First order of business.
Look at me finally getting around to exchanging my icons for the month. February is already one-third of the way over, isn't it? Oh well. It was kind of hard to choose this time. Well, last month was kind of hard too since most of them were Sho-kun. That makes it a little hard to narrow down only 15 icons. Maybe I have too many. Lots of them are uncredited, so I might make a post with all of them in photo format and ask for that information sometime.
Anyway, I finally chose. The first five are some form of sexy/hot or serious member. The second five are some form of goofy/silly or happy/cute member. Then the third set of five are pretty much random. The second icon (red 1) was made by keiko_artemis and I am eternally thankful for it. I'll use it as my credit icon in work-related communities. The first icon (red 2) was beautifully done by gemmiesky. The がんぐろ icon (purple 4) and the undies icon will be used in non-Arashi related fandoms. They tend to raise questions. Inevitably.
As with new icons comes new rules for myself. I've been consistently behind on responding to messages and comments. It's unfair for me to receive such attention without returning it, and I feel bad for not ever chatting with people in their OWN journals. I do read posts, honestly! But. . . my business hasn't really seemed to slacken like I thought it would. So, starting Monday, I've set a new rule. Any comment or message in my inbox older than one month will be deleted if, and only if, my inbox exceeds 50 messages. I'll read it and make a judgement call. If my inbox exceeds 100, I'll only respond to messages and delete all comments-though I will read them! These rules do not apply to comments regarding community work.
The last few days I thought that I had been making progress, getting karaoke out for subs, finishing the timing for other projects, helping Jamie with her writing, and even finishing a fanfiction of my own for the first time in months. But then this morning I realized the re-opening for OA was no longer two weeks away but merely five days. I haven't even begun the work 'kashi has asked of me. Then with the house, which I might talk about later. . . well, this is how I like my life. Scheduled events for every second and busy to the brim. It makes me cherish the little moments, such as watching Arashi no Shukudai-kun with my BROTHER last night, all the more. We might have another fanboy in our midst.
I'll be changing my layout soon, too. By keyzti, of course. I think my brain is on a subconscious mission to have me use each layout she's ever made at least once. The layout probably remain until Nino's birthday. :) Ooh! That reminds me, Sho's birthday icons/post are still in the works. I've given up on Aiba's until next year. *shuns self* Sorry, Aibaby.