My birthday was last month. The best way to say I love you and your
fanfiction is with an amazon.com gift certificate. Did you know that all
you need to know about a person to give one is an email address? Well,
here's mine, if you feel so inclined... PadfootSirius@hotmail.com *winks*
So I saw the Who on Wednesday, July 31st. And they were absolutely amazing. I work in a doctors office, and we were joking around with prescription painkillers (narcotics, actually). You know, "Take three of these, and even Roger Daltrey'll look good." Well, lemme tell you, I didn't need them. Roger's a complete and total sexy beast when he performs. *dies* I'm going to see them...again...the end of this month, and bringing *more* friends along. The concert itself had some great moments. Hmm...I think it may be time for another bonus story at the end...
Being eighteen? Sooo overrated. Like Amberlee told me, I can die defending my country, but I can't consume any alcohol to help numb the bullet. But hey...I can vote.
The poker scene I've been planning for awhile (like, since I started writing this). The inspiration for it comes from a story by Lilac Summers, with a title I don't remember (Vacation, perhaps?), on a site which I don't remember. But it was funny. I read it at least three years ago, and still remember it. Big props to LS. ________________________________________________________
The antechamber was dusty. Very dusty. As they walked in, Rikku sneezed loudly. And then looked at the back of Auron's jacket in front of her. He was turning to look at her. Think fast! Distract him!
"Let's play cards!"
Auron turned to her and raised his eyebrow. "Cards?" he asked, seemingly oblivious to the green goo dripping down his back.
"Yeah!" said Rikku. "Yuna'll be in the Chamber of the Fayth for a while, you know? So I bought cards while you were getting sunglasses." She smiled perkily at Auron and his aviators.
He gave an abrupt nod. "I'm always up for a good game of poker."
"As am I," said Lulu.
"Kimahri play."
"Poker sounds like fun, ya?"
And Rikku's face crumpled. "But...But..."
"But what, Rikku?"
"I don't know how to play poker!" she wailed.
"Well, we'll teach you!" said Lulu, almost warmly. She immediately regretted the offer and the tone of voice it was uttered in. Fortunately, she had nothing to worry about.
"No! Brother's tried before! I can't play! I refuse! I'm bad! I don't understand the rules!" This explosion came complete with foot stomping and arm waving. Rikku stalked over to a corner and proceeded to sulk.
Auron shrugged. "Suit yourself." Rikku whimpered. So much for her big idea. And the gil she had spent on those cards.
Wakka looked at him and shrugged, then produced a visor, put it on his head, and began dealing. Auron was amazed when he started spouting what sounded like technical poker jargon. And then it became clear he was making it up.
"Aces are high, twos are low, cows came home, I'm taking a bubble bath next week..."
"Wakka," interrupted Lulu, "do you even know how to play poker?"
"Yeah! Of course, ya?" insisted Wakka. "Who *doesn't* know how to play poker?" In the corner, Rikku sniffed loudly.
The trio began to play, with Kimahri standing watch and Rikku still sniveling. Tidus had gone with Yuna into the Chamber of the Fayth, and both were bargaining with Yojimbo. It was all going well, when Auron looked up and said, "Hit me," to Wakka.
Wakka gave Auron a funny look. "Hit you? You sure?"
Auron nodded once. And Wakka leaned over and punched him. Auron looked at him, then punched him back. Hard.
"Owwww!" said Wakka. "What was that for? You were the one that asked for it!"
"I think poker's out," said Lulu sagely. Auron nodded.
Suddenly Rikku was back. "I know!" she piped in eagerly, "let's play Go Fish!!!"
Auron was nearly overcome by the sudden urge to throttle something. Lulu was relieved, because now she didn't have to explain where she had gotten the large amount of betting money for the game. In truth, she was 'borrowing' it from the betting pool. That Lulu was a sneaky one, all right.
Wakka was quick to agree. "Yeah!" he exclaimed, "Go Fish!"
