The Adult Space Child Free Podcast

Skepchicks, I lurve ya’s for telling it like it is.

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:28:26 +0000

Skepticism extends beyond used cars, religion, and diet fads. It is, essentially, having an active BS meter armed with accurate-as-we-can-manage knowledge about the world we live in, and giving a second look at everything, including our own cultural assumptions.

The Skepchicks just posted an article about several of the things that make me not want to ever be pregnant. I think they only left out the likelihood of episiotomy and other post-pregnancy sexual changes, the risk of permanent but generally low-level incontinence (urinary or fecal), and that one also pisses oneself during delivery.

Please, forward their link around. It may educate someone who “never saw that bit on TV.” Arm your BS meters, people. Then make your choices.

Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out.

Feed shift to new website

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:11:21 +0000

Due to some unexpected alterations and with the generous help of Chris Lester, author podcaster of the Metamor City podcast fiction yumminess, I’m rebooting the podcast over to the much simpler to remember URL: http://gettingby.net/podcast and forwarding the old feed to this page through iTunes. I say I’m doing this with the definition of “Chris Lester did this on my behalf to prevent my not-so-inner techtard from messing things up.” If you don’t use iTunes, you need to go to the new site and resubscribe through your podcatcher of choice. Also, if you see Chris at a con, buy him a cookie or something as a thank-you.

Expect short PSA/promo files to come down the feed as I test out everything.

In the due course of time, all the links on this site to the podcast files put out through Farpoint Media will break. I’m repodcasting my 5 “best of” episodes from each of the 3 years of the show over at the new site. The rest will be lost to podosphere history and my backup disk. If there’s another episode that you simply must regain access to, email me for the file.

Another interview, on another feed, on another topic…

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:36:00 +0000

If you head over to the Steampod podcast, I just intervied Gail Carriger, a childfree author whose first steampunk novel comes out this fall. There’s an on-page player and a download link. I can’t wait for her book to come out. Gah! Gah, I say again!

The next episode of TASCF will come out at the end of this week. If any of you will be at Kublacon this weekend, DM/PM/comment/text/email me!

Non-post for file transfer…

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 16 May 2009 18:15:54 +0000

This is not the TASCF blog entry you’re looking for. Move along. New episode next week. When this material is aired properly, I’ll tell all of you and provide linkage to that show.

Chris M: Here are the files and show notes more directly.

Show notes:
The first 1 ½ minutes of the interview have mild echo and noise issues. These unfortunate effects cease and do not recur after the initial 90 seconds.

Links to Chris Fisher’s other work can be found at the (desperately requiring aesthetic renovation) site, http://www.gettingby.net or by searching chrisfixedkitty on Twitter, Flickr, Etsy, Livejournal, or Ravelry.

Links to Gail Carriger’s projects and blog can be found at http://www.gailcarriger.com , and her novel can be preordered at http://www.amazon.com/Soulless-Parasol-Protectorate-Gail-Carriger/dp/0316056634

Note to Chris M.: Please check my stereo/mono acceptability on the intro and the interview. Also, please add your end-bumper. I didn’t want to stick mp3’d material into a wav for re-mp3ing.

First file, the intro (linky for right-click download): http://www.gettingby.net/index_files/CarrigerIntro.wav

The big file, (linky for download): http://www.gettingby.net/index_files/GailCarriger-edited.wav

Toldja tech hates me. ;P
CF

TASCF-Ep067_GbyeFarpointMediaFamily

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:59:44 +0000

TASCF is leaving Farpoint Media, so enjoy the closing tag music, because the message will change. No podosphere drama, and I’m welcome back. Explanation in the audio. The feed may be altered, particularly if you’re using a phone to download your mp3s. iTunes SHOULD be ok. Here’s hoping.

Docs… allergy/ear not equalizing but not infected/for CFS I’m going back on the meds at half dose… we’ll see how it goes.

Anyone attending Kublacon at the end of the month? It’s in the San Jose, CA area, and woot! My first gaming con. Any advice?

Life off the antivirals… State of the Chris-blech, but with ferrets!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/sets/

Painting a few miniatures, working out some maps for a D&D 3.5 game that DH and I are currently worldbuilding, which is enough fun for us even if it goes unplayed.

My etsy store is restocked! Please take a look and see the sparklies, and should you feel like adopting some of them, use the code stated in the podcast!

Episode 69 is coming. Surely some of you would like to send me a fun comment to read for that momentous episode, an impertinent question, or a show intro that pimps your own project.

Happy Things:
http://childfreedom.blogspot.com/2009/03/top-100-reasons-not-to-have-kids-and.html Um, I think I’m done with the podcast now! They’ve pretty much covered it!

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf some has explained it well. May 12- ME/CFS awareness day… be aware, don’t be a jerk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJRzBpFjJS8 Pregnant women are smug song.

Trade list April 2009

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:41:30 +0000

Yes, we’re all a little broke or at least cagey with our spending these days. That doesn’t mean we’re resourceless! I have a long list of items to trade for another long list of items I want below. I’d like to trade for roughly equal values, but I’m open to stretching the posted values or making partial trade/partial sales. Please propose your trade by contacting me at podcast@gettingby.net or at LiveJournal/Ravelry to ChrisFixedKitty.

Stuff I have to trade that you might want:

1. Things I’ve already posted on my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5744719 and can unlist for trade. My sellername is chrisfixedkitty.

2. I’ve posted a set on Flickr of stitch markers, row markers, and jewelry that I have yet to post on Etsy, as well as some toys, craft supplies, etc. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/sets/

3. Custom work similar to above but different color, size, etc. I also have lots of veggie/herb seeds, and if there’s more in the packet than I’m using this year, I’d be happy to trade!

Stuff I want:

1. Knitting category (yard minimums listed, usually would happily take more than that yardage)
a. Vogue Knitting Winter 2008/2009
b. Blank (KP?) yarn to dye- superwash or very soft
c. Amigurumi of cupcakes, onigiri (riceballs), squid, octopi, cthulhu, especially any unstuffed or stuffed with pincushion stuff. Other amigurumi? Whatcha have?
d. A trial use of SOAK, no scent. I think it’s called Aqua. Just want to try it, so last use or 2 of a bottle is fine.
e. Yarn: not pink/orange/purple/grey. 120+ yard remnants forDK/sport, 220+ yards ok for most others. Laceweight, worsted, or bulky… watcha got?
f. DK or heavier remnants for mini-sweater/mittens/sock Xmas ornament project. Same color restrictions as in e, 20+ yards fine.
g. Cascade Pastaza, Superwash Quatro, or Sierra Quatro yarn, same color restrictions as in e, 300+ yards.
h. Di.Ve Autunno yarn, same color restrictions as previous item. 1+ skeins.
i. Rowan Tapestry yarn, same color restrictions as previous item. 1+ skeins.
j. Nature Wool by Araucania, #19 Chocolate. 2+ skeins.
k. Artyarns… I love almost all their yarn. Whatcha have?
l. Have other not all-acrylic yarn? Whatcha have?

2. Crafty costumey category
a. Haircloth interfacing, especially fusible. Sometimes called “Tailor’s Pride” or “Tailor’s interfacing”
b. Neat pincushions that aren’t tomatoes, strawberries, or baby/child-cutesy. Pincushion innards.
c. Amigurumi of cupcakes, onigiri (riceballs), squid, octopi, cthulhu, especially any unstuffed or stuffed with pincushion stuff. Other amigurumi? Whatcha have?
d. Old watches, watch or clock parts, vintage jewelry, especially nonplastic haircombs!
e. Scupley clay, any color or version. Remnants fine as long as still workable.
f. Steampunk/Edwardian/Victorian or 1940sesque stuff, whatcha have?
g. Buttons, beading wire, or antique tone brass, copper, or silver beads.
h. Lampwork or dichroic glass beads or focal pieces. Stone beads, whatcha have?
i. Magazines- Cooking or baking (not Lite), Beading, Sewing, or Knitting. Whole magazines are preferred but not entirely necessary.

3. Other stuff category
a. Any item/similar to one on my Amazon wishlist at http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/GKQ2TD258PKD
b. Japanese tea bowls, screens, or cookbooks in English.
c. D&D books version 3.5, not PHB, Complete Adventurer, or Arms and Equipment Guide.
d. Heirloom veggie seeds. Rhubarb, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, or red currant seeds. If local, plant pots, saucers, or ladybugs.
e. Fountain pens, ink, blotters
f. Gift certificates from SockDreams, Amazon, or Knitpicks, or other stores you think I’d like.

TASCF-066_ForGaryandSheli

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:26:22 +0000

This episode got posted thanks to Gary and Sheli. Thanks for listening, and thanks even more for nagging me as requested! I need that sometimes.

Contraceptive News this week!

Happy Things: GPS for trail via REI member dividend. Geocaching, thanks to listeners who sent info and advice. We’ll be using geocaching as a way of organizing the regular short walking to get me back into as healthy a shape as possible for work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4&eurl=http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/yarn-in-tights/402704/1-25 ZOMG, and gets even better at 50 seconds.

OK, laters!
CF

TASCF-065-5_NotDeadNews

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:26:36 +0000

Nope, I’m baa-aack! Read previous blog posts for details.
This is a feed test as much as an “I’m not dead” post. Resubscribing may be necessary in the near future. Check this page for whether that’s happening and other details.

Happy Things: free tools, ferrets and finishing crafts (pics on my flickr), and the next show should be out at the end of the week.

Take care, guys!
CF, signing out.

Voice back, now for the energy level…

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:46:34 +0000

Tree pollen season has ebbed enough to allow me to speak again. Unfortunately, that took a whole week, and this week I’ve been crashing around 2pm each day. I’m not entirely sure if I’m fighting off some lowgrade something or if I’m backsliding after the first stressor after the antivirals have well and truly left my system. I didn’t even get to the grocery store during the week this week; I’m just fading out mid-day. Wah. I missed a dance this weekend that I had been looking forward to for months, it’s just a craptastic 2 weeks, y’know?

That said, I recorded an interview for this show and another interview for the steampunk show in the mornings this past week. So more TASCF is coming, probably late this week/early next week. If you’re looking forward to it, or if you just want to nag me to get the sound editing done, it would be motivating to know that there are listeners out there.
CF

Ye gads, I’ve been taken out by a tree!

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:09:05 +0000

To be more specific, no episode is going out this weekend because tree pollen counts have risen beyond my allergy medications’ abilities to cope. I have gone froggy-throated from drainage (TMI?), with a high chance of voicelessness by tomorrow. If I still can’t talk by Tuesday, I’ll put out the prerecorded PSA.

At least half of the next show was already recorded, so it should still go out next week!
Talk to you soon (I hope!),
CF

For new listeners, the “best of” lists

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:40:19 +0000

Particularly for new listeners who want to hopscotch through the archives to get a feel for the show, I have selected 5 episodes from each year that seemed of most enduring interest. The links go to the permanent pages of the episodes, which have the download and player buttons for the mp3.

Year 1, March 2006-March 2007: Here are 5 of my favorite interviews from the first year that can quickly catch new listeners up. My audio skills got better over time, thank goodness!
1. Jerry Steinberg, founding non-Father of the No Kidding! social organization, part 1
2. Jerry Steinberg, founding non-Father of the No Kidding! social organization, part 2
3. Dr. Wendy Casper discusses a recent study on singles and family-friendly policies, very applicable to childfree folks in the workplace.
4. Laura Ciaccio, law student, blogger, and one of No Kidding’s national spokespersons discusses her CF life.
5. Ian and Snippage. Ian and I discuss our very different experiences getting fixed.

Year 2, March 2007-March 2008:
1. TASCF-Ep046 News and Issues with LT and Vinny
2. TASCF-Ep047 News and Jerry S returns
3. TASCF-Ep048 Site news and Matthew of Off Topic Talk
4. TASCF-Ep051 PeterRios-ComicGeekSpeak
5. TASCF-Ep053 George Hrab part 1 and TASCF-Ep054 Back George Hrab2

Year 3, March 2008-March 2009:
1. CFS cry for help from the podosphere. This brief PSA is in the list to explain the health context of my CF life. It’s applicable to all episodes starting in January 2007 as far as context goes, but I am no longer seeking help trying to get into clinical trials or specialists’ offices.
2. TASCF Ep057: Childfree Step-parents
3. TASCF-Ep058-MinxPolyamoryWeekly
4. TASCF-60 Ginger Campbell, MD of the Brain Science Podcast
5. TASCF-065:3 years of TASCF, Juanzetta Flowers interview Technically the first show of year 4, but definitely something new listeners should hear.

Thanks for listening! CF out.

TASCF-065:3 years of TASCF, Juanzetta Flowers interview

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:26:27 +0000

3 year anniversary! My “Best of” Lists will be blogged next week, next podcast in 2 weeks. This episode’s interview is with Juanzetta, whom I know through Ginger Campbell of the Brain Science and the Books and Ideas podcasts. http://www.docartemis.com/docartemis2007/

Reading short stories again, James Tiptree, Jr. collection.

Happy Things:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyuqtOuljSw&eurl=http://lj-toys.com/?journalid=611708&moduleid=31&preview=&auth_token=sessionless:1235534400:embedcontentiurl=http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/XyuqtOuljSw/hqdefault.jpg
Oktapodi animation on Youtube is very funny and sweet.

