blythely

we went to a gig!

2024-05-06T07:03:48Z

Saw Orbital last week. Yes, that's right, it is still the 90s in our house, and trippy light shows and sampled beats are a preferred method of musical entertainment.

Differences from the Actual 90s:

* Not in a tent
* Sitting down
* Surrounded by white baldybeardy Dads With Teens (TM)
* Substances of choice were low-alcohol IPA and local cider
* Ready income to buy merch and knowledge that touring bands need merch sales

Sames from the Actual 90s:

* Slapped

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Field Trip

2024-04-26T15:31:19Z

(Egads, I wrote a poem for work the other day. Context at the end)

Field Trip

Fifteen. New sunglasses
lost overboard by mid-morning,
sunburn by lunch.
Bloodied by the volcano:
left hand palm sting
sharp
rocky
explosive
unforgiving
the path you fall on.
Teachers dismiss injury and geology.
Some of the perpetrators
you put in your pocket.
Rough pets. Guilty
of losing sunglasses
but finding friends.

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textile nuggets

2024-04-09T13:07:50Z

An act of parliament, from 1686, mandating that no-one could be buried wrapped in any other kind of cloth apart from Scots linen. I was listening to a podcast (Cloth Cultures) and thinking about my ancestral matriline (distaff, if you will, a lovely term bringing together two of my interests!), went down a little rabbit hole about the linen industries in Scotland, and found this.

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Home improvement part two

2024-04-03T08:10:51Z

Laundry nook: painted!

Satisfaction: achieved!

Farrow and Ball paint: can ... go off??!?

The bog standard decorators white paint bought nearly four years ago - totally fine. The super spendy F&B black bought a year ago had turned into a sludgy stinky mess. Thank goodness we had a tester pot still and managed to salvage a bit of the larger tin.

Did an extreme edit of cleaning products and supplies at the same time, which was useful. Over the last couple of years I've tried to move to refillable and eco products wherever possible. While vinegar and soda might do a lot, they don't do everything and anyone who can clean their whole house with those products has more time and better elbow grease than me. A number of the refillable/deliverable companies I've tried have had sub-standard products, but Bower Collective seem to be pretty good (and they haven't gone out of business yet, unlike many others!). A lot of what we had left was things we'd accumulated through multiple house moves, like silver dip or ceramic hob cleaner; the latter not needed and the former horrendously toxic and almost impossible to dispose of. We popped all of the excess in a box and left it in the lobby with a note saying "free for your spring cleaning". The whole lot went immediately, so we made someone's day!

Gosh, you know you're middle aged when you write a whole post about the standard of cleaning and decorating supplies. I OWN MY DOMESTIC OPINIONS. :D

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Home improvement

2024-03-27T09:14:56Z

Sewing
Worked a little more on the current dress project on the weekend, but I was VERY slow. C took a while to decide if she wanted proper long sleeves or just long short sleeves, as the pattern has different shapes. We went with the long sleeves, but because I was worried about not having enough fabric I hadn't cut out pockets, plackets and belt until the Sleeve Decision was made. So instead of sewing it was mostly catch-up with the cutting out and interfacing.

I did do the placket, and wish I had gone with my gut about construction rather than followed the pattern instruction, as their version was messy and I'll have to do bit of handwork to get it tidy on the inside. I don't mind, I'm not in a rush, but I do like to be efficient. I could unpick, but it's lightweight viscose, and too much handling won't be good.

DIY

( Read more... )

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this week's best article title

2024-03-22T16:29:37Z

Offered without context:

At least one in a dozen stars shows evidence of planetary ingestion

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The Friday Five

2024-03-22T15:13:15Z

1. What is your native language?

New Zealand English

2. Do you speak any other languages? Which ones?

British English :)
A treasured bit of te reo Māori
Rapidly fading knowledge-worker Dutch
Holiday French, and Brazilian Portuguese
Airport German, Spanish, and Japanese

3. How difficult is it for you to learn or understand new languages?

It's not difficult, it's just hard work requiring constant practice. Immersion is good - I find that more fulfilling than solo learning, but I do also quite like the gamified owl approach. Ability to learn languages is complex and like everything that requires hard work, practice, and access to time and resources (c.f. art, sport, growing plants).

