Time for wordiness.
Dec. 27th, 2021 06:28 pmDigress like a 19th-Century Novelist: a Fest for the detail-oriented -- I'm going on a tangent. Come with me!
An extra bonus
Dec. 23rd, 2021 05:04 pmI signed up for Yuletide, and wrote my gift-fic (which I'll tell you all about in January). And because the plot-bunnies WOULD NOT SHUT UP, I wrote a treat and two pinch-hits (I have a second treat simmering but it's not behaving so it might end up being a New Year's treat instead).
I saw the gift to me hitting the Gift list back in October.
Today I noticed I have another Yuletide gift there.
Someone has decided to treat me, and I couldn't be happier! In these ghastly times of plague, someone decided they'd take the extra effort and make me something special that they hadn't even signed up for.
So whoever you are, yay. Love your work. No matter what it is.
I saw the gift to me hitting the Gift list back in October.
Today I noticed I have another Yuletide gift there.
Someone has decided to treat me, and I couldn't be happier! In these ghastly times of plague, someone decided they'd take the extra effort and make me something special that they hadn't even signed up for.
So whoever you are, yay. Love your work. No matter what it is.
The biggest earthquake I've ever felt
Sep. 26th, 2021 08:17 am(I wrote this on Facebook, but my main computer is still in being fixed and I could only post properly today).
That was a RIDE!! OK, the Geology nerd in me wouldn't calm down for ages.
First and most importantly, all fine here. No damage to us as far as I can tell. Lost power for about 40 mins, internet took another 10 but that's all.
So ...
First a low rumbling. Like a truck, but lower. Making a slow, unfamiliar vibration. Waaaaayyyyy lower. Which I suddenly recognised for what it was. Earthquake P waves, going on long enough and deep enough to signal something big.
*Then* the shaking started.
I remember the Newcastle '89 earthquake. That was like a huge truck passing but taking half a minute to do it. This was deeper, wider, longer. The whole thing was a bit over a minute. The deep rumble was about 10-15 seconds, then the real shaking went from "oh here come the S waves" to "oh hell - we probably should take shelter". That was when it went from "bed shaking like someone's pushing it" (S waves) to "Is that our rafters creaking? Oh fuck ..." (Surface waves)
As I'm writing this, I'm hearing a distant rumbing, and I had to stop for a moment to be sure that it was just a late-flying plane. I think. I'm not sure any more. (Just checked. Plane.)
The house just got to the "creaking" stage when it all died off. We stood, unsure, then dressed and checked around. No power, and not game to use gas until we knew it was safe. Also just waiting in case there was a second, larger one - sometimes there is. But no. That was the main one. I didn't feel the main aftershock.
We were lucky. I have to apologise to the guy that built the house - it's sturdier than I though. As far as I know, Melbourne damage is some walls down and concrete cracks. Similar out in Mansfield where the epicentre was.
I'm still squeeing.
That was a RIDE!! OK, the Geology nerd in me wouldn't calm down for ages.
First and most importantly, all fine here. No damage to us as far as I can tell. Lost power for about 40 mins, internet took another 10 but that's all.
So ...
First a low rumbling. Like a truck, but lower. Making a slow, unfamiliar vibration. Waaaaayyyyy lower. Which I suddenly recognised for what it was. Earthquake P waves, going on long enough and deep enough to signal something big.
*Then* the shaking started.
I remember the Newcastle '89 earthquake. That was like a huge truck passing but taking half a minute to do it. This was deeper, wider, longer. The whole thing was a bit over a minute. The deep rumble was about 10-15 seconds, then the real shaking went from "oh here come the S waves" to "oh hell - we probably should take shelter". That was when it went from "bed shaking like someone's pushing it" (S waves) to "Is that our rafters creaking? Oh fuck ..." (Surface waves)
As I'm writing this, I'm hearing a distant rumbing, and I had to stop for a moment to be sure that it was just a late-flying plane. I think. I'm not sure any more. (Just checked. Plane.)
The house just got to the "creaking" stage when it all died off. We stood, unsure, then dressed and checked around. No power, and not game to use gas until we knew it was safe. Also just waiting in case there was a second, larger one - sometimes there is. But no. That was the main one. I didn't feel the main aftershock.
We were lucky. I have to apologise to the guy that built the house - it's sturdier than I though. As far as I know, Melbourne damage is some walls down and concrete cracks. Similar out in Mansfield where the epicentre was.
I'm still squeeing.
