I had to go to Chillicothe to get my oil changed and on the way back, in the dark and in a construction zone an 18 wheeler realized he was going off the wrong ramp (it's an easy mistake to make in this area, if you're in the right lane you're on your way to Portsmouth like it or not) and he rolls right down the embankment back onto 35 right in front of me without slowing down. I can't move because there's a wall of construction traffic to my left. Thankfully my brakes are fine but Jesus dude... (of course you can't exactly stop an 18 wheeler on a dime.

Speaking of which on the way up there was a massive accident as well on the other side, took out much of the guard rail, was probably down in the creek. I couldn't see it through the lines of traffic and half dozen cop cars but it was no doubt a bad one.

Got another fandomtrees story done at the garage waiting on the oil change and then went to my coffee shop to work on another one but...my coffee shop is gone WTF? I don't go to Chillicothe for 2 months and this happens? It's a new store with a big menu (lots to look at. Sweetie, I want fucking coffee not overpriced sandwiches) They only had two lattes. I went with the candy lane...and it was tasteless. If you can't make chocolate peppermint right, I won't trust you again (I'm looking at you too Tim Horton's. Yours tasted like burnt coffee and cleaning chemicals). Sigh. Now the new place wants you to do conferences there and murder mystery dinners....You can't make coffee. I'm not trusting you with food.

TJ Maxx was so packed there weren't even carts 0_0 (did find some Pistachio cream)

The shoe store about damn near made me cry. I can't find shoes. why is everything WIDE? And then I put on a pair of new balances that should have worked but were wide and they were...NOT wide. How the fuck cheap are we making them these days? I usually take a narrow and this so called wide wasn't too wide (the arch was wrong for me though)

I finally got to sit down to write cards. If you want a holiday card from me and you haven't asked for one yet head here.

And since I forgot the books yesterday here we go
What I Just Finished Reading:

Wytches - a graphic novel horror I got from the library


Ripped Tide - short mystery I got at the WV book festival. It is...bad.

What I am Currently Reading:


Death at the Door - a meh paranormal mystery

To Die Once - a Maisie Dobbs mystery which I haven't read one of these in a while and this is...slow



What I Plan to Read Next: Poorly Made and Other Things


I forgot my tea advent again

Day 9 - Blueberry limeade green tea - Green tea, organic lemon peel, butterfly pea flowers, and natural blueberry limeade flavor. It was good

Day 10 Winter Wonderland Rooibos Herbal Tisane - Organic green rooibos, organic cacao nibs, organic cinnamon pieces, winter wonderland flavoring, and blue cornflower petals. not as good as the peppermint one...what is wonderland flavoring anyhow

Day 11 Organic Turmeric Ginger Citrus Herbal Tisane - Organic turmeric, organic ginger, organic hibiscus, organic lemon peel, organic orange peel and organic lemon myrtle. this balance the dirt flavor of turmeric well so not bad but why the hell are so many of these freaking herbals?!?

I had no tests today but I did wander down to the university for the dean's holiday party i.e. free cookies and candy I don't need but I want (and being nice to your dean is a good idea) I did laundry in the morning so I got there late and was given extra cookies to get rid of them.

From there I went to Jackson to putz about in the coffee shop while waiting to mee TH for dinner and the Merry Scary Christmas talk with James Willis at the library. Now I expected it to be paranormal hauntings since he is a paranormal investigator. More on that in a minute.

We went to the newer Mexican place. It was the worst meal I've ever gotten there. (usually it's good) They gave me an envelope. I've seen this at another place in Portsmouth, come back in January and get whatever gift is inside. I didn't do that one because that's 40 miles away but I will do this (and hope it's a one off that it was bad. If not, I like the other Mexican place better anyhow)

The talk was fun. It wasn't paranormal. It was more about the spooky ghost stories, folklore and songs with pagan leanings. Most of it I knew but some I didn't like the Woman in White story from Cornwall or all the names of the various Yule Lads. It was fun like I said but I usually enjoy James' talk. I asked a few questions and offered up another folklore tidbit for him: Befana.

However, before the talk began, he had music playing and it included a parody of Santa Baby, Krampus Baby. I went looking for it but didn't find it. What I did find was equally fun but NOT safe for work.

Takes about 50 seconds before getting into the song

No fannish 50 today. It's somehow late and I have put no thought into anything.