Good Things in 2019
Jan. 1st, 2020 04:54 pmOh boy, though, my first thought was, what even happened in 2019? (Looking at a calendar helped! It reminded me of a few things I forgot)
It’s been a Rough Year, friends. Between OCD and basically travelling almost every weekend in the latter half of 2019, I am very much ready for a new year and hopefully a new slate.
But this is about the positives!
Personal
- Played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons! I am now officially in two campaigns. This year, I endeavored to recruit more women to play, including the wonderful
allatariel. I play both my beloved cleric, Maritsa (who I’ve been playing her years now) and my new character, Noara, a ranger elf with a red panda familiar (yeah, my DM let me do that for funsies, so I could get an animal sidekick but also still try out the Horizon Walker subclass).
- Speaking of red pandas, I accomplished my LIFE GOAL of meeting a red panda face-to-face. I got to feed Harriet at the Cincinnati Zoo for 30 minutes. She was adorable.
- Completed all my dental work and had a clean bill of dental health two cleanings in a row!
- Attended DC’s Around the World Embassy Day event, always fun
- Attended Star Wars night at a local library, where I got to participate in a short demo/lesson on how to fence with a lightsaber!
- Attended 50th Anniversary Celebration of Apollo 11 / landing on the moon (dude they projected the rocket on the Washington Monument and it looked so cool)
- Returned to the NY Ren Faire and upgraded my ren faire garb
- Celebrated at THREE friends’ weddings and got to catch up with old friends I hadn’t seen in awhile
- Ate ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Vermont
- Went to NYCC for the third year in a row. Got to wear 2 costumes this year: a 1920s flapper interpretation of an occamy and my Endor!Leia costume (repeat of 2017). Learned the True Pain of sewing. Created feather shawl for my occamy costume. Learned the True Pain of crafting.
- Celebrated one year anniversary with hubbie down where we got married: visited the museum we got married in and actually got a chance to enjoy the exhibits, went to our favorite brunch place down there, got to check out Fleet Week and tour an aircraft carrier and uh… I think it was a missile cruiser?
- Went up to PSU for a women’s hockey game for sister’s birthday (made embarrassing HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign for the cameras); also it was an absolutely wonderful fall drive on the way up there
- Got to see The Rise of Skywalker in IMAX at the Smithsonian Air & Space Center with the awesome
- Worked hard at therapy and self care
- Got a Sleep Number bed and holy shit let me tell you. i can actually sleep now.
- OH! I almost forgot!!! Started playing Assassin’s Creed! I’ve only ever really played the LEGO Star Wars and Harry Potter video games so like. This was big for me.
Writing
- Finally finished Learning Curve. TBH I was a bit shocked that this was in fact the only fic I published in 2019. What a travesty.
- However! I have been writing
- Just under the wire, I did manage to start my NatGeo AU, which I’ve been dreaming of since my honeymoon in Nov 2018
- Started editing/revising my original young adult fantasy novel
- Poked a little at my epic fantasy pirate travel novel idea
Books
- I read exactly one book, Among the Red Stars, which I enjoyed. It’s about women fighter pilots in Russia in WW2. Inspired by real people.
Music
- Saw Panic at the Disco! in concert. I went along with my sister. Not like a huge fan, but they put on a pretty fun show!
- Saw Waitress on Broadway!! OH MY GOD. And Sara Bareilles was starring in it. Amazing. I freaking love her music (”How does she know / what a heart sounds like?” gahhh). She was so good, and the show was so good. I literally cried all the way through it just because I was so happy to be there, but also because of the content. Man.
- Saw Sara Bareilles again, in concert, in Philly. I love her so much.
Television
- Finished Critical Role Campaign 1! Oh man, what a ride. Gosh, I love that show. I really need to catch up in C2 now. I’ve started it but I’m only on episode 26 or 27.
- I’m not sure whether I finished The Clone Wars in 2018 or 2019. I think it was early 2019. This show was amazing and this was the character development that Anakin Skywalker needed. I love Ahsoka Tano. I cannot wait for the last season.
- Finished Rebels!!! AGAIN, what a ride!!! I still love Ahsoka Tano. I also love Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren. Sabine’s Darksaber arc was fantastic.
- The Mandalorian OMG BABY YODA!!! Yes, I have succumbed to the adorableness of Baby Yoda. Most adorable SW character forever. But also just an enjoyable story in general. This, this is how you craft a story. still NOT over the darksaber omg.
- The Good Place is continuing to be good. Not as crazy about season 4, but I’m so glad they decided to limit the seasons.
- Got my sister to watch Rebels!! And then even a few episodes of The Clone Wars!!! Mwahaha >)
- Finally got around to watching The Great British Bake Off, what a sweet show!
- OMG I ALMOST FORGOT Anne With an E!!! Gosh what a wonderful wholesome delightful show. No I haven’t watched S3 yet because I am Lawful Good to a fault and just patiently waiting for it to come on Netflix
Film
- So, I woefully neglected to mention The Aeronauts in this post about my favorite movies in the 2010s and that was a Mistake. Because I really enjoyed this one
- But otherwise probably check out that list. Because I don’t go to the movies that often, actually, and anything I really loved from 2019 is most definitely listed there.
Did I meet my 2019 Goals?
Writing: Fandom
- Finish Learning Curve YES
- …and How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days Uh, no, not so much
- Begin and complete the in-canon universe You’ve Got Mail AU YES, it is begun
but no it is not complete - Try to knock out a few other projects on my 30+ SW ideas Umm, I did start / poke at a few things in addition to the YGM and NatGeo AUs, but nothing really “knocked out”
- Try my hand at creating more visual fan works (like moodboards/photosets, step 1, learn proper terminology) ahahahah, no.
Writing: Original
- Query more agents for my completed original novel YIKES, No. But I wasn’t anticipating that I’d decide to heavily edit/revise my manuscript.
- Actually get around to deciding which idea I want to work on next and work on it Yeah, sure, I decided. How nice of past!Liz to make this goal so reachable as “deciding” lol
Reading
- Be more supportive in helping my friend run Book Club so that it can actually meet more regularly HA, oops. Book Club died, but kind of in favor of being able to start a second D&D campaign. At least that’s the trade off I’m looking at. I had some OCD-related glasses issues this year that inhibited reading a lot.
- Try to read at least one book for myself outside of Book Club lol WELL the one book I read this year was not part of Book Club sooo
Goals for 2020
Writing
- I’m not going to make this a completion goal, but instead…
- …I’d like to just focus on creating a regular writing schedule/habit. Whatever the project, I just want to make sure I carve out significant time each week just to write. I don’t want to set a specific goal like “x hours a week” for now, but I want to make sure that I am writing each week.
- To achieve that (because what are goals without maps):
- If the words don’t immediately jump onto the page, then I’m going to try outlining or summarizing. I’m going to let go of overthinking how sentences are phrased, and just pretend I’m describing the story idea to a friend.
- That blank page is staring at me and I’m just going to fill it with words no matter what I might think of them!
- And I’m going to let everything else expand from there. And see how that works.
- Edit my original manuscript
- Query more agents re: original manuscript
- Look into the idea of perhaps forming or joining a writer’s group for original writing
oh gosh that is so scary
Other
- Get back into reading
- Develop a routine for working out
- Eat healthier
- Continue focusing on therapy goals
- Get around to watching: Black Sails, Mad Max: Fury Road, Arrival
- Get better at responding to things in general
Hey, tagging anyone who reads this and wants to do it!
Happy New Year y’all!
Crossposted on tumblr
EDIT: is there ANY way to get cut tags to play nicely with bulleted lists??? jeez. why do i struggle with cut tags so much here.
(no subject)
Dec. 20th, 2019 11:10 pmApologies if my cut tag struggles a minute ago spoiled anything... should be fixed now.
As a writer, I frequently struggle with plot. Is it believable? Is it surprising? Is it exciting? Sometimes, it feels like plot is supposed to be what makes a story interesting. What makes for a cool adventure? The prevailing mindset seems to be: how high can you raise the stakes?
But I think over the last few years of writing, I’ve learned something important about the kinds of stories I want to read, and therefore write.
The stakes are important, but only for what they mean to the character.
It has to be personal.
The original trilogy is personal.
Episode 4 follows a boy on the precipice of adulthood, torn between his desire to make something of himself, his dislike of the Empire, and his own familial obligations. Luke waits around on a desert planet until it’s too late. The people who raised him are killed. He hesitated, and he lost, and now he’s going to see the fight to the end. And yeah, he’s going to recruit Han Solo to the cause, too. The fight against the Empire is personal.
