I’m cleaning house.  I have three items I’d like to give away.  They’re nice things that I don’t think belong at a thrift store.  I’d rather give them to someone who will like them.

Pictures can be arranged if you like.  Shannon’s got the camera right now.

1.  Thigh-high spike heel black leather boots.  Size women’s 9.  I have absolutely loved these boots, and had lots of fun in them, but they just don’t fit anymore.  (As mentioned in a previous post, my feet have mysteriously gone up two sizes in the last few years.)  They are still in great condition, with the leather nicely broken in.  They zip up along the sides.  They’re narrow in the calves, but forgiving in the thighs (the top are lace-up).  I adore these boots and I’d really like them to go to someone else who will enjoy them.

2.  An allergy-proof Primaloft comforter, queen size.  It’s in a dust-mite-proof cover and treated to resist allergens.  Very warm, and terrifically helpful if you’re allergic to dust.  The comforter and allergy cover are white.  I’ll also give you the duvet cover and pillow shams I bought, which are caramel brown, but of course you could use your own cover instead.  I loved this comforter, but it was too warm for Shannon and it didn’t work to keep it on my half of the bed.

3.  A bound journal, lined, black with a quote on the cover: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.”  I can’t recall if this was a gift or a purchase, but I’ve had it for years and never used it.  Clearly it needs a new home.  Blank journals are always too pretty for me to write in.

All three items are free. The only catch is that you need to either pick them up from me, or pay shipping.

Let me know if you want something.

ETA:  All three items are claimed.  Thanks, guys!

My friend Corie has a kitten who needs a home.  She writes:

I have an adorable orange tabby kitten (“Milton”) that I have been fostering, and I’m now trying to find him a home. (picture at: http://www.sff.net/people/cyralston/adopt/kittenpics.html). I’d love to keep him, but since I already have 4 cats, I think that keeping Milton would push me squarely over into “crazy cat lady” territory, if I’m not already there. If you know anyone looking to adopt a cat, let me know! He’s been fixed and has had all his shots.

I WANT KITTEN. And I cannot have him.  Very allergic, and my lease doesn’t allow it.  Sigh.  Maybe when I have a house, and if/when these allergy shots help…

Anyway.  Let me know if you want him, and I’ll put you in touch with Corie.

ETA:  Kitten has a home now.  Yay!

A while ago, I wrote a story about a woman named Jamie. One of my UK early readers pointed out to me that in the UK, this name is predominantly a boy’s name. Given the first-person perspective of this story, it was easier just to change her name than add clarifying details.

So now I’m curious. There are a handful of names that I think of as distinctly British–they’re rare on this side of the pond. Nigel and Basil come to mind. Ian used to be uncommon, but it’s grown hugely popular over here–possibly thanks to Ian McKellen.

I think Geoff is more common in the UK, while Jeff is preferred in the US, though I’m not sure about that.  Is Harry a common name in the UK? I suspect it’s become one after Harry Potter, but was it a common name before?

US readers–what names do you consider mostly British–ones that aren’t used very frequently here, but are more common there?

UK readers–what names do you consider mostly American? Names that when you hear them, your first guess is that the person will be American?

Non US/UK readers can answer too. 🙂

I have lots of interesting friends.

Among them is Will Keller, better known to the world as Dr. Megavolt and the maker of the famous Cupcake Cars, often seen at Burning Man.  Will is an inventor and an artist.

Here’s his latest: a treadmill that goes places.  Think how handy it would be for exercising and getting somewhere, both at the same time!

Yesterday I walked a 5K race for a charity you probably haven’t heard of.

***

Dogs4Diabetics is an innovative non-profit organization that provides quality medical alert assistance dogs to youth and adults who are insulin-dependent type 1 diabetics through a program of training, placement, and follow-up services.

Dogs4Diabetics assistance dogs have been specifically trained to identify, and more importantly, act upon the subtle scent changes that hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) creates in body chemistry, changes undetectable to their human companions.

***

I’d never heard of them until I met my friend Devin, whose constant companion is Cody.  Cody signals her when her blood sugar drops rapidly.  He’s like a constantly active blood-sugar monitor, so she doesn’t need a machine.  (She still checks it sometimes manually, just to be safe.)

