So, an update...

[valis2]

Came back to the usual defriending/friending (well, when you're gone 30 days, you expect one but not the other, so that was pleasant).

Forgot my camera, so last year's pics will have to suffice.

Came back to an astonishing thing...the wonder that is florence_craye sent me a squid/cuttlefish blanket!!! (!!!) THANK YOU!!! It is majestic and oceanic and I will treasure it always as I cuddle my cuttlefish within its fleecey folds. *adores*

Am trying to catch up on LJ, as I finish sorting out pictures of Barbies for the Barbie Pantheon post, which is upcoming. I'm through the C's at this point. whew!

I also had the very strange experience of being in a hotel in Missouri and suddenly hearing something about Harry Potter on CNN (turned out, it was the release date for DH). Strange, though, because in my head I always think, well, if I can't see it nothing is happening, la la la, and I always forget that the rest of the world likes HP too, not just LJ fen. heh.

Reread HBP (finally!) while on the trip. Wow. I had several thoughts while I was reading it, and cannot remember any of them, except I thought it was rather cruel of Ginny to trip Ron when all he wanted was a little peck on the cheek from Fleur. In fact, I am still a little surprised by the Weasley clan's rather extreme reaction to Fleur. She didn't sound particularly awful to me.

I had nearly the same reaction at the end, which went something like this: aaah, oh noes, how could you do that, Severus? And with such a steely calm. You're a badass, that's for certain. I'll bet you know some Dark Bedroom Magic as well.

I missed everybody, in short. I was at a different show this year, only five days instead of fifteen, and did not get to hang out with my Afghani buddy, nor did I eat delicious Afghani food, nor witness a casually horrific tooth-loss incident.

Also, I ended up with a nasty sinus infection the day BEFORE we began setup. I was so sick the first day of the show that I wanted to pelt customers with loose change.

I only have one story, honestly, and it didn't even happen to me, but to my WI friend.

She was shopping at a booth and the owners of said booth were a particularly energetic, elderly Italian couple. My friend related to me what happened.

Strange guy: Hello. How much is this [item]?
Italian guy: [relates price in very strong Italian accent]
Strange guy: Hmm.
Italian guy: Is this-a for your-a sweetheart?
Strange guy: I do not have a sweetheart. In fact, my sweetheart dumped me four years ago. For four years I have not had a girlfriend. I have not looked at a woman, except for my mother, my sister, and my nieces [touches Italian woman on arm as he says this]. I don't know why she dumped me. She dumped me. I have not been on a date for four years.
Italian guy: Four-a years?
Strange guy: Yes, I will not talk to a woman, except for my mother, my sister, and my nieces [touches Italian woman on arm once again]. I would buy this [item] for myself, not for my sweetheart. I would not give this to her ever. I would rather shoot myself than give this to her.
Italian guy: No shoot-a yourself!

You can't make this stuff up, honestly.

Comments

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

YAY, welcome back!! I'm glad you liked the blanket, too. For some reason, I thought you were coming back to 2nd so I sent it a little early. But I'm glad it waited for you. *hugs* May it keep you warm and cuttley this winter. I have one made from the same fabric... we're twins now.

LOL Snape so knows the Dark Bedroom Magic. *giggle*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I *adore* the blanket. I think Snape does too. *laughs* I took pictures, and will be revealing its Beauteous Cuttle Goodness to everyone else very soon.

*hugs and squees*

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Yay! The blankets (I've made a lot of them) are very popular with our kitties. I hope yours didn't have too much hair on it. Charlie was sleeping near it, so it might have that "other kitty" smell that cats find so interesting. lol