| Found that picture! |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|08:51 pm] |
this was from Mark's "Loud Clothing Party" when he was still living over on South Boulevard with Dom & Pat. This may have been the one where we got a cake that read "Happy BarMitzvah, Irving!" on it.
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| Valentine's Day |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|05:10 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  nostalgic | ] |
Happy Valentine's Day to anyone reading this.
Like every holiday Janet cared about in any way, there were important rituals associated with Valentine's Day. The valentine card list wasn't as long as the Christmas card list, but distribution of cards to a large number of people was still a key tradition. It ranged from all the students in her group at work, to lots of friends, met and not. I'm fairly sure that if we look back in her journal the last few years, there will be an entry in January or February soliciting addresses. I usually "helped" (aka got in the way of) finding suitable cards for large numbers of people (such as boxes of Justice League valentines), and then got out of the way for addressing and mailing. I'm pretty sure there's still the odd leftover around somewhere, but I just sent out a pile of cards last month and I'm not doing it again just yet.
And then there was the more personal ritual. My part of it was to go to the flower shop, on some day other than Valentine's Day (this happened by chance a few times and then became part of tradition). This worked out well, because Janet always believed that holidays started as soon as you woke up and if I'd gotten flowers on a previous day, they were there when the day started. Sometimes the timing of Capricon led to bringing the flowers along. Janet's part was to go to the chocolate store down the street (which happens to be a very good Belgian chocolatier) and acquire suitable chocolates for each of us (especially chocolate animals filled with raspberry cream). She actually enjoyed doing this on Valentine's Day itself and being part of the crowd; apparently, it enhanced the experience somehow.
Last year, we ended up going to White Castle for Valentine's Day. At least in this area, they actually take reservations that night, and put out red plastic tablecloths, flowers, decorations etc. They seat you, and a waiter takes (and delivers) your order. They even take pictures. I took a few myself, including the first picture she allowed after her hair fell out from chemo. Anyway, it was a surprisingly romantic evening. |
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| Thoughts of Janet |
[Feb. 12th, 2008|09:30 am] |
I always knew she wrote boy/boy slashfic, but I never really "got" it and haven't read any of her slash.
I know I'm the last girl to the party on this, but I just started watching the new Doctor Who and I saw the preview clip of John Barrowman/James Marsters for the "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" ep of "Torchwood".
OK, Janet. I get it now.
(I'll be in my bunk) |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 24th, 2008|02:49 pm] |
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I was sitting here messing around in LJ and she popped into my head; I just wanted to say that I miss her. Janet was one of the first author's I stumbled across when discovering Smallville fandom. I never met her in real life, never had contact with her outside of LiveJournal, but she helped start me on a path that has allowed me to know her and so many other amazing people in both the Smallville and Supernatural fandoms. I'm thankful to her for that. |
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| Holidays |
[Dec. 5th, 2007|07:10 pm] |
Janet wasn't religious (and in fact was anti-religion in general), but that didn't mean she didn't like holidays, even religious ones. She liked Christmas cookies and carols, Thanksgiving Turkey, and a good proper chocolate Easter Bunny with sugar eyes. She was usually interested in participating in the fun parts of the Jewish holidays I celebrated. So while she wouldn't change her eating habits during Passover or Yom Kippur, she loved to eat the appropriate seasonal foods. Apples and honey (which was an excuse to get good honey - or to use the honey bear) for Rosh Hashanah. Matzo Ball Soup (which she made, admittedly from a box, but with perfect matzo balls) and Charoset (a special recipe we found with no nuts or wine that was mortarly delicious) for Passover (not to mention gefilte fish with freshly ground horseradish). Hamentaschen (which we made together at least twice, plus regular purchases from the Breadsmith) for Purim. Any excuse to do something special and not be ordinary was a good one.
And then there's Hanukah, which combines large amounts of fire with the theme of foods cooked in oil. Janet liked Hanukah sufficiently that she decided we needed a second menorah so there would be one for each of us to light and more things set on fire. Of course, Janet always liked fire - not quite as much of a pyro as my mom, but pretty close. I remember the eversmoking bottle we made by filling a glass bottle with the leftover wax (and wicks) from several seasons of Hanukah - and then lighting it on fire. In retrospect, not the brightest move, though we were at least smart enough to do it outdoors.
Janet made latkes a few times, though more commonly we'd get some frozen ones, cook them, and cover in applesauce and (for those who thought it was a good idea) sour cream. Jelly doughnuts were a good option. But Janet's favorite Hanukah food was not at all a traditional Jewish food - mai fun noodles. These are the ones that you cook in hot oil - toss them in, they explode in a manner not entirely unlike popcorn and turn into styrofoam, then fish them out with a spider. Fun to make, fun to eat. |
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| new photo post |
[Dec. 3rd, 2007|09:33 am] |
to the CelebrateJanet Yahoogroup. Bschilli found a couple of old pics and is sending them to me.
