I've fallen into the trap of not posting because nothing seems momentous enough to justify breaking the long silence - random links, moods, etc. are mostly on Facebook these days. But this just seemed appropriate for LJ.

Yesterday kivrin and I were discussing the names of hypothetical cats (damned no-pets lease keeps us from having one for the time being). The trouble arises when you give a cat a name that might give it Ideas. The best/worst example I've heard: naming a cat Loki. gaudior has also told me that her and rushthatspeaks's cats, named Raphael and Lucien, have taken their cues from their names.

So: From the Temeraire'verse: a large, personable cat would be well named Maximus, and I do like Temeraire for a black cat, but there will be no Iskierka in our house.

I'd like a Kaylee kitty, who would be comfortable and sweet and friendly, if given to taking things apart. A Mal-cat would be entertaining - he would try to keep his dignity and fail miserably. No Zoe-cat, though - she'd be beautiful but remote, and would know too many ways to kill us.

A Lord Peter would be curious and playful - a good name for a tuxedo cat. Harriet Vane would be good for a small, quiet, dignified tortie.

A cat named for Captain Jack Harkness would be a nightmare. Even spayed, he'd keep trying to hump the furniture and possibly our shoes.

A Cordelia (Vorkosigan) cat would be wonderful. She might rearrange the furniture while we were out, but it would end up being better that way.

We agreed it's a very bad idea to name a cat for Miles Vorkosigan. I can't even imagine what would result, but I do know we don't have the insurance, or the security clearance, to deal with it.

Sometime I'll post something substantive, but for now, have a meme from kivrin.

Whip out your music program, click the random button, and pick out 10 songs. Alter the name by turning it into a convoluted, wordy synonym. For example: Silent Night = Nocturnal Time Completely Lacking Noise. When someone guesses the title correctly, italicize the convoluted one and put the real title and the person who figured it out.

1. A Song Pertaining to An Oft-Mythologized New Testament Figure

2. No Reason Not To Engage In Rhythmic Motion Accompanied by Music Might as well Dance, Patty Larkin, guessed by kivrin

3. At Any Time that the Person Addressed Is Prepared Whenever You're Ready, guessed by greyhoundliz - Mary Chapin Carpenter, though, not JT.

4. The Fuel or the Surface Upon Which this Track-Bound Conveyance Proceeds

5. A Petition Pertaining to A Person other than the Speaker

6. More Proximate to an Acceptable State Closer to fine, Indigo Girls, guessed by jain

7. This Planet Will Not Be Reducing its Speed.

8. It is Forbidden to Direct One’s Vehicle in a Counter-Clockwise Direction in a Certain Mid-Atlantic State No Left Turns in Jersey, Eddie from Ohio, guessed by jain

9. The Diurnal Period Prior to The Current One Hard Day's Night, Beatles, guessed by tx_cronopio and jain

10. The Speaker is a Particular Tusked, Ocean-Dwelling Mammal I am the Walrus, Beatles, guessed by tx_cronopio and jain

Just saw the new Star Trek movie.

( Damn, that was fun. )

Sign this petition from J Street calling on the U.S. government to get involved to stop the violence in Gaza.

I don't particularly feel like getting into a debate over this. I'm too upset, and worried about my friends over there. Just passing along the link.

Vote EITHER straight ticket OR for individual candidates. If you select a straight ticket, then select a candidate, it cancels out the candidate you chose. Make sure your machine says what you want it to before clicking "Vote."


This message brought to you by an increasingly paranoid B&R, who needs to do something with her damn self for the rest of the day.

Edited b/c I had it backward. Story here.

1. Volunteer on Election Day. Seriously, people, every little bit counts. And if you are a lawyer or a law student or anyone who can fake it, go here and do election protection.

2. Do what you can to ease lines. Suggestions of umbrellas, bottled water, folding chairs, pizza delivery, whatever. keep people in line.

3. If you are challenged at the polls, or have any other problems voting, call this number: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Put it in your cell phone.

DON'T vote provisional unless it's an absolute last resort.

4. If you're in PA, they aren't supposed to stop you from voting if you are wearing campaign related shirts, buttons, etc. But you may not want to risk it anyway - bring a cover-up.


5. finally - tell me something good? Something non-political? I am trying very hard to not obsess but i think it's a losing battle.

The Big Read thinks the average adult has only read six of the top 100 books they've printed below.

01. Look at the list and bold those you have read.
02. Italicise those you intend to read
03. Underline the books you LOVE.
04. Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've only read 6 and force books upon them.

( cut for length )

I have a new computer, a Thinkpad. It's named the Reliant, because that is what I hope for from it.