#ill remove the leaks tag when the event starts

[coern]

so those new cards huh

@correctproseka

original card VV

[quickwitter]

JBAD Day 2 - July 2019

6 months into 2019: half year check in

I’ve been chipping away at a mountain of debt for several years and have *finally* paid off everything, except my house stuff. I’m pretty stoked about that. [Cue universe coming with new and inventive ways to wrack up new, unplanned debt]. While I‘ve been paying off debt, I haven’t had any credit, so I'm just starting to reestablish credit again.

Good news: My Cancer follow-ups have been clean so far, yay! My next follow-up — which is also celebrating one year after my last chemo teratment, is later this month. Fingers crossed. Note: Hair is at Bea Arthur as Maude in Golden Girls style but heading either into an afro or going to drop and be at some awkward regrowth phase. Will keep you posted.

I had a lot of repairs done so I could then get my house painted, this checked off a lot of boxes on my homeowner’s to-do list. The contractor I hired worked from April into May. It cost $24K, yep, you read that correctly. $24K. I’ve paid 90% of the total in cash so far, all but the final 10% ($2,200K). The contractor stops by ALL the time to bug me for the remainder, which I do not have. I've been crystal clear with the contractor that coming up for ANY overage $$ was going to be very difficult for me. I wasn’t lying. Now his wife is on my case for it as well and I’m being tag teamed. My last payment to him was just three weeks ago, so it’s not like this is taking months and months. I’m doing what I can but I have to do work, bill clients, and they have a 30-day grace period in which to pay me. They rightfully, don’t care that I owe someone else money. BTW, I paid the initial contract in full, this is overage work I HAD to do: repair a leaking pipe in my kitchen wall/ceiling, replace a hazardous burned/damaged  line running between two electrical boxes in a bedroom wall, and removing a bay window due to termites.

It doesn't help that the contractor and his wife know that I’m going to Iceland. It isn’t a secret. I know it sounds crazy to be traveling while I owe someone money, but let me explain. I agree, it’s a rather ill-timed and hapless trip but I paid for it in FULL several years ago then had to postpone it due to surgery. I was wait-listed, the trip had an opening again in 2017 and I again signed on. I again had to postpone this time due to cancer. Again a position came up this year and this time if I postponed again, I’d forfeit all of the money I’ve already paid for the trip. So I agreed to go. The only out-of-pocket I’ve had on this trip so far is the round trip plane ticket. Once I get to the meeting site, all of my costs are already covered. At the end of the trip, I hope that a couple of friends will join me in driving around the island - which will help defray the cost. Otherwise I’ll be sleeping in the car and living on crackers and tap water.

The family trust was supposed to settle in May, it hasn’t. That was my potential fallback for both the contractor and Iceland. No word when/if that will ever happen.

Part of me has trouble believing that we're already 6 months into 2019, and part of me feels like this has been the longest year yet.

Political Moment - Lightsforliberty.org is protesting US Concentration Camps and the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers on July 12. They have over 400 events scheduled Nationwide so far, please find one near you and let’s work on getting these camps closed. Today a judge ruled that the Trump Administration can no longer arbitrarily hold ‘prisoners’ indefinitely without a trial.

NOTE TO SELF: I need to book more work.

[sickdaysofficial]

