Worldcup thanks and a mini Min note

[blamebrampton]

I have discovered that I can write 15K words in a bit over 24 hours. I shouldn't, but if the fate of the world ever hangs on 15K of H/D being produced in a day, call me.

And if you ever want to shriek: "Oh fuck oh fuck my life has imploded in every direction and I have only half-written this fic with 24 hours to go on a rigid deadline!!!" call me, too.

I'll tell you that you can do it, and then bind you to the gang who swears never again for a rigid deadline.

The only reason I was able to get this story done was because I had a lot of help, so I would like to stand here in public and testify that the following people are bloody marvellous. Normally I have one lovely beta, but she and I see pretty much eye-to-eye on everything, and I needed a different view on parts of this tale, so in the end there were five people who helped me get over the line.

jadzialove is so calm, competent and supportive that I wish she was actually the US Secretary of State since there might be some hope for the Mid-East Peace Process if she were. Thank you so much for your many hours of fine-toothing and gentle poking.

pushdragon is like one of those paladins in a medieval tale who rides in at the crucial moment to say "Yes, no, are you aware that you actually forgot a word in this sentence without which it can mean three different things, and you made a joke about X, hurrah for jokes about X!" That supportiveness came on a really shitty day and I am grateful for it.

bryoneybrynn is a champion, not just for being the only one among us to spot one particular typo (out of many), but also for her sensible suggestions on when occasionally more is more. Not to mention the cheeriness of demands for more. On that topic, oh animagi fest girl ...

oceaxe was wonderful help on the first section, which I had overwritten because I wanted to show everything that happened, except that a lot of that belonged in another story. Not to mention her delicate hint that I can be culturally untranslateable on occasion. Guilty as charged! and, I hope, sorted.

and who_la_hoop was another wonderful pair of eyes to remind me that young people today are young, and also that they teach people to spell like Americans far too much these days. Jail was bad enough, but fetus? What is the world coming to?

Anyway, you all led to a tighter, and more cohesive story which was actually achievable, rather than the epic novel I seemed to be headed towards for a while there! Many many thanks to you all, and let me know when I can return the favour.

In sad news, Min is enjoying her last day as a garden ornament. Her breathing has started to grow laboured at night and she threw up her breakfast today. She is back out guarding the bags of compost from the compost thieves, and Carmen the lovely vet will come over this afternoon at five. I have given myself a mental health day and will spend it housecleaning and regularly popping out to take cat photos. She is blissfully unconcerned and has just nibbled a pelargonium. Typical.

Comments

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor honey - last days are so hard. My thoughts are with you and your Min. There's so much I want to say, but there's no words that can make this easier. You're doing the right thing, giving love and kindness and peace to one who has given you so much joy.

My heart goes out to you both.

*hugs*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

At least I can actually bop the Min on the head before it gets gruesome, unlike the last few humans who I have been through this with. Thanks, dear, the hug is warm and comforting.

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. I know what you're saying. *sigh*

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

I hope Min has a lovely day in the sun, and slips away easily.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Cheers, dear. There was a brief rainshower, but the sun is now back over the compost and the clouds are clearing. If the rain had continued, after 11 years of straight drought, I'd have complained.

[vaysh11.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I am thinking more than usual about your Min as my dad called today to tell me that they had to put "my" cat Louie down on Saturday. He was really old and deserved a peaceful death, still - I am not sure yet how it feel to visit my parents and not have that thick grey head greet me at the door. I saved that kitty from the hard Berlin streets, named him after none other than Lou Diamond Philipps, and he got to live a full life in cat paradise at my parents.

You know, of course, that there certainly will come the day when the fate of the world will depend on those crucial 15000 words of H/D. Congrats!

Give my best to the Min. She will meet Louie in cat heaven (or perhaps King's Cross), I am sure.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

They can go ratting together! And display superior cat street-cred to all those pampered pure-breds in cat heaven.

Big hugs back, it's not at all an easy thing no matter how right it is to do. I have a strong feeling I will be at the cats' home rescuing another one soon, because, as you say, it is the vacancy that hits hardest.

I'd despair of the concept of a world in which fandom is crucial, but after the last eight years, I think it might be an improvement!

[el-princess.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your Min, she sounds like a lovely little cat, at least she'll pass with a less suffering as possible.

I can't wait to read your world cup fic (I won't know it's you of course but still...), 15k is hardcore...I failed at 500 words for my as/s fic, you should be mega proud!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It's my mad journo typing skillz ... Which I do thoroughly recommend, I just wish I had shorthand to go with my touchtyping. Mine will be the really deranged fic, but you'll know why <3

Min is lovely, which is why we feel a premature end is unfair to her, but yes, it is very nice to be able to guarantee ease, and with at-home service!