4. If you were going to study a new foreign language, which would you want to learn?

If not to pick up Māori again, then Mandarin. It annoys me not to have any insight into such a major world language.

5. How are you at reading subtitles in foreign films?

Too quick - I don't find subtitled film very useful for language learning. Children's programmes are much better!

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Sewing: 70s shirt completed

2024-03-05T16:59:52Z

I am SO happy with this shirt. I had lots of fun making it, yes even with easing unforgiving cotton into the armscye. The collar is just *chef's kiss* in proportions and I happily found some lovely brass buttons to give it that "western" look. Even when I had to resort to tailoring topstitching to finish off the sleeve seams for no raw edges, it made me happy to know this shirt had been a labour of love.

And it looks great on me - can't remember the last time a shirt fit me in the sleeves AND the shoulder AND wasn't too fitted or too loose.

Next project is a summer dress for the missus. A viscose/cotton blend print with lots of gathering and I'm going to improvise a lining, continuing my theme of "no I shan't follow the instructions, you can't make me".

Would love to make this shirt in denim or flannel with a contrasting topstitch and yoke, but I'd want it in black and grey and I am tired of sewing dark colours for now.

Tailoring course continues too. Dart-making and shaping on the waistcoat last week and I think this week we start the pockets.

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Candy Hearts reveal

2024-02-26T13:50:49Z

A bit tardy, seeing as the reveal was last week, but I used the opportunity to write a Mighty Nein (Critical Role) story.

Continuing Professional Development (1639 words) by blythely
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fjord/Mollymauk Tealeaf

Summary: Activities, behaviours and values that contribute towards the effective running of a team: agility, leadership, resilience, empathy, and candour.

Fjord and Molly enjoy the learning curve.

Musings follow
( Read more... )

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Sewing: ZW shirt | remodelled skirt

2024-02-17T20:57:52Z

(Bah, whole post got eaten!)

The short version: Two new projects completed.

The ZW shirt in purple viscose came out much nicer than I thought it would. C had the great suggestion to sew up the placket rather than risk puckers from buttonholes and I'm pleased I took her advice. Can't wait for warmer weather. I know what I'd do with this pattern next time, and I can use it as a dress base too.

I remodelled a dated and moth-nibbled 100% wool Vilene shift dress into a pencil length relaxed midi skirt. Managed to remove the full-length lining with invisible zipper so that's tucked away for other projects (too big for me). I used the unnibbled bodice for a waistband and a lined sleeve for a feature pocket, and did a wide elastic waist. I relined it with new lining--ordered "petrol blue" which looked much darker online, but hey-ho, it's not a terrible coloour and it's a cute flash at the back-slit. Exactly the kind of "weekend skirt" you want in winter to wear with tights and a jumper, but being wool it'll work for all but the hottest summer days. With new elastic, poly lining and the cost of the dress the whole skirt came to £13. AMAZING.

I love wool. What an amazing fabric.

Have had no patience to take proper photos (also the light is very bad this week) but here are a couple placeholders below the cut.
( Read more... )

Next project is underway - V1966 western-style shirt in William Morris-style fabric. Being from 1975 the pattern is helpfully constructed so an overlocker isn't necessary - lots of flat-felled seams and self-facings. I think the only thing I'll have to change is the armscye; the pattern has a lining (it's a "jacket" shirt) which hides the raw seams there, but I can either give felled seams a go or use some binding. So much is possible with commerical 1.5cm seam allowances!

Then after THAT I'm making a summer dress for C but she's still deciding on patterns, so if I finish before she gets there then it's a new pair of PJs for me as I have shrunk a cotton gauze PJ top in the dryer by mistake (*cries in BIBA*)

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Cousin shrinkage

2024-02-17T18:48:44Z

Cousins are disappearing. Is this reshaping the experience of childhood?
Families are narrowing worldwide, according to a new study, and cousins are dwindling.