Stitches West report…. picture of pretty new yarn bowl (from Sunrise Mountain on Etsy) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/3311594219/ I now have yarn for the year’s projects, and you can see the finished ones
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/3276262118/in/set-72157613735535558/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/3324445475/in/set-72157614737660402/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/3276256044/in/set-72157613735535558/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/3275436241/in/set-72157613735535558/
and some progress pictures on my flickr page. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/sets/

Smell of lemon blossoms, tree indoors so flowers turn to small fruits before wind blows them to bits. I think I might have a significant lemon crop by fall! Counting chickens, er, lemons, but…

Season 3 of Babylon 5. Good show

Colored pencils restocked! (friend’s junk.. yay!) highlighting, todo and grocery lists… yay!

Stitches West notes from 2009

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:27:58 +0000

For future reference of myself and other yarn enthusiasts, here are my notes from Stitches West 2009, while my head can still remember the context of all my scribbles, etc.

Patterns: White Lies Designs (.com) “Celebrating Shapely Women” had some really lovely tops/cami’s. Sadly, I am more on the lithe than the shapely side by their definition, but one of their cami’s would look really great on me over a sports tank. Maybe if I used really small needles and laceweight?

There was another place that my local yarn buddy has patterns from with a longsleeve or shortsleeve tunicky sweater, but I don’t have the link now. I’ll edit this site into this post or the comments later.

Accessories: Oregon Wood Worker had lovely tabletop swifts. www.yarnswifts.com and I got a great deal on a ball winder, so I won’t have to keep borrowing!

Laceweight yarns: Mountain Colors Handpainted Yarns has Winter Lace Silk feels REALLY nice. 1200 yard hand-painted skeins. Locally/online at Purlescence, Marin Fiber Arts, and maybe Yarn Barn.

Shekinah’s Alplacas (.com) had laceweight in the 3 natural alpaca colors (light tan, medium brown, and dark walnut). Amusingly, each skein is labeled with the name of the individual alpaca from which that fleece was shorn. The non-laceweights weren’t as soft. They’re semi local in Gilroy, CA.

Lisa Souza (lisaknit.com) has, among her handpainted glory, Baby alpaca laceweight handpaint. I bought some light golden-peachy-cream, very subtle. Like a cloud.

Note correction: beige/peach/sage multi-toned silk/linen was from Anzula (etsy). Keep an eye for this softness in future, as opposed to the Fibranatura linen laceweight, Flax, which felt very very scratchy and I didn’t like the colors I saw there that day.

Valley Yarns had 2 lines of laceweight on fairly cheap cones, solid colors, 2/14 Alpaca Silk and Colrain Lace. These felt ok, and if I needed solid colors for a big project on a budget, I’d seek these out.

Tactile Studios had a Tussah Silk Laceweight in Algae, sorrel, kelp, and ginkgo colorways. NIIICE colors! Mrmmmmm, Tussah silk…. They also had a 40/60 Superwash Merino/Linen blend that I liked for feel, which may or may not have ben laceweight.

Brooks Farm Yarn Primero is an incredible soft, nonscratchy mohair laceweight.

There were some studios where everything was soft, and I will be ordering from them someday when I’ve used up my stash:
Miss Babs(.com), of the many Ravelry ads of beauteous handpaints. Her miniskeins of 2-ply sock superwash seem like a fun way to multicolor a project that calls for anything close to that weight. Also, many pretty multibrown+X mixes!

Verb for Keeping Warm was wonderful. The natural dyes had a lot of softer handpaint colors, less bold or dark, that would be gorgeous and possibly more office-wearable than the more crayola handpaints. I particularly liked Magic Bean and Tidepool.

There was a stand with reasonably-ok-soft handdyes that were very affordable and included colorways I like and don’t find very often: coloraturayarns.com I spent most of my Stitches money at this booth and can’t wait to use the 3 colorways I bought here (madscientist/soft olive/greys, autumn, and a sort of peachy seaside sunrise). Pics will go on my flickr as I start these projects. Mainly DK/sport/WW with some boucle. Wish they had brought Aranweights, but I’ll check with them online when I finally get to needing that.

Finally, the specific yarn lines that were soft at booths where not everything was particularly soft or beautiful:
I found a few replacements for Noro-like beauteous color banding that were cheaper: Universal Yarns Inc has a Classic Shades line that is also softer. Wisdom Yarns had Poems Sock (meh, ok feeling), Poems (ok) Limerick (WAY softer than Noro), and Sonnet (wool silk, lovely feel, great colors). Brooks Farm Yarn Solo Silk (50/50, 400 yards) was very like a skinny version of Noro in handpaints.

Creatively Dyed had 3 very soft lines: Baby, Soft, and Flavor. The rest were also beautiful but not so soft.

Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine was a nice-feeling fingering. Really, baby alpaca is like chocolate. It makes just about everything better.

unwindyarns.ca had a Sheep Into Rainbows Fingering Handpaint that I quite liked.

If I decide to look for a good multibrown worsted again on the cheaper-than-handpaints, I’m seeking Universal Yarn Inc.’s Classic Worsted Tapestry. I don’t think that’s going to be this year, however.

I am set for yarn for the year, I think. At least with cash. Trading is still fine, of course, as long as I’m still actively using up what I have.

OK, that’s everything, I think. I will definitely attend next year!
CF out.

TASCF-Ep064_FebruaryCatchup

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:39:51 +0000

Childfre web stuff: http://twitter.com/ChildfreeOnline a reason a day, tweeted straight to you. Some fun, some serious.

Fun essay from a mid-30s female:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/02/04/biological.clock.broken/index.html
By Colleen Kane

2 articles from the journal Conception. The instructions need improvement, and women vary in ovulation timing.

The Lucrezia costume sold, and I have an extensive wanna-trade? list up with lots of photos at http://gettingby.net/blog/nfblog/2009/02/february-2009-trade-list/ This has helped me acquire most of the yarn for this year’s gifting. Stitches 2009 is this weekend, and there’s one last person for whom I want something else instead of what I have.

Happy Things:
I’m not sick anymore! Man, that was evil and dragged on! My birthday party went well, and my friends get along. Unemployment guilt has been oddly alleviated.

http://www.chickenalaska.com/chicken/index.html is hilarious and the basis of a dinner party I’m planning.

New glasses time! I really love picking out the new functional-jewelry-on-your-face for the next 1-2 years!

Next week: 3 years of TASCF! An interview and soonish, a top-5 list of each year. Any shows you think belong on this list?

Ok, next show next week. Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out

February 2009 trade list

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:27:06 +0000

Stuff I have to trade that you might want:
1. Things I’ve already posted on my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5744719 and can unlist for trade

3. There are some additional jewelry bits not yet posted on Etsy in this set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/sets/72157611110506675/

4. Custom work similar to above but different color, size, etc.

5. Starbucks gift card with $15.75 credit remaining. A gift, and I don’t drink coffee.

6. An old iRiver IFP-895 stick, 512 MB without associated software but with the belt clip and lanyard. Still powers up with AA battery, but I can’t convince my PC to read it and I’ve lost the driver software. Great mic for podcasting, though! Roughly $20, I think?

Stuff I want that you might have:
1. Knitting category (yard minimums listed, usually would happily take more than that yardage)
a. Part of Vogue Knitting Winter 2008/2009, the abbreviation&chart key and Green Iiris pattern pages
b. Blank yarn to dye
c. 5, 7, 8, 9 non metal DPNs
d. Amigurumi of cupcakes, onigiri (riceballs), squid, octopi, cthulhu, especially any unstuffed or stuffed with pincushion stuff. Other amigurumi? Whatcha have?
e. SOAK, no scent. I think it’s called Aqua. Just want to try it, so last use or 2 of a bottle is fine.
f. Laceweight yarn, not scratchy, not pink/orange/purple/grey. 400+ yard remnants fine.
g. DK or heavier remnants for mini-sweater/mittens/sock Xmas ornament project. Same color restrictions as f, 20+ yards fine.
h. Cascade Pastaza, Superwash Quatro, or Sierra Quatro, same color restrictions as f, 300+ yards.
i. Di.Ve Autunno yarn, same color restrictions as f. 1+ skeins.
j. Rowan Tapestry yarn, same color restrictions as previous item. 1+ skeins.
k. Nature Wool by Araucania, #19 Chocolate. 2+ skeins.
l. Artyarns Supermerino- Capuccino colorway. 400 yards+.
m. Amigurumi of cupcakes, onigiri (riceballs), squid, octopi, cthulhu, especially any unstuffed or stuffed with pincushion stuff. Other amigurumi? Whatcha have?
n. Have other not all-acrylic yarn? Whatcha have?

2. Crafty costumey category
a. Haircloth interfacing, especially fusible. Sometimes called “Tailor’s Pride” or “Tailor’s interfacing”
b. Neat pincushions that aren’t tomatoes, strawberries, or baby/child-cutesy. Pincushion innards.
c. Amigurumi of cupcakes, onigiri (riceballs), squid, octopi, cthulhu, especially any unstuffed or stuffed with pincushion stuff. Other amigurumi? Whatcha have?
d. Old watches, watch or clock parts, vintage jewelry, especially nonplastic haircombs!
e. Scupley clay, any color or version. Remnants fine as long as still workable.
f. Fountain pens, ink, blotters
g. Steampunk/Edwardian/Victorian or 1940sesque stuff, whatcha have?
h. Buttons, beading wire, or antique tone brass, copper, or silver beads.
i. Lampwork or dichroic glass beads or focal pieces. Stone beads, whatcha have?
j. Magazines- Cooking or baking (not Lite), Beading, Sewing, or Knitting. Whole magazines are preferred but not entirely necessary. Let me know which issues in request, ok?

3. Other stuff category
a. Any item on my Amazon wishlist at http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/GKQ2TD258PKD and yes, I do like used books better! No creasing guilt!
b. Used mp3 player with a pause function that holds the place through poweroff, any memory size. Must have associated software.
c. Japanese tea bowls, screens, or cookbooks in English.
d. D&D books version 3.5, not PHB, Complete Adventurer, or Arms and Equipment Guide.
e. Heirloom veggie seeds. Raspberry, strawberry, or red currant seeds. If local, plant pots or ladybugs.
f. Gift certificates from SockDreams, Amazon, or Knitpicks, or other stores you think I’d like.

Hope we can help each other out!
CF

Yay! I’m finally better!

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:17:09 +0000

That just dragged on for way too long. OK, now to work on podcasting, now that I sound normal again.

Expect a post with pics of knitted things, shiny things, and a big trade have/seeking list with photo links in a few days. I know we’re all short on cash, but perhaps the stuff you have is the stuff I’m looking for and vice versa!

Ugh. Nyquil level sick.

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:41:41 +0000

The podcast will not be going out late this week, but rather, early next week. I feel wretched when I am awake. Nyquil tends to fix the awake part. Back soon,
CF

TASCF-063-Hello 2009!

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:54:33 +0000

3 news items:
1. Bowling Green Group now meeting,
2. http://iheartguts.com/recall/index.htm the Uterus recall (hee!)
3. http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/01/17/ooopsshe-did-it-again-anticontraception-nurse-take-womens-wombs-her-own-hands It has reached a point where it almost makes sense to ask each health care provider what their definition of abortion is before you let them treat you….. Those of you using IUDs and other device-based birth control, be careful and attentive to your providers’ attitudes toward your choices. And not only to switch providers but to complain about this BS to their superiors with the words “unacceptable” and possibly “negligent” in those complaints.

Comments on the new audio setup?

The Inlaws visit was really nice, tiring, but good.

New Year’s Resolutions: Getting healthy and get employed again is really my one big goal, but it’s not entirely up to me and my efforts, and I don’t know how to plan that out. And I miss that feeling of having the plan, of starting a new program and booyah taking charge.

I have a bunch of birthday and Xmas gift knitting projects for the year. To fund the yarn purchases, I’m selling the Girl Genius “Lucrezia” costume (see previous blog post), but the annual gifting will be cheaper for it! Look at the previous post for details. In order to drum up some more Etsy sales to afford the rest of this year’s yarn, I will rebate 20% of the item price if you enter the code “yarn1” with your order, now through Feb 15. http://www.Etsy.com , search sellers for chrisfixedkitty, all one word.

Happy Things…
-Stitches West and yarn-birthday joy. Photos of projects as I finish them!
-Next show’s interview raw files… really pleased. Catch it in 2 weeks!
-Garden… in 2 more weeks, start planting indoor seedlings for spring. Love watching them poke up through the dirt!! Also, starting a worm-bin for composting soon. Cheap setup, supposed to be v ery low smell, veggie scraps to enrich dirt. Eco-goodness!

Welcome to 2009!
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out.

Lucrezia Heterodyne costume for sale

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:35:57 +0000

Lucrezia Heterodyne costume for sale by broke GBACG member (as posted to the GBACG)

This costume was worn to Costume Con 26 in San Jose, but now I need to raise money for 2009 gifting craft supplies. I hope another fan can use it for the upcoming PEERS Girl Genius dance in April, Wondercon and other cons, etc.

