Giachetta Rigogliosa "Magnavixen" Rucio

Freddy.

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:47:45 GMT

Start here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roblee/11655198/in/set-773976/

Look at photos in the Freddy the Fox set. Be prepared to awww a lot.

..when you get to the last one, be prepared to sniffle.

--G.R.R.

A few thoughts about drawings.

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:47:19 GMT

Now, most of us in the furry community have had pictures drawn of us. And I am certainly no exception to this, I've been commissioning for.. just about ten years now. I've come across recently a picture that I haven't looked at in five years. It's the first picture I've gotten in a sketchbook, as far as I can discern. I'm certain I've scanned and uploaded it before, but like a lot of pictures or photographs.. even in out new digital convenient frame.. more often than not, pictures are taken, looked at perhaps once, and then forgotten about. Especially in furry fandom, when only the most stellar pieces of art rise and resurface again. I know there's a half-dozen pictures I'd like to see again, drawn for me, that are somewhere on some backup CD someplace, or maybe the artist MIGHT still have a copy. etc.

Now, a lot of times in these drawings, people are focused upon illustration over art. (And sometimes, erotica over both of those.) After all, our furry characters require explanation, require details explained from as simple as "Orange fur" to as complex as "Always wears a blue dress with a slit up the left hip to waistline." (Yeah, I'm callin' you out, Cassie!) We know these details of our characters, we know when they're right or wrong, and an incorrect illustration of such can leave a sour taste in our mouths if the details aren't quite right. Conbadges, those always should be focused on illustration: Clean, concise portraiture to convey your character in a half-second glance as you pass someone down a hallway.

But that's not all these drawings need to be. Sometimes, you want art. You want something that stirs a response, evokes a mood, speaks deeply to spirit and soul.. something to make you sad. angry. giddy. aroused. Something.. that's art.

This picture, of Magnavox and Gyngerfox, has a lot of the details wrong. Magnavox's fur patterns are off. His eyes, his build and height. Gyng's details are somewhat off too. As far as illustration goes, it's not that good a job.

But it takes me instantly back ten years, and makes me remember happy and wonderful times, and makes me smile just to see it again. This is art as it should be, and no quibble over illustration changes that. It's wonderful still, and it's art.

Merry Christmas again, gyngerfox.

Vixen In The Kitchen: Give a Man a Filet mignon and..

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:45:34 GMT

I cook extra 8-ounce Certified Angus Beef filets every day, at work. Well, every day I'm on the grill station, which is four of six days now- every day I'm there and Dean isn't. Yes, six days has become pretty usual, with the day off making its shift now to Wednesday. We're consistently understaffed, and though we get by... oof, it's tough.

But, yes, I cook extra filets, and veal rib chops, at work, to 'grave' them. What that means is: I grill a filet on each side, without the nice quarter-turns.. about five minutes on a side.. to bring it to roughly medium-rare, then it goes into a 2" perforated pan sitting over a 4" perforated pan, with almost enough water to make it hit the perforations. This sits on a cooler section of the grill, so that it keeps warm, but doesn't cook further. So when the order comes in for the well-done filet, the medium-rare can go back on the grill, and be done in ten minutes instead of twenty to twenty-five. It's a great speed-up, as long as you're careful to keep the 'grave' to an appropriate amount, and know when to stop it- so you don't end up with extra. So a close eye on reservations is needed.

Now, I'm not the only one who graves filets, but I do it more consistently than others, and with better results.. I rarely have more than one leftover piece of meat at the end of the night, and often not that. When there are leftovers, of course, folks want it.. and are persistent in wanting it. I have often had to fend off folks going "So that's extra, right?" when the steak is fine and we're open quite a while longer. As happened tonight.

Ismael was working saute, and had has his eyes on a filet for a good half-an-hour. It was nearing the edge of its lifespan.. you can't grave a filet forever.. and I was debating giving it to him shortly. Probably splitting it between us, because vixen likes her filet plenty too. Then I go in the back to grab something to restock.. and a minute or two later, I notice filet is no longer there.

