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( Русский язык )

Soren's being weird at me. Where Soren here is used to indicate my computer. My main laptop. I have no idea why but it abruptly decided my main use chip was write-protected and wouldn't un-write protect it until I restarted. Fucker.

Also, argh. Verbal aspect. Stupid verbal aspect. Stupid multiple verbs for the word 'to go.' It's motion! It's travel! Sure, there can be specific verbs for different manners of travel but what's wrong with one simple verb, go? Argh. Language. Every language has it's annoying points, and this is definitely one of them for me, for Russian. Argh, I say!

Today... mmph. Not sure what today will bring. Getting to work, stickering a bunch of mail and getting that out, labeling a bunch of boxes for UPS and getting those on the pallet, and then stuff. I have the Sherlock Holmes Big Bang to give one final pass over and then post, and a bunch of crap to write when I get home tonight, but other than that... routines seem to be settling back to normal. Re-establishing themselves. Which is a good thing, a good feeling. I do need to walk up to the market, which I didn't manage to yesterday, and get crackers and apples. Maybe around lunch or something.

Currently I'm thinking of doing a Cheetara costume for the other day of Dragon Con, but I don't know how well that will turn out. It shouldn't be that hard, per se, just a unitard and a leotard over that, furry boots and face makeup. And maybe some henna tatts of spots on my shoulder. The hard part will be getting in shape to where I feel confident doing that and, heh, Silk Spectre, too. I seem to be well on the way there, but, am guarded. Well, I can see how that goes by the end of July and then order the dancewear for the silly costume, that shouldn't be too hard. Moo. So it goes.

[Fic] The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes (Part 1 of 3)

Title: The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes
Characters: Holmes, Watson, OCx2
Word Count: ~23,000
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Holmes is semi-retired and inclined to stay that way when Victor Callahan of Special Branch knocks on his door and requests his help with a case of murder and suspected treason. Holmes agrees to investigate only under protest, after Callahan appeals to his puzzle-solving mind more than his patriotism. As the case progresses, it takes Holmes to some very dark places in his own life, and the detective becomes more and more erratic while Watson is powerless to help him.
A/N: Written for the Holmes Big Bang


The room was silent but for the crackle of a pine-wood fire behind a wall of copper and brass. There was no footfall, heavy or otherwise, and no brush of fabric or rustle of a newspaper or creak of a chair as someone rose from or settled into it. Occasionally there was the tap of bone pipe against ceramic urn as the ashes rose and the glimmer of a cigarette or the simmering of tobacco in the pipe bowl. But no one discussed the state of the weather outside (dreary) or the last visit (unsatisfying) or their custodian (infuriating) or the state of affairs in England at the moment (despicable). Neither man said much of anything. There was nothing left to say.

"Put that cigarette out."

( Read more... )

[Fic] The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes (Part 2 of 3)

Title: The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes
Characters: Holmes, Watson, OCx2
Word Count: ~23,000
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Holmes is semi-retired and inclined to stay that way when Victor Callahan of Special Branch knocks on his door and requests his help with a case of murder and suspected treason. Holmes agrees to investigate only under protest, after Callahan appeals to his puzzle-solving mind more than his patriotism. As the case progresses, it takes Holmes to some very dark places in his own life, and the detective becomes more and more erratic while Watson is powerless to help him.
A/N: Written for the Holmes Big Bang

"Oh, I don't like that look."

Katherine hadn't gone home. She'd turned around and instead called on a friend for help, or consultation, or perhaps just to talk her ideas and feelings out. Speaking with Holmes was exhausting, and even speaking about Holmes with Victor was exhausting. She needed some time to rest. Her friend would help.

Friends, as it turned out. They had gathered together for lunch or tea or somewhat like that, and she was gladly shown in to join them.

Rowan stood, taking her friend's hands and gently leading her to a seat, calling for another, smaller plate of sandwiches and another cup of tea. Katherine was about to protest when she realized she had no idea when she had eaten last. She ate a sandwich without complaint after being told there would be no questions until she had eaten and had something to drink.

"Victor has a new case, doesn't he?" That was from Claire, the more acerbic and blunt of the three of them. Getting right down to it, then. Katherine nodded.

( Read more... )

[Fic] The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes (Part 3 of 3)

Title: The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes
Characters: Holmes, Watson, OCx2
Word Count: ~23,000
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Holmes is semi-retired and inclined to stay that way when Victor Callahan of Special Branch knocks on his door and requests his help with a case of murder and suspected treason. Holmes agrees to investigate only under protest, after Callahan appeals to his puzzle-solving mind more than his patriotism. As the case progresses, it takes Holmes to some very dark places in his own life, and the detective becomes more and more erratic while Watson is powerless to help him.
A/N: Written for the Holmes Big Bang



The pounding at her door was loud, aggravated, and intrusive on her senses. Katherine opened her eyes long enough to scowl in the direction of the front door and say a word that would have shocked most polite company. Banging in the middle of the night never meant anything good, though, so she threw on a robe and refrained from shouting any louder until she reached the foot of the stairs. "Just a moment!"

Holmes was not the first person she had expected at her door at this hour of the night, but she let him in anyway. "Miss Walsingham," he nodded curtly to her, stepping in. She watched his eyes dart around as though looking at her home for the first time, taking in all the details.

"Mr. Holmes. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to be calling so late at night?" The polite form of what in blazes are you doing here at this hour, banging down my door. Another hour earlier and she might not have been so polite. She did, at least, show him into the kitchen, which was both more and less polite.

He gave her a quizzical look for the gesture. "You're making tea?"

( Read more... )

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( Deutsch )

Simple stuff. Ich bin ein Berliner. (Actually, Ich bin Amerikanerin, but who's counting.) Exercises will probably get longer as stuff gets more complicated.

Still no Japanese today. And early bed for me, I'm bloody exhausted and have been fighting falling asleep all day. At this point I consider it a win that I posted three out of four things I was supposed to post, let alone getting any writing done. Anyway, I did my minimum. I can barely remember what day it is. Tomorrow's Wednesday, isn't it?

I need to do more writing and less falling asleep at my desk. And less snacking on candy, the past couple of days. And more writing, and more walking around if I start falling asleep. And more sleeping, which is why bed is early tonight and... something. Slowly getting back on track with routines but damn, I'm exhausted. Too much cramming in writing to meet deadlines, not enough rest. My brain needs a break. Which, I did at least have Warehouse 13 tonight! That was fun.

Anyway. Writing schedule resumes tomorrow. At least I'm still on my exercise schedule even if today was a major low body self esteem day. Ugh. Something something. I need to stop freaking out about every little thing or maybe just stop looking at myself in the mirror. My body image is fine until I start looking in mirrors. Definitely need to stop that. At least for a couple of weeks.

And now that you've all been subject to my inane ramblings, it is time for this kitty to go to sleep. More writing tomorrow. Almost done with the Martine novel! First draft, anyway. That still seems so weird.