It's Christmas all over again.
I lied. I am going to do a wishlist anyway, even though I don't have time. If you have a wishlist that I have not seen, be sure to leave me a link. If I can do something on it, I would love to. I have seen several around my friends list, but I can always use a reminder. And if you haven't done a wishlist yet, now's your chance. Just copy the meme and spread the joy. Or the capitalist opportunism, whichever.
First, rules:
Step One
- Make a post (public, friendslocked, filtered...whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fun ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
- If you wish for real possible things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.
- Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ, or link to this post (it'll be public) so that the holiday joy will spread.
Step Two
- Surf around your friendslist (or friendsfriends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:
- If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free--do it.
You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call.
There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.
Step Three
I wasn't kidding about that personal secretary, but since I won't be able to afford any of my three applicants so far (I think I would be a good boss, though. I hope so, anyway. I would take you on cruises and stuff.) that will have to wait until I am a famous writer. Or at least a working writer. I keep thinking, "Oh Em Gee I finish grad school in two weeks and then not only do I have to get a real job, but I have to stop procrastinating and write an actual publishable work of fiction. Or else I have to stop calling myself a writer." That is a scary prospect indeed, even though I have totally already written a completed original novel (granted, it was pretty awful) and I know I *can* do it. Fanfic is just easier.
I digress. On to the actual wishes:
1) If someone more talented than myself at graphics wanted to stick a Santa hat on either of my Henry Rollins icons (here and here), that would be adorable. I would also love icons of Ianto (Torchwood) being woobie, and I am still all over the idea of a Miami icon of the new guy with a nail in his eye and the words 'bad day' somewhere on it.
2) If you know of any good Jack/Ianto fic that won't make me weep for the fandom, recs would be greatly appreciated. If you wanted to write me anything that would be welcome too, but I'm not expecting miracles. I know it's a tricky pairing to work out. I would also take Ianto gen, particularly the angsty variety that tugs at your heartstrings. He is built for angst, after all.
3) I hate asking people to do this because it seems like the kind of thing that you don't really ask for, but I love fanart and I am horrible at it, so any fanart either based on my fics or just characters I love would be more than welcome. (A drawing of Harlan/Marcus in particular would pretty much make me your bitch. Or at least guarantee you unlimited fic-requesting rights. Currently the number of people on that particular list is very small indeed, so you wouldn't even have to fight that hard for my attention.) Drawings and digital works are equally appreciated, and I promise to show them off and brag on you to the rest of my friends list.
4) If you want to spend some money, there are plenty of good causes that are dear to my heart. My personal favorite is Heifer International. You don't have to spend much to make a difference in someone's life; $20 U.S. will buy a flock of chicks to provide nutrition and income from selling eggs at market. Or you can buy a share of a bigger animal and help other people make a difference.
5) Another great charity is Child's Play, the charity run by the kids over at Penny Arcade. Just click on a hospital in the country you choose and it will take you to that hospital's wishlist (the exception is that if you want to donate in Egypt, they are only taking monetary donations via Paypal. Also an admirable choice). Then buy something from the wishlist and it will be sent directly to the hospital for the kids to enjoy. It's guaranteed to brighten at least one kid's day while they're stuck in the hospital during the holidays, and some of the stuff on the wishlists is really cheap, so even if you haven't got a lot to spend, you can make a difference.
6) If you have $15 U.S. you can purchase a duffel bag for Children to Children, an organization founded by a teenager that supplies duffels to foster kids who often have nothing at all to carry their meager belongings in. It might seem like a useless gesture, but for a kid with no real roots and no one in the world to really count on, something as simple as a bag of their very own can make a huge difference. And the fact that something that insignificant to us can make such a huge difference to these kids is completely fucked up, so it's the very least we can do.
7) Speaking of foster kids, I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. If you're handy at all with knitting or crochet, please consider taking the time to make a scarf for The Red Scarf Project. The scarves aren't due until after the holidays, and they are often the only handmade gift these kids have ever received. Do you remember how lonely you were your first year of college? Imagine how much worse it would have been if you didn't have family at home waiting for you to come visit during your breaks. And if you can't knit or crochet but want to donate to the kids, I will be sending as many scarves as I can finish for the project this year, and I am happy to enclose other things in the box for the care packages. They're also looking for gift cards to places college kids frequent (Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Target, McDonalds, etc.), and things like books of stamps.
