jomargem

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.

[Fic]
x.Secret Slasha 2009 is now up. Various Btvs & Ats pairings. *outside link*
x.Facing The Grey by liliaeth, Btvs/SPN, Dean/Buffy, R.
x.A Sodding Christmas by gillo, Spike, Dawn, Buffy, G.
x.Playing the Game by angelus2hot, Lindsey/Lilah, NC-17.
x.Of How Good Gingerbread Men were Sacrificed in the Name of Progress by quinara, Spike, Joyce, PG-13.
x.Anything for Dawn by angelus2hot, Spike/Dawn, Spike/Angelus, (Angelus/Dawn implied), NC-17.



[Ficlets and Drabbles]
x.Check and Mate by bogwitch, Buffy/Spike.
x.Blackfoot Bertha by dragonyphoenix, Spike/Xander.
x.It's An Art by blue_icy_rose, Buffy/Dean.
x.All I Want for Christmas by angelswilliam, Angelus, Drusilla, & a glimpse of William, PG-13.



[Fic Updates)
x.Spiral: Session 31 by waddis, Willow/Tara, PG-13.
x.Into Morning by 3/3 gabrielleabelle, Buffy/Spike, PG-13.
x.The Words We Could Never Say Chapter 1 by cuzimastripper, Buffy/Faith, Dawn, NC-17.
x.Strangers 1/23 by lusciousxander, Buffy/Spike, Buffy/Other, PG-13.


[Icons/Graphics/Vids]
x.Picspam: Christian Kane by novascotiasam.
x.77 Jossverse icons by miss_atom.
x.A Christmas Tale (Spangel webcomics) by kallysten.


[Communities]
x.New to the Whedonverse? Long-time fan whose got questions? Got a lot of knowledge about the Whedonverse? Then buffyquestions is the place to seek answers or share your knowledge!
x.The buffyversetop5 2009 recs session will begin at midnight Dec. 31 and run through January 17, 2010. Do you have your list ready?
x.Midnight Roses is a new adults only B/A fiction archive hosted by scribesds.

So, one day when I was about 16, my mother and I were driving by a local duck pond that she used to take my sister and I to when we were little. The pond was currently covered in ice seeing that it was winter and all. Conversation is as follows:

Mom: Krystie, you're smart. Can I ask you something?
Me: Uh, sure.
Mom: Where do the geese go? You know, in winter?
Me: Seriously?
Mom: Yeah! Do they like, tunnel under the water and hibernate?
Me: ... Mom. They fucking fly south for winter. It's called migration.
(After about five full minutes of silence and my mother looking like she's taking a Calculus exam...)
Mom: OH YEAH! Don't tell your sister I just asked you that.

My mother has a friend who is a police officer. Let's call her Betty. She has a daughter who we'll call Deirdre. Deirdre is learning to drive, and Betty was helping her practice, sitting in the car with her while she drove around in a deserted area, drilling her on roadsigns and suchlike.

Suddenly, a very drunk man stepped out in front of the car, bounced off the bumper, and collapsed in the road. Deirdre, however, did not stop the car. Betty yelled at her that she had to stop the car, it's illegal to leave the scene of an accident especially when there's a police officer in the car, etc ...

"I can't stop here, there's a double yellow line!"

(Luckily Betty did persuade her that stopping was ever-so-slightly more important, they went back and checked on the guy, and he wasn't hurt, because they'd been going slowly and possibly because his drunkenness dulled any pain.)

EDIT: In case people don't know, we're in the UK, where a double yellow line down the side of the road means you aren't allowed to stop your car there. So it does make a kind of sense, but ...

XANDER: So, you doing anything special?
BUFFY: Tree, nog, roast beast. Just me and Mom, and hopefully an excess of gifts. What are you doing for Christmas?
WILLOW: Being Jewish. Remember, people? Not everyone worships Santa.
--Amends


[Fiction]

x. Christmas with Jenny by angelus2hot (Giles/Jenny - PG)
x. Five Training Sessions Wesley and Faith Never Had by xlivvielockex (Faith/Wesley - NC-17)
x. Here She Is by xfirefly9x (Angel/Kate - G)


[Fic Updates]

x. Pity Us, We Wakeful chapter 18, by velvetwhip (Willow/Spike/Angel - NC-17)
x. Closer and Closer chapter 23, by dampersnspoons (Buffy/Spike - R)


[Icons & Fanart]

x. 100 Whedonverse icons by faeriesfolly (multifandom post)
x. 194 Jossverse icons by digitaldesigner (multifandom post)


[News/Meta]

x. gabrielleabelle has a poll on Buffyverse battles

Occasionally, I post quotes from people that I've found amusing, wise, thought-provoking or extraordinary in some way. Today, I came across a community that I wanted to highlight for the Christmas spirit that inspired a wonderful gift of creativity that I found very touching.

authoressnebula's Project: Christmas, 2009 community skynspace is her thank you gift for friends. The posts are public, filled with a wonderful assortment of creative works in fandoms that span from Buffy to Supernatural.


[Fic]
x.Completely justifiable by killerweasel, Lindsey, Lilah, PG-13.
x.Floor Show by darklingdawns, Buffy/Angelus/Spike, NC-17.
x.Demons from the Past by enigmatic_blue, Wesley, PG.



[Ficlets and Drabbles]
x.Five Training Sessions Wesley and Faith Never Had by xlivvielockex, Wesley/Faith, NC-17.
x.Wild Hunt by dragonyphoenix, Ethan/Ripper.