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| Recent LJ nonsense |
[Dec. 1st, 2007|09:53 am] |
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When I saw the most recent LJ-wide kerfuffle, I set Janet's journal to "Explicit Adult Content", because, well, duh. But I can't help feeling that she would have been disappointed that there wasn't something stronger or more specific to set her journal to instead. I think she'd have been happier with something like "Obscene Blasphemy" or "Gay porn". Maybe "[deleted] off if you don't like it", or "If you have to ask, you shouldn't be reading this"? "Warning - contains Smallville-related content"? |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 14th, 2007|09:11 pm] |
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I met Janet at a con in Milwaukee (an X-Con, I think) 17 or 18 years ago and I gave her a ride back to Chicago. I was still fairly new to the area and she introduced me to her circle of friends. I found her a bit odd and I think she found me way too mundane, so we drifted apart. We weren't close, but we stayed friends and I always looked forward to seeing her at conventions. Janet told me that she enjoyed ToBeCONtinued 4 (at the Schaumburg Marriott in May of 2005). As a member of the ConCom, I knew exactly what a cluster-f*** that convention was, so to find out that one of my friends actually had fun meant a lot to me and it at least partially redeemed what was otherwise a failed experiment.
-- Norman Lynch |
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| And now for some actual memories... |
[Nov. 5th, 2007|09:56 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | nostalgic | ] |
I think it's time for another memory, now that I've posted enough announcements.
It was suggested to me recently that I ought to look on YouTube to see if there's any episodes of the Steven Banks show, since I'll sadly never find it on DVD. The only one there was the "Rock Auction" episode which features a history of the Beatles done with toys and action figures. I remember Janet thought it was hilarious when it ran. She really liked anything having to do with the Beatles. There's a PowerPuff Girls episode ("Meet the Beat-Alls") that we ended up getting on DVD because of all the Beatles references. We've got a full set of Yellow Submarine figures in the dining room. Movies in multiple formats. I'm sure that when I go through the LPs, I'll find all the Beatles albums. In short, Janet was a Beatles nut going back just about as far as she could remember. And sure, she was attracted to them because they were cute. And that was a big part of it. But what made it a true long-term attraction was the harmony. When Janet sung along with them, she often sang the harmony part and not the main melody. |
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| I heard it through the grapevine |
[Oct. 31st, 2007|09:41 pm] |
For those of you who were at Janet's memorial and want to relive it, or weren't and want to experience it, I now have the audio in a place you can download it from.
Part One
Part Two
Rapidshare provides free hosting for 90 days (from a couple days ago), or longer if people are actually downloading the files. Scroll down the page to the link for free download. The downside to this particular free hosting is that there may be a delay before you can download one or both files from when you tell it to do so. Each file is approximately 50 megs and, for that matter, approximately 50 minutes. I have edited out the delays and some discussion about brunch that was not part of a story, but otherwise this is unedited and is exactly how people spoke at the event.
If you were not there or did not speak, and you want to record something to become part of a third part, let me know - if there's actually any demand for this, I will happily combine pieces for the virtual memorial. If there isn't, that's fine - the physical event was pretty neat on its own. |
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| Thanks, everyone! |
[Oct. 28th, 2007|09:27 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | da shoebox | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  hopeful | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Hitchiker Radio series pt 5 | ] |
I want to thank everyone on here who attended "Celebrate Janet" last night. It was wonderful to see all of you. It almost seemed like "JanetCon". She touched all of our lives very deeply. And we all need to find ways to see each other more often. And also to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ashtalet, wendyzski, and starstraf and everyone who did the planning under difficult circumstances. |
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| Thanks to everyone |
[Oct. 28th, 2007|07:40 pm] |
I'd like to thank everyone who participated in Janet's memorial. It was really the event that I wanted it to be, and it was great to hear everyone's stories. I was able to record it, and once I take out things like the time waiting for the next person to get to the stage, or the part after it ends, I'll make it available for everyone.
We'll be doing this again in two weeks at WindyCon, on Friday night at 8 pm. So if you weren't able to make it the first time, there's another chance. Everyone is also still welcome to post here, and remember that you don't have to make the perfect post encapsulating everything. If you want to post a silly story, or just something that comes to mind, feel free. If you don't have a livejournal account and you want to say something, feel free to leave a comment on this post. |
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| Regrets... |
[Oct. 26th, 2007|06:37 pm] |
It is porbably obvious by now, but it is now official - I will not be able to make the memorial. Between my school, hubby's school, and Niblet's school, there is just too much to juggle this weekend. However, we will be in Chi the weekend of Windycon, and will try to stop in to the memorial that wendyzski mentioned. Sorry to not give a definitive RSVP until now, but we've been juggling to see what we could work out.
As someone else so aptly put it, please give Janet's toys a hug from me. |
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| Pizza |
[Oct. 24th, 2007|07:40 pm] |
pizza at Carmens 1012 Church Street
5:30 I have reservations for 10 (that is two empty at this point might join us later)
Reservation under 'Janet' |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 23rd, 2007|12:33 pm] |
Hi all!
