Meanwhile, I Keep Dancing In My Chair

Just a little snippet

2009-12-30T04:51:47Z

I'm on my way to bed, but I thought I'd post a little snippet of RD-NE so you can share in the fun I've been having!

Title: RD-NE (snippet)
Pairing: Rodney McKay/John Sheppard
Rating: G
Warnings: Image-heavy crack!fic
Spoilers: None
Word Count: WIP
Summary: An unscheduled arrival in Atlantis challenges the status quo. A little crack fusion AU of SGA/WALL-E. With illustrations! And the orange fleece!

Rolling at a velocity never required before, RD-NE raced to the gateroom. An unscheduled gate activation alert 5649.26 sidereal years post-evacuation occasioned the direction; the subsequent explosions necessitated the speed. It wasn't until RD-NE braked to an unsteady halt 2.7 meters from the collapsing event horizon - and a Javelin Zone Defender's extremely large gun - that RD-NE began to re-compute the cost/benefit ratio of racing toward danger.

It wasn't until a pinged exchange of clearances and a scan that left RD-NE's distal circuitry tingling, followed by the power-down of the JZD's weapon, that RD-NE was able to survey the vicinity and assess the damage. The unit that the JZD had apparently followed through the gate was in pieces, a single LED flickering out as RD-NE rolled closer to inspect the remains.

The unidentifiable unit's condition supported RD-NE's decision to increase certain emergency response times in the future.

However logical it might be, that decision did not prevent RD-NE's conditioned response when TLA abandoned her relatively safe position atop the gate and foolishly hopped across the gateroom floor toward the new arrival. Years of intervening whenever RD/K attempted disposal of the biological contaminant sent RD-NE rolling between TLA and the JZD's gun. Fortunately, RD-NE's clearances overrode the containment protocols, and neither RD-NE nor TLA ended up in many useless components.

Latest crisis averted, and with TLA chirping from her favored location above RD-NE's heat-producing CPU, RD-NE rolled through the gateroom and control center while compiling the list of repairs. RD-NE calculated that the charred craters in the walls and the broken windows could be restored using the specialized attachments RD-NE had created for the single remaining Repair and Disposal/K-series, which was already attempting to clear away debris.

The shattered control crystal inside the intermittently sparking DHD console could not.

In conclusion, the JZD with the very dangerous weapon and overactive defense programming would be remaining on Atlantis until RD-NE could manufacture and install a new crystal in a repaired console.

That task immediately acquired the highest rank in RD-NE's queue.

There's A New Kid in Town

Don't worry, I'll post the entire story as soon as I finish fleshing out a few more scenes. It definitely grew from the initial drabble I was thinking about and will probably be over 3K by the time I post it.

G'night!

The crack - it has moved in and made itself very comfortable

2009-12-28T00:24:51Z

A few months ago, in a journal whose name has disappeared in the mists of my memory, WALL-E was mentioned as a possible remix for John and Rodney. The idea haunted me by popping into dreams and interrupting perfectly good stories. My daughter mentioned the movie this week and I gave in and started looking for screencaps for further inspiration. I found a few that supported my unexpected obsession and far too many hours devoted to the pursuit of adorable robots.

Eve aka JDZ/N

WALL-E aka RD-NE

Cleaner!bot aka RD/K

Base screencap/background credits:
http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?individual_id=199175&portfolio_id=2151448
http://gateworld.net/
http://disney.com/

Yes, I'm in the middle of writing and illustrating a WALL-E/SGA fusion. Why do you ask?

*giggles quite immoderately*

Fic + Art: Remember When

2009-12-25T23:47:34Z

Title: Remember When
Author: danceswithgary
Pairing: Rodney McKay/John Sheppard
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 2250
Archive: Fine, just let me know
Summary: John tells a story about two men, a chair, and an orange fleece jacket. Set in the Screen Savor 'verse, but may be read as standalone.

Remember When

Teyla waited until the other volunteers stored the last of the boxes inside the second bedroom and only her team remained before presenting her housewarming gift. With a smile, she waved away all protests that she needn't have gone to the trouble. The Athosians had long held the tradition of gifting new householders, and she was pleased that she had the opportunity to carry it over to two of her dearest friends.

The package was small - no greater than Rodney's smallest laptop - and carefully swaddled in a piece of blue cloth that Teyla thought matched both Rodney's eyes and the sky John loved. She had briefly considered requesting a larger size but, from personal experience, she'd known that the smaller a valued item the more likely it would survive relocation.

"Teyla, it's…it's…." Rodney's inarticulate murmur as John tugged the cloth free brought a pleased smile to Teyla's face. John's delighted grin was confirmation that she'd chosen well.

Curious, Ronon leaned over Teyla's shoulder and asked, "Who'd you get to paint it? Lorne?"

Teyla smiled and nodded. "Yes, Evan was quite happy to work with the photograph I supplied, after secrecy was no longer required to protect John's position. He is now working on another of Kanaan and Torren."

"Have to see if he'll do one for me and Jennifer," Ronon rumbled. "You take good pictures with that camera McKay gave you."

"You really do, Teyla. It's from that night on the beach when we caught those fish. Right?" John glanced up from the small canvas in Rodney's hands; his eyes alight with the memory.

Clearing his throat, Rodney looked up and answered haltingly, "Yes…it is. I remember…thank you, Teyla. And thank Lorne for me…us, too."

Stepping forward to touch foreheads with each of her teammates in turn, Teyla murmured, "It was my pleasure, Rodney, John. I hope this represents the first of many such remembrances of your lives together."

During the first year on their new homeworld, the Athosians had discovered small fish with spawning habits similar to smelt. In the years that followed, the villagers celebrated the ocean's bounty with a communal supper before gathering around small fires along the beach to wait for the moonlit fishing to begin. Teyla had taken advantage of the occasion to negotiate some much-needed team downtime, claiming her people would appreciate some assistance and that Atlantis would reap a portion of the catch.

Bellies full of tuttleroot soup and tava bean sweetcakes, her team appropriated the furthermost firepit, settling down on either a log or a blanket spread on the rough-edged shingle. Rodney immediately began complaining about splashing about in wet sneakers and cold water.

"That's what the fire's for, McKay." Ronon tossed a pebble in Rodney's direction, laughing at the resulting squawk. "Run doesn't last long anyway."