In Episode 5, he grows up. He faces his enemy, but he also faces himself. The stakes are the lives of his friends, his own life, and ultimately his own integrity. And in the final chapter, he finishes what he started. He saves Han. He faces Vader, as both an adversary and family. He saves himself. He will not fall.
The stakes are not:
- a planet-killing weapon
- outnumbered pilots in a space battle
- impossible lightsaber duels
- shocking parentage
- a second planet-killing weapon
- an impossible space battle
The stakes are:
- Can Luke trust in his abilities?
- Will Han commit to the cause?
- Should Luke still try even in the imminent possibility of defeat?
- What does Luke risk of himself – not just physically but spiritually?
- What will Luke do when two of his core dreams clash? (his longing for his father and his desire to protect his friends and uphold the moral good)
- Can Luke reconcile the darkness within himself?
- What is the power of our faith in others?
( Keep Reading )
Hey so I recently read Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz. I wanted to write a super thoughtful review post, buuut hey, I have a lot going on, so instead I made a little list of things I liked about it:I mean, yeah, you may notice that has a lot in common with other interests of mine.
- the compelling female protagonist
- the mostly female cast (that totally passes the Bechdel test) (or whatever the novel equivalent is)
- stories of love: familial, platonic, and (of course) romantic
- romance told in epistolary format
- ...also interspersed with action-packed narrative
- historical fiction!
- WWII fiction!
- women in the military
- badass pilots
I’ve been waiting to read a book like this for a long time. Among the Red Stars is a YA novel that follows the adventures of Valka, a Russian pilot during WWII. Her story is based on the real adventures of the “Night Witches,” an all-female night bomber group, and some of the characters are real people.
Valka’s story starts when she’s separated from her childhood best friend, Pasha, who is drafted before her. But Valka’s always dreamed of flying and jumps at the first recruitment opportunity for women pilots. While she worries about Pasha, she’s improving her flying, working towards her dream... and reconciling the cost of that dream.
Yes, some may roll their eyes at a romance, but I loved this one. Valka never told her best friend she loved him before he left to fight (she never even got to kiss him!), but their letters sustain each other through the war. The format is a mix of epistolary and first-person narrative. And through their letters, we also get to see the toll the war has on them, Pasha in particular, who feels he's not as strong as Valka.
The story is not just a romance; it is a story about all kinds of love: familial, platonic. Valka signs up for the war effort with her cousin Iskra; they grew up together since Iskra’s parents were arrested for treason, and read more like sisters than cousins. But by joining the war, Iskra puts herself at risk, and Valka’s distress over this is palpable and compelling.
The story is well-written, and a good mix of action, intensity, and history. Highly recommended!
assorted Thursday ramblings
Jul. 25th, 2019 09:28 pmI feel like a lot has happened so a quick rundown:
Fun Updates:
Adulting Woes:
Okay so my last bit of business, a fandom survey if you will (crossposted from tumblr):
So, when I leave a comment on a fic, I like to call out passages I really like, sometimes quoting a bit. I usually keep a separate document open (like notepad or something) so I can jot down my comments as I go. When I get to the end, I just clean it up a little (sometimes my jottings are incoherent in my attempt to be quick and not draw myself too far out of the story) and copy paste and boom, next chapter.
The problem with this system arises when I read on my phone. I’m struggling to track the parts I like as I read without disrupting my actual enjoyment of the story. This results in one of two things: (a) I read a story on my phone, and then go back and comment when I get home – pretty time consuming, and risks forgetting to do this, or (b) I just don’t read on my phone. Guess what, I don’t read so much fic anymore as a result! It’s tough to muster the energy to get on the computer at home when I’ve been doing it all day at work.
Yeah, I know I could leave shorter, less involved comments, and I have. But I like giving longer comments when I can. I know how it feels to receive them, and I know it helps foster more interesting connections and discussions about the subject matter, which I’m obviously here for if I’m reading fic.
So what I’m asking is: what do y'all do when you want to leave a comment from your phone? Are there any methods y'all employ to make this easier/less invasive to the actual reading of the fic? Is there an app for this?
Fun Updates:
- My parents were down to do the Star Wars event at a nearby library that I mentioned last post, so on Saturday we did both that and then skedaddled down to the Mall to watch the Apollo event
- At the SW event, I found re-painted 12-inch Jyn and Cassian dolls (when I asked how much Jyn was, the seller said they came as a pair for $20!!!! and I was like oh OF COURSE they have to come together, and also, SOLD) That's another pair of Jyn & Cassian figures to add to my collection, hooray!
- Also at the SW event, some saber martial artists were giving LESSONS!!!!! AHHH!!! I held a (green) lightsaber in my hands and I learned some moves!!! And I bonked my spouse on the head a few times O:-) (he bonked me right back, it was part of the lesson, I'm just gonna say I was better at parrying, naturally)
- Also also at the SW event, I swear I saw at least 3 people dressed as Jyn, so that was cool. They also had a laser tag in the stacks, which was decorated like Endor. I signed up to play but they were delayed, and I wanted to shop and do the lightsaber thing and such, so I backed out. But spouse had lots of fun doing it. He claims he had the highest score but I saw no proof.
- the Apollo event was super cool, the way they projected the rocket on the Washington Monument at actual size. Super neat! Although being on the Mall with all those people in that kind of heat was awful.
Adulting Woes:
- Our water heater broke! (Well, it was leaking)
- Which is a frustrating hassle enough on its own, but our downstairs neighbor is constantly up in our business about it. Like, there is an order of operations here, dude, and we cannot rush the multitude of third party vendors we have to go through, including: plumber to assess the situation, plumber to replace the water heater, water remediation people to repair/address the water damage, insurance claims people to assess the damage, AND now our condo management association's insurance because apparently it's in by-laws that the condo management has to cover it, not us...
- Well so anyways, for example, the water heater broke Monday. Tuesday morning, while we were waiting for one of the plumbers to come install the water heater, downstairs neighbor knocks on the door and I hear him talking to my spouse. I hear him say, "the longer we wait..." Wait? WAIT?! DUDE. When we had to use the bathroom, we had to get into a car and drive 10 minutes to a 24-hour grocery store at eleven o'clock at night. But yeah. Sure. We're just, you know, sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, taking our time.
- He's still blowing up my spouse's phone.
- He has no clue how the process works. He's trying to schedule people to replace the drywall the water remediation people took out, but you can't do that until they confirm the area is dry enough (we have fans and moisture sucking machines doing that on both our units). It's just like. CHILL, dude. CHILL.
- For the record, this is actually not the first time we've had to go through this. A year or so ago, our upstairs neighbors' water heater broke, only much worse. It like burst. Water EVERYWHERE. And they were out of town! Fortunately, because water issues are a Known fault in our neighborhood, they had given us a key while they were gone in case such a thing happened. We were able to turn their water off. When we checked out the Situation, there was legit like an inch or two puddle on the floor of their water closet. We literally had to bail the water out. Had to go through this whole process with the fans drying stuff out and replacing the drywall, etc etc. We did what we had to do -- and our upstairs neighbors are super sweet, anyways. I mean, like, it sucked, but you just gotta do what you gotta do and wait the process out.
(And also not store belongings in areas susceptible to water damage but i digress)- ANYWAYS. ADULTING SUCKS. do not recommend
Okay so my last bit of business, a fandom survey if you will (crossposted from tumblr):
So, when I leave a comment on a fic, I like to call out passages I really like, sometimes quoting a bit. I usually keep a separate document open (like notepad or something) so I can jot down my comments as I go. When I get to the end, I just clean it up a little (sometimes my jottings are incoherent in my attempt to be quick and not draw myself too far out of the story) and copy paste and boom, next chapter.
The problem with this system arises when I read on my phone. I’m struggling to track the parts I like as I read without disrupting my actual enjoyment of the story. This results in one of two things: (a) I read a story on my phone, and then go back and comment when I get home – pretty time consuming, and risks forgetting to do this, or (b) I just don’t read on my phone. Guess what, I don’t read so much fic anymore as a result! It’s tough to muster the energy to get on the computer at home when I’ve been doing it all day at work.
Yeah, I know I could leave shorter, less involved comments, and I have. But I like giving longer comments when I can. I know how it feels to receive them, and I know it helps foster more interesting connections and discussions about the subject matter, which I’m obviously here for if I’m reading fic.