I tried to post this to the Yahoo group this morning, but apparently ended up just sending it to Wendy as a reply. :-(
We're planning on getting in about 3-4 Friday afternoon, and would love to get dinner at Carmen's -- the only stuffed pizza place in Cleveland closed over a year ago... :( :( :( 5:30 is fine for us.
Pen is planning on having a penny poker/gaming/whatever afternoon on Saturday before the memorial, starting at 12:30. Sam & Pooch, I'm going to be bringing Ticket to Ride, both USA and Europe, if you're interested.
We're going to be having brunch with Mary Susan's brother and sister on Sunday, so we won't be able to join others then.
I am *so* looking forward to this. Not the reason for the occasion, but just the occasion itself. See y'all this weekend! |
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| Getting down to the wire now |
[Oct. 16th, 2007|07:50 pm] |
Hi, I'm Wendy, your cruise director! *ducks flying vegetables*
OK OK - anyway - here is some more info on the weekend of Janet's memorial celebration.
I know some of the out of town people are coming in Friday, and that there may be a dinner at Carmens in the offing. Those who are offing, please post if you are going and about what time?
Friday night people are welcome to drop by at the usual weekly gaming night at Jake's place. The amount of actual gaming done will probably be inversely proportional to the number of "people we've not seen in ages" stopping in. As is traditional, everyone will be gently but firmly sent home around 10. Address is 811 W Washington in Evanston.
Anyone planning anything Saturday day? Post here if you want hangers-on!
The actual shindig is Saturday evening, at the Doubletree in Skokie. The foyer will be open at 5 and the actual doors to the ballroom open at 5:30. There will be a buffet dinner, and after opening remarks from Jake, people are encouraged to come up and share stories about Janet. We've got the room till around 11:30. Looks like about 68 people are turning up, from family and in-person friends to co-workers and online friends.
I think it would be nifty to get together for Sunday Brunch before some of the out-of-towners leave, and am open to suggestions as to place and time.
If you have pictures or mementoes that you would like to share, there will be easels and/or table space to set stuff up on, or just bring a photo album.
Reply with any questions - it's probably stuff that someone meant to do but didn't. : |
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| Announcements (at last...) |
[Sep. 27th, 2007|05:19 pm] |
Hi, everyone! I can finally make some announcements about Janet's memorial. You should all know by now that it will take place on Saturday, 27 October, 2007.
I signed a contract this morning to hold the event as a dinner and discussion at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center Chicago North Shore at 9599 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077. It's across from Old Orchard at Golf Road and Skokie Blvd. I'm still finalizing the event times, but we'll be aiming for 5ish pm until we get done or about 11:30 pm, whatever comes first. It will be in the ballroom downstairs from the lobby.
For those of you coming from out of town, we have a room block for $129/night (plus tax) on Friday and Saturday the 26th and 27th of October. Staying at the hotel is not mandatory, but it's available to anyone interested. If you want to reserve a room in the room block, call 1-800-222-TREE and tell them you're with "Celebrate Janet: A Memorial for Janet Caires-Lesgold". The room block is available until about 3 weeks before the event. The observant among you will notice that this leaves you about a week or so from now to book your room; I'm sorry it took so long to get this set up (although it's only partially my fault).
Food will be available at the event as a buffet, so you're welcome to join us in progress if necessary. I'll make a few introductory remarks, and then everyone is invited (though not simultaneously) to get up and share your favorite memories of Janet. They can be general things about what she was like, or a specific favorite story or two. Your memories should be about how you remember the real person and not some idealized version of Janet. While you are welcome to talk as long as you want, please take into account the number of other people who will be there. After everyone who wants to has had a chance, repeat performances with additional stories or memories will be welcome and encouraged.
Because the event date is just before Halloween, you are welcome (but not required) to wear a costume. If you choose not to wear a costume, wear something that feels appropriate to you - this is a memorial, but it's a celebration of Janet's life, not a funereal reminder of her death.
If you will be attending, and you have not taken the survey that asks for your contact information (or you're not sure), please email me at jlesgold at freeshell dot org and let me know how many of you there will be. Deadline is 15 October 2007. Please feel free to notify anyone who knew Janet and would want to be there about the event, but make sure they tell me they'll be coming so we don't run out of food or chairs! |
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| POUT - Alton in Alton |
[Sep. 10th, 2007|08:16 pm] |
Was watching Alton Brown's Feasting on Asphalt the other night and he was in Alton, IL
I wanted to call Janet and make sure she had seen it and ask if she had ever been to Pie Town. |
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| Pictures (not yet scanned) |
[Sep. 8th, 2007|10:01 am] |
Tim has found the correct strata and we have begun excavation. We found pictures of Jake and Janet at our wedding, where they meet.
I assume that the really interesting part occurred at Carmen's, to which quite a party repaired after the reception. |
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memoriesofjanet