A mixed bag!

[kat_lair]

Today I've had a day off academic/work things and have instead been doing various household tasks, including washing dishes, changing the cat litter, putting rubbish and recycling out, sorting out some clothes to take to the charity shop, organising redelivery, going to the laundrette and post office, sorting out a new phone contract and phone... Efficient Kat has been efficient!

I also had to have stern words with Tricks. I left the cats out (and the back door open... yes, I know, but it's pretty secure with several gates to go through) while I went to the laundrette. I came home to find Tricks waiting for me. Outside the front door. akgjakjldfjdafs! Those of you who've visited me know that to manage that he'd had to trek around most of the block to manage that with a busy road right there. I was not happy. Although a little impressed that he'd managed to recognise the right door from the perspective he's rarely seen. Tricks is not the smartest of cats...

Anyway, a couple of other things that needed posting:


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Firstly, I've been podficced again!

chinawolf recorded To See Clearly (Lewis, Lewis/Hathaway, dragon!AU) - A lovely, delicate recording that's a pleasure to listen to.

reena_jenkins recorded Sharpest Lives (Bandom, Gerard/Mikey, serial killer!AU) - Oh god, it's like I didn't realise just how twisted and dark the ficlet was until I heard the podfic version, which makes the story come alive in the most seductive, visceral, insidious way possible. Literally gave me shivers.

Go listen and leave the podficcers some feedback!


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Secondly, a meme!



Seven questions from redsnake05

1. Tell me about the current state of your hair
Ugh, 'state' is an accurate description. It's back to over shoulder length and in desperate need of a) a proper cut and b) some funky colours. At least the first of those will happen for the July graduation

2. In the medium-term, do you want to stay in academia, or find a job in another branch of your field?
I actually want to stay in academia in the long-term. I tried the 'real world' of corporate setting and while I was good at what I did, I didn't enjoy it. There are public service/government positions or even places in independent research bodies I could pursue but... I'm still an idealist when it comes to academic freedom and its potential to make a difference and transform people.

3. What are your favourite winter dishes from your childhood?
Hmm... Winter meant hearty meals with root vegetables and using up all the berries and vegetables and mushrooms and other things that had been frozen and pickled or made into jam or otherwise stored. I was very fond of my grandma's potato mash and meatballs. And reindeer or beef with lingonberry sauce/jam is yummy. Oh and chanterelle sauce omg *drools a little* Porridges were big typical winter treats, particularly whipped lingonberry porridge. Oh and I also loved köyhät ritarit ('poor knights') which is essentially a Finnish version of French toast. Oh and oven pancake! Om nom nom. Dammit, now I want all of those things...

4. If you had a window garden, would you grow vegetables, flowers or herbs?
Herbs. I currently only have one viable window sill on which to grow things (the other two are regularly taken over by cats). Flowers are pretty but herbs are more useful. And vegetables need a proper garden I feel.

5. What's your favourite way to have tea?
'Normal' (black) tea I have with milk, no sugar. Everything else without any additions. Well, unless it's Twining's organic honeybush and lemon tea, in which case a spoonful of honey and a splash of whisky makes it the best hot tot ever.

6. What's the number one frivolous but wickedly tempting item that you'd like to buy, but can't justify right now?
Ooooh, I don't think I can pick just one... This category mostly has various expensive tailor-made clothing like a long fitted leather coat, corsets, steampunk dresses and boots... And erm, some rather expensive sex toys/bdsm equipment... Other than that it would be experiences rather than things; holidays, musicals, cooking courses...

7. So, a NZ politician, Gerry Brownlee, was a dick about Finland (he's a dick about everything, such an embarrassment). Your response?
Hah, I didn't even know about this until you said and then I obviously had to go google it. And lol lol it's pretty hilarious how uninformed he was. I mean, yeah, it was offensive but it was also just so off the mark for the most part (yeah, the suicide thing was a fair cop, although New Zealand isn't so great with that either) that I mostly just rolled my eyes - I mean the 'hardly educates its people, and has no respect for women' comment was particularly ridiculous. What's also funny is the international smack-down he's receiving. In the most polite and restrained manner of course.



If you want seven questions of your own, just let me know.





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Coming up tomorrow night: Kat live blogs Twilight - New Moon, quite possibly with alcolol. \o/

Comments

[dark-cygnet.livejournal.com]

::smooches you::

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Hi bb! *cuddles*

[zeitheist.livejournal.com]

I know it must've been nerve-wracking for you, but wow, that is one smart kitty. Sort of.

Also, I've got to ask, I can't help myself: what does reindeer meat taste like?

I would quite like seven questions, if you can think of any for me...

