LJ clients and proxy settings

I am seriously getting pissed! I use Semagic as a client to update my LJ and every time I try to log on to update I get this little annoying error stating that it can't connect to the server and to try again later. This bloody thing has been telling me to try again later for two days now! I tried the proxy setting solution which did shit. I've had my proxy settings set for a year now and, according to my ISP, they haven't changed. I've tried downloading some of the other clients only to find myself running into the same problem all over again. As a last resort I posed a question in the support section and their solution is that it is likely my proxy settings have changed with my ISP and I have to enter the new setting. Well, nuh-uh. You'd think that they'd have some other things I could try but they're not exactly being forthcoming in the solution department. One useless response and that's all she wrote kiddies. I guess I'm shit out of luck until the problem fixes itself or someone grabs a clue 'cause I've done all I can do on my end.*Edited to add:* So I guess the problem does have something to do with my proxy settings. My MSN messenger isn't working either. I'm going to have to call my ISP today and get this straitened out. I don't have a clue as to why this has happened. IE won't even automatically detect my proxy settings anymore so I'll have to get them and enter them manually. What a pain in the ass.

Photoshop 7 & The Friday Five

So, I've finally learnt how to use photoshop without having to guess at what I was doing. I actually made a few of my own Buffy icons and they turned out pretty good. Working with layers can give you amazing results and I plan to delve into them further in the future and see what I can come up with. Next on my list is to learn how to make those lovely little animated icons.----------------------------I'm not liking the friday five this week but what the hell...1. Do you like talking on the phone? Why or why not?I guess it depends on my mood and who I'm talking to. Mostly, I'd have to say no because I usually have other things I'd rather be doing than be tied to a phone and a lot of the time I just do those other things anyway and miss half of the conversation.2. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone?The hubby's best friend.3. About how many telephones do you have at home?Two, soon to be three, once the basement is finished.4. Have you encountered anyone who has really bad phone manners? What happened?None that I can recall.5. Would you rather pick up the phone and call someone or write them an e-mail or a letter? Why or why not?I'll have to go with e-mail or letter. Why? See #1 above.

Friday Five

1. What was the last song you heard? Turn The Page - Chantal Kreviazuk.2. What were the last two movies you saw? Unfaithful and Minority Report.3. What were the last three things you purchased? Gym clothes, glade plug-in refill, and laundry soap.4. What four things do you need to do this weekend? Tear up the carpet in my bedroom, clean the ferret cage, drywall the basment, and housework.5. Who are the last five people you talked to? My son, my hubby, my daughter's dad, hubby's mom and her boyfriend.

Disturbing Dreams

I just got up and thought I'd write what I could remember before it all faded away to that place where dreams go, never to be remembered again.I woke up in the middle of the night. 3am to be exact after having a dream that someone was chasing the hubby and me in a truck. We ran down the road, trying to get away but were not faring well against the truck. The roads were lined with huge snow banks, which made our escape difficult. I don't remember much else other than when I woke up I went to the bathroom looking behind me all the way, searching for some phantom, dream escapee that might have been hiding behind the door. I had another dream just before I woke up, which is quickly fading but the feeling it produced remains. I wouldn't call it a nightmare because it wasn't terrifying in the way that you can't go back to sleep after you wake because I was strong in the dream until the end. There were people I knew yet they had no reason to be there; people I've seen at the gym, some I've never seen before. My house was mine yet wasn't as was my street. It seems that my hubby's mother was like some kind of serial killer yet I had the feeling that it wasn't her in that body. I think it was the hubby inside of her. She/he was trying to hurt everyone and control them, especially me. I got desperate and grabbed one of those knives that come in a casing that sharpens every time you remove it or put it in the case. I used it to slice through many people in the dream in defense, stopping to sharpen it many times along the way. Apparently, cutting through flesh dulls the dream-knife quickly. My daughter is there and I thought I could say I was sending her off to school, but really for help, which I knew that she/he would not object to but remembered that yesterday was the last day of school and she/he would know it was a scam. I looked out the window and saw friends of my daughter coming outside to play. In real life these friends do not live around here. I told my daughter to run around the corner to where my hubby's real mother lives for help at which point she left. I was broken at this point and no longer had my knife. She/he came at me with a sickening desire in her/his eyes. She/he started to get sexual at which point I woke up. Thank god!In real life my hubby and his mother are really good people. I love his mother to death; she's like my best friend. Normally I do not dream about people I know or family even which added to the strangeness. I could probably analyze this to death and I'm sure Freud would have a field day with it but I think I'll just leave it alone. Feel free to share your interpretations if you like.

I ...