Long version: definitely overdid things on Thursday (and my only regret is not being able to eat my nommy Brunettis loot), went to bed early feeling cold and shaky. Woke at Midnight feeling hot with tummy pains. Got back to sleep, next morning the pain was terrible.
His Nibs rang the doctors, who thought it might be constipation plus a late AZ 2nd shot reaction. (5 days after) but that I should go to Emergency to get checked, have blood drawn, etc. The docs send me for a CT scan (because the one Bilqis did where she purred and snuggled me doesn't count because she never did the paperwork) and an X-ray, and next thing there's a surgeon in the room and I'm trying not to panic.
But it's not as bad as it could be. Diverticulitis. Bed rest, antibiotics, painkillers. I'm in Royal Melbourne (no visitors thanks to COVID lockdown), very glad to be here after last night when the pain was *shocking*. I've been having tummy issues for ages, and while I had a colonoscopy booked at a local clinic, I cancelled it after they were so incompetant that I didn't want them touching my butt! But it's good to know I was *not* overreacting and that I am genuinely a sick bunny.
Hospital staff have been lovely, never minimised my experience, offered plenty of painkiller. Gotta say, though, hospital food is living up to its reputation.
(Posted on LJ on Saturday)
His Nibs rang the doctors, who thought it might be constipation plus a late AZ 2nd shot reaction. (5 days after) but that I should go to Emergency to get checked, have blood drawn, etc. The docs send me for a CT scan (because the one Bilqis did where she purred and snuggled me doesn't count because she never did the paperwork) and an X-ray, and next thing there's a surgeon in the room and I'm trying not to panic.
But it's not as bad as it could be. Diverticulitis. Bed rest, antibiotics, painkillers. I'm in Royal Melbourne (no visitors thanks to COVID lockdown), very glad to be here after last night when the pain was *shocking*. I've been having tummy issues for ages, and while I had a colonoscopy booked at a local clinic, I cancelled it after they were so incompetant that I didn't want them touching my butt! But it's good to know I was *not* overreacting and that I am genuinely a sick bunny.
Hospital staff have been lovely, never minimised my experience, offered plenty of painkiller. Gotta say, though, hospital food is living up to its reputation.
(Posted on LJ on Saturday)
I've been poked.
Apr. 15th, 2021 02:54 amAnd apart from a great feeling of relief, not much in the way of side effects yet.
If you want to see the glorious act, look here.
Certain friends will be happy to hear I got my doctor to put on a My Little Pony bandaid afterwards. Such things can only increase the efficacy :-)
(Astra-Zeneca, if you're curious. I know about the side effects, but the statistics say I'm much better getting this now than waiting months for one of the others. And because the only reason we're getting so many reports of reactions now is the number of vaccinations. If it were the MMR, there would be one or two cases of extreme side effects per year).
If you want to see the glorious act, look here.
Certain friends will be happy to hear I got my doctor to put on a My Little Pony bandaid afterwards. Such things can only increase the efficacy :-)
(Astra-Zeneca, if you're curious. I know about the side effects, but the statistics say I'm much better getting this now than waiting months for one of the others. And because the only reason we're getting so many reports of reactions now is the number of vaccinations. If it were the MMR, there would be one or two cases of extreme side effects per year).
Ask me about books I've read
Mar. 19th, 2021 01:33 pmSnurched from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tree_and_leaf:
Pick a number to get an answer from me. Or give your own answer to someone else's question. Or just borrow the meme and see what comes up.
1. A book that haunts you
2. A book that was an interesting failure
3. A book where you really wanted to be reading the "shadow" version of the book (as in, there are traces of a different book in the work and you would have much preferred to read that one)
4. A book with a worldbuilding detail that has stuck with you
5. A book where you loved the premise but the execution left you cold
6. A book where you were dubious about the premise but loved the work
7. The most imaginative book you've seen lately
8. A book that feels like it was written just for you
9. A book that reminds you of someone
10. A book that belongs to a specific time in your mind, caught in amber
11. A book that came to you at exactly the right time
12. A book that came to you at the wrong time
13. A book with a premise you'd never seen before quite like that
14. A book balanced on a knife edge
15. A snuffed candle of a book
16. The one you'd take with you while you were being ferried on dark underground rivers
17. The one that taught you something about yourself
18. A book that went after its premise like an explosion
19. A book that started a pilgrimage
20. A frigid ice bath of a book
21. A book written into your psyche
22. A warm blanket of a book
23. A book that made you bleed
24. A book that asked a question you've never had an answer to
25. A book that answered a question you never asked
26. A book you recommend but cannot love
27. A book you love but cannot recommend
28. A book you adore that people are surprised by
29. A book that led you home
30. A book you detest that people are surprised by
tree_and_leaf:Pick a number to get an answer from me. Or give your own answer to someone else's question. Or just borrow the meme and see what comes up.