Some detail reference pages from the online comic:
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060602
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060331
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060407
Photos from Costume Con 26:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8638651@N07/2441785681/in/set-72157604736441771/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8638651@N07/2443244545/in/set-72157604746354085/
The costume as shown on the Girl Genius cosplay site:
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/gallery/cosplay.php?date=20080801

I’m selling the corset cover/bodice, knickers, 2 molded and painted trilobite brooches, and the lined coat with interfaced mantle and beaded/ silver thread sleeve embroidery at the cuffs (done by hand) for $70. You can pickup or $7 for s/h through USPS.

The corset cover has 2 pant hooks in the back and closes completely at a 32-34 inch bust and a 26-27 inch waist. The top hook could be moved to get 2.5 more inches. The waist hook could be replaced with elastic to get a few more inches without changing the look in front. I placed 3 U-hooks at roughly 2, 6, and 10 o’clock to keep the cover attached and above the corset level.

The knickers have cheery lace trim at waist and legs. The waist is elastic, 25 inches unstretched, 45 inches at maximum stretch. The legs are also elastic at the cuffs to maintain poofiness, 11 inches unstretched, 17 inches at maximum stretch.

The coat body is lined with cotton velveteen for comfy warmth. The sleeves have an elastic band to keep them floating so that fingertips just barely show below the double-cuff and silver thread embroidery. The coat is 37 inches from neck to bottom along the center of the back.

For $100, I’ll throw in the matching beaded velveteen slippers (roughly size 8-8 ½), the black goggles with green lenses, and a third trilobite brooch. If you want to complete the outfit in the same way, you can get the socks from Sock Dreams and the goggles from the Girl Genius website ($ plus s/h). The hatbox as bag isn’t Girl Genius canon, but I picked it up at Michael’s and added the strap.

Want to try on or see pictures of specific details? Email me for any additional information at chris@gettingby.net. I’m in Newark, just off the Dumbarton Bridge/880.

Thanks,
Chris Fisher.

My iRiver is dead. All hail the iRiver.

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:52:39 +0000

The warning signs didn’t lie. Poor ol’ thing’s HD doesn’t even hum a bit when trying to power up. *sniff* It was a lovely lil box while it lasted. I had just recorded 2 things for other folks and transferred them to my PC, so you may hear my voice elsewhere very soon; I’ll post links when that happens.

Also, the short TASCF silence into January won’t last long. I owe a great deal of thanks to a fellow podcaster who sold me her used Verra Niiice recording equipment “for whatever [I] could afford”. Thank you, and thank you to all relatives who gave me money for Xmas. My car battery and my podcast thank you. I also owe thanks to my crafting buddy, who gave me her “it came free with the headphones” mp3 player that she doesn’t use. So I remain a podcaster and a listener!

The circle of charity is a strange one, because this weekend we’re feeding and sheltering someone who has to drive crosscountry back home because months of jobhunting where he had been laid off weren’t fruitful. I firmly believe what I told him: Don’t worry about it. We all get through the rough times together. We do the best we can. Sometimes we’re paying forward into the Help Pot, and sometimes we’re paying back, but we are all in this together.

Best of luck to all in 2009, and may all your efforts pay off. Talk to you soon, CF

Episode 62- Schnappy Holly Daze

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:35:31 +0000

Episode 62- Schnappy Holly Daze

Lots o’stuff happening around Casa Fixed Kitty. I briefly outline the bad, the good, and the hectic.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Brilliant Gameologists podcast: http://brilliantgameologists.com
My Etsy store of sparkly crafts needing a new home: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5744719
My Amazon wishlist (cuz you all feel compelled to send me prezzies. Heh!): http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/GKQ2TD258PKD

OK, folks, it’s time for me to collapse. The visiting folks arrive tomorrow. Gotta blast.
Next episode in 2009 and back up to the bimonthly schedule.

Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out for 2008

I can haz Etsy!

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:08:56 +0000

I’m still loading stuff into the store, but I thought I’d share now.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
chrisfixedkitty.etsy.com

Yes, expect an episode later this week.

No, I guess I don’t get to go to DragonCon this year after all. I’ll tell you in the podcast later this week.

CF out.

Backpack kitty photo

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:05:13 +0000

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisfixedkitty/ has the backpack kitty photo referenced in the previous show.

Yeah, you know I’m behind on all things 2.0. Photos of my jewelry, etc. coming soon!
CF

TASCF-061 Thanksgiving 2008

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:22:52 +0000

Kim of the Geek Pantheon and much other goodness after my own heart: http://geekpantheon.com
Snopes link about ICE phone entries: http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/icephone.asp

Thanks to Gary from Jacksonville for compliments. Again, if you are dissatisfied w audio on interviews and can tell me how to better even them out in Audacity, please do!

Link to F&W Short rib stew recipe: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/short-rib-stew

Picture of cat in backpack: on my Flickr next week, barring further difficulties!

Brilliant Gameologist podcast: http://brilliantgameologists.com/
RPG by-geography board: http://www.penandpapergames.com/

DNA scarf knitting pattern: http://www.twosheep.com/helix/

Happy Thanksgiving, all, no matter where you live!
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out!

Why I’m not Magpie-ing my Twitterstream

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:21:46 +0000

Last night, my husband gave me the one good argument for not doing magpie on my tweet stream that might exist. Some of the people following my tweetstream are those of whom I am a fan, and I probably derive more joy from their slight electronic presence in my life than I would from the small amount of money I expect from magpie. They are also people who probably have an overwhelming # of tweet people and would most understandably get annoyed by spamtweeting and drop me. This was the only good argument presented against the ads, but it was sufficient.

That said, just bringing it up over the last 3 days was an interesting, if unintentional, social experiment. I have 130 friends on twitter. One person expressed understanding w the unemployed-thus-ads stance, one person from my real life dropped me and asked to be notified when I dropped magpie, and not a peep out of the other 128. One commented (Brian Richardson of What the Cast and DragonConTV , a charming fellow) that I’ll “find out soon enough” if everyone hates it, and that probably predicts more accurately most people’s reaction: not willing to say “oh pls don’t do it”, not willing to tell me they’re dropping me before they do, just off into the electronic night without a goodbye.

I have a mixed emotional reaction to this. Part of me feels that I create some decent content on Twitter (quote of the day, purposely keeping ~90% of my tweets just to that which might amuse, bolster, or create discussion) and so 2-3 ads per week is a minimal commercial intrusion for what is provided. Part of me feels that my unemployment grants more allowability to put in the ads, which was seconded by one person. Of course I understand that no one actually wants them to show up. No one is feeling the want of ads, after all, and telling me to put some into the stream.

Then there is the slightly less net-and-CC-belovable emotional reaction. I do try hard to create interesting content, and most of the people who follow me have never said a word to me. That’s a very broadcast-viewer relationship, or at least niche-cast, and I feel I might as well benefit in some way for the goods I provide them. If they have never spoken to me and will drop me for trying to gain some tangible benefit from what they enjoy, what have I really lost (with the possible exception of the people like Phil Plait, etc. to whom I alluded above)? A popularity number? If that number reflects a set who are 1)unwilling to help me out via pardoning the ads while I’m unemployed and 2) who won’t speak to me anyway even to request I not displease them when I have asked them thrice for their opinions on the matter, I would have only lost the fairest-weather friends from the list of followers. It would make my friendset more honestly my friends and weed out those who are not interacting with me, and I cannot say that would be a bad thing outside of the specified exceptions.

There are those who follow the Creative Commons philosophy that everything you produce should be an open gift to all, and the rewards you get will be the greater for it. Outside of my podcast (where the payoff is the meeting of new CF friends and a repayment of my own emotional debt to the childfree listserv that made me feel not-alone when I found it), I only follow this philosophy to the “yes, give them a decent-chunk-of-freebie taste of your book/photography/other project to judge whether they wish to support the rest of your work” extent. I have seen too many photo-emails with the copyright stamps blurred out on the photos or which comprise half of a book without _any_ credit given to the now-lost photographer to be easy with the “open gift” CC philosophy for everything. I also have seen a growth in attitudes of entitlement across American society in the last 15 years, and while Ayn Rand pushed her point to the extreme liberally with a sledgehammer, I do believe that the creation of value/content should benefit the creators. I’d love to talk with other photographers who do follow the CC/net 2.0 model about how well they have made it work, but the opportunity hasn’t come up. Frankly, I suspect the freebie can only ever be a taster/ad/get a name built tip of the iceberg for a fiscally-self-supporting photographer, but I’m open to being shown I’m wrong.

If wanting to benefit tangibly from my creative work is now “crass” to the net community, I can only raise the point that creative people have many things they could do with their creation time instead, such as socializing, other hobbies they enjoy that do not create entertainment for others, their own passive entertainments, life obligations and that paying stuff, sleep, or sex. Yeah, I could spend an evening editing my work for the anonymous public, or I could spend it having a helluva romp with my husband. It’s a spectrum, not a binary choice, but if I start to feel that the producing only drifts off to the bottomless void and that I receive insufficient benefit making it public-worthy and available, I’m going to spend more evenings otherwise occupied.

So what will I be doing to support my upcoming hosting renewal? Putting up a paypal donation button on this blog, signing up for an ad service for my show note blog posts that doesn’t deliver diaper and daycare ads due to strange keywordage with “childfree”, and starting jewelry sales via etsy or the webstore app that comes with my hosting. I would appreciate advice and opinions on all of these points!

Chris the Fixed Kitty

Note: Henry has been reading Jane Austen novels to me in the evening for the last 3 weeks. Please blame any formal anachronisms in the above on her wiggling into my brain rather than any pretentious airs on my part.

CF cartoon today!

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:11:36 +0000

http://www.thedevilspanties.com/ for Nov. 17. We’ve all had this moment.
CF

TASCF-60 Ginger Campbell, MD of the Brain Science Podcast

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:04:37 +0000

Promo by John Cmar: http://www.saintnickanuck.com/

Chris update: 11 hours of sleep/night = the goodness. I’m up to reading comic books and manga, but a recent book reading attempt just left me struggling and not enjoying it. Less than 10h still not leaves me less functional than that and headachy all day. I caught up on the cleaning backlog. My container garden grows lettuce really well . So some improvements are definitely happening, and I haven’t reached the bored point yet.

CF News: Thanks, Erik for letting me know about this one! BGSU Monitor, an online weekly newsletter reports that a Child-free by Choice support group is forming, The initial meeting will be held at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Women’s Center, 108 Hanna Hall. The group will begin regular meetings in the spring and is seeking input and planning help. “Child free” refers to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, who chooses not to have children. The group will provide a supportive environment for discussions of individual life choices, reproductive freedoms and struggles associated with being child-free. Contact Jodi Thomas at 2-2081 (419-372-2081) for further information.

Interview w Ginger Campbell http://virginiacampbellmd.com/ (portal to everything)
Brain Science Podcast: http://docartemis.com/brainsciencepodcast/
Books and Ideas Podcast: http://docartemis.com/blog/category/books-and-ideas-podcast/
Science Podcasters site: http://docartemis.com/sciencepodcasters/

Happy Things: old movie: Babette’s Feast http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babette’s_Feast
Henry has a break this week w comp days, first vacation w brain online most of the time in 2 years. Various errands, including last stockup shopping trip before the holiday season and at least one night w the telescope. If you hear this in time, the annual Leonid meteor shower will peak on Sunday night the 16th. I’m looking forward to a late night picnic w hot cider in thermoses. Mrmmm, good times.

Finally, song suggested by Ian Horner ( http://www.tiltyhouse.com/ ): http://www.archive.org/details/PaulWhitemanwithRamonaDavies
Snippets from this 1934 recording will become intro/outro and maybe even bed music for future episodes unless someone submits something I like better. This song also answers the decades-long question “What are the lyrics in English”?” as regards the opening number of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” in Chinese. And if it isn’t public domain like I think it is, somebody let me know…

Shnazzy all-that-info ender’s debut:
Show notes and comment box at gettingby.net and click podcast
Email: Podcast at gettingby dot net
LJ and Twitter: ChrisFixedKitty
Facebook: Christine Fisher, Silicon Valley
Skype:Gettingbynet

Til next time… Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing off.

TASCF-059 DCon catchup

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:27:26 +0000

Intro by Jack Hosley of Wander Radio

DragonCon recollections and references to Mur Lafferty , Astronomy Cast, Dr. Pamela Gaye, The Year of Astronomy, James Randi, and you can look down a few entries to see the links to the DragonCon pictures.

Happy Stuff: Samurai Jack, Will You Still Love Me if I Wet the Bed? by Liz Prince, and Gloom and Mad Scientist University by Atlas Games.

See you in 2 weeks!
CF

The cobbler’s children have no shoes.

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:54:12 +0000

Despite best intentions, I’m not getting the next epi out before I lose my home internet connection on Tuesday. I have bits for other people who do have regular schedules coming due, and that takes less time, which I do have. Thanks to Nitrolad for help with one of those bits! Also, thanks to Ian for finding some new music for the show!

The good news is that the new ISP has been found and I’m signing up for service hookup for Thursday. We’ll see if their scheduler cooperates. Then you can expect a regular bimonthly podcast from me.

See you on the other side!

I quit my job today

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:21:30 +0000

My last day is October 15. Everyone was very nice about it.

