Blogs

I don't consider myself a good cook, but I like it when we're home at night and we can have a simple dinner. I like to try a recipe if it pops up and sounds interesting, the easier the better. Food Network is a total staple of mine. DH is a steak-and-veggies type of guy, so there's never anything too complicated. We were at Red Lobster the other night, home of the awesomest Cheddar Biscuits. We scarfed a couple down but they seemed a little off. I said, "These taste kinda salty" and DH agreed. Then he floored me by saying, "Yours are much better." I stopped and turned to him, agog: "What a nice thing to say!" Mine have a twist -- instead of using milk or buttermilk I use beer, so they become Beer-Cheddar Biscuits. I can't use something cheap, like Miller Lite; I like using something hoppy like Bridgeport or Trademark Pale Ale. I made a batch tonight while watching the end of Ghost Whisperer, which is slowly becoming a favorite TV show, but I'm a huge fan of bangs and false eyelashes.

April 29, 2006

Another Rainy Night

It's really rainy today, and that's so damn rare for the almost-high-plains where I live. It's supposed to stay this way all weekend, and people will be merging lack-of-sunshine bitches with the farmer-ish platitude "well, we shore dew need the moisture..." darkitysnark was into a Thomas Dolby-style 1980's flashback a few days ago, and today, thanks to the rain, I entered into a power ballad/metal/late'80's, early '90's time warp. Every time it rains a lot, the brainworm power ballad "Another Rainy Night" by Queensryche fires up in my head. Today I was browsing the music store and checked out the used metal section. There it was: "Empire" by Queensryche. For $5.95, I got to play "Jet City Woman," "Another Rainy Night" and "Silent Lucidity" as I drove around town in the rain. (I also took shit from the store manager, who is unaccustomed to seeing me in the metal section. "Get your ass back to jazz" was the directive, I believe.) Queensryche's music, and most metal power ballad music, now seems to me to have a rather earnest quality that I find both a bit cheesy and ingratiating. I used to think "Silent Lucidity" was really deep, and now I think it's a bit silly. It's still kind of a compelling ballad and the lead singer does have a great voice. I know Queenryche still tours, because I saw that they were playing in a casino or somewhere a little pathetic like that, and my, the lead singer looked worn and a bit snacked-out. Queensryche was from where... Seattle? Pre-grunge, as I recall. Nevertheless, it's fun to own that CD again, if only to put in on whenever it rains a lot, and in this part of the country, that really won't happen very often. So when someone starts the inevitable bitching about it "bein' bone dry" around here this summer, I can look at them and say: "Well damn, and I haven't listened to Queensryche in weeks!" It will be good for a confused look.

April 28, 2006

this machine

then vs. now

I sometimes look back at my arrival to bpal, not so very long ago, and laugh at the way i was picking scents. At the time i had been wearing lush's karma for something like 6 or 7 years. Before that the only scents i'd loved were a vial of egyptian amber i got when i was a teenager at a little hippie store in yellowsprings ohio, a tin of solid amber perfume, and a bottle of woody sandalwood from the body shop. I knew that karma contained patchouli and some orange too, and i knew i also loved vetiver. So when i found bpal i nearly crapped myself over all the scents with those notes. I wanted all resins and musks and vetiver and some woods and just anything dark and NOT a fruit or a flower and definitely nothing foody. Ugh, foody! I avoided those like the plague. Through the wonder of frimps and some imp lots i bought off of ebay that contained one or two things i thought i wanted and an assortment of others i didn't, i discovered that i was a bit off in my original assesment. I still love all those elements, and i'm still not an outright floral or fruity kinda gal. I like anne bonny and czernobog, but my range goes so much further than that! I like some dirty, gritty dark scents, but more and more i'm loving certain select fruits (currant, FIG, orange, and more), and certain florals (heliotrope, carnation), and even certain foody scents (red lantern is food to me!). Even vanilla is sneaking in here and there. Oh bpal, look what you've done to me. You've made me so happy, and so guilty for all the money spent. I wish i could stop that damn guilt!