So what I’m asking is: what do y'all do when you want to leave a comment from your phone? Are there any methods y'all employ to make this easier/less invasive to the actual reading of the fic? Is there an app for this?
too tired to settle on a subject
Jul. 19th, 2019 09:03 pmEvery time I get a new follower these days, I view their blog on my dash to try to get an idea of whether they're a person or a bot because if it's a bot, I want to block it. And it's sad to say but I'm sort of struggling these days to tell? Like. A number of blogs just have the default header image and icon image, and I think surely this is not a real person, surely that is one of the first things a person does when they create an account? But then I see an actual original post. Then there are blogs that do have cover photos and icons, but there's only a handful of posts, and they're not explicit, but they're all reblogs. Could be a real person, but something just seems off. IDK.
It wouldn't matter so much except that I have a couple tag memes and for the first time in awhile, I'm hesitant to actually post them. I wouldn't say I have a super ton of followers, but it's several hundred and the idea of posting personal stuff over there is becoming less and less appealing.
But it's also hard because I do have friends over there that I enjoy talking to that aren't here or pillowfort, and I want to stay in contact with them! So, I don't know what to do. It's not like I actually use privacy settings here, but I know who the people I follow and follow me are. So it feels less weird to ... actually blog, rather than just reblog and shitpost.
Anyways. IDK.
In other news, spouse & I took a spontaneous trip this week to see Aston Villa play MN United in Minneapolis. It's been over 10 years since I got to see Villa in person, and it's been 3 years since they were relegated and therefore not on TV to watch (at least not easily). They won 3-0, and we had pretty good seats -- in the first half, we were right in Villa's attacking third, and even though he was playing center mid, Grealish was over on our side quite a bit. Got some action shots of him! He was right there! So glad they got promoted & I'll be able to watch on TV again.
We also had some good food, walked around downtown Minneapolis, visited the Mill City Museum, and did a very brief walk around the Mall of America (we couldn't go to Minneapolis and not visit the Mall of America!). I've been to some large malls before (Palisades in NY) but man, I was not prepared to effectively see a whole amusement park inside a mall. Like, the Palisades has a ferris wheel, and maybe one or two other things? But not *that*.
Parents are coming to visit tomorrow, and we're looking forward to some moon landing celebratory stuff. Also a library nearby is doing a Star Wars day, and their Harry Potter day last year was fantastic, so we're hoping we might be able to convince the parents to come along for a little while.
OH! And I started reading actual books again! Currently reading Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz. It's a YA novel inspired by the real life story of Russian women pilots in WWII. I'm maybe 70% of the way through. Pretty good so far; I'll save my thoughts for when I finish it. This story has been on my reading list since I first saw the authors query for it when I was doing my own query research back in, oh, 2015?. She posted it in a forum for successful queries, and, well, her query was so good I wanted to actually read the story!
Alright, well, I'm pretty tired from the trip and such, but I wanted to pop on and talk about some good happy things. Hope all is well with everyone!
It wouldn't matter so much except that I have a couple tag memes and for the first time in awhile, I'm hesitant to actually post them. I wouldn't say I have a super ton of followers, but it's several hundred and the idea of posting personal stuff over there is becoming less and less appealing.
But it's also hard because I do have friends over there that I enjoy talking to that aren't here or pillowfort, and I want to stay in contact with them! So, I don't know what to do. It's not like I actually use privacy settings here, but I know who the people I follow and follow me are. So it feels less weird to ... actually blog, rather than just reblog and shitpost.
Anyways. IDK.
In other news, spouse & I took a spontaneous trip this week to see Aston Villa play MN United in Minneapolis. It's been over 10 years since I got to see Villa in person, and it's been 3 years since they were relegated and therefore not on TV to watch (at least not easily). They won 3-0, and we had pretty good seats -- in the first half, we were right in Villa's attacking third, and even though he was playing center mid, Grealish was over on our side quite a bit. Got some action shots of him! He was right there! So glad they got promoted & I'll be able to watch on TV again.
We also had some good food, walked around downtown Minneapolis, visited the Mill City Museum, and did a very brief walk around the Mall of America (we couldn't go to Minneapolis and not visit the Mall of America!). I've been to some large malls before (Palisades in NY) but man, I was not prepared to effectively see a whole amusement park inside a mall. Like, the Palisades has a ferris wheel, and maybe one or two other things? But not *that*.
Parents are coming to visit tomorrow, and we're looking forward to some moon landing celebratory stuff. Also a library nearby is doing a Star Wars day, and their Harry Potter day last year was fantastic, so we're hoping we might be able to convince the parents to come along for a little while.
OH! And I started reading actual books again! Currently reading Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz. It's a YA novel inspired by the real life story of Russian women pilots in WWII. I'm maybe 70% of the way through. Pretty good so far; I'll save my thoughts for when I finish it. This story has been on my reading list since I first saw the authors query for it when I was doing my own query research back in, oh, 2015?. She posted it in a forum for successful queries, and, well, her query was so good I wanted to actually read the story!
Alright, well, I'm pretty tired from the trip and such, but I wanted to pop on and talk about some good happy things. Hope all is well with everyone!
i suppose you could say it was ineffable
Jun. 19th, 2019 11:12 pmI finally finished Good Omens!!!!!!
I know everyone else has probably already watched it and said their bit by now but I just wanted to flail about it for a little bit so! I quite enjoyed it. It's a very unique style (which I was probably more conscious of because I watched it with my spouse, who thought it was a bit strange at times), but I think it fit the mood perfectly. Now I say that, but bear this in mind: it's been over ten years since I've read the book. While I know undoubtedly that I very much loved the book, had you asked me any time before the Good Omens panel at NYCC, I would have only been able to tell you the following about it:
I'd been meaning to reread the book for awhile, but anyways when I found out they were making a show, I hesitated and decided not to because well, my experience with Harry Potter tells me that it's never as enjoyable that way. I just end up focusing on what was Different, which isn't the point.
So thoughts:
Michael Sheen was brilliant, as per usual, and so was David Tennant (not a Dr. Who fan so I'm less familiar with his work). I also enjoyed Anathema's scenes, and Pulsifer's (I most definitely forgot about their subplot). Also, that's it, Aziraphale and Crowley have perfected the slow burn and there can be no other. Has anyone seen the memes about all the times they happen to run into each other -- including the apocalypse -- being God's attempts to get them together? Like a writer frustrated that her characters just won't seem to get together already? Phenomenal. A+.
Enjoyed the music, cinematography, editing, all of it. It's sort of beautiful and the aesthetic is just spot on. It does move kind of fast, which was only frustrating for me because Amazon doesn't play well with Chromecast -- we had to cast the browser tab, basically, which meant we had some buffer issues occasionally, but mostly it was fine. I just want to watch it over again and reabsorb it. Maybe I'll reread the book again soon. Because what I love the most is the story, the message, and all.
ANYWAYS. I'm very much looking forward to being able to reblog Good Omens posts on tumblr rather than quickly scrolling past them trying to avoid spoilers. Hooray!
I know everyone else has probably already watched it and said their bit by now but I just wanted to flail about it for a little bit so! I quite enjoyed it. It's a very unique style (which I was probably more conscious of because I watched it with my spouse, who thought it was a bit strange at times), but I think it fit the mood perfectly. Now I say that, but bear this in mind: it's been over ten years since I've read the book. While I know undoubtedly that I very much loved the book, had you asked me any time before the Good Omens panel at NYCC, I would have only been able to tell you the following about it:
- an angel and a demon team up to prevent the apocalypse
- there's a boy who's, like, uh, the anti-christ? maybe?
- oh wait, something something 4 horsemen riding motorcycles
I'd been meaning to reread the book for awhile, but anyways when I found out they were making a show, I hesitated and decided not to because well, my experience with Harry Potter tells me that it's never as enjoyable that way. I just end up focusing on what was Different, which isn't the point.
So thoughts:
Michael Sheen was brilliant, as per usual, and so was David Tennant (not a Dr. Who fan so I'm less familiar with his work). I also enjoyed Anathema's scenes, and Pulsifer's (I most definitely forgot about their subplot). Also, that's it, Aziraphale and Crowley have perfected the slow burn and there can be no other. Has anyone seen the memes about all the times they happen to run into each other -- including the apocalypse -- being God's attempts to get them together? Like a writer frustrated that her characters just won't seem to get together already? Phenomenal. A+.