1. A book that haunts you
2. A book that was an interesting failure
3. A book where you really wanted to be reading the "shadow" version of the book (as in, there are traces of a different book in the work and you would have much preferred to read that one)
4. A book with a worldbuilding detail that has stuck with you
5. A book where you loved the premise but the execution left you cold
6. A book where you were dubious about the premise but loved the work
7. The most imaginative book you've seen lately
8. A book that feels like it was written just for you
9. A book that reminds you of someone
10. A book that belongs to a specific time in your mind, caught in amber
11. A book that came to you at exactly the right time
12. A book that came to you at the wrong time
13. A book with a premise you'd never seen before quite like that
14. A book balanced on a knife edge
15. A snuffed candle of a book
16. The one you'd take with you while you were being ferried on dark underground rivers
17. The one that taught you something about yourself
18. A book that went after its premise like an explosion
19. A book that started a pilgrimage
20. A frigid ice bath of a book
21. A book written into your psyche
22. A warm blanket of a book
23. A book that made you bleed
24. A book that asked a question you've never had an answer to
25. A book that answered a question you never asked
26. A book you recommend but cannot love
27. A book you love but cannot recommend
28. A book you adore that people are surprised by
29. A book that led you home
30. A book you detest that people are surprised by
I've been writing quite a bit. The writing part refers specifically to my works on Archive of Our Own, including some Extreme smut on a side account that I do not admit to :-) Obviously my Fanfiction.net account's numbers would be quite different.
One of these days I must move the rest of the FF.Net ones over.
However, Meme, Snurched frommywitch ( and hidden behind this cut for your sanity: )
One of these days I must move the rest of the FF.Net ones over.
However, Meme, Snurched from
mywitch ( and hidden behind this cut for your sanity: )Me me me me Meme!
Jan. 20th, 2021 09:49 pmSnurched from waitingman who got it from Angledge ... or Agnes? who ganked this from krait, who reportedly ganked it from scribblemoose, spiced_wine, heartofoshun and others.
I'm asking those who love the outdoors to post a picture on your page. A picture that YOU took. Just a pic. No description. The goal is to regain peace and harmony without negativity. Please copy the text, put a picture on YOUR page, and let's look at these beautiful pictures.
So...
waitingman who got it from Angledge ... or Agnes? who ganked this from krait, who reportedly ganked it from scribblemoose, spiced_wine, heartofoshun and others.I'm asking those who love the outdoors to post a picture on your page. A picture that YOU took. Just a pic. No description. The goal is to regain peace and harmony without negativity. Please copy the text, put a picture on YOUR page, and let's look at these beautiful pictures.
So...
Silly meme time again
Dec. 28th, 2020 01:29 pmSnurched from thewayne.
List five celebrities, for various value of celebrity, whom you've been in close proximity to, and one ringer.
Timothy Dalton
Chuck Jones
Gough Whitlam
Jason Isaacs
Sam Neill
Vanessa Redgrave
Answers on Monday next week.
thewayne.List five celebrities, for various value of celebrity, whom you've been in close proximity to, and one ringer.
Timothy Dalton
Chuck Jones
Gough Whitlam
Jason Isaacs
Sam Neill
Vanessa Redgrave
Answers on Monday next week.
( Are you writing for me for Yuletide? You know you're amazing, don't you? ) Just so you know, Yuletide writers are amazing.
Alt.Devilbunnies Frithmas Exchange
Oct. 23rd, 2020 03:11 pmHello my lovelies!
It's Frithmas Time (Early), thanks to the World Wide Plague. So if you'd like to join the Frithmas list, the details are here.
Please note the Very Early Deadlines, thanks to Extended Delivery Times:
Sign Up by November 10th.
List emailed out by November 12th.
If you can, cards out by November 20th. If you can't make that, just get them out when you can - anything received by the end of January will count.
*Fangy Grin*
EDIT: My regular hosting site is having issues, so I've changed the location for the info page.
It's Frithmas Time (Early), thanks to the World Wide Plague. So if you'd like to join the Frithmas list, the details are here.
Please note the Very Early Deadlines, thanks to Extended Delivery Times:
Sign Up by November 10th.
List emailed out by November 12th.
If you can, cards out by November 20th. If you can't make that, just get them out when you can - anything received by the end of January will count.
