And then at odd moments she would see in her mind's eye the black dunes, the white ice, the silhouetted figures against a sunset sky.  She would shiver and come to with a sigh.  Ann had already arranged another trip and was gone, this time south to the northernmost arms of great Valles Marineris, to see more unimaginable marvels...
Maya complained about how much Ann was away.  "It's clear that she and Simon have started something and are just out there having a honeymoon while we slave away in here."  That was Maya's way of looking at things, that would be what it would take to make Maya as happy as Ann sounded in her calls.  But Ann was in the canyons - and that was all that was needed to make her sound that way...

This is one quote I really like from Red Mars - I might add more to this same post as I write them up, or give them their own post, whichever is less confusing.

Red Mars is a novel about the first 100 colonists on Mars and how they interact with it and how Mars changes them.  And how they get along with eachother.  And then there's environmentalism, and politics, and a mystery...  It's a very "big" book for the number of pages it has. :)

I really love and respect Ann Clayborne and her love for Mars.

This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

and also 11:11 and 11 seconds!*

^U^  The world is awesome.

*By our arbitrary calendar/clocks. This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

Nov 1st is Autistics Speaking Day!

Since I'm not particularly word-based right now and so much of my experience of autism is the world outside of words (and the connections and joys that go with that),  today is going to be a picture day.
This is a celebration in photos:





This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

From a comic called Theri There

(Image description: A bunch of people in business clothes far in the background.  In the foreground, a tiger stripping off a business suit with a look of confidence and joy. The words: “Halloween is when our costumes are taken off”)

Happy Halloween to everyone.

This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

Here are links to information on Occupy Decolonize Tucson and Occupy Decolonize Phoenix:

OccupyTucson

Protest starts at 9 am

OccupyPhoenix

(sorry main occupy phoenix site is down)

Protest goes from 12 noon - 6 pm. 

Cops are being grouchy about people sticking to the allotted protest time - which is no reason not to stay later - there’s supposed to be people there long term.  Just be aware and make your own choices.

Here are some links to people’s issues or disagreements with the “occupy wall st.” movement.  Please read them, they are making important points:

http://tranzient.tumblr.com/post/11226945731/dear-occupiers-a-letter-from-anarchists

http://tranzient.tumblr.com/post/11276481106/zuky-dreamhampton1-protest-poster-art-by

I have real problems, myself with using “occupy” so near the Tucson Presidio.  It seems like stirring up the worst memories and feelings of that place.  And there is so much history there, bad and good and mixed.  In fact it’s the wrong target for any ‘occupation’.  The city, Tucson, is not our problem - it is our home and downtown’s heart is where the history of our city, of us, lies thickest.  Any fierceness should be located at the Broadway Financial District.

The Phoenix Capital Building seems more appropriate, because the legislators that sit in that building have made a sad habit of policies that cut deep into what we need to be a strong community for the profit of a few.  Even when people have shown their opposition by voting for propositions that raise the sales tax on themselves to fund education.

In any case, if I am in Tucson, I will not be carrying any sign that says “occupy”.  Nor in Phoenix either.  But I will be there, because I believe it is important to be seen.  For all of us to be seen.

(please signal-boost, especially if you are or know any Arizonans)

This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

The Fire is at the Heart
And the Fire is the Heart
For it's sake, all fires whatever are sacred to me.
I shall kindle them small and safe where there are none
For the wayfinding of those who come after.
I will breathe on those fires about to die in dark places
And in passing, feed those that burn without harm to any.
The fire that burns and warms those around it,
In no wise shall I meddle with it, save that it seems about to consume it's confocals, or die.
To these ends, as the Kindling requires, I shall ever thrust my claw into the flames
To shift the darkening ember or feed the failing coal.
Looking always towards the inmost Hearth from which all flames rise together
And all fires burn, undevouring.  In and of that which first set light to the Worlds
And burns in them forevermore.

-The Saurian/Cat version of The Oath.
The Book of Night With Moon
by Diane Duane

This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

EDIT:  Voting is closed, but the short list should be out sometime soon. This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

Consent

I've been reading some stuff about consent recently, and it's all about spoken consent and how that's super important.

Here's one of the articles I'm talking about:

http://disabling-queer.dreamwidth.org/737.html

And a Good response on Tumblr:

http://littlemissmutant.tumblr.com/post/9441620674/autostraddle-how-i-learned-to-talk-in-bed-why-this


( Bunch of Personal Musings About BDSM stuff - not graphic )
This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

Ellen, an illustrator who does fantasy illustrations and other stuff, has painted a bunch of really beautiful small abstract paintings.  ("Abstract" means heavy on the colors and shapes without being a literal representation of anything.) 
She’s trying an experiment to see if she can fund some much needed house repairs and nursery renovations for her soon-to-be kiddo.  Anyway, go over there and look, even if you do nothing else.  A lot of the paintings are just gorgeous.  They're based partly on peope's prompts (a word or two to represent in the painting)  and I'm surprised by how she represents them in shape and color.

http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1216777.html
This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.

There's a new community called Disabling Queerness  which is exactly what it says on the tin... or exactly what it says in it's name.

Disabling Queerness on DW

Disabling Queerness on LJ

I'm exited! :)

This cross-posted from http://cereus.dreamwidth.org/.