[Fic Updates)
x.Toys 20: Fear of Failure by lit_gal, Angel/Lindsey, Angel/Wesley, R.
x.The Christmas Gift Chapter 4 by musicbitch, Buffy/Spike, PG.
x.Dreamchain Part 7 of 7 by erimthar, Buffy Giles, Xander, Willow, others, PG.
x.Closer and Closer Chapter 22 by dampersnspoons, Spike/Buffy, R.


[Icons/Graphics/Vids]
x.194 Jossverse icons by digitaldesigner.
x.46 Jossverse icons by stillamempty.
x.11 Btvs icons by ofpaint.
x.12 Dracula/Spike icons by xlivvielockex.
x.Avis based on the episode Revelations by moscow_watcher for fantas_magoria.



[Communities]
x.Reader's Choice Winners for this year's iwry_marathon have been announced here.
x.Check out the Buffy Is the Hero, Damnit! collection posted by ruuger at Archive of Our Own. (This collection is currently open for new stories. This collection is not moderated: anyone may post.) *outside link*



[News/Discussion/More]
x.Pop Matters Talks Buffy: When TV Became Art. *outside link*
x.Chris Ryall posts preview pages for upcoming issues of IDW's Angel projects. *outside link*
x.Review: Angel 28 - The crown prince syndrome by flake_sake.
x.Whedonesque comment thread and review discussions of the Willow one-shot comic. *outside link*
x.Christian Kane's "Let Me Go" is listed on California Chronicle's Top 209 Songs From 2009. *outside link*
x.Poll: What do you think of fangless vampires? by woman_of.
x.Poll: Btvs battle plans, sound or not? by gabrielleabelle.


Editor's Note: Whatever it may be that you celebrate this season, may it be full of love from family, friends and fandom. Stay safe and warm this week everyone.

[Fic]

x In a Strange Land by piratepurple (Spike/Xander PG)
x Welcome to Cleveland by margarks (Spike/Xander, SGA crossover NC-17)

[Icons/Art/Vids]

x 32 Season seven Btvs icons by arial
x 26 Cordelia icons by desrt_sky
x 20 Wesley icons by obiwahn

[News/Meta/More]

x Scott Allie talks about the Buffy comic (outside link)

Editor's Note: Whatever it may be that you celebrate this season, may it be full of love from family, friends and fandom. Stay safe and warm this week everyone.

[Ficlets/Drabbles]

x The Personal Journal of Rupert Giles by spiralleds (Ethan PG-13)
x The Hunt by obiwahn (Faith, Wesley PG-13)

[Icons/Art/Vids]

x 20 Spike/Dru icons by evangelin1202
x 32 Btvs icons by ileeyah

[News/Meta/More]

x Preview of Buffy comic #31 (outside link)
x buffyversetop5 wants your opinion on what to include in future lists

i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

cooking_club
A fun and friendly community dedicated to those who love to cook, whether you're a meat-and-potatoes type, an aspiring gourmand, and/or a vegan. In search of a brilliant dish to use up those weekly leftovers? Post your ingredients and you'll be whipping up a feast by dinner. You can also share favorite recipes. For Type A chefs, you can spice up your culinary repertoire with exciting cooking challenges.

WILLOW: I'm gonna have a hard time explaining this to my dad.
BUFFY: You really think it'll bother him?
WILLOW: Ira Rosenberg's only daughter nailing crucifixes to her bedroom wall? I have to go over to Xander's house just to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' every year.
BUFFY: I see your point.
WILLOW: Although it is worthwhile to see him do the Snoopy Dance.
~Passion


[Fiction]

x. Summer Redundant by tabaqui (Connor/Dawn, PG)
x. I'm dreaming of... by deird1 (Dawn, G)
x. Please! by forsaken2003 (Spike/Xander, PG)


[Fic Updates]

x. Chapter 4 of The Perfect Life by lusciousxander (Spike/Xander, R)
x. Epilogue of The Very Heart of Me by lucy_ash (Spike/Xander, PG13)
x. Part 6 of Dreamchain by erimthar (Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, PG)
x. Chapter 2 of Mouse by bmblbee (Spike/Xander, NC17)


[Icons]

x. 10 SMG icons by bashfuldanni
x. 24 BtVS and AtS icons by lovebashed


[Meta/News]

x. Icon challenge 238 is up at btvsats_girls
x. Icon challenge 222 is up at btvsats_guys

[Fiction]

x. Xander's Original Fanfic by forsaken2003 (Spike/Xander, PG)
x. Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time) by cordelianne (Spike/Xander, adult)
x. Adults Behaving Badly by brutti_ma_buoni (Joyce, Principal Snyder, PG)
x. The Perfect Life by lusciousxander (Spike/Xander, R)


[Fic Updates]

x. Chapter 28 of The End Of The Beginning by off_suit (Xander/Spike, NC17)
x. Chapter 18 of Ashes to Ashes by sevendeadlyfun (Spike/Xander, NC17)
x. Chapter 17 of Pity Us, We Wakeful by velvetwhip (Willow/Spike/Angel, FRAO/NC-17)
x. Chapter 20 of One Glorious Summer by dawnofme (Buffy/Spike, NC17)
x. Chapter 1 of Mouse by bmblbee (Spike/Xander, adult)


[Icons]

x. 20 Angel icons by zarajade123


[Meta/News]

x. Julie Benz Appears on "The Soup" with Joel McHale to discuss "Dexter" finale (spoilers) *outside link*
x. Angel #28 sells out, goes to second printing *outside link*