I just got the best birthday present! A new LJ layout and matching icons created by the marvelous, stupendous, fantastic and oh-so-talented talesofsnape! Squeeeee!

It is a Charlie fan-girl's dream come true! Check it out HERE and then go tell talesofsnape how amazing she is!

I LOVE you, Tales! ♥

♥ ♥ ♥
Just popping in to wish my darling Ava a Happy Birthday on March 24th! I hope it is lovely, dear. I miss you!

Well, well, well... looks like my favorite dragon tamer is getting his own "Last Drabble Writer Standing" community! Heh. I would encourage anyone interested--

(and who wouldn't be? I mean, come on! Charlie Weasley, people!)

--to go over and join the community!

My dearest Tales,
I wish for you the happiest of birthdays, filled with fun & laughter, friends & family (but only the ones you WANT to be around), and lots of love. And of course, gifts and pampering galore!

♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥

Christmas came early for me today, in the form of a gift fic by inell! I'm all a-twitter over it because it features two of my favorite Weasley boys and hints at one of my favorite ships!

Title: Brotherly Advice
Author: inell
Characters: Bill, Charlie
Summary: Bill and Charlie have a talk before Bill’s wedding
Rating: Any Age
Word Count: 1220

Fabulous Weasley Boy goodness HERE

What are you waiting for? Quickly! Go read!

This is just too much fun! Recorded 10 yrs ago, apparently this YouTube video has landed these guys (Straight No Chaser) a record deal!

Fun fun fun... this will put a smile on your face.

Oh dear God in Heaven, what the hell was I thinking signing up for a fic exchange when I am seriously over-scheduled in RealLife and every single freaking deadline is happening this week?

2 screenplays for the high school ministry that must be done tomorrow 'cause we are filming on Sunday... status: one done, one not.

2 song parodies written for above noted screenplays, music downloaded and karaoke version downloaded as well... status: one done, one not. (These need to get to the actors like yesterday so they can rehearse...)

One article written for church newsletter due yesterday... status: done!

One article written for the church website due Wednesday... status: done, waiting for accompanying document from one other person, then ready for Webmaster!

Child who has major assignment due Wednesday and he needs the computer to complete... status: Well, I haven't yet committed infanticide...

(Can I mention the minor details of oh, y'know, having a JOB and needing to feed the above mentioned child, launder clothes, take elderly mother to the dentist today, take dog to vet, give an inspirational reading at a ceremony tomorrow honoring our outstanding patients and staff this past year, serving on a committee at church that currently has to meet weekly on Wed. nights-- and trying to get at least 6 hours of sleep in so I can keep on going in the manner of madness to which I've become accustomed...)

And the sword dangling over my head: One 3keysficxchnge story, due this Thursday... status: plotted, intro written, well into meat of story but good heavens, why oh why do my characters always need to be complicated with lots of back story and why do they always seem to take over the dialog and run away with the story? I'm the author dammit! I should have SOME say, y'know! Sigh.

Well, if everyone else submits theirs in time, I just blew my cover... but I had to (choose appropriate verb) wibble/bitch/whine/blather...

Avast, me hearties! Friday September 19th be a fine day fer speakin' the pirate lingo, savvy? Yes, there really be such a holiday!

And lest ye think I be a black-hearted wench fer teasin' ye like this...

How to find yer pirate name:

Fer the lassies: http://www.mess.be/pirate-names-female.php
Fer the buccaneers: http://www.mess.be/pirate-names-male.php

And if ye be interested in learnin' how to talk like a pirate, or how this skullduggery even came to be...this fine website will lead ye to treasures and more: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

Be ye careful to treat this hallowed day with proper respect. If nothin' else, be sure to say an "Arrr!" or two to yer mateys, or ye'll be walkin' the plank!

As fer me, my pirate name be 'Black Charity' and I be biddin' ye fair horizons and calm seas as ye spread the pirate-y joy.

Your result for The Harry Potter Wand Test...

12", Holly, Dragon

You scored 58 wisdom, 28 bravery, 21 emotional, and 6 martyrdom!

