I was born like this, don't even gotta try
Do you suppose this decade will be an improvement over the last? I mean, I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping so, but my doubts over how things can possibly turn around at this point makes me hard to be optimistic. And in turn that makes me sad
I don't do resolutions, but
mordorbot posted "As is my tradition, I pick my resolution by whatever autocomplete finishes this sentence with: This year I will" and I decided to try it, and got "this year I will be stronger braver kinder" - which, I can live with, and hopefully do, that
I'm vaguely impressed with the restraint shown by my idiot neighbors - it was around 11:55 before I heard the first muffled booms, and just a few at a time. Of course, they then didn't know when to stop, and kept blowing crap up well *after* midnight. Do you suppose their watches weren't working? Olivier was lying on the living room floor and the noise didn't seem to bother him terribly - it probably helped that the first bangs were seemingly at a distance. Just before midnight there were more, and closer to my place, but he still didn't seem too perturbed until there was a loud volley just outside, and he got twitchy. But even then he didn't immediately go running for one of his caves (under the end table or the bottom of the linen closet) though he did move closer to my feet. I tried to talk him into getting up by me so I could pet him, but he resisted - he was hyper-reactive to every noise, but didn't seem as freaked out as on the 4th.
After most of the bangs had stopped, I tried to go to bed but couldn't fall asleep - after a long while tossing & turning, I ended up again. Might as well,right? I'll try again in a while,and hopefully doze off without too much trouble then.
A Review (in meme form)
to sum up ...
1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?
visited Mars. no, wait, I did that in 2014. honestly? I cannot think of anything amazingly new - work is the same, family is mostly the same, I didn't go on vacations to anywhere exciting; in most respects, it was a close copy of the previous few years. I mean, I did have Ethiopian food at teacher potlucks, which I don't recall having eaten before, but I don't know if that really counts
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for this year?
I never make resolutions - so I didn't keep last year's and probably won't keep this year's either. although I do want to return to wearing something silly on my head at least once a month - I miss that, and it's pure inertia that's prevented it
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
no one - a few coworkers (lots of younger women at ACME) but no one closer to me
4. Did anyone close to you die?
happily, no
5. What countries did you visit?
Denial (I have frequent flyer miles)
6. What would you like to have in the coming year that you lacked this year?
improved health, and more money
7. What date will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
you know, sadly absolutely nothing comes to mind
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I didn't snap and kill any idiots
9. What was your biggest failure?
my inability to win the lottery (and careless spending) putting me further into debt
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing new, though my health has declined a bit
11. What was the best thing you bought?
a little photo of the Orleans Chapel, I think. it's memories of childhood (grandma knew the itinerant preachers who ran an independent Sunday school there), and a view of a familiar location in the mid-Valley
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
did anyone's?
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
the Cheeto and his gang of minions. also, the bro, wrt his treatment of the parents
14. Where did most of your money go?
daily living expenses, and credit cards (and a little too much frivolous spending on crap for me & others)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
the notice of the dates for BP next spring
16. What song will always remind you of this year?
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
it's about even - I'm not ecstatic, nor feeling especially low. most days/weeks, I'm just moving along
ii. thinner or fatter?
probably a little fatter - I've not been paying enough attention to eating healthily, and it shows
iii. richer or poorer?
poorer, definitely poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
made better choices - financial, leisure, dealings with family & friends
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worked
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas is just past - I spent it with my sister and the folks. as expected the bro didn't surface (or even call); and Steph & Teddy's arrival wasn't until the 27th
21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
that was last night - and I spent it much as most years, at home, watching fireworks on TV while reading, and snacking
22. Did you fall in love?
I did not
23. How many one-night stands?
what's the highest possible negative number?
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Rachel Maddow Show
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
nope - that honour still goes to the Cheeto
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read many actual books (much more fic) but probably Trevor Noah's autobiography, Born a Crime : Stories from a South African Childhood
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Postmodern Jukebox's covers - so many familiar songs, done in such a wide variety of styles
28. What did you want and get?
the love and adoration of multitudes
29. What did you want and not get?
a winning lottery ticket (the fact that I neglected to buy any tickets is beside the point)
30. What was your favorite film that you saw for the first time this year?
I have seen no new releases in the past year - obviously, I fail at watching movies
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I worked. I was feted in style, with flowers from my sister, and thoughty gifts from friends. I was (and am still) 60 years old.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
that winning lottery ticket
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept?
