kaffy_r | Entries tagged with interesting people

Good Help for a Good Person

I meant to share this earlier, but got sidetracked by mice. I apologize,

masakochan .

I think most folks on my f'list know this lovely person, but in case you don't, take my word for it -

masakochan has made me smile many times, and has been one of the folks I've always enjoyed talking with. They're going through a tough time; they've got a goal, and I hope people can help them reach that goal.

Here's the link to their GoFundMe; help with a donation of any size if you can. If you can't, you can still help by spreading the word.

Thanks!

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Location: the living room
Current Music: Stray Kids "Chk Chk Boom"

Glorious Visit

I'm sitting in Toronto, waiting for my flight back to Chicago. I'm tired, a little wired, and really, really happy I went to my 50-year high school reunion.

I hope to share stories, and pictures, and thoughts, but I think it's going to have to wait until I'm back in the land of pizza and politics.

What I'll say for now is this: don't take it as gospel that school reunions are to be avoided like the plague. That's probably true in many cases - but you know? Sometimes, and maybe a lot of times, it isn't. Sometimes reunions are just brilliant.

More to come ....

Current Mood: happy
Current Location: Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto, Canada
Current Music: Airport ambience. I love it.

Druscilla Katz

( Read more... )

Current Mood: sad
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: MSNBC

Another Birthday, Another Excellent Person

Many happy returns of yesterday (Nov. 11) to

kerravonsen . She is a lovely person, who I am very glad to know. We don't always agree on things, but she is a sister when it comes to believing and knowing that The Union Makes Us Strong. She is multi-talented, creating both written and visual pieces of art. I have enjoyed so many of her fics; in fact, she was one of the people who convinced me that fanfics could be better than good. Having one's birthday on Remembrance Day lends it a weight that could be somber, I know, but I hope yours was celebrated well; and perhaps you'll be able to enjoy more on the weekend!

Current Mood: accomplished
Crossposts: https://kaffy-r.livejournal.com/604496.html

Happy Birthday, cathica

The most estimable

cathica, who has not been seen around LJ/dreamwidth for a long time, certainly not regularly, had her birthday yesterday (Nov. 8). It's been a while since I ventured back into birthday wishes. I think that's because I got overwhelmed by several things a couple of months ago, and some of the fallout included birthday wishes.

It seems as if wishing this very talented author Happy Birthday, even one day late, might be the right way to restart my tradition.

cathica writes some of the most gently horrific dark fiction it's been my shuddering delight to read. I am always glad to hear that she has had another of her tales published. She is also someone to whom I have written letters, both typewritten and - pause here for your astonishment - handwritten. When I receive a letter in return, it is purely lovely.

cathica was also the starting point for my 9th Doctor/Rose/Jack novel "Hearts and Moons Recall the Truth"; she provided a prompt for a long ago ficathon, and I could not conceive of letting that drop by the wayside.

In short, I am very glad to have made your acquaintance!

I hope you had a fine birthday; I hope no bears interrupted it, nor painfully poisonous plants intruded in any way!

Current Mood: calm
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffy-r.livejournal.com/604189.html

Nothing But Good Wishes ...

... to the lovely

sallymn and the formidable

lydy .

I met

sallymn via Live Journal and various online fandoms, and I immediately liked her friendliness, quiet (and more than occasionally gloriously goofy) humor, and her icons, several of which I still have, use, and appreciate. May your recuperation continue to be ahead of the curve, may your retirement and your studies be equally fulfilling, may your days be filled with the music you love, the television shows you like, and people you adore!

I met

lydy - have I mentioned she's formidable? Have I also mentioned that she's formidable in a magnificently positive way? - via traditional science fiction fandom. Her thought processes are incisive, her use of language both precise and poetic, her worldview challenging, her bravery unquestionable, and her friendship (for such I hope I have) a great gift. Perhaps someday, relatively soon, we can make another journey to Mipple City and enjoy your company again. Until then, many happy returns of the day!

Oh, and speaking of Minnesotans, it's Bob Dylan's birthday. He's weird and at least a bit of a genius (I know people will say I've under- or over-valued him. but there you go), certainly a poet, and someone to whom attention must be paid. Good on you for making it this far, Mr. Zimmerman!

Here's one of my favorite songs of his. I love its propulsive feel, and the story he tells.