The answering elevation of Rodney's chin was no surprise to Teyla. "Just remember that I'm willing to help catch, but I'm not cleaning them. I already spent the day working while certain others I could name were playing the wrong kind of football with children."

"Hey! They like American football!" John protested from his sprawl at Rodney's feet.

Teyla intervened with a smile. "Your improvements to the smokers were much appreciated, Rodney."

"Yes, well, I have been known to enjoy a kipper or two for breakfast in the past," Rodney admitted with a huff. "I'm looking forward to sampling a Pegasus version."

"I am certain we will return with enough for more than a few meals," Teyla assured him. She turned her attention to the small pack slung over her shoulder. "I should return your camera. Thank you for allowing me to take some additional photographs of the village and my friends. You will email them to me as before?"

Rodney raised a hand in refusal. "No, no, keep it. It's…I actually bought that one as a gift for you after I saw how much you liked using it the last time we were here. I know you don't get to visit as often as you like and…." He broke off with a shrug, color rising in his cheeks as John patted his leg in approval.

"I do not know what to say." Teyla felt a catch in her throat at Rodney's thoughtfulness and she left her log to walk around the fire to his side, narrowly avoiding stepping on John along the way.

Rodney rose to meet her, and they touched foreheads as he whispered, "Say nothing. Just enjoy it."

"Thank you, Rodney." She nodded and backed away to her seat, smiling downward when John added, "You did good, buddy."

"Well, I must say it's definitely chillier out here now that the sun's going down." Rodney scrubbed his hands along his arms before nudging John with a foot. "I guess I'd better bite the bullet and put my damn fleece on. Hand me that pack, would you?"

John sat up with a groan and relinquished the backpack he'd been using as a pillow. Teyla wondered at the scowl on Rodney's face as he rummaged through the pack and pulled out a bright orange jacket she'd never seen before. She was even more puzzled when Rodney grumbled, "Good thing no one will be able to see it once it's dark."

"Is something wrong?" Teyla asked with a frown, concerned by Rodney's sharper-than-usual temper.

Rodney yanked the maligned piece of clothing over his head without unzipping it first, leaving his hair in a state of dishevelment usually exclusively John's. Still grumbling in irritation, he returned to his log, swatting John's hands away when John reached up to restore the fine soft strands to their normal tidiness.

"Rodney?" Teyla patiently waited for her answer, the familiar byplay having coaxed a smile to her face.

"I deliberately left this behind when I packed for the first trip to Atlantis," Rodney huffed as he dropped the pack next to John. "However, it seems that the last time we went back for IOA reviews, 'Stickyfingers' Sheppard stole it out of the closet in my apartment." His eyes narrowed as he watched John pull a jacket from his own backpack to slip on.

"I didn't steal it. I was being thoughtful and I packed it for you." Teyla chuckled when John ducked his head to hide his grin as he admitted, "In my duffel."

"Fine, you didn't steal it." It was clear to Teyla that although he'd granted John that skirmish, Rodney wasn't ready to concede the battle. She exchanged an amused glance with Ronon and settled in to wait out the bickering. "However, you did force me to bring it for tonight."

John's raised eyebrows made his opinion clear. "Forced you?"

Rodney crossed his arms as he ranted back, "Well, what would you call it when all my other jackets mysteriously vanished after you appropriated that black fleece you're now wearing…."

"Hey, you gave it to me because I was cold after mine got chewed on by that goat…rabbit…thing." John tugged on the sleeves of Rodney's former jacket and positioned the collar so that the shirt underneath was visible. Teyla had to admit to herself that the contrast was pleasing to the eye and John had chosen well 'borrowing' Rodney's clothing.

Rodney was not ready to agree, continuing as if he hadn't been interrupted. "…leaving me the choice of courting hypothermia or wearing this thing. Well?"

"I'd call it being sensible?" John looked up from the blanket he was rearranging, obviously as puzzled as Teyla by Rodney's reaction over something as simple as a choice of jacket.

Rodney's lips thinned as he searched for a reply, then he finally muttered, "Try infuriating." His shoulders hunched inward, as if to protect himself, and Teyla found it hard not to ask why.

Ronon didn't share the same scruples. "Why so upset, McKay? Keeps you warm, right?"

"It keeps me quite warm, thank you, and it was also a very shrewd purchase when you consider how easily someone could end up lost out in the ice and snow of Antarctica." Rodney's tone was still defensive, but a little calmer as he expanded on his agreement. "High visibility was an important factor to consider along with loft and weight, hence the orange which otherwise would never have entered my possession considering its association with one of the banes of my existence."

Ronon grunted and tossed another branch on the fire. "So what's the problem?"

"Yeah. Spill, buddy. What's got you wound up so tight?" John settled back on the blanket to look up at Rodney's face. He reached out to touch Rodney's knee in what Teyla believed a mute apology for crossing over a line he hadn't thought important.

Rodney huffed once before explaining, "Obviously someone like you or Ronon has never been the butt of jokes like, 'Question: How can you tell the difference between a traffic cone and McKay?' Answer: The traffic cone manages to tell you where to go in less than two hundred words.' That was just one of many. I'd already dealt with enough of that juvenile humor as a fourteen-year-old college student and I didn't see the need to provide the opportunity for more on Atlantis." His voice had lowered to a mumble during his confession and he avoided making eye contact with any of his team.

"What's a traffic cone?" asked Ronon.

The question caused John to snicker and, after a moment, Rodney joined in. After the laughter subsided, John pointed out, "See? That right there proves the joke was stupid to begin with."

Rodney's voice was noticeably lighter when he agreed with John. "Of course they were stupid jokes. Consider the sources."

Teyla was glad Rodney's anger was lifting and she applied her own balm to an old wound. "I think the color is quite flattering, Rodney. You should wear that jacket more often."

"I wanted to see you in it because it reminds me of the first time we met," John confessed, sitting up and shifting closer so he could nudge Rodney's legs with a shoulder.

Sensing a story, Ronon did some nudging of his own. "You were in that Ant-whatever place, too?"

"Yeah, flying helicopters. One day I was bringing O'Neill in and Carson fired a drone at us." John grinned up at Rodney. "I outflew it, of course, and then later on I sat in a chair."

Rodney rolled his eyes, adding, "Completely disregarding General O'Neill's orders not to touch anything."

"A chair like the one in Atlantis?" Ronon asked.