Enjoyed the music, cinematography, editing, all of it. It's sort of beautiful and the aesthetic is just spot on. It does move kind of fast, which was only frustrating for me because Amazon doesn't play well with Chromecast -- we had to cast the browser tab, basically, which meant we had some buffer issues occasionally, but mostly it was fine. I just want to watch it over again and reabsorb it. Maybe I'll reread the book again soon. Because what I love the most is the story, the message, and all.
ANYWAYS. I'm very much looking forward to being able to reblog Good Omens posts on tumblr rather than quickly scrolling past them trying to avoid spoilers. Hooray!
cast off the shackles of yesterday
Jun. 4th, 2019 08:38 pmToday was good. The weather was nice, a high of 77, sunny. Very pleasant. I wore a skirt to work for the first time since I can remember; it was a blue-purple color, has pockets! and most importantly, it swishes so wonderfully! I bought it last year for my Janet costume for NYCC, but I didn't end up wearing it because I never found a matching vest. (I had to settle for an old black skirt for the Janet costume).
I think I'm going to try to go back to doing my fan work rec posts; I'm going to try for Sunday. Maybe I'll start slow and just do them once a month. We'll see!
I got online with the intention of catching up on some things and/or to edit Learning Curve, but I'm having trouble focusing lately and just want to relax and passively enjoy things. I'm also kinda worried about a major plot point that I'm still waffling on. Hmmmm.
In other news, I found out today that apparently the 19th Amendment passed in the Senate 100 years ago to the day. (It wouldn't be ratified until August 18, 1920.) That's kinda cool. I cannot think about women's suffrage without thinking of the School House Rock song about it. ("We were suffering! In suffrage! and a woman could not vote no matter what age...") Ooh or also, the song from Mary Poppins! ("Our daughters daughters will adore us... and they'll sing in grateful chorus... Well done! Well done! Sister suffragette!") FUN FACT, I share a birthday with Alice Paul :) oooh, maybe I should rewatch Iron Jawed Angels sometime soon.
I think I'm going to try to go back to doing my fan work rec posts; I'm going to try for Sunday. Maybe I'll start slow and just do them once a month. We'll see!
I got online with the intention of catching up on some things and/or to edit Learning Curve, but I'm having trouble focusing lately and just want to relax and passively enjoy things. I'm also kinda worried about a major plot point that I'm still waffling on. Hmmmm.
In other news, I found out today that apparently the 19th Amendment passed in the Senate 100 years ago to the day. (It wouldn't be ratified until August 18, 1920.) That's kinda cool. I cannot think about women's suffrage without thinking of the School House Rock song about it. ("We were suffering! In suffrage! and a woman could not vote no matter what age...") Ooh or also, the song from Mary Poppins! ("Our daughters daughters will adore us... and they'll sing in grateful chorus... Well done! Well done! Sister suffragette!") FUN FACT, I share a birthday with Alice Paul :) oooh, maybe I should rewatch Iron Jawed Angels sometime soon.
assorted Thursday ramblings
May. 30th, 2019 11:11 pmI was supposed to address some comments for chapter 4 of Learning Curve tonight, but I got derailed reading about various creatures native to Yavin 4. They reminded me of the first Star Wars fanfic -- possibly the first fic ever? -- that I wrote. It was third grade, I had just seen Star Wars that year, and it was the first year we did a Writing Workshop unit. My friend Laura and I were obsessed with Star Wars, because of course we were, and I had been reading some young adult books about Jacen and Jaina. All I remember is that the twins had some sort of menagerie at their Jedi training school on Yavin 4 and they let some escape or something? I distinctly remember a snake that could turn invisible. Honestly I could just be remembering the book that inspired me. I wish I still had a copy of it! That'd be fun to see. I distinctly remember my Writing Workshop folder, it was bright yellow and I had written the names of all the SW characters on it in different font sizes and so forth. Ahh good times.
Now for a completely sudden transition (because I'm tired but really wanted to talk about this). Husband and I have been watching HBO's Chernobyl miniseries, which is as intense as you would expect and more so. It's very graphic (radiation sickness), and trigger warning for animal lovers on episode 4. However, it's very well done, and I think what's compelling about it is how it shows the sacrifice the citizens made willingly, heroically to do What Must Be Done to prevent the disaster from getting so much worse. It's pretty powerful. I've enjoyed listening to the podcast too (hosted by Peter Sagal!! of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! ... so it's kind of weird hearing him talk about something serious, heh). Definitely have a happy chaser on hand for after.
EDIT: I want to clarify. It definitely also shows the lengths the soviet government went to cover things up, the disinformation, what they *didn't* tell the people... but there were people who had some idea that things were Bad and they were making a sacrifice, and that's what's moving. There are also people who have no idea what the dangers are and bad things happen to them and that is also very sad and moving. It's just all around a really interesting look at the people involved and the tragedy of everything and ANYWAYS. I'm tired. Maybe I'll be more coherent about this when the series is done.
Jumping back to happy things: Aston Villa just got promoted to the English Premier League!!!!! We're back!!! I've been a Villa supporter since I studied abroad in England in college (Villa Park was the closest EPL stadium to us... incidentally, their colors matched my university colors so that was pretty convenient in terms of deciding what to wear to the game). (Sadly they lost the game we went to AND it rained.) Hubbie and I went to a British pub in DC that was showing the game; a bunch of other Villa supporters were there and it was so great being able to cheer with everyone! What a nailbiter though; Derby scored pretty late in the second half and they had a lot of momentum, but Steer made some great saves. [Also as a side note, Villa's crest is freaking awesome... there was a Buzzfeed article that came out around the time NBC started showing the EPL (Ted Lasso!!! the best, love that skit) that was like... what the names of the EPL teams would be if they were based on the crest and Villa was "karate lions chasing stars" which like. Come ON. that's so freaking cool.] Villa also was one of the original members of the EPL SO it was REALLY UPSETTING when they were relegated four years ago. BUT WE'RE BACK AND I CAN FINALLY WATCH THEM ON TV AGAIN!!! Hooray!
Now for a completely sudden transition (because I'm tired but really wanted to talk about this). Husband and I have been watching HBO's Chernobyl miniseries, which is as intense as you would expect and more so. It's very graphic (radiation sickness), and trigger warning for animal lovers on episode 4. However, it's very well done, and I think what's compelling about it is how it shows the sacrifice the citizens made willingly, heroically to do What Must Be Done to prevent the disaster from getting so much worse. It's pretty powerful. I've enjoyed listening to the podcast too (hosted by Peter Sagal!! of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! ... so it's kind of weird hearing him talk about something serious, heh). Definitely have a happy chaser on hand for after.
EDIT: I want to clarify. It definitely also shows the lengths the soviet government went to cover things up, the disinformation, what they *didn't* tell the people... but there were people who had some idea that things were Bad and they were making a sacrifice, and that's what's moving. There are also people who have no idea what the dangers are and bad things happen to them and that is also very sad and moving. It's just all around a really interesting look at the people involved and the tragedy of everything and ANYWAYS. I'm tired. Maybe I'll be more coherent about this when the series is done.
Jumping back to happy things: Aston Villa just got promoted to the English Premier League!!!!! We're back!!! I've been a Villa supporter since I studied abroad in England in college (Villa Park was the closest EPL stadium to us... incidentally, their colors matched my university colors so that was pretty convenient in terms of deciding what to wear to the game). (Sadly they lost the game we went to AND it rained.) Hubbie and I went to a British pub in DC that was showing the game; a bunch of other Villa supporters were there and it was so great being able to cheer with everyone! What a nailbiter though; Derby scored pretty late in the second half and they had a lot of momentum, but Steer made some great saves. [Also as a side note, Villa's crest is freaking awesome... there was a Buzzfeed article that came out around the time NBC started showing the EPL (Ted Lasso!!! the best, love that skit) that was like... what the names of the EPL teams would be if they were based on the crest and Villa was "karate lions chasing stars" which like. Come ON. that's so freaking cool.] Villa also was one of the original members of the EPL SO it was REALLY UPSETTING when they were relegated four years ago. BUT WE'RE BACK AND I CAN FINALLY WATCH THEM ON TV AGAIN!!! Hooray!