It feels entirely odd; I’ve never quit a job without having already lined up my next job or school or a massive move. It’s the health thing. I’ve now been fighting this thing for 20 months. The medical leave taught me that I function much better when resting adequately. While I’m trying an off-label use of an antiviral that worked well for chronic fatigue patients in a small clinical trial, the trial took 6 months. I just don’t have it in me to hang in that much longer while I wait and see.

It’s going to be fiscally tight, but overall, this is really the best choice for me and Henry at this time. He’s been strongly suggesting it since spring, and now we really know that it will help and that it is more than worth the household belt-tightening to have the non-Zombie version of Chris most of the time. I’m going to get my 10.5 hours of sleep every night and eat healthier because I can wake up in time for the Farmer’s Market on the weekends and we can cook less for “what will feed us for 3 days so we can get through most of the week without cooking?”. I’ll also be napping as much as my body demands and walking down to the Mexican grocery on the corner during the week. I might even get enough concentration back to tackle a few projects with gusto that have on the backburner for nearly a year.

Obviously, this is why I mentioned that this podcast is going to become more regular in the future in the state of the Chris. My internet service has to change companies in mid-October, right when I leave work. If I go silent for a bit, it’s because I’m down to tweeting and emailing from my phone. I may not get direct tweets, but please do email me and say hi!. In the meantime, I’ll be editing shows for release when I’m back up, gardening, napping, and maybe even recreating my homepage that points to all the projects I have going/done on the web.

I feel like I have tied the bungee cord to my ankles and leaned a bit too far forward on a tall bridge. It’s a relief and it’s scary and it doesn’t quite feel real and there is a metaphorical whooshing sound in my ears. This could be a wonderful thing that enables me to get better and take up some old creative projects and the life plan I had 2 years ago. This could be a horrible mistake that I will regret in 5 years. I don’t know. It’s a necessary choice and it seems right with what I know at this moment. So I’m going to water my plants, plant the seedling that I germinated in cups this weekend, and then shower and go to bed.

Take care, be happy, and wish me luck.
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out.

DragonCon pics from other peoples’ Flickrs

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:37:38 +0000

I think I earned the name “Steampunk Ambassador” for all the times I explained “about all the goggles this year” to people. Here are the photos of my costume’s final version from other people’s Flickr sets. If you know of/took other photos of my costume, please send me a link! There were other photographers at the shoot, but there was a lot happening, and the goggles only give me tunnel vision, so I’m not sure who they were…

First, the ivory twenties’ dress that I rebeaded, photo by Jason Adams:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cryptonaut/2811536734/in/set-72157607022482234/

A tribute to Panda of Free Planet X, photo by P.C. Haring:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30754239@N00/2834271893/

This shot is going to be my new web 2.0 icon, thanks to P.C… I just need to crop, upload to the various apps, etc.:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30754239@N00/2834157679/in/set-72157607131240636/

And from Gutshot (ah, web 2.0, which makes “Brandon” sound off, or unfamiliar as a friend’s name):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34791259@N00/2829607134/in/set-72157607062144734/

And the pages with the League of Justice-Minded Citizenry shoot:
Jared Axelrod/JR Blackwell:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planetx/sets/72157607224659259/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planetx/sets/72157607224659259/?page=2
Jason Adams:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cryptonaut/sets/72157607022482234/?page=2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cryptonaut/sets/72157607022482234/?page=3
Stuart:
http://flickr.com/photos/thekinginyellow/sets/72157607067572391/?page=2
http://flickr.com/photos/thekinginyellow/sets/72157607067572391/?page=3
(and some b/w!) http://flickr.com/photos/thekinginyellow/sets/72157607166598983/

It was a blast. I miss everybody, but I hope to see you next year!
CF

State of the Chris

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 04:44:53 +0000

Audio blog, totally unedited. Here’s what’s up.

Costume pics and next podcast episode next week.
CF

Steampunk Catwoman trial run pics

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:25:13 +0000

Here are some pictures of this year’s DragonCon costume. Per the experienced costumer’s tradition, I always test the whole ensemble before the event. In this case, I discovered 2 breakages which were easy to remedy at home but would have been difficult in Atlanta.

League of Justice-Minded Citizenry, beware! The promenade also displays less lofty members of society.

So many months of work. Worth it, although I forgot the cat ears and makeup for the trial run.

The parasol and boots are staying home due to suitcase space limits, replaced by matching slippers, cat ears, and a fan. Should the bustle stay home? The one that’s small enough to pack into a suitcase is very “Natural Forms era” in scope and probably too subtle for the majority of congoers to perceive. It may seem as though I simply have a mutantly oversized arse+hips WRT the rest of me. Opinions? Leave a comment, tweet DM, or email me.

Oh, and if you see a gal in ivory 20s dress and cat ears at Mssr. Sigler’s party or at the Parsecs, say hi and take my picture, OK? I am leaving the photography to others this time around, again due to the space limitations of modern air travel.

CONNNNNN!!!
CF

Finding feed gremlin… twitter posts?

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:01:20 +0000

So a few of you have mentioned that episodes keep redownloading daily in your podcatchers. Juice and Feedburner and Google toolbars seem to be affected. This should be the last post in the twittering category, as I have turned off the daily tweet digest on the blog. If the redownloading continues past tomorrow, please let me know what podcatcher software you are using and I will ask my FPM support to look into it further.
CF

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-21

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Endocrinologist nice, 1 lab in the morning, but not expecting a real lead from it. She was so sorry+concerned 4me I started nearly-crying. #
@mightymur Damned skippy, be proud of that! Very “RRarrr!” kinda gal you’re raising. Keep it up! #
Bat SPOILER question: was I the only person who was sure that each ferry was given the detonator to its own bomb? Am I the lone sicko? #
@mwsmedia Well, if you have to be a sicko, you might as well be good at it? Thank you, sir. #
Chocolate cheesecake has diluted today’s frustration. Warning: I have ramekins and I’m not afraid to use them! By the power of Mascarpone! #
Awake. Can smell the morning. Going for last possible lab test. Seriously. There’s nothing left to test that they can learn from my blood. #
QOTD: “Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.” Sun Tzu, “The Art of War” #
@comics_grrl I see no nav bar. The links at the top have visible box outlines. Hope that helps! #
Off for errands and lunch with friends at Google. I’ve heard so much about their cafeteria… really, it sounds awesome. Time to do some QA! #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-20

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Step one in trimming a hat: Get cats out of room. Step 2: get box of feathers off highest shelf…. #
Henry off to taiko. Time for file transfers, backups, and oh yeah, finishing my costume for next week… I really should finish up… #
@Gutshot The mind boggles, sir. Is the freezer running? #
@Gutshot Sadly, I’m unable to make it Oregon to help out. You’ll have to post pics of this, obviously… #
@PhilippaJane The Tribe is indeed made of teh aw3sum. I just wish we were all on the same coast! #
@CASizemore @philippajane Of course, the actual Pacific coast doesn’t reach 100 degrees regularly, at least not until you get down to LA. #
That’s Fahrenheit. I don’t think even San Diego reaches 100 C. #
@Traeonna Remember that reverse-harem series w the “preet with me (no, me!), +we’ll have different powers?” Sooooo reminiscent. And blatant. #
Nice thing about being on the late coast: all the east coasters have already blocked the twitspammers by the time I read their enotice! #
QOTD (One of my all-time favorites today): “‘Love’ is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” #
-Jubal Harshaw in Robert A. Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land” (and yes, the last of the Heinlein quotes for awhile) #
@mwsmedia It’s all a philosophical plot to induce a greater classic sf awareness! Mwahhahaha! #
@mwsmedia Just understand that most real women are completely different psychologically from his central female characters. #
@mightymur We should all make it our “plane book” for DragonCon, so as to find each other! #
@mwsmedia That comment was not for your benefit, rather obviously, but for that of any adolescent boys following the tweetstream. #
Off to minor errands and new endocrinologist. If you hear female enraged screams echoing from a Californian direction, it did not go well. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-19

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Good day!Overdid walking around Union Square wBrian, but worth it.Met interesting group on train.Watched CodeE episodes on uTube.Sleep now. #
@jrblackwell I would charge, because they are my product. Also, photos can’t promote the photographer’s other work in that context. Ask’em. #
QOTD: “Be your acts legal or illegal, nosy neighbors are noxious.” -Jubal Harshaw in Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land” #
WHINING ALERT: why do I have to feel like crap for overdoing it in muscles I didn’t even use?? I walked, but my arms hurt… wanna cookie. #
@jrblackwell If you have some idea of their intended usage, try the iStock photo prices or Jupiterimages’ pricing for a ballpark. #
@WhatTheCast NBigP. I’m not so much broken as mildly sprained. And it’s my job to notice and obey my limits, not anybody else’s. Bad Kitty. #
McAfee, I should not have to download chat client+spend 15 mins to deselect automatic renewal. No other acnt options require this to change. #
@Nobilis You may be the only one I know who has managed to keep their podscriptions within their listening time allowance. Congrats! #
@mwsmedia FTW, that will be a future Online Delight! #
@cunningminx The interview episode is up:http://gettingby.net/blog/nfblog/2008/08/tascf-ep058-minxpolyamoryweekly/ I sent links in LJ msg. #
@mwsmedia Indeed. Although I still think the chocolate is the best part. #
I’ve spent all day dealing with files and paperwork, and I didn’t even go into work today! Oh, well. Homemade ice cream FTW! #

TASCF-Ep058-MinxPolyamoryWeekly

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:58:45 +0000

No, I haven’t podfaded. Check the “blogging” entries (link on the right sidebar) for the explanation.

Note: while this podcast always has an “explicit” rating, this Adult Space discussion is not entirely safe for work in most cube-type places.

http://dragoncontv.com/ really fun video shorts- Brian, thanks for the intro!

http://www.idoNOTwantkids.com a free kidfree dating site

Peter from Belgium created a childfree dating group on facebook

Reminder: CF Stepparent feedback and additional experiences to be shared next episode, as well as a discussion about what you have made your #1 life priority, aka “what’s your major bonus for being CF this week?” discussion followup.

And our interview: Comparing alternative lifestyles and their effects on our lives: Minx from the Polyamory Weekly podcast. She puts together a well-produced, intelligent show that has TONS of fodder for considering what you want in/out of your relationships, whether you’re monogamous, single, or polyamorous! Great conversation starter for couples who thought they’d already discussed everything. http://polyweekly.com/

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-18

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Hello, week! I met your cousin last week, and he told me all your tricks. So don’t even bother trying anything. #
QOTD: “My geometry teacher’s dead. They’ve still got someone subbing for him in case he comes back.” - Jeremy Hughes #
Cleaning minions running, breakfast toasting, and I’m nearly off to meet @WhattheCast in SF, provided I find parking @BART… wish me luck! #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-17

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

QOTD:”No intelligent man has any respect for an unjust law.Nor does he feel guilt over breaking it. He simply follows the 11th Commandment.” #
-Robert A. Heinlein, “To Sail Beyond the Sunset” #
Congrats to all PPA winners! Off to FM w H. I want the anime series Code E to get a US license+release, dammit. Denno Koil+Kashimashi, too. #
@Knightowl Isn’t it kinda… painfully long for a tattoo? #
@Knightowl I’m more of a paint person than a tattoo person, but even that part might fit better on a bicep, neh? Less pain than wrist, too. #
Home. Lunched. LEGO Indy chapter played. TIme for an episode of something while recovering, then cooking beef stroganoff. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-16

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Hoping H will say those magic words tonight: “It’s Friday, let’s go out.” #
Everybody on No-NME-4Us con, it’s time to gather at the bar!!! #
Awake. Preparing to go see Batman. Yes, I am last to see it. Also Anime club tonight which means new manga4Chris! #
QOTD: “Every culture gets the magic it deserves.” -Dudley Young’s “Origins of the Sacred” #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-15

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@comics_grrl I’d say Buckaroo and Perry should meet, but distance+territoriality… besides, foolishness expands logarithmically. #
@susanz I can’t wait to see it! Skirt became more fun+complicated, mask to go in final materials. LEGO Bats trailer inspiring me now. Squee! #
@SFEley Good luck on the interview! #
There’s a Dunkin Donuts within a few blocks of DragonCon. I will make at least one Bavarian Creme run. Who’s with me? #
@scifirantergirl Wait until somebody holds the inevitable shower. #
QOTD: “Molasses is more necessary to the happiness of human and beast than vinegar…” Gene Stratton-Porter #
@redlog Glad to hear you’ve arrived safely! Good luck with the moving in! #
@Cmaaarrr In related and equally disturbing news: they really CAN’T find it! Poor clit mapping! http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18564153 #
Oops. I think I broke @Cheyennewright with science. *Fanning in his direction and grabbing ice pack* It’s always the quiet ones… #
Heading out to JoAnn’s for $1 Simplicity pattern sale. I have a list. Fear me. Then I will attempt to resist fried chicken on return trip. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-14