Auron sighed. "Fine. We play."
Rikku did a little dance, then snatched Wakka's visor and began dealing. It was too large for her, and she was constantly pushing it back up. Even Auron had to admit she looked cute. When they all picked up their cards, Rikku narrowed her eyes at hers, immediately putting one pair down. Auron looked exasperated. Lulu looked amused. Wakka had his best poker face on. He wasn't going to admit that he didn't know how to play Go Fish either. Never mind the fact that his poker face was just about as good as his poker game.
Once the cards had been dealt and the "fish" pile had been established, the game commenced.
"Do you have any twos?" Lulu asked Rikku grudgingly.
"Go fish!" Rikku chirped.
Wakka was next. "Do you have any...uh...fives?" he asked Lulu.
"Go fish," was the embittered reply.
Rikku turned to Wakka. "Do you have any fives?" she asked, smiling widely.
"No," said Wakka.
"What? You're lying, aren't you," was the rapid accusation.
"You have to have one of a card to ask for another, Wakka," said Lulu patiently.
"Oh. Sorry."
"And when you don't have it, you say 'Go Fish!'" continued Lulu.
"Oh. Goldfish, ya."
Rikku wrinkled her nose. "*Go* fish, not goldfish, dummy."
"Hey!" protested Wakka. "You watch who you call dummy!"
"I'll call whoever I want dummy, you dummy!" retorted Rikku.
"Yeah, well-" began Wakka, but he was cut short.
"That's enough!" Auron said sternly. Wakka huffed angrily.
"So Auron," began a Rikku with a wicked smile, "do you have any tens?"
Auron's mouth tightened under his collar. "Go fish," he grumbled.
"What was that?" asked Rikku, grinning ever wider. "I couldn't hear you."
"I said, go fish," there was an unseen vein twitching in Auron's neck.
"Come again?"
The look that Rikku received was the darkest one yet. Yet as in ever. Too bad Auron was still wearing his aviators. "GO FISH." This was said in a very slow, loud, and clearly enunciated rumbling bass.
Rikku put a hand to her mouth and giggled. Wakka snickered. Even Lulu had to smile. ________________________________________________________
Back to the mental images...but again, try to picture Auron saying the words "Go fish". Dissolving into fits of hysterics? Don't worry. You're not the only one.
*sigh* Closing in on the end, as much as I try to draw it out. I've kind of been stalling the plot line (bad Mignonne!), just because I've been enjoying writing this so much. Anyway, good? Bad? Tell me please! (or send me that gift certificate!)
If you don't want to hear about the concert (if you enjoyed the airport story, this one is just as momentous), just skip down to the review button. Otherwise:
July 31, 2002. New York City.
5:45pm - Driving down 31st Street on the way to the Garden. At a stoplight, a Jeep full of guys covered in piercing pulls up next to us. Dude: "Hey! You two want to come to the (insert name of random local band that no one's ever heard of here) concert?" Mignonne: Not really. Dude: Come on! It's only $7. Mignonne: We're going to the Garden to see the Who. Sorry. *bats eyes and shrugs* Car full of Dudes: *looks disappointed* Mignonne's friend Jen: They were trying to pick us up, weren't they? Mignonne: *cranks up stereo and starts belting Magic Bus along with it*
6:30pm - The Garden's on Seventh, between 31st and 33rd. Somehow, we've been routed back and forth by police, signs and one way streets. We've been circling, trying to get close to the Garden for half an hour. We're worried we'll miss Robert Plant. I'm yelling profanities.
