Living in the History Department...

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A couple days ago, a Facebook friend of ming in Florida messaged me asking me for advice on how to throw the perfect room party at a con. He had searched online for tips and tricks specifically geared to convention festivities and there apparently is a very lengthy artic...le on room parties that seems to relate to world con.

Unfortunately, it seemed to be geared more to an actual party. Complete with food and lots of different beverage both alcoholic and non. Some of the advice was common sense and can be applied to any party, anywhere (air conditioning, floor and wall covers, etc) but the advice didn't seem to apply to MY kind of room party, which happens to be the kind he wants to do.

I told him what I knew, but when I got to thinking about it, there are new pitfalls and strokes of genius evertime I do VisionCon. I most certainly DO NOT know it all, but I know a lot and more importantly, I know plenty of people that have ideas, suggestions and past bad experiences that a person can learn from.

So I'm going to write up the most complete guide that I can of how to throw an awesome convention room party that is fun, safe, and (most importantly) at the end of the night it pays for itself. Therefore, I need YOU. I need everyone who has ever been to or thrown a room party to send me your advice, suggestions and definitely any bad experiences you've ever had at them. Everything from overcrowding, to judging the right amount of beverage to provide, to good and bad themes that you've seen.

While I seriously doubt that this will be published in any major publication, other than possibly a blurb on a geek type site, all who provide information will be credited in the final product.

It looks as though I'm finally going to be moving to Springfield around (hopefully) June 1. I've found a place that has 2 bed/ 2 bath apartment with free Cable, hi speed internet, and all utilities paid for around $700 a month so that would be $350 per person a month.

I don't care what faith/gender/orientation you are so long as you agree to keep common areas (kitchen, living room, and public bathroom) clean and organized. I'd prefer a non-smoker but if you're fine with smoking outside on the balcony and keeping the ashtray from overflowing I'd be fine with that. I've no problem with social drinking however I won't tolerate any illegal drug use of any kind since the lease would be in both our names and I don't want to take that kind of risk. Parties are always great so long as they're not the sort that result in property damage or eviction due to noise complaints.

The apartment complex does allow pets (a maximum of two) but they require a $200 non-refundable fee. I have a Shih-Tzu and he gets along great with everyone and I have a large crate to house him in when I am not home (I can't stand pet stains from accidents). I would prefer a roommate who either had no pets or another small to medium sized dog (the max the complex allows is 50 lbs) who gets along with other animals. While I don't particularly mind cats, I'm very leery of rooming with a person who has a cat that isn't de-clawed. This is due to the fact that Finnegan loves cats and has come close to losing an eye due to his inability to learn from warning hisses, so I feel that I must protect him from his own stupidity, and myself from costly veterinarian bills.

If you're interested please let me know.

Yes I did have a crush on a guy but I never told him. He stopped posting a couple of weeks before Katrina hit and hasn't updated in five years. I don't know exactly where he lived in Alabama but I've wondered if he either was injured/died in the storm. I have no way of knowing and, in all likelihood, he probably just lost interest in LJ as so many do. Either way, he was a really nice guy.

Some little known facts about Blue...

1. Blue is 28 years old and at a point in her life where she wants to find "Mr. Right."

2. "Mr. Right," in Blue's opinion should be within her age range by no more than 7 years and no less than 3 years and he should be open to starting a family.

3. Blue does not involve herself with men who are involved in ANY WAY. This includes men who are: more than 10 years older than her (the only exception to this rule being Kyoshi), married, separated, engaged, involved in a poly relationship, has a girlfriend/boyfriend, and/or already has a regular friend with benefits.

4. Blue suffers from a psychological disorder that makes her want to vomit at the thought of engaging in anything more than a friendly hug/chaste kiss with any man who fits the criteria of Fact #3, and she is quite happy to leave this condition un-remedied.

5. Blue will happily remove the testicles of any man who meets any of the previously mentioned criteria in Fact #3, and who continues pursuing her after being politely declined because of the previously stated Facts #1 and #2.