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@Cheyennewright Hrmmm,,, an Arcane Times Podcast? #
Hrm, residents aren’t supposed to make noise during quiet hours, but the gardeners can run loud power tools before 9am. Grrrr…. #
QOTD: “Beach smells? Don’t poke among the pebbles.” -Sappho #
No-NME-4Us con, opening panels: Slippers v sockfeet? Is stopping 4 junk food on way home from the store better/worse than line impulse buys? #
Wow! No-NME-4Us con is now a real con by Murphy’s Law of AV Equipment: Netflix shipping dept is down temporarily! (at least my region) #
@scuzzlebot I’m about to run to weekday Farmer’s Market. I have to stop at regular store, and I have KFC coupons. Must- have- willpow- hell. #
No-NME-4Us con Writer’s roundtable: Where do you draw the line between internet research and wasting time/window shopping? #
Weekday FM pathetic. Groceries obtained. KFC resisted, but I did buy a 5″ chocolate cream pie while looking for mascarpone cheese. #
No-NME-4Us con announcement: UPS, USPS, Fedex reps now at the autograph table! #
What’s w all these bad pies lately? First non-pie chicken soup with a top crust, now chocolate cream that tastes like yogurt. Tossing it! #
@katann23 These 3 are convenience/desserts. Perhaps the universe is, despite all the more pressing problems here, worried about our thighs? #
No-NME-4Us con final round of afternoon panels: What to make for dinner tonight, commuter joys, and evening plan discussion. #
@katann23 I second that and raise by a cupcake! #
@Cheyennewright Tosh, sir! Perhaps calling it simply yet accurately “The Arcane Feed of Occasional Phonic Amusements” would suffice? #
Somehow, oiling my sewing machine makes me feel clever and responsible and Sparky beyond what the simple task can reasonably indicate. #
@comics_grrl Sadly, the original Fixed Kitty caught her own whiskers on fire _twice_ as a kitten. She’s not that much smarter now. #
Pod advice needed! Audacity+Levelator, zipped interview. Do I mix+render,export wav,then levelate? Or export wav,levelate,then mix +render? #
@comics_grrl Same kind of singed deal, with asymmetric whiskers=teh clutz and running into doorjambs for 1-2 weeks after. #
@choochus Danke! #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-13

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Oh, and jury duty letter today, too! Now totally demotivated for podcast editing tonight. I want a hug. And chocolate mousse. And a nap. #
And an airship– with a personal masseuse– and a giant fresnel lens apparatus with which to Make THEM PAY!!! But I’ll settle for the nap. #
@WhatTheCast Certainly not, sir! I look forward to it. My workplace may be < thrilled that I have civic duty right when I get back, … #
Awake. Who’s going to be giving the keynote for No-PME-4Ucon this weekend? #
QOTD: “All men dream… but not equally. They who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it is… #
…vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.” -T.E. Lawrence #
@planetx I am a blend of curious with appropriate apprehension. Will this device be travelling with you to Atlanta? #
Bizarre good fortune! Unsolicited, endocrinology dept called me re: an earlier appointment opening… next Wednesday! Weird, but wow! #
Feedback query: do my QOTD tweets amuse or irritate you guys? #
@Traeonna Thanks! I’ve been running v.low on good ooglie wooglies. In fact, I need to take 2bags of bad ooglie wooglies out w the recycling. #
Off to bank+post office. Whee! Will resist salty, greasy, protein-rich call of the KFC that is on the way. Yes, I’m a foodie. I still crave. #
OK, home. Starting French Onion Soup. Eyes watering. Hrm, only cheese in house is cheddar, need to call H for stop on way home. #
@Cheyennewright What is the theme of aforementioned weird audio stuff? #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-12

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@cunningminx I just heard “and now a message from Chris Fisher” while listening to podcast PW#157 with H. Yes, I am behind on everything. #
Woken by thumpy-thumpy bass, I managed to bang on floor with tennis racket with opening my eyes. This is not a skill I wanted to develop. #
@cunningminx Yeah. The pause was just long enough to be surreal. :)BTW/FTW, it was 1 of your listeners who found a clinic 4me- @Nobilis #
QOTD: “Only fantasy has eternal youth. What happened nowhere and never can never age.” -Schiller #
Doc referring me to an endocrinologist for thyroid re-evaluation. Holding off on antivirals. I will un-fatigue yet! Now, tired and hungry. #
Endocrinologist can see me in only 5 weeks! I’ll have been working a few weeks, so lasting effects of leave will be known by then! *sigh* #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-11

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Good morning, week. You and me, we’re gonna be BEST friends. #
QOTD: “When somebody tries to tell me what to call myself in all uses just because they come to some decision at a cocktail party… #
… to which I wasn’t even invited, my mama raised me to tell them to kiss my a**.” -Trey Ellis, Village Voice 6/13/1989 #
I just ordered the finishing touches for my costume from Sock Dreams. I <3 Sock Dreams. Men, forget flowers. Buy your gals warm toe s … #
@mightymur One day, laptop screens will be some form of color epaper, and then I shall be the happiest kitten ever to nap in a sunpatch. #
@Nobilis Small steps. Having a non-glare screen on laptop and home PC would be so nice… #
@PhilippaJane “flying kiwi” Food fight necessitating cleanup in produce? Safe travels and long-lasting mp3 player batteries! #
@Cmaaarrr I thought bacon and overcooked brussel sprouts were the two ends of the continuum of food….? #
31 minutes later, the insurance people recognize that I DID send them all the requested information…. sigh…. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-10

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

QOTD: “Every turkey has its THanksgiving, man/” _ Jumper, a 16 year old urban nomad. Me: Awake, fever, dizzy. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-09

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Not all errands accomplished. Head swimming and chills and general wanna cryness. Collapse time, I’m thinking. #
Awake after <4 hours sleep… sinuses suck. Going back to bed in ~2 hours, I think. This is not helping me normalize my sleep schedule. #
QOTD: “Stand on a chair to read+if u fall asleep, u get hurt. Go2sleep instead+leave that much>chance of getting cut down tomorrow,… #
…recognized as the dumbo cultural ape from a hick town that u really are.” -Fred Pfeil, “Outside readings” #
Awake again, scouring the web for steamy events. This fall’s event list will be very busy, little steamheads. Don’t you worry about that. #

Review of the fatigue specialist visit

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:17:41 +0000

(cross-posted from my LJ, but I thought people here might want to know) And yes, the next podcast is coming out soon, just as soon as I’m done with this lovely bug my husband brought home…

So, the CFS specialist I saw in LA about 2 weeks back… This was a mixed bag. If you want to know their name/contact info, message me. That said, I cannot recommend them very heartily at all, but it is a good example of how to evaluate specialty clinics from a knowledgeable patient perspective.

For those of you who don’t know me personally, let me give you the shortest version of some pertinent facts: I attended the first half of medical school, left, and got a Masters in Cell and Molecular Bio, pending dissertation… thank you, EBV mononucleosis and chronic fatigue round 1. I fully recovered in 8 months. A year later, I got a horrid viral-fever-chest-sinus-throat thingy on vacation in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, it didn’t stay in Vegas, and a familiar-feeling spiral of nonrecovery, daily and weekly progressive brainfog with all-weekend crashing, and needing 11 hours of sleep/24 hours just to function ensued. That was 1.5 years ago. Enter voluntary part-time work schedule (luckily, my husband is supportive AND has good medical benefits), change of primary care doc, and no normal lab-verifiable cause for fatigue. I didn’t quite meet CDC definitions of chronic fatigue syndrome, but came close enough… my very thorough doc (an internal med doc, very thorough in the test ordering but a bit timid w the unknown) wanted me to find a chronic fatigue specialist to help find a diagnosis and treatment plan, as no one within her network had XP with this either.

Finding a specialist with an M.D. (not chiropracty, acupuncture, hypnotherapy or other things that no well-controlled studies have given me significant enough reason to spend my limited resources on (remember, very tired and now on PT pay vs med school loans…. I didn’t need busy-work or expensive long shots!)…. sigh. I looked every which way, the clinicaltrials.gov site pointed me to 2 clinical trials within travelable distance, and I should hear from those docs about seeing me middle of 2009 according to their desk staff. Looooong wait lists. I got desperate and put out a cry of help to the podcast sphere, having many contacts there with many contacts and listeners. Someone pointed me to this practice. By this time, I had gotten so worn down, even with the PT schedule, that I was starting to not be able to compensate any more. I was making mistakes, or more accurately, not catching other peoples’ mistakes. I work in QA in biotech. I requested 6 weeks medical leave to rest and get myself back to functionality before a big project gathers its head of steam and crashes into my workload. The rest seems to be helping a bit. OK, now you’re caught up with the pertinent facts.

Review of my experiences at the specialty clinic:
Weird thing #1: this multidoc practice does not bill to insurance. Their website explained that they have 1-hour long visits to explore these complex conditions, and no insurance will reimburse for that adequately. Also, some of the lab testing was unlikely to be reimbursed by insurance, and all services were to be paid at the time they are done. They do provide receipts with the typical billing codes and other info required for the patient to submit for whatever reimbursement their particular insurance will give. The fee for the visit was not (per time) that different than my regular doc visit. Weird, suspicious, but definitely plausible. They did use a national lab service which took my insurance. I haven’t yet seen what my copays/uncovered lab fees will be.

First bigtime negative: it is not typical medical practice for the doc to sell you stuff directly. In the US, pharmacies are separated from prescribers. Eye docs have interesting ways of meeting this requirement behind the scenes, but that’s off-topic here. Studies show that a fiscal interest on the part of the doc (investment, paid work with a drug company, etc) has a significant effect on the treatment chosen which may/not conflict with what’s actually best for the patient. So I disregarded all specialty clinics that had online stores on their websites in my search. Unfortunately, when I got to this clinic in person, there were rows and rows of bottles on a table behind the reception desk and gift-bags with name tags on them on a shelf for pickup. Sinking feeling in gut but keeping mind open that there might be good reasons, I continued to the doc’s office.

First positive: the office staff and doc were friendly, and the doc was responsive (with chuckle) to the post-it on my patient questionaire (20 pages) that I was not there to discuss acupuncture, “it’s in your head” theories, or “learning to live with my limitations”. Hearing that gets irksome real fast, as anyone dealing with a not-yet-understood illness can tell you. The doc I saw (several in the practice)

Second positive: review of said questionaire and directed but thorough history and physical. Had some tests in-office, including urine iodine to check for shortage and a reflex-charting machine (Thyroflex?) to measure the length of time each phase of the reflex as key to thyroid function.

Third positive: the list of labs ordered showed thought into wider-ranging causes of fatigue than my doc had. Not exactly silly-season ideas, just not what had been investigated before, including reverse T3 levels, HHV6 antibodies, chronic Lyme disease test, NK function/# test, and a total of 12 tubes of blood of other stuff. One of the tests had to be done on a not-Friday, so I would find a testing station by this lab in my area the next week. The doc discussed the general fatigue treatment strategy and a few options, and we were to have a phone-followup in ~10 days when he would have the lab results.

Second bigtime negative: before these labs were even drawn, he was prescribing 3 supplements with names like Adrenal support, Energy-Max, and something else. The tests on my adrenal function weren’t drawn yet. The rational seemed based on “Some patients feel lots better after taking these” but no detailed response to the following questions (and attempts to clarify these question): what proportion of patients are helped, what’s in this, and what is it supposed to do? BTW, “boosting the immune system” and “providing energy” don’t count as meaningful answers. I wanted to know what cell, chemical, or functional thing in my body they interacted with, accepting that we might not yet know how they work. Now I accept that many psychosomatic patients must present themselves to fatigue and pain experts, and the first treatment tried with sufficient believability/personality behind it will work for them. That doesn’t mean it’s good clinical practice.

Third bigtime negative: When I got to the checkout-and-pay station, 2 of those supplements were branded with the medical practice’s name on the label. They were all multi-ingredient, one had lots of unfamiliar plants in it (and I have many and severe plant allergies), and came in those gift bags I saw earlier. While she was printing up my paperwork, I was scanning the bottles, which all had stickers to show un/opened lidness and were returnable if unopened within 30 days. The receptionist put some pressure on me when I started showing some… I don’t know, balkiness? hesitation?…. and I decided not to cause a scene in the office but talk to my regular doc first and return them by mail if she seconded my not-quite-right-here feeling. If I wasn’t really hopeful about the 2nd and 3rd positive points above, I wouldn’t have bought them at all, but I was feeling worried that they would refuse the followup appointment or not release my test results to me and my doc without expense and fuss if I even politely caused a scene in front of other patients. Not a good vibe.

Fourth bigtime negative: additional tsotchke sales and bribery. As I left the clinic, there were additional supplements on the counter for sale without the doc’s prescribing them, a DVD from the last NIH chronic fatigue/pain conference for $35 (not likely to be patient-directed info… that’s a research conference), and a sign offering account credit in exchange for testimonials. See first negative: testimonials for money. Oh yeah, that’s reliable information.

Phone followup review:
Turns out I have exposure to EBV, HHV6, and Mycoplasma, high-end reverse T3 and low-end-normal T3 levels, and low-end cortisol levels, although that was drawn in the afternoon, not in the early morning as it should have been. Why not? because he didn’t order it that way. Also, the iron and DHEA supplements I’ve been taking under my primary care doc’s supervision are doing what they should, always nice to see.

First positive: when I explained that I hadn’t taken the supplements because I was concerned about medicine interactions and allergies and because it would be impossible to tell if the just-started medical leave or the supplements caused any improvements (hey, it’s PART of the truth!), he accepted that smoothly.

