There is STILL Time to Sign Up for Ardor in August...

It's time for Ardor in August!

From the Years of the Trees through the Fourth Age – it’s time once again to make your Tolkien FPS fanfic dreams come true…

Have you always wanted to read a certain pairing or scenario, but couldn’t write it yourself? Have it written for you – specifically and especially for your own sweet self! And share your own fic gift in exchange!

That’s right, it’s time again for the Ardor in August Fic Exchange! brought to you by the same folks who sponsor the renowned Slashy Santa and My Slashy Valentine Fiction Exchanges.

The exchange focuses solely on the Elves, Men, Valar and Maiar of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. Maybe it’s Gildor and Glorfindel you love, or perhaps Boromir-on-Theodred strikes your fancy... or maybe Manwë is your main man – from the First Age to the Fourth, from sultry tales of the Silmarillion to romances in the Ring Wars – spread the word, recruit your friends and fellow authors, and have some fun!

Go here for the full details, including rules and FAQs.

Critical Dates:

• Sign-up period: May 6 - May 20
• Assignments to be distributed no later than May 27
• Deadline for first-time participants: July 22, 2012
• Deadline for returning participants: July 29, 2012
• Archive opens: August 5, 2012

Please note that the slashysanta.com website may be down for a day or two for maintenance-- this should NOT have any effect on the signup process. If you encounter any problems, please let Kenaz know at kenazfiction@gmail.com or via an LJ message!

So, if you’re ready to sign up, click here. Lots of good writers, lots of fun! I signed up so its on now! 

-post borrowed from keiliss

-reposting for you.

And I snooped because I am nosey like that...

So a few days ago, my neighbor emails me with the subject line, one word "Weird" and details about how she met some guy who is living in our garage and parking his van in our driveway. An older man. He has the garage set up to live in with couch and clothes etc. A few of us email back and forth in WTF fashion and this is yet another example of our greedy landlord trying to get more money out of the house by adding "an apartment" as the garage. I tried to catch a glimpse of the person myself but did not see him all weekend. 

I get a text as I am leaving work "He is sitting in the driveway, chainsmoking cigarettes". So I knew, on my way home that I could take the back street and walk right by that drive way and "run into him". My plan was to snoop, introduce myself and get a look into that garage and see what the heck is going on there. If in fact it is set up as a living space or just storage and figure out the deal. 

I near the place, my home, and end my cell phone convo and saunter into the driveway. The conversation starts in edgy manner. I was a little too aggressive but I suddenly realize the guy will tell me nothing if I don't get him to relax. I get more casual and friendly. Try and lull him to make more conversation. I physically move the conversation into the doorway of the garage so I can clearly see the place. He has a couch (fold out) in there, clothes, a fridge, a computer set up on a table, a rug on the floor. He had just done a load of laundry in our machines and his socks were all over the couch. 

He denied living there and said that he has a place in SF (impossible to verify). But as we conversed, he almost admitted it was a live work space. My question is - there is no running water in there. Where is he going to the bathroom? No bathroom in there! I am afraid of the answers to my questions! 

Earlier in the day, I spent a solid hour, once I got info from the rental board, researching all the contacts for the Code Enforcement Office at the City of Berkeley. Clearly this is an attempt by our landlord to create a habitable dwelling where there really is none. I am going to nail him for this...to the wall. He has no idea. I made friendly with the person. But honestly - Mr. Chainsmoking Weirdo Dude is gonna be gone. 

Long gone. I will keep you all posted on here. For sure.