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* There has been a high death toll catastrophic mine explosion in Turkey, in which so many are trapped, I'm not doing preliminary figures for dead and wounded as numbers I gave you know aren't likely to mean anything tomorrow. It's a terrible thing.

* "Victory for science in state fossil bill:"

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* "So, if you're a straight person who feels the need to say "I hate all public displays of affection...":" http://www.sparkindarkness.com/2014/05/so-if-youre-straight-person-who-feels.html

* Greenwick found. "Secretary Of Defense Says Ban On Transgender People Should Be Reviewed:" http://www.ktoo.org/2014/05/12/secretary-defense-says-ban-transgender-people-reviewed/

* "Why I Love Dolly Parton:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2014/05/why-i-love-dolly-parton.html

* "On Conchita Wurst:" http://www.sparkindarkness.com/2014/05/on-conchita-wurst.html

* "The Punching of Abubakar Shekau/Hashtag Activism - #BringBackOurGirls:"

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* "Stephen Colbert's Bats**t Serious - Monica Lewinsky's Conveniently Timed Essay:"

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* I have a thing about textures. Many of you who know me know I don't touch or hug lightly, that i struggle with seams and tags and fabrics. That there are parts of my body that are too sensitive for any touch but that of a lover, and even then in limited doses, and no, they aren't the obvious ones. I pick clothing and bedding carefully.

There is a flip side though. I was the child who'd walk along trailing finger tips across surfaces fascinated by contrast. I like touching things, just certain kinds of things, and not unexpectedly. It's not that I don't touch; it's that touch is powerful and intense for me in a way most people can't really get.

I am like that with visual texture too. I am fascinated by Kurt and Blaine wardrobe choices that do things with visual texture that pings me the right way, and subscribe to the Kurt has alternative sensory wiring theory, because so many of his things look like mine. I am like that with certain films. It's not that I'm immune to seeing problematic aspects in "Only Lovers left Alive," it's that the experience of it on the little big screen at the art cinema from right up close was intense for me in a way that I can't describe to someone not wired the way I am. It spoke my visual texture language the way that spoke directly to my hind brain, my limbic system, to the parts of me that aren't even close to civilized or verbal. It was like catching the scent of one of a handful of lovers who spoke my scent and touch language so completely that there was some sort of escalating sensory feedback loop that short circuited everything. I have spent my whole life trying to explain this experience to people who can't feel it. My Mother trying to get my childhood self to explain what had happened to me, thinking something bad had happened when I was nearly speechless in the literal sense of having trouble forming words and sentences at all, let alone translating something so overwhelming and intensely personal as my sensual experience of the world to someone for whom there is no frame of reference.

I keep trying though, and wishing I had the skill with words to communicate it across a fundamental neurological gap.

* Glee: 5:20 "The Untitled Rachel Berry Project:"

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* Thank you to whoever suggested "Byzantium." I haven't the processing head space after "Only Lovers" to properly word about it, but it is very good, and is doing a whole lot of interesting things in areas very relevant to my interests. I do recommend it. It's in the same sort of mental territory as "Let the Right One In," "Ginger Snaps," and "Only Lovers Left Alive," though not like any of them.

* "A Matter Of Electric Sheep:" http://www.gavinrothery.com/my-blog/2011/10/1/a-matter-of-electric-sheep.html

I have new head cannon.

* Re Got: I don't blame Varys. He's spent several seasons warning everyone about Llittlefinger and consequences of choices generally. He has his duty, and part of that duty is to be alive to continue it. I am definitely Team Tyrion, but I also remain Team Varys.

* This looks delightful. "Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Super Villain by Richard Roberts:" http://www.fangsforthefantasy.com/2014/05/please-dont-tell-my-parents-im-super.html

* I've got circular swaps with openings.
Just Tea: http://www.bpal.org/topic/83424-just-tea-spring-circular-swap/
Hot drinks: http://www.bpal.org/topic/83154-spring-drink-swap-open/
Scented Products: http://www.bpal.org/topic/83239-spring-scented-products-kitchen-sink-circular-swap/