Anyone who says otherwise is either seriously misinformed, or a LIAR.

The thought that anyone would believe that I would behave in a way so contrary to these deeply held personal, spiritual, and religious convictions is quite possibly one of the most offensive slanders anyone could ever level at me and I will NOT tolerate it.

I finally got a haircut about 2 weeks ago to get everything evened up and all the split ends taken off. When people at my job were told, "Blue cut her hair," a couple freaked out til they found out it was only a couple of inches and nobody could really tell a difference and the trim prompted a lot of questions as to how I'm able to get my hair so long.

So here it is. The secret to long hair growth revealed (at least what's worked for me).

1. First off, you're automatically at a better advantage if your hair is very fine. If you have thick luxurious hair the likes of which would make a Newfoundland jealous, long hair is going to be a problem for you. My hair reaches past my hips and when I have to coil it up on my head for work, my scalp is uncomfortable after about 4 to 6 hours at least, or I have a headache at worse. If my hair had any thickness at all, there is no way I could deal with that.

2. The greatest enemy to long hair is spit ends and there are a number of ways to help avoid these. First off MOISTURE. I use Aussie brand moisturizing shampoo and instead of the moisturizing conditioner I only use the "3 Minute Miracle" deep conditioning treatment that you're supposed to use once a week. I use it daily. For the once a week, "deep conditioning treatment" I use...

3. ...Africa's Best (brand) Ultimate Herbal Oil. It's in the African American hair products section at WalMart for around $3 bucks a bottle. Get your hair wet, make sure the oil is hot, soak your hair with it and I leave it on for about twenty minutes then wash it out with regular shampoo. Afterwards, there is absolutely NO need for conditioner.


4. Keep a small spritz bottle of "Leave In" conditioner in your purse at all times, especially in winter and mist your hair whenever you think it needs it. This will keep the moisture in and also reduce static electricity build up during the dry winter months.

5. Comb your hair rather than brush it, especially when wet. This is something that I have a hard time doing and my hair often suffers more split ends for it but that's my own fault. Whenever I force myself to use a comb on a regular basis it improves greatly since you're not ripping your hair free of tangles.

6. Use chopsticks to get your hair up and off your neck and shoulders rather than pony tail holders which can damage and tangle your hair even if they're the "Ouchless" variety.

If a perfume was truly capable of providing me with this type of experience after a few spritzes I'd buy a tanker full and take BATHS in it!!

Heh heh, probably not but watch this commercial. At second number 17 listen to what the pretty asian girl says and tell me that you don't do an auditory double take!

When we went to DragonCon, Lee looked up personals on Craigslist for Atlanta, specifically for D*Con. And there were many kinky posts. I've now gotten into the habit of checking CL personals in my area for giggle-worthy material and I found the sweetest one yet! A geeky guy looking for a geeky girl. Look what he said:
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Wanna play Magic? - 20 (Joplin )
Date: 2009-08-31, 2:43PM CDT
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I'm looking for a girl who has the same interests as me. Which is pretty much everything. Cars, sports, TCG, D&D, Video Games, General other nerdy stuff. I'm just looking for someone to have fun with without being phony. Seriously. I don't want to play game(unless they include dice) and I don't want to mess with your head with empty promises. If we hit it off, I will treat you like a princess. I'll even fight the giant lizard to save you. No matter how many castles I have to get through.

If you want any info on me, or a pic, send me a message.
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It's so adorable!

So I'm already in the planning stages for the next room party at VisionCon. This year I'm doing to usual Jell-O shots and Captains Brew (jungle juice). I'm thinking I'll do double the chocolate cake shots but I'll have to charge for those for non 501st members and non-rennies simply because they're so damned expensive.

I'm thinking about adding a new drink this year. Vodka martinis. They're quick and easy to make and I've got all the stuff I need to set up a cocktail shaking area. I can get olives really cheap...

Anyone think this might be going a little much or would four drinks be good? Hell, does anyone even like vodka martinis? Or should I do gin as well?

Answers please?