So, I was going to go to bed.

Then I decided to do a tiny bit of research on one of my on-going projects to ID the various CSI "Kits" used in the different series. I think I may actually be getting somewhere.

I've found two versions of the CSI Miami field-kits. The first is the cheaper, one-color-available option (in Silver), and likely a touch less durable. It is, ironically, a Caboodles cosmetic organizer. The second (the product on the left) is what they're probably actually using for the series, and comes in 2 versions of Silver and one of Black (We've seen Calleigh and Megan use the silver, but Ryan (and, I think, the other men, although he's the only one I have a cap of at the moment) uses the black). Either version has 2 sets of sliding trays (although the more expensive version has foam lining in the lower section), and they're roughly the same dimensions (the "tool case" is about an inch longer). The more expensive version also has black lining or bare metal, as opposed to logo-printed on the trays, but other than that? They're identical to the casual observer (which I find amusing as hell), and about $40USD different in price.

Here are two reference pics for size purposes: Height and a side shot, confirming that the longest side is, indeed, the same as the cosmetic case (and the internal tray structure is the same as well). In explanation of the manip photo, Emily Procter is 5'6 w/out heels, 5'9" with; she is approximately 7 cases high, putting the cases between 9 and 10 inches tall. Both screencaps are from "Nailed", a season 4 episode.

I'm also currently poking at a version of Mac's briefcase from "MIA NYC"; the closest I've found yet is this at Mezzi.com.

Now, it's quite possible that someone has already done this. If so, I would love a link

On to the total WIP. ( Horatio's Case )

Erm, thoughts?

Gods, I feel like a geek, but this is the kind of mindless perusing that is keeping my brain from exploding right now between one thing and another.

ETA 0332: Edited to include updated referencing on Calleigh's case and the second retailer.

Title: Those Days
Author: mardahin
Pairing/Rating: Delko/Wolfe; PG
Author's Notes: This is my first foray into CSI: Miami fiction, so please be kind. I'm still getting a feel for the characters and dynamics, and this wasn't at all what I'd been planning for my first piece in the fandom. Thanks to ladyholder for her help as a beta/cheerleader/psychological counselor, and to sunhawk and shadowfax27 who encouraged me to write Delko/Wolfe. Also, this is totally the CSI Miami version of an old Stargate Atlantis cliche; and here I billed myself as a cliche-buster, too. *Sighs* Roughly 2,000 words.

Summary: ( There were days when it just didn't pay to show up to work )

My amusement of the morning (and this is so wrong).

Wardrobe for CSI Miami has apparently swapped shirts between Speed & Eric at least once.

Eric's shirt in "Pirated" (third season) is the same as Speed's shirt in "Money for Nothing" (second season).

So, erm, what does this imply, campers?

A S. Floridian has given me FB on my OCD self-destructive Dark!Horatio.

Yay! She totally makes me feel better about my CSI:Miami opinions ^_^

My brain and I are in the midst of a bit of a disagreement. This stems from a few things, I am sure, because nothing in my life is ever simple.

( So this can probably all be summed up to low-self-esteem as an author, which isn't something people can do anything about since it's /self/ esteem and logic need not apply, even though I know I'm a decent writer. However, I'm posting because it makes me feel less incompetent. Also, don't bother reading this if you don't do CSI Miami, as it will make little sense... )

So, to sum up, um, erk? Help? Something?

Since I'm stuck on what amounts to baby-sitting duty and can't get anything useful done, I've got a question for you.

When did Ray Caine die? (The pre-series Date of Death, not the Season 5 Date) We know he used Meth the night of his death (made by Bobby Keaton), and that it happened pre-series premier, but that's all I've been able to sort out.

Any help would be appreciated, as I slouch my way into the evil, horrific, awful CSI Miami fic I shouldn't be writing. Thanks!

ETA: Thanks to everyone who's responded thusfar (you all really want me to write this, don't you?)

So I, at least, have concluded that Ray couldn't have died before 1998 and still fathered Madison. Which puts his death a max of 4 years before the show started. I think I'm liking the 2001 death estimate, because it makes the wound fresher and plays a bit better with some of the dynamics between Yelina & Horatio. Anyone know where the 2001 came from?

ETA 2: Thanks to loriel_eris, califmole, and my anonymous link-provider. Ray is officially KIA September, 2001. Go Research Junkies!

...just as soon as I finish plotting this massive CSI Miami romance/drama/thing.

I think my attraction to this is (in part) my irritation with all of the badly-written self-destructive fics out there, and a desire to see if it can be done right - without the overdone cliche. I want to write a dark!fic, looking at a functional-self-destructive - someone who believes themselves to be beyond saving but doesn't want to take others down with them as they sink. Part of the interest of the project is, I admit, the challenge of taking Horatio Caine and making such a shift plausible and believable. Even if AU, he still has to essentially remain the same.

This, like the Cam/Vala 'patriotic/civic duty' fic is getting back-burnered (I swear. On, err, something), but will most certainly be written by the end of the year.

Um, help?

I blame lasergirl. She's encouraging me. I'm not even in the frakking fandom*. I swear. I'm not allowed to poke my head into another fandom. Something in my brain would explode. It would be messy. There would be stains on the walls.

I'm just suffering an extreme need for escapism and it happens to be airing frequently on TV.

*I also feel that if you post about something more than 3 times you're obliged to have an icon to go with it. Silly and Geeky, I know, but then that pretty much describe me.