Take The Harry Potter Wand Test at HelloQuizzy

The dragon heartstring core is no surprise; I've been a dragon person since discovering Anne McCaffery at the age of 13...

Heh... watch out, people! My wand is very effective in hexes! Bwa ha ha!

Falling
By RahNee (rahnee13)

Summary: It is the Sunday after the Second Task, and Viktor realizes he’s done a poor job of communicating his intentions to Hermione. (rated PG, spoilers for GOF only, warning for pure, unadulterated fluff)

Word count: about 1400

Author Note: If you are a reader of my story “A New Definition of Family” you will know I have a little romantic Viktor and Hermione sub-plot going on… Well, I felt this worked as a stand-alone for Hermione and Viktor, and I hope you do too, dear reader!

( Viktor took Hermione’s hand in his and played awkwardly with her fingers. 'I haff confession.' )

Did the meme because talesofsnape did it, and I wanna be just like her when (if!) I grow up!

( RahNee's Harry Potter Husband )

What a pleasant surprise! My Viktor/Hermione story "A Matter of a Lifetime" was rec'ed over at thegoldenseeker!

Click on this pretty banner to check it out!


I am rather giddy. A big thank you to whomever recommended it.
*smooches*

Well, well, well...
Looks like I share my birthday with a few folks from the HP movie world.

(courtesy of The Leaky Cauldron, dated May 13, 2008)

Happy Birthday wishes go out today to actor Robert Pattinson, who portrayed Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory in the “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” film. Mr. Pattinson is celebrating his 22nd birthday today.

Also today, actress Zoë Wanamaker, who portrayed Madame Hooch in “Sorcerer’s Stone,” is celebrating her 59th birthday.

I wonder if either of them was born on Friday the Thirteenth like I was?

Mine happens to fall somewhere in between Robert's 22nd and Zoe's 59th... and that is all I have to say about that.

Thanks to all the lovely people on my f-list who have sent me birthday wishes!

I was walking through the parking lot to go into the gym this afternoon after work when I saw a political bumper sticker on a car. It had nice red, white and blue graphics--a few stars, a few stripes.

It read:

Republicans for Voldemort

I snorted with laughter.
Thank goodness somebody can still have a sense of humor about all this presidential election business...

That is all.

It was sunnyjune46's birthday on March 7!

I'm sorry you won't see this till it's over, SJ, but I hope you had a fantabulous birthday, honey!

♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥XO♥

The lovely and talented inell wrote me a fabulous little Charlie gen fic featuring a 16-year-old Charlie, and boy, has she nailed teen!Charlie to a T! And, as if that wasn't enough, the icing on the top of this delicious little cupcake is: she hints at one of my favorite ships!

Title: Advice
Pairing: Charlie, Madam Rosmerta
Rating: Any Age
Word Count: 425
Prompt: Can be anything
For: rahnee13

And no, you don't have to gasp, it isn't Charlie paired with Rosmerta. You really should go read it. REALLY!

Fabulous ficcy goodness HERE

I came across this hysterical video, and felt the need to share it. Remember: belly laughs do burn calories. Trust me. I'm a physical therapist. It's my job to know these things.

sunnyjune46 told me I should do this Hot Guy meme...

1 - List your top 10 celebrity crushes
2 - Put all of them IN ORDER of your lust for them
3 - Say which movie/show it was that hooked you
4 - Supply photos for said stars


Justin Hartley

I never even heard of him until he played the Green Arrow/Oliver Queen on "Smallville" last season, but GUH! I fell into immediate lust and he knocked Tom Welling to second place!

( The rest of RahNee's Top 10 Hot Men )

Hello, F-list! Here is Chapter 6 of "Anger Management" for your reading pleasure!

*stares in alarm as friends start fainting right and left from shock*

Yes, yes, I know it's been 10 months since I updated. I am ever so remorseful about that! I know there was fear that I would abandon the story. NEVER!

I solemnly swear that I will complete this fic... someday!

Without further ado...