Watch on YouTube

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: Hurricane, Bob Dylan
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/579356.html

Still Here

So an insurrection happened. And may still be happening. We'll see how the next 5-6 days play out. I'm still dealing with a lot of poisonous anger, which doesn't seem apt to go away any time soon, especially with the increasing evidence of help for the traitors outside from inside the halls of Congress. Perhaps I can talk about it later. Right now, no, except to say I'm counting down the days to Jan. 21. Perhaps I can take a breath then.

A woman I like, respect, and care about,

ljgeoff , had a birthday on the 14th. She is most estimable, most formidable, a woman of will, and nearly infinite love. Oh, and she writes beautiful fiction even as she works and cares for those around her. Would that more humans were like her.

I am coming off of *thinks* 11 days of back pain, a lot of which was spent on my back. That kind of pain makes it very hard to focus on posting or writing. Instead, I've watched a lot of Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert show clips during the times I could sit up at my desk. I truly hope I can be more productive soon but I'm having a different stress reaction now in my mouth, about which the less said, the less gross this sentence will end up.

But I'm here. I'll get back to reading posts and responding. Take care, love each other, be safe, and hope like hell we get to Jan. 21,

Current Mood: sad
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: The furnace. It's chilly out there.
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/570946.html

Birthdays; Again and Always

As we get older, our attitudes towards birthdays can change. Certainly, I know that my birthday brings more thoughts of my eventual mortality than it once did. Strangely, those thoughts are positive, as I look back on an eventful life and forward ( I hope) to a good many years of adventure to come. And it still gives me pleasure to send birthday greetings to friends, even if I’m habitually and criminally late in doing so.

On Oct. 30, the long silent

viomisehunt celebrated a birthday. When she was active on LJ, I enjoyed reading this lovely woman’s posts about fandom and about her beloved family. She wrote about Dr. Who, and shared her thoughts gently and articulately. She also shared her non-fannish successes and her heartbreaking losses. She was a delight. I hope she is in good health, and that she was able to enjoy a birthday with loved ones.

erikvolson, he of the red hat — beer appreciator extraordinaire and delightful SFF fan — had a Nov. 5 birthday. He lives in the same city I do, and I bang my head against a wall for not keeping in touch with him. He hasn’t posted on his LJ journal for several years, so all I can do is wish him the very best, and hope that someday we can get together again in some fashion. Happy Birthday, Erik!

cathica celebrated her natal anniversary on Nov. 8, and I truly hope it was a celebration, free of bears and fauna interested in invading the house. I first knew her as a result of her glorious and sometimes gloriously dark Dr. Who fanfic. Then I read some of her original work, which was again gloriously dark; she is a mistress of SFF-based horror and has won awards for the horror she envisions; brava! So to a fellow Bluenoser, I extend all the wishes I can, and I hope she will someday return to LJ.

kerravonsen marked her birthday on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11. I hope she was able to spend it with at least some of her family, and that the day was filled with love. She is a woman of many talents in both her writing and the 3-D arts she creates. I wish I had half her delight in creating art and her patience and hard work doing so. She is a union supporter and a person of faith. Though she and I may differ in many ways, I am very glad to know her.

Current Mood: thoughtful
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/569323.html

Something That Is Not Bad

I love Mythbusters. The show was a healthy dose of fun done with science, and science done with fun, both in the service of using logic to prove or disprove myths, folk tales, and urban legends. It was a lovely mix of careful planning, goofy tech and giddy silliness, teamwork and things Blowing Up Real Good. I loved Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman (Adam more than Jamie, I freely admit); I loved the junior host team of Kari Byron and Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara. So I was shocked and very saddened when Grant died unexpectedly this summer of a brain aneurysm.

I recently learned that Imahara's mother and his friends have created a foundation named after him, aimed at supporting underserved young people interested in STEAM education: science/technology/engineering/art/math.

I watched this video, and it made me feel even more sorry that he died so young and very glad that his loved ones are honoring him in this way. Also, it made me love him even more for being an SFF fan - watch all the way to the end, fellow Whovians, for a special joy.

Current Mood: calm
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: "Trying Times" Roberta Flack
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/568133.html

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays

There are so many people whose birthdays took place this month, and who I really like, and to whom I didn't wish felicitations. All of you deserve so much more than what I'm going to try - describing each of you in 5 words or phrases - but believe me, you are all important to me.

