smallvoice

Yes! We must have cruise-tales! I'm really glad the job is turning out so well for you.

I loved Bliss at first, but grew tired of it quickly. Pure chocolate scents don't see a lot of wear from me, but I had to try this one. There was something familiar early on, which reminds me very much of Monster Bait: Underbed... then I picked up on the rubbery scent, and then it was deep cocoa again.... and then it went poof. Seriously. Like, within 15 minutes, all gone. So wierd. I love the early chocolate scent, though. I love how clear the oil is, too. Don't ask me why, it just strikes me as particularly lovely with a deep chocolate scent coming from it.

Patchouli and red musk do not like me. However, I knew I would hate myself if I didn't try this one and then ended up loving it way later. So I did a light swipe, and all I can smell is patchouli. It reminds me of Snake Oil, in that it's pretty much all I could smell in that blend, too. And I mean ALL. No amount of time brought any other note to the front, and it doesn't smell pretty on me. It smells like I've been rolling around in a pool of mud. Red musk usually makes friends with my allergies. However, as time lapses, I can smell other notes surfacing and gently soothing the patchouli. The musk takes a turn dominating the blend, with the patchouli sitting it out for a while, but... Hmm! It's sort of evening out! I can catch the fruitiness and a hint of vanilla, and this is interesting to me; I've never been able to wear patchouli. It's still a little bit earthier than I care for, but I must wear this out at least once before I pass final judgement- unless it goes wonky on me later. The blend itself is fantastic, though. ETA: It doesn't go wonky on me! I like it, but I'm not sure I love it yet. Will add more later.

Shattered works well with the rain. To feel warmer and sunnier, as stated above, I'll wear Cerberus (), Dorian, Alice, or Lotus Moon.

I am about sick of money issues coming up. I know I shouldn't be complaining, because it's not like we're starving to death or anything, but it's awfully frustrating being the only one of the three of us with any sort of income. Car insurance and gas money tacked on to everything else is just sort of almost too much to deal with. And here's the thing with insurance: My mom had been taking care of it because she had the money and it was just cheaper for her to do it for a number of reasons. Well, when we went in to have it switched over to my name, they initially quoted a rate that was within our budget, but recanted when they noticed that we didn't get the multiple car discount that my mother has. The rate they quoted then was about double the original one. We went in a couple of days ago to finish up the paperwork and when I asked for the quote again to put in my records, we were given the lower rate- which I didn't notice until we got home. I like the lower rate, but I don't want this to bite us in the ass. Do we go in and bring it up to them? Just wait on it? Oh yeah, and here's something else fun: My windshield is cracked. Got trapped behind two big semi's riding side by side, with rocks piled into the back, completely unprotected, and several of them pelted the windshield. I didn't notice the crack until this week. We can apparently get it fixed for $70, which we don't have to spare, or we can file a claim and have the insurance rate increase. Does that seem right? I'm a bit naive about insurance, apparently, but I've been exceedingly distressed since my husband told me that any claim we make will bump up our rate. If I had the energy, I'd shriek in frustration.

I think I'm going to end up just not getting the crack repaired for a while, which sucks. It should be illegal for those trucks to go rushing around uncovered like that. I don't know. Money is just super stressful right now, and I'm getting more and more selfish with it because I feel like I deserve a little extra for carrying everybody (and I say that in a selfish way, because my husband isn't exactly leeching off of me. He definitely contributes in important ways to the household, but this is all new to me...) but the little extra isn't actually there to be used on a whole lot of frivolity. (Is that a word? Frivolousness? Am I making words up now? Heh.) I feel awful today re: money, because we got some paperwork from the state disability review board for him, and they've got him scheduled for an exam so they can do a more complete review... and it's scheduled for the end of October. I was feeling so optimistic that we'd get the decision next month (in May we heard it'd be 4-6 months before we'd get it, at the soonest. It's safest to bet that it'll take longer, but...) and now I'm thinking we won't hear anything until January. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it'll be November... Anyway, I'm rambling, and this should be an entry in and of itself. But seriously, thanks for the feedback about the insurance. I think I need to review our policy. I haven't been in the right mindset to do that lately.