not naked? I wear boring clothes - solid-coloured long-sleeved shirts, plain black trousers, black socks (during sock weather), Birks
34. What kept you sane?
you guys!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Rachel Maddow. smart and attractive and hella amusing. what's not to fancy?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
the ongoing political goat ropes, both in the US and abroad
37. Who did you miss?
many people - my grandmother, Wally and Michael, my uncle Wade. and hammerhead22, who happily *isn't* dead, but who moved across the country and feels far away now
38. Who was the best new person you met?
aside from assorted newer coworkers, I cannot think of anyone new in my life.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned
never start a land war in Asia (though this was more a reminder, than learning it anew)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Wow, the number of donation appeal e-mails I've received in the past couple of weeks is incredible. Solicitations from organizations I've donated to in the past, and some from groups I've never heard of. I didn't donate last year, because until the last minute when I got that check, I just couldn't spare a nickel. Maybe I can make a few (smallish) donations this week, once I figure out finances and how much I can reasonably spare.
Yet another whine about misspelled character names - but this one is aggravated in that the fic was based on a prompt, in which the prompter quite clearly spelled it correctly multiple times.
Since I was going to be home for a few days, I thought I'd order an oil radiator to replace the one that's dying - except delivery wouldn't be until Monday, when I'll be back at work :( That's a bummer. Maybe I can wait a few days, checking daily, and see if I can schedule it for a Saturday delivery.
Isn't this just the most joyous thing evar?
Another batch of Yuletide recs:
Hard Core Logo fic rec:
The Oldest Game by
DesireeArmfeldt
Summary: Billy and Joe played a lot of games together over the years. This was the first one.
it's cool to get background on the Game, but like most HCL stories, it's a punch in the gut
Henry IV Part 1 fic rec:
Sweet Wag by
the_alchemist
Summary: Never annoy a Welsh wizard. Hotspur did, and now whenever he feels angry, he turns into a small, yappy dog. And Hotspur *always* feels angry. All the more so now he belongs to Prince Hal …
Like the Incredible Hulk, only furrier, more irritating and from the 15th century.
an amazing and amusing explanation for Hotspur's change in temperament
In This House of Brede fic rec:
Ars Longa by
Castiron
Summary: In a gallery in Paris, as a young man, Stefan made his first acquaintance with Abbess Hester Proctor Cunningham of Brede, though at the time he did not know her name.
a reunion of sorts - and a look at the importance of art in life. I remember enjoying this book in my teens (though sadly can't recall detail, as it was one of many 'nun books' that I gulped down in a relatively short period - but this wonderful story makes me wish to revisit the novel).
Lord Peter Wimsey fic recs:
weather bird rag by
couldaughter
Summary: “Oh, Bunter,” said Peter reprovingly. “I have never complained about anything of the least consequence.”
a quiet New Year's Day, recovering from the flu
Author Portraits by
nnozomi
Summary: Harriet Vane encounters an unexpected acquaintance and suffers from an attack of 'satiable curiosity.
Harriet meets Bunter in an unexpected place - and there's a mystery (oddly enough)
Good Morrow to Our Waking Soules by
tryfanstone
Summary: When Lord Peter Wimsey is captured in occupied France, Harriet and Bunter are on the case. But there are unexpected complications and revelations to follow....
action!, hurt/comfort, and thoroughly satisfying ending
Matthew Swift Series fic rec:
Time Travelers Anonymous, or the One Where Sharon and Matthew Have Visitors by
harborshore
Summary: As it turns out, sometimes London becomes the vortex of an interdimensional fuck-up and you have some people who drop by accidentally. But at least they're interesting people.
it's surprising who drops by sometimes
Men's Hockey RPF fic rec:
the bleak midwinter (long ago) by
coricomile
Summary: It's a stupid plan. It's a stupid plan and Mike's been regretting it since he bought his plane tickets. But it's the only plan he has, and Mike's going to stick to it.
what a wonderful Christmas moment; I still love these dumbasses, and that period was so brutally hard on them (especially Jeff)
Mercy Thompson Series fic rec:
The Dread Pirate Brooks by
sadlikeknives
Summary: "First night at Pirate Night, you have to pirate," Luke said. "Those are the rules. That I just made up."
"This is like my fifth time at Pirate Night," Kyle pointed out. "Because Pirate Night is also Mercy's Brownies Night."
"Fine, fifth time at Pirate Night, you have to pirate."
I fell over laughing at the discussion of m/m fiction tropes - gay cowboys, werewolves, and mpreg, oh my!
Oxford Time Travel Universe fic rec:
A Cup of Kindness by
drayton
Summary: The first time they met, they were both twenty-two and doing research on World War II.
The second time they met, Ann was in her forties but Colin was only twenty-seven, so he managed to convince her he wasn't the historian she'd known nineteen years earlier.
The third time they met, she wasn't so easily deceived.