Second positive: he generated a mostly reasonable treatment plan: treat the T3 imbalance, treat the adrenal dysfunction, antivirals vs the EBV and HHV6. He answered my question that we really DON’t know if EBV reactivates like some of the other integrative viruses do. Some studies say yes, others say no. We discussed treating primary cause (infection-related history) vs current symptoms (T3 and adrenal, and of course fatigue and brainfog), and he said that he’s seen his patients respond better to anti-viral treatments after getting in better shape re: the symptoms. He also prescribed high-dose B12 shots as immunomodulators. There is some thought in the research literature I’ve read that considers poor host response to viruses as a possible cause for CFS, and I have since found some research on B12’s influence on the immune system that doesn’t highly support this idea, but it’s feasible. Walking the line between skeptic and closed-mindedness can be a tricky thing, sometimes.

First major negative: He was again suggesting the home-brand adrenal supplement, but again could not explain what it did or contained. I told him I wasn’t comfortable with that, and he dropped the idea immediately and moved on. Guess it wan’st that strong a recommendation? Actually, the visit also had a strange pattern of him suggesting stuff, and if I didn’t respond positively or if I just sat there, waiting to hear more, he dropped those ideas and moved on. Felt like a softsell pitch, you know? Not what I want from my medical expert advisor.

Second major negative: He wanted me to use a home-brand T3 only medication. I asked if there was a suitable thyroid medication my insurance might cover, and he readily said we could try Armour Thyroid, which is a standard combo T3/T4, but the T4 might defeat the purpose. (In the body, T4 becomes T3, a short-lived active hormone, and reverseT3, an inhibitor of T3 and by-product. This was news to me, but Pubmed research supports this.) Here’s the really, really bad part about this: a little dabbling on the FDA website revealed that a T3-only medication has been on the US market since the 1950s. It’s called Cytomel, and its labeling was last revised in 2002, and it’s made by a pretty standard company. If it was really new, I could accept that he just hadn’t heard of it. But this isn’t new, and he wanted to sell his homebrand instead.

So in overnight mail, I received my scrip for Armour thyroid (dessicated pig thyroid… yum) and the antiviral that the Stanford study used successfully in a small number of EBV and HHV6 positive patients with similar symtoms, the high-dose B12 shots, and all the lab paperwork. I’m seeing my doc with it this coming week, and I’m really hoping she’ll monitor/prescribe appropriate thryroid therapy and monitor the antiviral therapy. I’m interested in what she has to say about the shots (assuredly unreturnable), but I have yet to research B12 injectable commercial availability. Why, when I have syringes already in my fridge? Because a standard commercial prescription product that has been on the market for any length of time has been taken by thousands of people and general risks and drug interactions are known. That has value for me, and my insurance will probably pay for most of it.

I won’t 100% universally decry this doc, as some of the test results are leading to reasonable treatment plans that might really help. However, unless you have a knowledge base to sniff out the BS and the confidence to sidestep it, you could get taken for a helluva expensive ride. As it was, including the drive and hotel, this adventure in patienthood cost me over $1k USD, and I don’t know how much my insurance will reimburse (or not cover in the case of labs), but I’m guesstimating $200-300 reimbursement. Fellow sick-and-tired people, leave a comment, email, or Twitter-message me if you have questions. It might take me a few days to have good-brain-time to respond adequately, but I will.
CF

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-08

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@evo_terra When/Where is the P&P party this year? #
@cunningminx The heartbreaking thing is the amount of litter in the theater at the end. I recommend not looking down as you leave. #
QOTD: “The pH of women’s sweat is similar to that of pure water, while men’s is akin to acid rain.” - Redbook #
@LTCiaccio Ennnnvyyyyy….. #
Awake at 2pm is a lot less cool than it sounds when you were awake from 6:30-9am. Blech. Very, very blech-feeling head. #
QOTD: “I came here to work. I didn’t come here to crawl. There’s a f-in difference.” -”Studs” Terkel, laborer #
OK, head shifting less. Domestic bots all running. Grocery run, post office, library, bank, then time for collapse. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-07

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Succumbing further as Henry mends.Feeling surlier as more wretchedness sets in. Even chocolate sounds awful right now. Nearly out of Nyquil. #
I just woke up at bedtime. This is not so good. Everyone with me luck with tomorrow– test results time! #
Call w specialist: Labs show thryoid+adrenal low-level dysfx, exposure to EBV, HHV6, mycoplasma. Tx planned, rxs on way, fingers crossed. #
Pubmed+FDA, I <3 U! Armed w test info+tx plan, websearch shows doc is 75%quack.T3 on US market 50+ yrs. Duck wanted to Rx his own bra … #
Skepticism just paid off again! Thanks, BS meter! Thanks, public info repositories! Need appt to bring test info to my primary non-duck doc. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-06

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Awake again. String of fire will not dislodge from throat. @jasohill, is this the spore of the legend of Mothra? #
Awake. Day 3 of Couples Sickness week begins. We’re on our 4th frozen can of juice and have polished off the soup I made before I succumbed. #
QOTD: “Until u ask an impertinent question of nature, u do not get a pertinent answer. Great answers in nature r always hidden… #
… in the questions.” Jacob Bronowski, physicist. #
I friggin hate redoing my websites. Of course, a lot has changed since 2006. Like my software to use, all my projects…. *sigh* overdue. #
@planetx Just watched Panda interview. Waaaaawwww! Will Panda be attending Dragoncon? Will he have a costume? #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-05

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@comics_grrl I feel the same way… I’ve been thinking about taking up drinking; this clinches it! #
@PodCulture *soothing back-patting* I’m so sorry. That really sucks. Anything we can help with? #
@PodCulture Part of it must be the rush factor- everyone updating at once.
New product to this market… yeesh. #
I have one unopened butter-made caramel left from last stop of Monterrey Chocolate factory. One. It will not see Friday. Heck, Wednesday. #
Thnx 2 my neighbor’s wakeup-the-migraine music, awake + have discovered (2 hours before it was necessary) that I am viral production unit #2 #
QOTD “Men did not think when social problems were involved.They did not use the mind.It refused to work against economic interest.” -F. Howe #
Head pounding. Tireder. Snarly. The artichokes I’m cooking are smelling less appealing… It Begins. I better get superpowers outta this… #
On hold with my web host support. Yes, this is much better than the joy of website redesign, or perhaps an appertif to that joyous task. #
@mavjop Netfirms, Canadian company. They took care of it within 10 minutes, just like always. Expensive but worth it for techtards like me. #
@mavjop But you are not a techtard who needs lots of help. See, that’s a primary determinant in what I need in a webhost. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-04

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@cthulhim Oh, then just scrape most of them off. Easy. Leave a few for PT’s enjoyment if you want, but prevent the pop. explosion. #
Chicken marsala delayed yet again by sick Mr. Kitty’s need for chicken soup and by my laundry. Now I’m tired out. Just one of those days. #
@scifirantergirl Congrats! *empathetic dancing* #
Rngh. Awake. Henry home sick from work. Out of rented viewables for 1st time in a year. Want soft oatmeal cookie but don’t feel like baking. #
@Gutshot Beastmaster or Weasel God… Can you also talk to otters and regular weasels? #
@susanz Well, if it tells you to DO anything, fly it by us first, ok? #
Henry sleeping, the viral feverish achy dizzy evil having abandoned the coughing for now. Poor guy. Going on grocery run for non-greens. #
@chrismoody Clonepod? Not EP? Luvs me some Union Dues… #
Groceries obtained. Henry awake and listless. Thinking about linner, as I had some fresh bread at 1pm. #
@susanz Check your DMs, chica! Queries for you… #
QOTD from my first quote book entry 9/22/94: “People are not teapots; they should not bubble.” Yes, I’m out of rat facts, y do u ask? #
@Nobilis *sigh* just don’t send them here. We’re at the complex’s 2-cat limit. I need a way to kitten-sit or something… #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-03

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Corn chip crunching is considerably louder and more wakefulness-inducing than Cheerios crunching. Grrrngh. #
@Nobilis @mightymur Techically and historically, yes. #
@Sc00ter I think @BadAstronomer’s many followers overwhlemed their live feed capacity. Re: the rocket, I dunno. I’m a biologist, not a… #
Shambling to the Farmer’s Market to find fresh citrus and soup makings for my sick love + the other ingredients for the next week’s chow. #
Back, napped, back up, and ready to cook marsala chicken. Web recipe’s first try, so this should be interesting. #
Chicken marsala delayed by sick Mr. Kitty’s wish to play a level of LEGO Indy. OK. Time to hit the kitchen with a cast iron pan of +1 tasty. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-02

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

H +I just completed Indy movie 1 Legostyle in Story mode. Looking forward to having Short Round for Free Play, still haven’t seen a parcel. #
@cthulhim @mightymur What’s this tank ecosystem: snails, bettas, what else? Cos snail eggs=chow for lotsa things, just like baby seaturtles. #
Woke up from dream of being late, then falling asleep during the first half hour of a lab I was to teach. W/ a festival outside the window. #
Childfree folks w/mics: I lost all my segment bumper files in the PC crash and “I’m so-n-so and you’re listening to TASCFP” files. Help pls? #
@Cmaaarrr @scifilaura DAMMMN YOUUU for having such fun D*C panel topics. 1/2 remaining open times gone, and costume+mealtimes still to go! #
@Cmaaarrr http://madscientist.org.uk/sch2008sc.html has the science and space schedules. #
@WhatTheCast Mebbe. 2 points against u: 1) up against the First Light Machine, the James Webb Telescope, and 2) I’ll hear it later via feed. #
Anyone else judging what panels to attend based on what they can hear via podcast later? Or am I alone in being time-mercenary scum? #
2008 costuming track finally posted: http://costuming.dragoncon.org/ #
@dcolanduno The trials and tribulations of being a multidisciplinary Sci/Pod/Skep/Cos geek who needs daily naps and food… and shopping dt. #
@PodCulture Trust the squid, particularly on steaks and choc chip cookies. http://agro23.newgrounds.com/ or 8legged.com #
http://www.8legged.com/ has Tako the Octopus’s flash cooking show. Excellent, yummy, funny, tentacles… what’s NOT to love? #
@WhatTheCast My dad’s recipe: +2 hot grill, “Mr. Cow, I am plsed 2 intro u2 Mr. Fire.” Flip. “Mr. Fire…” Roll sides of cut on grill, done! #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-08-01

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Awake. Time for cleaning +baking day! Yesterday I determined that I can fit D*C packing into 1 suitcase+backpack, provided I wear 1 skirt. #
@PodCulture I plan to be costumed except for flying days. Catwoman, Agatha, and my 20s dress 4 dressy events. Multiple chemises/day 4 heat. #
Granted, those chemises are made from geekshirts that have stains, holes or tears rendering them otherwise unwearable… #
@PodCulture Tribute to the lavender in dot-tone comics, but they’re all 1880s patterns except my AM-nobody-here-to-lace-me mod-comic bodice. #
@mwsmedia Dude, I would *pay points* for that! This might be the final straw (raffia cord?) to drag me into MMORG land at long last. #
@mwsmedia I think we need a semi-regular Champions Online Night to bring together the tribe when they get it past beta. #
Exceled the podcast+skeptic panel plan for D*C. Costume track schedule still unposted. Who’s up for group in badge line/dinner ~6ish on R? #
@rslux *sniff* Poor Bill of Rights, getting shot in the kneecaps like that. Again. Occasionally we discuss Canada and New Zealand… #
@WhatTheCast Or boat fleet and an area of shallow reef. Or air fleet of solar-powered zeppelins. Or colony platforms, although that’s $$$.;) #
@WhatTheCast Zeppelins go higher than most surface-to-air weapons. Good for an independent enterprise. #

Why TASCF has been silent.

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:21:28 +0000

agh, what a month (reposted from my LJ: ChrisFixedKitty)

I’m going to save the LA CFS specialist report for after the phone followup next week. Might as well do it all in one piece then. That visit used up the first week of my medical leave in the doing of it and the recovering from all that driving. Since then, my sister-in-law and a college buddy were in town, and then I had a few sleep-days recovering from very good visits.

My PC gave out during a Windows update (Mac users, please don’t start. Expensive Windows-version software, tight budget, etc…) and was in the shop for 4 days. Then 3 days of redownloading and rebuilding and finding backups and blech. So I’m just now really back up. I’m not sure when podcasting will resume. I’m a bit sick of the computer screen at this point. I don’t know what’s happening with the Steampunk Spectacular currently. I hope it’s coming back from hiatus soon.

The last week of the all-you-can-sleep and frequent resting has done some good. I’m now waking on my own after 10.5-11.5 hours of sleep instead of 11.5-12 hours. The post-allnighter-yucky feeling has faded except for the first hour of the day and an hour or so of the afternoon. I can concentrate well enough to read a chapter of nonfiction at a time in the afternoon, and I finally read The 5 Fists of Science comic book that has been on my shelf for months. I’m indulging in one Lord Dunsany short story at the end of most evenings, and I’m nearly done with the collection I bought at Wondercon.

Mostly, I’ve been cleaning and sewing. My oldest cat, Perry the neurotic eternal kitten, who now feels her age occasionally and wants to be held or sleep in laps for comfort at any opportunity, who knows the sound of the starting music of video games as a sign that we will be sitting for at least half an hour, and who still squeaks rather than meows, has been chasing the swaying cords of serger thread as I sew. Good times.