this machine

April 28, 2006

Old skool, part 2

After reading darkity's previous posts about going to see Thomas Dolby, I just had to post about old skool concerts. Granted, it's been awhile since I've gone to a show -- I'm at the point now where seeing someone "live" means paying $50 to go to a crowded, smelly place and hear someone perform the CD that I could be listening to in the comfort of my home. Bleh. So here's my index: First concert: Rick Nelson at the Palomino in LA, about 8th grade, 1984? This was the ex-50's-teen-idol-turned-country-singer and my friend had an obsession with him. He was pretty good! And looked damn fine! Most memorable concert: Jane's Addiction, Pixies and Primus at the Hollywood Palladium, December 1990. I remember Primus started, and while I had never heard of them they were amazing live, great musicians. Pixies were next, and they were about to break up and probably couldn't stand each other -- Frank Black screamed a lot, that was the gist of it. Jane's Addiction was great, I love them. Other concerts: (this is me looking through my ticket stubs) --Monkees reunion tour in 1986 *hangs head*, but I was a sophomore in high school! What do you expect? --Duran Duran at the Forum in July 1987 (with Erasure opening) -- I love both of them --David Bowie at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, August 1987 -- this was the first instance where I got up at 5:00 a.m. to wait in line for tickets, and we had the worst nosebleed seats ever! Never again, I swore. He was OK live, but Siouxsie and the Banshees opened and they were fab --Sting at the Forum, March 1988 -- he was great --Hothouse Flowers at the Coach House (teeny restaurant/club in San Juan Capistrano), February 1989 -- they were great, a crazy Irish jam band --Midge Ure at the Coach House, April 1989 -- lead singer of Ultravox, yum. He didn't have to play a note and I would have sat there dreamy-eyed --Replacements at the Hollywood Palladium, May 1989 -- just before they broke up and they probably all hated each other at that point. All I remember is LOUD --Love and Rockets at Irvine Meadows, July 1989 (Godfathers opened) -- they were pretty good. Dang, I went to a lot of concerts in 1989! --B-52's at Universal Amphitheater, January 1990 -- they were great --Pearl Jam at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, November 1993 -- they were great live, but it was butt-ass cold standing outside in a field. My cousin and his wife live there and we all went to the concert and stayed overnight at their house so we had a great time, I just remember COLD COLD COLD --Dave Matthews Band at Riverbend in Cincinnati, June 1997 -- I thought they were incredibly boring live. I'm not a huge fan, but every song I recognized sounded exactly like the songs on CD or the radio. *yawn* We wanted to see Los Lobos open for them, then we left afterwards. Los Lobos is great, always -- we saw them at Jazz Fest in Columbus (2000?) and the place was mobbed. --Beck at Veterans in Columbus, Ohio, February 2000 -- he's crazy and the show was a heap o'fun. Hank Williams III opened and he brought the house down, everyone went nuts. --Moby at Newport Music Hall, Columbus, October 2000 -- since DH worked at Virgin Music we were able to meet him before the show. He was very nice and signed our ticket stubs and CD, and drew little pictures. His show was GREAT -- seriously, I thought it would be him noodling on a keyboard but he had a full band and was jumping all over the stage That's really been it -- since we've moved to Dallas we haven't gone to a concert. I'm old.

April 28, 2006

This Old Snark

Good/Bad/Good Sammiches

Snarky's rule of thumb for writing is the good/bad/good sandwich rule she learned to apply to constructive criticism. Start with something good (ex: "Your lettering on this proposed architectural plan is immaculate and evocative of long past youthful, carefree summers.. "), slide in a critique of what you found lacking (ex: ".. unfortunately your design not only is not to code, but evidences a blantant disregard to ADA regulations and to the human body in all its forms and functions, plus it sucks... and is made of poo ... "), and always close with another positive comment to lessen the sting and leave a better taste in everyone's mouth (ex: "... again, those are really pretty 'g's!"). It's an old crutch of hers, but it's served her well and has allowed her to limp far in the world of BPAL oil reviews, friends' fashion choice advising, The Mister's culinary side-step evaluations, and also blog entries. Unfortunately Snarky didn't make a good sandwich in her last entry, which was nothing but ageist, whiny pantied, somewhat gross yuckiness. For this, she apologizes. Snarky knows that every person is allowed to feel like total and utter crap, that sometimes indulging in a Bad Mood can help to purge oneself of built up gunk. But laying it all bare and out there with no relief or sign of redemption was irresponsible of her. That is what LiveJournal is for. So here's Snarky's after-dinner-mint to ease any indigestion from the last bad-bad-not funny enough sandwich of the last post: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life -Lyrics by Eric Idle, from "Life of Brian" Some things in life are bad They can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse. When you're chewing on life's gristle Don't grumble, give a whistle And this'll help things turn out for the best... And...always look on the bright side of life... Always look on the light side of life... If life seems jolly rotten There's something you've forgotten And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing. When you're feeling in the dumps Don't be silly chumps Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing. And...always look on the bright side of life... Always look on the light side of life... For life is quite absurd And death's the final word You must always face the curtain with a bow. Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow. So always look on the bright side of death Just before you draw your terminal breath Life's a piece of shit When you look at it Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true. You'll see it's all a show Keep 'em laughing as you go Just remember that the last laugh is on you. And always look on the bright side of life... Always look on the right side of life... (Come on guys, cheer up!) Always look on the bright side of life... Always look on the bright side of life... (Worse things happen at sea, you know.) Always look on the bright side of life... (I mean - what have you got to lose?) (You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!) Always look on the right side of life... (And yes, I know, I'm referencing two different Monty Python movies. The song fit the theme better, and I can't pass up a good "wafer thin" joke pretty much ever. So there you have it. It's worse than mixed metaphors!) (Of which I am unnaturally fond of as well.)