Ann asks some questions - and gets some answers - about time travel; and Polly's anecdote about choir rehearsal is hysterically funny
I don't do resolutions, but
mordorbot posted "As is my tradition, I pick my resolution by whatever autocomplete finishes this sentence with: This year I will" and I decided to try it, and got "this year I will be stronger braver kinder" - which, I can live with, and hopefully do, that
I'm vaguely impressed with the restraint shown by my idiot neighbors - it was around 11:55 before I heard the first muffled booms, and just a few at a time. Of course, they then didn't know when to stop, and kept blowing crap up well *after* midnight. Do you suppose their watches weren't working? Olivier was lying on the living room floor and the noise didn't seem to bother him terribly - it probably helped that the first bangs were seemingly at a distance. Just before midnight there were more, and closer to my place, but he still didn't seem too perturbed until there was a loud volley just outside, and he got twitchy. But even then he didn't immediately go running for one of his caves (under the end table or the bottom of the linen closet) though he did move closer to my feet. I tried to talk him into getting up by me so I could pet him, but he resisted - he was hyper-reactive to every noise, but didn't seem as freaked out as on the 4th.
After most of the bangs had stopped, I tried to go to bed but couldn't fall asleep - after a long while tossing & turning, I ended up again. Might as well,right? I'll try again in a while,and hopefully doze off without too much trouble then.
A Review (in meme form)
to sum up ...
1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?
visited Mars. no, wait, I did that in 2014. honestly? I cannot think of anything amazingly new - work is the same, family is mostly the same, I didn't go on vacations to anywhere exciting; in most respects, it was a close copy of the previous few years. I mean, I did have Ethiopian food at teacher potlucks, which I don't recall having eaten before, but I don't know if that really counts
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for this year?
I never make resolutions - so I didn't keep last year's and probably won't keep this year's either. although I do want to return to wearing something silly on my head at least once a month - I miss that, and it's pure inertia that's prevented it
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
no one - a few coworkers (lots of younger women at ACME) but no one closer to me
4. Did anyone close to you die?
happily, no
5. What countries did you visit?
Denial (I have frequent flyer miles)
6. What would you like to have in the coming year that you lacked this year?
improved health, and more money
7. What date will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
you know, sadly absolutely nothing comes to mind
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I didn't snap and kill any idiots
9. What was your biggest failure?
my inability to win the lottery (and careless spending) putting me further into debt
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing new, though my health has declined a bit
11. What was the best thing you bought?
a little photo of the Orleans Chapel, I think. it's memories of childhood (grandma knew the itinerant preachers who ran an independent Sunday school there), and a view of a familiar location in the mid-Valley
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
did anyone's?
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
the Cheeto and his gang of minions. also, the bro, wrt his treatment of the parents
14. Where did most of your money go?
daily living expenses, and credit cards (and a little too much frivolous spending on crap for me & others)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
the notice of the dates for BP next spring
16. What song will always remind you of this year?
Click to view17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
it's about even - I'm not ecstatic, nor feeling especially low. most days/weeks, I'm just moving along
ii. thinner or fatter?
probably a little fatter - I've not been paying enough attention to eating healthily, and it shows
iii. richer or poorer?
poorer, definitely poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
made better choices - financial, leisure, dealings with family & friends
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worked
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas is just past - I spent it with my sister and the folks. as expected the bro didn't surface (or even call); and Steph & Teddy's arrival wasn't until the 27th
21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
that was last night - and I spent it much as most years, at home, watching fireworks on TV while reading, and snacking
22. Did you fall in love?
I did not
23. How many one-night stands?
what's the highest possible negative number?
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Rachel Maddow Show
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
nope - that honour still goes to the Cheeto
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read many actual books (much more fic) but probably Trevor Noah's autobiography, Born a Crime : Stories from a South African Childhood
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Postmodern Jukebox's covers - so many familiar songs, done in such a wide variety of styles
28. What did you want and get?
the love and adoration of multitudes
29. What did you want and not get?
a winning lottery ticket (the fact that I neglected to buy any tickets is beside the point)
30. What was your favorite film that you saw for the first time this year?
I have seen no new releases in the past year - obviously, I fail at watching movies
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I worked. I was feted in style, with flowers from my sister, and thoughty gifts from friends. I was (and am still) 60 years old.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
that winning lottery ticket
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept?
not naked? I wear boring clothes - solid-coloured long-sleeved shirts, plain black trousers, black socks (during sock weather), Birks
34. What kept you sane?
you guys!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Rachel Maddow. smart and attractive and hella amusing. what's not to fancy?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
the ongoing political goat ropes, both in the US and abroad
37. Who did you miss?
many people - my grandmother, Wally and Michael, my uncle Wade. and hammerhead22, who happily *isn't* dead, but who moved across the country and feels far away now
38. Who was the best new person you met?
aside from assorted newer coworkers, I cannot think of anyone new in my life.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned
never start a land war in Asia (though this was more a reminder, than learning it anew)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Wow, the number of donation appeal e-mails I've received in the past couple of weeks is incredible. Solicitations from organizations I've donated to in the past, and some from groups I've never heard of. I didn't donate last year, because until the last minute when I got that check, I just couldn't spare a nickel. Maybe I can make a few (smallish) donations this week, once I figure out finances and how much I can reasonably spare.