[yodels.livejournal.com]

It's been such a treat to be on Team EWE with you, and get to know you a little bit.

I'm so sorry about your kitty, I think it's amazing that you've been dealing with such sorrow at the same time cranking out a work of fanfiction.

♥

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Fanfiction is so much better than the distraction alternatives of housecleaning or chocolate ice-cream.

I have to say that working with you has been a pretty high point of the whole experience so far, too. I like talented nice people!

[bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com]

First, my BB, working on your story was no hardship, trust me.

Second, and far more importantly, I'm sorry about Min. I'm glad that you're able to make the hard decision for her though and you'll be there. I wish I could be there for you, though I'm sure you have lots of good support. Sometimes the internet sucks - virtual hugs are no substitute for the real thing. But I'm thinking of you and sending virtual hugs anyway. *hugs*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I just wish that she could have had a grand tour of looking at people in the hopes they would give her salmon, as I genuinely believe most of my flist would have really liked her, she's a charismatic little bugger. Might go out and take another photo ...

[joanwilder.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about Min. Being a cat person, I know how this feels. You've been in my thoughts every day.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I was just out giving her a pat in her official patting spot (a new invention of hers). Thanks for the thoughts. Damn cats, if they were really as obnoxious as they pretend to be, it wouldn't hurt so much!

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

*gives Min last virtual pat to send her on her way* She was fortunate to have you and J to care for her, and it sounds like she lived a very full life indeed. ♥

Your Worldcup fic will rock the world and steal its heart. Just watch.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, AM. She is pretending not to enjoy it but has actually angled herself for maximum pattage -- she was sneaky that way. I have, of course, left out all of her evilness, such as working out where J's bladder was, and concentrating her weight on it when she wanted him to wake up and purring and chin licks had not worked. It was all quite charming evil, though.

You could see how much RL was in that fic, couldn't you? Oh dear. She was Min the pervasive!

[norton-gale.livejournal.com]

She certainly succeeded in leaving her mark! Cats are evil that way. Their genius is often under-estimated.

[romaine24.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about your kitty, but thankful that she won't have to suffer. She'll be in good company when her little kitty spirit moves on.

I'm sure your fic is fab and I'm so looking forward to reading all of them when posted. I have no idea what to expect but I have my voting quill ready ;)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Romaine. It's the lack of suffering for her that made it easier for us to get through this week. Having said that, it's taken five days for me to feel up to replying to comments here, so, er ... There are many reasons we don't have kids, this may be one of them.

I'm looking forward to reading everything, too. What I've seen so far has just been wonderful - so much passion and wit brought to play. You're going to love it.

[empress-jae.livejournal.com]

oh sweetie...my heart goes out to you for min.

*hugs tight*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Jae. Hugs back. It's taken me a little time to get through comments because my flist is so full of wonderful people like you, and because I can only do about 10 before I have to go and walk around a bit. I wish I was a man sometimes because then I would have an excuse for going out to find strangers to discuss football with rather than have to face my emotions.

[meishali.livejournal.com]

Um...you don't know me, but I've been reading your stories for some time.

I'm really sorry to hear about Min. I can't even imagine how horrible it must be for you. Fortunately she's not aware of it and got to spend her last days eating expansive salmon and running around in the garden.

*hugs to you and Min*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I am very pleased to meet you, and just sorry it's under such grim circumstances and with me taking so long to reply. I can be all tough and capable of sentences for about a quarter of an hour, and then it's go off in search of ice-cream or grenadine time.

You are entirely right about her opinion of her last days -- she knew the end was nigh in some ways, and became far more of a 'close to people' cat, but on the whole her attitude was "And it is about time there was salmon for every meal. This new constant chin scratching regime may also stay"

Hugs you back, and thank you so much for letting me know. I know you a bit now, and I like that bit very much.

[lisbet.livejournal.com]

*hugs* to you and yours, from one kitty lover to another.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, lisbet, hugs back!

I had to laugh at your icon. In Min's last days she took to sitting on J's desk and holding his mouse between her paws, something she had never done before. She was trying to cheer him up, bless her grumpy little trousers.

