the Dalaverse

Lo and behold, I was actually able to get some writing done tonight. And it's request-oriented, if y'all can remember that far back. linaelyn requested Cotton ampersand, and that's what this is.


( Refrain )

::stretches:: Ahhhh, to wake to the sweet purr of my own computer once again.

It's Family Weekend on campus and I am very disappointed that there's some stupid BBQ thing today instead of brunch. I want an omelette, dammit.

The ducks must have had a spat yesterday. Elizabeth was sitting by the path and Jack was preening himself next to her, with Will and James nowhere in sight. I swear I am not making this up. I could tell it was Jack the second time I passed them because he's the one with the bum left wing. Unless the other two wandered up to Route 5 and got hit by a car, in which case I will be very sad. But James should know better than that.

The library claims I did not return "The Duchess and the Devil." This is very distressing, not only because I know I dropped it in the slot, but if it's somehow been lost I won't be able to check it out again. Also, I haven't been able to watch "Lawrence of Arabia" because it's on VHS and there are no subtitles. For some reason, I really prefer watching DVDs with the subtitles turned on. Every now and then I'll watch one of my favorites, something I know all the words to like PotC or TPB, with the Spanish subtitles on to refresh my memory.

*blink* Umm. How did I set off into town with a singular mission and manage to return with three bags of stuff?

It's all the damned wandering. First I went to downtown Leonardtown looking for a secondhand clothing shop. I didn't even know there was a downtown Leonardtown. It's, like, a block and a half. There was a Vintage Values, but it was very crappy. Near it I found A USED BOOK STORE FOMG. It is very tiny and not as good as Book Alcove at home, but you know, the more used book stores I visit, the more I realize how special the Alcove truly is. I did like that the sci-fi/fantasy section was in this wee low-ceilinged cellar in the back labeled 'the Dungeon.' I bought what I was originally looking for -- a decent copy of The Source -- as well The Persian Boy, which somebody around here recced for the gay Alexanderness (hardcover for three bucks, squeeeee). I also couldn't resist Mary Renault's The Charioteer. I read 'modern homosexual relationship' and 'Second World War' in the blurb and decided it must go home with me. Anybody read it?

Also in Leonardtown, I discovered a small yarn shop, in which I could not step foot and leave again without buying something even though it was all ridiculously expensive. At least my yarn was on clearance. It's fuzzy and in subdued tones of gray, brown, and black, and I shall knit a skinny scarf out of it to wear with dark clothes.

I made the mistake of going back by way of Lex Park, where it occured to me that I was running out of the blanket yarn, so I bought two skeins in Michaels. And then I saw that the Halloween store was open already, and I just couldn't resist taking a peek to see if there was anything I could use in the construction of my pirate costume. Most of it was cheesy, but there's a brand that makes a line called Pirates of the Seven Seas with really cool stuff. At first glance I thought the men's costume was authentic Will Turner. It's overpriced, of course, but since all the pieces were sold separately I did buy a blouse. My regular Ren Faire blouse is too big and voluminous unless it's under a corset. I also got some red and white striped thigh highs, which I'm not sure I'm actually going to wear. They're quite piratey, but as my shoes are green, I fear becoming Christmas Elf Pirate. I'll have you know I totally passed up a generic Jack Sparrow hat/wig. The dreadlocks, headscarf and dangly things were neat, but I just didn't feel I could wear the floppy foam hat part with pride. Also, a mental note: next year for Halloween, I will be Indiana Jones. I'm counting on you lot to remind me.

And then I stopped in JoAnn's to see what they had in the way of fabrics, and ended up buying two yards of some red panne (panné? I don't know, that's what the lady called it. Looks like striped velvet to me). It will make a perfect sash. I think I'll sew it over so it's double-sided, and maybe make pillows out of the lot left over. It's pretty.

Now I'm finally home, damage done. So far the inventory of the pirate costume is as follows:

• gray pants I had forgotten about, Dockers I think, which I will roll up to below the knee


• blouse, which I'll have to wear something strapless under. I think Jeanne has a white tube top I could borrow.


• red velvet sash, the ends of which might have jingly things sewn on them; possibly a headscarf or band with leftover fabric


• red and white thigh highs, possibly (oh, they'd match my default! that's awesome)


• green leather slippers with laces


• various jewelry and accoutrements

I'd still like to have something to wear over the blouse. Coat is out as it'll be way too hot. I wanted a vest, but I haven't been able to find anything. I might not be able to resist getting the brown suede corset that goes with the blouse if I can't come up with anything else. For a Halloween costume, it was really very nice.

The benefit concert for the Katrina fund is tonight. All three a capella groups plus the gospel choir, a bake sale, and a toy drive which CRAP I might have BOUGHT something for in my travels if it had occured to me before this moment. Anyway, it should be a good time.