This is the live

♥ ... but I'm still feeling a little out of it. I haven't settled in yet, not completely anyway. I mean it's nice to have all my things back but I've realized in Dublin that I don't really need much of them to be happy. That was probably one reason why I had to rearrange my room again. There was too much stuff and I didn't like it. Life is strange at the moment. I sort of happy that I have classes now. It's hard to come out of a regular daily routine and just do nothing again..

♥ But then, I still have so many things to do. Mainly on the writing front. I finally really started to work on my spn_j2_xmas fic and I like the idea and the way it's going right now. It won't be too long I think.. I don't know. Anyway, I'll need a beta reader after the weekend!! Anybody?? PLEASE???

♥ I'm also working on the drabbles I promised for Christmas. Not sure I'll get them all done before Christmas but I'm trying. Some of them might be a little longer. I'll probably post them unbetaed first and then ask for a beta later.

♥ The J2/FaF story is kicking my but, through coming up with new plots every few minutes. But then I have new inspiration now as well (thanks to the new Fast Five trailer) and it's currently at 13k. I could use it for the xover Big Bang thingy if I should decide to take part in it that is. But I could also try and post the next few parts of my Dark Angle x5!Jared story as a BigBang fic. Decisions, decisions.

♥ Let's not talk about j2_everafter. I watched the movie. That's it. Draft is due January 10th. *flails*

♥ There is not much to tell otherwise. I'm done with Christmas shopping and I have no idea what I'll get for Christmas this year. My mum is not even hinting and my grandparents keep quiet as well, which is really kind of cool. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. I wasn't last year. It's nice to be home again and to have such things as the holidays so closely after.

♥ Speaking of Christmas, I got a really cool J2 story already as a present. Check it out. It's great.
The Mint Chocolate Chip Shake Guy by zuben_eschamali.

♥ Thank yous:
- for the cards to akintay, _bettina_ and lizook12! *hugs*
- for the vgifts to joans23 and anisalovesu! *huggles*

Also, hey elless18, I haven't forgotten about the chocolate, but will only be able to send it in January.. :) I have it already.

♥ On a random note: there are Swimming World Championships going in right now. In Dubai. I haven't seen a single race yet and I fear I won't be able to see one. Well, Aaron pulled out and I have idea why but there are still some guys (and girls) I know and would like to see. There is Nathan and then there is RyRy.. no Phelps though. Sometimes I really miss the sport and being able to watch it. These days I have no time and I actually tend to forget about it. That's not so cool. It makes me nostalgic as well.
Also, I can't believe that Ed Moses is competing again.. in Masters Swimming.. LOL

♥ It's too cold!

... the pain behind my eyes. I am so tired that I feel sick.
I am just glad I didn't shatter any of the planting pots I had gto sort through at work today.

I wanted to take a nap when I got home but couldn't because I had to wait for a delivery.
New modem is here now, let's hope it will hold longer than two weeks like the last one. I don't need to see smoking things again.
Talking about internet and computers, I am also staring at the iMac one of the discounters is now offering in their online shop. So tempted, it looks all pretty there.

I think I am going to read a little and then go to bed. So not up to going through my flist or anything.

The only thing I have been doing besides work and editing is watching swimming. The thing is that I still don't really can't watch Aaron without getting excited but I feel all sorts of detached from it as well.
I cheered fro RyRy and Eric though, hehe taking down Phelps' WRs must be fun.

.. just not really online due to several reasons.
My new modem smoked and I am using my old one since Thursday and it doesn't really connect. It's so very slow and annoying, or it doesn't connect at all.
So I haven't been online much, online to send off some mails but nothing more.
Have been too busy with the thesis and the crap that is my Words program during the week anyway.
I am sorry that I have been absent but it's not really my fault.

I wish I could get out of here for a while but I don't really have the time to think about anything but my thesis and how I am supposed to be done with it but can't because I suck.
I feel sort of cut off from everything which shows how dependent I on my internet. No idea when I'll be back again, might take a while since my provider is sort of unable to get a new modem until Wednesday and I am still busy trying to fix the mess that is my thesis, so don't expect much from me. You can of course poke me or send mails or whatever.

First day of the swimming World Champs sort of made up a little for the mess that is my life right now.
Still have a huge crush on Nathan and seeing Ous being awesome and chatty with Paul and Vanderkaay helped to lift my mood as well.

And even though Kimi was driving sort of good this race I am not really in the mood to cheer for anything F1 related.
I think out commentators squashed the last bit of enjoyment that I had these days. Still love Kimi though, especially with the hair right now.

Have to work early tomorrow, but then have to go into the city afterwards. Oh this will be fun... not.
At least not when it should get as hot as they say it will and when it will take ages to get home again. Fucking non-working public transport.

*glows with glee*

Yesterday in Eindhoven:

Pieter van den Hoogenband then had a farewell party, which featured a laser show and Ian Thorpe showing up as a special guest.

