I Got Soul But I'm Not a Soldier

My Wishlist.

2009-12-07T14:57:18Z

ONE

Make a post (public, friends-locked, filtered... whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of ten holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV"). The important thing is to make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.

If you wish for real life things (not fics or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) can get in touch with you. Your home address is not required!

Make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ, or link to this post (it'll be public) so that the holiday joy will spread.

STEP TWO

Surf around your friends list (or friendsfriends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now, here's the important part...

If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes one person's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use - or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free - do it.

You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf - to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not - it's your call. There are no guarantees with this project, and no strings attached. Just... wish, and it might come true. Give and you might receive. You'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.

1. To be able to forgive my grandma somehow, whether or not she apologizes after reading the letter I wrote her.

2. Guinea pig stuff. Calenders, mugs, icons, pictures, stuffed animals, postcards, anything. I love it.

3. Roswell season one on DVD with the original music. The music they chose as replacements for season one was not good. I can barely watch anything but the Pilot. :(

4. Anything to do with Chlollie! Chloe Sullivan/Oliver Queen from Smallville. Icons, banners, wallpaper, fanfic. They are SO my OTP.

5. Green Arrow anything. Toys, comics, shirts, books. I play Oliver Queen/Green Arrow in an online RP and I have grown to love this character immensely.

6. Anything with the Northern Lights. Pictures, postcards, icons, wallpapers, screensavers. I'm a bit obsessed. If you've actually seen them, tell me about your experience. How did it make you feel?

7. Mixed CDs. Send me a mix of your favorite songs with an explanation of why you love these particular songs.

8. A donation to Defenders of Wildlife.

9. Gift cards to Farm and Fleet, Wal-Mart or Krogers.

10. Anything to do with storm-chasing. Links, books, information, anything. It all fascinates me.

My info:

Angela Williams
2470 Wakefield Drive Apt. 4
Decatur, IL 62521

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-12-06T16:37:00

2009-12-06T22:37:14Z

So what is everyone doing for Christmas?

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-12-05T15:08:00

2009-12-05T21:09:02Z

Thoughts on BuddyTV's Picks for Hottest Men: CW Style.

2009-12-03T15:19:39Z

Link to the slideshow: http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/tvs-100-sexiest-men-of-2009-511-20977.aspx

Tom Welling: #49

Buddy TV Blurb: Clark Kent finally donned the "S" and started saving people, which helped make Tom Welling suddenly look a lot hotter. It also helped that they killed off Davis Bloom, as Sam Witwer was stealing some of the superstud's heat.

My Thoughts: Frankly Clark's even less sexy to me this season than he's ever been. Between his ridiculous aspirations of becoming Batman (i.e. the lame ass black ensemble he wears in every episode as "The Blur") and his actions (i.e. treating Chloe like total shit, strangling and throwing Tess across the room, and every other utterly douchebag thing he's done this season), I'm not surprised he just barely made the top 50. And while BuddyTV's comments don't reflect my reasons, I can't help but think they were just scared to say it for fear of pissing off the rabid Clark fans.

Jared Padalecki: #41

Buddy TV Blurb: Last year Jared was our top pick, so why the steep fall? Well, his character on Supernatural spent most of 2009 drinking demon blood, fighting his brother, starting the Apocalypse and growing some hideous sideburns. He's still one hot guy, but we're hoping he turns it around for 2010.

My Thoughts: Still love Jared. Still love Sam.

Misha Collins: #29

Buddy TV Blurb: If all angels looked this good, we'd hurry up to get to Heaven. Misha Collins manages to make a trench coat look sexy, and in 2009 he moved from a dull, stiff angel to a serious and hilarious supporting character.

My Thoughts: Yes. God yes.

Justin Hartley: #21

Buddy TV Blurb: We still want a Green Arrow spin-off, and while there seems to be less of Hartley than there used to be, we're just happy that he's shirtless almost every time he's on the screen.

My Thoughts: I find it really amusing how much higher up this list JH is than Tom Welling. Of course, in my opinion, he IS this much hotter--not only as an actor/fine male specimen, but his character's a hell of a lot more likable than Clark's at this point. Still think he should've been in the top ten, but then again I'm a bit biased. Also? HELL YES to the G.A. spin-off.

Jensen Ackles: #6

Buddy TV Blurb: After a rough transition out of Hell, Jensen's Dean Winchester finally stepped up and started to fight back, not letting the Apocalypse bring him down. His TV brother may have turned a little evil, but Dean straightened him out and proved why he's the older, wiser and better looking brother.

