According to my sister, he believes me to be a "militant Obama supporter." Um.........what? I've never been a militant supporter of anyone, including the people that I voted for in the last two presidential elections. Will I be voting for Barack Obama in November? Yes. Do I agree with him on all the issues? No. Do I think that he is one of the greatest human beings ever to walk the Earth? No. I do think, however, that he's a better person than either John McCain or Sarah Palin. I also think that this country would be better off with him as President than the non-Maverick whose answer to everything is "I was a POW for 5 years."

This is a very simple coloring, but I was rather pleased with how it came out. It's pretty useful for adding warmth and depth to an image too, so I thought I'd share.

From

to

Program: Paint Shop Pro 9

here @ redsoles

I just got into this dragon cave thing.... and i have 4 eggs that will die if they dont get clicked on enough. will you click on my eggs so i can have dragons??

pweeeeese!

especially the blue with white swirlies...

So I watched the downloads and YouTube videos for the Canadian Maria show. I wish I could sing half as well as those girls!

These are two of my favourite songs and performances from the show, Cabaret sung by Elicia, who deservedly won, and Another Suitecase in Another Hall, by Allie and Jayme. A new song to me, but beautifully done. Go watch the rest on YouTube!

Cabaret


Another Suitecase in Another Hall

Title:  A Moment in Time
Author: Harlech1000
Rating: General
Warnings: None
Pairing:  C/V  (Preslash)
Authors Notes: I've never tried this before so I hope its enjoyable to read and meets Scrollgirl's request.
Disclaimer:  I do not own anything etc and definitely no money being made!

For Scrollgirl
Re: Request One - C/V Slice of Life Story.

A Moment in Time

Vin Tanner could sit, unmoving, for hours. The stillness of his surroundings would seep into his bones until he became one with it.  Partly it was his Indian heritage but mostly it was becaue he was simply that type of person.  He exuded calm.  Vin himself had no idea why people perceivd him like that. He guessed it had something to do with the fact that he had learned early on in life that the closer you got to people the more they could hurt you. It was much better to keep his thoughts (and his heart) to himself. But it was odd to realize how true it was - the waters could be still on the surface but a raging turmoil underneath and his thoughts were usually in turmoil.  The heavy weight of the bounty on his head liable to reach out and grab him around the neck (literally) without warning; the deep rooted need to somehow clear his name and be able to stand tall again; the most basic need of any being just to simply survive - these thoughts all churned around in his mind in a never ending circle. The bounty hunters especially worried him. They could so easily upset the life he now had in Four Corners.

Vin sighed quietly. Really, he was no different from other men despite what  people thought.  Maybe he was just better at hiding his true self from the world. Of one thing he was sure, he didn't want to die as a murderer at the end of a rope, presumed guilty of a crime he didn't commit. He wanted to live.  Which made his actions all the more confusing.  In his situation it wasn't safe to stay in any one place for too long but several months down the track he was still here; still in Four Corners; still talking of leaving but never actually doing it.


It should worry him. But it didn't.  He discovered he liked being in Four Corners. Here he had made friends who were slowly but surely becoming like family to him and he was helping folks, protecting them. It made him feel good - like the man he had once been before he'd met Eli Joe. It had been a while since he had felt so good about anything.

With another sigh, he rose, rubbing the small of his back.  The gentle ache telling him he'd been lost in the serenity of nature for far too long. A rustle behind and he was already spinning round, his shotgun up before the smell a cheroot reached his nostrils.  Lowering the gun, he raised an eyebrow at the approaching figure. "Creepin'up on a man's likely to get ya killed,  Larabee."

"Nah." Larabee shook his head.  "You know I'm friendly."

Vin's lips twitched. Given Chris's reputation in town, friendly wasn't the word he'd use. "That'll make a change."

Chris Larabee gave a grunt acknowledging Vin's dig at  his less than sociable attitude towards the townsfolk he was hired to protect but he kept on walking, brushing past Vin. 