Because I always have to contribute to these threads, it seems, I must agree with the other posters here. Try stuff and keep what you like. I wasn't organized or into spreadsheets, so it's possibly taken me longer than others, but I've started sorting out what notes smell awesome on me (lime, white musk, honey, spices and others....) which ones are just okay, most of the time, but can be amazing (almond, cinnamon, amber, violet, certain woods) and some that I sincerely dislike (blackberry-alcohol is ick, patchouli smells awful on me, plumeria is way too overpowering, laudanum is hit or miss, and sandalwood is usually sawdust). I don't think I'll ever be somebody who can read the notes on a BPAL blend and just know without testing it that it'll never work on me. Not after Euphrosyne was so delightful. Also, if you list what you liked of your testers, people can often recommend scents that fall into similar "families" of notes. But, yes! Test as many as you can! It should keep you busy for a while... and it's so exciting to discover the ones that work, as I'm sure you know by now! Anyway, good luck! Ask questions! Enjoy!

Eris (Wow. This is sort of embarrassing. My nose was just so untrained... yeah. But Eris is special, because she was my first. I'd like to give her another go, now that I'm almost a year into it. Most of my early reviews are exceedingly painful, really.) Scherezade Moxie Eos Jailbait Aizen-Myoo Penny Dreadful (I'd like to try this one again.) Dragon's Milk Black Forest Zombi (Another I'd like to retry) Seraphim Numb (Another I'd like to retry) Inferno Midnight Hamadryad Lick It Hollywood Babylon Hell's Belle (I need to update this review to reflect an aversion to that type of musk.) Glasgow Red Devil Jester Whitechapel Dude! I really need to update this review! It's awful, and for one of my favourite scents ever!) Swank Grand Guignol (I really want to try this one again.) Bliss (I don't love this one so much anymore.) Madrid (Not as enchanted by this one anymore.) Velvet Dragon's Blood Dragon's Hide Dragon's Eye Malediction Blood Voodoo The Lady of Shalott Arkham (Revisited) Akuma (Be sure and read the review by WidgetAlley, which is right before mine.) Follow Me Boy Asphodel Florence Serpent's Kiss Sea of Glass Kali Grog Bluebeard Haunted Hunger Blood Lotus Blood Rose Lilith Block Buster Red Lantern Gingerbread Poppet Endymion Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo Shub Niggurath Monster Bait: Closet Lolita Alice Rage Bloodlust Voodoo Queen Thirteen (13) Verdandi Tezcatlipoca The Hesperides Santa Muerte Cerberus Lotus Moon Shattered Villain Danse Macabre Debauchery Golden Priapus Coyote Khephra Hetairae Wicked O Morocco Enraged Orangutan Musk The Red Queen Vicomte de Valmont Katharina Hecate Aeval R'lyeh Carnal Port-Au-Prince Black Opal Eat Me Jack Xanthe, the Weeping Clown Chaos Theory: Strange Attractors MLXXVIII (1078) Mme. Moriarty, Misfortune Teller The Candy Butcher Gennivre, L'Artiste du Diable Theodosius, The Legerdemain The Organ Grinder Midnight on the Midway Carnaval Diabolique Devil's Night Thalia Undertow Bewitched Le Serpent Qui Danse Sleepy Moon F5 Et Lux Fuit Aglaea The Scales of Deprivation Miskatonic University Freak Show Halôa Euphrosyne Kurukulla Hymn to Propserpine Mouse's Long and Sad Tale Djinn Kathmandu Pele Eve King of Spades Mabon Nuclear Winter Doc Buzzard Monster Bait: Underpants Pink Phoenix Pumpkin Patch 2 Glitter Bengal Dana O'Shee Dublin Queen of Sheba White Musk Punkie Night Boomslang Bakeneko Australian Copperhead Zarita, the Doll Girl The Oblation Pink Moon 2005 Faith, the Siamese Twin Asp Viper Leo Mr. Nancy High John the Conquerer Bien Loin D'ici Medea Euterpe Beaver Moon Snow Angel Enraged Bunny Musk Night's Pavillion That's it so far! I have a ton I need to write up, still, though. And I realize you can easily use the search function to see my reviews, but it's nice to just have at my fingertips. (151 as of Snow Angel)

