23 June 2006 @ 11:30 am
Parades and Festivals -- and Icons  
Topic the First:

Tomorrow is the Houston Gay Pride Festival and Parade. I haven't ever been except for the year my house was just off Westheimer, in which case I was part of the parade route. I'm so annoyed over the state-level votes and what passes for political discourse, I'm going to show my support for true equal rights for all Americans and to prove that not all Texans are hateful bigots.

That sounds all angry but I'm actually quite excited. I loved going to Westheimer events when I lived in the Montrose. I suspect this is the only festival that still happens on the street now that the "Westheimer" Art Festival is exiled. Too bad it isn't in March or April, when it's more pleasant to be outdoors around here. *grin*

**~~**

Topic the Second:

I hadn't yet used this nifty polling feature and I've been pondering the whole "where to post icons" thing, so...

[Poll #754555]
Feel free to vote for more than one answer. Sometimes more than one fits.

I'm leaning towards just posting them here behind lj-cuts because I'm damned lazy and uninterested parties need not click. I see a lot of "icon journals" around which I admit I liked when I was trawling for icons because it makes them easier to find. I'm not particularly skilled yet in making the sorts of icons that seem popular - and probably never will be because my 30-mumble eyes like color and clarity. Thus, I tend to think of this as a personal exercise, although [livejournal.com profile] jalabert is very kind to me and continues to feed my addiction by using my Crappy Icons (tm). I've been stashing them at my Scrapbook, but I suspect that's a place that only I visit.

I'll probably look at the results and then do whatever the hell I want but I'm looking to open up discussion about points I might not have thought about.
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[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 04:46 pm (UTC)
Crappy? *thwap* I like them because they are bright. Not enough bright icons out there.
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:07 pm (UTC)
Oops. I should have made it clearer that that's meant to be a joke. Yes, I'm overly critical of my own work and that's part of it, but [livejournal.com profile] jalabert and I have been jokingly calling them that for a long time. It certainly wasn't meant to bring out the "no, I love them," comments, either. :)

I know that I don't (yet?) have the sort of vision/eye/talent/knowledge/whatever that leads to some of the more beautiful and/or creative icons I see all over the place. Also? There seems to be a bias towards icons that are simply not to my taste. I'm cool with that and I don't aspire to being a popular icon-maker. I make them to entertain myself (and [livejournal.com profile] jalabert) but I'd like to have a place to put the damned things so that if anyone who shares our taste is looking for an endless supply of close-ups to choose amongst, she could go through them quickly and easily.
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 02:21 am (UTC)
Hey! Do I recall correctly that you're planning on going to the NJ con this year? If so, I want to arrange to meet. (If I haven't scared you off by then...) The fans are always my favorite part and I'd love to meet in person.
[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 02:26 am (UTC)
That's hilarious. I was just talking to someone about the con and then I get your email.

Yup, I'm going. It would be fun to meet. I'm sure we can arrnage something by email. :)
Mish: C&H: Calvin Dances (Anim)[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 08:09 pm (UTC)
Yay! We'll have to meet for absolute certain. I just found out that [livejournal.com profile] majorsamfan will not be there (boo!) but I'm ASSUMING that we'll still have [livejournal.com profile] selmak, [livejournal.com profile] triciabyrne1978, and...I don't think any of the others in our group of insane but mostly harmless folk are here on LJ. I KNOW that [livejournal.com profile] jalabert and her sister will be there because we bought tickets last time around.
[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 08:12 pm (UTC)
I confess I don't "know" all these people. But yay for fun and meet ups. Should be cool. That's one of the best parts.
[identity profile] selmak.livejournal.com on June 25th, 2006 02:14 am (UTC)
Selmak was the girl that sat next to you at the first con when that lady tried to bump you and wondered where you were last year! There was an empty seat! :D

:D

[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com on June 25th, 2006 02:20 am (UTC)
OMG! *The* Selmak! ;) I didn't want to pressume.

I went to the Boston one last year. My seat this year is't half as good *sigh* But I'll be there this year.

But I remember how much fun you ladies were having!
[identity profile] selmak.livejournal.com on June 25th, 2006 02:51 am (UTC)
well, I doubted you'd remember me.