I have so many professional anthropological thoughts about this, but the one that weighs most on my mind is that this demographic shift has the potential to hasten the end of existing interesting variety in kinship terminology. And thus one of the most intriguingly-variable phenomena in human culture--one of the things whose diversity sparked the entire field of anthropology--may flatten and homogenise and shrink in the next few generations.

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The Friday Five

2024-02-16T18:59:17Z

1. Have you ever been the president of anything?

I've been Director (appointed), and Secretary (voted), but not president. There's two academic societies that I think at some point I might stand for prez, but I'm having a few years off from voluntary leadership roles.

2. What do you think is the most important leadership trait?

The ability to sit with ambiguity, because nothing is ever clear-cut. (Including a single-most important trait for leaders).

3. What time period did you find the most interesting to learn about in history class?

At the time (high school) it would have been Aotearoa New Zealand history 1820-1900. We didn't really do "the Romans" or "Medieval Europe" etc. Looking back I wish I'd paid more attention in fifth form when we did 20th century China.

4. What's something you think about doing, but you haven't gotten back into in several years?

I've just recently got back into both sewing and fic writing which I had not done for many years. I've idly been considering rock climbing now I have good upper body strength. I am eternally trying to return to running and eternally stymied by illness or injury.

5. If you could add one more random holiday to February, what would it be?

Halfwaysies (Imbolc/Candlemas etc) - halfway between winter solstice and the spring equinox should absolutely be a holiday involving a nice long walk with a discussion about what crops to grown that year. People should give each other seeds.

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Candy Hearts stories

2024-02-16T18:45:34Z

I got two excellent gifts for the Candy Hearts fic exchange!

People Like Us (Babylon 5) - a Susan/Marcus snippet which beautifully pulls on dialogue and events from the show in ways that make me very happy.

Bone-Head (Ghosts) - Alison/Mike/Humphrey. I didn't suggest this pairing, but when I saw it in the list of options my comment to my writer was "if you can make that threesome work, I'd love to see it!" READER THEY NAILED IT. Fuck me it's hilarious.

And I've read a couple of other great stories so far:

honey and fire (Critical Role Mighty Nein x Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves) - Beauregard/Holga. Two buff hotties spar and fuck. It's good.

With a little help from a friend (Ghosts) - Mike & The Captain. A sweet little slice of life.

Never a Calm Sea (Dimension 20: The Ravening War) - Deli/Colin. Look, story is Game of Thrones with foodstuffs. These two characters are a pastrami sandwich and provolone cheese. Somehow, because of the D20 crew's genius and this author channelling that, this is an affecting story.

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The Friday Five

2024-02-14T10:07:35Z

Yep I know it's Wednesday. Last week's lot here.

1. At what age did you discover you had a favorite color?

I went through many years of not being able to choose, and at various points have nominated red, different greens, yellow, and orange (never blue or purple, though I love a true indigo). But then about 10 years ago I realised that actually my favourite colour is indeed black, and I leaned into it. I think as I get older that coin will flip and it'll be white (increasingly my default choice for clothing, home deco etc), mostly because I am vain and look great in white and also like to not look grubby. Those two reasons hold for black as well.

2. What type (genre) of film do you prefer to see in a theater versus one you'd watch at home?

Sound reasons rather than visuals these days. Maybe one day we'll upgrade our tv/speakers? And also when there will be sweeping landscapes. Action films in the theatre stress me out.

3. What's your oldest object or item since childhood?

Being a peripatetic migrant and a navy kid means I have moved so, so many times (25-30 times?) and I have very little from my childhood! My dad doesn't either--my folks were never very sentimental about our kiddie bits and bobs. But I have my christening blanket, some books, the doilies my mum crocheted/embroidered to go on top of my dresser, and I think the only thing that would count as a "toy" is a pair of little ceramic figures called Slug and Pig. Slug wears a jaunty hat, Pig has a monocle, and the two of them always live in a houseplant. They're like the old queens of the household.