I will be finishing my DragonCon costumery this weekend. We might attend the PEERS picnic dance on Saturday. I’m starting to sew normal summer skirts and tops for myself. Google Burda patterns for free and cheap patterns. I’m starting the muslin of a CSO jacket I planned a year ago this weekend. In the last year, as an admitted hope-filled coping strategy for all the too-tired-can’t-think, I had slowly accumulated supplies for so many sewing and beading projects for “when I feel better.” Now I’m using some of them, doing some Xmas gift crafting, and generally feeling happier from lack of feeling awful. The crafting and PC recovery and cleaning-activity-ramping-to-exercise goals, combined with sleeping so much, have not permitted any boredom.

I have cleared out one bag of Don’t-Really-Needits and reorganized the linen closet to prevent sheetslide. This gave me 2 sets of truly ugly handmedown sheets to use for muslins and linings. 6 canvas bags of recyclables have left the apartment. Living on the third floor, it cannot be said that I am not exercising. I have also started stretching again, and I remember about half the days. Next week I tackle reorganizing the kitchen food and pan cupboards and discarding storage containers and lids that no longer have mates; they’re the socks of the kitchen. I continue to tackle my office and have at least 2 more bags of Don’t-Really-Needits in here. Today I will replant more pots of basil, dill, green onions, and parsley. Why won’t my parsley thrive when everything else does? I’m using all my old beautiful orchid and bonsai pots and deep plastic food containers. Very odd miscellany with a sort of wistful air.

Now on to today’s tasks.
CF

Tags: cfs steampunk podcast dragoncon cosplay

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-31

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@mightymur Conpurplations! #
I admit, I stopped watching the Food Channel years ago. Has it really gotten that bad? Smackers? How, with all the good food in the world? #
nrnnngh. Small fuzzies have awoken the terror that is Chris against her will. As punishment, the vacuum will run later today. Then I nap. #
@mightymur http://www.piecouncil.org/pie_champs.htm Happy 1000th, Mur! See links at bottom of site. #
http://www.piecouncil.org/gapf.htm Never-ending pie buffet, Mur! On the East Coast, even! #
Nnnrgh. I’ve been awake for 2.5 hours now, and the “not enough sleep” headache just slammed into me like a med student’s study load. WTF? #
@hobozero You need to learn to knit. http://tinyurl.com/5sy6wz #
@mwsmedia Damn skippy, that’s beautiful. 4 minutes with critique is kindergarten-obvious fair use. Glad it got supported in court. #
Yay! Favorites restored! Think I’m going to leave the bloated old iTunes folder, though. If I couldn’t remember it and I don’t miss it… #
@choochus Did you at least get to take a leak before the meeting? Man, that sux. #
Hrm, that was a total waste of my 400th tweet. #
Pinking some internal, fraying seams. Yes, that is a technical term. The zig-zaggy scissors, yes. #
Rewatching Indy Jones 1 and sewing makes for a good afternoon. So does naptime. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-30

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

I just found my Vote Saxon button from Costume Con. It was hiding in my goggles’ case. Now back to your scheduled… #
Awake, alert, and stretched. Now it’s time to reinstall lost programs and organize the linen closet to reduce the “sheetslide” hazard. #
iTunes will not let me redownload Dr. Horrible. Silly me, I didn’t back up my store purchases to disk before my PC broke/reformat. #
@Cheyennewright Curmudgeonry2.0: more than a demographic! Now with 30% more “get off my lawn!” than before! Happy thoughts… #
Time to revisit my roots: making deep dish sausage and pineapple from scratch for dinner. Shuddup, pal. I like pineapple. #
@dcolanduno I not only do not have a DVR, I don’t have cable. I also don’t have access to any channels at all. Netflix+Anime Takeout only. #
@dcolanduno My revised bustle needs grommets, skirt needs hem facings, + mask is on muslin #3… by the end of the weekend, it will be done. #
@dcolanduno Besides, I haven’t heard there was anything to miss on live TV these days that wasn’t headed toward a later DVD release. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-29

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Yay! My computer is back! Boo! All podcasts, costume files and photos,programs (Audacity, Levelator)are gone. Now repopulating iTunes subs. #
@PodCulture Thanks, but not really. Luckily, I had saved the podcast I’m currently putting together onto CD for my trip, so that’s not lost. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-25

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Ack, PC broke/Windows glitchy. On H’s laptop now, but inconvenient. I’ll be offline for a few days getting this all sorted out. sniffle. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-24

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Anyone playing LEGO Indy: As Indy, use the whip on any female lead character. The result is adorable. Think end of 2nd movie. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-23

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Footware for D*C complete. Skirt pockets+hem, mask to go. Beware, League of Justice-Minded Citizenry, comfortable elitist do-gooders! #
Footwear. Geez, I really can’t type today, can I? #
Time to tell primary doc about half-doc-half-duck and ask her to complete a form for my workplace. Expecting this to go not entirely well. #
@jasohill Take care of yourself! And keep a bathrobe by your window! #
Last blood test drawn. Doc is signing my paperwork (batch 2). New tires on car. I have obtained eminently suitable buttons. Collapse time. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-22

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Why is it so hilarious to me to say “Is that too heavy for you, dear?” while playing Lego Indiana Jones? #
Awake, aware, almost alert. Time for stuff to get done, a bathroom to be cleaned, and anime to be played in the background. #
http://www.podcastpeers.org/podcasters.html Where is this enter button? grr. #
Blake’s brand chicken pot pie: directions did not correspond to packaging components, no veggies, and no crust on the bottom/sides. FAIL. #
I know. Bad pot pie crust sometimes happens, but complete lack of crust? It shows pot pie concept failure, not just execution problems. Sad. #
Today’s rat tweet (cos u know u missed them): They can gnaw through bone, wood, iron, or concrete. Hrm, useful minions… #
@pfischer I encourage ppl to stay standard-ish with the first name and restrict the naming creativity to the middle name or nickname. #
I worked QA for a lab result tech product, and I saw what ppl were naming their kids when LotR and the SW 1-3 trilogy came out… poor kids. #
@pfischer TFK, Auntie extraordinaire to Orville Wright (going to need therapy or TKD lessons WRT the playground) has name opinions, yes. #
My new dentist and his office staff rawk. That is all. #
Yay, my copy of GMR just arrived today! It came with a “Cell Phones for Soldiers” envelope. Anybody know if they’re legit? #
er, Brave Men Run arrived, not Gooey Mysterious Ruh-roh. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-21

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

The first morning of Operation Megarest was ambushed by dreaming kitty kicking me in the head. Napping expected later. #
@tadamec What’s with the German language spam that I keep getting? I think it’s the same bots. #
Started playing Lego Indiana Jones with Henry last night. It looks like minor tweaks to the SWLego engine and promises a heckuva lotta fun. #
Reimbursement forms and rebate forms and billpaying, oh my! This calls for the pith helmet to bring adVENture to these dreary tasks. #
@elizasea Y’know, you could just set up a fishtank with cleaner fish and shrimp species. Maybe set it up like a little hassock with cushions #
Paperwork done, podiolines recorded @WNDRwolf, and now I’m tired so it’s naptime. @jackmangan, I have some dp for you on Skype. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-20

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Awake. Wonderful husband has obtained tomatoes at Farmer’s market while I slept. Now we’re off to see Hellboy2, then cook. Life can be good. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-19

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Ugh. 13 hour crash post-drive was not enough. CFS specialist was bewildering blend of scientific approach, quackery-BS, and phlebotomy. #
Planned to finish next TASCF at hotel, but laptop’s audio went nonfunctional. At least had dinner with friend. #
@WNDRWolf Files firmly in hiding. Again, laptop… I’ll record the lines again and send them Monday. Now, aren’t the rest of you curious? ;p #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-17

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@planetx Happy Birthday! @MWSMedia 5 sounds very likely. OK, now to load car, gas up, and hit Hwy 5. Report on Saturday. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-16

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

My 6 weeks of rest started at 4:40 today. Let the napping begin! #
@PhilippaJane I cannot wrap my brain around the last 3 words of that tweet. #
Today: finish car repairs and find new dentist. Then pack for drive down to LA for specialist. Also nap. Also supervise laundry minion. #
Does anyone else think that Capn Hammer is inspired by a mix of Meatloaf character in Rocky Horror and Ash, based on rooftop #? #
@WhatTheCast If you have a long SFO layover/area stay, we should have lunch! #
@PhilippaJane recipe? RRRRrrrrrrecipe? I Luuuuuvs homemade custard, but I don’t have a raspberry custard recipe. #
@Traeonna You and me both. Tomorrow’s trip preparation going well so far… but my mechanic told me to get new tires afterward. Timing out. #
@pcharing I’m sorry, but the “day over” department is in a group meeting. Please leave a message, and we’ll neglect to get back to you. #
Amazing amounts of recyclable crap removed from my car to appropriate recycling bin. Handvac recharging. Naptime. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-15

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

This morning I had 4 days’ worth of work to do in the last 2 days. This evening, I have it down to 2.5 days’s worth to do on the last day. #
Happy birthday, @MWSmedia and many happy returns… to the top 100 list on Amazon! #
Making strawberry ice cream, to be followed by making a roast for dinner tomorrow. Then watching Part 2 of Hogfather. #
@mightymur The I Never Read Anymore blues? #
Good night, World Wide Web. Good night, tweets. Good night to all my distant peeps. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-14

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Awake again. Time for dinner. Then fun style guide comparison and perhaps Hogfather. #
@PhilippaJane It is for this reason that the AMA Manual of Style “discourages” the use of the word “billion” in medical literature. #
@mightymur I was just considering the same confounding questions, only WRT the next 2 weeks. Good luck! #
OK, week. It’s just you and me in here, and you’re going down in 2. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-13

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Awake. Brave Men Run ordered, temporarily out/backordered already! Obviously, I reserved a backordered copy. http://www.mattselznick.com/ #
@mwsmedia Congratulations!! You’re sold out already, backorder only!!! Yay!! (yes, I have backorder-reserved my copy) #
Face wet w/tears, I turned away from the end of the WALLE credits and saw a theatre floor littered w/cups and trays. We r a doomed species. #
@ihorner Yes. Waaaawwwww! How could people leave trash on the floor at the end of that movie? Seriously, how? #
@scifilaura Have you told him that this behavior is unlikely to give him superpowers? cuz why else…? #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-12

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

My neighbors are clearly going for a new volume record for sex. What does it say about me that I want to loudly “Oh-Oh-Oh”+break into yodel? #
Y’know, get a little neighborly dialog going. #
@CASizemore Thank you, sir. I think they wore themselves out/were doing some kind of tantra-workshop-exhibitionism exercises. Sleepytime. #
Just stopped crying from emotional-not-scary nightmare. For first time in over a year, up in time to go to Farmer’s Market. Silver lining. #
@susanz We have a dessert to make for tonight, so a grocery stop was planned anyway. Enjoy the greenery! #
Farmer’s market lovely vegetables and peaches. Normal groceries. Chris crash now. CHRIS CRAAAssszzzzzzzz. #
Chris Awake Powers reactivate! Shape of- Tripod shopping! Also lunch-dinner and strawberry-lemonade making. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-11

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Today’s work lunch went well enough. 2 work days to go, 4 work days of work to complete first… but not until Monday! Weekend time! #
Cogshire, Pneumatic City, Copperopolis (real ex-mining city), Aetherville, Automata County, Shankshire… pls check your Direct Msgs, sir. #
Good luck, everyone in line at Apple stores! Today for me: car tuneup and dentist, nap, style manual comparisons, and tripod porn… Bogen? #
@Gutshot It depends how you cook them? @elizasea I did a tailoring-for-lessons trade for a month, once, as a student. You can ask, yes? #
Brakes shot. H dropped me home, now getting bike crap together to get to/fro dentist (2 mi total), now with cramps! Life is pain, princess.. #
Epic FAIL. Bike has 2 flats. Husband’s bike has flat + squishy. Dentist rescheduled. Now striped w/greasy cobwebs 4 my trouble. Showertime. #
@Cmaaarrr Thank you, sir. I now know someone else has had a siginificantly worse day than I. Schadenfreude- unattractive but very human. #
On second thought, I don’t delight in the poor schmo’s suffering. I’m just relieved that I’m not at rock-bottom nadir. Somehow feels better. #
Back upright. Laundry mech-minions toil onward. Kitchen clean but about to start rotisserie. First, popcorn break. Then: Excelsior! #
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/show/3596 My solution to “all my costumery, and then so rarely wearing it” woes. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-10

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@tadamec I love my Sigma EX 55mm 1:2.8 DG Macro D. It’s my favorite lens out of the 5 in my bag. #
@WNDRWolf I understand and second Pgholyfield’s comment. Still sucks. Good luck. #
Tomorrow my work team is using my impending absence as excuse 4 lunch out on the company. I was hoping to avoid this kind of thing. #
I suggested my return+better health would be >celebratory. We might do both. +: Lunch @New Zealander. -:”WTF is wrong w/CF” groupdisc … #
Good morning, moon. Good morning, cats. Yeah, that’s got a ring to it! Time to shower, set out clothes for work, snack, and go to bed. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-09