My Thoughts: Yes, Jensen is hot. Dean is hot. ~~Still think Ollie's hotter.~~

Some Things Are Absolute (1/1, Implied Oliver/Chloe)

2009-12-02T17:46:24Z

Title: Some Things Are Absolute
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Rated: PG-13 for violence.
Pairing: Implied Oliver/Chloe
Note: This ficlet is based on spoilers, speculation, and one of the photos that's been released from the upcoming Smallville movie, "Absolute Justice."

“I can’t believe you have someone like her as part of your team.”

Oliver didn’t even think, he simply swung his fist and connected hard with the older man’s face. “You don’t know a damn thing about her,” he growled, watching with satisfaction as “Hawkman” hit the ground from the force of the blow. “Let me tell you something about Chloe Sullivan.” He knelt down, glaring at him with barely contained anger. “She’s been part of this team for a long time, and she’s saved my ass more than once, not to mention Clark’s, and a great deal of this city’s population. I trust her with my life.”

Hawkman glared back at him just as angrily, but before he could speak, Oliver continued.

“You may not like or agree with her methods, but you know what? No one here asked for your opinion, and I sure as hell don’t want it. So next time before you open your big mouth and decide to blather on about someone you know nothing about, do me a favor and don’t. Otherwise you may find that mace of yours somewhere you really don’t want it to be.”

Without warning, Hawkman moved and Ollie found himself off the ground and slammed down on a table, the other man’s hand wrapped around his throat. “Now you listen to me, Arrow,” he snarled, tightening his grip just a little. “I’ve been doing this since before—”

Before the other man could even finish his sentence, Oliver could suddenly breathe easily again, sitting up and sucking in a breath as he stared wide-eyed at Chloe, who was dressed in her green leather jacket and holding his crossbow at chest level.

He looked down to see a dart sticking out of Hawkman’s arm and he blinked with surprise, then looked back at her once more. She’d lowered the crossbow and was now smirking at him faintly. “Couldn’t let him choke you to death after that passionate speech,” she said lightly.

A smile stretched across his lips. “Noted and much appreciated.” He looked down at the man on the floor. “You know how you said earlier that the Watchtower was open to all the heroes of Metropolis?”

She nodded a little.

“I vote we ban him.”

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-11-30T10:54:00

2009-11-30T16:42:46Z

I'd just like to know when it became okay to start mudslinging and throwing around accusations that have not been grounded in any kind of proof or reality, but on mere speculation.

Work Email With Useful Information.

2009-11-24T15:07:16Z

Please pass this on to anyone you know who may have need for this service. I have checked it out through Snopes.com and you can find more information there, as well as the site it sends you to.

If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.

All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.

http://www.cleaningforareason.org

Please pass this information on to bless a woman going through Breast Cancer treatment. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-11-03T11:36:00

2009-11-03T17:25:26Z

View Poll: Would you read a fic with Green Arrow meeting Chloe the Vampire Slayer>? XD

SV Fic: Promises (1/1) Chlollie

2009-11-03T16:25:27Z

Title: Promises (1/1)
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Rated: PG
Spoilers: For Roulette and Crossfire, and season 9 in general.
Wordcount: 586

His new favorite place to start and end patrol was the top of the Watchtower. It was, after all, the best view of Metropolis. He liked to think being there gave him perspective. And over the last few weeks, and in particular, the last few days, he’d gotten a healthy dose of just that.

After meeting Mia, and after throwing himself at Lois and having that blow up in his face, he’d taken a good long look at what he was doing. On who he’d become. And he’d come to realize that while he’d always care about Lois, his feelings toward her were more platonic than he’d thought.

Because when he slept at night (on the nights that he managed to sleep, that is), it wasn’t Lois that was on his mind.

Making his way inside the window Chloe left unlocked for him, he slid inside and pushed his hood back and pulled his glasses off. Drawing in a breath, he quietly made his way down the stairs, pausing at the bottom when he spotted her at her computer.

Her back was to him, and her hands weren’t on the keyboard. They were covering her face. And given the fact that her shoulders were shaking, he realized with a pang that she was crying. He swallowed hard and slowly made his way toward her.

* * *

She’d been working intently for nearly five hours, trying to track down the Kandorians for Clark. She didn’t even know at what point she’d begun to cry, but once she started, she couldn’t seem to stop. And then she’d realized she didn’t have to. She was alone there. No one was around to witness her moment of weakness. She let her shoulders slump and buried her face in her hands to muffle the sobs that wouldn’t stop coming.

She cried for wasted time, for a life cut short that shouldn’t have been. She cried for the dissolving of a friendship that had meant more to her than just about anything in the world, except perhaps saving the world. She cried for being unable to save someone that hadn’t turned out to be worth saving, and for the fact that she now doubted her instincts when it came to people. And she cried for herself, because she was utterly alone, and lost and hurting and the one person she’d thought she could count on to be there cared more for her cousin than he did her or anyone else.