The dogs are official assistance dogs and are allowed on buses and in stores.  Devin says she gets lots of funny looks from people when they realize she’s not blind.  But one thing she always does is stand up for her rights.  You’d be surprised how many businesses try to kick out guide dogs.  She’s an activist for guide dog awareness.

Cody has a great job.  He only has to signal her a few times a week, and the rest of the time, he can relax and be a dog. Many of the Dogs4Diabetics come from the Seeing Eye Foundation.  They’re dogs who were training for guide dogs, but weren’t quite good enough to make the cut.  So they’re well-trained, and most of them have no trouble learning to smell blood sugar.  Golden retrievers and black Labs are the most common dogs right now for this program.

The walk was terrific.  Dogs everywhere!  My friend Sarah and I brought her (non-helper) dog Bruno, who was thrilled to meet so many new dogs.  We walked with a gentleman who says he’s been on the waiting list for two years for a helper dog.  Apparently the need is far greater than the number of dogs and the group’s resources.

So check out Dogs4Diabetics if you’d like to learn more.  You can donate or offer help if you like.

And you have questions, ask away! I’ll do my best.  I don’t work for the group, but I’m fascinated by them, so I’ve learned a lot from Devin.

Read Mary Robinette Kowal’s story of how Fundable.com is withholding several thousand dollars of her money.

Fundable.com might be a scam. Or it might be an incompetent company.  Either way, their treatment of her is inexcusable.

Q: What did Laura Ingalls Wilder call it when a person grew all her own vegetables, ate local fresh foods, and lived sustainably with the land — without pesticides, mass environmental destruction, and corporate profiteering?

A: Farming.

Swamped with transcription work.  Wishing I were at WorldCon.  Too busy to post much.

For your amusement, here are some arguments about why Barack Obama is not a citizen, if you’re willing to reject metaphysical realism.

Hey folks.  When I went to the Red Cross to donate blood, they had a sign pleading for donations.  They desperately need type O- blood.  Any blood always helps, but O- is the most critical because anyone can receive it safely (meaning that they can use it for an accident victim of unknown bloodtype).  So O- gets used more heavily than other types.

Please donate if you can–any blood type is useful and helpful.  If you don’t know your type, they will tell you.  If you’ve gone a few times and don’t go regularly, please give them a call at 1-800-GIVELIFE Monday through Saturday, visit their website, or just drop in.  Many centers are open on Sundays.

*****

Some comments, now that you’ve read the most important part.

• I know the blood donation rules are homophobic.  I agree.  I still choose to donate.  It’s okay to donate and then write letters to Congrespeople and agencies complaining about the ridiculously unfair rules.  But the way I see it is that my gift might save a life–straight or GLBT.  I wonder if I can transmit liberal cooties with my blood…
• I know that not everyone can give blood. Some people have medical reasons and some have personal reasons. That’s also 100% okay. I don’t want to pressure anyone who isn’t comfortable.  I’m talking to people who have given occasionally before, or people who haven’t tried it.  Please consider stopping in and making a donation.  You get free cookies. 🙂
• Again, it’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable–but if you’re concerned because you’re on medications, don’t worry. They have a list of about 20 medicines that are disallowed, and you can read which ones on the website.  They are mostly blood-texture drugs (like thinners and so on).  Things like antidepressants, thyroid pills, allergy meds, birth control — all fine.  Even diabetics can donate, if their blood sugar is well controlled.  See their site for more info.

And thank you for listening.

Wordweaverlynn asked a good question on her LJ.

*****

Tell me about your worst experiences at a convention. (SF, mainly, but I’ll gladly listen to stories about professional conventions, political conventions, whatever.)

I’m especially interested in issues of accessibility, but also curious about anything that makes a convention unwelcoming or miserable.

If you’d rather not make your story public, feel free to email me.

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…I’m following wordweaverlynn’s thread with great interest. So if you have a story to tell, please post about it here. Especially things that the organizers could have fixed, or at least planned for. Thanks!