*deep breath* Let's try this:

rmjwell (4 Oct.) photographer, burlesque-booster, ex-Chicagoan, smart, funny.

supergee (6 Oct.) trufan and zinemeister, American football fan, dryly witty, kind, world observer.

heatherbelles (6 Oct.) fun-loving, history maven, LINDA founding mother, Whovian, museum expert.

carbonel , (11 Oct.) low-key, yarn artist, slash fic fan, word-and-music-lover, Cubs faithful.

brithistorian (15 Oct.) K-Pop aficionado, art specialist, family lover, SFF and fic fan, welcoming.
Andrew Louis McNeill Berlien (20 Oct.) Beloved son, musician, husband, photographer, funny as hell. (I'm so lucky that he's my son.)

editrx (21 Oct.) stalwart, gifted editor, martini connoisseur, brave, deserving of good things.

a_phoenixdragon (21 Oct.) effervescent, unstoppable, gloriously talented writer, tough as nails mom, delightful Whovian.

elisi (22 Oct), Who fan, meta mistress, gentle, poetic, kind.

lolmac (24 Oct.) laugh-out-loud funny, Richard Dean Anderson LOLmeme creator, fic writer, good person, missing-in-action and missed.

cosmiccoz (24 Oct.) sweet, artistic, determined, Whovian, Black Sails fan.

*pants slightly*

Current Mood: melancholy
Current Location: livingroom
Current Music: MSNBC
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/567757.html

Argh.

Two weeks late, I wanted to say Happy, Happy Birthday to the redoubtable and impressive

azriona , who world-hops in imagination and geography, and is a really lovely fan, fanfic writer, and excellent human being. I hope it was a good day for you!

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: CBC Music Nightstream
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/566223.html

Many Happy Returns of the Day ...

... to

strannik01 , a dedicated journalist who deploys a dispassionate and careful eye as he chronicles news in some of Chicago's "news desert" communities, bringing stories of sadness, joy, and anger to readers who might otherwise miss important aspects of our city. His views, while objective, are informed by his own history, which is exactly as it should be. He also shares some of my fannish loves. A fannish reporter, FTW!

I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him (and he's been very patient with my chronically late arrivals), enjoying his wit and commentary. I look forward to more such interludes. And I hope today he is able to celebrate another year - and the beginning of a better one. Happy birthday!

Current Mood: calm
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/566005.html

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy ,,,

... I missed two birthdays this week, and they aren't birthdays I wanted to miss.

Happy Birthday (on 24th May) to

sallymn , whose sweet nature shines through her every post. I love the music she introduces me to, I love her quiet but very definite sense of humor, and the way that she can, in general, brighten a day. We also share some fandoms, which is wonderful as well. I understand that you had a very good birthday, and that makes me happy. May you enjoy another 365 days of good friends, good humor, good weather, and good luck!

Happy Birthday on the selfsame May 24th to

lydy , a woman of great good sense, somewhat frightening intellect, a sense of humor that is to be cherished, and a beautiful smile. I met her through our shared interest in classic science fiction fandom, and I've never regretted it. It has been far too long since I saw her in person, but I haven't given up hope that I will at some time in the not-too-distant future. May your sourdough starter be just as you'd like it to be, may cats always be there when you need them, may knitting or crocheting be in your future, should that be your desire, and may the coming year be good to you.

Current Mood: calm
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: Miles Davis Quintet "So What"

I Blame My Lack of Brainzzz ...

... for forgetting the May 5 birthday of the inestimably excellent

jjpor , who is one of the best fic writers I've ever had the good luck to read. His Doctor Who stories are well paced, densely plotted, with real, lived-in characters. In a fair world, his adventures and mysteries would be turned into award-winning episodes of the show. And not only is he a gifted writer, he is a lovely person, with a wry and dry sense of humor. Many belated happy returns of the day! I hope you are surviving with a surplus of good humor and a deficit of worry or concern about our strange and frightening times, and I am very glad that I have had the luck to get to know you on These Here Intarwebz.

Current Mood: nauseated
Current Location: the home office

It's Probably Past Her Birthday Now ....

But many, many happy returns of the probably previous day to

thisbluespirit , one of the loveliest people I've had the privilege of getting to know online. She's one of the people I wish to one day meet in three-dee life, (I won't say RL, since I consider These Here Intarwebz also RL),if I ever make it to that side of the Atlantic, and if she's up for a Canadian visitor from Chicago. Not only is she kind, and funny, and a tremendously talented fiction writer, she's someone who can draw me into her adventures in family history, her love of James Maxwell (totally understandable) and David Collings (the latter especailly. Oh, my, don't I wish I'd had the chance to meet him, and aren't I sad that he's somewhere chatting with Ruby and Gold and not here, although him being Silver, he can more than hold his own in conversation, but I digress!) ... and of course, Sapphire and Steel, to which I'm now addicted.