They are still slashy even if they are retired.
Not to mention that Randall almost cracked Aaron's WR at the very same Eindhoven meet.

In other news: I am freezing.

I think I'll make crosses in my calendar when swimming is over.
As much fun as it is to watch and to squee over the guys and girls (swimmers I know) it seriously screws with my sleeping schedule and my feeling for time.
I actually managed to stay awake to see Ryan wining the 200m Back and Aaron recovering pretty quickly to hug the life out of RyRy. I am not as disappointed as I thought I'd be.
Probably it's Ryan and Aaron is stil second and Arkardy was there as well. I am okay with it. I am glad Aaron had good Games. His last probably.

I don't think I will watch this morning. I want to sleep. I am so tired. And even though it's 50m free and the 100 fly final; and I want to see Crocker and Cavic I don't think I could stay awake.

It's strange to think about how many of the swimmers I know or followed over the years will probably retire after these Games.
I am still hoping for Aaron to go on until the Worlds next year, I am not sure though if he will. I think I'll maintain the site for another year or so.
Have to ask Bobby if he knows anything.
Klete will retire. I am pretty sure Erik will, too. I don't know about Crocker or Jason, but Markus will retire after Rome 2009.

It will be interesting to see the start lists for the World Cup.

blue_ant, I don't know about tonight but I'll be there on Sunday though.
Larsen qualified for the 1500m free final and there will be the medley relay ( I hope so at least), and I want to watch the last day live.
So Sunday then. :D

***
I am so behind with the Summer Love Song Challenge that I feel sorry for myself.
I want to finish it and I will. I just have to find the time to do it. I never though that once I am done with exams and uni that I would have problems with time management.
Freaking Olympics.

***
*waves at new friends*
Hi there.

Haven't been online much due to the pre-wedding party yesterday and the wedding today.
Wedding was great. Nice atmosphere and a really gorgeous bride.

Am off to the party later.

***
LARSEN!
Those are just the prelims and the guys swims an AR.
I just hope he'll be able to swim fasdt in the morning as well.

Olympics, Swimming: Larsen Jensen Sets American Record to Lead 400 Free Prelims

Let me just say this: WORLD RECORD!!!!
Aaron? I still love you!!!

In addition: Klete and Erik are on the team. Realy spots only (for Erik so far) but they are on the team!
Thank God!

Amanda though didn't make it. Neither did Randall.

***
Oh I hate to be up this early.

Short prelims post... because I am actually studying on the side (or pretend to..).
Watching prelims almost always leaves me kind of angry at some of the guys (and girls). No matter if I am there to see it live or watch it on the screen.
Just now Aaron kind of scared the hell out of me... he qualified for the semis tonight (which I hate btw.. I hate semi finals) but he was just 6th. Randall kicked butt though, as did Ryan.

KLete qualified as well and I am praying for him to make it into finals.
Larsen once again was the surprise of the race. Was actually 2nd fastest qualifier in his 200m free heat.. And he always said the short races aren't for him. Guess coach Salo saw that differently.

Amanda!!! Amanda qualified for semis, too. Wheeeee.
Natalie broke the WR in the prelims, after it was broken in the heat before hers (kind of reminds me of Barcelona and that 100m Fly race).

ETA: God I so miss seeing them live. Right now I actually wish I could be there and watch, even though I know it probably would break my heart to see some of them not make it.

Since I am still awake and not in bed as I am supposed to I can do the squeeage now... Because OMG LARSEN!!!!
AR in the 400m free beating out Peter, Erik and Klete. A 400m FREE RACE that LARSEN won with an AR!!!!!! What the hell happened there?
He is going to Beijing with a 400m free spot... uhm, and I was worrying about the 1500m. *snorts*

Sad thing about that.. Klete and Erik.
Klete went out way too fast and dropped back in the last half of the race. Oh Klete, so it has to be the 200m spot now?
Oh poor tiger.
Erik though still has the 1500m and I think one of the IMs to go.
I hope he makes the team. I hope they both will. I want my Trojan boys on the team and I want Erik and Larsen to be together again.

Oh and Ryan made the team... and how he made it. Under the WR in the 400m IMs... the thing is Mike was under WR as well and was actually a tad bit faster.
So Mike won (how else could it go?) with Ryan taking second.

OH God I need pics.. I need videos. I want to see Larsen.
Sheeeeeep!!!
*bounce*

Aaron and Mike kind of fought an epic battle.. again. Aaron's 1:55.81 to Mike's 1:55.84.
The Santa Clara Grand Prix seems to turn into a nice tune-up for trials. And I love that Aaron still loves to swim Mike. Might be because he still wins.
Klete though lost his 400 free AR to Peter. I am not sure how I feel about that. It's Klete and it was his only record left. Peter having it is okay I think but I want Klete to have it back.

( Mike and Aaron make up  )
( Aaron in the new Nike suit )

blue_ant: Ryan was supposed top be in Santa Clara but he had to drop put last minute because of an high ankle sprain. :(