Oh *no*.

You do not do this.

About two minutes later Ismael's headed out of the kitchen for a bathroom break, and I check over on his station. In twenty seconds I've found it, chucked in a saute pan in an unused oven. Well now. I could just take it back, throw it in the grave pan again, let him know he cannot play these games with me. But then he wouldn't learn his lesson fully.

And there's a bottle of Tabasco in my refrigerator.

So the filet gets doused with a good ounce of Tabasco, and rubbed in salt and pepper mix just to dose it fully.. then brushed off just a little bit, and put back right where it was. I let my other co-workers know what was up, so they'd be warned. Ismael comes back, and I mention it not. It's about another fifteen minutes before he starts eating it, shamelessly. And it's not until the second bite that he realizes the fire is beginning. And shortly excuses himself to go grab a soda.

When he comes back, I properly needle him. "Wow. Thirsty?" "Yes. Someone putting the hot pepper on steak." <-- Imagine this line said by Latka.

Then I take full responsibility, read him the riot act for thieving the steak out of my station. he protests, but he knows he's wrong, and got caught. He'll know better next time, it's not extra until I say it's extra. Mess not with this vixen.

--G.R.R.

Darn Dire Straits on the radio.

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:52:52 GMT

Here I am again in this mean old town
And you're so far away from me
And where are you when the sun go down
You're so far away from me

You're so far away from me
So far I just can't see
You're so far away from me
You're so far away from me

I'm tired of being in love and being all alone
When you're so far away from me
I'm tired of making out on the telephone
And you're so far away from me

You're so far away from me
So far I just can't see
You're so far away from me
You're so far away from me

And I get so tired when I have to explain
When you're so far away from me
See you been in the sun and I've been in the rain
And you're so far away from me

You're so far away from me
So far I just can't see
You're so far away from me
You're so far away from me

You're so far away from me
Oh, you're so far away from me
Yeah, you're so far away from me
So far away from me
Yeah, you're so far away from me

You're so far away from me
You're so far away from me
You're so far away from me
You're so far away from me
So far away from me
So far away from me

Yeah, you're so far away from me

Vixen In the Kitchen: The Snaps

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:11:12 GMT

Mostly at work, I'm a force for good. I try to engender positive feelings and support so my co-workers are encouraged and supported.

Now and then, though. The snaps come out.

Sous Chef Mike: "Oh, just use the spoons again. Who cares about germs, we're all family, right?"
Me: "Just because I do your Mom doesn't make us family."

Ryan: "Hey, you know who was at the Yankees game today? Cameron Diaz."
Me: "Really. I didn't know the Yankees picked her up."
Chef Joe: "Yeah, she's their new closer."
Ryan: [unprintable]

--G.R.R.

What do you MEAN reservations required??

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 16:48:46 GMT

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070721/ap_on_fe_st/odd_fox_attack;_ylt=Atp.c4zIGhHLbCW.MFwThxIuQE4F

--G.R.R.

Foxes! Specifically, Firefoxes!

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:22:33 GMT

http://www.spreadfirefox.com/node/27777

http://lug.oregonstate.edu/index.php/Projects/Firefox/Firefox_Circle

Happy birthday!

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:56:37 GMT

To snowmane_uni!

I got drawn!

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:25:04 GMT

Drake drew me as part of his 'Another Fine Ness' strip, and as a hook-in to TAZOM. :)

http://drakegrey.livejournal.com/135662.html

Whoo! Free art. :)

Two 80's tastes that taste great together. Popples and Transformers.

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:55:34 GMT

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/autobots%2C-squeeze-me/transformers-plushies-that-actually-transform-268251.php

--G.R.R.

Assorted Vixen Searching Reveals:

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:52:02 GMT

Video Games! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vixen_%28computer_game%29

Sports! http://www.minnesotavixen.com/

Movies! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vixen%21

Computers! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Vixen

Christmas Lights! http://www.vixenlights.com/

Badass Italians going through Chemotherapy! http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/cancervixen/

--G.R.R.

