Holdouttrout

I have many things to do today, including mailing a package I tried to mail last weekend, picking up a library book, cleaning my bathroom, vacuuming, hanging out with terminally online people (done, will do more later), possibly writing, remembering to start my dishwasher (two down!), maybe some laundry, maybe some other odds and ends... busy day!

I also just started watching Gentleman Jack and it is delightful and supremely full of Looks and Hands and Walking... IDK if I didn't have just so much to do today, I'd probably watch the whole thing in one go.

It's so nice when a new fandom starts up and I get to feel that little *zing* of "Oh hey! New fandom! People are nice! Actors are pretty!" It's even nicer when someone gives you a link to a discord server that's tiny and friendly--my favorite discords have the fewest people on them.

Anyway, I'm fully on the Moiraine/Siuan train, so you know... not saying there will be fic, but this one seems fic-able, and I hope it does happen!

(I am also going to have to at least attempt to read at least 1-2 of those damn books, which I was pretty sure I did Not Want to Do, but there's just so much world to reference...)

I will say that people need to start giving shows more episodes in a season. I'm not just saying that because I want more now, but because it's really clear the pacing is just not good when you do a full season's story, with an ensemble cast, in eight episodes. I think 12 would have been better.

I am also happy because a good friend is reading through Harrow the Ninth and WTF-ing about it at me and I love hearing her wild guesses (sometimes eerily accurate and sometimes just ludicrous) about what's going on. The more I read this book, the more I think it's... well, it's... definitely a book that rewards a second reading, which is cool in a way but also a flaw when reading it the first time through.

In the spirit of trying to get more into this whole "maintaining a blog" with "actual content" thing... have some random notes about my life? Is this what we do? I'm so out of practice!

1. I just got a Verilux light thing and I read the instructions... and yet I still don't know that I know what to do with it. I just... let it cast light upon my visage? And that's supposed to do... something? Has this been peer-reviewed? My therapist suggested it, and one friend has assured me that yes, light upon thine visage Does Something and should be attempted.

2. I acquired plants during the pandemic (like just about everyone else), and I have a camellia with leaves that keep turning brown. I finally got around to looking up why that might be, and it's either fungi or pests, so... I need to get rid of the affected leaves and if that doesn't work, then use oil on them. If any of you have more suggestions on that, let me know.

3. I watched Encanto and really liked it. It made me cry a bit, but in a good, cathartic way, so yay!

4. I'm just about to sit down and watch Matric: Resurrections. I might try to do an ETA or comment or something on thoughts after I finish.(ETA: There is in fact a tiny comment, feel free to comment on that thread.)

Gosh, it's been a while since I've done one of these. Let's see if I remember how to do all these little tags...

( Read all about 2020 here )

( 2021 not-resolutions )

Accomplishments for a day are really strange during COVID. I skipped going for a walk, but I emptied my dishwasher, so... yay?

I also made Jello - do you know that one package of Jello makes a LOT of Jello? Because I do. I should have gotten out another container, but instead just tried to use the one I had... which was JUST big enough... until I tipped it slightly moving it into the fridge. Oops. My fridge is cleaner now than it was, though.

Saturday DND is tonight--right now, actually--and I am playing an aquatic elf. We all had to pick mounts for our overland journey, and everyone got horses... except one of our party members is Very Big, so he was given a rothe. His player didn't want the rothe, and it looked like it would be a big argument with the owner of the stable, so I decided my character would take it. So basically I'm riding this HUGE animal, choosing to play it up as the most comfortable ride, lounging like a queen, etc etc. It's great.

In book news I am just finishing up listening to the audiobook of Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo. I like it quite a bit, although it wasn't exactly what I was expecting when I picked it up--I was thinking it would be less modern for some reason. I DID call a bunch of the evil shenanigans ahead of time, but in a fun "oh, you don't know shit" way to the main character.

I keep thinking that I should post but also that I don't have anything super interesting to post about, and certainly note anything interesting enough to post about for the first time in a looooong time. Which I'm aware is unhelpful--honestly, short of getting married (unlikely) or having a kid (currently very unlikely), nothing would seem "interesting enough."

Let's see...

I'm mostly working from home, with some time in the office every day--mostly by myself or with a couple of other very distant folks in their own individual offices. At home I've got a little corner of my living room set up as an office, which seems silly since I have a whole spare room... but the corner I have also has an AC unit next to it. I don't use it terribly often, but then again, that side of the house doesn't get the afternoon sun and the spare room would.

Speaking of the spare room, I currently have no roommate or plans to have a new roommate. It's nice to be by myself right now and not have to worry about another person's exposure. It's also nice to just be able to do what I want without worrying about whether another person is in the way.

I also got to go to a family member's beach house for a couple of weekends in August, which was lovely and restful and has led me to realize that my family is both wonderful and totally screwed up (what else is new?).

I've been reading a TON. So many books. AND I've been good about recording them on Goodreads, so if you're on there, let me know and I'll add you.

So... is that about it? That's about it.

Also when I finally plugged the dryer in it turned on... AND turned off when I opened the door, meaning the new door switch I installed works and is 100% for sure installed correctly. Yay! (installing that was how I realized I needed to install a new dryer vent.

Fear my home appliance skills! 

 1. Counting is optional past five.

2. They tell you where they will be hiding.

3. They ask you where they should hide next.

4. You can totally half-ass your hiding spot and it’s still better than theirs.

5. When you ask them where they are they will tell you.

6. They will unexpectedly put your exasperated advice into practice and not giggle when you are within five feet of them.

7. They are so small that even when you know you are within five feet of them you might not be able to see them.

8. When you do find them they will have literally stuck a pillow over themselves for camouflage… and it will have worked.

 1. I caught the Sore Throat of Doom (I blame Mom).

2. One if my friends had her gallbladder out.

3. My dad caught the Sore Throat of Doom (I blame Mom).

4. Another friend had a car accident (mostly okay, but STILL).

5. @ussjellyfish accidentally deleted her blog.

 #I spent less than $35 #and only did laundry at my parents' house once #And once at my friends' house but that was a soggy emergency #I can now take apart my washing machine and put it back together in less than five minutes #And I have a serious appreciation for how those things are built #So cool