6:45pm - We pull into the parking garage. We're barely out of my car when a t-shirt seller comes running over. Scalper: $10 for this shirt! Just like the ones they sell inside for $35! Mignonne: So why are yours cheaper? How do you obtain these shirts? Are they of inferior quality? Scalper: No, no. They're exactly the same! Look here! I've got tie-dye and black. Jen: I always liked tie-dye. But I like the black too. What size? Scalper: Just got large, but they only have large inside too. Mignonne: *absently* I like the black too, but why are they a different price? Are you lying about the sizes inside? Scalper: *throws two shirts in the open door of the car* There you go, $20. Jen: Alix! (Yes, that's Mignonne's *real* name. Kelsey Martin called it "spoony" last week. I asked her what spoony meant. She didn't know. Do you?) Can I borrow $10? I know those shirts weren't legit. They'll probably disintegrate in the wash. That's why I'm going to put mine up on the wall and not wear it. That and I'd be swimming in a large. Ghetto concert t-shirts? $10 But being argumentative merely for the sake of being argumentative? Priceless...
7:30pm - We've gone in, and Robert Plant is just taking the stage. He's...disappointing. Shoulda' played more Zeppelin. I got just one song I recognized (and I'm a Zeppelin fan)...Going to California. Good song, but...more, please? Of course, we start talking to the guy on my right. He's 40 something and a member of the NYPD. My friend misses this tidbit, and asks him to buy her a beer. He does. She drinks it. Then throws up. All over the floor by the empty seats next to her (the show was sold out, but lots of people missed Robert Plant). It was impressive. She bent over so calmly that I thought she had simply dropped something. Except she stayed down so long I thought she had passed out. She then proceeds to sit up and go "I'm fine!" The...rather attractive...FDNY guy sitting behind her calls her the one-beer-queer, then winks at me. Jen laughs loudly, then starts working on her second beer, saying, "Ah...this isn't drunk. You'll know when I'm drunk when I start hitting on *her* (gestures toward me)." Meanwhile, she's falling out of her chair.
8:45pm - The Who take the stage, and I'm reduced to a salivating Pete Townshend and (surprise surprise) Roger Daltrey fangirl. They open with 'I Can't Explain.' Ah...spiffy.
9:30pm - Pete Townshend introducing 'The Kids are Alright'. "I wrote this song when I was eighteen or nineteen. I didn't need Viagra then, and I don't need it now. I DON'T NEED VIAGRA!!! I DON'T NEED VIAGRA!!!" *Audience goes nuts*
10:00pm - A cup of tea appears in Roger's hands. It, as we can see on the video monitor, is steaming. Says Roger, "My fucking tea is too bloody hot. Can everyone please blow on my tea?" Roger holds tea out.
10:30pm - A close call. Apparently, some fuckwad on the floor has decided it's a good idea to throw...soda cans...at the band. Um...yeah. So, Roger and Pete disappear off stage. Pete returns. "No more of that. Here's a list of what you *can* throw onstage." Starts ticking items off on fingers. "Watches, cameras, wallets, cash, credit cards, your girlfriends, their bras, you get the picture." A bill is lobbed onstage at Pete's feet. He picks it up, and the Pete Townshend sneer (it's probably copyrighted...) appears. "Let's see how much this man thinks I'm worth." Uncrinkles bill. "A five." Another bill appears at his feet. Picks it up. Uncrinkles it. Holds it proudly over his head. "A TWENTY!!!" Places them on piano. "This money will go toward paying Roger's hospital bill." Roger looks decidedly unamused.
The rest of the concert was without momentous events. They played *very* well. Roger, live, is incredible. His voice is *huge*. You know what song is awesome live? 'Love Reign O'er Me.' WOW. I love the show they put on as well. Pete and the windmilling arm and the jumps...yeah... Roger and the microphone twirling... If you ever get a chance to see them, take it.
Envy my weekend! Thursday, I'm seeing Jethro Tull with my father. He buys me alcohol. Yeah. Friday, I'm spending the day at the Jersey Shore (the first time I've ever been, oddly enough) and then seeing the Who for a second time that night. Sunday, I'm going to Studio 54 and seeing Cabaret. Studio fucking 54! I'm so excited! But what's even more amazing...the emcee is John Stamos. John Stamos as in Uncle Jesse from Full House. This may cause problems for my sanity. Molly Ringwald's in it too. Weird...
