#jsac

[lumhere]

More doodles from my AU (part 2) !

Mr. Timey is basically the head of the facility where Cube resides. Not much is known about them, except that they're old. Very old.

[malamilkbeats]

A version of Lycan I designed! It's very silly

They're still the short gremlin demon everyone loves. Just a bit more leafy

[rocicrew]

i can't get over naomi fr. she is a haunted house, burdened by everything that happened in the past, yet she's focused on the now if not the future. she questioned herself a lot and her ability to make correct decisions and yet she's so solid in every choice she makes. she's loyal but that loyalty never comes unquestionably or even unconditionally. she will risk her life if the reason is good enough and she has troubled with suicidal thoughts and yet she's not self sacrificial. she's complex and contradictory and messy and flawed and good and righteous in a very real human way especially considering everything she went through.

[doolallymagpie]

*thinks about the BTAU version of Caliban's War*

oh boy that's...not a good place for Bobbie to be in, why would I do this to her?

[mobiusstripper]

So I just finally finished Leviathan Falls a few days ago, and I've already mentioned that I was really pleasantly surprised by the way Tanaka was written. Now part of that is just that I'm a big sucker - as both a reader and a writer - for taking apart characters who are irredeemable bastards and seeing what makes them tick. I was really curious to see other fans' takes on her, and it looks like she was pretty polarizing as a POV characters - some of you guys, like me, really loved to hate her (and maybe even dip a tentative toe into feeling sorry for her), and some of you just plain hated her (and that's fine - some people prefer being able to like their POV characters. I'm not one of those people) or thought her chapters were boring (what book were you reading?). However, I haven't seen anyone really say much about the significance of her interest in (love of, really) art and art history. So I wanna talk a little about that.

The takes I've seen have largely come down to either, "It didn't fit with her character and felt really random," which I'm about to disagree with HARD, or "It served as a device to show that there was more to her that meets the eye, and that she could have gone down a completely different path." This one, I agree with, but I also think there's a lot more to it.

(1) So let's talk about why art history specifically. Why not something else seemingly 180 degrees away from being a Marine, like gardening or culinary science? As an artist who takes myself unapologetically seriously, I have had a lot of conversations with an artist friend of mine lately about the intimacy of art. Art is both an expression of individuality and a vehicle of profound, often terrifying, connection. The former is what Tanaka regards as the core of her being, while the latter is anathema to her. She is drawn to art precisely because it exists in a space of tension between her comfort zone and her deepest fears. It is the razor edge that she loves to walk.

I've said before that I think of art as a form of telepathy - you are trying to capture something inside your own mind and externalize it in a way that it is transmitted into the mind of another person. When Tanaka begins experiencing this very literally in a manner she can't control, it's her worst nightmare. But she loves art because it is a version of this that she can control. It's an outlet for her to fulfill the fundamentally human need for connection when it's never been safe (both literally and psychologically) for her to do so through any other means. She learned that as a child when she sought a hug and got a slap in the face instead.

A number of the art pieces she contemplates are emotionally intense. The Third Miko in particularly is memorable because it is a heavy piece, full of vulnerability and grief and dread. These are the kinds of pieces that not only did the artist have to rip themselves open and pour their soul into in order to produce, but the audience is required to do the same to some extent in order to fully experience them. Turning soul-crushing sadness into usable rage isn't alchemy - it's more like a refinement process; it takes a lot of energy, and there is a lot of waste runoff that still has to go somewhere. For Tanaka, that's where it goes. That's the safe place to put it. Inside of someone else's pain, where no one will ever know it's yours.

(2) The other thing I wanted to talk about hinges on a "blink and you miss it" detail that, for me at least, completely reframed the whole picture regarding the "two roads diverged" aspect of Tanaka's life, and that's the casually dropped revelation that she never actually had a choice in the first place. The way this was written, I'm absolutely certain it was a very deliberate choice by JSAC to undermine the assumptions we as readers had been previously led to make.

The "two roads" framing comes up explicitly three times in the book. The first time is in Chapter 24: "Tanaka hadn’t thought about that painting in decades, or about what a very different life she would have lived if she’d made a few different decisions at the start." The next mention is in Chapter 31, when Dr. Ahmadi is reviewing Tanaka's file. She says, "You refused an advanced scholarship in order to enlist." Both of these references frame it very explicitly as a choice. But then, a few pages later, it's revealed that it actually wasn't: "If Aunt Akari had let her study art history instead of enlisting in active service, where would she be right now? And who would be tracking down the high consul? What else—how many thousands of other things—would be different?" (emphasis mine).

This detail and the way it was just slipped in there actually made me feel terribly sad for her because it reveals that this was, in fact, never where she wanted to be at all. This is more a matter of interpretation, but my takeaway was that the whole thing about her preferring a repressive society might be less the truth and more of a narrative she tells herself because she has spent her entire life deprived of any kind of real agency. It's true that someone who has never experienced life outside a pressure cooker environment might rapidly decompress like a blobfish upon being removed from it (I'm reminded of the memoir The Girl With Seven Names, where the author's mother and brother can't adapt to life outside of North Korea and want to go back), but that's less about being naturally well-suited to it and more about being deeply and maybe irreversibly maladapted.