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@HoboZero Hugs, man. But careful, not very squeezy, ginger hugs. Good luck. #
@Cmaaarrr and @HoboZero Sometimes the answer is Chlamydia, after all. #
@peterjohnr Chess the Musical: Strategy in the Round! Um, madness. Possibly clever madness, but I’m going with the mad here. #
Today’s coworker notification went smoothly. Henry is off to taiko class. I’m awake and alert. Time for some overdue podcasting to happen! #
@Cmaaarrr and @HoboZero Well, did your kidneys study for the treadmill test? How good are they at all-night cramming? #
I just listened to this morning’s attempt at carcasting Happy Things. Nope. Semis and loooong pauses and the whoooshy noises are too blgh. #
@planetx I fought the hat, and the hat won? #
http://whistleralley.com/planimeter/planimeter.htm Now that, that is… Tis. #
@mightymur I’ve got negative MomGene and that makes me cringe. Just like when I see a kid in flip flops anywhere near a mower… ER moment. #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-08

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@mightymur I wear a pith helmet when I tackle scrubbing the bathroom floor. Go for the goggles. #
@jasohill Motivate! Motivate! Motivate! OK… Iced caffeinated beverage! Iced caffeinated beverage! Um, do as I cheer, not as I do. #
Tomorrow I email coworkers about 6-week medical leave. Any advice? Most have no idea why I’ve been PT, a v. few clearly think faking/nuts. #
@PodCulture I’m currently thinking of just saying “medical leave” and “it’s not lethal; I’m definitely coming back on…” and they can ask. #
Woke up on own just before alarm, irritated by light from next room and weight of own forearm. Was dreaming disjointedly. No stress here. #
@Nobilis It’s easier to make up the difference on less awesome days with other people. And good ideas pile up like sleepy kittens. #
@invadersteven Welcome! Here’s to old friends in new places! #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-07

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

Another week begins. I expect it to be better than the last one and simultaneously have faith in Murphy to surprise me, just like always. #
@redlog Scott, welcome to Twitter! #

Chris’s Twittering on 2008-07-06

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:59:59 +0000

@mightymur Probably on NPR and major TV channels. Heh. Typo: RV channels. Maybe not there. #
Good morn.. er, afternoon, world. Good afternoon, sun. No, just doesn’t have the ring to it. Oh, well. Lunchtime! #
@Cheyennewright steampod? Synopsis? #
@Cmaaarrr Heh heh. In happier news: Lego Indiana Jones game. The website nods to everything, including Lego Starwars. Xbox and PS2 and 3. #
Gah! Capital One didn’t think I could POSSIBLY want to charge to a Canadian company- for my automatic web hosting renewal! Cleared up. Grr. #
Has anyone else used this WordPress/Twitter tool? http://tinyurl.com/4zbgql #
@CASizemore Burgers, brats (specialty ones made locally!), and corn on the cob with icebox layer salad at a friend’s apartment cookout. #
Anyone who wants to taste my childhood, try Casa Sanchez chips + guacamole (Whole Foods). I’m back at the Guerras’ house in East Chicago… #
@susanz That sounds darned tootin’ awesome. And @mightymur, ur an evil woman. I will vouch for your app. to the Nefarious Schemers League. #

Tweeting mad, I tell you!

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:56:46 +0000

While I keep up with my tribe in a non-cheery-voice-required way, I’d like to share the conversation with you guys. I’m ChrisFixedKitty on twitter and LiveJournal, so say hi!

Yes, this is a test of the Twitter tools plugin for WordPress.
CF

Bravewolf, you got it!

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:09:08 +0000

As the only response, you get your way!

I’ll try some carcasting to get the intro done. I’ve been sleeping 12 hours/night plus naps this weekend, so the usual Fixed Kitty cheer is finally back! I am not currently sounding like a Zombinc. employee! (Mur L has a rockin new audio drama over at http://zombinc.net/) Well, at least until the next week wears it down again by ~ Tues/Wed. But I’ll try the carcasting thing for the intro. Flexibility is the key to happiness, right? And yes, I got the site hosting renewed on time this year, so expect another year of my blog/podcast ramblings!

Currently doing weekly laundry, having cooked for the week yesterday and this afternoon. It is going to be a tasty, tasty week. CF out.

Slight delays and gnashing of teeth

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:42:57 +0000

Gah. It’s been a bad stretch, and I don’t like to record when I’m this tired and grumpy. It’s very plain in my voice, and I wouldn’t want to listen to it, so I don’t post it.

I have 2 theories on why my neighbors-beneath have resumed their thumpy bass every night at 11:30 and a brief period on weekends before 10 am: 1. Summer is party time. 2. a college kid has returned to their household for the summer that I did not miss since Xmastime. College “kid”… see, it’s on topic! Ok, no. Now I just feel old. Anyway, this has done not-good things for the Chris and her needed weekend sleep binging and early bedtimes.

So I just need to record earlier in the week and earlier in the day. Maybe at lunch. How would you guys feel about some car-casting of intros and outros? Possibly some parking-lot casting? Is that better than long delays? Pretty soon, I expect some finalized good news that should alleviate that problem for awhile, but that doesn’t help the NOW. Details when they’re final.

Post a comment, let me know if a decrease in background noise quality would be ok in the short term or if you’d rather wait a bit longer. I’m hoping to post this week, maybe this weekend, but the partying downstairs might be extra-craptastically vibratory this weekend (US Independence day). So I hope to be talking to you soon. And be a less snarly fixed kitty for everyone’s good. CF out.

Woo Hoo! and other stuff.

The Fixed Kitty — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:40:21 +0000

First, thanks to all for info and offers of support. I’m driving down to LA to a specialty clinic next month. (the local place was a forwarded phone number… coming to my area this fall)

Second, the next interview is edited. It will air in 2 halves, the first next week, then (gasp!) the second the following week.

Third, um… no third. Ok, now to divvy the interview up….

Laters!

TASCF Ep057: Childfree Step-parents

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:19:10 +0000

Thanks, Happy Things, a Brave Men Run promo, and an interview with Kim, a childfree woman dating a divorced dad. Warning: we swear.

On the mega-plus side, thanks to Nobilis for the lead on a local doc who deals with CFS. Next week, I have an appointment. Now let’s hope he can treat it, too, or find out that whatever else is wrong with me is readily treatable!
CF, back soon.

OK, episode 57 is coming soon…

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:55:17 +0000

My voice is back (again) and I’m recording the intro/outro. I expect the file to be up and posted tonight or later during the week if I have the near-constant posting problems. *sigh* I haven’t podfaded so much as kept hitting the pod snooze button. But really, it’s coming!

CFS cry for help from the podosphere.

The Fixed Kitty — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:59:34 +0000

OK, I give. I need help from you guys trying to get treatment. Here’s the file that I would greatly appreciate you hearing and passing along through the podosphere: http://www.gettingby.net/index_files/CFShelprequest.mp3

I will put it into the other feed this week. Please pass it along and help if you can. Thanks.

OK, so only minor breaks, I think

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:29:54 +0000

The feed subscription buttons may not be working, or at least the images are gone. Back soon, once this is fixed.
Swearing under breath,
CF

Not dead. Just sick.

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:26:14 +0000

I’m nicknaming this one “Frogthroat Fever.” Costume Con was awesome. See May 1st at my Live Journal. Yes, I’ve been sucked into that web community thingy, but it’s not as bad as the Twitter crack.

Back soon, I hope. I need to do an upgrade on WordPress, so if this breaks, please pardon the absence and check the LJ for news of me until I get it fixed.

Gah! file fall down.

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:32:35 +0000

See the comments on the previous post. I’m working on it, but it may take a few days. I will also put up another file in ~ the next week, depending on the amount of time the fix takes.

She of a thousand naps, signing out.

TASCF Ep056: John Cmar by fomites

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:35:32 +0000

An interview with JohnCmarMD, brought to you by fomites
(note: file location fixed on April 10)

First, administrivia: new forums! http://www.farpointforums.com/ we’re toward the bottom of the show list. Please sign up and join the discussion.
Special message for CRN (childfree resource network) and Hudson: my attempts to reply to your email fail. Please provide me a working email address.
And the interview with John Cmar, an Infectious Diseases doc. We talk about geekiness, med, the podosphere, and lab geekiness. And the usual CF questions tossed in there periodically. I had loads of fun talking with John, and all glitch bits are due to my editing it down to under an hour.
Blog - Saint Nickanuck of the Tundra Online Memorial Hospital — http://www.saintnickanuck.com/
food and drink blog - Gustatory Libation Front — http://gustatorylibationfront.blogspot.com/
Happy Things- season 4 of Mur Lafftery’s podiobook Heaven is out and Podcast du Fromage on Free Planet X. And 365 tomorrows.
OK, I’m recovering from being sick last week, so another episode in about 2-3 weeks.

OK, mostly caught up.

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:18:01 +0000

I’m caught up (mostly) from being out of town, etc. I have recorded the next episode, and just in time! My voice is going. It should be up within the next week.

Talk soon, CF

back in town, back on podosphere soon

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:41:31 +0000

Family funeral took DH and I back to Toledo for a week on short notice, and we just got back. Next podcast should go up in a week or so. I have a lot of life-catching-up to do first. My luggage should arrive tomorrow, then work, laundry, cooking, rescheduling the stuff that got skipped…

Back soon, folks. FYI, CF

OK, Episode 55 is up!

The Fixed Kitty — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:47:46 +0000

Hey folks! After 2 rounds of voice loss and fever, here’s Episode 55 with loads of Contraceptive News and some Happy Things.
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out

Very nearly: TASCF-Ep055-News_Megacatchup-08-02-18

The Fixed Kitty — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:13:04 +0000

Hey folks! After 2 rounds of voice loss and fever, here’s Episode 55 with loads of Contraceptive News and some Happy Things.

Erngh. Some problems with uploading the file. Up soon, after some tech support.
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out for now.

Local Steamheads, Unite (or at least have lunch!)

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:09:06 +0000

(Podcast fans, fear not, I expect the next episode will be out this week. My voice is back, now I can record again, edit, etc.)

Please join me and other Bay area steamheads for a costumes-encouraged-but-not-required lunch on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 12:30. Show off your latest project, find ideas for accomplishing the thing you have sortof sketched out, or trade resources and discuss steam-powered literature, music, or movies!

My attempts to find a place with adequate parking, etc. in Union City and Hayward did not meet with success, so we’ll be at 39200 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA, between Mowry Ave. and Beacon Ave. The Fremont Bank is best seen from the street, and in an inner lot there is plenty of parking, my favorite local Mediterranean place (Falafel, etc. , $5-$10 a plate, 510-795-7170) with indoor and outdoor seating, a Chinese restaurant, and Nation’s Giant Hamburger. We can vote on a restaurant once we’re at the parking lot, although I highly recommend Falafel, etc.

IMPORTANT: I have invited the steam-interested members of the local costume guild as well as 2 LJ communities, so commenting HERE is the only way to coordinate all of you. Please use the comments here to find/share rides, etc. Email me at chris @ gettingby.net if you have problems commenting in the website (not pocast@ like usual here).

RSVPs- A “Maybe” comment/email is ok if you really don’t know, but notice of roughly how many AND HOW MANY IN COSTUME is requested. I intend to wear my Agatha costume and steamed-up denim coat, PROVIDED at least 1 other person/group comments here that they are definitely showing up in noticeable costume. If you are suddenly unable to come or wear a costume as you had previously indicated, PLEASE email me, even if it’s only an hour beforehand and other people said they were also dressing up.
Yours in Science, Chris Fisher, CSO HMA Ingenuity

Uh-oh! Voiceless Kitty!

The Fixed Kitty — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:14:01 +0000

I recorded the Contraceptive News Chunk on Friday, but couldn’t finish the whole episode before losing my voice entirely. Hopefully next week I’ll have the next podcast up.

I’m home sick today, after the fever came back briefly at work yesterday. I’m still voiceless but less out-of-it. Henry and I have had tickets to see the Cirque show Kooza tonight in San Jose for 3 months now, and I’m hoping to be well enough by then. Not dizzy or nauseous, that’s all I need.

OK, back to naptime,
CF

TASCF-Ep054 Back George Hrab2

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:05:57 +0000

Yyyyes! Back in the podosphere. Episode 54 has a summary of the last 3 months, 4 new NK chapters, 2 Happy Things, and the 2nd half of the George Hrab interview.

George’s book, music, blog, and podcast are all Happy Things.

Catch you in 2 weeks!
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing back into the podosphere with a note from her computer.

Heeeeerrrre goes!

The Fixed Kitty — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:55:01 +0000

I am about to put up the next and long-overdue podcast after all of Summer’s valiant efforts to undo the tech mess that I managed to create behind the deceptively placid facade of this website. (Thanks, Summer!)

You can hear all about how I’m doing, new NK chapters, Happy Things, and the 2nd part of the George Hrab interview in the audio of the next post.

*inhale* ahhh, it’s good to be back in the podosphere!
Chris the Fixed Kitty, signing out.

No children welcome at a cocktail party… gasp or duhhhh?

The Fixed Kitty — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:07:18 +0000

check this advice column out.

This goes right up there with late-night Dragon*con, bachelorette parties, and IRS audits as expected Adult Spaces. Worth a read.