8) If you want to do something closer to home, go to your local grocery store or Wal-Mart or whatever and see if you can find an angel tree. It's a Christmas tree with little paper ornaments on, and on each ornament is the name of a person who won't be having a very merry Christmas this year. If you can, try to choose an older kid or an adult. They're usually the ones who get picked last because they're hardest to buy for, and they're probably the ones who need the most cheering at this time of year. If you're stuck for ideas for older kids or adults, post about it on your LJ. I promise that people will help you brainstorm, myself included.
9) If anyone has The Killers mp3s to share, I would be down with that. I only have a few and I'm really digging them, and while I would like to legally purchase the CDs because I think they're cool and I like supporting artists, I can't spend any money on myself right now. So I promise to buy the albums for real after the new year, if you don't mind sharing until I can afford it.
10) And finally, while I have a pretty impressive snow globe collection, thanks largely in part to you lot, I am always looking for more. Specifically the tacky plastic ones with names of places on them. They're really hard to find these days, but if you see a cool one and happen to think of me, I would be incredibly grateful. (P.S. I am really dying for an Indiana one, though I don't think anyone on my friends list lives in Indiana. I am going to have to go there one of these days. The reason I want Indiana is lame and fannish, but you know I never claimed not to be lame.)
I am leaving this post unlocked due to the charity links. If you want to pass any of them around, you know that is more than okay with me. Personally, I think World AIDS Day is a good day to focus on good works. In fact, if you want to do something specifically in honor of World AIDS Day, Yahoo! is making it easy for you to give while you shop. I'm particularly fond of the GAP t-shirts, myself. I'm not a GAP fan, generally speaking, but those are pretty inspired (no pun intended).
Oh! I almost forgot that it's December 1st, which means it's time for the first post of this year's Musical Advent Calendar. This year I want to start off with a nontraditional Christmas song from The Weepies, who I am currently in love with, thanks to cinderlily.
The Weepies -- All That I Want
First, rules:
Step One
- Make a post (public, friendslocked, filtered...whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fun ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
- If you wish for real possible things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.
- Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ, or link to this post (it'll be public) so that the holiday joy will spread.
Step Two
- Surf around your friendslist (or friendsfriends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:
- If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free--do it.
You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call.
There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.
Step Three
I wasn't kidding about that personal secretary, but since I won't be able to afford any of my three applicants so far (I think I would be a good boss, though. I hope so, anyway. I would take you on cruises and stuff.) that will have to wait until I am a famous writer. Or at least a working writer. I keep thinking, "Oh Em Gee I finish grad school in two weeks and then not only do I have to get a real job, but I have to stop procrastinating and write an actual publishable work of fiction. Or else I have to stop calling myself a writer." That is a scary prospect indeed, even though I have totally already written a completed original novel (granted, it was pretty awful) and I know I *can* do it. Fanfic is just easier.
I digress. On to the actual wishes:
1) If someone more talented than myself at graphics wanted to stick a Santa hat on either of my Henry Rollins icons (here and here), that would be adorable. I would also love icons of Ianto (Torchwood) being woobie, and I am still all over the idea of a Miami icon of the new guy with a nail in his eye and the words 'bad day' somewhere on it.
2) If you know of any good Jack/Ianto fic that won't make me weep for the fandom, recs would be greatly appreciated. If you wanted to write me anything that would be welcome too, but I'm not expecting miracles. I know it's a tricky pairing to work out. I would also take Ianto gen, particularly the angsty variety that tugs at your heartstrings. He is built for angst, after all.
3) I hate asking people to do this because it seems like the kind of thing that you don't really ask for, but I love fanart and I am horrible at it, so any fanart either based on my fics or just characters I love would be more than welcome. (A drawing of Harlan/Marcus in particular would pretty much make me your bitch. Or at least guarantee you unlimited fic-requesting rights. Currently the number of people on that particular list is very small indeed, so you wouldn't even have to fight that hard for my attention.) Drawings and digital works are equally appreciated, and I promise to show them off and brag on you to the rest of my friends list.