But when she felt herself being pulled from the chair and into a pair of strong arms, she didn’t think twice before burrowing into them. Some part of her knew it wasn’t Clark, but the body was just as solid, if not more comforting somehow. Though her eyes were closed, she could feel the smooth leather against her cheek as he held her tightly, voice murmuring soothing words against her ear that she didn’t bother to listen to but somehow felt anyway.

As he held her, stroked a hand down her hair and then down her back with more tenderness than she’d ever realized he possessed, she began to realize that maybe he was putting her back together as she’d done for him not that long ago.

“I’ve got you,” Oliver whispered, keeping her close, her face buried against his chest.

“Don’t let go,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He shut his eyes and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I won’t,” he told her quietly, his words a promise.

I've posted this before, but it's one that bears repeating.

2009-10-28T17:40:31Z

My name is Jamie

My name is Jamie I am but three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,

I must be stupid
I must be bad,
What else could have made
My daddy so mad?

I wish I were better
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy
Would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all
I can't do a wrong
Or else I'm locked up
All the day long.

When I awake
I'm all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home

When my mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just
One whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse
My name he calls
I press myself
Against the wall

I try and hide
From his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry

He finds me weeping
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault
That he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And I run for the door.

He's already locked it
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!" I scream
But it's now much too late
His face has been twisted
Into unimaginable hate

The hurt and the pain
Again and again
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!

And he finally stops
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless
Sprawled on the floor

My name is Jamie
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me.

* * *

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. Chances are you know someone who's currently in a violent or abusive relationship. It could be a friend, family member, co-worker, classmate, or even you. If you know someone who's being abused, please contact your local domestic violence shelter for information on how you can help, or visit this website:

http://www.stopfamilyviolence.com

History of Childhood Maltreatment Linked to Higher Rates of Unemployment, Poverty

2009-10-28T14:57:11Z

Outcomes of Abuse and Neglect Impose Significant Costs to Individual and Society

The long-term impacts of childhood maltreatment include higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and use of social services in adulthood, according to a new study by David Zielinski, Ph.D., of the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications.1 The related losses in productivity and tax revenues, increased spending on social services, and potential transmission of abusive behaviors from one generation to the next, suggest major costs to society as well. The results were published online ahead of print on October 8, 2009, in the journal Child Abuse and Neglect.

Background

Research has shown that negative early life experiences can adversely affect a person's physical and mental health in adulthood.2,3 However, few studies have focused on the association between childhood maltreatment and later socioeconomic well-being.

To address this research gap, Zielinski evaluated data on childhood maltreatment and socioeconomic well-being from the NIMH-funded National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). The NCS was the first study to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders (using modern psychiatric standards) in a representative sample of the general U.S. population. Due to his study's focus on socioeconomic factors, Zielinski examined data from 5,004 NCS participants who were age 18 or older and were not students at the time of the survey.

Results from the Study

Adults who were physically abused, sexually abused, or severely neglected as children were significantly more likely to be unemployed, living below the poverty line, and using social services than people without a history of childhood maltreatment. Having experienced more than one type of maltreatment increased these risks further.

Overall, adults who had experienced any type of maltreatment in childhood were twice as likely as non-victims to be unemployed. Childhood physical abuse and a history of multiple types of maltreatment accounted for this trend, increasing risk of unemployment by 140 percent and 190 percent, respectively. In contrast, survivors of sexual abuse or of severe neglect did not show differences in unemployment rates when compared with non-victims.
In terms of income, adults who had been physically abused as children were 60 percent more likely than non-victims to be living in poverty. The incidence rose to 180 percent for those who had experienced more than one type of childhood maltreatment.

Maltreatment was also linked to lower rates of health care coverage and greater use of social services such as Medicaid, especially among adults who had experienced childhood sexual abuse. However, Medicaid usage varied by the type of maltreatment experienced. For example, the study found that people who had been severely neglected as children were about twice as likely as non-maltreated adults to be living in poverty, thus eligible for Medicaid, but were no more or less likely to use Medicaid.

Significance

In the first comprehensive study of the long-term socioeconomic effects of abuse and neglect, Zielinski shows that childhood maltreatment carries significant costs to the individual and to society. Not only does the public share the burden in supporting maltreatment-related social services—such as child welfare services—but also those related to unemployment insurance, poverty-based public assistance, and publicly funded health insurance, such as Medicaid. Other societal impacts include the loss in employment productivity and tax revenues, from federal and state income taxes as well as state and local sales taxes.