It's been awhile! Oops. Blah blah blah, OCD sucks, I'm working on it, and I'm not ready to talk about it.*
But in the meantime! I've been:
( voraciously ripping my way through Campaign 1 of Critical Role )
( trying out various craft projects )
( working my way through Rebels )
( finishing Learning Curve )
( starting my next project )
Anyways. I also wanted to add. I think I sort of spent some time hesitating to come back into fandom just because -- well, it can be so exhausting, reading and commenting and reccing and the like. I even feel guilty saying that, because of course I know that commenting and participating in fandom isn't as exhausting as actually creating content, but it is a very different kind of energy, a more extroverted kind of energy, and that is exhausting for me. Worth it, rewarding, enjoyable -- but utterly exhausting. I want to be able to participate in fandom, to give back to content creators, but I'm also working very hard on myself right now (that OCD I mentioned earlier), and there's just so very much in life to do.
So I guess the point is, just like my exercises in therapy, I'm dipping my feet into the pool very slowly.
*What does OCD have to do with my participation in fandom? I'm incredibly anxious and fixated on my glasses, which makes reading difficult sometimes. That's all I'm going to say because I'm worried if I reread this later, it will be triggering for me. EDIT: Oh yeah, and also, the perpetual anxiety that when I do participate in any kind of social situation, my inevitable awkwardness will cause me to engage in the "wrong way" and anger / hurt / make people feel uncomfortable / embarrass myself. Ah the joys of fretting about everything I say and do.
But in the meantime! I've been:
( voraciously ripping my way through Campaign 1 of Critical Role )
( trying out various craft projects )
( working my way through Rebels )
( finishing Learning Curve )
( starting my next project )
Anyways. I also wanted to add. I think I sort of spent some time hesitating to come back into fandom just because -- well, it can be so exhausting, reading and commenting and reccing and the like. I even feel guilty saying that, because of course I know that commenting and participating in fandom isn't as exhausting as actually creating content, but it is a very different kind of energy, a more extroverted kind of energy, and that is exhausting for me. Worth it, rewarding, enjoyable -- but utterly exhausting. I want to be able to participate in fandom, to give back to content creators, but I'm also working very hard on myself right now (that OCD I mentioned earlier), and there's just so very much in life to do.
So I guess the point is, just like my exercises in therapy, I'm dipping my feet into the pool very slowly.
*What does OCD have to do with my participation in fandom? I'm incredibly anxious and fixated on my glasses, which makes reading difficult sometimes. That's all I'm going to say because I'm worried if I reread this later, it will be triggering for me. EDIT: Oh yeah, and also, the perpetual anxiety that when I do participate in any kind of social situation, my inevitable awkwardness will cause me to engage in the "wrong way" and anger / hurt / make people feel uncomfortable / embarrass myself. Ah the joys of fretting about everything I say and do.
things are looking up?
Feb. 27th, 2019 08:30 pm(well maybe just a little bit up)
Just popping in to respond to comments and so forth; thank you everyone for the well wishes!
I have not done my homework and scheduled that appointment with the opthamologist yet (I have anxieties about going to the doctor, especially new ones, but that's not an excuse).
I do feel like the particular issue I was having is getting better, but I'm not sure if it's just a psychological thing, or if I just got used to seeing text the way that I'm seeing it, or what. For all I know, the words have looked like this for awhile, and I'm only noticing it now because new glasses.
I've been popping on tumblr now and then, but I'm still trying to keep my time on screens to a minimum. So still on that pseudo-hiatus for now, but you may see me tentatively bumbling around here and there.
Just popping in to respond to comments and so forth; thank you everyone for the well wishes!
I have not done my homework and scheduled that appointment with the opthamologist yet (I have anxieties about going to the doctor, especially new ones, but that's not an excuse).
I do feel like the particular issue I was having is getting better, but I'm not sure if it's just a psychological thing, or if I just got used to seeing text the way that I'm seeing it, or what. For all I know, the words have looked like this for awhile, and I'm only noticing it now because new glasses.
I've been popping on tumblr now and then, but I'm still trying to keep my time on screens to a minimum. So still on that pseudo-hiatus for now, but you may see me tentatively bumbling around here and there.
Liz Can't Read and other sucky business
Feb. 13th, 2019 09:03 pmMedical woes below the cut tag (mostly vision related. The short version: taking a temporary hiatus in attempt relieve possible eyestrain. (this is a hiatus even from reading hard copy books, too!) Am absolutely devastated about it.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
nothing's impossible child
Feb. 4th, 2019 10:19 pmI've decided to try to take up knitting again.
I started back in college and somewhere along the way lost the habit. I think it took me five years to finish my last project, what I thought at the time was a chunky scarf (but I'll come back to that).
For Christmas 2017, I asked for some beginner knitting tutorial packages (and also some Star Wars crochet projects, which I know, totally different, but that's another crafty thing I want to get into, too). Unfortunately 2018 was too busy for me to sit down and attempt to relearn the basics, but last night, I finally dusted off my presents and dived into it.
It's been sorta frustrating.
It's hard knowing this is a thing I used to be able to do, but I'm also struggling because (a) this tutorial package involves an actually(?) chunky yarn and uses 15 mm needles, and while I understand that are much larger needles out there, they feel absolutely enormous to me (and supposedly larger needles are supposed to be easier for beginners? ha!); and (b) I never did learn how to do this whole gauge swatch thing. Apparently I knit way too tightly. HA, this is not really surprising at all, but it does make for some difficulties in adjusting my gauge when I'm also out of my element using what might as well be the same size as the complementary miniature baseball bats we got at the Louisville slugger factory. I just can't seem to loosen up! Except, of course, when it comes to my edges, which end up with these gaping loops. I don't remember struggling this much in college! Anyways.
Also this is my first attempt ever at making a hat -- all I ever did before were scarves, which are wonderfully, delightfully easy. And also I love wearing scarves.
I've given up I'm taking a break for tonight, but I want to try again fresh tomorrow.
I started back in college and somewhere along the way lost the habit. I think it took me five years to finish my last project, what I thought at the time was a chunky scarf (but I'll come back to that).
For Christmas 2017, I asked for some beginner knitting tutorial packages (and also some Star Wars crochet projects, which I know, totally different, but that's another crafty thing I want to get into, too). Unfortunately 2018 was too busy for me to sit down and attempt to relearn the basics, but last night, I finally dusted off my presents and dived into it.
It's been sorta frustrating.
It's hard knowing this is a thing I used to be able to do, but I'm also struggling because (a) this tutorial package involves an actually(?) chunky yarn and uses 15 mm needles, and while I understand that are much larger needles out there, they feel absolutely enormous to me (and supposedly larger needles are supposed to be easier for beginners? ha!); and (b) I never did learn how to do this whole gauge swatch thing. Apparently I knit way too tightly. HA, this is not really surprising at all, but it does make for some difficulties in adjusting my gauge when I'm also out of my element using what might as well be the same size as the complementary miniature baseball bats we got at the Louisville slugger factory. I just can't seem to loosen up! Except, of course, when it comes to my edges, which end up with these gaping loops. I don't remember struggling this much in college! Anyways.
Also this is my first attempt ever at making a hat -- all I ever did before were scarves, which are wonderfully, delightfully easy. And also I love wearing scarves.
Sunday Fanday ~ February 3
Feb. 3rd, 2019 09:50 pmWhew! It’s Sunday again, already, and I am exhausted. I had a cold all this past week, and then ended up hauling all the way up to NYC* to see Waitress!
I’ve loved Sara Bareilles since I first heard the opening notes of “Love Song.” She’s one of my go-tos when I need pick-me-up music, particularly her album What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress. For some reason it just resonates with me. So when my husband found out she’d be starring in it this month he bought me tickets for my birthday.
She killed it. Gosh, it was so amazing to hear her in person. She sounded so good. If you’re not familiar, the show is based on the 2007 movie written by Adrienne Shelly, starring Keri Russell, about a woman in an abusive relationship who works as a waitress and has an amazing talent for baking pies, which she inherited and picked up from her now-deceased mother. She’s planning on finally leaving her deadbeat husband when she finds out she’s pregnant. It’s a comedy-drama and it’s mainly about three women (Russell’s character, Jenna, and her two coworkers) and I always liked the movie, but Sara Bareilles’ songs add to it and hit a nerve that always gets me.
So yeah, it was an amazing experience, and they sell these little pies in tin cups that was quite a nice touch!
I would very much prefer to be vegging out on the couch right now (watching anything but that big sportsball episode), but!!!! It’s Sunday Fanday and time for some Fan Work Recs!
Speaking of which, yeah, my little blurb below says it’s mostly rebelcaptain content that I expect to rec—and that holds true, I swear!— but these past two weeks are, uh, a little heavy on the Obitine because of this [SPOILERS!].