When Tanaka tells herself she loves life under the boot because it gives her something to push back against, she's making the best of a bad situation by pretending her lack of agency is actually just a really sophisticated form of agency. It's because the only love she has ever known is the threat of consequences, with the only realistic alternative being complete apathy. It's the same mentality that makes abuse victims blame themselves - because, in some ways, the version of events where you were totally helpless and at the mercy of a cold, uncaring universe and the passing whims of other people is more distressing than the version where you brought it upon yourself through your own choices and actions. Wanting (and presumably asking her aunt's permission) to study art history, only to be forced to enlist in the marines instead is just another variation of her reaching for a hug and getting a slap. But if someone cares enough to slap you in the face, at least that means they care, right? "Laconia would put two in the back of my head because they care about what I think and do" is still a nicer story than "Laconia would put two in the back of my head because I'm nobody and nothing and completely disposable to them." It also made me wonder what was meant earlier by "if she’d made a few different decisions at the start." What does she tell herself she could have done differently to change a fate that was never in her hands to begin with?

TL;DR Tanaka loves art because it's the only way she can safely experience human connection and emotions besides anger, and it's implied she would have chosen to study art history if her aunt hadn't forced her to enlist.

[mizkit]

new blog post: TBR shelf

new blog post on https://mizkit.com/tbr-shelf-2/

TBR shelf

Over on Bluesky one of my friends was doing a “31 days of books on my to-read shelf,��� listicle thing. I thought that was a good ‘un, so I started doing one too. I thought I’d port it over here. I’m really sorry but I’m tired and lazy and am only going to link to Amazon (all links are affiliate, I will earn some bitty percentage if you click through and use my links, etc etc etc) for these titles instead of doing the whole kit & kaboodle but if there are books I particularly think you should take the trouble to look up on your platform, I’ll mention that.

Like this one, for example:

DOWN AMONG THE DEAD, K.B. Wagers – this is the 2nd book of a 2nd trilogy (first trilogy here) about Hail Bristol, former gunrunner & current reluctant empress of an interstellar empire. These are some of the best books I’ve read this year, and I intend to finish the trilogy over the next few days, while wailing and gnashing my teeth at KB, who has apparently been GREATLY ENJOYING me doing so over on BS. They were apparently waiting with bated breath for me to get to the end of the first book of this trilogy, and my screams evidently did not disappoint. :)

Hannah Ritchie, NOT THE END OF THE WORLD: “Surprising facts, dangerous myths, and hopeful solutions for our future on planet Earth” – someone recommended this, I don’t remember who, but clearly I thought their opinion held some weight so I picked it up. :)

MC Vaughn, ROMANCING MISS STONE, a title I wish I’d thought of :) This is technically a research read for me, but with that title I’d have picked it up anyway.

Barbara Hambly, ONE EXTRA CORPSE, oh man I forgot about this one I gotta read it soon! I love her murder mysteries and I bet–there IS another one out! OMG. BRB, throwing over all my plans for the day to read. (I am now halfway through reading this and have the next one in my Kobo basket.)

THE ANTI-SOCIAL SEASON, Adele Buck – this is also a research read, and I have actually read it since putting it on my TBR list ten days ago. It’s cute, as was the first book in its series. Actually, it is cute, but it’s not just cute. There are some really great, frustrating family dynamics in this book and they’re really well realized and extremely sympathy/empathy-inducing. Buck did a good job.

THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR, Victoria Goddard – 90% sure somebody, possibly Stephanie Burgis, recommended this one. I have no other information about it right now. :)

WHEN THE WAVE COLLAPSES, Norah Woodsey – again, almost sure I picked this up on a recommendation or review that sounded interesting.

RATTLESNAKE WIND, Lilith Saintcrow – I mean it’s Lili. :)

THE MERCY OF GODS, James S.A. Corey – you know, I haven’t actually finished the last 3 books of The Expanse, so I’ve got no business picking up another JSAC book, except…I totally did. Maybe next year I should have a goal of re-reading/finishing The Expanse and reading this. :)

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN, Sylvia Izzo Hunter – 90% sure Stephanie Burgis recommended this one too.

I have no idea how it is I haven’t read this yet, because her books are a “drop everything, including work, and read immediately” for me, but A SORCERESS COMES TO CALL, T. Kingfisher

(Actually, I looked it up and it came out RIGHT before Worldcon, so honestly I probably didn’t even see it arrive, which is no doubt how I missed it. I’ve got to finish KB’s books, but this might be the one to end my year on bc after all, total emotional destruction is always a good way to end the year, right?)

Also, I don’t have to have read it to recommend it as a “go look on other sites for it if you haven’t read it either” book.

ALASKA INFERNO, Lolo Paige. I confess 97% of the reason I picked this one up was to see how annoyed I would be by the Alaska stuff, but I have 3% hope I won’t be. :)

That’s as far as I’ve gotten on BS so I’ll do more later. :)

[phatburd]

([Yet Another] 'Questions for Fic Writers') Multiples of 9!