darkitysnark

April 27, 2006

Non sequiturs

Because I was writing about Lucinda Williams yesterday, I was reminded of her concert from almost a year ago. A guy there with his girlfriend was an obviously huge Lucinda fan. He was so freaking drunk, and he was a loud, snacked-out fellow. Very, very jovial, except he kept bellowing "MINNEAPOLIS" at the top of his lungs in between songs. It was apparently his favorite Lucinda song, and it was his quaint way of making a request to her. Thing is, that song is one of the most wrist-slashingly depressing songs that she's written in some time. Lucinda ignored his entreaties. But this guy was so damn drunk that he couldn't really enjoy the concert; I think he and his girlfriend left well before it was over because he just couldn't stand up anymore. That was a shame for him, because Lu was in a good mood that night and kept playing and playing and playing. I was happy the guy left, because I didn't have to listen to his screaming and he had somehow decided it was good sport to take an occasional whap at my ass and comment on its firmness. His girlfriend was so toasted that she didn't care. My DH thought it was funny that some tubby drunk guy was alternating yelling "MINNEAPOLIS" at Lucinda and whapping my ass. Towards the end of the show I went down right in front to watch Lucinda and the band up close because everyone down there was very focused on her music. Anyway, you have to wonder about these funny, fat class-clown sort of fellows. I think their dark side is darker than anything most of us could dream up. In a complete non sequitur, there's a new "CSI" (Las Vegas version) on tonight. There's some teaser/buzz going around that Grissom and Sarah are going to get into bed before the season is over. Anyone else heard that? A couple of seasons ago, that would have irritated me, but at this point in the show, I think they should just do the horizontal bop and get it over with. Although I also have a theory that they may both end up in bed, but each with a different person. Why do I get so caught up in that stupid TV show? Oh, I remember why... William Peterson is hot.

April 27, 2006

'80s old skool

DH and I kid each other about music tastes -- he managed music retail stores for over 10 years and his tastes run the gamut, while I'm more in a rut. I grew up listening to one of the biggest "college rock" stations in the country, KROQ in LA, so my CDs are a ton of Ultravox, Depeche Mode, Kate Bush, Siouxsie, Cure, old U2 and REM. He likes those too (how irresistible is a man with a Kate Bush CD? ) but makes fun of me for listening to nothing past 1987. But I do! The most recent CDs I burned off iTunes to play in the car are Killers and White Stripes, but he says they don't count because they "sound retro." I listen to some things he's brought home -- I like the Chemical Brothers, Twilight Singers (Greg Dulli from Afghan Whigs' new band), Beck and Fatboy Slim. But Radiohead? Flaming Lips? (I just typed Flying Lips, that's how out-of-touch I am ) They're arty and I don't get them. We've been together so long that it's just a part of our relationship; he's more diverse in music than I am and if he talks about something enough I'll try to listen to it. But I'm stubborn and like my old skool stuff. Now where's my Adam Ant?