Yet another whine about misspelled character names - but this one is aggravated in that the fic was based on a prompt, in which the prompter quite clearly spelled it correctly multiple times.
Since I was going to be home for a few days, I thought I'd order an oil radiator to replace the one that's dying - except delivery wouldn't be until Monday, when I'll be back at work :( That's a bummer. Maybe I can wait a few days, checking daily, and see if I can schedule it for a Saturday delivery.
Isn't this just the most joyous thing evar?
Another batch of Yuletide recs:
Hard Core Logo fic rec:
The Oldest Game by
DesireeArmfeldt
Summary: Billy and Joe played a lot of games together over the years. This was the first one.
it's cool to get background on the Game, but like most HCL stories, it's a punch in the gut
Henry IV Part 1 fic rec:
Sweet Wag by
the_alchemist
Summary: Never annoy a Welsh wizard. Hotspur did, and now whenever he feels angry, he turns into a small, yappy dog. And Hotspur *always* feels angry. All the more so now he belongs to Prince Hal …
Like the Incredible Hulk, only furrier, more irritating and from the 15th century.
an amazing and amusing explanation for Hotspur's change in temperament
In This House of Brede fic rec:
Ars Longa by
Castiron
Summary: In a gallery in Paris, as a young man, Stefan made his first acquaintance with Abbess Hester Proctor Cunningham of Brede, though at the time he did not know her name.
a reunion of sorts - and a look at the importance of art in life. I remember enjoying this book in my teens (though sadly can't recall detail, as it was one of many 'nun books' that I gulped down in a relatively short period - but this wonderful story makes me wish to revisit the novel).
Lord Peter Wimsey fic recs:
weather bird rag by
couldaughter
Summary: “Oh, Bunter,” said Peter reprovingly. “I have never complained about anything of the least consequence.”
a quiet New Year's Day, recovering from the flu
Author Portraits by
nnozomi
Summary: Harriet Vane encounters an unexpected acquaintance and suffers from an attack of 'satiable curiosity.
Harriet meets Bunter in an unexpected place - and there's a mystery (oddly enough)
Good Morrow to Our Waking Soules by
tryfanstone
Summary: When Lord Peter Wimsey is captured in occupied France, Harriet and Bunter are on the case. But there are unexpected complications and revelations to follow....
action!, hurt/comfort, and thoroughly satisfying ending
Matthew Swift Series fic rec:
Time Travelers Anonymous, or the One Where Sharon and Matthew Have Visitors by
harborshore
Summary: As it turns out, sometimes London becomes the vortex of an interdimensional fuck-up and you have some people who drop by accidentally. But at least they're interesting people.
it's surprising who drops by sometimes
Men's Hockey RPF fic rec:
the bleak midwinter (long ago) by
coricomile
Summary: It's a stupid plan. It's a stupid plan and Mike's been regretting it since he bought his plane tickets. But it's the only plan he has, and Mike's going to stick to it.
what a wonderful Christmas moment; I still love these dumbasses, and that period was so brutally hard on them (especially Jeff)
Mercy Thompson Series fic rec:
The Dread Pirate Brooks by
sadlikeknives
Summary: "First night at Pirate Night, you have to pirate," Luke said. "Those are the rules. That I just made up."
"This is like my fifth time at Pirate Night," Kyle pointed out. "Because Pirate Night is also Mercy's Brownies Night."
"Fine, fifth time at Pirate Night, you have to pirate."
I fell over laughing at the discussion of m/m fiction tropes - gay cowboys, werewolves, and mpreg, oh my!
Oxford Time Travel Universe fic rec:
A Cup of Kindness by
drayton
Summary: The first time they met, they were both twenty-two and doing research on World War II.
The second time they met, Ann was in her forties but Colin was only twenty-seven, so he managed to convince her he wasn't the historian she'd known nineteen years earlier.
The third time they met, she wasn't so easily deceived.
Ann asks some questions - and gets some answers - about time travel; and Polly's anecdote about choir rehearsal is hysterically funny