"Exactly the same. Threw me when it did its thing and I ended up looking at the ceiling. Then this obnoxious guy in an orange jacket came in and told me to think about where we were in the solar system. There was this incredible light show, which made the obnoxious guy pretty excited. Next thing I know I'm flipping a coin to decide whether to go through the gate or not."

Teyla smiled in satisfaction at the conclusion. "And we are very glad you did, John."

It quickly became apparent that Rodney wasn't as pleased with the story. "If I'm so obnoxious, why did you want me to wear this and remind you? For that matter…."

Teyla was thankful for John's quick response. She didn't want the evening to end with Rodney storming away from the fire. "Because it proves first impressions aren't always right, genius." John's next action supported his claim. He settled down in front of Rodney, nudging Rodney's legs apart in order to sit between them. "C'mon. I'm still cold and you're warm and cozy."

"John? This is not being discreet." Teyla noticed how Rodney looked around anxiously to determine if anyone outside the team was watching, and it hurt her to witness his apprehension over a simple display of affection.

"Relax. Ronon and Teyla know, remember?" John tipped his head back and smiled. "They're the ones who pointed me in the right direction."

"But the others aren't very far away. I don't like having to hide any more than you do, but all it takes is one person…." Teyla watched with interest as John shook his head at Rodney and whispered what she thought sounded like "Mer." Rodney subsided with a sigh and allowed John to relax inside the circle of his arms. "Fine. It'll be dark soon anyway, and Ronon happens to resemble a wall big enough to hide behind."

At a nod from Teyla, Ronon shifted to make sure he blocked John and Rodney from casual observation. "Better a wall than a closet," he retorted.

"Did you just make a joke about…?" Rodney sputtered in disbelief while John just chuckled.

Ronon shrugged. "Been listening to some of the Marines. They think the rule's stupid."

"Stupid or not, it could get John sent back to Earth if someone says something to a bigot in his unenlightened military and they decide to…." Rodney snapped back.

John interrupted the oft-repeated complaint with a stage-whispered, "Shhh, I'm trying to take a nap here."

As the four teammates subsided into silence, Teyla watched John sink a little deeper inside Rodney's sheltering arms, his eyes slipping closed. Rodney remained strangely quiet, as if reluctant to disturb the rare peace, his gaze seeming focused on distant memories. It struck her how unusual it was for her to see the two of them so still together outside of injury and that contentment suited the pair.

She decided to put Rodney's generous gift to good use.

Click for Full-size

Notes: Written for mcfleece. Icon and wallpaper are available for personal use - I only ask that you credit me so others know where they might find others to enjoy.

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. The characters of Rodney McKay and John Sheppard as well as any supporting characters are the property of their creators and MGM Television/Sony Pictures Television/Associated Production Companies. Any deviation (or deviant behavior) from the originals, however, is mine.

Feedback is both welcome and appreciated.

Thank you for my pretty present, elesecks!

2009-12-25T14:09:45Z

My profile sparkles! :-D

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T14:06:32Z

I posted these earlier, but it's a greeting worth repeating. :-D

Click for fullsize

Click for fullsize

Artwork and Fic: McShep Dribs and Drabbles I

2009-12-21T20:50:05Z

Title: McShep Dribs and Drabbles
Author: danceswithgary
Pairings: (Rodney McKay/John Sheppard)
Rating: G to PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 4 x 100
Archive: Fine, just let me know
Summary: 12-06-09 Prompts

Click for fullsize

For: gyri who requested John loses his memory, Rodney helps him get it back.

Lacunar

"There you are. Missed you at breakfast, Sheppard."

"Hey, McKay. Yeah, um, hell of a hangover."

"Feel up to lunch?"

"Sorry, got stuff I need to get done."

"Dinner, then?"

"Can't. Flying over to the mainland. I'll be back late."

"I should have known you'd freak out and pretend it never happened, Colonel."

"Rodney, wait! What the hell are you talking about?"

"Last night? You, me, a bed?"

"The last thing I remember is a second bottle of Radek's vodka."

"What about this?"

"Whoa, I think it's coming back to me."

"And?"

"You, me, a moonlight picnic on the beach."

For: blackchaps who's a McShep fan minus a prompt.

Catch as Catch Can

After rolling to his back with a heart-felt groan, Rodney turned his head to scowl at the man lying next to him on the rock-strewn plateau. "Do you have any idea how lucky you just were?"

John nodded, his gaze focused on the blue sky above. "Yeah, I do. Thanks, buddy."

"I suppose after this I'll have to stop mocking you about the perennial gap in the back of your pants, since that's all that saved you from certain death." Rodney waved his hand in the general direction of John's hips. "However, it's still open season on the Wild Woodies."

For: rsharpe who requested John/Rodney - in their own unique way celebrating any holiday *except* Christmas.

Take Flight

"We should do something special tonight, Rodney, maybe take the jumper into orbit and do some stargazing."

"Not that I mind, but why tonight?"

"It's April 12th, 2011."

"April twelfth…. You know how terrible I am with dates, John."

"Fifty years ago, Yuri Gagarin was the…."

"…first man in space! Just think; back then a single orbit in 108 minutes was a world event and now we're living in another galaxy. We should definitely celebrate. We still have that bottle of Kthosian wine, and I can get the mess to put together some sandwiches."

"I'll grab the other supplies."

"Perfect."

For: djaddict who requested John/Rodney Mistletoe (First kiss a plus!)

Lecture Mode

Rodney rants his way down the hall. "….lost control of the meeting when the botanists and anthropologists ran amuck."

"Amuck?" Ambling at Rodney's side, John chuckles at the hyperbole.

Pausing in the lab's doorway, Rodney rolls his eyes. "Corrigan was excited about some arboreal parasite Parrish found on MX5-633, and a comparative analysis degenerated into arguing about Norse mythology and misinterpretation of pagan traditions."

"Mistletoe."

Rodney blinks, surprised. "How…" Soft lips muffle his question, then retreat as John points up. "Oh," Rodney murmurs.

"That a problem?" John asks tentatively.

Rodney frowns and snaps, "Only if it never happens again."

"Cool."

***

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. The characters of Rodney McKay and John Sheppard as well as any supporting characters are the property of their creators and MGM Television/Sony Pictures Television/Associated Production Companies. Any deviation (or deviant behavior) from the originals, however, is mine.

Feedback is both welcome and appreciated.

Thanks for the cookie, tipsywitch!