Vin turned to follow the man's easy stride with narrowed eyes and slight smile on his face. Larabee was sometimes so predictable that it was almost funny.  He didn't know why but the connection between them was sometimes so strong that Vin could almost tell what Chris was going to say or do. To the rest of the Peacekeepers - even Buck - Chris was enigmatic man unpredictable in temper and actions but to Vin he was an open book.  Not that he could read but the description - coined from Ezra - seemed apt. Vin waited as sharp gren eyes surveyed his small sanctuary then Chris turned back to him with a quiet nod of approval and a questioning look.

"It's not too far from town," Vin offered, understanding Chris's look, "I discovered it  few months back by accident."  It was seldom disturbed even by critters. He strolled to Larabee's side and looked down at the dusty plain twenty feet below.  The sight was strange - almost beautiful in its own way. The main route to Eagle's Bend ran close by and the track could easily been seen from this ledge.  But whoever was on the road couldn't see up to the ledge which made this place an ideal lookout point in someways.

Content to stand without speaking, Vin waited. It was not like Chris to seek him out like this and their friendship ran deep enough that Vin could sense an odd tension in this man. Part of him wanted to reach out and draw Chris into his arms, hold him and take away that hard edge of pain that was constantly there. But he knew  whiteman's society did not approval of touching between men so instead he offered Chris his silent support and hoped it would be enough.

"Yer mother died today."

Vin blinked startled by the words spoken so calmly.  He didn't think Chris would remember.  They'd both been a little worse for Ezra's whisky the night he'd let that piece of information slip unintentionally from his lips.   It was the reason he'd come out to his bolthole on this particular day.

"You still remember her?" Chris continued calmly.

It was like touching a bruise - painful but bearful. Vin swallowed slightly, wondering where Chris was headed with this. "Yep. Ain't likely to forget  my ma."

"Everything?"  Chris pressed, his voice soft and intense.

Vin turned to face him and saw Chris was still looking out over the plain but his jaw was set tight. 
"Not as well as I'd like," Vin confessed, slowly feeling hisway. "But I remember moments. Events that stick in my mind. A birthday, the time I broke my leg,  her last days."

"And her face?"  

"I remember she had a sweet smile and I hear her voice in my head, telling me not to forget that I'm a Tanner..but  yeah,  her face..no...just  vague memory..."   Vin trailed off. 

"It was our Wedding anniversary yesterday." Finally Chris turned to face him. "I couldn't remember what Sarah looked like on our wedding day." There was a weath of pain in that voice at odds with the almost impassive green eyes that started at Vin.

Vin met the gaze squarely. "But ya don't forget the feelings," he countered and saw Chris's eyes widen slightly. "Ya don't forget how ya felt on that day, do ya?"

Unexpectedly Chris gave a short bark of laughter. "Hell, no! I was as nervous ...shit, never been so scared before in my life. Buck stood behind me at the Church. He was scared I was gonna turn tail and run."

"But ya didn't."

"No." Chris's smile turned softer than Vin had ever seen before.  "No, I didn't. Sarah walked up the aisle. I sure as hell remember her father glaring at me the whole time from the back of the Church.  Sarah never knew he was there but I saw him. I was never gonna be good enough for his daughter."

"I doubt any man would have been," Vin pointed out quietly.

Chris's lips twisted ruefully. "Yeah. But he was mighty proud of her. She was all he had."

Vin saw the sudden realization dawn in Chris's eyes and felt a warmth inside him start to grow as Chris turned to him. He felt the depth of their connection and recognised what his Indian family would have called a brother of his heart. They really were alike in so many ways.

"She was beautiful.." Chris whispered sofly. "She wore white and her hair all piled up on her head with ringlets around her face. Never wore it like that again. Said it gave her a headache but she wanted to look nice for me on our wedding day," he paused then met Vin's eyes almostly shyly. "Thanks."

"For what?" Vin moved back from the ledger and leaned against a boulder.  He saw a vulnerability  in the eyes that turned following his movements. He'd always suspected it was there but never had seen it until now.  Chris's eyes were soft and harsh lines in his face had smoothed out making him look younger. Vin could see the appeal a younger Chris would have had to any women. Idly he wondered how old Chris really was and decided to pump Buck for the information when the ladies man returned from Eagle Bend, preferably before Blossom got her hands on him.