I am saddened by the news that the only show I really enjoy watching will be no more after the end of this season. I can understand SMG’s reasoning behind her decision to leave Buffy but it doesn't make it any easier. I hold out hope for a spin-off that includes JM among the cast. Hopefully, Angel won't be canceled and I'll still have something to watch provided they keep the writing at the level they're at now. I must say though, that I think I was watching Angel more because they brought back Angelus. He just has the best dialogue. Angel - SalvageThis episode was great. I enjoyed Faith more than I thought I would and it will be fun to see what will happen with this character on Buffy when she shows up.Cordy is all evil which is interesting. I can't wait to see how that came about.I thought it was cute that Conner was beginning to develop a little crush on Faith. Too bad that was ruined by Cordy's revelation. It's unlikely that he'll pursue that avenue now that he knows Cordy is pregnant. I wonder what that kid will be. Can't be normal, that's for sure. I patiently await "Release".I have decided to avoid all spoilers for Buffy from now through to the end. I figure if this is to be the end then I want to be surprised by all that comes about so I can enjoy it thoroughly. There's a reason they call them spoilers. On a brighter note: I did manage to write the better half of the first chapter of my little fic. I think I'll get back to it after this entry. I haven't written more because I've been too busy reading everyone else’s fics. I've been particularly enjoying spikewriter's "Secrets and Lies" which can be found on her LJ. I'm also waiting for the next part of estepheia's "Perdition Catch My Soul" which can be found on her site, Dead And Kicking, along with many of her other stories, which are all excellent.We've got more snow. I am so sick of snow. Bring on the sunny weather. I just looked out the window and it looks like there's another 5inches or more and I have a terrible back for shoveling. I threw it out when I was 17 and it's never healed so I have to be careful about what I do and don't do. I guess I've rambled on enough for now. Happy shoveling to those in the Durham and surrounding areas.

The Family

When I started this journal I had intended to keep my family out of it, keep it strictly personal with no mention of the kids or the hubby but it isn't that easy so I've decided to break that rule. I am 24 and I have 2 children. My eldest is a girl. She's 8 and in grade 3. She and I almost never see eye to eye and our relationship is strained at the best of times. I hope that time and growing up will work out these issues eventually but it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My son is 3 1/2 and is the exact opposite of my daughter. He cares when she doesn't, listens when she won't, and I bet you can imagine how much more of a strain is put on our relationship because of this. I'm sure she feels that he is favored over her because my son and I are on the same page more often than not. My daughter, however, seems to be in a different book entirely.Both of my children have their good and bad qualities and I can't wait to see the people they become.The other half and I live common-law and have been together 5 years now. He wants to get married and I don't. It's not really fear of commitment but more a fear of making the wrong choice. We all know the divorce rates and I don't want to become a statistic. We met when I was almost 19 and he was 36. I've never had issues with age differences and still don't but I feel that over the years I've grown into a person that doesn't quite mesh with who he is, at times, and it can cause problems. I guess that I worry that I may reach a point where I feel we are too different and that the differences will no longer compliment each other but complicate.Well, there you have it. I've reread this entry a few times and it sounds a little gloomy. That wasn't the intent. It probably has to do with PMS more than anything else, lol. I'm sure I'll have more family oriented entries that won't sound so blah but I guess it's the mood I'm in. No more entries until the blahs are gone.

All things not Buffy

Being back to the gym has been great, besides the overall stiffness and soreness of muscles. This will be gone soon as the first week or two are the worst. Subsequent stiffness is good; it lets you know you're working the muscles just the right amount. I've been going 5 times a week and haven't missed a day yet. Yay me!My little fic is still just that. Little. I'm not happy about this but I did finally get the beginning started, which in turn gave me more ideas for the rest, but I haven't taken a whole lot of time to work on it. *Personal note: Must get going on that fic. No more procrastinating!*I have written some more music for another song but am having trouble with the lyrics. All I have been able to come up with, thus far, is two lines of the chorus which is starting to really piss me off. I went to a local bar to see a band made up of a guy, his wife, and his best friend. George & Grace, as they call themselves, were amazing. They play there every Saturday from 3-6:00pm. and will be releasing a CD in the next 30 days. I will be buying one.They did a lot of covers and some of their original stuff as well. George (the husband) plays the guitar like no other. This guy rips out these songs better than the people who wrote them. I swear I was embarrassed for me when I pictured myself playing my guitar. I felt like such a hack.Grace (the wife) has a wonderful voice and I envy the courage she has to just get up and sing. I have a fondness for female vocalists and she certainly makes the cut.Sean (the best friend) plays bass. He was great as well. I talked with him after the show and he was a pleasure. Very cool guy and very friendly. We talked a lot about the whole musical process. He had plenty of interesting things to say on the subject.Anyhow, I hope to see them more in the future. Hell, I get off on that shit! I would spend every Saturday afternoon listening to them if I could.