Previous research has shown low socioeconomic status to be a risk factor for the perpetration of child abuse and neglect. Additional research has found that parents who were maltreated as children are more likely to abuse and neglect their own children than those without a history of maltreatment. Zielinski's finding that child abuse and neglect appears to contribute to low socioeconomic status in adulthood may help to explain a key factor in this "intergenerational cycle of violence." Targeted assistance for maltreatment victims may help break this cycle. For example, Zielinski suggests that enhanced access to job training and job counseling programs may be especially helpful for victims of physical abuse or multiple types of maltreatment, who were most likely to be unemployed among those who had experienced maltreatment.

What's Next

Studies that follow maltreated children over time and examine long-term socioeconomic outcomes are needed to confirm these findings. Future studies may also reveal why these associations occur, for example, why some maltreatment survivors suffer from greater unemployment rates than others or what factors influence the decision to enroll in social services. Such research may help scientists to better understand the mechanisms behind socioeconomic hardships following negative early life events and to develop treatments targeting these mechanisms.

Reference
Zielinski DS. Child maltreatment and adult socioeconomic well-being. Child Abuse Negl. 2009 Oct 5. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 19811826.
1The study was conducted as an approved outside activity independent from the researcher's official role at NIMH.
2Childhood Maltreatment Undermines Physical Health in Adulthood.
3Child Abuse Survivors Have Higher Risk for STDs in Adulthood Than Non-abused Adults.

Another article forwarded to me from work. Thought it was interesting.

Domestic Violence/Sexual Abuse/Animal Abuse: The Link

2009-10-19T18:55:00Z

Note: I received this in email this morning.

One Abuser, Two Victims

When 9-year-old Beth* was sexually abused by her stepfather, she told the prosecuting attorney that someone else knew about it -- but that he couldn’t talk. She was referring to her beloved cat, Oreo.

Beth explained that Oreo would bravely lie outside her door at night and hiss whenever her attacker appeared. In trying to protect her, the loyal black and white cat also became another victim of violence; Beth’s stepfather would always brutally kick Oreo away from the door.

Beth’s revelation gave the prosecutor an idea. She decided to have Oreo examined by a veterinarian. The results were chilling. Sure enough, poor Oreo had sustained injuries consistent with being physically abused.

When the prosecutor submitted the veterinarian’s report to the jury as evidence showing a pattern of violence in the home, Beth’s allegations gained credibility. In a way, Oreo was able to testify, convincing the jury that the traumatized little girl had been telling the truth.

Beth’s stepfather was convicted and received a long prison sentence. Meanwhile, Beth and Oreo were finally able to experience what every child and animal deserves: a safe home.

Help Empower Victims Like Beth and Oreo

The prosecutor in Beth’s case was Allie Phillips, who now works for American Humane as vice president of our Public Policy Office. She and our staff regularly conduct trainings for attorneys, judges, veterinarians, social workers, domestic-violence counselors and other social services providers on what American Humane calls The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, increasing awareness of the powerful role it can play in unmasking and preventing abuse.

It’s a vital message -- one that Allie and our Link team are uniquely qualified to spread on behalf of abuse victims everywhere. But she can’t do it alone.

Please help Allie and our team continue to educate others about The Link and stop the cycle of violence affecting innocent people and animals alike.

*This is a true story. However, the child’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-10-09T00:24:00

2009-10-09T05:25:16Z

NAME A FANDOM AND I WILL TELL YOU MY:

+ OTP
+ Runner-up
+ Honorable mention(s)
+ Crack pairing(s)
+ Ship everyone else seems to like, but I don't

Here are my main fandoms:

Smallville, Supernatural, Jericho, Third Watch, Buffy, Angel, Roswell, X-Files, Alias

Domestic Violence Victims Denied Insurance for Being "Too High Risk"

2009-10-08T13:43:37Z

In eight states.

Abused then denied care: 8 states allow practice
Some insurers say victims of domestic violence are too high risk to cover

By Jenny Gold

updated 7:55 a.m. CT, Wed., Oct . 7, 2009
In 2006, attorney Jody Neal-Post tried to get health insurance but was rejected because of treatment — counseling and Valium — she received following a domestic-abuse incident. She says the insurer told her that her medical history made her a high risk, more likely to end up in the emergency room or require additional care.

Four years earlier, Neal-Post says, she had been assaulted by her ex-husband in her home in Albuquerque, N.M. According to police records, both she and her ex-spouse were charged in the incident. The charges were later dropped.

