The cake banner is a lie - this journal is not entirely friends-only. I will be keeping my personal stuff locked, but otherwise entries will be open to the public. Do not just add me as a friend and expect mutual friendship eventually. You must reply here if you want me to consider friending you back.

A year later, I am finally finishing off the dental procedures to fix my broken molar. Tomorrow I go in for the gum surgery, where the dentist will peel away and cut into my gums around the tooth. After that, I get to use a special mouth wash for like a couple weeks until my gums feel better and then schedule the final two-hour appointment where the dentist will secure a porcelain cap on top of the broken tooth and I will be super fancy with my new high noble molar. I hope the dentist will give me a shit ton of local anesthetic because that stuff barely works on me.

My insurance isn't paying for the gum surgery though so I will have to set up a payment plan with them. Also, the last time I was in the office, which was around June, there was the beginnings of an infection, so I hope it hasn't gotten too serious to work on at this point. My poor toofy. I'm sorry I always procrastinated and never took good care of you ;_;

[11:07] morriquende: Oh apparently
[11:07] morriquende: There's a fireplace in the 3br
[11:08] morriquende: Or at least, there should be
[11:22] AaronofAZ: Why do you need a fireplace in California
[11:22] morriquende: Cause it smells good and it gets legit cold at night
[11:22] morriquende: Desert = sudden drop in temp
[11:22] morriquende: It can go from 80 to like 30 in an hour
[11:22] morriquende: I mean, you'll never see snow but it's dry and cold
[11:22] morriquende: And windy as fuck
[11:22] morriquende: WIND
[11:22] morriquende: EVERYWHERE
[11:23] morriquende: And with wind comes spiders
[11:23] morriquende: That will fly into your face
[11:23] morriquende: Prepare to be webbed in the face
[11:30] AaronofAZ: Good times

The IGDA has long served game developers as a source of professional growth and industry advocacy. We are probably best known for providing a framework for networking and knowledge sharing through local chapter events and industry events like the IGDA Leadership Forum. However, as a professional association, it’s also incumbent upon us to support the community in direct, practical ways too, especially as we all work through this economic downturn.

One of the biggest challenges facing independent and consulting developers particularly in the US is the skyrocketing cost of health insurance. Large corporations have the benefit of collective bargaining to help lower rates for employees, and so we are applying the same principles to deliver to you the benefits of group insurance, solely on the basis of your IGDA membership.

Largely through the tireless and cheerful efforts of our dynamic new Executive Director Joshua Caulfield, we are incredibly proud to announce the IGDA Healthcare Program. The IGDA HP grants you access to the IGDA group account with Association Health Programs, a national US brokerage that negotiates and presents the best available insurance offerings from leading health insurance companies. Starting in January 2010, you will be able to connect directly with an account executive who will generate a set of group-negotiated healthcare options, for you to choose from. As January gets closer we will work to have more details and specifics about this program.

More details at the link!
http://igdaboard.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/the-igda-starts-healthcare-program/

I'm still trying to decide what I am going to do with Neffy. He's got a lot of problems, one might even call him a bad cat, and I'm not sure what exactly I can do to fix/help him.

Neffy exhibits idiopathic aggression, meaning that he displays unpredictable behavior not linked to any one apparent cause. He isn't being over or under stimulated. He isn't being mistreated or ignored. He's not displaying territorial behavior or redirected anger. He isn't playing with me. He isn't showing any usual cat signs of an impending attack. He just suddenly and without reason will violently latch on to my arms and legs, biting and raking with his back claws hard enough to draw blood and leave scars. Yesterday morning he did this to my leg and as I was peeling him off me, he flipped over and clawed the absolute shit out of my hands and arms. I'm afraid to have him anywhere near me because he could go haywire at any given moment.

He also is probably the culprit that is routinely going to the bathroom in the tub, even when both litter boxes are clean. Aaron and I must leave our bathroom door closed at all times, which is annoying but works for us right now, given that we live alone in a studio apartment.

Both of these issues are troublesome and when we move to California, we can't just leave all three bathroom doors in the house closed. And how will I keep Neffy from snapping and clawing the shit out of other people? How will I stop him from snapping and clawing the shit out of me?

I just... I just wish I knew what to do. Reading up on this, idiopathic aggression is apparently rare and in most cases, those cats are doomed to be left in shelters and bounced between owners or they are euthanized. I don't want to kill my cat. I don't want to abandon him to a miserable life. But I don't want him tearing the fuck out of me either. I'm lost.