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

I didn't think he'd venture that far out towards the front. Like, I like in a mid-terrace and the back door opens to a small gated yard, behind which is a back alley (also gated at both ends), behind which is a church yard - I know the cats go there, was just hoping they wouldn't venture toward the front as there is a very busy road that goes just outside my house.

Hee. Reindeer meat tastes like... mild game? It's difficult to describe beyond that. Like try answering 'what does chicken taste like?' Tricky. I like it. It's not an every day thing where my family lives which is South-West of the country, as it's fairly dear even in Finland.

Certainly I can think of seven questions for you.

1. So... sounds to me more and more like you're seeking animal-keeping as your future career. What kind of zoo/wildlife park/animal sanctuary/etc. would you like to work in and with what kinds of animals?

2. Three best photographs you've taken?

3. We're having a drink in a pub. What can I get you from the bar?

4. Who will play you in a film about your life?

5. You meet someone for the first time. What's the quickest way for them to annoy the shit out of you?

6. Morning routine?

7. Dream holiday?

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

KITTY!!

Glad to see he was smart enough to get back home. ♥

I would love some questions. I know we don't really know each other that well, so they can be generic or only a few, whatever...

Oh, but I have a question for you... how are you live blogging New Moon? I'm sort of curious to see these shenanigans. :))

♥♥

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

My kitties are speshul.

I'll answer your question first :D New Moon is on terrestrial TV tonight so I'll be watching it and blogging as I go along, with the post updated every ad break. I did that with Twilight last year (http://kat-lair.livejournal.com/297859.html)

Questions for you then:

1. Tell me about your job. Why do you do it? Do you like it? Any plans to change or develop your career?

2. Tell me about the place you live. What's great about your city/town/village? What's rubbish about it?

3. How did you get into fandom?

4. Do you have any pets? If so, tell me about them. If not, why not and would you like some?

5. TV/film character that you identify with and why?

6. Favourite season and why?

7. Share your favourite recipe.

[maladroitoracle.livejournal.com]

Ask me some questions! I might have the time to answer them now :)

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Does that mean that uni is over for the year?

Questions!

1. Where would you like to be in 10 years time? Work, family, living situation etc?

2. Favourite tipple?

3. What was the last fic you read and absolutely loved?

4. Your best 'guaranteed to pull' outfit?

5. Who made you smile today and why?

6. When did you last do something creative (the broadest definition of creative so think beyond 'painting' or 'writing' etc) and what was it?

7. What habits/quirks/personality traits really annoy you?

[maladroitoracle.livejournal.com]

Yes, uni is finally over for the year!!! And seminar paper is done and tomorrow I start my summer job at a registrar's office in Pirkkala!!

Thanks for the questions!

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Whoo, well done for finishing all the uni work and securing a decent summer job, go you!

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

Maybe Tricks could smell your footsteps. Well, no, he's a cat, not a bloodhound, but at least it's an explanation. Otherwise, maybe Purdy was in the front window? And whilst the road is busy, would he actually have to cross a road? I don't think so, so he could just ignore all the nasty smelly traffic and stick close to the houses.

Can you pass on the NZ political fail so that we can all gawp?

I did questions for Redsnake not so long ago ( and five for someone else) so don't give me any more ;)

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

No he wouldn't have crossed the road and yes I expect he skulked through the yards. Didn't come in with me through the front door though but ran back down to the alley gate and met me at the back door a minute later... *rolls eyes*

Googling Gerry Brownlee + Finland will get you the highlights of that particular farce.

Okay, no questions :D

[pushkin666.livejournal.com]

If I comment that does mean you're not going to give me questions doesn't it :D

Anyway, the podfic is just awesome. Thank you for reccing hun.

Can't believe that Tricks managed to find his way out there. Not good. And no, I'm not going to comment on your leaving the backdoor open when you go out ...

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't non-con question you, no :D

The podfics are both awesome, you should give the other one a listen too.

He kind of jumped up from behind the bins when I got home, crying at me and I was all 'OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE??' We definitely had some words.

[pushkin666.livejournal.com]

Non-con question me. *snicker*. I'm saying nothing. :D

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Ah, refusal to speak. We have ways of dealing with that...

[pushkin666.livejournal.com]

I'm sure 'you' do.

[loki-dip.livejournal.com]

This is the first time I have looked forward to something Twilight related. LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO ME!!!

Questions please? I like it when you interrogate. ;p

[kat-lair.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha, I have no regrets?

And do you now? Well, let's get started then...

1. Favourite seasonal/national holiday and why?

2. Dream holiday?

3. Tell me about the last time you solved a problem/tricky situation, could we work or interpersonal or anything really.

4. The most frivolous thing you've spent a lot of money on?

5. Favourite fanfic cliché? Optional: rec a fic (or three *g*) that does it really well.

6. Anything you regret doing or not doing (answer at level you feel comfortable with)

7. Thoughts on make-up and jewellery?