2009-12-21T13:03:21Z

Nom, nom, nom.

*pats happy tummy*

Artwork and Fic: Clex Dribs and Drabbles I

2009-12-20T19:57:22Z

Title: Clex Dribs and Drabbles I
Author: danceswithgary
Pairings: (Clark Kent/Lex Luthor)
Rating: May range from G to R
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 7 x 100
Archive: Fine, just let me know
Summary: Drabbles 12-06-09 Prompts

Click for Fullsize

For: tasabian who requested Lex in the rain.

And Mondays

Lex sighs when a passing pickup adds another layer of Smallville mud to his soaked clothes. Resigned to trudging the remaining thousand or so miles back to the mansion - minus a shoe sacrificed to a lurking ditch - he's focused on the road only a few feet ahead in a futile effort to avoid the deeper puddles.

A familiar voice brings Lex's head up in pleased surprise. "Lex, why didn't you call someone?"

"Forgot my phone," Lex sheepishly admits.

"Let's get you to the house. You need dry clothes and Mom's famous chicken soup."

Lex fucking loves the rain.

For: cinderella81 who requested a bit of AU where Clark rescues Lex from the island.

Sandcastle

The frown on Lex's face puzzles Clark, as does the rasped complaint. "You always do that, Clark. You just walk right in like you own the place."

After glancing around the deserted beach, Clark shakes his head, asking, "What place?"

"My place of residence, my domain." Lex spreads his sunburned arms wide and spins in place, giggling. "Here. I am the supreme ruler of all I survey!"

"All?" The red stone in Clark's ring glints under the tropical sun as he reaches out to gather up his dizzy friend. "We'll have to discuss that after we get back to Metropolis."

For: twinsarein who requested Clark/Lex - Ornament.

All That Glitters

It's a tradition they instituted the year Martha presented them with a box filled with heirloom ornaments - to add one each to their collection every year. They keep them a secret from each other, stashing their newest addition amidst gleaming bells and stars, tinsel and lights, styrofoam balls signed in glitter, and ragged felt angels. The first to find the other's hiding place wins a kiss and bragging rights, the use of x-ray vision strictly forbidden.

Lex's favorite is the glass starburst molded by alien eyes and hands, while Clark's is a velvet box that once held two rings.

For: ladydey who requested Clark/Lex - first holiday with their new baby, or as a new family.

Bauble Bobble

"No, no, no! That one doesn't go there!"

"Lena, that's not very polite."

"But he's not trimming the tree the way we always do, Papa!"

"Lex, I can…."

"No, Clark. It's our first Christmas together. I think maybe we need some new traditions."

"How about a compromise, Lena? Why don't you show me which ornaments go where? Since I'm tallest, I'll take the top and you handle the bottom."

"And Papa the middle."

"My mom always put some cookies out for Santa with a glass of milk. Is that what you two do?"

"That's what we three will do, Clark."

For: chelletoo who requested Clark/Lex and the scarecrow incident from first season.

Mystery

Lex's arrival in Smallville has raised many questions in few days.

How did an ordinary teenager walk away from an encounter with a high-speed juggernaut without a mark? How did the same boy recover from hanging on a cross, from appearing a few breaths from death, to able to run in less than a heartbeat? What is it about a certain farm boy that appeals to a millionaire in exile?

Contemplating a green stone on a dainty chain, Lex wonders if he'll ever know the answers…and whether he'll be happy with what he learns.

He's looking forward to finding out.

For: gawy_lavall who requested Clex and eggnog.

A Bit of Spice

Lex shakes his head when Clark approaches with a mug in each hand. "No, thanks. I really don't care for eggnog."

"It's Mom's secret recipe!" Clark protests. "You have to at least try." Sipping from one of the mugs, he acquires a creamy moustache.

"No…." Lex pauses mid-refusal. Centering his hand on Clark's chest, Lex pushes back three steps. "There."

Clark tilts his head in puzzlement.

Lex takes advantage of the perfect angle to taste.

Clark's sweetened lips warm under Lex's for only a few moments before Lex pulls back and points up. "Mistletoe. And I still don't like eggnog."

For: hils who requested Clex.

Potluck

"Clark! You're just in time!"

"Hey, Lex. In time for what?"

"Is this supposed to look like that?"

"Depends on what it's supposed to be."

"Bread for the pate. It's been rising for three hours."

"Um, I think it should be…puffier by now."

"Damn. I must have missed a step."

"I have to say Mom's bread's never been that color. Uh, Lex, what's that smell?"

"Smell…crap! The pate! Quick, hand me that oven mitt."

"I'll do it. Oh. That looks…."

"Burnt to a crisp. Guess we're ordering out tonight."

"I'll teach you how to make tuna casserole instead."

"Sounds delectable."

~/~/~

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. The characters of Lex Luthor and Clark Kent as well as any supporting characters are the property of their creators and DC Comics. Gough/Millar Inc and the WB Network TV own Smallville. Any deviation (or deviant behavior) from the originals, however, is mine.

Feedback is both welcome and appreciated.

What not to do when trying to break through writer's block

2009-12-18T01:10:21Z

Do NOT read the entries at fanficrants because it's just like a first year medical student ending up believing they've contracted every disease and ailment they've read about.

Repeat after me:

I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.
I do know how to write a story that someone might enjoy.

*winces at list of WIPs that isn't getting any shorter*

Artwork: Moonlit for elayna88

2009-12-17T22:09:48Z

The request: John with white wings for the Little Miracles Series by elayna88.

Moonlit

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In addition, I created a Photoshop Elements Tutorial on the tools I used to create Moonlit.

Photoshop Elements Tutorial (Tool Use for Manipping)

2009-12-17T21:51:00Z

As a new user, taste_is_sweet requested a Photoshop tutorial on the techniques I used to create my Detour To Bethlehem manips. Although I'm still taking baby steps when it comes to the many tools available in the Photoshop Elements, I'm happy to share what I've learned so far. I hope that some of it will translate across to other programs. Note: Keeping in mind this is for a new user, I'm likely to go into details some may think are no-brainers.

I'll be stepping through a new piece of art because although I do attempt to save versions of the .psd (the workspace) BEFORE I merge layers, thus making it a little easier to backtrack the steps I take or create a different version later, unfortunately, I only saved two interim files for Detour and they were merged. That tends to happen when I get into the zone and I've regretted it when I've had Photoshop crash on me before I've saved anything. To be honest, it would be difficult to recall all the tools and tricks I used for Detour, but the piece I'll be creating here will use a number of my favorites.