"For reminding me," Chris moved back to join him. Their shoulder touched as Chris settled.

The last rays of the sun were moving across te ground, creeping forward. Vin watched them content to let the day fade into the night. They would have to be heading back soon and this moment would be over. Another memory for him to treasure; another reason why he would not leave Four Corners. It was so simple really and he'd been a fool not to see it before.  Vin smiled. His heart  recognised home.  Chris was his home.

"My cabin's nearer," Chris offered. His voice carefully non committal.  "We're not on patrol till tomorrow night."

Vin tilted his head and nodded his acceptance. Perhaps Chris was offering more than a place to sleep; perhaps he wasn't. It didn't really matter. If all he could ever have from Chris was this feeling of brotherhood, Vin knew he would be happy.

Together they turned and began the steep awkward walk back to the narrow area where the horses waited. Vin slowed  down to let Chris go first  over the worst part. He  watched Chris's progress with a soft smile and silently offered his thanks to the Gods - for the day, for the memories and for Chris.  Something deep within him told him that best was yet to come. 

I'm looking for a fic where the guys are all at a stupifying seminar at a hotel in Denver. Vin and Ezra start playing hangman in the middle of the lecture just to alleviate boredom and aggravate Chris. One thing leads to another & the two finally act on their mutual attraction.  I believe it alternates the POV as first person between Vin and Ezra.  It's incredibly well-written, and I especially enjoyed the first part when the two miscreants are tweaking Chris's last nerve...If anyone has any info on this, I'd be most grateful. 

Music: Don't make me a target by Spoon


Chuck fanvid here@articatx 

Good evening folks!

Here is tonight's episode discussion post for Whispers. All discussion within the comments will contain spoilers, so read at your own risk. :) Enjoy the episode tonight everyone! :D

Welcome to firefly_signal, wherein we hope to link fan activity and news from across the fandom in one location. We hope you find this newsletter useful and spread the word.

News:
David Krumholtz in talks to join Quentin Tarantino's WWII drama "Inglorious Bastards"
CSTS Statement on Dallas 2007 Donations

FanFic:
[LiveJournal]
Standalones:
WIP:
Storm Front Part I—Mail by just_slummin Mal/River, PG

[FireflyFans.net]
WIP:
DUPLICITY Series: 29. "Unseen Forces" by Amdobell Zoe/Wash, Kaylee/Simon, Mal/Inara, G
Big Blue Ch 8/? by Briglad crew, unrated

[FanFiction.net]
Standalones:
Layers by FissFuneralSong Simon, River, T
Dancing by patricia51 River/Kaylee, M
WIP:
Throwing Pearls to Swine Ch 2/? by ILB River/Jayne, K+
Sweet Sorrow Ch 2/? by jane0904 Mal/OFC, K+
Aftermath Ch 14/? by TamSibling Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, M

Challenges:
Reminder: Challenge #38 @ jayne_stills
Prompt 081 Voting @ still_grrr
September ficathon for Jayne/Kaylee @ jaylee_ship
Challenge 40 @ offthebox
Prompt 082 @ still_grrr
Round 2: Challenge 6: At Last, We Can Retire and Give Up This Life of Crime @ firefly_rumble

Miscellaneous:
Teaser poster for The Sarah Connor Chronicles featuring Summer Glau
Ghosts of Serenity : A Firefly RPG

Dragon*Con
Dragon*Con Megapost by ll_cool_rob (includes pictures of Alan, Nathan and Morena)
Report from Cedric of the Bedlam Bards
Dr. Who meets Firefly, photo with Jewel Staite
D*Con Photos from nevoc (lots of Firefly costumes)

---

If we missed anything, let us know, and we'll include it in tomorrow's edition. You can comment here, or email us at firefly[dot]signal[at]googlemail[dot]com.