April 27, 2006

Denise's Cool Blog

New Icons :)

eviltemptressdq

April 27, 2006

This Old Snark

Body Horror

This has been a year of body horror. Turning thirty, while not nearly as traumatic on the very day back in January as expected, has become a bit of a milestone despite her best efforts to avoid cliche. Thirty was when she had her first (and hopefully last) root canal. Thirty was when she had her first (again, she hopes last, but fears this is really the first of many) cancer scare. Thirty was when she not only looked at her own changing body, but also The Mister's with a bit of shock, a bit of revulsion. Just a bit. Her uneasy truce with her skin shattered. She now feels like a dying tree trapped in the tightening grip of some parasitic growth that has managed to encase her in its foreigness, its utter otherness. She's caved in in a mountain of puss, bile, shit, saliva, and tears. It moves and shifts at the whims of Nature and she must move along with it to avoid suffocating. A puppet mistress tangled up in her own skeins of control. She's glad she only has to see the dentist twice a year if a routine cleaning unearths these kinds of thoughts every time!

darkitysnark

April 26, 2006

Essence

I was listening to Lucinda Williams song "Essence" on the way into work, and while it's an amazing song in its own twisted way, and I have to admit that I really like it because it just throbs sexual energy, the male reaction to it has always mystified me. I don't know if many of you listen to Lu, but I think of her as a southern gothic rock/folk/blues/alt country singer. She's just difficult to categorize. Her voice isn't very pretty, but her lyrics are so raw and real that they bleed. Her dad is Miller Williams, a nationally-known poet who read a poem at William Jefferson Clinton's* first inaguration. Lucinda hasn't exactly led a simple and idyllic life. Jesus Christ she has terrible taste in men, and I'm not sure that being happy and just a little bit content doesn't make her really really nervous, she's obsessive-compulsive about her music and apparently can be a real bitch to work with. But there's no one quite like her. She also has a certain physical appeal, in this hot mama biker chick sort of way. (She's even older than me, but I've seen some pretty young guys get worked up over her, so go figure.) Lots of sulky surly attitude with a distinct vulnerability. Gets 'em every time. So her song "Essence" is about a really obsessive stalker chick who wants her man and follows him all over the fucking place. And she wants him now, forever, and all the time, in a very twisted and addicted sort of way. ("shoot your love into my veins," "please come find me and help me get fucked up....") Printing the lyrics does not do justice to the song -- you have to listen to it. Her vocals, the guitars, the drums, the throb. I've seen Lu in concert twice, both times in a smallish theater/club, because Lu likes it that way. When the guitars kick into the opening bars of "Essence," men rush the stage like bull elephants chasing cows in heat, bellowing "LU! LU! YEAH! LU!!" I was aghast. I've always thought that the attraction to sick assholes who would make your life a living hell was a primarily female trait. Silly, silly me! I saw a small herd of goofballs who apparently have a fantasy that it would be cool to be stalked by a woman as hot as Lucinda Williams. Yeah, right fellows. Maybe it might be kind of cool to have it happen once. But that sort of shit doesn't happen once, and the boys would get mighty tired of it. Besides, women like Lu don't need to stalk men; they're too busy hiding from their stalkers and feeling miserable because they're in love with the one man in the world who doesn't know that they're alive. We humans, we're such perverse, perverse creatures! *It made me happy just to write out his whole name. It made me feel better just to think about him. You may have been an old poon-hound, Bill, but I miss you as President. A lot.

April 26, 2006

Brainy test

If you have the time, go to the BBC web site - www.bbc.co.uk In the search mode, enter "brain test" and the first result you will probably get is "Science - Sex ID." That link will take you to a very comprehensive test that is designed to gauge if your brain functions on a more typically male, or typically female basis. Be ready to take time and have a ruler available -- you'll be doing some measurements of your fingers (index and ring finger ratios can indicate exposure to testosterone in utero and the degree of exposure can affect brain function). This isn't one of those little fun tests -- it's rather comprehensive and it makes you use your brain in ways that might not be your typical mode. I have a male friend who took it who tested out as having more female way of thinking; this was no shock to him. He's the youngest child in a family with a stay-at-home mom and a military officer dad. He spent a lot of time growing up being exposed to a more female mindset. (And my friend isn't gay -- he's very straight, in case you were wondering.) I have a robustly hetero female acquaintance who last summer tested out as having a male mindset. Obviously, it's an indication of how your brain works, not your sexual identity. How'd I test out? Directly between male and female. Writing this made me think of a particularly idiotic quote from a politician of past years. Too bad that while he's still stooopid as hell, he seems almost innocuous in comparison to today's idiots: "What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is." -- Dan Quayle

