday Raspberry Popsicle". You can kinda let your mind go from there as to its storyline. I don't post anything online for a year that I'm sending in for print, but if you email me at the usual -- melody AT melarry.com -- I'll send it to you via email if you don't buy zines. I've also nearly finished the story I auctioned off for the Moonridge auction -- the buyer liked "Terms of Surrender" (Jack/Chloe) so they're getting a sequel. (If anyone wants to read that, too, I guess I can email it as well ... I don't think the buyer would mind). <br /><br />A couple of other things to go up on my site shortly, too.