9. Have you ever collaborated with someone else on a fic?

I was in The Old Guard Reverse Bang 2022, and you can see the original post here.

I've never collaborated on a mutual writing project however, but maybe the current spate of Napoleonic roleplaying blogs qualifies. I didn't expect to hit angst with Murat so soon, but he'll be back to his glittery self soon at some point.

18. Are there any fics or authors that have been particularly influential or inspiring to you?

There's a number of authors who've influenced my fics, including Octavia Butler, Robert J. Sawyer, Marko Kloos, and John Scalzi. But the biggest influence by far is James S.A. Corey.

JSAC is actually two people -- Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Everything about The Expanse (books and show) has been a huge inspiration in my fics. It's the incredibly detailed world building, it's the story pacing and structure, how to create memorable characters that leave an impression even if it's only for one scene. It's the brutal cold opens and even more vicious cliffhangers.

Andy Weir is another huge influence. He makes hard science easily accessible to audiences who might not be so knowledgeable. However, the way he influences my work the most is his humor. That scene in The Martian with pirate ninjas? Fucking genius.

Humor, when sprinkled in at the right moments, keeps the audience's attention and keeps them engaged and immersed. Yeah, Weir could have used "kilowatt hours per sol" but that's a mouthful and, as a reader, doesn't that make your eyes just glaze over? So, instead of "kilowatt hours per sol" he named the unit "pirate ninjas."

This is why in "Once All There Was" I was inspired to let Ney name the Russian forest "Those Fucking Trees" and let him keep calling it that. It's a moment of gallows humor in a desperate situation, but also doesn't grind the audience down in the horrible situation Third Corps is in.

27. What two (or more) fandoms would you like to see a crossover for? Would you ever write it?

I have this slightly insane fusion/crossover I want to do but it may be too ambitious for me to tackle.

It's a period-accurate War of the Worlds, but instead of Edwardian England, it's in contemporaneous La Belle Epoque France instead, specifically in Paris.

Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Sarah Bernhardt, and Oscar Wilde go set out to save the world from the Martians. There's also a lot of absinthe and cigar smoking in-between dodging Martian tripods. Yeah.

Thanks for the ask!

[jsacs1]

Selecting office furniture is more than a purchase—it’s a strategic business decision. JSA Consultancy Services helps manage every detail, ensuring that your workspace reflects your company’s needs and goals. From design to delivery, we guide you through the process of finding the ideal office furniture to enhance productivity and workplace aesthetics.

[justshapesandaus]

(Just take my trash)

[amandacheam]

JSAB BOSSES

(But it's JSACS version)

[lumhere]

Jsab doodles for my AU, with some OCs

Radio is Brick's former roommate and best friend, and F.A.K (First Aid Kit) is one of the doctors in the facility Brick's at.

Been a while, uh...

[just-beats-and-cookies]

(It’s 2AM but i wanted to make a header for the blog ;w; )

[doolallymagpie]

why does Bobbie, the largest crew member, not simply eat the other five?

[jamesholden]

I'm not on Twitter nowadays. What tweet? Isn't Holden bi or poly in the books?

So like one of JSAC once answered a question on Reddit implying Holden was somewhat attracted to men but confirmed he’s a monogamous Naomisexual/Naomiromantic at the same time. Which you know is AOK I would be Naomisexual/Naomiromantic too.

Today however... Ty tweeted that not only is Holden monogamous, but he’s also het, and that......... ugh this to me was the worst part, that Holden  “always felt he was a bit of a disappointment to his family” because he was straight and monogamous. Like big ol yikes right there. 

A couple of us either said that it was really uncool to “confirm” the straightness of a character in particular when we’re supposed to be applauding this show for not caring about anyone’s sexuality or like leaving some things to the fans who are attached to these characters, or calling out the big old yikes of a really distasteful switcheroo. 

Idk anon like Holden had a lot to do with my coming out story and I see so much of myself in him and I mean So Much he’s incredibly special to me and there are some Questionable scenes he has in the books that could imply bisexuality/pansexuality which was also casually nice, so why decide to “confirm” this character’s “straightness”? What’s the point? It’s not like he’s the most popular character or that people are clamoring to get confirmation he’s not. Why now? Why at all? And why AGAIN pull the “wah my parents are disappointed i’m MONOGAMOUS STRAIGHT” 300 years in the future when we still have kids afraid to come out to their parents for being LGBTQA like RIGHT NOW, like I was before Holden and The Expanse’s influence in my life? 

I’m disappointed and hurt and trying not to feel silly for feeling those things but I really wish he’d just left it alone. So now I’ll be just living with that Reddit AMA answer from like 3 years ago instead.

[jsacs1]

Gain a competitive edge in the UK office furniture market with JSACS. Our intelligence platform delivers critical insights into competitors’ strategies, pricing models, and market positioning. Use JSACS to stay ahead of the competition and optimize your business approach.

[phatburd]

Me: *clings to The Expanse*

we could really discuss why showrunners are so obsessed with pissing off fans because it is honestly fascinating