I faded out at Our Stargate after a while as I couldn't keep up with the postings... and that's where I had chatted with you on occasion :)

Helena who can't spell tonight.
[identity profile] moonshayde.livejournal.com on June 25th, 2006 02:54 am (UTC)
On the contrary, actually. I don't tend to forget people. Just their names. But I don't like to assume people are people unless I know for sure.

Such a cute icon too :)
[identity profile] selmak.livejournal.com on June 25th, 2006 03:17 am (UTC)
otp pairing icon.
Thank you. :)

Yes, that's my Gonna Scare all the Shippers Icon. I've actually managed to convince several people that George is far more emotional healthy for her than Jack, the clone of her father. :)

Prepares for S/J shippers to start flaming away. :)
[identity profile] mcroft.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 05:10 pm (UTC)
If they're CrappyIcons(tm), you should post them on Lawrence "Don't Call me Larry" Simon's blog...

I think the whole "I'll start another LJ to post my icons" thing started before there was tagging. Speaking as a guy who posts his own graphical messes in his LJ, I say put things here and tag them. Just don't let the icontent overwhelm actual content.
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:15 pm (UTC)
Ha! It would be the perfect home for them, wouldn't it? I'm trying to figure out why people choose a second journal over tagging and lj-cutting.

Just don't let the icontent overwhelm actual content.

Wait? There's content in this LJ? How the hell did I manage that? I'd like to know because I've stared at the "Make a Post" screen many a time with not a damned thing worth saying.
[identity profile] la-directora.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 05:48 pm (UTC)
One of my favorite things about being a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal was that we built float for the pride parade every year. So I haven't just seen the Houston pride parade, I've been IN it.

The best part was that at the back of the float, we always had to make a space for the lawn chairs for the two Bettys. As in two women in their 70's or 80's who were members of the church who always insisted on riding on the float. We made room for the chairs so they could sit down and relax. I remember one of them saying to me, "I just can't imagine why anyone has a problem with these nice young girls and boys. It's none of their business anyway." Amen. :)
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:28 pm (UTC)
I like to think that's exactly why I was so naive about gay rights and why I haven't been more active. I honestly can't conceive of caring what consenting adults get up to in their bedrooms. Too bad more people don't think the same way. The huge vote margins in the elections came as a complete surprise to me and I'm still trying to puzzle out the most effective response.

I do recall, how much it meant to me to see male friends helping to defend clinics back in the day, so I'm hoping that showing support will be taken in a similar fashion: a statement of solidarity and a statement of what is right regardless of whether the principle directly changes my own options.
[identity profile] la-directora.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:38 pm (UTC)
That has certainly been the response I've gotten from being the straight girl at gay rights events for the past 15 years. :)
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:53 pm (UTC)
Good. I'm not planning on declaring myself "straight" but I never know whether I'm a welcome addition or if it seems like I'm trying to horn in on the community when it's fun to be there.

I was chuckling yesterday when I was filling out a form and, since Joe and I are not officially married, I was declaring myself as living with my partner and childless -- and that I had checked off "gay/lesbian interest" magazine as something I'd picked up and looked through in the last 3 months. I figured if I told them I was going with Amy to the pride parade, I could complete the impression.
[identity profile] la-directora.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 08:59 pm (UTC)
I've never gotten the feeling that anyone thinks I'm "horning in" in any way. Just that it's good to have more people stand up and say, "This is not okay." Especially people that most of those in opposition see as "normal".

And I do have to chuckle at the idea of you and Amy as a couple. Very cute. :)
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 02:15 am (UTC)
*hee* Now that I think about it, I did marry her a year ago this April...
[identity profile] jalabert.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:33 pm (UTC)
[livejournal.com profile] jalabert is very kind to me and continues to feed my addiction by using my Crappy Icons (tm).

Crappy Icons work for me!


And of course, I'm the moron who said "other"; you know I love being difficult.

*smiles up at a favorite Crappy Icon (tm)*
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 07:44 pm (UTC)
G! It's so good to see him here, menacing my LJ. :) I won't even make a smartass remark about how I've been struggling with skin tones on Aidens when I could have been coloring in black and white versions of Godzilla...

...you know I love being difficult.

