Updates and collection of links

[sparklebutch]

First, the good things:

A short story, The Haunted Author

A good, uplifting news article on gender equality

Some disturbing but interesting images, Fallen Princesses

Yes, I opted out on the LJ linking thing. Let me know if there's any news on that.

Fiction:

The Art Of Seduction, Giles/Ethan

Suns And Guns, Spike, Wesley

Under The Unblinking Sun, Highlander, Horsemen

And a tiny SV drabble which Tastes Like Old Times, for a nostalgic chat.

The last proper fic I posted before this batch, not including Highlander drabbles and dribbles, was on March 22nd, 2009, it seems. It was Violet Sundown, a Giles/Ethan/Xander pwp.






Right. You prayed for me, you deserve to know.

My father still has lung cancer. I'm optimistic, but I might be the only one who is. That's one update.

So mid-Feb, we bought tickets to mid-March, to see him.

And 2-3 days later we get a phone call telling us Cat's dad died. Suddenly.

So we drop everything and go there. There's a firing range next to the cemetery, right under the terrace. There were gun noises all through the funeral.

I was thinking, "I should post an update". I've been thinking it since then.

I got to see family kids. I got to see my dad. He's thinner. Lost some hair, but as I remember his father being almost bald, I try to tell myself it's not that big a deal.

The landlady watched over the cats. Bless her. A few days after we returned, her brother died. Lung cancer. Was near 15 years older than my dad. And about one year younger than Cat's dad.

We couldn't return the March tickets. We didn't try very hard. So that was almost-a-week during Feb, and almost-a-week during March. Landlady is watching our cats again.

In conclusion, let me see if I remember this quote by heart: "It's stupid. It's mortal, and stupid."



PS, is it something that happens in all airlines, that when the plane touches ground, people clap and applaud?

Comments

[nutterbudgie.livejournal.com]

That was a crap week that was. You & Cat, look after yourselves. I send you many hugs, & lots of quietness.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I do wish things will improve. *hugs*

[babydraco.livejournal.com]

My condolences on Cat's dad. All I have in the way of cards are animal postcards, but I can send one if you want.

I've never heard of people clapping when a plane lands, but I don't fly much.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

All I have in the way of cards

That's alright, dear. Online thoughts and words count just the same.

[zing_och (from livejournal.com)]

I'm so sorry - my condolences.

I missed your posts about your dad before, but I'll send good thoughts and prayers his way. *hugs*

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

I'll send good thoughts and prayers his way

Thank you, these are still very much needed. *hugs*

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Still sending you good thoughts.

And that link on gender equality is awesome.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I believe that helps.

And - yeah, huh? Almost as if improvement is on the horizon!

[silvercobwebs.livejournal.com]

Good thoughts and bright wishes are very much aimed your way.

And the clapping thing has happened to me. I'm still not sure who or what they're clapping, but it seems to ease tension.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. That helps.

Re clapping, was it few individuals, or the whole plane? I'm curious.

[silvercobwebs.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the very delayed response, but as you were/are curious, I thought it better to comment than not. :)

It was nearly the entire plane. I didn't, I just looked a little bemused. It wasn't a difficult journey to a hazardous destination - just from or to (I can't remember) London to Florida.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

humans are strange.

[anidada.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. *hugs you and Cat, and your dad, and the landlady, for that matter*

I haven't been on a plane since 1996, but they were doing the applause thing back then, for sure. I find it kind of creepy; it's as if people don't expect a smooth landing or something. :(

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

*hugs you in the name of all of the above*


Re planes, I find it sort of cringe-worthy. It feels very... "the early days of flight", like you expect everyone to be wearing 1950s clothing and exist in the black/white/sepia video quality of the 1930s. Good to know it's not unique though; equal cringe for all.

[pat-t.livejournal.com]

Sending good thoughts your way. I will pray for your dad. And condolences for Cat's dad. What an awful week.

And clapping when the plane lands? Was it that bad a flight?

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear. I believe the thoughts and prayers help.



Clapping - they do this every flight. I'm just glad they don't sing.

[elistaire.livejournal.com]

Hey--I was just thinking of you and thought I'd stop by to see how you were. It sounds like you and Cat have had a perfectly terrible time. I'm so very sorry to hear about her father.

There's really very little to say to make any of it even seem a little better, except I'm here thinking good thoughts for both of you, and hopefully it helps to know others are out there thinking of you, and hoping for the best.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Yes, thank you, it does help to know there are thoughts - I'm trying to believe they work their magic.

[cinder1013.livejournal.com]

My condolences. Everything always happens at once, doesn't it? It seems like that to me.

No, I've never seen anyone clap, but I do fly on a major business corridor. The people sitting around me probably fly 100 times a year. The attendant can't even get them to shut their laptops.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

Thank you.


I'm not sure it's related to number of times or how used one is to this. I think there's cultures/types of people, where they just do this. Not out of any deep felt relief at safety.
And yeah, people who don't shut laptops, phones, people who stand while we're still landing - I think that's everywhere. That's just rudeness.

[aslongasitlasts.livejournal.com]

I'm quite slow. Shocked to find out about this. You need all the strength you can get so prayers + hug + good thoughts. Try to draw strength from anything that makes you feel so.

[sparklebutch.livejournal.com]

It's alright. Thank you for the prayers and good thoughts, there is still need for them.