Whoo, new picture. :)

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:01:19 GMT

Just a very simple, but fun sketch of me, drawn by Matt Ryan at Free Comic Book Day. It's this here vixen looking speculatively at Willie Rison from the comic book Bigger. Willie, you see, doubles in size every time he gets turned on. Much as this might sound like a porntastic comic book, it's much more comedic with some sweet moments, as Willie tries to make it through with this troublesome condition.

Of course, I do not seem to be helping matters any.

--G.R.R.

Vixen In The Kitchen: "Right there under Yerba Mate."

Thu, 31 May 2007 18:02:15 GMT

I have a very small but steady side business buying Energy Drinks and Gatorade and whatnot, and reselling them to co-workers. Typically it's on the nature of 20-50 cents profit for me per can/bottle, enough to make it worth my time to stop at the minimart on the way, low enough to keep them buying. Really I don't think I've actually made money from this, but it effectively gets me my beverages for free in the end. Yay!

So while at Super Wal-Mart I found some of this: Hogan Energy. This is just too ridiculous not to pick up a 4-pack of, naturally. At least Hulk Hogan makes a more natural choice for energy drink spokesman than Jeff Gordon. So this comes into work for sale. Yo-Yo, our kitchen lesbian, is feeling tired by about 7 in the day and buys one.. and a half-hour later is quite revitalized, and acting like her usual brash self. Including one bit of silliness not adequately repeatable in this space, involving lifted-apron gestures. (Yes, it's probably about what you're thinking.)

So naturally I drink one of these myself, to give it a taste. Good stuff! Flavorful, not too bad on the carbs, hmm. what's in this. Caffeine, B12, Guarana, Yerba Mate, ... ... and Horny Goat Weed Extract. Oh heavens.

It's not like I don't finish off my own can, mind. Still. Much as Yo-yo liked the flavor I worry about continued sales of this product.

--G.R.R.

Vixen In The Kitchen: Donut Quest

Wed, 23 May 2007 04:09:25 GMT

Now, every other month of so at All Fangy[*1], I bring in a box of donuts. Usually it's Dunkin's, especially since they opened a new store that's directly on my commute path. In fact, it's just about impossible for me to get to work without passing by a Dunkin's or a Tim Horton's. (Route 2 North: Tim Horton's. Route 2 South: Dunkin's. 184-Shewville or 184-Lantern Hill: Dunkin's. 184-117: Tim's and a Dunkin's.)

Anyhoo, it' usually on a day that's going a potential wreck.. in this case, just a busy Saturday following a busy Friday, where the spirit and camaraderie, as well as the insulin levels, of my co-workers will be lifted by a dozen or two donuts. Of course, the trick is to find the mutually satisfying mix that gets everyone a donut (and me perhaps two, but hey, I *bought* them) and leaves folks satisfied. It's an iterative process, as co-workers switch in and out; our jelly-donut fan Sous Chef Gilbert has been replaced with Sous Chef Mike, whom seemd this time to gravitate towards chocolate glazed.

Hao's been a tricky sell, though. She has the semi-usual Chinese taste buds, not really being big on most desserts, or cheeses- though she loves cheesecake, oddly enough. But good cheesecake is rich without being sugary. Anyway, she's not much for donuts, though she's tried.. it always ends up as a quarter-segment cut and then and then an "No.. too sweet!" But this time, I got a 'Old Fashioned'. You know. The most boring, unfrosted, unglazed donut offered there. The kind you're always hoping won't be the last out of an assorted box. And she dug. "Very good, yes!"[*2]

Success!

--G.R.R.
[*1] Not the Italian restaurant's real name.
[*2] Yes, she really talks like this. Living most of your life in China and learning English as a second language means close-to-stereotypical speech patterns, even from smart people.

Awwk!

Mon, 21 May 2007 06:29:57 GMT

Your Power Bird is an Eagle

You are spiritual and able to soar to great heights.
You are a true inspiration, and many people look to you for guidance.
And you are quite demanding in relationships... but you're worth it.
People know that you will become even greater than you imagine.

