I'm watching Slings & Arrows. But not at KT & ND place. I feel so dirty as if I was cheating or something. Thank goodness its funny.

Oh, fer cryin' out loud...

So, I got a response to my post on the writers' list. Here's part of it:

And, unfortunately, the language you are not ashamed of, is part of a larger problem; claiming you "adore" something, or are "fascinated" by some aspect of history, for example, are very "feminine" uses of language. I have learned to avoid them, as they tend to sound gushy to me.

Is it too girly of me to roll my eyes forever? I mean, first I'm silly for enjoying stories about girls doing traditionally male activities, and then I'm diminishing myself by using traditionally feminine language? WTF?

Would it be less girly if you tell her to go fuck herself?

Something tells me she has a problem with her own femininity, (as someone who sometimes suffers from this, I think I can spot 'em). Or that's actually a guy.

I have never read a fictional account of a woman masquerading as a man to serve in the armed forces but I recall a fascinating story about a civil war recreationist who was barred when they discovered she was female. It was the first time I'd heard of the practice and I really enjoyed researching it. One might say I adored the process.

I am, in the words of some rap artist, going back to Cali."

LL Cool J

Sorry for the madness, hon. You and Em (and Joe, I suppose ;) ) can come to my family's for Thanksgiving!

That's really weird, Susan. Those examples don't seem feminine to me, though I must admit that I am not sensitive to that sort of thing. Or, to quote the earworm Aimee and Vortex have so generously given me, "I don't think so"

I see the "adore," but not so much the "fascinated." At least, I can't imagine either of the male leads of my WIP saying "adore" in a non-ironic fashion, but I can easily picture them describing themselves as fascinated by a topic. Of course, this is 200+ years ago--they have to say "Fascinating!" or words to that effect, because "Cool!" and "Wow!" are right out.

And, the thing is, I was perfectly aware that I was using a girly word in a tomboy context when I said I adored girls-in-uniform stories. I was trying to be a little playful with the language. I mean, I do that sometimes. Being a writer and all.

Anyway, I made my final icily polite response, and said that I wouldn't be posting further on the issue because I'm going out of town for a week and will have spotty internet access. Which isn't quite true. We don't leave till Sunday, and MIL is putting us up in a hotel with in-room high speed internet. But I figured I'd leave the flouncing away (or stalking off, to use a more masculine term) implied rather than spoken.

Is it too girly of me to roll my eyes forever? I mean, first I'm silly for enjoying stories about girls doing traditionally male activities, and then I'm diminishing myself by using traditionally feminine language? WTF?

!!!!!!!!

Good grief.

Issues much? Fair play to you for taking the better part of valour, rather than telling her, in an appropriately unfeminine fashion, to go fuck herself.

Meanwhile, I have achieved date! Go Team Me! I am cautiously interested in IceCreamGuy - or at least, in pursuing his acquaintance. He seems to be an interesting and intelligent bloke with much to say on a range of interesting topics and the ability to listen as well as talk. He has 2 very gorgeous cats. (For, yes, demonstrating the same self-preservation instincts that had me cheerfully going off hitchhiking around Moravia with some bloke I'd met whilst pissed out of my skull a few hours earlier once upon a time, and had me going home with a total stranger who offered me a bed when I got stuck in Poland another time, I did go back to his place for coffee. Coffee, in this instance, not being a euphemism.)

So at this juncture I'm not sure whether I'd like to be more than friends, but I'd certainly be very happy to see him again.

Go me with the Not Running Away!

(And, somebody, please stop me from ordering a vaguely pirate-ish, cut-for-a-girl pinstripe shirt that I'm sketching out a design for in my head, or the floor length military-style coat in heavily peacock-embroidered navy silk that I'm also vaguely considering [influenced in no small part by the lovely fashions favoured by Count D in Pet Shop Of Horrors]. It isn't cheap to get things made here. I'm spending far more money than I would ever dream of spending on an off-the-peg thing from home on each of these outfits. But - made for me, to my measurements and specifications. Beautifully made. Um. I may need an intervention...seems like I can't go in for a fitting for one outfit without something catching my eye and making me think of an idea for another outfit. From having had NO new clothes at all in the first twelve months of being here, I seem to be heading far too far in the opposite direction now...)

Fay, put down the order sheet and step away from the tailor shoppe. Remember that trip you want to save for?

Susan, seems that list has more blockage than constructive criticism and might be best to wash your hands of all together.

As for me, I had a nice night with CuteGraphicsGirl. But I've come to realize a bit of irony with me. I can be the most patient person in the world, scrimp n save for years, drive the speed limit, etc. But it seems that which I want the most, I am no good at being patient for. I either toss in the towel or make a move too soon. I am happy to report I did neither tonight. But I really wish affairs of the heart were easier.