Was feeling quite pissed; it took almost 9 hours for my net connection to stabilize. 

And then, abulafias_down  called to say that he has paid for this account as his gift for my birthday! Thanks, dearest! I wonder when we'll stroll down Penny Lane again. Hopefully soon. ;)

Because I've been unable to read for almost three months, I've been spending my time the last couple of weeks entirely on reading.

• I've finished re-reading my Sandman collection - I was a bit pissed when I remembered that someone borrowed Brief Lives, said he had returned it when he hadn't. I think he lost it. :( Have to get a new copy. *sigh* I just hate it when people don't return what they've borrowed. Especially my books. It's not the money, you know. *another sigh*.
• Then, the first 3 Discworld books - Re-read Equal Rites, which is my 2nd favorite DW book; the first is The Last Hero.
• The complete stories of Alice Walker [In Love & Trouble and You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down] - Found the stories rich but  I guess I'm much more used to the tone of her novels. 
• Conrado de Quiros' Tongues on Fire - Whenever I read his works, I keep wishing I can write as passionately as he does
• Sandman: The Dream Hunters - Left me brooding for a night
• Gaiman's American Gods - I read this book almost halfway years before but was didn't finish it, what with Neverwhere being a disappointment (Anansi Boys wasn't satisfying to me, either). flange5  urged me to finish it and I'm glad I did. It's almost as good as his short stories.
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - My partner mentioned that this story is now a movie. I didn't know that. Anyway, I enjoyed the story immensely, as much as I did Bernice Bobs Her Hair.
• Murakami's Sputnik Sweetheart - I don't find the title so hot, but... Have you ever read something where a certain character is being described and you feel that the author is writing about you?  Most disconcerting. Oh, yes, I love the story and I love K!
• Murakami's After Dark - I've had nights like this one. Murakami is so fucking eerie; I love him so much!
• Winterson's The World and Other Places - Winterson is one of my favorite authors, and I was excited to read her short stories. It wasn't a disappointment but not entirely satisfying. I enjoyed reading a couple of other stories in this collection but nothing moved me as much as 24-hour Dog.

I still have some more books to read:

• Three more DW books - Hogfather, The Science of Discworld I and Darwin's Watch
• Tolentino's Sipat Kultura
• Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird
• Achebe's Things Fall Apart

And I also have two sudoku books to finish. And tons of Arashi stuff to download!

I see busy days ahead. *rubs palms together* 

Yeah.

My apologies to those who have been sending private messages and emails: I haven't been able to reply because I went home, traveled some then became disgustingly sick-- I've been sick for almost three months now [and I'd like to add that because of this, I've appreciated mothers more. :D]. You'll hear from me real soon, people. And thanks a lot!

Most of my friends do not know I've gone home [I wanted to surprise people but my plan backfired], and again, I apologize to those who learned I was home but didn't hear from me.

To friends who came to visit, thank you so much! *sniff*

And to my friends who knew I was home and sick but didn't even fucking bother to visit or send a message, I'm sore at you. You know who you are! *glares*

Anyway, so. I haven't been able to do anything much but be a barfing idiot so I'd appreciate updates, specifically of the Arashi kind.

SO WHAT DID I MISS [Yes, make me green with envy!!!]?

It's entirely fitting that the reason why I feel compelled to post again is to greet a dear friend.

Before this day is over, I'd like to greet i_am_zan
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAREST!


And to dolls_manika  and 松本潤:
BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


AND TO THIS GROUP OF MEN WHO HAVE STORMED MY LIFE WITH RAINBOWS AND SPARKLES--
---TO 嵐, HAPPY 9th ANNIVERSARY!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I am taking time off from a report review to greet one of the most beautiful persons I've ever had the fortune to meet.

To my bestfriend, s0mething_blue 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I miss you, too.