The request: John with white wings for the Little Miracles Series by elayna88.

I had several ideas and spent two days pulling up images of swans and Atlantis locations because I wanted an outside scene. With winged manips, I prefer no shirts, so I also looked through all my topless images of JF along with several models with JF's body type. For the first try, I decided to work with John and Rodney watching the whales in Echoes.

Graphics included for tutorial

Base.jpg : screencap from GateWorld
Swan.jpg : photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/13474679@N00/508186879
Vincentback.jpg : photo from brendan_vincent?
FoggyMoon.jpg : photo from Weather.com,
Underwater.jpg : art from Fractal Bargain Bin
Workspace#.jpg: Screencaps of interim stages

Email me at danceswithgary AT yahoo.com for graphics (required - may be copied from LJ post) and the interim .psd files (not required). They are 32MB zipped.

NOTE: If you are working through the tutorial, at each point you save myfile#.psd, there is a matching example# included in the zip file for your review and comparison. In particular, example6.psd contains extra layers for experimenting with blending.

Tip #1: Edit->Preferences->Performance : Set History to 50 (or higher). The history records each tool use (mouse click). I undo the majority of my experiments and tools like Erase or Smudge can use up the history fast. You don't want to decide not to erase or smudge or burn and find out you can't back all the way out.

Task: Base.jpg's size of 1024 x 576 is too short for my preference - need to increase the upper area to emphasize being outside. The top of the picture will need to be extended to cover the background.

Click for fullsize Base.jpg

- Use the Eyedropper to select an upper piece of the ocean as the base color for a new background. (Hint: Don't forget to switch the selection to background at the bottom of the tool tray)

- File->New->Blank File setting it to 1024 x 640 Background Color. (Setting the background color instead of leaving it transparent can help when blending or erasing, allowing the under color to fill in errors or gaps.)

- Use the Move to drag base.jpg onto new file, File->Save As myfile1.psd.

- View->Fit on Screen for easier positioning.

- Layer 1 (the picture of John and Rodney) to align with bottom.

Click for fullsize Workspace1.jpg

- Use the Rectangular Marquee to select the sky section excluding the building, Edit->Copy, Edit->Paste (Layer 3)

- Layer 3 to top right corner, Image->Rotate->Flip Layer Vertical to match the colors better since they lighten toward the top.

- Layer->Duplicate Layer to create Layer 3 copy, to top left corner, Image->Rotate->Flip Layer Horizontal, Layer->Arrange->Send Backward.

- Select Layer 1, Layer->Arrange->Bring to Front.

Click for fullsize Workspace2.jpg

Tip #2: While you can use drag and drop to shift the layers in the Layers section, I find it doesn't always cooperate. Using the menu is precise. The same goes for using the Rotate menu items instead of rotating by using the , it's easy to end up off by a fraction.

Task: The lines need to be tidied and the building extended.

- File->Save As myfile2.psd

- Layer-> Merge Visible.

- Use Clone Stamp , set size to 40px, hold down Alt key, left mouse click to select area to copy. (The larger the size, the clearer the pattern reproduces. Too small just transfers color smudges.) Release Alt key and use mouse to copy to area desired. Be prepared to undo and reselect with , resizing as needed.

Task: John is too far away from Rodney and needs to lose the shirt before wings are added.

- Use to outline John and Edit->Copy, Edit->Paste to create Layer 1, Layer 1 to right for now.

- Use to remove John from Layer 3 copy. The water is more important than balustrade because wing should cover.

- extra building and water around John on Layer 1. It doesn't need to be exact the edges can be blended in later.

Click for fullsize VincentBack.jpg

- File->Open Vincentback.jpg, Image->Resize->Image Size, make sure Constrain Proportions is checked, set width to 150 and OK. (Took a number of try/undo cycles to get close enough) Use to drag to myfile2.psd. (Layer 2)

Click for fullsize Workspace3.jpg

- Layer 2 Image->Rotate->Flip Layer Horizontal. Use to position over Layer 1. View->Zoom In twice for easier control of tools on details. (200%)

- Use Magic Eraser (right-click on and select alternate tool). Erase white border and tree. Clean up with (right-click on and select alternate tool).

- The Magic Eraser can leave jagged edges. Use or Blur ((right-click on and select alternate tool). (Hint: In addition to selecting the size of the tool, you can set the Strength. I rarely go above 40%, usually 25%)

- Use to pull in left side to approximate Layer 1 width. Line up left shoulders and neck, tilt as needed (grab when curved arrow at corners) with Tool. Reduce the opacity of Layer 2 to 75% to help in fitting. Neck and mid back are key, wings will cover most of the rest.

Click for fullsize Workspace4.jpg

- Image->Transform->Distort, pull bottom left in until almost touching waistband on Layer 1. arms on Layer 2 up to T-shirt on Layer 1. Set opacity to 100%.

Click for fullsize Workspace5.jpg

- File->Save As myfile3.psd

Task: John's new back is too red and is missing in a few spots. Color match and fill-in.

- Enhance->Adjust Color->Adjust Color For Skin Tone, click on outer right shoulder, OK.

- Enhance->Adjust Lighting->Shadows/Highlights, Lighten Shadows 60%, OK.

- Layer 1, Enhance->Adjust Lighting->Shadows/Highlights, Lighten Shadows 0%, Midtone Contrast 40%, OK.

- Layer 3 copy, Enhance->Adjust Lighting->Shadows/Highlights, Lighten Shadows 0%, Midtone Contrast 40%, OK. (need to keep Layer 1 and Layer 3 copy in sync)

- Layer 2, Enhance->Adjust Lighting->Brightness/Contrast, Brightness 30%, OK.

- Layer 2, Enhance->Adjust Color->Hue/Saturation, Saturation -20%, OK.

- Use , 25% to smooth edges up neck and down arms.

- Use to extend back to waistband, to cut edges sharp. Use Burn , Midtones, Exposure 100%, size 12px to darken between right arm and side, shadow at waistband.

- File->Save As myfile4.psd.

- Make sure Layer 2 selected, Layer->Merge Down.

Click for fullsize Workspace6.jpg

Task: John needs to move back down to Rodney's level and get his wings.