4. In what book would you insert yourself as a side character or friend to the protagonist?

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I would give Arthur a stern talking-to at critical moments, and then probz ditch him to go off on my own adventures.

(This question gave me a little bit of an existential crisis about which characters in fiction I actually would like to be friends with!)

5. What's your favorite shape or type of cloud?

Ahhh, cirrocumulus! Nothing makes me feel happier than a blue morning sky with a sprinkle of those guys. I will say as a gardener I'm also happy to see a few rainclouds at the right time, too.

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back on this carnival ride

2024-02-13T10:44:27Z

The Rona, oh joy. C has tested positive, I think I'm a day behind her but my own lingering covideysense tells me it's lurking. Whatever neuralgia-y alarm in my leg I was gifted by my major 2021 bout left me with a proper canary in the coal mine: my skin crawls, tingles in the muscles, and the sensation creeps up my leg. It does it with regular old cold viruses too but there's just something really particular about contact with covid.

Maybe I will get off lightly? I hope so - I have just started to really get back into an exercise rhythm. I know that I fucked myself bad last time with too much exercise too quickly.

Bah.

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Oooh TWO stories in the space of five months

2024-02-08T09:55:47Z

What is it, 2004?

Submitted my candyheartsex story, which I am very happy with, not least because the pairing-I-never-really-considered has ... awakened something ... and given me a whole new window into a world I am very fond of but never felt superfannish about (or at least, driven to write fic). The piece I wrote is part one of something longer, so I'll keep working on it. Love this for me.

I hope I wrote something the recipient will like; they had a couple of blanket DNW that were adjacent to something critical to the character(s), so fingers crossed I veered around that sufficiently while also keeping true to the visions of them in my head.

There's a pinch hit I *think* I could do--at least I could write defo 300 words, as a way into a story that I already have as a vague thing in my head (for err decades) but I'll give myself today to mull it over.

My request hasn't been fulfilled, but heyho, I find myself not really minding so much? I found it so difficult to choose things to request, I think because I have not been *reading* fic while I've got back into writing, and so I don't know what is out there for me to want.

Did grown-up chalking out in tailoring course yday, and also learned a crazy technical method for doing darts in woolen fabric. Finally starting to feel like the course is hitting its stride, so of course it is half-term next week.

Gotta go prep teaching.

EDIT: lol, the pinch hit has already been pinched.Oh well I guess I just have to try internal motivation *looks around for another challenge*

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Sewing: pouch

2024-02-04T10:38:02Z

Just a little update -- despite wanting to crack on with projects (back to the purple blouse and a new pair of PJs) -- I just made Circe a pencil case today with some leftover fabric from her jacket. I butchered a 50p cosmetic purse from the charity shop (so the zipper has a fancy Clinique zipper pull) and lined it with a nice contrasting geometric bit of quilting cotton. For batting I used some craft felt. I tried to buy 5 pieces of felt a while ago from Amazon and instead bought 5 packs of 10 pieces, but it's a nice stiffness for a pencil case so yay!

I followed a helpful tutorial that used a burrito method so there was no internal stitching - very clever!

In other news I finally bought Vogue V1966 for the cowboyish shirt pattern despite dithering for weeks between it and other 70s style. Most of the Western-style shirt patterns available nowadays just don't have the deep collars that I love. I nearly went for McCalls 3705 but couldn't find it from a UK seller in my size. And the Vogue pattern has groovy trousers. Going to make this in a Morris print first, then see how it hangs and try denim.

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Sewing: remodelled trousers are remodelled!

2024-01-29T17:51:58Z

After three separate tries at the waistband (the final attempt involved going from a high waist to a mid-rise to make it all work), and a great deal of eyestrain from handstitching black on black in the evening, the trousers are done. I'm super happy with them. The fabric is gorgeous lightweight wool and they're exactly the style of slouchy mannish normcore trousers I wanted.