*I left straight from work—in DC—on Friday night. It had stopped snowing by then, but the roads were filthy with salt, which was a huge pain for visibility. Didn’t get to my parents house in Jersey until 11. Fortunately my sister drove the second half (she lives halfway so I left my car at her place and she finished the journey). It is So Much Driving to do in a weekend. Too much.
On To Business:
If you’re new, this is my regular bi-weekly post recommending my favorite Fan Works that I’ve enjoyed over the last two weeks. I especially love to shine some spotlight on those fan works that I loved that maybe didn’t, imo, get enough love. Please rec any you think could use some extra attention!
The format -- posts will:
Today’s Recommendations
ART
Jedi Jyn by Ivaylo
Oooh, dual-wielding Jyn, I’m in love! She looks so fierce in this, too!!! So great, and such a cool pose. I also think it’s very interesting (and intimidating!) to see her face straight-on. Such determination—VERY Jyn. I also like the call back to the tower scene on Scarif and the destruction behind her. FIERCE. And may I take a moment to admire the glow effect on the lightsabers?! Nice. ALSO ALSO the movement of her bangs. Not gonna lie I’ve been thinking a lot about a Jedi AU now. I want it! Binging (and finishing) The Clone Wars does not help.
Jyn & Cassian Embracing [no title] bylyselkatz
Ohhh!!!!!! The passion in the way they are holding each other’s faces!!! I just love Jyn’s hand on Cassian’s face, like the curve of her fingers, gah. I really love the sketchy style, too. Very nice!
Jyn & Cassian - Alternate Meeting [no title] byrunakvaed
An awesome gifset, with accompanying fic! Jyn and Cassian run into each other earlier (erm, well, Jyn’s fist runs into Cassian’s nose). The ficlet is short and sweet and mainly just covers their first moments interacting with each other, but I love their characterizations and their conversation. The gifset gives a nice taste for what we could have had!!! If only they had more time!!! What are you talking about they lived they lived and enjoyed many happy years after the rebellion ANYWAYS def check this out if you haven’t seen it already.
Welcome home bycaffeinosis
Another embrace!!! I just like them holding each other, apparently… yep that checks out. I particularly love their closeness, the height difference, their embracing, their gazing into each other’s eyes!! Also the color of Jyn’s shirt. Also Cassian’s jaw could cut you. Hope to see more art from this creator! :)
The Art of Rebelcaptain
OKAY, this is not so much one piece of art in particular, but a whole blog dedicated to posting rebelcaptain art. A little bit “different” of a rec, but as you’ll see with the rest of this list, I’m not opposed to reccing other kinds of media. So first: this is such an amazing project, what a good positive thing to do, so kudos to whoever is behind this. Second: you’re going to find lots of amazing art here, and huzzah for that!!! Please take a look through, I’d be sorely tempted to just rec all the posts on this blog so it’s just more reasonable to rec the link as a whole. Third: the design of the blog itself is so on point? I love it. I love the background color chosen and the design on the left. IT’S JUST COOL, Y’ALL. Please check it out!
META*
Normally, I’m very picky about reblogging headcanons or what have you because I don’t like when prevalent headcanons become fanons (especially when there’s little basis in canon), but these happen to pluck the same strings in my own heart, so I like ‘em and think they make a good read.
“A few notes on Cassian, Carida, his father, and Fest.” byallatariel
Oh boy, there sometimes seem to be fanons that circulate about Cassian’s background as canon. Honestly we really just don’t know much. This post does a fabulous job of indicating what we do know, based on actual SW media, and also offers the writer’s own thoughts to fill in the gaps (appropriately indicated). And CITATIONS!!!! My heart!!!! What thoroughness, I love it. Also I just watched “Point of No Return,” and after reading this post I kept thinking of Cassian’s father!! Gahh!!! My heart!!!
Cassian Andor Headcanons by![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ladytharen
Oh my gosh, what a very thorough exploration of Cassian. As my excessive disclaimers have noted, I’m so hesitant to engage with headcanons but these!!! Are lovely!! There’s a lot here—so, so much fabulous thinking and thorough explanations with careful consideration of canon—and I’m not going to profess to sharing all of these headcanons but the fact that I loved so many was very striking to me. A very good read.
FIC
Obitine
I recently finished the episode “The Lawless” (The Clone Wars) and I NEEDED a fix-it. Thank goodness these were here to help.
if the sky comes falling down, for you (there's nothing in this world i wouldn't do) by![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
skywalking-across-the-galaxy
A retelling of “The Lawless,” where Obi-Wan goes in with back up!!! As he should have!!! Sheesh. As far as I’m concerned, this is how that episode Really Went, and no one can tell me otherwise. Way more reasonable than the show. Thank goodness for the heroes like this writer. One shot, a little over 6k words.
and gravity, scientists say, is weak byvictoria_p
So much fun!! And wit!! Obi-Wan actually opens up about some things to Anakin, and Anakin interacts with Satine at Obi-Wan’s fake funeral (thank goodness for that, because it’s so disappointing how she’s nothing more than background decoration in that episode, a true tragedy, and it’s good to see her acknowledged in that context, nice to know that she wasn’t cast aside and had a support network). Also another rewriting of “The Lawless” where Obi-Wan properly brings back up. Huzzah for actual thinking and planning! Obi-Wan and Anakin are great in this! One shot, a little over 3k words.
You Can’t Hide From Me bydrunkkenobi
Ohhh my goodness. This one’s a bit longer, almost 30k over nine chapters, but such a satisfying read. Satine survives “The Lawless,” but remains separated from Obi-Wan until she finds him in exile on Tatooine. She helps him work through his repressed emotions. And fun cameo from toddler Luke!!! Yessss, I loved this so much. Great characterizations of Satine and Obi-Wan.
Rebelcaptain
“what do you mean you’re fine? you are not fine!” bycats-and-metersticks
INTENSE!!! Jyn helps a concussed Cassian after a mission goes wrong. Absolutely love how Jyn takes care of Cassian, how her worries and tension in conveyed, and also Cassian’s own tensions.
*I am, perhaps, excessively sensitive about sharing of meta/headcanons/fanons, and while I realize this is probably a thing I’m just weird about, I wanted to just give a little disclaimer: Please by all means do not take my sharing these as any kind of attempt to propagate or enforce one set of interpretations!! (Or even strict adherence to canon because that is the whole point of AUs!) Because that would never be my intent, far from it. I just really love these ideas and they happen to overlap with my own interpretation/perspective on things. They make good reading.
I’ve loved Sara Bareilles since I first heard the opening notes of “Love Song.” She’s one of my go-tos when I need pick-me-up music, particularly her album What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress. For some reason it just resonates with me. So when my husband found out she’d be starring in it this month he bought me tickets for my birthday.
She killed it. Gosh, it was so amazing to hear her in person. She sounded so good. If you’re not familiar, the show is based on the 2007 movie written by Adrienne Shelly, starring Keri Russell, about a woman in an abusive relationship who works as a waitress and has an amazing talent for baking pies, which she inherited and picked up from her now-deceased mother. She’s planning on finally leaving her deadbeat husband when she finds out she’s pregnant. It’s a comedy-drama and it’s mainly about three women (Russell’s character, Jenna, and her two coworkers) and I always liked the movie, but Sara Bareilles’ songs add to it and hit a nerve that always gets me.
So yeah, it was an amazing experience, and they sell these little pies in tin cups that was quite a nice touch!
I would very much prefer to be vegging out on the couch right now (watching anything but that big sportsball episode), but!!!! It’s Sunday Fanday and time for some Fan Work Recs!
Speaking of which, yeah, my little blurb below says it’s mostly rebelcaptain content that I expect to rec—and that holds true, I swear!— but these past two weeks are, uh, a little heavy on the Obitine because of this [SPOILERS!].
*I left straight from work—in DC—on Friday night. It had stopped snowing by then, but the roads were filthy with salt, which was a huge pain for visibility. Didn’t get to my parents house in Jersey until 11. Fortunately my sister drove the second half (she lives halfway so I left my car at her place and she finished the journey). It is So Much Driving to do in a weekend. Too much.
On To Business:
If you’re new, this is my regular bi-weekly post recommending my favorite Fan Works that I’ve enjoyed over the last two weeks. I especially love to shine some spotlight on those fan works that I loved that maybe didn’t, imo, get enough love. Please rec any you think could use some extra attention!