As many of you know, screen captures from the TV show Supernatural are very difficult to work with, they are dark and most of the time lack in color, which makes it a challenge to create good icons and graphics with them. Because of this, and because I've seen a lot of people asking for help on how to color Supernatural caps, I thought a list like this was long over due.

I will not claim I have every single Supernatural tutorial posted by people on Live Journal listed here, but I think I have around 80% of them, so I hope you'll find something that will help you among them!

I did NOT make any of these tutorials, I only created the previews, full credit goes to the makers of each tutorial for the rest!

I've divided the tutorials into these two categories:

Tutorials made in and for Photoshop.
These tutorials are NOT TRANSLATABLE, which means they're made in and for photoshop ONLY!

Tutorials made in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Gimp ect..
These ARE TRANSLATABLE, which means you can achieve the effects/coloring the tutorials describe in ALL graphic programs!

Created: Sept 3rd 2008
Last Updated: September 3rd 2008
Number of tutorials: 104
IMAGE HEAVY!!
Click here for the entire tutorial list

This is just a follow up post to my text post i did earlier today.  Yesterday while i was being forced to listen to rush limbaugh, i heard him playing Barracuda by Heart (heart is my all time favorite band) while talking about Gov Whats her face.  I wasnt surprised by it but at the same time i was like No way in hell they got permission from Heart to do that.  Nancy Wilson, the younger of the founding sisters of the band, is very liberal, and one of my idols.  During the two concerts Ive when ive seen them, she wore a shirt that said "Flush Your Prozac" and "Turn Off Your TV"  (neither one of which ive done yet but still good advice).  She can be very outspoken.  Im not sure of Ann, her sisters views, but Nancy doesnt shy away from her opinion. 

Anyway, I texted my sister yesterday saying "WTF can they do that?"  And today, sure enough, GOP was told to knock it the hell off!

"Ann Wilson revealed in interviews that the song was about Heart's anger towards Mushroom Records attempted publicity stunt involving sisters Ann and Nancy and a made up lesbian affair. The song particularly focuses on Ann's rage towards a fan who came up to her after a concert asking how her "lover" was. She initially thought he was talking about her then boyfriend, band member Michael Fisher. After he revealed he was talking about her sister Nancy Wilson, Ann became angry and went back to her hotel room to write the song."   (Stolen from Wikipedia, which already has the cease and desist order on it.)

We've got a few wonderful entries for the current challenge, but could really use some more. PLEASE enter Challenge #38!

Icons are due by midnight tomorrow (9/6/08).

Evidently neither the petition circulators (for doing their research) nor the Nevada Secretary of State (for the creation and maintenance of finding aids) felt that a librarian's help would be useful to them.

From the Las Vegas Review Journal
Excerpt:

Three petitions signed by an estimated 130,000 registered voters and backed by Las Vegas Sands Inc. cannot appear on the November election ballot because their circulators did not follow the signature collection law, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Justices said petition circulators failed to follow a 2007 law that requires them to sign affidavits that they personally circulated the petitions and counted the signatures on their petitions, witnessed people sign in their presence and gave them an opportunity to read each petition in its entirety.

The court said petition circulators complained the petitions should go on the ballot because they relied on rules found in an initiative petition guide on Secretary of State Ross Miller's Web site. That guide had not been amended to include the 2007 law.

I just made a video which combines audio from a Deadwood (HBO series) promo and video from The Magnificent Seven. I've had the idea for a while, but finally got around to doing it. You can view it on my LJ.

I was wondering how mccains camp got away with using a song written by the biggest liberal i know http://news.yahoo.com/s/eonline/20080905/en_top_eo/27431

Yesterday I saw the first two movies, Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla and Mabrouk El Mechri's JCVD.

I'm not gonna give you the plot outline or anything, you can get that anywhere, I'll just shortly describe what I thought of them.

( cut for the uninterested )

Gladly, the weather today is cold enough to wear my sneakers (also the one around my neck... thanks again, kleiner_koenig!) so my feet can recover a bit. ^^
So, today I'll see Appaloosa (although it hasn't recieved the best reviews) and Detroit Metal City! After that, only one film per day. Less running. :)