I learned so much while doing them, and have become a massive convert to basting rather than pinning. I have a temporary hook and eye on the back zipper until I work out what the final closure will be; maybe a ribbon loop and feature button, but there's no rush to decide.

I would absolutely do this again if I find quality men's trousers in charity shops. The trade-off between retaining some shape, or seams, or even overlocking; and having to work around pre-existing components, is a tricky one, and so I will try to find larger sizes next time in order to just work with the fabric. I think if I had not tried to incorporate the pockets I would have found it much more straightforward.

Having said that I do have another charity shop remodel - a lovely brown/red textured wool check blazer. It's about four sizes too big for me in the shoulder and sleeves, but because the style was fitted, relatively good proportions in the body. I haven't been able to find tutorials that address what I want to do specifically, so I may take it into the tailoring tutor to get her opinion.

I think with the sewing and second-hand exemptions I could probably do the "only buy five new pieces of clothing per year" thing in 2024. As long as it excludes underwear and sports gear, because I need a whole bunch of new knickers and my workout gear is for the significantly smaller me of 2019. Maybe running will help with problem (b) but problem (a) has no reasonable solution apart from new undergruds!

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The Friday Five

2024-01-26T16:04:14Z

1. Do you cook regularly or does someone else cook for you?

C and I trade off. We get Gousto meal boxes for four lunch/dinners, usually have one takeaway of sorts a week, then the other two main meals will be produce we grow, or light meals like soup. During the pandemic and constant working at home we'd have our main meal at lunch and eat together, which I really miss. We try to do this when our WFH days coincide (not so often now).

Generally I am the breakfast person because my need for coffee is stronger than any desire to sleep.

2. Which are you better at making: sweet or savory foods?

Probably savory but that's just practice. I prefer to cook a meal rather than to bake something these days (used to be the other way around).

3. If you had to work as a chef in a restaurant of your choice, which restaurant would best complement your current culinary skills?

I'm quite an efficient cook, so maybe something quite casual like a lunch place where there's quick turnover. I don't have a particular type of food I'm best at making, though I do enjoy Persian flavours a lot.

4. What is a cooking tip that you know, but other people generally aren’t aware of?

Hmmm I don't know what other people know! Maybe that using two processes on something (esp veges) - steam and then fry; bake and then add to stews/curries - produces tastier flavours even though it might be more of a faff than a single approach. And good pumpkin is an amazing base for lots of baked goods (cake, muffins, pancakes...)

5. Do you have a recipe you would like to share?

Classic Kiwi Ginger Crunch

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Sewing journal: comedy of errors

2024-01-21T18:42:46Z

Yesterday's plan to make as much progress as possible on trousers was scuppered when I ran out of black thread. Circe laughed a lot--how could anyone run out of black!! I suppose she is right.

So instead I cut out the fabric for my madras check skirt, no biggie. And today went to the (local independent) craft shop to get more thread. Somehow I spent £70 there -- new Fiskars pinking shears the major cost culprit, but an embrodery hoop and some coloured pencils and other haberdashery also fell in the basket.

Got home, all gung-ho to get going and unwrapped the thread and it is ... thicc. I think it is mislabelled top-stitching thread, or something. Wayyyy too thick for my needle and definitely would be terrible with the trouser fabric. So no biggie, I think, I'll switch to the skirt project. I motor on with for a bit, get the zip in place, try it on and hmmm. I think the fabric just does not have enough drape, or the double-layer construction just adds too much structure. I'm not loving it, which makes me sad because I did have a ~vision~. So I've stopped and will contemplate: whether to continue, or whether to use the fabric in one of the tote bag patterns that lazulus introduced me to.

Sewing does instil a particular kind of thoughtfulness and willingness to stop drop and reconsider. I just did not have the patience for this kind of setback when I was younger - if I couldn't get a project finished in a weekend I lost my mojo so easily. But I feel very chill about this - I haven't gone so far that I can't repurpose the fabric, but maybe I'll rethink it on another day.