What's Your Power Bird?

No, I didn't try to steer the results neither. :)

--G.R.R.

Hey Valent!

Tue, 08 May 2007 18:00:09 GMT

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/place-your-bets/horse-racing-challenge-pits-remote+controlled-ponies-against-each-other-258614.php

--G.R.R.

Virtual Haircut, via Roon.

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:35:30 GMT

http://www.snesclassics.com/mp3/ViRTuaL-BaRBeRSHoP.mp3

(Er, Buran, this one won't impress you much.)

--G.R.R.

Dancin' and a-prancin'

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 05:06:19 GMT

Thanks to thistledown for the link. Dressage show with a mare that really seems to enjoy the music.

http://beboframe.com/FlashFrame.jsp?Size=S&FlashBoxId=3309347442

Vixen in the Kitchen: My schedule.

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:45:29 GMT

5 days on
2 days off
5 days on
2 days off
5 days on
9 days off
9 days on
1 day off
3 days on
2 days off <---You Are Here
6 days on
1 day off
1 day on
6 days off
5 days on
2 days off
5 days on
2 days off
5 days on
2 days off

Vixen in the Kitchen: Stop noticing me!

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 08:10:28 GMT

There's a casino-wide raise of 5%* due into effect March 4th, that is, back on Sunday. Now, that raise is pro-rated based on the time since the last yearly review. The review range runs generally from 2-4% increase; the highest I've received personally was a 3.8%. With this new system, reviews will be going on the same date for everyone.

Now, my review was due February 24th. It took them until after my vacation to do it...March 6th actually. So, Even though the review went very positively.. much better under my new chef than the old chef.. it's poorly timed. Unless they're going to flex things for me, I'll get what will likely be a 4% increase, and a 0.1% or 0.2% prorated adjustedment- when if they ignored it, I'd get a 5%. No chance to stall, though.

My co-worker Hao got to try the new snack of popcorn when Ryan brought in a bag's worth of some with chocolate drizzle. She greatly enjoyed, and asked what it was.. so it was named, and then written down. She went "Oh! Pop.." and make classic finger-explosion motions, "And corn? Pop-corn!" I was quite proud of her for that. Yes, it's the sort of English construction a seven-year-old native speaker would instantly get, but as Hao didn't start speaking english until her early 40's, those sort of achievements are commendable.

I'm also amazed she's 56 and just now is eating popcorn for the first time.

--G.R.R.

Spotted on someone's LJ Plus account:

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:16:56 GMT

http://www.imvu.com/catalog/web_landing.php?p=int2&c=furry

Okay, it looks like no SecondLife, but I'm still impressed we're being Niche-Marketed too.

*pokes around* Hey Warp: http://www.imvu.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=246767

--G.R.R.

Vixen in the Kitchen: "I think you should reconsider your pejorative of choice."

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 07:08:10 GMT

So, amidst ridiculous turbulence at work (which has resulted in a turnover in chefs at a breakneck pace), we manage to keep ourselves entertained in the kitchen. Liz, our fairly new cook and the youngest in the kitchen (at only 20, the rest of us 30 or more..) is providing a continuous source of amusement, between her energy, naivete, and slight bubbleheadedness.

Of late, she's been using 'gay' as a pejorative. Not to disparage homosexuals, mind, but just in super-ridiculous uses like "This aaran wrap is gay." and "Working overtime is gay." This mostly just amuses us, especially Yo-yo, our lesbian cook. We all nudge her about "You know, you miiiight want to watch that word" but we recognize a meaning-no-harm. So today.. the following exchange happened as I was chiding her.

Liz: "I was tasting Yo-yo's soup, and I said 'This is gay soup', and she cracked up."
Me: "The soup.. was gay. Wait. It wanted to have intersoupual relations with another of its broth type?"
Chef Joe, after a moment's pause: "Must be two clam chowders."

This is my workplace.

--G.R.R.