Life: Week one is over tomorrow. I totally chickened out and dropped art immediately. It was a good decision. I get to focus on math and enjoy my psych class and then I have extra time to work out. Of BPAL: My husband commented today that he likes Port-au-Prince on me. I'm in love with the scent. I think I need to re-explore almond scents that I snubbed early on. Bastet, I'm looking at you. So, yeah. Port-au-Prince is on my list of favourites now. My Alice imp is leaky. This is sad! It's my new sleep-time scent! Has anyone tried Les Fleurs du Mal? I guess I could go read reviews. Is it cloyingly floral? The description seems overwhelming, and yet I want to try it. Life: I thought I had a quiz tomorrow, but then I realized I didn't! One more week to study vocab. Of BPAL: I'm kinda excited about getting stuff together for my switchee. I need to pick up some things... I just hope she doesn't think I'm lame. I do feel like I'm gradually getting better at it, though! I'm going to work on doing my GC package sniffing on weekends and then shipping during the week. Life: It's better with a routine. I need a strategy for next summer. But that will wait a few months, I think. In the meantime... BPAL! (Er, I mean, studying.) I'm doing better.

Art If you heard a noise that sounded much like a sonic boom early monday, that was my anxiety skyrocketing. Monday was baaaad. Tuesday was better. Wednesday, I suspect, will be even better. I'm feeling good about my math class and the instructor and the pace. I love my psych instructor and I'm interested in the subject, so that one's a delight. Winter quarter, I'll do 3 classes. I need to conserve my energy for now. Bed, now.

I saw my meds nurse friday and she told me to journal as often as possible. So I'm going to try for everyday. I first got online in early '99. I was in a bit of a meltdown and thought it would be a great place to find support in a relatively non-threatening sort of way, except I was intimidated by the internet anyway. Horror stories, you know. Regardless, I found a mental health support site and became a part of the community there. They had bulletin boards and a chat room- it took me a month to get the nerve to go into chat, and then I was hooked. I still preferred the forums, though. It gave me time to think my responses through, and I wasn't quick on the keyboard. Being young for my age and naive as could be, my angst fed on the forum dramas that seemed to always exist. I only got involved if it involved somebody I cared about, but I loved everyone. (I had issues with telling folks I loved them. Apparently, without tone and context, it can look an awful lot like I'm trying to steal somebody's husband. I just had a lot of love at that point and didn't have any qualms about expressing it. That came later.) So my emotions ran high and I made a close-knit circle of friends and felt like less of a freak-- y'know, in retrospect, a mental health forum is not the best place to make friends. You tend to feed off the negative energy rather than find ways out. Anyway. I sort of quit going after having a particularly rough drama occur; I just couldn't deal anymore. They moved the site shortly thereafter, and I joined and lurked occasionally, but never really got back into posting. I didn't even keep in touch with the people who meant the most to me, which makes me sad. Tonight I wanted to find the last name of a particular member, and I recalled that she had a website linked in her signature, so I went to the site, and it wasn't there. It's been moved again... It's like it has erased more traces of my past. That's one thing I dislike about the internet. Without physical evidence, it's almost like something never happened. It's a road I don't need to go down again, but every now and again, I feel drawn to it. I am frustrated with knitting. I tried to knit a scarf with two threads of different coloured yarn and it just looked messy. I had to pull everything out, because I'd pulled two other scarf-beginnings out to start that one, and then that one didn't work out, and then... yeah. Frustrated. Muchly. Also tired, I think.

My super-secret knitting project? Yeah, it's taking forfreakingever. Am I just excruciatingly slow? I think I might be halfway done with it now, and I've been knitting for a week. How quickly should this be taking shape? Am I going way too slowly, or is this average? ... I think I may go with PM's.