( Anger Management - Chapter Six )

A little over a year ago, I participated in the 3Keys All Hallows Eve fic exchange... and the wonderful and talented emnorth was assigned my prompt.

Well, after some revamping, she has finally finished it! And it is absolutely delightfully wonderful! If you like Draco/Hermione or Remus/Tonks (or if you just want to read a well-crafted story with humor and romance), you will want to check this out.

So what are you waiting for? Fabulous ficcy goodness awaits you!

Nanny Diaries by Em North

Whee! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all you wonderful friends who helped me out in that tie-breaker situation at the dramione_awards!

My story Anger Management made Runner Up in the "School's Out- Best Post-Hogwarts" category! Squeeeeeeeeeee!

See? Here is my lovely banner!


*proudly pets pretty banner*

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and who won! And a big THANK YOU to the mods; the whole thing was very well-run.

Well hello, f-list!

As some of you may know, my story "Anger Management" was nominated over at the dramione_awards in the category of "School's Out! Best Post-Hogwarts" and I really didn't want to make a huge fuss over it b/c I'm not a very well-known author and with all the other more popular (for lack of a better word) stories and authors I didn't really think my story would get enough votes to win...
UNTIL...

This morning I see that there is a tie-breaker round and GUESS WHAT? My li'l story is one of 'em!

Excuse me for a moment.

*executes a series of high-pitched squeals followed by running around the house, jumping up and down in a most undignified manner, and punching fist repeatedly in the air whilst saying 'yeah!' over and over*

While I never wanted to seem like the little-known author begging people to go read my story and make me feel loved... just knowing that "AM" made it this far makes me very happy and taps into the shameless hussy part of me that I embrace whole-heartedly.

So please, please, please consider going to the tie-breaker round HERE and voting. (Voting ends at 11:59 pm EST on Sunday Dec. 2, so don't delay!)

My friends Cheryl Dyson dysonrules and Sara slytherinswench are also in the tie-breaker round. So any breakage of ties would be most appreciated. ♥

Thanks!

This has absolutely nothing to do with the HP fandom, but a friend sent me this, and it made me smile. What is not to love about the Peanuts gang bopping to Hey Ya?

Enjoy!

So last night, my BFF Julie (newly separated from her husband) and I (divorced) went out to dinner at a lovely little spot. Had salads and a glass of wine. Her older daughter offered to "watch" my son (we can't use the term "babysit" any more as my son objects) and she isn't always so accomodating, being a moody teenager, so we took advantage.

Well, from the moment we walked in, there were hot boys everywhere! Let's start with "Biceps" who was handing a take-out box to a couple, nicely showing off his fabulous guns in his just-right-tight black t-shirt (the uniform here is black tee and jeans). He then turned and beckoned--yes! Beckoned!--me over to take my order. He smiled his devastating smile (Julie and I swooned) and got us our wine and rang up the order.

We went to the patio to find a seat as the evening was nice. That was where we encountered "Ron Weasley" as Julie dubbed him. He was an older version (say, 22 yrs old) of Rupert Grint. Same self-deprecating smile. Sweet guy. He was clearing the table we wanted and we stood there and commented on his glassware stacking talents, egging him on to stack them higher. He got 10 glasses stacked and then upended a beer bottle in the top glass, carried them to the kitchen without mishap. We were impressed. He came strutting back to our table to wipe it clean and grinned that lovely smile as we clapped for his incredible skills.

Then there was "Mike" (named for a guy he reminded me of) who was tall and thin and looked downright good in his jeans and tee. He had sparkling blue eyes and longish brown hair and a charming smile when he brought our salads to the table.

Each time one of these boys walked by, our conversation lagged as our eyes followed them across the patio. We decided that one of the requirements for working there was "being hot."

We knew we were in trouble. Or maybe they were.

So what are two single, and for the moment childless, women to do? Why, order more wine, of course. Julie signals Ron Weasley over (closest hottie at hand) and asks him to tell Biceps we would like more wine. (Did I mention that I had a clear view of Biceps at the counter through the glass doors on the patio?) Biceps glances at our table, and tosses a sexy smirk our way. Ron comes out to tell us Biceps will be getting the wine for us shortly. And, no lie, it is Mike who brings it out! And then, Ron comes by to make sure we got our wine and was there anything else we needed?