April 26, 2006

No, I haven't been crying

Ugh, these allergies are driving me crazy. I never had them growing up in Southern California, but when we moved to Ohio after college, to a place that actually had "seasons," I started getting them. Most of the time it's nothing more than sneezing and nose issues, but this spring has been irritating, literally. I have "dry head," where it feels my sinuses are dry and crackly. I wake up in the middle of the night with my sinuses hurting, they're so dry. My eyes are red and dry and itchy, and I have that weird empty-head feeling like after you've cried and you're done and feel better -- "airy head," maybe? But the worst is I haven't been able to wear any nice BPAL smellies for 2 weeks. I'm breaking out in red itchy rashes wherever I apply, and it doesn't matter what I wear. I love the fruity winey scents the most, and just received bottles of Masque and Montresor, and while both smell great when I apply I end up with rashes that last for days. I'm debating buying a locket, but will probably try a cheaper one first before shelling out the $70 for a BPTP one. Plus my very favorite Triple Dagger is sold out. They have some cute ones at www.necropolis.biz -- I like the celtic cross and knot, and they're cheap enough for me to try and not feel guilty about more jewelry.

Filling the Periodic Table

April 26, 2006

Contradictions

Sometimes, when I'm really wrapped up in studying and stuff, I get hit in the head with this incredibly intense melencholy. Out of nowhere, I suddenly get all sad about being so boring, so unsatified with my un-rock-star-ness. I get all nostalgic for nights spent up all night talking music and philosophy, ending up at a crepe shop for breakfast, our makeup all smeared, exhausted and intelectually sated. Or working the door at crazy shows. Or rolling at parties, being all talkative and one with the universe. I start getting this thought like I wish I had some musical talent, so then I could be in a band, then I'd *really* be a rock star. But I know tons of people in bands, and I know the whole rock star thing, doesn't really happen. And even when people give it a go, it's not really all that much fun. Well, then maybe I need a glamorous, exciting, interesting hobby. Then I smack myself upside the head. I have the single most beutiful belly dance dress ever made hanging in my closet as we speak, and I'll be dancing in it in a week and a half in front of a giant theater full of people. I *do* have a glamorous hobby. I guess I'm mostly just lamenting getting too old for those up-all-night talking music, art, and the nature of the universe things.

antimony

April 26, 2006

Whiskers and Whispers

Ugggh!

Currently smelling of: La Bella Donna Mia Mente (which smells like Budding/Peony Moon with autumn leaves and pomegranate today!) I just had the misfortune to taste the most disgusting tomato sauce ever. It wasn't even stale, or cheap (this is one of the TV chef-endorsed, pricier sauces), it was just gross. It tasted like VOMIT. I wasted a good portion of pasta on that shit. Never again! And I managed to give in my maths assignment. Thank goodness that's over! Now, two more physics assignments to do. The quantum physics one is making my brain do somersaults in my skull... And I want my Underpants. My mum says that the infamous USPS package I am awaiting isn't here yet

yeahbutnobut

April 25, 2006

Oops.

I can't tell, but I think I may have just posted all the entries I wrote weeks ago. No wonder no one commented on them. I feel kind of stupid, but from reading other blogs I know at least I'm not alone! Have to go pack now. I'm helping my boyfriend pack up all his stuff - most is going into storage, the rest will come with him to stay at my apartment with me & my roommate & our cat & dog (so cozy!) for the next month till our lease runs out. Then we'll move into the new place which we have not found yet.

April 25, 2006

A beginning

Think it's time to get this started ... I'm just so glad the forum is back I can't say. The internet seemed so boring without it ... I still had LJ & my scans_daily comics community, but they didn't update often enough. And I missed all the random babbling and enabling! The past couple of weeks have been grim. I've shared an apartment with the same roommate for the past nine years, and this year my boyfriend thought we could try to rent a house, the three of us. My brother wants to move out of my parent's house & I'd really like to help him, but the realtors don't want to hear about roommates (they keep not returning my calls). And I'm kind of worried that my credit isn't good enough anyway. And since the others work normal office hours & I work crazy retail hours, I've been left to do most of the realtor-talking, which sucks because I've been more inarticulate than usual lately. Arrgh! And I'm trying to stay focused on houses, but I need to make a resume & start looking for a better job too ... So anyway, sniffing pretty things helps keep me sane. When first I got into bpal, I was looking for a signature scent - something that would make people think of me when they sniffed it. Now I can't imagine wearing the same thing two days in a row! You have your spicy days, your rose days, your foody days ... Not sure what today will be. Maybe something comforting & basic? But I need to train someone at work this evening, so maybe Mercury to help me communicate ... I think I have to call another realtor now. Sigh ...