*Fangy Grin*
EDIT: My regular hosting site is having issues, so I've changed the location for the info page.
I warned you...
Aug. 29th, 2020 11:18 pm... that I had been unfaithful. I've finally finished my Star Wars Sequel Characters in a Modern Day Mafia setting piece. It's here.
And my prediction that it might go to 25 000 words?
Double that.
I am very pleased with it.
TW: Smut light, snakes, some violence, some bad crossover jokes and at least one bad maths joke.
And my prediction that it might go to 25 000 words?
Double that.
I am very pleased with it.
TW: Smut light, snakes, some violence, some bad crossover jokes and at least one bad maths joke.
When the Plot Bunnies Bite.
Aug. 27th, 2020 02:09 pmMy dad was a journalist, and has the habit of everything becoming a long story. So perhaps that's where I get it from. But for the last few years, I've given myself permission to feed the plot bunnies, because I'm getting some amazing stories out of them. Yes, a lot of them are fanfic, but that's because it's sometimes good to have a structure to build from.
( Here's an example that came to me today - started with one simple idea and exploded. )
You see what happens? I had one little thought: "Who were Mr Gillet's family, and did they know he died?" The bunnies are strong with this one.
( Here's an example that came to me today - started with one simple idea and exploded. )
You see what happens? I had one little thought: "Who were Mr Gillet's family, and did they know he died?" The bunnies are strong with this one.
Hey people? I arted!
Aug. 11th, 2020 05:40 pmAnd ficced, but it's poetry, so it's a lot shorter. Inspired by the old Rupert Bear comics, first written by my great-great-great-great aunt Mary Tourtel.
Books from thesshg_promptfest.
Books from the
sshg_promptfest.
Being Terribly Unfaithful.
Jul. 17th, 2020 08:50 pmAnd what I have been researching.
So I made the foolish mistake of looking at the Reylo1 Fanfiction on various sites. There's a twitter account called Reylo Prompts which is exactly what it says - pictures or moodboards or snippets of poetry or just ideas that could be the basis of a story.
What it also is, and what it does not admit to, is being a hive, a warren, a TOTAL BLOODY INFESTATION OF PLOT BUNNIES!
Ahem.
I got bitten by the idea that Rey is the spoiled granddaughter of Mafia Don Palpatine, and Kylo Ren is a trusted Capo tasked with looking after her when there's a contract out on her. I was going for 10K. I think it'll hit around 25K.
So the things I have googled so far that amuse me greatly? And also enquired of patient friends such asmoxie_man?
And all this just for Star Wars Fanfic.
1. Reylo = Rey/Kylo Ren (Ben Solo). Yes I've got a thing for dark broody antihero types. So bite me.
2. Apologies for the epithet. It's what the Don has been calling Kylo, making assumptions about him.
So I made the foolish mistake of looking at the Reylo1 Fanfiction on various sites. There's a twitter account called Reylo Prompts which is exactly what it says - pictures or moodboards or snippets of poetry or just ideas that could be the basis of a story.
What it also is, and what it does not admit to, is being a hive, a warren, a TOTAL BLOODY INFESTATION OF PLOT BUNNIES!
Ahem.
I got bitten by the idea that Rey is the spoiled granddaughter of Mafia Don Palpatine, and Kylo Ren is a trusted Capo tasked with looking after her when there's a contract out on her. I was going for 10K. I think it'll hit around 25K.
So the things I have googled so far that amuse me greatly? And also enquired of patient friends such as
moxie_man?- Whether there's a slang expression for French Canadian Lumberjacks around the North-Eastern states.
- Have the eastern US Catholic Churches stopped using stoups?
- Is there a Star Wars Stratego game? There is! Several, in fact.
- Italian for Judas, Death Star, faggot2 and how to refer to your period
- Timber rattlesnakes, their habits during winter, their general colouring, and how fast the bite will kill you.
- Is hunting legal in National Parks? No, except for a couple of places in Alaska
- Low-impact septic systems and how long between maintenance
- Symptoms of COVID-19 in the elderly, and how fast they can go from healthy to intubation.
- The plotline to the Bodyguard movie.
- Expensive good-quality Italian wines
- Innumerable Star Wars minor characters, locations and references. I have seen the last 3 movies once each only, so it's a good thing this is a full-on AU.
And all this just for Star Wars Fanfic.
1. Reylo = Rey/Kylo Ren (Ben Solo). Yes I've got a thing for dark broody antihero types. So bite me.
2. Apologies for the epithet. It's what the Don has been calling Kylo, making assumptions about him.