I hope that you are in good health, that you are navigating these uncertain times with the aplomb and cheer for which I admire you so much; I hope the weather treats you well, and that you can get out of the house, even if it's just to a garden; I hope I can be online a little more, and can interact with you more. No matter what, I'm so glad I know you - Happy Birthday!

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Location: the home office

A Few Things I've Thought About Lately

( Tangential mentions of our current global medical situation, but with at least 1 and possible 2 giggles. Avoid if you'd like. )

3. I cannot bake cookies without making sure that most of them exit my domicile superfuckingfast. If I don't make that arrangement (with some left for Bob), I will do something vaguely equivalent to going face down in the cookie jar and coming up covered in crumbs. This is not a good look for me.

4. Today we had temperatures in the mid to high 70s (Fahrenheit). We wrestled a couple of our windows open to enjoy fresh air and a cross breeze. We'll have weather that's almost as warm tomorrow, and I am going to enjoy it like whoah.

5. I've managed a few more sentences on my cross-over fic. Having figured out the ultimate reason for the opening dilemma, my next big challenge is determining which characters from which canons get to talk to each other, and how.

6. Finally, here's the late, great Bill Withers doing a live version of "Ain't No Sunshine," complete with violins. I could quite happily listen to this on a loop almost any time, despite the heartbreak implicit in the lyrics (or perhaps because of it). Today it sounded even more lovely to me.

Watch on YouTube

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone"
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/555985.html

Despatch from Tacoma

I'm dropping in very briefly with a message from

a_phoenixdragon , since I know some folks were wondering how she was doing. Washington state, where she and her family moved a while back, is a COVID-19 hot spot and, like many places around the globe, its economy has done some tanking because of that. I know she and the family have been on my mind and that of a few other people, so I was very happy to get a phone call from her Monday night.

Mandy says she, her husband, and their two boys are doing surprisingly well. They are in good health, and in good spirits. They have not yet secured an apartment, and her husband's job ended when his employer got t-boned by the economic downturn, but Mandy's job is holding strong, since it's some sort of medical equipment-based operation and, as such, deemed necessary to stay open. They are confident of finding him another job, although they know it will be difficult. They are equally confident of finding an apartment

Her boys really love their schools - I'm told one of them said for the first time in years that he enjoyed going to school - so they are truly looking forward to schools reopening. Mandy says that the entire household feels, again for the first time in years, that they have reached a place that feels like home, despite all the challenges they're facing.

She wanted me to tell you that she misses everyone, and thinks of you all often, with great affection and gratitude. Your friendship and support is one of the biggest reasons she's been able to power through without drowning in fear or sadness. She is looking forward to getting back online and catching up with everyone once they've found an apartment and some stable internet (she had been using area libraries, which have had to shut by emergency order.)

It will surprise none of you to know that she sends you all hugs. I am very glad to be the bearer of good news!

Current Mood: happy
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/555418.html

Happy, Happy to all of you!

OMG, so many birthdays, of so many great people!

( And they're all under here! )

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/553668.html

One More Delayed Birthday Wish

One of the most talented fanfic and SFF writers I've had the pleasure of meeting online is

canaan , who isn't around here very often, but who celebrated on Jan. 20. She went through far too much medical crap a few years ago; I hope that has moderated or disappeared in the time since I last had the enjoyable experience of communicating with her. May this entire year be good for her and her loved ones, filled with creativity and stability. All the best to you!

Current Mood: determined
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: Ziyoou-vachi kaen, Theme to Dororo
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/550043.html

Hello, Neighbor!

Snowflake Challenge #5 - Comment to someone you haven't ever interacted with before or introduce yourself to someone you've briefly interacted with and friend/follow them. Afterwards, leave a comment in this post with the equivalent of "I did it!" (Being in fandom is always a chance to interact with new people and potentially make new friends! Challenge #5 is all about continuing the fandom celebration that is the Snowflake Challenge and expanding our circle!)