I'd know you were an imposter if you weren't!
[identity profile] majorsamfan.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 08:48 pm (UTC)
Since the people here use icons, it seems a logical (to me) place to post them.

Otherwise, what about Mishtopia?
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 11:33 pm (UTC)
(Hey! Somebody made you the icon! Congrats! It came out well.)

:) Oh, I'm going to inflict them on the LJ crowd somehow, for certain. I was pondering whether it made sense to put them here, which is my first inclination, or whether to segregate them into a 2nd LJ account. I know as a user I thought that made it convenient for me but I wondered if maybe it was also an etiquette thing, separating wordy posts from pic-heavy ones. *shrug* It seems somewhat silly for me to get another LJ - I hardly post in this one as is it - but I'm willing to entertain the idea if it's the community norm.

Otherwise, what about Mishtopia?

I don't advertise it but they are posted there in their own album with the con pictures. :) They aren't sorted and I keep the dreck there as well as the ones I admit to having made. Mostly, it's an easy place for [livejournal.com profile] jalabert to see what's the latest addition and claim any she wants for exclusive use. It's my personal history of development - sort of an icon diary.
[identity profile] majorsamfan.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 11:49 pm (UTC)
Thanks (re icon). Yes, [livejournal.com profile] napalm_isis made it for me within a day (maybe that very day!). Cool, huh? It pays to have friends in high places.

Speaking of which. Have you done anything with your piccies from last year's con? Any really good ones I should have for my con whoredom scrapbook? *bats eyelashes coyly*

Are you coming to Shore-Leave next month? All the usual suspects will be there, Tricia, Helena/Janet, Edith, Jo, Deanie, MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Oh, and some actress from Stargate, you know, the blonde one. :D I am SOOOO excited, my Amandaholicism is sooooooo showing.
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 12:19 am (UTC)
My pics from last year's con are almost uniformly crap. At least, so far they are. I have more skills now and if I can ever stop being depressed by it all, I really should see what I can do with them.

I got a few good shots of Peter Williams and some disreputable people ;-) but I'm assuming that's not what you were hoping for. I do have lots of good shots from the 2004 NJ con and the 2005 Dallas con -- you're welcome to any you want. I know a ton more about enhancing/improving photos than I used to (because of the icon-thing) so...anything you want, let me know, and I will happily clean you up some fresher, prettier copies. :)

Please, please, please take lots of pics and then share them so that I can be truly miserable over missing the fun. I so want to be going. Damnit it all.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I want to go to Shore-Leave! I've never really and truly seen Amanda. I so very much want to. *sniffle* *whine* Alas, it wasn't in my cards this year. I have three planned trips and the emergency stay in Ft. Lauderdale that included a holiday weekend so my time/budget are already strapped. But I really hate that I won't be there. I'd love to see youse guys again. *whimper* I don't want to wait until November. *pout*
[identity profile] majorsamfan.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 02:01 am (UTC)
I am not planning on November...the NJ con, that is. I'm planning on the MONTH of November, but...well, never mind.
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 02:18 am (UTC)
?? You've lost me. Granted, not too hard since I took some Benadryl just a bit ago.

You are worrying me: you ARE going to be at the NJ con in November, yes? It wouldn't be even half as much fun without my posse of friends!
[identity profile] majorsamfan.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 03:34 am (UTC)
No, that's what I was trying to say - poorly, obviously. I am *NOT* planning to attend the Creation Con in NJ in November.

If I attend anything in November - or any Creation Con at all - I might drive down to Burbank. Tricia's going to attend that one with her friend who lives down there.

My con activities - as planned at the moment - include only Shore-Leave and *possibly* San Diego Comic-Con. I'm going to visit my cousin down there that weekend, and we *may* go to that, especially if the Sci-Fi gang are going to be there.

If I suddenly come into a LOT of money, of course, I'd love to go to England in November... :D
Mish: C&H: Oh Noes![identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 24th, 2006 08:05 pm (UTC)
Noooooooooooooooooooooo! That stinks! I'd been counting on seeing you in November. Well, poo. I know that NJ is far from California but I was hoping since you'd gone to the last two...damn. This is a huge disappointment.