- Select View->Fit on Screen

- John to Rodney's left, overlapping about 25% of back, position so John is slightly taller. Use and to clean up edges.

- Layer->Merge Down.

Click for fullsize Workspace7.jpg

Click for fullsize Swan.jpg

- File->Open Swan.jpg, Image->Resize->Image Size, make sure Constrain Proportions is checked, set width to 800 and OK. Use to outline wings and Edit->Copy, Edit->Paste to myfile4.psd to create Layer 1.

- Use to clean away everything except single wing, use to tip and position base of wing to touch waistband, parallel to spine.

- Layer->Duplicate Layer to create Layer 1 copy, Image->Rotate->Flip Layer Horizontal, to opposite side of back. Arrange so left wing is a little higher and tipped up at end because John is slouch man. Use to pull both wings down to narrow them so Rodney's head shows.

Click for fullsize Workspace8.jpg

- File->Save As myfile5.psd.

Task: The wings need to match resolution and texture with base.

- Make sure Layer 1 copy selected, Layer->Merge Down.

- Filter->Blur->Blur, twice.

- Enhance->Adjust Lighting->Brightness/Contrast, Brightness - 30%, Contrast 50%.

- Filter->Blur->Blur.

- Layer->Merge Down, Layer->Flatten Image.

- File->Save As myfile6.psd.

- File->Save As Daylight.jpg.

Click for fullsize Daylight.jpg

- Close Daylight.jpg and File->Open myfile6.psd.

Task: As an exercise, experiment with Lighting, Filters, and Effects. The scene is too static and plain as-is. I prefer stronger colors, sunsets, and nightscapes.

- File->Open example6.psd.

- Filter->Poster Edges, Edge Thickness 0, Edge Intensity 0, Posterization 6.

Click for fullsize Workspace9.jpg

- Undo.

- Effect, Facet (I prefer over Filter->Artistic->Watercolor, more subtle)

Click for fullsize Workspace10.jpg

- Undo.

- Also tried and rejected Effect, Diffuse Glow and Effect, Oil Pastel and Enhance->Adjust Lighting Options.

- Experiment with layers and Blending. (Favorites: Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light) I have a number of interesting texture/shape/color pictures I saved from Fractal Bargain Bin, Weather.com, NationalGeographic.com, Wikimedia Commons, Astronomy Picture of the Day.

- As an exercise, I left several of the blending layers in the stack for experimentation. Try the different options with the blending layer over Layer 3 copy and under Layer 3 copy.

- When finished experimenting, close example6.psd.

Task: The moonlight blending layer chosen needs the moon needs to be smaller and shifted up and the fog extended down to almost fully light-gray at base to allow building and figures better visibility. The graininess of the clouds needs smoothing. The water is too static, possibly add phosphorescent light swirls that they are watching.

Click for fullsize FoggyMoon.jpg

- File->Open FoggyMoon.jpg. Use to select a medium gray part of fog as the base color for a new background.

- Select File->New->Blank File setting it to 1024 x 640 Background Color.

- On FoggyMoon.jpg, select Filter->Blur->Surface Blur, Radius 3, Threshold 20. Image->Resize->Image Size, make sure Constrain Proportions is checked, set width to 720 and OK. Drag onto new blank file and position in upper right (Layer 1).

- Undo Resize on FoggyMoon.jpg, drag second copy onto blank file (Layer 2).

- Drag third copy (Layer 3), Image->Rotate->Flip Layer Horizontal, and position to far left so only resized moon is visible and fog edges and coloring match better.

Click for fullsize Workspace11.jpg

- Layer 1, Image->Rotate->Flip Layer Horizontal, so fog edges and coloring match better.

- Use , Size 50px, Opacity 5% to smooth out edges of three layers where they overlap. Use on Layer 1 to blend slightly different coloring (due to resize). This is a blending layer and most of the details will disappear, so is doesn't need to be perfect.

- Layer->Merge Visible, Layer->Flatten Image, drag onto myfile6.psd (Layer 1). Layer->Arrange->Send to Back.

- Layer 3 copy, Enhance->Adjust Color->Adjust Color for Skin Tone, click on John's back and slide bottom slider to right for warmer color.

- Layer 3 copy, select Blending setting Overlay. Layer 1, use and to fix too much light on right wing. Effect should end up as if they are slightly backlit by the windows of Atlantis.

Click for fullsize Underwater.jpg

- Open Underwater.jpg, Image->Resize->Image Size, make sure Constrain Proportions is checked, set width to 640 and OK. Drag onto new blank file and position in lower right (Layer 2). Set opacity to 40% and use and to blend into ocean.

- Layer 2, select Effect, Diffuse Glow Graininess 1, Glow Amount 15, Clear Amount 8. Use and and to blend and adjust where needed on all three layers.

- File->Save As myfile7.psd.

- Layer->Merge Visible, add signature, Layer->Merge Visible, Layer->Flatten Image..

- File->Save As Moonlit.jpg.

Click for fullsize Moonlit.jpg

Done.

Art: Midnight Wings for keiramarcos

2009-12-14T03:10:50Z

So keiramarcos commented on my Detour to Bethlehem art and icon post:

I could probably be seduced into writing wing!fic -- I sort of picture John with black wings though. ;-)-- and those sexy leather straps across his chest like that guy in X-Men. Just sayin'. ;-)

I'm afraid I couldn't manage the sexy leather straps, but I do have your black wings!

Midnight Wings

Click for Fullsize

Something Different! Three Brendan/Vincent Icons

2009-12-13T02:57:48Z

By request, some icons with Brendan Dean from Thoughtcrimes and Vincent from Dawson's Creek for mezzo_cammin and the other members of brendan_vincent. Enjoy!

Thanks, talitha78!

2009-12-12T01:15:41Z

The card is absolutely wonderful and I have fond (albeit ancient) memories of visiting the Field Museum. *hugs*

McShep Icons / Artwork (+ one Teyla)

2009-12-11T21:55:21Z

McShep icons and artwork (banners and backgrounds) up for grabs.

Please credit and please do contact me if you'd like them customized.

I do take requests for covers, banners, and icons (John, Rodney or McShep only)

These SGA Icons are not bases.

Samples:
01. 02. 03. 04.

05. 06. 07. 08.
09. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15. 16.
17. 18. 19. 20.
21. 22. 23. 24.
25. 26. 27. 28.
29. 30. 31. 32.
33. 34. 35. 36.
37. 38. 39. 40.