So I saw the Who on Wednesday, July 31st. And they were absolutely amazing. I work in a doctors office, and we were joking around with prescription painkillers (narcotics, actually). You know, "Take three of these, and even Roger Daltrey'll look good." Well, lemme tell you, I didn't need them. Roger's a complete and total sexy beast when he performs. *dies* I'm going to see them...again...the end of this month, and bringing *more* friends along. The concert itself had some great moments. Hmm...I think it may be time for another bonus story at the end...
Being eighteen? Sooo overrated. Like Amberlee told me, I can die defending my country, but I can't consume any alcohol to help numb the bullet. But hey...I can vote.
The poker scene I've been planning for awhile (like, since I started writing this). The inspiration for it comes from a story by Lilac Summers, with a title I don't remember (Vacation, perhaps?), on a site which I don't remember. But it was funny. I read it at least three years ago, and still remember it. Big props to LS. ________________________________________________________
The antechamber was dusty. Very dusty. As they walked in, Rikku sneezed loudly. And then looked at the back of Auron's jacket in front of her. He was turning to look at her. Think fast! Distract him!
"Let's play cards!"
Auron turned to her and raised his eyebrow. "Cards?" he asked, seemingly oblivious to the green goo dripping down his back.
"Yeah!" said Rikku. "Yuna'll be in the Chamber of the Fayth for a while, you know? So I bought cards while you were getting sunglasses." She smiled perkily at Auron and his aviators.
He gave an abrupt nod. "I'm always up for a good game of poker."
"As am I," said Lulu.
"Kimahri play."
"Poker sounds like fun, ya?"
And Rikku's face crumpled. "But...But..."
"But what, Rikku?"
"I don't know how to play poker!" she wailed.
"Well, we'll teach you!" said Lulu, almost warmly. She immediately regretted the offer and the tone of voice it was uttered in. Fortunately, she had nothing to worry about.
"No! Brother's tried before! I can't play! I refuse! I'm bad! I don't understand the rules!" This explosion came complete with foot stomping and arm waving. Rikku stalked over to a corner and proceeded to sulk.
Auron shrugged. "Suit yourself." Rikku whimpered. So much for her big idea. And the gil she had spent on those cards.
Wakka looked at him and shrugged, then produced a visor, put it on his head, and began dealing. Auron was amazed when he started spouting what sounded like technical poker jargon. And then it became clear he was making it up.
"Aces are high, twos are low, cows came home, I'm taking a bubble bath next week..."
"Wakka," interrupted Lulu, "do you even know how to play poker?"
"Yeah! Of course, ya?" insisted Wakka. "Who *doesn't* know how to play poker?" In the corner, Rikku sniffed loudly.
The trio began to play, with Kimahri standing watch and Rikku still sniveling. Tidus had gone with Yuna into the Chamber of the Fayth, and both were bargaining with Yojimbo. It was all going well, when Auron looked up and said, "Hit me," to Wakka.
Wakka gave Auron a funny look. "Hit you? You sure?"
Auron nodded once. And Wakka leaned over and punched him. Auron looked at him, then punched him back. Hard.
"Owwww!" said Wakka. "What was that for? You were the one that asked for it!"
"I think poker's out," said Lulu sagely. Auron nodded.
Suddenly Rikku was back. "I know!" she piped in eagerly, "let's play Go Fish!!!"
Auron was nearly overcome by the sudden urge to throttle something. Lulu was relieved, because now she didn't have to explain where she had gotten the large amount of betting money for the game. In truth, she was 'borrowing' it from the betting pool. That Lulu was a sneaky one, all right.
Wakka was quick to agree. "Yeah!" he exclaimed, "Go Fish!"
Auron sighed. "Fine. We play."