April 25, 2006

Ramblings

Time for another blog ... I wrote out a huge entry Saturday, then the computer ate it and I wandered off, frustrated ... I'm feeling relaxed today. Yesterday was my Jason's birthday, and he didn't have a particularly fun day because he had work & class until 10, and was then all tired. I'm hoping to make it up for him by extending birthdayness all week. We're taking a few days off the realtor/house-hunting thing, after a big disappointment on Saturday. Nice to not be worrying quite so constantly, for a little while at least! On the plus side, we did free credit checks online and are all clear on that front. At work, new things to be crazy-hectic about - our newest employee is needing a bunch of remedial training & having behavioral issues. It's hard to believe anyone could have such rapid behavior changes without being chemically enhanced. Sadly we have to wait for him to keep messing up over & over & document it before we can fire him. (Reference checks these days are worse than useless - nobody says anything other than "Yes, he worked here" because they're afraid of being sued. Leading to this!) So for this week, I get to spend all my time training him over & over again. Bleah. Even though I slept extra-late today, I'm still kinda draggy & my eyes look zombiefied. More coffee, with toffee nut creamer. I'm a coffee weakling - have to have it every day, but it must always be modified. I'm using less & less sugar these days though - teeny progress. My Monas locket arrived this week, & yesterday I wore it for the first time with Mars. I put some on my wrists too - I could smell the locket if I sniffed it, but I seem to be a cold-natured person, 'cause I didn't get a lot of throw. It smelled best when I was outside in the sun. Should be perfect to wear to a renaissance fair - then I wouldn't have to feel sad because I couldn't reapply every hour on the hour like I normally do. Well. Just rambling to show I'm still here, really. I'll try to be more interesting next time!

April 25, 2006

Dancing

Went out to my boyfriend's open mike last night, and afterwards we went dancing at the 80's night nearby. So much fun! They saved all the good songs for late in the evening - at one point they played Madonna's Into the Groove followed by a-Ha's Take Me On, and I thought I'd collapse from dancing so hard. Also, I realized the scent locket is perfect for going out dancing - the exertion makes me warm enough to waft lots of lovely scent around my head. Usually I wear something sexier like Red Phoenix when we go out, but last night I wore Old Scratch because I'd been craving it & it was wonderful. Warm, happy lavender. And I didn't have to worry about sweating it all away. At one point, I told Jason, "Mmm, you smell good," just thinking it was him, and he said he'd put on Geek before we left & had been waiting for me to notice, but I hadn't because there had been no opportunity to get up close & enjoy. But once I did ...

April 25, 2006

Productivity

So, today I did not file my taxes, nor call a realtor, nor clean the kitchen. I looked at my cousin's wedding-planning website & tried to convince myself I'm really not jealous, I'm an evolved person who knows no one's life could really be that fairy-tale perfect & that I need to make the most of the happy things in my own life. (But really - a photo of the happy couple in front of the Eiffel Tower?) I'm happy for her, really I am ... I really like that side of the family & am looking forward to seeing the relatives again for the first time in several years. My boyfriend's a bit miffed that the trip will be just a couple of weeks before we move, but it's only one weekend. I don't think it will be that much of a problem ... I did, however, test several different scents looking for a Lex Talionis substitute, since it did not come back with the other grapefruit scents, and I didn't realize how wonderful it was when it was Resurrected last fall. It's the perfect, cool-warm scent for unhappy days when I need something not too happy-smelling to comfort me. In my quest, I tried Laudanum (good for really bad days, but too smokey to fit in the same mood-category), Medicine Show (almost, but too spicy & light), Faustus (a similar feel, but sadly I just don't like frankincense that much), and All Saints 05 (the closest I could come. The austere roses & incense almost fit the same scent-craving niche!). So at least I've got an almost-backup for when I run out of LT imps. Also, I read an excellent book by Anne Perry, No Graves as Yet, which has been on my to-read list for many moons. Highly recommended! Wonderful descriptions, vivid characters, interesting plot. I can't wait to pick up the rest in the series.