Frazzled. School starts on monday. What's it going to be like? What if I get lost? What if I wear the wrong shoes? What if I've got the wrong lunch box? What if I trip on the stairs? ... right. I've been here before, and I have badass shoes (except the ugly gold ones I wore at my wedding) and I don't have a lunch box, and if I trip on the stairs for the zillionth time, then I'll laugh for the zillionth time and accept help up from the cute boy who calls me ma'am. ...wait. That was mostly right. Except for the boy calling me ma'am. And, really, how often do I trip on the stairs? So, yeah. Nerves are high. In other news: My mom has not been to the ER, so no more bleeding as of yet. The doctor came over and changed her bandage and generally checked her leg out. He says it looks ouchy but okay. Well, I'm summarizing. I haven't kept up with anybody else lately, and I'm really sorry for that. I'm on power-save mode right now, which sucks, especially if you're my friend Rob, who had a birthday several days ago and didn't get a phone call from me. But I remembered! My anxiety has just been so friggin' high lately that everytime I think about calling him now, I think "He'll think I forgot!" and then it all goes downhill from there. Stupid anxiety. Stupid nightmares. Grr. I need to get my school things together. Notebooks and whatnot. I think I'm going to end up carrying three bags; one for each class. I'm wondering if I'll need the psychology book. I know the instructor, and I haven't used any textbooks in his classes thus far, but none of them were psych. I guess I'll figure it out. I'm looking forward to next week being over with. I wish I could just ask the art instructor if he's going to be a psycho-lunatic, but that probably wouldn't go over well.

Chaos Theory MLXXVIII (1078?) This is my first ever experience with the Chaos Theories, and I didn't want to join a decant circle because I wanted to know what my very own bottle would come out smelling like. If there is to be Chaos in the future, I will likely join the circles to sample more scents, but I'm glad I did it this way for my first round. It is a pretty incredible process, if you ask me. When I first opened it, I smelled something very familiar and rich. Definitely not a floral. When I pulled it away, there was the lingering scent of alcohol- it's not fizzy or bright; it's sensual and thick... maybe a liqueur. It reminds me of Cerberus! There's something about it... It's like a deep chocolate liqueur... and then there's fruit. It might be a citrus, but I don't think so. It's got that bright feeling... Huh. It sort of has this sharpness that reminds me of Monster Bait: Closet, just with chocolate cake instead. On my skin, that sharpness becomes more pronounced. It's like blackberry wine and rich cocoa. I know I'm missing a lot about this scent. I think there might be some ginger or carnation, spicing things up. It is not nearly as strong as Cerberus, nor as sharp as MB: Closet. However, the sharpness from it doesn't fade. I think there might be a hint of pepper in this, too. Huh. I don't smell anything floral, but that doesn't mean it's not there. It does lean towards foody/boozey/spicy, to my nose. It stays close to my skin, but it doesn't have the warmth of amber that makes it meld into what I think of as a skin scent. If there is a musk to this, it's rather faint- certainly not white musk, though. And I think there might be red sandalwood in this, which is the one type that doesn't turn to sawdust on me! If there is a floral in this, it's a faint, sweet lotus. (This is like a who's who of my favourite notes, for the most part- amazing!) It's really complex, and I'm not sure what to make of it. It'd be easier if I had a list of notes to go on- and it'd be neat to see how close I am. I don't know what to do with this one. It's a lot lighter than I'd first thought, too. I may let it age and see how it goes. Or I may look for a swap so this goes off to somebody who really appreciates the complexity. I haven't yet decided.

I can see the comparisons to Jailbait now that I'm looking, but at first sniff, this one is heavily-- floral?? -- on me. There's absolutely no reason I should not love this one. It's sweet, fruity and spicy; a more sophisticated (and fruity) form of Jailbait, I suppose. There's even something vaguely reminescent of Arkham (FKA Arkham Revisited) about it. I'm just not sure what to make of it... and that's odd. Like I said, I should love this one. Maybe the pepper note is too strong for me? It is very distinctive. I wish it retained the juiciness of when it first goes on- that first wet stage is lush and fruity. It just seems to get more floral and more perfumey as it dries, and I'm wondering which note my skin is really picking up on. I'll have to think more about Xanthe before I decide what to do with her, I suppose! Overall it's a beautiful scent, just not what I was expecting.