Last thing: I came across the Royal Society of Needlework's Stitchbank It is AMAZING!

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Sewing: Tailoring 2

2024-01-19T17:57:11Z

This week was more structured. Tutor L started with a recap and went through her own student portfolio.

Tailors tacks for markings: finally demystified. I've never understood. It's all to do with the fluffiness of the basting thread "sticking" to the weave of the fabric! So of course my 100% polyester tacks usually fall out.
We used the industrial machines to practice by-eye even seam allowances and turns. I have pretty good spatial judgement so all that was fine, but I have discovered I have to be careful not to do too much repetitive machine work because it sets off my vertigo (no I don't watch the needle).
Basting on turns vs lines, more slip-stitching practice, and KIT DISCUSSION. Like I needed an excuse to buy more haberdashery, lol. Actually I had virtually everything already and I don't get on with heavy tailor's shears no matter how beautiful they are, so the only things I really need are pinking shears and thimbles without nickel.

Bought my fabric for the waistcoat that we'll make - gorgeous Italian wool flannel called "Tuscan Evening". You can't really tell in the photo, but it's a super-subtle black and blue check.

Hoping this weekend to make some good progress on the trousers I'm remodelling - after many adjustments and fittings I think I've got the combination of new side seams, back seam and darts all balanced. Fitting on oneself = tedious, but I really want to be wearing these trousers!

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BrowZine

2024-01-15T15:01:11Z

Recently discovered a table of contents aggregator service that actually works and doesn't require seventeen million email alerts: BrowZine. It links straight through to the full-text when you're logged in to your institutional authenticator wotsits.

A bit clunky and unlovely, but for those of us who have trouble keeping up with the literature across multiple disciplines and also like to read The Magazines (Nature and Science) to find out about black holes and nanotubules and earthquake models etc (i.e. stuff we know nothing about but like to look at the pictures).

Today I learned that the tectonic plate under Tibet may be splitting in two, that quantum computing has a thing called "magic states", and what makes pee yellow. Yay!

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Sewing: tailoring has started! Other projects are go!

2024-01-14T20:59:42Z

My tailoring course started this week. First impressions were promising: a very like-minded and enthusiastic group of other learners, and the tutor is an experienced tailor and passionate about the craft. As always with adult education, I have Opinions on how classes are (usually poorly) structured and learning takes place (haphazardly and by being insistent) but I keep them to myself and go with the flow. We spent the first session on introductions, talking about the trade, and doing some basic handstitching. Handsewing is not my best skill and it will take a while to get up to speed, especially with middle-aged eyesight.

Meanwhile in my own home sewing adventures! I've finally found a decent fabric & haberdashery store (Mark Pickles in Bath; the worst website, as is par for the course for any art or craft site). Bought a fabulous abstract print for a summer dress, and an Arts&Crafts-style floral on black to make into a Western shirt. I am eyeing this vintage Vogue pattern for the shirt to make up in the floral (plus I love the trousers), does anyone have any experience with it - or with other Western-style shirts??

I have three projects on the go at the moment:

(1) A Zero Waste blouse that I'm making in a lovely royal purple viscose remnant. You can see the chalking out of the pieces from the rectangle below.

I tried getting clever and bias-binding the armholes, which looked beautiful, but added too much stiffness to the shape to be flattering: I am broad shouldered in proportion and don't need more!. So I've taken it off and just zigzagged the armholes for neatness, but there's still quite a bit of seam stiffness that I'm hoping will go away when the thread is washed. We'll see!

I don't love this pattern. I love the idea, but the ZW concept means using up small pieces in patchwork-like ways that aren't my thing, so I am doing it a bit differently.