[17:51] AaronofAZ: He also nearly kills Jaina/Sylvanas, has them in that choking move the black knight uses
[17:51] AaronofAZ: So he doesn't give no fucks anymore
[17:51] morriquende: One more point for the Jania/Kael ship
[17:52] AaronofAZ: Jaina's rotting body with Kael's head stapled on top
[17:52] AaronofAZ: Ala Mars Attacks
[17:52] morriquende: ew
[17:53] AaronofAZ: FOOLISH HEROES, MAGISTER'S TERRACE WAS ONLY A SETBOOB
[17:53] AaronofAZ: SETBACK
[17:53] AaronofAZ: SORRY
[17:53] AaronofAZ: STILL GETTING USED TO THESE
[17:53] morriquende: ...
[17:53] AaronofAZ: Somewhere, Serena is crying
[17:53] morriquende: Poor Cat :(

"Computer mobo is hosed. Time to disconnect it from everything and research the parts so I can buy replacements."

*futzes around and unhooks shit*

"Hmmm. What's this? The ethernet cable is plugged into a port directly next to all the broken USB ports. I wonder what would happen if I took the ethernet cable out and start the computer up?"

*proceeds to be neurotic as sin and boots the computer without the ethernet cable plugged in*

"Welp. The computer isn't freaking out anymore. Let's plug the ethernet cable into the other ethernet port and see what happens."

*la la la*

"Oh gee, it's still working. Let me just connect all these USB doodads and yup those are working now too FML"

I still have that technical midas touch, it seems.

Plugged a faulty iTouch into one of my personal computers at work and now none of the USB ports are working, even when absolutely nothing is plugged in to any of the USB ports themselves. Tried uninstalling the USB ports with device manager and each time they reinstall, they become unknown devices. Taskbar keeps freaking out, spamming me with "USB Device Not Recognized" BUT THERE'S NOTHING PLUGGED INTO THE FUCKING MACHINE AUGH

I am at a loss regarding what to do now.

I am staying in for Halloween because I was too afraid to go to the Plants Vs Zombies march by myself. Aaron didn't have a costume so he wouldn't have been able to march with me either.

Oh well, at least I completed my outfit. Maybe I'll end up wearing it to a con or something...

After my driving lesson with Templar last Sunday, we both agreed that I was ready to take real driving lessons at an actual driving school in the city. I called on Monday and made an appointment with Alma Driving School in Park Slope (a fancy section of Brooklyn) for Friday at 3pm and was told they would call to confirm the appointment on Thursday. I chose this driving school because they have an evaluation lesson in which they will assess how much experience and knowledge you have and how many more lessons you will need until you are ready for your road test.

No one ever called yesterday and this morning I received two phone calls from them while I was in the subway on the way to work. By the time I was able to call back, they had given away my appointment slot to someone else, citing that typically students will often forget or just go MIA, which is why they have to get confirmation of the appointment or else it goes to another person. I responded to the man on the phone very bluntly that I am a 27 year old woman, not a stupid teenager, and that not only did I not receive a phone call yesterday but I was not informed of this ridiculous little condition of theirs. I basically assumed, as a grown adult with a job should assume, that when someone makes an appointment, that appointment is solid unless otherwise stated.

I ended up bullying the guy into giving me an appointment for later today at 4:45pm but I'm already pissed off enough that I think the evaluation lesson will be all the services I require of Alma Driving School unless they really treat me well and thoroughly impress me during the evaluation lesson.

My heart hurts.

Recently I...

...Have been listening to "Sanctuary" all morning and now have an insane need to pick up and finally finish Kingdom Hearts II. I stopped playing because I became somewhat bored and the pacing of the story was a little too convoluted for me. Never too late to try again, though.

...Bought Aaron one of Neil Gaiman's newer books that we don't have, "Odd and the Frost Giants" - He likes it. I also have another one of his more recent books, "The Graveyard Book" and I don't think Aaron has read that one yet either. I should remind him that I have it by sticking it on his desk or throwing it at his head. These are both excellent ideas, I feel.

...Have had headaches throughout the day. Nothing terrible like migraines, but there's enough punch to be consistently noticeable. I believe it's because my body is adjusting to finally getting regular amounts of sleep and doesn't know how to cope with it yet. The headaches I am having are very similar to headaches experienced when one sleeps too much for their own good.