Go well, Min

[no-mad-skillz.livejournal.com]

The animals
were imperfect,
long-tailed, dismal
in the head.
Little by little
they composed themselves,
becoming a landscape,
gaining spots, grace, flight.
The cat,
only the cat,
appeared complete
and proud:
born completely finished,
it walks alone and knows what it wants…

…O little
emperor without globe,
conqueror without country,
tiny tiger of the living room, sultan
groom of a sky
of erotic tiles,
the wind of love
in the open air
you demand
when you pass
and pose, placing
four delicate feet
on the floor,
sniffing,
doubting
every earthly thing,
since everything
is filthy
for the cat’s immaculate feet…

from Ode to the Cat (Oda al Gato) by Pablo Neruda
translation by Linh Dinh

Re: Go well, Min

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

That was *perfect*. Thank you so much for sharing. I read it to her when we were sitting in the garden on Monday, and she was sitting in the sunny spot near my feet. She ignored me as usual, but it made me cry rueful yet happy tears.

[mahaliem.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry about Min, but glad she's having a day in the sun. *hugs*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Mahaliem. It was a very perfect last afternoon, even the lizards were diverting. *hugs back*

[bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com]

Oh and also, I've been not harassing you with my ani fic because you've had enough on your plate. You let me know when you want it. If you just want to shut out the world for a while, that's totally cool. But if you need a distraction, I can provide a rather lengthy one.

*more hugs*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Send distractions. Hugs easing grief but brain prone to functioning unless filled, and functioning leads to sense of loss. Have been hallucinating cat ...

Min

[miriravan.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am so sorry about your Min, and I'm glad you got to have a few last consciously-good days with her before she goes. They are such strange and wonderful creatures, and they bring so much into our lives that mightn't get there any other way.

I'm not really an after-life-believing sort of person, but I'd *like* to believe it, and one of the things that makes me want to believe it most is the idea of the Rainbow Bridge, of which there are many versions, but here is a link http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html to one that I think is quite beautifully done, and maybe will be a comfort.

Take care.

Re: Min

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Well, it's taken me two months to reply because you BROKE ME with this comment. I sat in the garden and bawled, and Min came up and looked at me -- I think that was where she became somewhat suspicious. We still miss her and think of her daily. The new cats are regularly informed that while they are beautiful and charming, they are just not Min. They look at us with their sweet little faces and then jump on our feet until we pat them. I am suspecting Min may have possessed them a little.

Thank you.

[sarcasticpixie.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry about Mincat. *hugs* (And in awe of your productivity in the face of all this, too!)

[frayach-nicuill.livejournal.com]

I can relate. I scrapped my zillion-paged Worldcup fic on Tuesday and started writing the fic I ultimately submitted. Four and half days and 23,000 words later, I'm . . . well, a bit knackered.

I cannot wait to read your story, btw!!

And a huge **hug** re: little Min. I'm so sorry :( But I am glad she's having a lovely garden day. My love to you both.

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey.

*cries for Min*

[i-autumnheart.livejournal.com]

I hope it's all over as peacefully as these things can go. My sorrow for your loss :(

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

*hugs you and Min*

[seshat1.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear about Min. *hugs*

Hope you have a good last day.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

[*weeps a bit for min*]

i'm glad you were able to keep her around for a bit, and yet end it before it got to hard for her as well. i hope it went smoothly and easily and that she no longer has to worry about where her next breath will come from.

on a less solemn note. congrats on finishing the fic. i hope no one ever does such a harsh dealine fest again. it was much too hard on my collective flist, and though i understand the logic behind it, i find it uncalled for. it's not world peace for heaven's sake.

give yourself a little time sweets, you deserve a rest and some tender care.

[tsosh.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
You've done the right thing. I'm sure that wherever she is, she's thankful for the happy life you gave her.

an Honour

[absynthedrinker.livejournal.com]

Just a note to say that your letter of thanks to all your betas was truly well done. You are every inch the lady I thought you were. What an honour to know you. Thanks Bubba

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Oh... Min's going to be sorely missed, and I've never even seen the wee little soul. :/

The, err, compost heap needs much guarding indeed (like Homer's sugar ^_^). *nods firmly*

And good work on finishing your fic. :)

[gabe-speaks.livejournal.com]

foetus is a stupid way to spell it.




;)

I hope Mins didn't suffer much. :(

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ha! You only say that because you have never known the love of a good oe or ae.

Min bit and yowled her protest at us offing her. She was magnificent to the very end.

[gabe-speaks.livejournal.com]

Ha! You only say that because you have never known the love of a good oe or ae.

oh, but i do... everytime i'm too lazy to type ä or ö for those crazy german words... ;-)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm, umlaut ... you silver-tongued devil!