She wasn't prepared for the blow from the insurer. "I was just flabbergasted," says Neal-Post, a 52-year-old attorney. During the altercation with her ex-husband, "I was beaten and choked in my living room," she says. "I'm trying to keep my family together and get medical care. And then you make it through, with everyone back on track, and years later, when it's no longer part of your daily life to remember that and you're feeling good, it's back again."

Advocates say it's not uncommon for people who have been abused to be denied insurance on the individual market. While the majority of states have barred insurance companies from using abuse as grounds for denying coverage, eight states and the District of Columbia don't prohibit denying coverage for that reason. And even when states do have a law, it doesn't necessarily prevent carriers from initially rejecting applicants who are victims of violence.

It's unclear how often such rejections take place. But it is clear, experts say, that the fact that they occur at all can have a chilling effect on victims, who may be afraid to tell their doctors about attacks out of concern they'll have trouble getting insurance in the future.

A state vs. federal issue
How victims of domestic abuse are treated by insurers now is emerging as part of the health care overhaul debate. "Think of this, you have survived domestic violence and now you are discriminated in the insurance market because you have a pre-existing medical condition," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told leaders from women's organizations at a press conference Tuesday. "Well, that will all be gone under this legislation," she promised.

But for now, the issue is left to the states.

In some ways, Neal-Post was lucky. Her home state of New Mexico has strict laws prohibiting insurers from denying insurance based on a history of abuse. She's also an attorney with experience representing victims of domestic abuse.

After her fight with her ex-husband, and the coverage denial by the insurer years later, she filed an official complaint with the state's Public Regulatory Commission's insurance division. The commission insisted the insurer reverse its decision, which the company did. But had Neal-Post lived in one of the states that does not offer protection against insurance discrimination for abuse, she might have ended up uninsured.

America's Health Insurance Plans, an industry trade group, has supported laws that explicitly prohibit domestic abuse from being a factor in denying insurance. "We have encouraged all states to adopt the legislation," referring to a "model law" developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, says spokesman Robert Zirkelbach.

But Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia have not yet done so.

How widespread?
There have been no recent surveys to gauge how often victims of domestic abuse are rejected by insurers. An informal 1994 survey conducted by the Senate Judiciary Committee subcommittee staff found that eight of the 16 largest U.S. insurers used domestic violence as a factor in deciding whether to offer insurance coverage and how much to charge.

Follow-up surveys by the insurance commissioners of Pennsylvania and Kansas the next year found that one in four responding insurers reported taking domestic violence into account when determining whether to issue or renew health, accident or life insurance policies.

To get a sense of current conditions, Kaiser Health News contacted the departments of insurance in the states that have not adopted a ban. The majority said they had never heard of the issue, nor had they ever seen a question on an insurance application specifically asking about domestic abuse. None found records of complaints from domestic violence victims who had been denied coverage. And several, including North Carolina's department of insurance, said they had other stop-gap measures in place to prevent the practice.

'Not looking in the right places'
Nancy Durborow, Health Projects Manager for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, says she isn't surprised that state departments of insurance haven't heard about the problem. "They don't see it because they're not looking in the right places."

Insurers never directly ask about abuse status on an application, Durborow explains. Instead, they learn about a history of domestic abuse in a myriad of other ways. They might find evidence in an applicant's medical records, such as repeated visits to an emergency room or a doctor's notation about abuse. Insurance agents may find out during an interview with the applicant. Durborow has even heard of cases where insurance agents have visited local courthouses to search for Protection from Abuse Orders, which are public information. Insurers may also see reports of domestic disturbances in a local newspaper.

In most states, insurance companies are not required by law to explain their decisions, so a domestic violence victim may never know why coverage was denied. Neal-Post adds that, because victims of domestic violence often remain silent, they wouldn't necessarily ask the right questions. In her case, she says, "they just made the mistake of doing it to a lawyer. It's flat-out wrong that I had to have professional skills and know-how to get covered."

Fear of denial
Lisa James, director of health for the Family Violence Prevention Fund, a non-profit group that works to prevent domestic violence, says the fear of being denied coverage is almost as menacing as the actual denials. Some women have heard about this type of insurance discrimination, she says, "especially those who have spent time in shelters with others. Women are concerned about keeping their medical information confidential."

In addition, the possibility of being denied insurance could discourage women from leaving an abusive partner. And for a woman with children, she says, the risks are multiplied. "It could be a denial not only for her, but she might also be worried that if she leaves, she won't be able to take her children to the doctor."

But the deterrent effect of these insurance practices don't stop there — they also have been known to plague the doctor-patient relationship. According to James, women may not feel comfortable discussing their difficulties with medical providers for fear that the information could be used against them down the line. She also hears from doctors and nurses who are worried that they may be compromising their patients' ability to get insurance by asking about and documenting abuse.