Rikku did a little dance, then snatched Wakka's visor and began dealing. It was too large for her, and she was constantly pushing it back up. Even Auron had to admit she looked cute. When they all picked up their cards, Rikku narrowed her eyes at hers, immediately putting one pair down. Auron looked exasperated. Lulu looked amused. Wakka had his best poker face on. He wasn't going to admit that he didn't know how to play Go Fish either. Never mind the fact that his poker face was just about as good as his poker game.
Once the cards had been dealt and the "fish" pile had been established, the game commenced.
"Do you have any twos?" Lulu asked Rikku grudgingly.
"Go fish!" Rikku chirped.
Wakka was next. "Do you have any...uh...fives?" he asked Lulu.
"Go fish," was the embittered reply.
Rikku turned to Wakka. "Do you have any fives?" she asked, smiling widely.
"No," said Wakka.
"What? You're lying, aren't you," was the rapid accusation.
"You have to have one of a card to ask for another, Wakka," said Lulu patiently.
"Oh. Sorry."
"And when you don't have it, you say 'Go Fish!'" continued Lulu.
"Oh. Goldfish, ya."
Rikku wrinkled her nose. "*Go* fish, not goldfish, dummy."
"Hey!" protested Wakka. "You watch who you call dummy!"
"I'll call whoever I want dummy, you dummy!" retorted Rikku.
"Yeah, well-" began Wakka, but he was cut short.
"That's enough!" Auron said sternly. Wakka huffed angrily.
"So Auron," began a Rikku with a wicked smile, "do you have any tens?"
Auron's mouth tightened under his collar. "Go fish," he grumbled.
"What was that?" asked Rikku, grinning ever wider. "I couldn't hear you."
"I said, go fish," there was an unseen vein twitching in Auron's neck.
"Come again?"
The look that Rikku received was the darkest one yet. Yet as in ever. Too bad Auron was still wearing his aviators. "GO FISH." This was said in a very slow, loud, and clearly enunciated rumbling bass.
Rikku put a hand to her mouth and giggled. Wakka snickered. Even Lulu had to smile. ________________________________________________________
Back to the mental images...but again, try to picture Auron saying the words "Go fish". Dissolving into fits of hysterics? Don't worry. You're not the only one.
*sigh* Closing in on the end, as much as I try to draw it out. I've kind of been stalling the plot line (bad Mignonne!), just because I've been enjoying writing this so much. Anyway, good? Bad? Tell me please! (or send me that gift certificate!)
If you don't want to hear about the concert (if you enjoyed the airport story, this one is just as momentous), just skip down to the review button. Otherwise:
July 31, 2002. New York City.
5:45pm - Driving down 31st Street on the way to the Garden. At a stoplight, a Jeep full of guys covered in piercing pulls up next to us. Dude: "Hey! You two want to come to the (insert name of random local band that no one's ever heard of here) concert?" Mignonne: Not really. Dude: Come on! It's only $7. Mignonne: We're going to the Garden to see the Who. Sorry. *bats eyes and shrugs* Car full of Dudes: *looks disappointed* Mignonne's friend Jen: They were trying to pick us up, weren't they? Mignonne: *cranks up stereo and starts belting Magic Bus along with it*
6:30pm - The Garden's on Seventh, between 31st and 33rd. Somehow, we've been routed back and forth by police, signs and one way streets. We've been circling, trying to get close to the Garden for half an hour. We're worried we'll miss Robert Plant. I'm yelling profanities.