I've also included some fullsize pieces associated with the icons created from them.

Too Cool for School

Click for Fullsize

Astounded

Click for Fullsize

Forest Mother

Click for Fullsize

Artwork for Detour To Bethlehem

Click for Fullsize

- -

Click for Fullsize

McSnuggle

Click for Fullsize

Remember When

Master Lists of SGA Icons/Artwork (LiveJournal)
Master Lists of SGA Icons/Artwork (Dreamwidth)

McFleece Entry: McSnuggle

2009-12-11T21:40:50Z

For mcfleece, an icon and matching artwork.

McSnuggle

Click for Fullsize

It snowed again!

2009-12-07T20:52:44Z

More snowflake cookies appeared on my profile along with a luscious mug of cocoa. Many, many hugs to my cookie angels:

selinamoonfire
beet
mella68
timespirt
ldyanne
ciaan
itsaslashything
djaddict
neevebrody
and messo_cammin for the cocoa!

Drabbles are still on offer at http://danceswithgary.livejournal.com/363705.html - just stop by and let me know what you'd like! *HUGS*

Happy Holidays! Would you like a drabble?

2009-12-07T02:01:15Z

If you'd like me to write you a drabble as a little holiday gift from me to you, just give me a pairing (Clark/Lex or John/Rodney) and a prompt and I'll give it a whirl!

A virtual blizzard on my profile! And it's a digitally edible one!

2009-12-07T01:51:28Z

You guys are something else. I take a little break and come back to find that I'm being dragged into the holiday season willy-nilly. It's all good because right now my LJ has more holiday decorations than my house does (or will - darn cough).

So many hugs and kisses to my kind friends for the lovely snowflake cookies:
hils
dramaa_princess
miss_tress
equusentric
arianstarr
dm_wyatt
ladydreamer
lapetite_kiki
ferdalump

I have the biggest smile on my face right now. *hugs*

Slow and Steady - emphasis on SLOOOOOOW

2009-12-03T22:28:18Z

I think I'm finally turning the corner on this latest bout. The coughing is slowing, although it's not gone, and I've been able to reduce the number of meds I need to get through the day and night. The pulmonary specialist is next week, as is the gastroenterologist, and hopefully between the two of them they can come up with some idea what's happening and maybe how to fix it.

I finally picked up my new glasses today - they've been ready for almost three weeks but I wasn't ready to walk out into the world. I had an appointment with my rheumatologist today (she thinks the coughing is due to my GERD and aspiration hence the other specialists), so we stopped to get the glasses on the way home. I can see and I no longer have to worry about the temporary fix breaking.

You may have seen an announcement from enderwiggin24 about the SSA. She convinced me to pick up the mod position for the archive; I accepted with the provision that I'd be working to bring it under the multi-fandom AO3 aka Archive of Our Own. I don't have any details on how that's going to happen and I won't until I get access and passwords, but I'll keep everyone updated.

In the meantime, I'm not just talking the talk, I'm walking the walk. I've uploaded ALL my completed fics to AO3 - 134 stories and almost 900,000 words. I will be setting up redirect links on my website to point to http://archiveofourown.org/users/danceswithgary/works and will be shutting my website down when the renewal bill arrives in June 2010.

I'd rather use the money for A03. I only kept the website because I wanted someplace where people could read all my fics easily and other multi-fandom archives had an issue with a few of my stories. Example: Destiny's Savage Heart was rejected because of historically accurate underage scenes. Not rejected by A03!!!

AO3 is easy to post to and you can edit to your heart's content, including adding chapters and linking series. The tagging is quite robust and I especially appreciated the feature that let me specify the publish date so I could keep my history intact. I highly recommend it to my author friends and suggest you put yourself in the queue for an invitation for the Open Beta so you can upload your own works.

Better yet, plans are in place to also archive artworks and podfic and videos and meta. One stop fandom and the fans own it!

Enough of that for now. I'm going to cruise through my WIPs and see if I can get inspired before I start coughing again.

Later!

Not better

2009-11-21T02:14:20Z

Today I started my third round of antibiotics for the cough/infection that won't clear. According to the latest set of x-rays, it's not pneumonia, but there's something going on, so I'm supposed to see a pulmonary specialist next week.

My life is currently sleeping and reading and Gary hovering while trying to coax me to eat something. I'm very thankful for the fanfic I have lined up to read and comment on. I just wish I could write something myself.

Still here

2009-11-16T16:55:00Z

Still hanging in there, the fever is back to my normal although the coughing is getting old. Last day of antibiotics and if the coughing isn't better by Thursday, then back to the doctor's for another try. I used to be able to rasp out a few words, that's completely gone. I can't even whisper, and isn't that a weird sensation to open your mouth and have NOTHING come out.

The bright spot in my life right now is sgabigbang. They arrived just in time to let me just relax and read. Of course, I never do just one thing, so I stop every now and then to upload a story to Archive of our Own. I have all of eight loaded so far - I have 133 finished so it's going to be a while before I'm done. :-D

The wait is over - mark me down as BUSY!!!!!

2009-11-13T16:34:22Z

I was cruising through my flist trying to decide on whether to put together an art/icon post or rec some CLex or even *gasp* write something when I saw the light.

The sgabigbang archive is open.

Later!

*dives in*

Rec + Art: Checkmate Verse by beadattitude

2009-11-12T00:34:14Z

My brain isn't completely back on line as far as words are concerned, although I've been poking along with a beta. Between the antibiotics, the pain meds, and the cough meds, it's cloud city over here. However, it was a bad night for insomnia since I've been sleeping 12-16 hours a day for the past week and my body said enough of that.

Thankfully, there was my PDA loaded with all my favorites. One of last night's comfort fics was the Checkmate 'Verse by beadattitude. Transformation fics in SGA seem a natural with all those weird machines left behind by those wacky Ancients. Some transformation fics work for me, some don't.

I love this one.

It is, plain and simple, a love story. Yet, it's more. The interactions between a transformed John and the city's various inhabitants is explored wonderfully, adding another dimension to what could have been just Rodney takes care of John - he changes back - they live happily ever after. Rodney shines with his knowledge of cats, yet John the human is still very much there inside a different body, forcing Rodney to tread a very narrow line to avoid offense and future recriminations.

