Henry Phillips

( Felicity )

( Sophus )

( Jay )

I can honestly say I've experienced a more varied range of over-dramatic emotions today than perhaps at any other point in my life. Or my life total.

Today's word for the day comes from our fine compatriots in France:

bouleversement \bool-vair-suh-MAWN\ , noun:
Complete overthrow; a reversal; a turning upside down.

Bouleversement, as I said, comes from the Old French bouleverser, "to overturn," from boule, "ball" (from Latin bulla) + verser, "to overturn" (from Latin versare, from vertere, "to turn").

It requires a complete bouleversement in your whole attitude, a process of adjustment that anyone who's been in this position understands; but you need to go through it.
-- "Two years' hard Labour", Independent, July 13, 1996

( Jay )

I will admit, today puts me in mind of that gingerbread man from the Shrek movies.

And yes, I've seen the Shrek movies. I quite enjoyed them, actually.

( Private )

I believe it is nearing the time for the first seaside sleep-over of the season.

I suppose this could be considered inane, considering the day, but it is appropriate:

blarney
(noun)
1 : skillful flattery : blandishment
2 : nonsense, humbug

For instance: The woman at the bar laughingly asked Steve if anyone ever fell for that line of blarney.

And, according to a reputable source:
The village of Blarney in County Cork, Ireland, is home to Blarney Castle, and in the southern wall of that edifice lies the famous Blarney Stone.

Legend has it that anyone who kisses the Blarney Stone will gain the gift of skillful flattery, but that gift must be attained at the price of some limber maneuvering -- you have to lie down and hang your head over a precipice to reach and kiss the stone.

One story claims the word "blarney" gained popularity as a word for "flattery" after Queen Elizabeth I of England used it to describe the flowery (but apparently less than honest) cajolery of McCarthy Mor, who was then the lord of Blarney Castle.

I wish all the health of the day but I still refuse to drink green beer.

Well, this is both unexpected and not. I'd been thinking recently about doing more work where there is greater need. Someone or something must have been reading my mind -- I received notice of an opportunity to work at a community clinic in the poorer part of town. They are looking for a pediatric specialist and would like me to work a day or two each fortnight with them. There is the possibility of expanding the number of days if the arrangement works for both sides.

I am overjoyed and shall be saying "yes" post-haste.

( Win )


( Jay )

His brain was very, very full by the time he got home in the early hours of Sunday morning. First the movie, then the party, then the explosion and the return of his godly powers as the seven ended.

It was a lot to take in. Sometimes he wondered if he could really handle it. What next thing might happen that might break him.

Which of course was the exact moment he found the letter. He opened it, read it once and set it on the table while he went to pour himself a very large drink. It sat there while he had a second. He poured himself a third before he picked it up again, fingers trembling. It said the same thing it had said the first time.

Henry slid down the wall and sat on the floor. He read the letter again, folded it neatly and slid it back into its envelope. He placed his drink on top of it and leaned back against the wall while he tried to decide if this was it.

He'd expected it to be worse.

He imagined it was much, much worse for some of his friends but his angel and devil were being surprisingly helpful, whether they meant to be or not. Dissenting medical opinions made him think carefully about his decisions as he treated this, that and the other thing. It was almost like having a whole team to work with.

And, while he wouldn't admit it, he was amused that Devil!Henry sounded amazingly like one Dr. Gregory House.

( Jack )

( Pantheon )

( Jay )

I realize that today is, in fact, warmer but still the weather recently has given me cause to use one of my favorite words.

frigorific
causing cold : chilling

Example: Henry shivered as he faced the frigorific blast of wind.

As with many words, "frigorific" has its roots in Latin. Frigus means "frost" or "cold." (I'm quite fond of the adjectival form of that word -- frigorificus.) Frigus has also provided us with other icy words: Refrigerate, frigorimeter*, frigid. Frigorific is a relatively unusual and is used considerably less often than refrigerate and frigid, its more common cousins.

* A frigorimeter is a thermometer designed for low temperatures.

( Private )

( Felicity )

( Pantheon )

( Jack )

I have been returned returned

I'm back. I'm sorry for any consternation my disappearance caused and I thank you for your kind thoughts and concerns.

( Felicity )


( Gods )

When Henry returned to consciousness, the first thing he did was take a slow mental tour of his own body, searching for injuries. Nothing seemed to be broken. No missing limbs, nothing that felt like internal bleeding. Not even a bump or a bruise. But something was definitely different, something had definitely changed. In fact, he felt oddly ... powerful. He kept his eyes closed as he continued his assessment even though he mentally shook his head. He was mostly likely delusional, perhaps even had a concussion.

He extended his tour to the area around him. The floor... was that carpet? He didn't have carpet in his lab. Ah, there it was. Linoleum. But it wasn't cold. Not that he liked cold floors. The floor seemed to heat underneath him and its surface smoothed. He was fascinated. He had no idea that delusions could feel so real.

He finally opened his eyes and looked up to a plain white ceiling with flourescent lights. He blinked and the lights dimmed. No, disappeared. But the room was still lit.

"What the..." His voice echoed. This was so not his lab. Gingerly Hank pushed himself off the floor and looked around. Very, very definitely not his lab. The space was empty, undecorated except for a tile floor that was smooth and warm to the touch and small wall sconces that were sending out dim light and seemed to take their design sense from the Art Deco period.

"Hello?" No answer except his echo. "Well. This is quite a pickle." Had he been kidnapped? He didn't remember being absconded with. In fact, the last thing he remembered was being told to expect Felicity as a visitor.

"Oh dear." He looked around for a door as he slowly stood. One seemed to magically appear at the far end of the room. And it seemed very far away indeed. As his mind whirled, things appeared and disappeared. A bike. Roller skates.

A wheelchair.

Hank humphed. "I'm not that incapacitated!" he said to the ceiling. The room seemed to shrink in response. Hank blinked in surprise.

"Oh my stars and garters. Well then. Since you seem to be in an accomodating mood..." A small table appeared in the center of the room. On it were a steaming cup of coffee and a familiar chocolate-covered snack food.

Sustenance first, then he'd try that door.