Yeah, if I had oodles of extra money with no good place to spend it, I'd be over there for the Amanda and RDA event, too. I wish they'd do a coule over here. I might not particularly like the heavily moderated part but I'd take that over nothing. Then again, I'd love it if AT would do an "evening/weekend" with her fans over here. Actually, I wish they all would. I'd love to meet them for real rather than just the heavily altered con personality. Ah well, if wishes were horses...
[identity profile] majorsamfan.livejournal.com on June 26th, 2006 12:51 am (UTC)
So sorry, dahling!
[identity profile] deani-bean.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 09:56 pm (UTC)
Post them here. Drive people here by posting links in their respective icon communities. I do that. Well, when I bother to put together a worthy group of icons. But I mean, really, there's so much garbage out there, and yours are actually good, so just post them.

I would adopt one of your icons to use in my own LJ, and I only use my own, so that's proof that they're good. :D
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 11:48 pm (UTC)
Hee! I love your original art. And he is SO made of awesome.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards doing exactly what you suggested. I'm hesitant to get another LJ just for icons; hell, I rarely post here and two half-assed LJs seems twice as pointless. OTOH, I thought it might be considered polite to one's f-list to separate out graphics-heavy posts. I felt like tags and lj-cuts should be enough but I was willing to consider other PoV before deciding.

Awww. You're very kind. I have reached a plateau and am in a rut that I'm looking to break out of but I have mastered the skills I set out to conquer originally so I'm not in any way complaining.
[identity profile] msjudi.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 11:06 pm (UTC)
Hey lady :)

Do you want to meet up for the festival tomorrow, or just hang out during the parade, or both? We're open for anything. I figure we'll only spend a little while at the festival, and probably grab dinner beforehand. You're welcome to join us for that, too, though I have no idea where we'll go or when, and I rather suspect that it'll be sushi ;)

Send me an email and I'll get my cell phone number to you. phobosgirl at earthlink dot net.

*hug*
Mish: McKay Pied Piper[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 23rd, 2006 11:54 pm (UTC)
Hey! I would very much love to hang out together at the Festival (and even the parade if that works out). Amy will be coming after she finishes playing a second wedding tomorrow so she'll be arriving some time not too long before the parade.

I won't turn my nose up at dinner, either, although I'll make my own arrangements if y'all plan on having sushi. It's a street festival - and Montrose! and the Curve! - so I have little concern for finding something I'm willing to eat.

I'll send you an e-mail now. :)
Mish: B/J Breathe from www.impisheyes.com/qaf.[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 26th, 2006 05:20 am (UTC)
Wow -- I'd forgotten how long it takes me to do even simple picture prep and upload. I've only got 92 pics up but I've spent all evening on it. I'm not announcing it elsewhere yet, but here are what I've got so far. Obviously, there are huge holes. I think I've done maybe 1/4 of the pics I took. The final pic is a lovely one but I haven't added her name on it in case that's not ok. If y'all want, I'll move it to a password protected file. Just let me know.

I had a fabulous time!
[identity profile] msjudi.livejournal.com on June 26th, 2006 05:38 am (UTC)
wowowowow, all the work you did on these!! And they're so beautiful, too. I am envious of your talent wth a camera!

Megan doesn't mind if you put her LJ name- ([livejournal.com profile] vibrant_daphne)- on her pix (and it's fabulous! Mind if I swipe a couple of those pix to put on my LJ when I post about the parade? I will, naturally, credit them to you.

Thank you so much for the awesome effort. And I'm so glad you and Amy were there to share the evening. It was such an affirming night!

*HUGS*
Mish: B/J Kiss[identity profile] hsapiens.livejournal.com on June 26th, 2006 11:10 am (UTC)
Absolutely - feel free to grab anything you want and use however.

Yay! I was hoping she wouldn't mind being identified or having the pic up -- I think it's an excellent picture of her but I think we get over self-critical so I didn't know if she'd like it. I'll be getting the remaining pics up, too, as soon as I can put together another chunk of time.

I can't tell you how proud it made me to be a Houstonian when I saw not only the crowds (250K people? Amy pointed out that's 1 in 8 Houstonians if the estimates are accurate) but the complete dedication of our city to being represented.