So, I got that mixed cd from my switch witch, and I know this is nothing new, but wouldn't it be neat to have a swap where all the participants made up either one or many cd's equalling the number of participants, and then send one of each off to everyone? Am I explaining that well enough? I know it's been done before, though I can't remember if I saw it on BPAL or not. In other news: My mother nicked an artery in her leg last night (or so said the EMTs who bandaged it up) when she tripped over her printer table. It was not stitched because her skin is too thin to handle it. She didn't go down to ER last night, though- they told her that nothing more could really be done, and that she wasn't in any danger unless she started bleeding profusely again. So I waited up most of the night to see if we were going to be heading for the ER or not. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep last night. Good prep for school, I suppose. School starts on monday. I don't have my financial aid money, which means I don't have most of my books. I do have the most important book, however; my math book. I'm pondering dropping the art class and just dealing with math and psych, but that seems lame. I feel like I should be more nervous about school starting. Still looking for pretty knitting patterns, as always! Also, what are some easy socks to start with? I'll eventually get the right kind of needles and yarn, and ze socks will be mine! Especially the snowflake socks, and the snicket socks. I don't remember where the snicket ones are- magknits, maybe? But, yeah.

I totally want these socks! Feeling a little better. Not sleeping like I should be. Still looking for neat and relatively easy patterns to try. Working on the one thing, and now I'm a little worried about how it is going to turn out. Anyway. I am going to work out next week. If I do not, please thwack me. It is for my own well-being. And, honestly, it'll be good to start early in the quarter instead of waiting to the very last moment. I'm nervous about school starting, still, but also still excited. I got these super cute pants that are in a size I never want to purchase again, and a few shirts, with the gift cards from our wedding. It was nice to get out today. I got a few things mailed out and the aforementioned clothes. I didn't get much knitting done, though. This is not good. I love the song Ladylike, and I can't get it out of my head. I need it for my ride to school. My witch gave me an awesome mixed cd; it's got David Hasslehoff on it, in German! Plus the black rum song, and Charlotte Church. I love it. And I don't know if my lips are just wierd, but the bonnie bell lip smacker's stuff has made them softer than most things I've tried recently-- which is a lot! Jarvenpa read my husband's chart for me. It was really quite breathtaking. I like thinking that the stars and the planets are an intrinsic part of our lives. Back to the subject of school: Re: Art: I'm really worried about it. I don't know if it's just self-doubt or if it's intuitive, but I have this really nagging feeling that I shouldn't be taking it. Then again, I have similar feelings about most of my classes. So, I dunno. I'll see how things unfold next week. Annnyway. That's it.

I actually didn't have trouble with the knitting two strands, but it looked really bad. The two colors got all twisty and it was messy, so no more double-coloured projects for now! Do you know where I could find the patterns for the scarf and kerchief you mentioned? I'm so stoked that I can actually read a pattern! I really hate ssk, though. I am going to pm you with a link to something I'm knitting right now and you can tell me if it's respectable enough for gifting-- you too, 'Snarky! And Yellowrose! And most anybody else who wants to weigh in. Hee! That last line totally cracks me up, because I had a similar awakening in the web community.

I have size 15 needles that I was going to knit a scarf with, but I think I'll go back to the size 9 set. I sort of want a pretty scarf that's really easy, but I haven't had luck finding any good patterns. Any thoughts would be welcomed gratefully. I also want to do a small coinpurse, but I think I may just wing that one. I think I need circular needles! They seem to be necessary for -everything- cute. Dude! I also need to pick up a tote bag for knitting stuff. Anxiety is high but I'm doing reasonably well. I found the new address of the site I mentioned last night and I still recognize a lot of names.