Love Like Ours

Sickdays Aug 17th: Public Illness

Written by @empresskaze

Tags: headache, overworked, dizziness, migraine, illness, whump, sick fic

Characters: My OCs Liam and Gabriel

~~~~

Love Like Ours

“The uprisings in Russia in the first half of the 20th century, most notably the revolution of peasant farmers uprising against their feudal lords, whose land they toiled, greatly tied into the events of Orwell’s Animal Farm.  He used animals as an allegory to retell the end of feudalism, however the use of the pigs…

Gabriel paused a brief wave of dizziness engulfed him; hand tightly gripped the back of the chair.  His vision blurred slightly a few quick blinks the room came back into focus.

Heaving a heavy sigh Gabriel massaged his forehead wishing the Advil he’d taken earlier curbed his throbbing headache.

“Professor?” A girl’s voice broke the silence. Gabriel glanced up to the faces of his students staring back; he’d momentarily forgotten he was still in class.

Running a hand through his hair he turned hoping to conceal the blush burning his face.  Clearing his throat he took a quick breath, “Apologies class, where was I?”

“Pigs.  The same girl replied her face breaking into a smile.

The professor stared befuddled then remembered. “Quite right.” Gabriel ignored a few giggles coming from his students.  Struggling to maintain his composure while finishing the lecture he finally made the last 20 or so minutes of class free time meaning a good majority of students left. Not that Gabriel minded sitting behind his desk head leaning against his hand, eyes closed.

“Professor Herondale?”

His hand slipped at the voice, “Hmm?” He looked up, “Oh Trenton? How can I assist you?” Gabriel forced a smile.

“Are you feeling okay?” The young man with short blonde hair, oval wire frame glasses over his dark blue eyes asked looking quite concerned.

“Oh fine fine, bit of a headache is all.” Gabriel lied through his teeth. He could tell the English student did not believe him. “Maybe a slight fever. I, uh, didn’t sleep too well last night.” He flushed embarrassed about admitting all this to a student.

“Need anything?” Trenton adjusted his bag over his shoulder.

All Gabriel wanted was a nap, “No no perfectly fine.” He forced another smile. “Just study for the exam next week if you could.”

Trenton agreed, hoped Gabriel felt better soon and exited the classroom. Resting his head in a thunk on the desk the feverish professor remained that way for several minutes until the realization of probably falling asleep and waking up there tomorrow became too much to ignore. Throwing on his coat he nearly reached the door before back tracking to the desk grabbing his briefcase.

Exiting Baker Hall, Gabriel headed down the path towards his office not all looking forward to working in the dusty mess.  Pushing open the outside door he stumbled on the stairs catching himself at the last moment. Muttering a curse under his breath he proceeded down the hall to his office.  Entering his tired eyes noticed something rather peculiar, a person sitting on his desk. Gabriel blinked as sandy blonde hair and a black hoodie appeared in his vision.

Bewildered at the sight before him Gabriel scratched the back of his head. He stared at the figure smiling back at him then confusingly looked around the room just to make sure he’d entered the proper office.

Convinced his exhausted body was in the right room he frowned checking his pocket watch, “Now you’ve done it Gabe, your feverish state is creating hallucinations of your dear Liam.”

“Gabriel Lane you’re simply adorable.” Liam hopped off the desk.

The professor’s mouth dropped. “Dearest, oh my, forgive my comments, it’s only… I’ve had a right miserable day, didn’t sleep well, nearly drifted off in class, I didn’t….” He paused feeling Liam’s warm comforting embrace surround him.  The stress of the last several days evaporated like steam from a bath, his throbbing head leaned against Liam’s as his partners fingertips gently grazed the outline of his face.  “I…what was I saying again?”  He brought a hand up running the back of his fingers over Liam’s cheek.  Liam cupped his face, their lips met Gabriel let an audible sigh escape, disappointed when his partner pulled away.

“Love, you’re burning up.” Liam kept a hand on Gabriel’s face.

“I know dear, felt quite awful the past few days.” The professor finally walked over to his desk.  Setting his briefcase down he noticed something. “You cleaned, didn’t you?” He smiled forcing his eyes to focus.

The neat freak returned the smile, “Guilty as charged.” He stepped over to the desk. “Gabriel cancel your class tomorrow, I’ll take you home you need rest.”

The professor scoffed while removing his coat, “I’ve told you before my job I cannot freelance.” A quick wave of dizziness forced Gabriel to support himself against his desk. “I’ve an exam next week, need to prepare for it.” He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.  “Besides I’ve one more class tonight, must…” He slumped into his chair massaging his temples furiously. “My kingdom for relief.”

Liam knelt down to Gabriel’s computer. “Ok here’s the deal,” He started typing on the ancient keyboard. “I’ll accompany you to your last class, keep a watchful eye on you from the back or assist if needed, then…” His voice trailed for one moment as he read over what he’d written before continuing, “You’ll send out an email stating your lone Friday class is cancelled.” Liam emphasized the lone part. “We’ll head home bright and earlier tomorrow or tonight if possible. I’ll help you with your exam preparation and you can rest in those adorable blue pajamas of yours.” His brown eyes sparkled as he finished the layout of his plan. “I’ve already formatted your Cancelled Class reply, we can send it tonight.”