'Glimmer of hope'
James and Durborow both say that enacting a federal law prohibiting the practice would be the best way to protect victims of domestic violence. But, since 1995, numerous measures have been proposed unsuccessfully in both the House and Senate. One such proposal failed in the Senate health committee as recently as 2006.

Durborow, who has been lobbying for a federal law for the past 12 years, says health reform is "the first real glimmer of hope" that a ban on the practice will pass. "For many years they told us that enacting protections would bankrupt the insurance companies, but we've never heard that it's been a problem" she says. "But people are now finally taking on the insurers."

"When you look at statistics on the prevalence of family violence, you can see why some bean counter would think this is certainly a way to save money," adds Neal-Post. "But the consequences are far reaching."

© 2009 This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

It's that time of year again.

2009-10-04T01:13:56Z

I meant to get this out sooner, but things have been slightly crazy this week. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. As such, I've made some icons. Please take them and use them! No credit necessary!

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xtremeroswellia @ 2009-10-03T10:43:00

2009-10-03T15:44:25Z

tapati, thank you SO much for the package. It was a real pick-me-up after a very long week! You are amazing. *hugs*

SV

2009-10-03T13:32:06Z

Didn't watch. I know Oliver wasn't in the episode (thank you justinhartley.net). Any mentions of him in the episode?

Fic: Driven (1/1)

2009-09-28T14:53:18Z

Title: Driven (1/1)
Author: X_tremeroswellian
Fandom: ~~Suckville~~ Smallville
Rated: R for language.
Spoilers: For the end of "Savior."
Word Count: 1,234
Characters: Oliver, Chloe, OFC
Author's Note: This idea hit me about an hour ago and I couldn't turn it down. It's not what the SV writers were going for, I'm sure, but it works with what happened at the end of the episode, in Lois's "future visions." Most of you will probably recognize the legend mentioned, but if you don't, don't hesitate to ask. :)

He drove.

Eyes wild with fear, with hatred. With hope. The wheels of his little orange sports car spun in the mud, kicking it up and dirtying the previously spotless vehicle as it raced down the dirt road at over 80 miles an hour.

His heart thudded heavily in his chest, bile in the back of his throat, his gut twisting into thorny tangles.

There was blood dripping off the seat from the motionless passenger beside him.

Christ.

So much blood.

It was all over his steering wheel, his hands slick with it.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

His foot pressed harder on the gas pedal, propelling the car forward faster, but somehow not close to fast enough.

And then he saw it up ahead and he slammed on the brakes, arm reaching out instinctively to keep her body from being thrown forward.

(She was already dead, did that matter?)

He shifted the car into park and climbed out, blinking against the cold, falling rain.

Ignoring the rain, he moved to the passenger side and pulled open the door, sucking in a pained breath at the sight of her pale skin (so much blood). He moved forward and gently pulled her into his arms, cradling her with a tenderness that he’d never expressed while she was alive. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry. I’m going to fix this.”

Oh God, please let him be right. He wrapped her in his leather jacket and gently laid her down on the ground, brushing some of the blonde hair out of her face. Her green eyes were dull and unseeing.

He’d heard legends, stories, from when he was younger. Things he’d chalked up to utter nonsense before he’d found out about Clark Kent, about the meteor rocks, about people with abilities, about strange things all over the world. If they were all real, and he knew they were, maybe this legend was true.

Oh God let it be true.

Oliver grabbed a shovel out of his backseat, one he’d stolen from the Kent farm. He hadn’t even bothered to tell Clark, to tell Lois. He couldn’t. He hoped he wouldn’t have to.

He grabbed the small box from the floor of his backseat and carried it with him, setting it on the ground and beginning to dig in the middle of the crossroads, his breath coming out in near-panicked puffs. The shovel wasn’t efficient, not with mud. He tossed it away and dropped to his knees in his suit, digging with his hands instead and forming a small hole.

He reached out and grabbed the box, placing it inside and shoving mud back over it, globs and globs of mud. He rose to his feet once it was covered, rubbing the mud onto his suit pants and looking around in the rain, flinching when thunder crashed in the distance.

Come on.

Come on, be real.

“Be real!” he shouted.

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m very real.”

He whirled at the sound of the female voice, found himself staring at a beautiful, pale-skinned woman with flowing dark hair and a white dress.

She may have been a demon, but at that moment she looked like an angel to him.

He moved toward her, holding out a hand. “Please.”

She smiled, her eyes flashing black for a brief moment before her gaze trailed to the lifeless blonde laying beside his car. “You want to bring her back.” It wasn’t a question.