I wish I were better at picking out notes. I got my Chaos Theory in the mail on the first, and I'm not sure what I think of it. It feels almost perfect for me in some ways- like Beth was actually checking out my preferences or something- It is similar to Cerberus, but lighter. There's a slight sweetness and what might be blackberry wine. Wine often turns to kitty litter on my skin. I'm pretty sure the blackberries are what did me in with MB: Closet. Manhattan isn't me. It's rather aloof and polished and a little bit masculine. It's a pretty scent, but it doesn't work for me. That's sad, but it means I get to make a trade for something I really want- Alice, Les Bijoux, Arkham, Misk U, and Baghdad all spring right to mind. I'm tempted to update my swap post right now, but I'm not sure I'm ready to part with it. I'm undecided on Xanthe. I must test it out, but I'm sort of nervous, because I want to keep the bottle pristine, for some reason. Hah. I LOVE the trading card, and I must find all of them. I can't afford to have all the bottles, but surely people will be willing to part with the cards, right? Finally, Katharina. So much love. So much goodness. White, musky goodness, and apricot with orange blossom goodness. Mmm. Of the 8 frimps, I've only tried 2 previously, so that's cool. I'm going to need some imps to toss along with my school things so I can have them handy. I must learn to knit socks. I love these things. Snarky, I love them! My feet rebel against my other socks, since having the royal treatment. It's my new obsession. Maybe I'll swap BPAL for socks! But I want to make my own. What's a garter stitch? I hear it mentioned in patterns a bit, but I don't think I've seen an example anywhere. Also, my backwards knitting site doesn't have a section on how to do anything but cast on, knit and purl. That makes me nervous about trying other things. Dude! I can't believe I'll be back in school in less than two weeks! Annnnd enough about that. I'm all done for the night; gotta go snuggle with the boy. I ADORE him. Have I mentioned that lately?

OMG. I went to Magknits, and I want the socks. The Lemony Snicket inspired ones and the snowflake socks, both. I wantses them! Your explanation is clear, and a relief. Next comes the puzzling out patterns. I want to make pretty things! I'm collecting all things BPAL at the moment- as far as inserts and cards and whatnot. I want alllllllll of the BPTP updated stuff, except not one of the silver lids. They're lovely, but they don't do it for me. Though, given unlimited funds, I would surely get one. Hopefully school will distract me somewhat from the addiction! A week from this monday! (Not that I'm counting, or anything.) Anyway, take care Ms. Snarky.

Jailbait for a sweet orangey drydown. Mmm. It's all kinds of wonderful, seriously.

La Petit Mort and Seduction would be my two recommendations. I loved both of them a lot, too.

Eat Me turned into Smut on me. Which is, I suppose, fitting.

If I could buy bottles and bottles of Kindly Moon, I would. (I'd really love the bottle, but I don't know that the notes will agree with my chemistry.) I'd buy them, and then I'd give them to all of you. You've all been so very kind to me, and I have been so desperately needy, and it has helped me more than you can know. Looking over the notes, I may have to wrangle a decant or two, because it does sound extremely lovely- if a tad floral. I bet it's really light and gorgeous, though. I'll probably see about swapping for a decant eventually, just to be sure. I really want to get a bottle of Arkham and the series' teeshirt. Arkham just strikes me as exquisitely perfect for late summer/early autumn. The shirt is just kickass. I was supposed to see my meds nurse tomorrow (wednesday), but got pushed back to friday. This is very sad. I really have a lot to discuss with her. Okay, back to BPAL. I think I may swap for a few GC scents. I have a couple of bottles that I don't love. So, a bit of a digression: My housemate came back and was talking to my husband and I about how horrible the premiere of House was. My husband likened it to someone taking something lovely and perfect from the Louvre, finger-painting over the top of it, and then tossing it into the bargain bin at Wal-Mart. My housemate tossed in that it was more like they f@cked it with a large, purple dick. So I was all, "So, that reminds me..." and they both start cracking up like nothing else, and it took me a few seconds to connect what I'd just said with the context of the conversation... But, yeah. I think it was Sarada who was commenting on the whole ebay "Not from BPAL" issue and said something to the effect of: "The next time I put something up for auction on ebay, I'm going to title it "Not a giant green metal dildo" so that people who are looking for one have to look at my shit, too." I need to find that and put it in my signature quote. That has to do with BPAL, albeit indirectly. I can now knit, purl and stitch a mean stockinette! Woohoo! Patterns make no sense at all to me, though. I also have no idea how to handle increases or decreases or binding off or what to do with the tail end of the yarn that's just kinda dangling there. Is there something I'm supposed to be doing special with the end stitches to make them more tidy or something? I'm planning on knitting a scarf and a few other things, but I think I need to learn more first. Heh. So, yeah. Doing better. You guys are really important to me, y'know? I missed you over the long weekend.