Gabriel sighed stifling a cough, “Well, dear you know I’m not keen on cancelling and I don’t…,” He paused momentarily a quizzical look graced his weary face.  "How did you access my email?“

“You never log out.” The writer giggled.

“Log…out?” Gabriel’s reaction forced Liam to cover his mouth with a hand though he was sure the smile leaked out the sides.

“Here I’ll explain.” He started but Gabriel waved a hand.

“No need too.  I wouldn’t understand anyways.” He grumbled.

“Oh stop, you’re brilliant love, look.“ Liam motioned to the green scale screen. "See the button that says Log Out? If you click it you won’t be signed in anymore.” Liam was going to advise Gabriel to do this but then realized who really would ever want access to his prehistoric computer. “I’ll show you.” He logged out of Gabriel’s email.

The professor’s brow crinkled, “Now I’ll need to access it again.”  He replied tiredly pinching his forehead between his thumb and middle finger.

“I can do it.” Liam smiled at the look he received. “I know your username; it’s the beginning part of your email, standard college practice. I used it for your Skype remember. And I pretty much guarantee I can guess your pass.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened, “Alright then, confirm it.”

Liam pressed his lips together and typed in the username. His eyes then shot to Gabriel as he slowly typed M I C H A E L in for the password. Hitting enter Gabriel’s email popped up.  The professor brought a hand up covering his beet red face.

“Told ya.” Liam said with a hint of smugness. “My dear Gabriel Lane you are quite predictable you know.”

Gabriel remained quiet folding his shaking hands together.  Small beads of sweat formed around his hairline.

Liam pushed up from the desk. “It’s alright love. Honestly it was an easy guess.”

Gabriel sighed closing his eyes, his color drained from the blush leaving him paler than when he’d first entered the office. “That doesn’t mean I wanted you to know.” He turned away.

Realizing this entire situation had inadvertently upset his ill boyfriend Liam tried to explain. “Gabriel it’s fine, I figured that was your pass months ago, makes sense…considering when you got your email.  I’m going to take a guess the reason you never changed it is you don’t know how.”

The professor wiped a stray tear and nodded, “Affirmative.”

“Let’s forget about that for now. It’s not important.” Liam rushed to change the topic as Gabriel’s eyes became pools. “What about my plan?” He crouched down setting his hands on his boyfriend’s knees.

Exhaling the professor leaned back in his chair. His mind lost in a fog of pain and exhaustion, he wouldn’t admit it to his Liam but Gabriel wasn’t even sure he’d survive the final class. Running a hand from the top of his head down to his chin he merely gave a halfhearted shrug.  “I must lessen his infernal headache first.” Opening the desk drawer he rummaged for a bottle of painkillers, tapping the bottle until two fell in his hand. He swallowed them without any water as Liam watched, then rested his arms on the desk laying his head in them. “Wake me in half an hour.” His request slightly muffled. Laying his coat over him Liam set the alarm on his phone but only to vibrate. A few minutes later Gabriel snored softly while Liam stroked his hair.

****

In all their time together Liam never had actually seen Gabriel teach, it was quite something. The subject matter might not have been the most interesting but his boyfriend morphed from the shy introverted Gabriel to the confident Professor Herondale. It reminded Liam how Gabriel acted when destroying Bryce that thought alone drew a smile.

Even severely under the weather, Gabriel’s tone grew stronger than normal while lecturing his class, today on different cognitive abnormalities of the brain. He was posed walking from one side of the class to the other maintaining eye contact with students, asking questions, promoting discussion.  

However with about 30 minutes to go fatigue set in, Gabriel fumbled a few words, used his chair more as support and could no longer hide the fact he was sweating due to his fever.  Mopping his brow with a handkerchief he forced himself to finish up his current thought.

Liam sat edge of the chair, knee twitching, ready to dash if needed. He’d promised Gabriel not to move unless asked for but it was getting harder and harder to endure watching his visibly ill boyfriend work.

Finally just as Liam could not take another minute, Gabriel pulled out his pocket watch.

“Forgive me class but I must cease for today.” The professor sat on his desk rubbing his forehead, “You’re dismissed.”

Liam ran down the auditorium style stairs, bypassing the students exiting, to Gabriel’s side clasping a hand on his arm.

“Gabriel Lane?” Liam failed hiding the worry in his voice. Sweat beads ran down his boyfriends face the edges of his grey hair glistened, Gabriel removed his tie and undid his top shirt button.  

“I’m spent my dear.” Gabriel laughed drawing Liam in.

“Come love, let’s go home.” Liam took Gabriel’s coat, briefcase and arm leading the professor out of the hall.

No surprise Gabriel fell asleep immediately on the train ride back to Newhaven. Thankfully he’d taken medicine which Liam hoped would reduce his fever.  Coat draped over his frame Gabriel’s head lay in Liam’s lap, the writer lovingly gazed down at his sleeping boyfriend.  Never had five hours on a train seemed like heaven.