Whoah. (via Roon)

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 05:00:38 GMT

http://www.petegoldlust.com/carvedcrayons.html

--G.R.R.

TAZOM first glimpse!

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:46:42 GMT

http://hbruton.livejournal.com/102880.html

--G.R.R.

MFF Report!

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 03:33:41 GMT

Okay, life has almost slowed back down to normal. So it's time for a con report. :) Midwest FurFest, and this was the first MFF i've been to.

Thursday I arrived at the con, and managed to squeeze through registration just before it closed. I roomed with cbrenton (Clyde), got a quick wander-around of the convention, chatted with warphammer, and.. that was really it.

Friday, Art show, Dealer's room... Warphammer, Clyde, archai, gryph0n (Skan); and I went off for lunch. Also made it over to the Artists' Alley, which seemed bigger then the Dealer's room and was jam-packed I can't help thinking MFF might make more money if it simply had two dealer's rooms. ^o.O^ I must say, having the Artists' Alley and Dealer's room open so late made for a lot more business, it seems, and some tablebouncing to let various artist get their sitting chances in. Clyde and I saw Kage's show, followed by 2's show, were both good. And I got TAZOM in my paws for a few minutes, before it escaped to Diana Harlan-Stein. Also chatted with catsarah, Caribou, Serenity, Pardus, Dalia, Alyeska.. quite a few folks.

Saturday, managed to get Clyde awake barely in time for the GreyMuzzle breakfast he wanted to attend, chatted some with Smrgol then, went off for another round of Dealer, artist's Alley, etc. I hit the Dealer's room for an Apples to Apples game, as well. Got to spend a good bit of time talking with tarinfirepelt (Syndra), which was grand, one of the people I felt instantly very comfortable with. He drew an excellent picture of Magnavox, Six True Words, and Syndra; for which he has my great thanks and $10 of my money. :)

Saturday night I went to Joe's Crab Shack with buran, evilbenfranklin (Moira), Yarrick, and Snowdog.. and had a good time catching up with Moira, who I hadn't seen in.. three years at least. I'd hoped to hang out more with Buran, but she was sick most of the con. Also got the chance to chat and have a smoke with roho and Feren. (once again, I followed my rule about only smoking cigarettes with other people, and then only to bum smokes off them. I don't buy cigarettes.) Oh yes, and I got to watch Clyde commision Jim Groat for a badge for his co-worker of a "Hamster-Vulture". A Jewish Hamster-Vulture.

Sunday TAZOM made it into the hands of Heather Bruton, a few last purchases were made, and things were packed up. Clyde graciously (though with some deserved grumbling at me) finished last-minute packing of stuff while I got breakfast with Warphammer, and a lot of milling about the convention, chatting with aforementioned folksm. I directed 2 the Ranting Gryphon to purchase something, and he thenceforth did. I took Clyde to White Castle for the first time (his. not mine, oh heck no..), then was off to midway airport.. which was much easier to get to and through security than was expected, so I had a fairly long wait. I got properly into Elantris, a fantasy work koogrr recommended and I indeed enjoyed.

Overall, MFF was an excellent con.. plenty of good fursuits, dealer's room. I got to spend good time with good people, though never enough, as always. It's obvious it's growing too large for the hotel it's in, though. (The Hyatt's public hallway was often-clogged, the function space was tight.. and the hallways with the guest rooms were labyrinthine.) I think I'll make it again next year, but that depends on so much. Despite my fish-out-of-water feel, and dealing with some moments where my time was 'competed over'.. it was good.

Assorted random conversations:
"Eeeeeee sponsors get coon glasses!" "The drinking kind or the wearing kind?"
"Black pubic fur." "Black what?" "Pubic fur." "Cubic fur?" "Pubic fur. P, P, Puuubic fur." "Oh. I was totally boggled at how to draw cubic fur."
"In Soviet Russia, shark jumps you!" --as finale to a few Soviet Russia jokes, punctuated with an actual plush shark.

--G.R.R.

Edit: Smidgens added here and there as I remembered I wanted to remember things.