2005.

[reddragdiva]

In a scene of goths who profess monogamy while frenetically playing musical beds, I conspicuously had the same wife (redcountess) and girlfriend (arkady) for two and a half years. This apparently makes me an expert on polyamory, which is frightening. You would boggle at some of the people who have asked my advice. I certainly don't feel like an expert ... but things are pretty good and better than they ever have been. I haven't slept with anyone in the last couple of years I'm not married to or going out with. This is a terrible state of affairs (fnarr) and UK-based offers to help make 2006 more active are most welcomed. (Not that I don't miss and still lust after my darlings elsewhere.)

Liz is still chronically ill with fibromyalgia, which is the source of just about all things wrong with our lives. And there's not even much treatment for the symptoms, let alone the illness. But her health and attitude have been improving, and she had a fantastic time at Whitby New Year. Arkady, however, has found treatments that actually work and has become remarkably healthier after fifteen years' assorted crap, and the change is utterly wonderful. So hope remains.

The bit from March to August sucked copiously owing to the lack of work. Although it coincided with a very nice summer, and I did greatly enjoy being home with Liz and seeing more of Arkady, I ended up with unemployed depression and went back on Cipramil, which actually worked out really well because I lost five kilos I needed to lose and kept it off. (I'm actually not looking forward to getting off the stuff.) I also stopped eating crap and took up exercise, which meant that after fourteen years my back actually hurts less. I can't overemphasise what a difference this makes.

Contracting appears to agree with my attention span. Most jobs I've ever had had a life sentence feeling to them; this one, I'm working in local government (the ultimate in dead ends) and really enjoying it because I'm explicitly not a lifer. Good one. We're no closer to buying a house, but my bank manager says the mortgage team loves contract renewals.

I secretly enjoy my domestic suburban existence, though working for a living fundamentally sucks and Whitby New Year showed me just how much I really need to get out more.

I have been sucked further into the Wikipedia vortex. "On Wikipedia, the reward for a job well done is another three jobs" — me. 2005 was spent dealing with all the fuckwittery on Wikipedia, and I've had quite enough of that job kthxbye. Although the Nerdy Judge Dredd role appeals. I've volunteered as UK Media Whore and have been doing things like radio interviews at forty minutes' notice. I'm loving it.

I have been showering pretty girls with things like coats and corsets and boots and surplus laptops. Though further applicants will have to wait until I actually get paid for the renewed contract and probably until I've had a chance to speak to a real accountant!

We climbed the gadget chain considerably. My very favourite new toy is my laptop (which I'll be reading the service manual for this evening ... Compaqs are of middling assembly quality but great fixability). I think the house is fully gadgeted out; now we appear to be buying DVDs. However, I think 2006 will be thoroughly 0wnz0r3d, as Liz has just a moment ago bought her first ... 1:3 scale ball-jointed doll head. Aieee!

Comments

[quiet000001.livejournal.com]

it's one now, but soon your entire flat will be filled.

*insert evil laugh here*

[reddragdiva]

Hah. As a pretty girl with boots and corset, I assume you will be at B-Movie next Friday?

[quiet000001.livejournal.com]

that is a... maybe? :)

But probably yes. Spoons allowing.

(Should I ask the theme?)

[reddragdiva]

'80s night!! So I think you should wear ... a Vollers corset and some red New Rock Formulas. Yes. And a suitable skirt and tights/stockings.

What's she taking for pain?

[norikos-author.livejournal.com]

She might find that methadone works better than ordinary painkillers. And Vel's found that if the pain is treated, the rest of the symptoms become more managable.

Re: What's she taking for pain?

[reddragdiva]

Codeine, mostly. While that helps with the pain, it doesn't give her spoons as such.

Re: What's she taking for pain?

[inulro.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. There's days when I'm in pain yet have spoons. It's very odd, but actually better than the reverse.

Contracting appears to agree with my attention span

Me too, but I've got to the point where I actually make more money at a permanent job, especially when you factor in paid holiday and pensions etc.

Re: What's she taking for pain?

[redcountess]

I've found lately that my spoons have improved, but the pain is worse, but overall I'm less depressed because I'm doing more.

[ickle-yuki.livejournal.com]

I can profess monogamy and mean it ;) still with Paul, 3 years to the day Feb 12th... crikey!

[siani-hedgehog.livejournal.com]

i don't profess monogamy. but it's generally what i find myself actually doing.

[reddragdiva]

I was sure you'd actually professed it in regards to your present relationship which you have no plans whatsoever to terminate any time soon. In any case, you've hardly been playing musical beds, and moving marymortis around doesn't count.

[siani-hedgehog.livejournal.com]

ah, i did say that it was working out very very well monogamously, and that i was surprisingly happy and disinterested in others. and that we felt that although it could be reexamined later, we would be monogamous at first by mutual agreement, because the situation of moving in together without knowing each other very well and me being dependent on him was unusual to say the least. i think that's what you'll be recalling, actually, possibly from talking at whitby? :)

in any case, it's a relationship, and as such i don't think i should set permanent rules for how it will work. :)

[reddragdiva]

I think it might have been on that a.g thing at some time or other.

And yes indeed ;-)

[siani-hedgehog.livejournal.com]

ah yes. alt.gothic. where i spend a lot of time lying, or at least playing devil's advocate. :P i may well have not only professed, but actually evangelised. :)

[reddragdiva]

ZOMG WTF BBQ TROLL!!!1!1!11!!!

[seedy-girl.livejournal.com]

Heh. I've been in a grand total of *one* poly relationship in my life, but still get asked for advice. I figure it's more because that one relationship is with thorfinn than anything else.

[necialma.livejournal.com]

It is amazing how you do it..but I do know what you mean about not feeling like an expert..I went from a 7yr marriage, to noe being with Dave for 5 years..so peeps think I am the holder of some knowledge :/

Where is my showering? No fair:( I hereby apply for nice things :))

[reddragdiva]

You have a job and an employed husband!

[necialma.livejournal.com]

Nah Dave aint employed..he stays at home and looks after the brats :))

But he will be sending off for hus SIA liscence on payday so he will be working once he gets it as employers are screaming out for people with it as it is a legal requirement for doorstaff.

[reddragdiva]

Ah, excellent! And I understand they're actually a bugger to get in the UK ...

[steer.livejournal.com]

Sorry to bug you with this... I'm trying to completely redo a wikipedia article (the bio of Richard Francis Burton) -- I'm storing it in my homepage until I can put it all in as a big revision. Wonder if oyu could give me any critique on what I have so far?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Rgclegg/RFB

I've only got up to the "Burton and Speke" section -- the rest is to be written or is from the old article (which is OK but I think could be a lot better). I've read a lot of the style guides of course, but an experienced editor taking a look is worth reading a few style guides. Don't worry if you've not got the time though.

[reddragdiva]

I'd actually consider putting it all in the article section by section as you go. I'd note also that the Manual of Style is mostly wank and no-one actually reads the whole thing; its main use is by the querulous trying to wear others down. It'll be one of the things I go the hack on in the new year. I'll have a closer look later.