I misunderstood the point of this ride

It is finally, finally properly winter out there, you guys, and so goddamn beautiful. I got back from The Hobbit with my mother last night and instantly swapped boots to shovel the driveway (in my kicky little skirt and tights, because why not, it was all just sparkly fluff). In honor of the season, I made a mix!

It's ... honestly super melancholy? Turns out that a lot of my favorite winter songs are also about heartbreak. But I think it captures a certain bittersweet calm, even peace, peppered with little touches of hope and forward momentum ... things I tend to feel about this season. It does have a little Christmas flavoring as well, though I wanted to have a light touch with that.

( mix: mind of winter )

I've been having a really nice vacation, doing the rounds visiting some of my local (and fellow visiting) friends, hanging with my family, watching Christmas specials and doodling things. chaiminda crocheted me a(n adorable) pentapus. I cannot capture Jonathon Young (Sanctuary's Tesla)'s face, much to my disgust. I have barely touched Yuletide, although I did really LOVE this Fame story: Being What We Can. Ralph, Doris and Montgomery! <333 Chosen family! The eighties (and attendant trauma)! Coming of age, self-destruction and building new paths! Eventual v-shaped poly! Seriously, it's fantastic, a story I've always wanted for that film.

Speaking of stories, have some relatively quick (and spoilery) reactions to the seasonal viewing I've done this week ...

( Doctor Who: The Snowmen )

( Downton Abbey Christmas special )

( The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey )

Say, would anyone be able to hook me up with an audio version of The Silmarillion, by any chance? It's always good to have nice, lengthy material to listen to while drawing ...

Also, speaking of audio (and recs), check out pennyplainknits's recording of "Spin the Wheel of the Year (Close Your Eyes and Point)", the most recent piece of jjtaylor's Detective Agency bandom AU-verse. The story and the reading are both wonderful.

yuletide sign-ups are imminent! \o/

I've been meaning to do a little meta post on the subject of requesting, but I'm having trouble concentrating on much of anything just now. olivia_circe asked me to share my cathartic Election Day mix, so I thought I might: ( Because I'm a dork, on my iTunes, this is labeled 'Electoral Collage' )

My Amanda Palmer ticket came on Friday! \o/ I cannot wait. Also, I'm debating trying to get into the Harper's Ferry Fall Out Boy show . . . it would be kind of amazing to see them in such a small venue. Not sure how I'd swing it, but!

Oh, Arthurian Smallville. I am so not impressed with you, but having boys moan other boys' names on their (potential) deathbeds never hurts. *g*