It's a heady experience to have all the Hotties dancing attendance on two ol' gals like us!

Not that we were flirting. Oh no. Not us!

Well, maybe just a little. And perhaps there was some ogling involved, too. I'm not saying.

Needless to say, we decided we needed to make plans to return there, soon!

Now you know how I spent my Saturday night. At the Hawt Boy Cafe.

Sigh.

Well, the latest chapter of ANDOF is now here! This chapter is one of my more Harry-centric ones... it's been a while since Harry has been in practically every scene!

Teaser: Now that Harry's discovered what House his godmother was in, will the dragon dung hit the fan? Also: Harry learns more about his mother and how his parents got together, Sirius does the 'Godfather Thing,' Rinna and Sirius practice speaking French, and the Sorting Hat becomes more mysterious. Cameo appearances by the Twins, Ron and Hermione.

Warning: suggestive sexual situation

( Chapter 24: Out of Sorts )

A Matter of a Lifetime

By RahNee
Pairing: V/Hr
Rating: Strong PG-13
Word Count: about 5000
Summary: It started as just a small matter, really; a boy intrigued by a girl. They did not know how far it would progress, nor that it would become a Matter of a Lifetime.

Author Note: This story is actually made up of snippets from my larger, multi-chaptered, epic-proportioned (and quite likely out-of-control) story titled A New Definition of Family. It occurred to me that I had a nice little story arc for Viktor and Hermione occurring among all the other pairings in that story, and that it just might stand on its own. Let me know what you think!

This story was rec'ed at thegoldenseeker


( A Matter of a Lifetime )

It seems that someone by the name of MysteriousDarkSoul is plagiarizing stefynik's drawings!!! MysteriousDarkSoul's profile on Deviant Art states s/he is from the United States. Stefynik lives in Italy.

Here is one example: This is a drawing I suspect was copied: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/48133752/

And here is the original by Stefynik: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19005142@N00/105460246/

And another picture copied: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47708696/

And the original by Stefy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19005142@N00/184996131/

There are MANY more (10 in all) examples if you check out the links below and compare.

For an overview of MysteriousDarkSoul's gallery at DeviantArt:
http://mysteriousdarksoul.deviantart.com/gallery/

Stefy's work is most easily viewable at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19005142@N00/

Hee! Thanks to monique_27 I took this little quiz and was NOT surprised by the results at all.

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Drama Nerd   You sure do love the spotlight and probably have a very out-going and loud personality. Or not. That's just a stereotype, of course. Participation in the theatre is something to be very proud of. Whether you have a great voice for musicals, or astounding skills for dramas/comedies; keep up the good work. We need more entertainment these days that isn't television and video games (not that these things are bad, necessarily.)
Literature Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
Musician
Artistic Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

I was driving home from work and I suddenly had this thought, out of the blue, no idea where it came from... about Snape and Harry Potter.

What if... now stay with me here as I jump onto the runaway train of speculation... what if...

Snape is somehow related to James Potter?!

Like, what if Eileen Prince and James's mum were, oh I dunno... SISTERS or COUSINS or something? And she married well (into the pureblooded Potter clan) so James was raised in some amount of privilege... and Eileen married, well Tobias Snape, the Muggle, and struggled the rest of her life, forcing poor Severus to be raised in poverty and abuse???!!!

Well, wouldn't THAT explain why Snape loathed James so much and transferred that to Harry?

Whew. I'm glad to have that off my chest. My poor brain cells have been overheated lately in the hot desert sun. I guess they started to fire randomly and I came up with this. Heh.

Let me know what you think, f-list!

Hey f-list,

I just read two articles with some pretty interesting theories on the big question: WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN BOOK 7?

Lots of interesting and intelligent thoughts in these... fun to read and soon, very soon *rubs hands together in fiendish glee* we will KNOW all the answers... but until then, enjoy!

Article the first

Article the second