Recent Life
Sep. 8th, 2025 11:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aseI intended to read the Hugo novella nominees, even after I realized I'd missed the voting deadline, but the "read novellas" brain was sidetracked by other stuff until after Worldcon had come and gone. So that didn't happen.
Instead, I reread Murderbot, as one does, and ran through a Victoria Goddard reread of her Greenwing and Dart novels, and also picked up a couple of the related 2024 shorter stories I hadn't gotten to. I think Goddard's revised her intentions about the series a lot since the first novel, or she's learned some things about writing, or both. I also wonder if it's a characteristic of Goddard's writing, or of cozy fantasies, to recap events a lot; it makes for a repetitive experience when rereading, especially if doing a marathon reread.
I also picked up an insufferably cute, extremely entry level cross-stitch kit in August, completed it before the labor day weekend, and now I'm making good on three year old threats to Get Into Cross Stitch. I spent late last week and the weekend splitting my attention between organizing a generous embroidery floss gift / hand me down, and actually doing the project of the week(s), a bookmark kit. Some of the gifted threads have wraps that look like a pre-2000 style, so I've inherited not just E.'s foray into needlework, but possibly E.'s mother's or grandmother's. Or a successful goodwill trip; the mysteries are many.
The Goddard marathon and adventures in fiber arts ate the vacation time I had put in for last week, but at least thread organization was compatible with rewatching chunks of The Expanse. "Oh, I'll put on something for background," I said. "I can stitch and watch." Ha, not quickly or consistently, not without getting much better at cross stitch. But I can watch a screen while sorting and cataloging thread - success!
I also pushed the first episode of B5 on a friend who also enjoys The Expanse, and she liked "Midnight on the Firing Line" enough go on to "Soul Mates". (I offered a highlights watch, she said she wanted the full experience. Will report back if/when she makes it through "Infection".) I cannot imagine why I thought someone who liked a 21st century SF/F epic with lots of geopolitical tensions and protomolecule shenangians flipping over the table would enjoy Babylon 5, a late 20th century SF/F with lots of geopolitical tensions and the Shadows actively wedging a hydraulic jack under a table leg. Yes, that's sarcasm, I am quite happy I have talked another person into watching B5.
Instead, I reread Murderbot, as one does, and ran through a Victoria Goddard reread of her Greenwing and Dart novels, and also picked up a couple of the related 2024 shorter stories I hadn't gotten to. I think Goddard's revised her intentions about the series a lot since the first novel, or she's learned some things about writing, or both. I also wonder if it's a characteristic of Goddard's writing, or of cozy fantasies, to recap events a lot; it makes for a repetitive experience when rereading, especially if doing a marathon reread.
I also picked up an insufferably cute, extremely entry level cross-stitch kit in August, completed it before the labor day weekend, and now I'm making good on three year old threats to Get Into Cross Stitch. I spent late last week and the weekend splitting my attention between organizing a generous embroidery floss gift / hand me down, and actually doing the project of the week(s), a bookmark kit. Some of the gifted threads have wraps that look like a pre-2000 style, so I've inherited not just E.'s foray into needlework, but possibly E.'s mother's or grandmother's. Or a successful goodwill trip; the mysteries are many.
The Goddard marathon and adventures in fiber arts ate the vacation time I had put in for last week, but at least thread organization was compatible with rewatching chunks of The Expanse. "Oh, I'll put on something for background," I said. "I can stitch and watch." Ha, not quickly or consistently, not without getting much better at cross stitch. But I can watch a screen while sorting and cataloging thread - success!
I also pushed the first episode of B5 on a friend who also enjoys The Expanse, and she liked "Midnight on the Firing Line" enough go on to "Soul Mates". (I offered a highlights watch, she said she wanted the full experience. Will report back if/when she makes it through "Infection".) I cannot imagine why I thought someone who liked a 21st century SF/F epic with lots of geopolitical tensions and protomolecule shenangians flipping over the table would enjoy Babylon 5, a late 20th century SF/F with lots of geopolitical tensions and the Shadows actively wedging a hydraulic jack under a table leg. Yes, that's sarcasm, I am quite happy I have talked another person into watching B5.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-09 07:57 pm (UTC)Also excellent to converting another person to B5! :D Next you should try her on Fullmetal Alchemist, uh, not that that's the latest thing I've been marathoning with the kids. (We watch an episode every day and are about half through. Both kids are hooked, heh heh. A. is even reading the manga in parallel! I miiiiight have him skip the Ishval volume (the anime really pulls its punches) but it's much more manageable after having had it broken up by the anime.)
I know, I know, I need to get on the Expanse... Do you think it might help if I started on, say, S2? I had a hard time getting into S1.
(no subject)
Date: 2025-09-11 04:56 am (UTC)The library will take your hold requests, and any number of bookstores will take your money, yes. :-)
FMA is an excellent choice! I'm in favor of letting people find their own boundaries, but maybe give A. a heads-up on the Ishval volume. (I should probably reread it before saying that.) (Oh no, not rereading FMA! Save me!)
I know, I know, I need to get on the Expanse... Do you think it might help if I started on, say, S2? I had a hard time getting into S1.
Depends on what was the block on S1. If it was the horror vibes of the cold open (deserted spaceship, screaming woman finds the bodies) (sort of), maybe that's fixable. If it's not connecting with any of the characters, S2 might help with that. If it's the need to look at the sometimes absurdly under-lit screen to figure out what's going on, vs "TV as radio play with occasional moving pictures"... S2 does not help with the information density. It's okay if it's not for you! I also owe you several operas, I'm sure. :-)