*** *** ***

( Far too much writing underneath. )

Current Mood: amused
Current Location: the livingroom
Current Music: Albinoni, 12 concertos
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/549386.html

Belated Good Wishes

On Jan. 14

ljgeoff celebrated a birthday. I have come to know her not only as a gifted writer, but as an amazing force of nature, with a lovely voice, a full-throated laugh, an awesome work ethic and even more awesome open heart, a willingness to be both practical and silly, and a desire to experience and save this world as much as possible. I am so very lucky to know her. May your birthday have been wonderful, may your large and loving family cherish you the way they should throughout the coming year, and may your dreams become ever closer to reality, my dear!

Then on Jan. 15, the remarkable

minnehaha had a birthday. I'm sending out birthday wishes with lots of love to the entire tag team. May you have another year of productive joy in family, in vocation and avocation, in companionship with loved ones, in challenging yourself and others, and in being a most excellent set of personages. Love from Chicago.

Current Mood: cold
Current Location: the livingroom
Current Music: Bach, Sonatas and Partitas for Lute
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/549280.html

A Very Quick Birthday Wish

He is not around LJ/LDW these days, but in case he's passing through, happy birthday (late in the day) to

beamjockey . May you have a great year, one that includes as much dancing and ukulele playing as you'd like to have. I hope to see you sometime in the future!

Current Mood: lethargic
Current Location: the home office
Current Music: J.S. Bach, harpsichord concertos
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/548393.html

Many Happy Returns of the Day

... to

ginger_rude , someone I'm coming to know and enjoy. I'm happy that we know each other, at least here online, and I enjoy reading her thoughts about shows and books and characters. Sometimes I disagree with what she says, but never because her views aren't worth thinking about. I love that. So here's to discovering more about you, and more from you; here's to a great year for you!

And I don't want to go without wishing a happy birthday to the long-silent

monkey_pants7, whose birthday is today. Wherever you are, former TWoP and Who buddy, I hope you're doing well, enjoying knitting, and very happy. May this year be a good one for you.

Current Mood: calm
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/546978.html

Happy Birthday to Remarkable Twins

I met

mack_the_spoon and her sister

namarie24 a surprising number of years ago, over on Television Without Pity. I shared their love of Doctor Who, I could definitely appreciate their love of The X-Files and a few other television shows, and I liked reading their fiction (and occasionally edited some.)

What really impressed me about these two young women, though, besides my awe of their love for and mastery of linguistics, was their shared sense of faith. Even though I do not share it, I can see how it powers their lives, and does so in a very positive way.

Yesterday (Nov. 24) was their shared birthday.

I wish for both of you a sense of fulfilling mission, with time for your kitties, time to explore all the fascinating aspects of where you call home these days, much friendship and love, connection with your family back in North America, and occasionally some time spent with the fun of fandom. Happy, happy birthday!

Current Mood: drained
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/542784.html

So Here It Is, The Weekend

Work situation: I made it through the week, and I ended up knowing who I'm reporting to, at least for now. I was right, it's someone I can work with,and that pleases me. I was able to hand off a particularly unpleasant situation to him, allowing me to potentially maintain or improve a relationship with a difficult union person, someone I need to deal with in future. I also got through a relatively frustrating conference call, and I have things that I can complete this weekend. So hurrah.

Even better, though: I learned that the works of the late John M. Ford, most of which have been out of print for some time, are going to be reissued by Tor. I have only read one of his works, "The Last Hot Time," and I've read it five or six times, possibly more, but this gives me the chance to look forward to reading more. Ford, who died too young in 2006, was known and loved by people I know and respect. He was, by all accounts, a brilliant polymath, equally gifted in poetry and prose, and much much more, and blessed with both mordant wit and rampant silliness - I've long regretted that I never took the time at Minicon to watch his "Ask Doctor Mike" presentations. So yes, better late to the party than not at all. (Oh, and how much do I love "The Last Hot Time"? Enough to want more of that world, enough to wish that, in his tragic absence, there was someone to write good fanfic in the world, enough that I'm glad that no one has attempted it.)

And finally, in the Yes, I'm Too Obsessive department; am I completely delusional in seeing a particular Crack at around 32 seconds into this delightful fanvid by

such_heights ?

Now, off to clean my teeth and build a Big Ass Martini with which to enjoy far too much anime.

Current Mood: happy
Current Location: the home office
Crossposts: https://kaffyr.livejournal.com/541352.html

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Grasping at Grace (and Growth)

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