The format -- posts will:
- Appear every other Sunday
- Feature at minimum 3 works (fic, art, and any other medium I may come across)
- Focus mainly on rebelcaptain works, with occasional Bodhi/Luke or Skywalker Family Feels
Today’s Recommendations
ART
Jedi Jyn by Ivaylo
Oooh, dual-wielding Jyn, I’m in love! She looks so fierce in this, too!!! So great, and such a cool pose. I also think it’s very interesting (and intimidating!) to see her face straight-on. Such determination—VERY Jyn. I also like the call back to the tower scene on Scarif and the destruction behind her. FIERCE. And may I take a moment to admire the glow effect on the lightsabers?! Nice. ALSO ALSO the movement of her bangs. Not gonna lie I’ve been thinking a lot about a Jedi AU now. I want it! Binging (and finishing) The Clone Wars does not help.
Jyn & Cassian Embracing [no title] by
Ohhh!!!!!! The passion in the way they are holding each other’s faces!!! I just love Jyn’s hand on Cassian’s face, like the curve of her fingers, gah. I really love the sketchy style, too. Very nice!
Jyn & Cassian - Alternate Meeting [no title] by
An awesome gifset, with accompanying fic! Jyn and Cassian run into each other earlier (erm, well, Jyn’s fist runs into Cassian’s nose). The ficlet is short and sweet and mainly just covers their first moments interacting with each other, but I love their characterizations and their conversation. The gifset gives a nice taste for what we could have had!!! If only they had more time!!! What are you talking about they lived they lived and enjoyed many happy years after the rebellion ANYWAYS def check this out if you haven’t seen it already.
Welcome home by
Another embrace!!! I just like them holding each other, apparently… yep that checks out. I particularly love their closeness, the height difference, their embracing, their gazing into each other’s eyes!! Also the color of Jyn’s shirt. Also Cassian’s jaw could cut you. Hope to see more art from this creator! :)
The Art of Rebelcaptain
OKAY, this is not so much one piece of art in particular, but a whole blog dedicated to posting rebelcaptain art. A little bit “different” of a rec, but as you’ll see with the rest of this list, I’m not opposed to reccing other kinds of media. So first: this is such an amazing project, what a good positive thing to do, so kudos to whoever is behind this. Second: you’re going to find lots of amazing art here, and huzzah for that!!! Please take a look through, I’d be sorely tempted to just rec all the posts on this blog so it’s just more reasonable to rec the link as a whole. Third: the design of the blog itself is so on point? I love it. I love the background color chosen and the design on the left. IT’S JUST COOL, Y’ALL. Please check it out!
META*
Normally, I’m very picky about reblogging headcanons or what have you because I don’t like when prevalent headcanons become fanons (especially when there’s little basis in canon), but these happen to pluck the same strings in my own heart, so I like ‘em and think they make a good read.
“A few notes on Cassian, Carida, his father, and Fest.” by
Oh boy, there sometimes seem to be fanons that circulate about Cassian’s background as canon. Honestly we really just don’t know much. This post does a fabulous job of indicating what we do know, based on actual SW media, and also offers the writer’s own thoughts to fill in the gaps (appropriately indicated). And CITATIONS!!!! My heart!!!! What thoroughness, I love it. Also I just watched “Point of No Return,” and after reading this post I kept thinking of Cassian’s father!! Gahh!!! My heart!!!
Cassian Andor Headcanons by
ladytharen Oh my gosh, what a very thorough exploration of Cassian. As my excessive disclaimers have noted, I’m so hesitant to engage with headcanons but these!!! Are lovely!! There’s a lot here—so, so much fabulous thinking and thorough explanations with careful consideration of canon—and I’m not going to profess to sharing all of these headcanons but the fact that I loved so many was very striking to me. A very good read.
FIC
Obitine
I recently finished the episode “The Lawless” (The Clone Wars) and I NEEDED a fix-it. Thank goodness these were here to help.
if the sky comes falling down, for you (there's nothing in this world i wouldn't do) by
A retelling of “The Lawless,” where Obi-Wan goes in with back up!!! As he should have!!! Sheesh. As far as I’m concerned, this is how that episode Really Went, and no one can tell me otherwise. Way more reasonable than the show. Thank goodness for the heroes like this writer. One shot, a little over 6k words.
and gravity, scientists say, is weak by
So much fun!! And wit!! Obi-Wan actually opens up about some things to Anakin, and Anakin interacts with Satine at Obi-Wan’s fake funeral (thank goodness for that, because it’s so disappointing how she’s nothing more than background decoration in that episode, a true tragedy, and it’s good to see her acknowledged in that context, nice to know that she wasn’t cast aside and had a support network). Also another rewriting of “The Lawless” where Obi-Wan properly brings back up. Huzzah for actual thinking and planning! Obi-Wan and Anakin are great in this! One shot, a little over 3k words.
You Can’t Hide From Me by
Ohhh my goodness. This one’s a bit longer, almost 30k over nine chapters, but such a satisfying read. Satine survives “The Lawless,” but remains separated from Obi-Wan until she finds him in exile on Tatooine. She helps him work through his repressed emotions. And fun cameo from toddler Luke!!! Yessss, I loved this so much. Great characterizations of Satine and Obi-Wan.
Rebelcaptain
“what do you mean you’re fine? you are not fine!” by
INTENSE!!! Jyn helps a concussed Cassian after a mission goes wrong. Absolutely love how Jyn takes care of Cassian, how her worries and tension in conveyed, and also Cassian’s own tensions.
*I am, perhaps, excessively sensitive about sharing of meta/headcanons/fanons, and while I realize this is probably a thing I’m just weird about, I wanted to just give a little disclaimer: Please by all means do not take my sharing these as any kind of attempt to propagate or enforce one set of interpretations!! (Or even strict adherence to canon because that is the whole point of AUs!) Because that would never be my intent, far from it. I just really love these ideas and they happen to overlap with my own interpretation/perspective on things. They make good reading.
Updates and the like
Jan. 28th, 2019 05:52 pmHow do these weeks keep going by so quickly? Sometimes I feel like “growing up” is just life pressing harder and harder on the gas, an acceleration that never abates, and I’m just clinging to the armrest.
On that note, two things:
- I’m going to start doing goals every other week, in between the fic rec posts. So that way I’m only doing one post each Sunday, and also I’m not like, bombarding y’all with my boring goals. I just like putting them somewhere public so that I can hold myself a little more accountable.
- Productivity this past week has been Low.
WRITING
1. Learning Curve | due mid January 2019 [LATE... obviously]
Current word count is 9,803, which indicates almost a thousand-word increase since last week. That is more progress than my last update, but it doesn’t feel like very much because I’m suspicious a good deal of it needs to be cut. Also, each chapter of this fic has basically doubled the length of the previous chapter, which I’m trying to tell my muse is a sign that I need to Shorten and Simplify. Unfortunately, I’ve somewhat written myself into a corner (it’s Krennic’s fault, absolutely Krennic’s fault) and I’ve struggling to fix it.
Is it a surprise that I’ve overcomplicated and overthought things? Not at all. But I do just want to finish this fic already!
2. Birthday Ficlet Prompts!
Thanks to all who submitted something. :) I’m mulling over them. They are not supposed to be lengthy things; unfortunately (two unfortunatelys in one post! Oh no!) one of them… one of them is giving me “Leia angst over Ben” vibes… and I’m… I’m thinking about it. But I’m less than keen on acknowledging anything that happened in TLJ, so. We’ll see.
I’m also hoping to use these for when the writer’s block for Learning Curve becomes too much. (Hence why I was poking at them today.) Sorry I want to try to knock these out quickly! I hope I didn’t take on too much for myself.
3. How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days | due March 1
4. You've Got Mail In-Canon Universe AU
FANDOM
1. Respond to comments
I’m pretty sure the rest of the comments I have left are for Learning Curve and How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days, and I’m debating whether I should just go ahead and respond now, or wait until I post the next chapter of each. Part of what makes me lean towards the latter is that means I can also focus on actually writing those next chapters.
2. Finish draft of fandom engagement post | due end of January 2019
No update here; I’m still collecting all the pieces/angles I want for this, so it’s gonna be a little longer, but I want to do it right.
please send fluff pronto
Jan. 26th, 2019 08:00 pmThis week has just been plain rough for me, starting with some bad real life stuff at the beginning and then just a long stretch of sad fiction: on Wednesday, I watched The Clone Wars episode "The Lawless" (huge spoilers, do not click if you haven't seen or don't already know); Thursday my husband put on The West Wing episode "Gaza" (so like, YEAH); last night I watched The Good Place "Pandemonium;" and because none of that was enough, apparently, I just watched "The Wrong Jedi."