I wanted to create a cover for the series, but couldn't decide which of the several I roughed out to finish. I finally went with two.

Click for Full Size

Click for Full Size and Animation

A Rough Couple of Days

2009-11-08T01:44:01Z

I'm pretty sure I've never ended up in the emergency room twice in less than two weeks before now. I could have lived quite happily without setting that personal record.

The first was the UTI that wouldn't die, finally solved by the right antibiotic. I finished those this past Thursday, life should have been great, but no.... I had my yearly with my gynecologist on Wednesday. Place really wasn't crowded, I tried not to touch anything with my bare hands and washed them scrupulously immediately afterward.

Thursday, I started running a higher-than-my-normal fever and my entire body ACHED. Great. A call to my primary doctor revealed he was sick, but they tentatively scheduled for Friday.

I suggested to Gary that he call the bridge group and let them know I might have something contagious and give them a chance to cancel. They're all in their late fifties or older and having them at our house for the monthly game didn't seem like a great idea to me. Yeah, right, whatever.

I spent Thursday night in bed trying not to cry from the pain and cursing the selfish idiot I married. The last thing I wanted to do was emerge from my lair and be greeted by his bridge-playing friends - I was really in no condition for that but my bladder disagreed on the length of my exile. I scurried as fast as my aching body could go and managed to avoid speaking to anyone. By the time everyone was gone, it was midnight and Gary stood by the bed and asked me what he could do to help. I resisted saying 'fuck off and die' but it was close.

I did not have a good night and then we got a call in the morning saying my doctor wasn't going to make it into the office. Not really wanting to go to the ER if I could avoid it, Gary looked up urgent care centers and got the addresses and times. Silly me, I thought he actually wrote them down. In the meantime, I'd improved slightly and thought that maybe I'd just picked up some twenty-four hour thing. Urgent Care went into the maybe tomorrow if I'm worse when Gary assured me they were open on the weekend, too.

Of course, around dinnertime it struck again even worse than before with the addition of coughing. I hadn't really eaten much Thursday or Friday due to nausea, just tried to make sure I was drinking fluids. That resulted in a feverish shaky Val attempting to cough up a lung most of the night, with a bonus headache from hell. I treated the symptoms, this is not the first time I've developed bronchitis overnight. It was a very long night.

I finally roused from a feverish doze to hear Gary saying the urgent care place he'd found opened at 8 AM, so I dragged myself out of bed, showered off the icky sweat and stumbled downstairs to not eat breakfast and to skip my morning meds. My stomach threatened to make me pay if I tried. I asked Gary to get my purse from upstairs, because it was too heavy for me to carry, while I put on my coat. He often carries it for me, I bought one that's very 'masculine' a black messenger bag so he wouldn't be embarrassed. This is not a new thing for him to do for me.

He brings it down and LEAVES IT ON THE COUCH to walk me outside.

That would be the purse with my PDA, my cell phone and, most importantly, my printed list of meds because I take too many to keep the names and dosages straight.

Off we went to urgent care, except Gary managed to mix all the addresses up in his head and, as I noted previously, he didn't write them down. You know, having your husband grovel for being an asshole the night before is meaningless if the chore he decides to do is totally mucked up, and yes, I should have done it myself.

Urgent Care Number One: He was pretty sure it was on Lee Road, but it wasn't the name he remembered and why would there be two urgent care centers in the same building (one is private insurance). Maybe we should go find a phone book and look them up again. *sigh*

Urgent Care Number Two: Oh, it was Long Pond. Great. Got to that one at 9:45 and it's closed - no weekend hours. Gary's protests to the contrary mean nothing when it's clearly marked Monday-Friday on the door.

Urgent Care Number Three: Opens at 11:00 and happens to be the one on Lee Rd that Gary had rejected initially. I forced myself to stop sighing because it just made me cough harder.

Emergency Room: It's on the way to the Urgent Care and I will have to wait forty-five minutes for Urgent Care to open, presuming they will open. I'm getting sicker by the minute, so Gary takes the chance that the ER won't have a long wait time because the parking lot is pretty empty. The ER is green (less than an hour wait). SCORE!

Wait, where's my purse?

I was too exhausted at that point to do anything except groan and shuffle inside.

I put on the mask they handed me the minute they heard the word 'coughing' and ended up getting into triage in less than thirty minutes. How nice it was that they could pull a copy of my meds list from last week's visit. I decided to only kill Gary half-dead when I could spare the breath and my head no longer felt like it was going to fall off. Blood pressure was sky-high (183/110) and the fever 102 with the ear thermometer, but only 99 orally (taking quick, short breaths through your mouth for hours to help control nausea will do that) so the final verdict was reached in the treatment room using oh how wonderful, you guessed it, and that was 103. I won the lottery - I really was sick and not wasting their time being a whiny hypochondriac!

The nurse botched the in-case-we-need-it-IV so that there was blood everywhere, but they managed to take enough for cultures galore. Then a chest x-ray (clear) and no I really couldn't take a deep breath for them because I would cough, no, fuck, an emesis basin came in handy, one nearly large enough to hold a lung. I agreed it was gross.

I waited another hour for a doctor to appear and inform me that although I was presenting with classic flu symptoms, there was clearly something else going on since my white blood cell count had tripled from last week's blood tests and he kept asking 'are you sure you're not feeling any abdominal pain outside pulling every muscle in your torso coughing?' No, I wasn't, and believe me, I'd have told him if I were.

Okay, then the diagnosis is just bronchitis that could end up pneumonia but he thought they caught it early enough. They screwed around figuring out what meds to give me for another hour and then I realized I missed the newsletter deadline and I really should have asked someone to take it for today but I hadn't expected Gary to drive us all over the city only to end up in the ER anyway. Then Gary popped up and made his best contribution of the day. "What about the pain? She's been taking Tylenol, but it's really not working."

Thank the gods that Percocet is not a codeine-derivative and I can't wait to take my next one because I actually fell asleep for an hour in the treatment room after taking that wonderful pill and I'm looking forward to sleeping tonight.

Back home finally at 5:00PM. Gary dropped me off then went to pick up the prescriptions. I quick posted an apology and the short newsletter, and I could finally relax in my chair for a bit and read my flist and try really hard not to cough.

I've really had enough of ER's for a while, not to mention going out in public where I'm exposed to other people's germs.

Oh great. I have to go pick up my new glasses next week. You know, I really do need that bubble.