I have been absent, not because stuff in my life hasn't been happening or because I found myself unable to comment on politics in my locale, or even because I've been exceedingly busy (though I have been).

I was actually going to update yesterday, but due to the DDoS attack on Livejournal I found myself reluctant to put down in words my thoughts and such, because I wasn't sure whether the cross-posting would work. Let me tell you, I am so happy my DW and LJ are mirrors of each other and that everything is basically backed-up in that way.
Jesus.

I've been contemplating what I'll be doing next year, and I've been zigzagging between various decisions none of which feel resolved to me, but life in flux isn't all bad, I have the chance to reflect and think about things.

One of the things that made me want to get back to making regular updates, is giving a bit of an anecdote about my niece Libby (she's the big one, not the infant), because looking back since the beginning of the year, my writing here has been choppy and scarce, hopefully you all have been noticing, and even if you haven't I have.

Hopefully I can get back to spieling at you all on a regular basis.
There has also been a "taking television seriously" reason that got me blocked for a time, I might get into that here or later. Oh... now that I that I think about, I have a lot to write about, suddenly!

But first, being the self-centered and proud Auntie that I am (I even have a nickname!) I want to talk about how this anecdote reflects how foreign I feel in my own life, sometimes.

( Anecdote: Cut for Length )

I should find a girlfriend for myself, really, and not just to be cool-and-queer aunt Mel a.k.a Gaga (yeah, that's my nickname!), though that's a really big perk :-)

I'm slowly but surely working my way into being the cool Aunt, if only by default.

The Jerusalem contingency (The two Nephews, Amos (7) and Shaul (3 going on 4)) I believe perceive me to be that easily irritated lady with cool books and toys... and Justice League cartoon episodes - they're far too young to read the comic books, but they're at the right age to learn that Batman, along with Wonder Woman (and yes, okay, Superman as well) rock the socks.
They are back with their 'rental units in Jerusalem, so the Asylum is not as hectic as it was over the last weekend.

The Local contingency have vastly improved their attitudes towards me. Libby (2), the Niece, actually initiates contact with me and no longer gives me Hard Stares when I talk to her or suggest something. The child is very, very independent. Her catch phrase is "No! Me do it", though she speaks beautifully with quite a large vocabulary which includes colours, numbers and other words of command - not bad for a two and half year old kid, eh.

Her big brother, Shvo (6), I think sees me as a fluctuating person, going from authority figure to play thing - my tolerance for repetition* game is thin. However, he being a precocious six year is into pushing the limits so he has also begun to say "dirty words" like "Heck" and "Damn" which his 'rental units don't approve.

Personally, I'm a potty mouth so I don't mind him using "bad" words in my presence. Not to mention that he has read all the buttons that I have on my canvas bag - buttons which include Zero to Bitch in 4.0 Seconds and I'm a very loving and positive person, so don't give me any negative bullshit asshole. In addition, the local Buffy Fan-club produces buttons and stickers with prime quotes, of which I have several on the same bag and they include: Out. For. A. Walk. Bitch and Sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks... Oh God! I'm English - that Spike... gotta love him.
And yes that was me bragging about my button collection, sue me.

Suffice to say I've added quite a bit to his bad-word vocabulary, which is fine when it's the two of us and we're laughing and making fart jokes... but I'm not keen on his mother (my older sister-sibling) telling me to stop teaching him these things.

Ain't I the coolest.

Notes
* Wherein you repeat everything a person says to them, e.g: Moi: Come here.
Him: Come here
Moi: Stop that
Him: Stop that
Moi: I said enough
Him: I said enough
Moi: Don't make me raise my voice
Him: Don't make me raise my voice
Ad nauseam.