“Can you do that?” He stared at her, breath catching in his throat. His skin was chilled from the rain, from the events of the night that would never leave his mind.

“You were supposed to protect her,” she said with a smile. “You failed.”

He felt her words like a knife through his chest. “Yes. I failed.”

“Hmm.” She circled him like a lioness circling her prey, and if that was the case here, so be it.

He didn’t care.

“What is the great Oliver Queen willing to give up to bring her back?”

“Anything.” There was no hesitation before he responded. “Anything you want.”

She arched an eyebrow. “I want a lot of things. Most you can’t provide.”

“There has to be something!” The desperation in his voice didn’t come close to what he really felt.

She studied him for a moment, a slow smile spreading across her face. “There is. You.”

He stared at her. “What do you mean?”

“I want you. I’ll bring her back in exchange for you.”

“Do it,” he said gravely, holding her gaze.

She chuckled. “Oh, Sweetie. I’m not that evil. I’m not going to kill you. At least not for awhile.”

Oliver shook his head. “What are you talking about?”

“Ten years. I’ll bring her back and you can have ten long years with her before I come for you. Before I take your soul with me to the Pit.”

“Fine,” he said.

“Are you sure?” She circled him once more before stopping to stand in front of him, staring at him hard.

“I’m sure, just bring her back!”

Wordlessly, she closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his.

Oliver felt everything within him recoil at the kiss, but he didn’t pull away.

She smiled at him when she pulled away, her eyes flashing black once more. “It is done,” she informed him before vanishing.

He sucked in a startled breath, then jogged back to the car, to where Chloe lay, still unmoving. “Come on,” he whispered.

And then suddenly she gasped, sucking air into her lungs and looking at him with wide, frightened eyes.

Oliver felt relief flood him and he pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly.

“Ollie?” she murmured, her voice raspy.

“I’m right here.” He buried his face against her hair, shuddering at the feel of her arms winding around him just as tightly.

“What…what happened?”

He could hear the confusion in her voice, but he shook his head slightly, curling his fingers in her hair. “Doesn’t matter.”

Chloe shut her eyes, leaning into his tight embrace. She shivered from the cold, falling rain, her teeth chattering a little. When she opened her eyes and looked around, she realized they were in the middle of nowhere, on a muddy road surrounded by trees. She had no idea how they’d gotten there, or why they were sitting in the mud in the cold rain.

Nothing made sense.

“Come on.” He picked her up, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then carefully tucked her back into the passenger seat of the car, taking the time to stretch the seatbelt across her and looking at her, meeting her confused green eyes. Green eyes that had been empty and lifeless only moments ago.

Dead.

Now alive.

Oliver pressed his lips against hers, felt the warmth there—a difference from the cold, unfeeling kiss shared with another, a demon and yet an angel.

Chloe blinked in surprise as he pulled away. “Oliver—”

“Shh. Don’t. Please,” he whispered.

Her eyebrows furrowed, but she didn’t ask questions.

There would be time for that later.

Ten years of time.

Oliver carefully shut the passenger side door and moved to the driver’s side.

Alive.

She was alive.

He climbed into the car once more, not caring about the mud or blood or water stains.

She was alive.

He drove.

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-09-21T23:13:00

2009-09-22T04:14:56Z

Thank you for all the birthday wishes, my dear friends. :D

Love and hugs,
Angie

PS--big thanks to monicaop and robynadele0406 for the LJ gifts. ;)

Twitter

2009-09-04T00:14:07Z

All right, all right. I give in. I'm on Twitter. I added a bunch of my flist that I found already, but if you're on there and I'm not following you, please drop me a line and tell me "Hey, biotch, you forgot me!" or something. :p

http://twitter.com/xtremeroswellia

What a shocking user name, right?

ATTN VID MAKERS

2009-08-21T01:19:57Z

Please to be telling me what programs you use to make vids (like the kind you put on Youtube and such), and where you got them?

I think I need a new hobby. :D

Fic: Somewhere I Belong (Chloe/Oliver friendship)

2009-08-09T03:04:53Z

Title: Somewhere I Belong
Authors: Robynadele0406 and xtremeroswellia
Rated: PG
Spoilers: This is a missing scene from “Hex.”
Characters/Pairing: Chloe, Oliver

Somewhere I Belong

Chloe watched as the last of her guests left the party. Of course, she hadn't even known a lot of them to begin with. A lot of them had been Lois's friends from the Daily Planet, and others had been friends of Oliver's. Sighing softly, she tucked some hair behind her ear and moved over to the bar, leaning her arms on it. She looked at the bartender after he handed her a drink and offered him a tiny smile. "Thanks."