Buffy & Angel

Buffy, this week, had to have been the best episode for season seven so far. It had all the necessary elements that makes the show great. I laughed out loud more than once. Some nice Buffy/Spike moments. We were not bombarded by SITs. I even like Dawn this epNotable moment:Willow: "[This date with Principal Wood] will help you move on..." Buffy: "Why does EVERYBODY in this house think I'm still in love with Spike?!"I'm not quite sure if this is a slip in writing or foreshadowing of some serious Spuffy action. According to season 6, she was never in love with Spike and now she is saying she was but isn't any longer. Just something to make you go hmmm... Well, it certainly gives me hope for Spuffy.Angel was excellent as well. I wonder about Cordy. It was totally out of character for her to have slept with Conner and the way they left last night’s ep. might explain why. It could also be intentionally misleading, although I find it highly unlikely for her to have stabbed whats-her-name if she was herself. Perhaps Cordy never returned from where she was and this is an evil imitation in her place. It seems to me that the Big Bad of this season just might be one and the same for both Buffy and Angel. Angelus said something about the Beast not being the big bad but just a minion and also said something that Spike had said in "Beneath You". Angelus: "This is just a warm up act...". I see big plans in the works for the finale of both shows. We already know that AH is doing an ep. of Angel so here begins the crossover. We'll see how far they decide to carry this through soon enough.Hurry up Tuesday!!

Buffy and Angel

Buffy - The Killer In MeOverall, I enjoyed this episode. Poor Spike can't seem to catch a break. They say no pain no gain but this is getting a little ridiculous. I was happy that I didn't have to sit through another episode loaded with teenaged slayer wannabes again.Yeah, Giles is now confirmed alive; I knew this of course. I am so glad that Riley didn't make an appearance.I find the whole Willow/Kennedy relationship a little off-putting. It just doesn't seem to ring true. I can't really see Willow being interested in her but I guess everyone needs someone sometimes.I can't wait for Buffy to give the ok to have the chip removed and some back-story on how Giles escaped the Harbingers. And the best line goes to Giles: "You think I'm evil if I bring a group of girls on a camping trip and DON'T touch them?"Bring on the next ep.Angel - SoullessI watched this episode mostly due to the fact that we would get to see Angelus again. I was blown away. This episode was excellent. The bad guy always gets the very best dialogue. The writing for this ep. was so smart. I can't wait for the next episode and I am not even a regular watcher of Angel. Since Angel's soul has mysteriously disappeared I guess we will all get the pleasure of some more of Angelus' brutal wit, snark, and malicious dialogue.

Unfaithful

So, I watched this movie last night and I liked it all right. Now, it wasn't great mind you, but it didn't make me want to turn it off either. Diane Lane is wife to a mild mannered Richard Gere and starts to have an affair with a nice looking actor named Olivier Martinez. It gets pretty hot and they're doing it like bunnies through the first half of the movie. Then something happened that just completely ruined it for me. If you want to know what that something is click on the link and if don't want to be spoiled, well, then I suggest that you don't. So, hubby finds out about said affair and, completely out of character, he ends up killing the guy accidentally. Here is where I expect him to call 911 or some such thing but what he does, instead, is roll him up in a rug and dump his body. They had already set the tone for this character and then tried to make me believe that he would now kill someone and try to cover it up. I don't think so. Anyhow, more stuff happens between this part and the end that is not believable so watch at your own risk and don't say I didn't warn you

Unfaithful

So, I watched this movie last night and I liked it all right. Now, it wasn't great mind you, but it didn't make me want to turn it off either. Diane Lane is wife to a mild mannered Richard Gere and starts to have an affair with a nice looking actor named Olivier Martinez. It gets pretty hot and they're doing it like bunnies through the first half of the movie. Then something happened that just completely ruined it for me. If you want to know what that something is click on the link and if don't want to be spoiled, well, then I suggest that you don't. So, hubby finds out about said affair and, completely out of character, he ends up killing the guy accidentally. Here is where I expect him to call 911 or some such thing but what he does, instead, is roll him up in a rug and dump his body. They had already set the tone for this character and then tried to make me believe that he would now kill someone and try to cover it up. I don't think so. Anyhow, more stuff happens between this part and the end that is not believable so watch at your own risk and don't say I didn't warn you

Unfaithful

So, I watched this movie last night and I liked it all right. Now, it wasn't great mind you, but it didn't make me want to turn it off either. Diane Lane is wife to a mild mannered Richard Gere and starts to have an affair with a nice looking actor named Olivier Martinez. It gets pretty hot and they're doing it like bunnies through the first half of the movie. Then something happened that just completely ruined it for me. If you want to know what that something is click on the link and if don't want to be spoiled, well, then I suggest that you don't. So, hubby finds out about said affair and, completely out of character, he ends up killing the guy accidentally. Here is where I expect him to call 911 or some such thing but what he does, instead, is roll him up in a rug and dump his body. They had already set the tone for this character and then tried to make me believe that he would now kill someone and try to cover it up. I don't think so. Anyhow, more stuff happens between this part and the end that is not believable so watch at your own risk and don't say I didn't warn you

Weird quizzes

I made it to the gym. It was so good to get back. I did biceps and triceps and they are definitely gonna kill tomorrow. All right, here are some weird quizzes, as promised:Find your inner random object! by EmilyHmmmm, can I be this spoon?http://toomanycolors.net/jm/index.php?quiz (another quiz with this)I'm Bath Soap! Everybody needs me! Some more than others.Both men and women just seem to rip their clothes off whenever I'm near.Go me! Take the What Kind Of Soap Are YOU? quiz @ The Quiz Blog @ Door.nu