So. I'd say my emotions have been in pandemonium all freaking week!
( the sad place )
( the wrong episode to watch when you've already had a sad week )
OKAY WELL I'M WIPED SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SILLY FLUFF PLEASE AND THANK YOU
PS: I AM lucky in that my friend took me out to Cheesecake Factory & Build a Bear today as a late bday present, and I got myself a new stuffed animal! Rey Skyhopper was most appreciated during my watch of the TCW. :)
So. I'd say my emotions have been in pandemonium all freaking week!
( the sad place )
( the wrong episode to watch when you've already had a sad week )
OKAY WELL I'M WIPED SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SILLY FLUFF PLEASE AND THANK YOU
PS: I AM lucky in that my friend took me out to Cheesecake Factory & Build a Bear today as a late bday present, and I got myself a new stuffed animal! Rey Skyhopper was most appreciated during my watch of the TCW. :)
the show is ending our way
Jan. 23rd, 2019 09:06 pmI just watched The Clone Wars s5:e16, "The Lawless" and...
( the WORST of spoilers, do not read if you don't already Know )
( the WORST of spoilers, do not read if you don't already Know )
Into a place, where thoughts can bloom
Jan. 21st, 2019 09:19 amHas it really been a week already since my last goals post? Oy, January has been way too busy for me and I do not like it. The wedding is over, I'm supposed to be able to relax now! I've had just so much real life stuff going on (don't get me started on Thank You Cards). Part of the busy has been hanging out with friends, but that's still kind of draining for me. Last week had a birthday game night, Saturday I went to a friend's engagement party, and last night I went to the Panic! at the Disco concert.
I made a personal life to-do list the other day and that thing is very overwhelming. The problem is that I've got a lot of doctor things to do, and that is no fun at all. (I have anxiety about going to the doctor.) In fact today I have an eye doctor appointment, which I am wayyy overdo for, but it's not going to be fun at all. Ick. (Dear self: remember future Liz will appreciate being able to see well again.)
ANYWAYS! Time for a goals update.
1. Main Goal from last week: stop collecting assignments, start finishing them!
Yes! No new items have been added to this list, and look at all the completed items here!
I made a personal life to-do list the other day and that thing is very overwhelming. The problem is that I've got a lot of doctor things to do, and that is no fun at all. (I have anxiety about going to the doctor.) In fact today I have an eye doctor appointment, which I am wayyy overdo for, but it's not going to be fun at all. Ick. (Dear self: remember future Liz will appreciate being able to see well again.)
ANYWAYS! Time for a goals update.
WRITING
1. Learning Curve | due mid January 2019
Current word count is 8,828. Only 291 words in a week! Darn, I didn't even break 300. Well, I spent some time yesterday organizing my outline, and I did finish a scene that had been sitting there for awhile. I'm making this my main priority this week, and hopefully even later today I'll be able to write, if I don't need to get my eyes dilated.
2. Birthday Ficlet Prompts!
3. How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days | due March 1)
4. You've Got Mail In-Canon Universe AU
FANDOM
1. Respond to comments
Steady progress here, but I still have comments left for Learning Curve and How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days. The problem is that the LC comments are from... September? So very long ago. My usual preferred practice for responding to comments is to respond when the next chapter goes up, and I keep hoping that I will be posting that *soon* so I'm holding off, but I don't know if I should anymore because it's been so long? and on THAT note. The How to Lose a Spy comments have been waiting EVEN LONGER (since like March). So should I just buck up and reply to all of them? or wait? Gahh.Hi welcome to my overthinking brain
Steady progress here, but I still have comments left for Learning Curve and How to Lose a Spy in 10 Days. The problem is that the LC comments are from... September? So very long ago. My usual preferred practice for responding to comments is to respond when the next chapter goes up, and I keep hoping that I will be posting that *soon* so I'm holding off, but I don't know if I should anymore because it's been so long? and on THAT note. The How to Lose a Spy comments have been waiting EVEN LONGER (since like March). So should I just buck up and reply to all of them? or wait? Gahh.
2. Finish draft of fandom engagement post | due end of January 2019
I don't think I'm going to finish this in January. I'm still collecting all the pieces/angles I want for this so it's gonna be a little longer, but I want to do it right.
COMPLETED ITEMS1. Main Goal from last week: stop collecting assignments, start finishing them!
Yes! No new items have been added to this list, and look at all the completed items here!
2. Reread and comment on all the fic in the rebelcaptain food travel AU | DONE
Yay, I finally finished all the works published in this series! Some very delightful reads.
3. At the Confluence of History and Hope: Visual Aids (tumblr post) | DONE, and crossposted on here and tumblr
4. Post Fan Work Recommendations | POSTED
Sunday Fanday ~ January 21
Jan. 21st, 2019 12:59 amHappy Sunday err, Monday!
Yes, I am a wee bit late, had some real life plans that took up my whole afternoon and evening.
If you’re new, this is my regular bi-weekly post recommending my favorite Fan Works that I’ve enjoyed over the last two weeks. I especially love to shine some spotlight on those fan works that I loved that maybe didn’t, imo, get enough love. Please rec any you think could use some extra attention!
The format -- posts will:
Admittedly, there’s not as much today and it’s mostly fan art! The past two weeks, I focused on finishing the rebelcaptain food travel AU, which I recc’ed last time, responding to comments, and working on Learning Curve, so I don't think I read very much at all. (Plus, real life stuff.)
Sharing a coat (no title) by Ivaylo
An absolutely adorable piece of art with Jyn and Cassian huddling under his coat! Love the colors, love the happy faces! Also, forever amazed at well-drawn clothes!
Cassian Andor edit bylclrgsl
Also really love the colors in this, the shades of blue and yellow seem spot on for Cassian. I like the minimalist elements, too.
Inner Glow - Art (no title) by Ivaylo
Goshhh I love Ivaylo's use of that glowing green so much! It pops up in a couple of their works, I think, and I really love the contrast of the brightness of that green with the darker purple shade (it's srsly one of my fave color combos, green and purple, and these shades are fantastic). I also love that look in Jyn's eye, like "you are not leaving me. you are going to get better." So intense. GAHHH. MY HEART. (tw: blood)
AND ALSO, this art was inspired by Inner Glow byskitzofreak, equally intense, and brutal, and absolutely brilliant, as always. This is a quick read about Jyn treating a VERY WOUNDED Cassian, and as such is very packed with emotion. I particularly love Jyn's knowledge of cave fungus, and the way Cassian's. (tw: blood, injuries, this one is a little bit graphic, I guess)
Thanks to all these wonderful content creators for their contributions to fandom! I'm sorry I only have a few this week, I do have a long "Marked for Later" list, but I am open to any recs, too.
Yes, I am a wee bit late, had some real life plans that took up my whole afternoon and evening.
If you’re new, this is my regular bi-weekly post recommending my favorite Fan Works that I’ve enjoyed over the last two weeks. I especially love to shine some spotlight on those fan works that I loved that maybe didn’t, imo, get enough love. Please rec any you think could use some extra attention!
The format -- posts will:
- Appear every other Sunday
- Feature at minimum 3 works (fic, art, and any other medium I may come across)
- Focus mainly on rebelcaptain works, with occasional Bodhi/Luke or Skywalker Family Feels
Admittedly, there’s not as much today and it’s mostly fan art! The past two weeks, I focused on finishing the rebelcaptain food travel AU, which I recc’ed last time, responding to comments, and working on Learning Curve, so I don't think I read very much at all. (Plus, real life stuff.)
Sharing a coat (no title) by Ivaylo
An absolutely adorable piece of art with Jyn and Cassian huddling under his coat! Love the colors, love the happy faces! Also, forever amazed at well-drawn clothes!
Cassian Andor edit by
Also really love the colors in this, the shades of blue and yellow seem spot on for Cassian. I like the minimalist elements, too.
Inner Glow - Art (no title) by Ivaylo
Goshhh I love Ivaylo's use of that glowing green so much! It pops up in a couple of their works, I think, and I really love the contrast of the brightness of that green with the darker purple shade (it's srsly one of my fave color combos, green and purple, and these shades are fantastic). I also love that look in Jyn's eye, like "you are not leaving me. you are going to get better." So intense. GAHHH. MY HEART. (tw: blood)
AND ALSO, this art was inspired by Inner Glow by
Thanks to all these wonderful content creators for their contributions to fandom! I'm sorry I only have a few this week, I do have a long "Marked for Later" list, but I am open to any recs, too.