...Am drinking ridiculous (see: normal) amounts of water. Right now, I have a huge cup of coffee sitting on my desk and I'm drinking water from a plastic cup instead. This is god damned unnatural!

After hearing that Plants vs. Zombies is going to march in the NYC Halloween parade this year, I decided to throw together a costume of my favorite plant, the elusive and exclusive Cattail, pictured below. The Cattail is is a one time upgrade to the Lily Pad, and can attack on any lane, as well as pop balloon zombies. You can cheese through the backyard levels with these kitties, because holy hell are they over powered.



So far, I have the pink kitty hat, knitted by Skufish herself, along with a long costume tail made to look like the Cattail. It's basically a Cattail tail. My only issue with it is that the people I commissioned from must be color blind, because not only were they familiar with the game and have played it, but I also I sent them a picture of the Cattail for reference and they somehow decided to made the freaking bulk of the tail (excluding the corndog looking portion of the tail) HOT FUCKING PINK. Apparently you can paint/spraypaint felt with pretty good results so I pretty much am forced to do that. Siiiiiiiiiiiigh!

Moving on, I'm compiling a list of the rest of my items I need to complete the outfit. I will be doing a white sleeveless unitard, a pair of white furry leg warmers to cover my brown boots, and a green shrug to basically be the lily pad portion of the costume. It turn out to be impossible to find a crafter who would sew up a bunch of large cloth lily pads and daisy chain them together to make a scarf. And finding an affordable white catsuit that wasn't covered in gold stripes and rhinestones or checkers and badges and other racing crap was like pulling teeth.

Anyways, here's hoping I can pull it off. This little kitty deserves the best!

I think this is that rare case where banning someone would be good for the whole community. His horrid ideas and mentality are toxic to this forum and this country. Without a doubt, we are pretty much going to hound him in different threads from now on and derail shit just to get our resentment out on him. I am personally on the verge of flipping out at this guy because as both a rape victim and someone who grew up in utter poverty, he is all but saying people like me should fuck off and die. He is insinuating that people like Brent Not Broken, who suffer from livelong illness and struggle, deserve to suffer throughout their lives.

He's already done stupid trolling shit like "Oh I'm leaving this thread, woops here I am again I just can't stay away!" and "I'm going to ignore most of the valid points and questions directed at me and focus on the replies that make me sound even more demented" so for the love of god, just ban Xequecal already. His comedy value is gone.

Every pokémon fan needs to click this link that leads to some really hilarious icons. Sorry though, Tim, no Wooper in the lot.

http://community.livejournal.com/genesisicons/22544.html#cutid1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY most honorable and celebrated FO mod sisgmund! Keep doing cool stuff at Uni and being an all around amazing dude. You rock, Lewie! ♥

Also I think since you live in the land down under, it's no longer your birthday where you are. TOO BAD, go team America!

1. Comment to this entry saying 'ICONS!' and I will pick SIX of your icons.
2. Make an entry in your own journal and talk about the icons I chose.

The 6 revolos55 picked out for me:

( MANY ICONS... okay just six. )

[12:52] AaronofAZ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_FfHA5whXc
[12:53] morriquende: It's Brave Little Toaster
[12:54] AaronofAZ: Without the mind numbing horror clown
[12:55] morriquende: Oh yes
[12:55] morriquende: This is delicious
[12:56] AaronofAZ: I should really get around to watching the second one sometime
[12:56] morriquende: .....................................................................................................
[12:56] morriquende: Are you telling me you've never seen Toy Story 2?
[12:57] AaronofAZ: Yeah, never got around to watching that one
[12:57] AaronofAZ: One of the two Pixar films I didn't catch
[12:57] morriquende: OH MY FUCKING CHRIST

I went to see a dermatologist today and apparently I have a condition known as Dyshidrotic Eczema, which is to say that I have scaly, bumpy, yucky hands. There could be any number of reasons why it happens but the dermatologist was more interested in treating the condition rather than figuring out the cause of it, primarily because my family's medical history was required and well, I don't really have that, obviously. :P

He asked if I had it on my feet and while I told him that I did not, thinking back on it, I think I might actually. For the longest time, I thought I had just chronic Athletes Foot but looking at the wiki page, it seems likely that the same condition that affects my hands is also affecting my feet.

OH BOY, I AM GROSS

Work just gave me an iPod Touch.

This is me IRL.