6:45pm - We pull into the parking garage. We're barely out of my car when a t-shirt seller comes running over. Scalper: $10 for this shirt! Just like the ones they sell inside for $35! Mignonne: So why are yours cheaper? How do you obtain these shirts? Are they of inferior quality? Scalper: No, no. They're exactly the same! Look here! I've got tie-dye and black. Jen: I always liked tie-dye. But I like the black too. What size? Scalper: Just got large, but they only have large inside too. Mignonne: *absently* I like the black too, but why are they a different price? Are you lying about the sizes inside? Scalper: *throws two shirts in the open door of the car* There you go, $20. Jen: Alix! (Yes, that's Mignonne's *real* name. Kelsey Martin called it "spoony" last week. I asked her what spoony meant. She didn't know. Do you?) Can I borrow $10? I know those shirts weren't legit. They'll probably disintegrate in the wash. That's why I'm going to put mine up on the wall and not wear it. That and I'd be swimming in a large. Ghetto concert t-shirts? $10 But being argumentative merely for the sake of being argumentative? Priceless...
7:30pm - We've gone in, and Robert Plant is just taking the stage. He's...disappointing. Shoulda' played more Zeppelin. I got just one song I recognized (and I'm a Zeppelin fan)...Going to California. Good song, but...more, please? Of course, we start talking to the guy on my right. He's 40 something and a member of the NYPD. My friend misses this tidbit, and asks him to buy her a beer. He does. She drinks it. Then throws up. All over the floor by the empty seats next to her (the show was sold out, but lots of people missed Robert Plant). It was impressive. She bent over so calmly that I thought she had simply dropped something. Except she stayed down so long I thought she had passed out. She then proceeds to sit up and go "I'm fine!" The...rather attractive...FDNY guy sitting behind her calls her the one-beer-queer, then winks at me. Jen laughs loudly, then starts working on her second beer, saying, "Ah...this isn't drunk. You'll know when I'm drunk when I start hitting on *her* (gestures toward me)." Meanwhile, she's falling out of her chair.
8:45pm - The Who take the stage, and I'm reduced to a salivating Pete Townshend and (surprise surprise) Roger Daltrey fangirl. They open with 'I Can't Explain.' Ah...spiffy.
9:30pm - Pete Townshend introducing 'The Kids are Alright'. "I wrote this song when I was eighteen or nineteen. I didn't need Viagra then, and I don't need it now. I DON'T NEED VIAGRA!!! I DON'T NEED VIAGRA!!!" *Audience goes nuts*
10:00pm - A cup of tea appears in Roger's hands. It, as we can see on the video monitor, is steaming. Says Roger, "My fucking tea is too bloody hot. Can everyone please blow on my tea?" Roger holds tea out.
10:30pm - A close call. Apparently, some fuckwad on the floor has decided it's a good idea to throw...soda cans...at the band. Um...yeah. So, Roger and Pete disappear off stage. Pete returns. "No more of that. Here's a list of what you *can* throw onstage." Starts ticking items off on fingers. "Watches, cameras, wallets, cash, credit cards, your girlfriends, their bras, you get the picture." A bill is lobbed onstage at Pete's feet. He picks it up, and the Pete Townshend sneer (it's probably copyrighted...) appears. "Let's see how much this man thinks I'm worth." Uncrinkles bill. "A five." Another bill appears at his feet. Picks it up. Uncrinkles it. Holds it proudly over his head. "A TWENTY!!!" Places them on piano. "This money will go toward paying Roger's hospital bill." Roger looks decidedly unamused.
The rest of the concert was without momentous events. They played *very* well. Roger, live, is incredible. His voice is *huge*. You know what song is awesome live? 'Love Reign O'er Me.' WOW. I love the show they put on as well. Pete and the windmilling arm and the jumps...yeah... Roger and the microphone twirling... If you ever get a chance to see them, take it.
Envy my weekend! Thursday, I'm seeing Jethro Tull with my father. He buys me alcohol. Yeah. Friday, I'm spending the day at the Jersey Shore (the first time I've ever been, oddly enough) and then seeing the Who for a second time that night. Sunday, I'm going to Studio 54 and seeing Cabaret. Studio fucking 54! I'm so excited! But what's even more amazing...the emcee is John Stamos. John Stamos as in Uncle Jesse from Full House. This may cause problems for my sanity. Molly Ringwald's in it too. Weird...