4) If you want to spend some money, there are plenty of good causes that are dear to my heart. My personal favorite is Heifer International. You don't have to spend much to make a difference in someone's life; $20 U.S. will buy a flock of chicks to provide nutrition and income from selling eggs at market. Or you can buy a share of a bigger animal and help other people make a difference.
5) Another great charity is Child's Play, the charity run by the kids over at Penny Arcade. Just click on a hospital in the country you choose and it will take you to that hospital's wishlist (the exception is that if you want to donate in Egypt, they are only taking monetary donations via Paypal. Also an admirable choice). Then buy something from the wishlist and it will be sent directly to the hospital for the kids to enjoy. It's guaranteed to brighten at least one kid's day while they're stuck in the hospital during the holidays, and some of the stuff on the wishlists is really cheap, so even if you haven't got a lot to spend, you can make a difference.
6) If you have $15 U.S. you can purchase a duffel bag for Children to Children, an organization founded by a teenager that supplies duffels to foster kids who often have nothing at all to carry their meager belongings in. It might seem like a useless gesture, but for a kid with no real roots and no one in the world to really count on, something as simple as a bag of their very own can make a huge difference. And the fact that something that insignificant to us can make such a huge difference to these kids is completely fucked up, so it's the very least we can do.
7) Speaking of foster kids, I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. If you're handy at all with knitting or crochet, please consider taking the time to make a scarf for The Red Scarf Project. The scarves aren't due until after the holidays, and they are often the only handmade gift these kids have ever received. Do you remember how lonely you were your first year of college? Imagine how much worse it would have been if you didn't have family at home waiting for you to come visit during your breaks. And if you can't knit or crochet but want to donate to the kids, I will be sending as many scarves as I can finish for the project this year, and I am happy to enclose other things in the box for the care packages. They're also looking for gift cards to places college kids frequent (Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Target, McDonalds, etc.), and things like books of stamps.
8) If you want to do something closer to home, go to your local grocery store or Wal-Mart or whatever and see if you can find an angel tree. It's a Christmas tree with little paper ornaments on, and on each ornament is the name of a person who won't be having a very merry Christmas this year. If you can, try to choose an older kid or an adult. They're usually the ones who get picked last because they're hardest to buy for, and they're probably the ones who need the most cheering at this time of year. If you're stuck for ideas for older kids or adults, post about it on your LJ. I promise that people will help you brainstorm, myself included.
9) If anyone has The Killers mp3s to share, I would be down with that. I only have a few and I'm really digging them, and while I would like to legally purchase the CDs because I think they're cool and I like supporting artists, I can't spend any money on myself right now. So I promise to buy the albums for real after the new year, if you don't mind sharing until I can afford it.
10) And finally, while I have a pretty impressive snow globe collection, thanks largely in part to you lot, I am always looking for more. Specifically the tacky plastic ones with names of places on them. They're really hard to find these days, but if you see a cool one and happen to think of me, I would be incredibly grateful. (P.S. I am really dying for an Indiana one, though I don't think anyone on my friends list lives in Indiana. I am going to have to go there one of these days. The reason I want Indiana is lame and fannish, but you know I never claimed not to be lame.)
I am leaving this post unlocked due to the charity links. If you want to pass any of them around, you know that is more than okay with me. Personally, I think World AIDS Day is a good day to focus on good works. In fact, if you want to do something specifically in honor of World AIDS Day, Yahoo! is making it easy for you to give while you shop. I'm particularly fond of the GAP t-shirts, myself. I'm not a GAP fan, generally speaking, but those are pretty inspired (no pun intended).
Oh! I almost forgot that it's December 1st, which means it's time for the first post of this year's Musical Advent Calendar. This year I want to start off with a nontraditional Christmas song from The Weepies, who I am currently in love with, thanks to cinderlily.
The Weepies -- All That I Want