"Sure, no problem." He smiled back at her and began wiping the bar down.

Squeezing past a small group of people who were leaving, Oliver made his way back into the room where Chloe's party had been held. His eyes scanned the room and fell on the birthday girl, standing alone by the bar. He began to walk over to where she was, a gift wrapped box tucked under his arm.

He came to stand directly beside her, leaning himself against the bar and glancing over at her, a small smile on his face. "Figured I'd find you still here."

She turned to look at him, truly surprised to see him. "And you're back. That was fast." She arched an eyebrow at him. "Everything all right?"

He nodded. "Everything's fine. I just realized that I never gave you your birthday present." Noticing the surprised look on her face, he smirked. "You thought I'd forget to get you something, Sidekick?"

Chloe rolled her eyes at him. "Well, I hadn't realized we were at the stage where we get each other birthday gifts."

He chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I won't be expecting anything from you on my birthday. Besides, this is more of a... business proposition." He moved the box out from under his arm and held it out to her.

Her eyebrows furrowed at that. "A business proposition," she repeated, taking the box from him. It wasn't heavy, but it wasn't light either. She wondered if he'd gotten her a book, too.

He nodded again. "Just... open it."

Chloe set the box on the bar and pulled off the lid, staring at the laptop that lay inside. It was, of course, hunter green in color. She looked from it back to Oliver. "It's...a new laptop."

"Yeah," he said, placing a hand on the laptop. "I figured that old laptop of yours deserved to be retired. You know, out with the old, in with the new. And really, if you're going to take back your place as Watchtower, you're going to need something a little more high-tech." He held his breath for a moment, knowing he could get any number of reactions from Chloe with that last statement.

She'd only lifted the laptop from the box when his statement caught up with her already-busy brain. She looked up at him. "Wait...what?" Her eyes were wide as she stared. "Was that a job proposition?"

He breathed out a small laugh. "It's good to see your time away from the League hasn't suppressed your grasp of the obvious. Yes, it's a job proposition." He looked into her eyes, hoping that it was a proposition she wouldn't object to.

She opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again, speechless for one of the few times in her life. After regaining her senses, she studied him. "Are we talking full-time?"

"Basically," he answered, waving at the bartender to get him a drink, knowing it might take a bit of convincing for her to accept the job. "Thieves and criminals don't exactly take certain nights off. We'd need you essentially whenever duty calls."

Chloe was silent for a moment. "That's a lot to think about. How long is the offer on the table?"

He shrugged, grabbing the drink he'd been brought and taking a sip. For some reason, the action made him feel a bit more authoritative. Like he meant business. "However long it takes for you to come around.”

A faint smile tugged at her lips. "So you're going to keep asking until I accept?" There was a hint of teasing in her voice.

He rolled his eyes amusedly. "It's not like I'm going to pester and beg you until you say yes. Let's just say..." He smiled down at her, giving another small shrug. "I know what an asset you are to the team. We need you, Chloe."

She paused at that. It had been a long time since anyone had said they needed her, or even acted like they had. She smiled at him. "I promise I'll consider it very carefully."

"You do that," he responded, pushing off from the bar and making his way to the club exit. Before he got far, he turned back to face her. "Just... promise me one thing, will you?"

"What's that?" she asked quietly.

He took a small step closer to her, remembering the conversation they'd had earlier that night. "Lois may have that job at the Planet and this seemingly carefree life, and I know you think that your life somehow dulls in comparison. I just want you to remember that..." He paused, giving her a meaningful look. "You've got a lot to offer this world, Sidekick. I'd hate to see you give up on that.”

She looked back at him for a long moment, a little startled by the intensity of his gaze. It was like he was able to see past the walls she put up and somehow went straight to the heart of the matter. "Thanks, Oliver." Her voice was soft.

He nodded. "Anytime." He turned away and made his way out of the club, all the while wondering how long it would take for her to make a decision. If he knew Chloe like he thought he did, which admittedly wasn't incredibly well, he had a feeling what her answer would be. Until then, however, he'd wait for her.

xtremeroswellia @ 2009-07-19T13:16:00

2009-07-19T18:17:22Z

How is Supernatural NOT winning this poll? What has the world come to?

http://blogs.trb.com/network/cwsource/2009/07/is_it_hot_in_here_or_is_it_jus.html

Free Mocha Mondays at McDonalds!

2009-07-16T14:35:00Z

http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/07/mcdonalds_promi.html

Harry Potter

2009-07-14T22:08:03Z

Because I think I'm in the minority here (people who are NOT going to be seeing the movie tonight), a poll!

View Poll: Are you going to see Harry Potter tonight?