(2) An asymmetric skirt (Simplicity 9648) in this (excuse the dreadful hotel room lighting) sort-of madras lime-pink-red wool-blend check that I found in a costume shop in Durham for a fiver a metre. At that price I can't complain that it's a blend. I bought squeakingly just enough fabric--in fact, ten cm too little, but if I use the selvedge I can make it work. I'm tempted to try and line it but I should also just make something according to the pattern, lol. I can always wear a slip*.

(3) Remodelling a pair of 100% wool flannel Pierre Cardin men's trousers, dug out of a bargain bin at a charity shop for literally one british pound. I couldn't believe my luck. The fabric is gorgeous, lined, and I managed to unpick the waistband and fly-front completely, leaving enough intact fabric for a proper remodelling.

It's challenging, though, and because I wasn't paying attention properly today I cut at the wrong place and won't be able to have side pockets. Things I learned in this process? Men's zippers go a lot further down to enable wang extraction. You can know a thing, and then you can unpick a zipper to know a thing.

* Slips. Why. WHY are these so hard to find in plain and simple yet nice styles that don't cost the earth but also aren't from fabric that is highly flammable and/or give me eternal static? M&S make very boring acceptable ones but I'd dearly love something a bit more glamorous without it being A Thing To Have Sex In and full of scratchy lace.

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the real-feel is apparently -1C out there

2024-01-09T13:16:47Z

About to brave the brrrrr cold for some sort of inaugural walk-jog situation. I have actually signed up for work's lunchtime jog once a week, but today me and my slightly-delicate lungs couldn't hack the idea of wheezing in public with strangers. Next week for that. I will be happy to manage a few lampposts at a time.

WFH today: marking marking marking. I really have to keep on top of it, and the second half of January requires some teaching prep (like, from scratch stuff) and that will come around quicker than I expect. But these are dissertation proposals and individualised essays from third-years, so usually interesting and sometimes very good.

Stone Circle-y Times is all edited with very sensible cuts and tweaks from C. I always laugh that she fiddles freely with my Crowley dialogue, internal and spoken, but leaves Aziraphale's inner voice alone. Hmmm. All formatted now on AO3 - I had forgotten what a bloody palaver HTML is when you have curly > straight quotes, and how formatting links can get verrry tedious. But just waiting to see if it makes sense to fresh readers before posting, so no doubt some final tweaks. I'm happy with the playlist, too, though I want a finale and I just can't find anything to suit.

Got my Candy Hearts match, and there's only one fandom of theirs that I can write for (I'm not even familiar with the others!), so that makes things more straightforward--though of course it is the one that I had no nascent story in mind for, and a fandom I've never written for or even really read that much in. Something is brewing, though.

Right! Off for that run/jog/wheeze thing.
Update: 3k, with a brief stop for cake in the middle .

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Candy Hearts Letter

2024-01-07T21:37:24Z

Hallo, writer!

In general, I have very few DNWs. If you want to use this challenge to be niche, or weird, or filthy—be my guest. In terms of relationships feel free to explore anything from passing acquaintanceship to long-term lovers and anything in-between. What I do appreciate is a story that explores intimate character details that communicate what A and B find fascinating or admirable about each other. Expertise, hobbies, backgrounds—tell me something new about the people you write. I also love a scientific or botanical theme, if it works.

Babylon 5
I'm most interested in anything that fills in gaps in canon, slice of life on the station, and the build-up or fallout from big decisions that characters make. But I am also an OG Susan/Marcus shipper so that would make me super happy! My only DNW is using JMS's horrible clone short story.

Doctor Who
Donna is my favourite companion, partly because she's seen more of the world before she sees more of the universe, and I really value her grown-up perspective. Having said that she's also bloody hilarious with her straight talking. I'm not that keen on something set entirely post-14-retirement, unless there are adventures in time and space.

Ghosts

I love this show for its hijinks and unexpected gutpunches of emotion. I'd love something that explores the longevity of being in a place (for the ghosts) versus the shorter timespans that Alison and Mike have known the house. OTOH if you can make that threesome work, I'd love to see it!

Critical Role
Have at, go wild and crazy, fling magic all over the place!

Thank you!

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