#sfs’s adventures in sewing

[silverfoxstole]

It’s done!

After ten days of work (and another three for a waistcoat I’m not that happy with; see below), the NotD coat is finished! Woohoo!

Overall, I’m really pleased with it, which is just as well as it’s taken so much time (and grief!). I worked out that if I’d paid myself minimum wage for all the hours I put in the labour alone would amount to about £500. One of my ex colleagues used to suggest I set up a dressmaking business and wouldn’t believe me when I told her it wouldn’t be cost effective as the amount of labour involved would make everything too expensive.

Anyway, I have taken quite a lot of photos, so you can see how it turned out:

This got long so I’ll stick the rest behind a cut.

I ended up adding some extra fabric to the tails, as they were sticking out at an angle and didn’t look right. It means an extra seam but it’s not that visible and I much prefer it this way, with more fullness at the back (and it properly covers my bum, which is very important!):

Though it looks fine on the dummy when I put it on I’m not convinced I didn’t raise the back waist seam a bit too far, but it’s sitting on my waist so… *shrugs* I don’t often look at myself from behind so it probably doesn’t matter that much.

After sewing on the two back buttons I changed my mind and went with the covered ones in the end, deciding on reflection that those I bought last week were a bit too pale. They would have fitted better if I’d made the binding more of a contrast (which I’m glad I didn’t as it would have been more obvious that it’s not exactly perfect in some places). I had to make the buttonholes manually as there was no way the automatic buttonhole foot wouldn’t get caught at some point. I haven’t sewn any that way since I first started out six years ago and was using my mother’s old machine! All the ones I’ve owned have had an automatic function so I had to practice a bit to remind myself how to do it. Thankfully they’ve turned out well.

I also solved the problem of the gap between the collar and lapel by stitching them together. It works a treat!

Though I’ve made a miniature version for Eight Bear, this is the first time I’ve tried to replicate an existing garment for myself (the Dark Eyes coat was an interpretation rather than a direct copy), and I am actually really proud that I’ve ended up with something that does look pretty much like the original, as well as Steven Ricks’s recreation, which has been a definite influence!

That said, while the coat has turned out well I’m not massively pleased with the waistcoat. I decided to make another one on a whim as I had a more accurate pattern and saw what looked like an ideal fabric but I don’t like it all that much now it’s done. It was hell to put together because the satin just started disintegrating and still is; I’ve had to sew up holes in both the pockets because the seams have just frayed straight through and I’d put them together before I thought of stabilising the edges with interfacing. It’s another men’s pattern and I should have made some adjustments but after doing so much to the coat I really couldn’t be bothered and just put it together as it was; I should really have added some length, which is ironic given the amount I had to remove from the coat, and perhaps levelled it off at the front. Consequently it’s not a great fit and sits really awkwardly on Stella as you can see, though that may have something to do with the fact that I put the buttonholes on the wrong side out of habit:

There is a watch on the end of the chain this time, because the pockets are real! I quite like the look of the waistcoat undone when I put it on, but done up not so much. There’s a lot of spare fabric in the front for some reason, which I tried to hide by smoothing it under the collar and then stitching the collar down. It hasn’t entirely worked, and it doesn’t help that the brocade is such a bouncy fabric and doesn’t press well.

Putting it all together I do think it looks better on Stella than me, but that’s probably because I rarely wear so many layers! I wish I had a better backdrop than the bedroom but it’ll have to do:

Maybe I could unbutton the waistcoat and untuck the shirt and be Eight having a casual day? I love the coat but I do feel much more comfortable wearing it over a t-shirt and jeans!

Now I just have to wait until some cooler weather to be able to put it into use. My only gripe is that there are no external pockets, either on the original or the pattern I used! Surely you’d think the Doctor would need pockets?

[pforestsims]

I'm a fan of traits & trait mods and I really liked Atomtanned's mod /based on Dill's Turn-Ons & Turn-Offs/. This is quite an extensive edit - I just wanted to adjust it a little for my game and once I started I couldn't stop xD

Atomtanned's Trait-Based Chemistry EDIT

& (optional mod) ONLY TO Chemistry

⚡ Download: SFS ⚡BOX

*Archive contains PDF file with detailed list of changes (added / removed stuff) and a few notes.

🟢 Trait-based Chemistry mod edit is available in 7 Languages: English, German, Finnish, Polish, Swedish, Russian, French

❕ New stuff: added Facial Hair TO (replaces Daydreamer), Business Shark TO (was: Serious), Expressive TO (was: Unique). Increased hobby and interest requirements from 5 to 8 pts, Formal wear added to Stylish TO - and more...

I also included an optional mod that switches off Zodiac / Aspiration chemistry and balances out the chemistry bolts gain - so it makes chemistry betwen Sims much less complicated. Obviously it will only be useful for those who like to control every aspect of their Sims romantic lives. Details under the cut.

You'll need Traits /and stuff required for these to work/.

Credits: @atomtanned , @lilbabydilljr , Epi for their TO replacements, @lazyduchess for Lua script

@peanuttysims for No Zodiac & Aspiration attraction (MTS2 link)

I used TS4 icons, icon mashups/ edits, and my own.

Thanks: @tvickiesims , @vegan-kaktus , @lilakartoffelbrei . Special thanks to @episims for all the support 💎🤗

*This is for The Sims 2

More under the cut:

Trait-based Chemistry mod

It will replace original TS2 turn-ons and turn-offs with entirely new ones (only hair colors and fitness/fatness are unchanged!).

It conflicts with NickM406's No More Loading the * Family mod , and Tunaisafish’s Attraction Fix, make sure you don't have tunaisafish_fix_attractiontraits package in your Downloads.

🟢 It's compatible with mods that change /or switch off Zodiac chemistry, Aspiration chemistry, or both.

⚡TURN-ONS / TURN-OFFS:

Note: I've added and removed some stuff, for example Plantsims and Bigfoot from 'Occult' TO, and Zombies from 'Undead' TO!

(This is an edit of the list posted by Atomtanned: )

Adventurous: 3 vacations, Adventurous, Daredevil, Sailor, Brave

Alien: Trait, skin, eyes

Animal Lover: 2 pet friends, Animal Lover, Cat Person, Dog Person, Equestrian

Artistic: Artistic, Avant Garde, Photographer's Eye, Savvy Sculptor, Flower Arranging/Pottery/Sewing silver badge, Arts & Crafts hobby, Creative skill

Athletic: Athletic, Equestrian, Loves to Swim, Sports/Fitness hobby, Body skill

Business shark: Born-salesperson, Ambitious, Mean Spirited, Snob, Workaholic

Charismatic (charisma): Charismatic, Irresistible, Schmoozer, Star Quality, Charisma skill

Cultured (bookish): Avant Garde, Bookworm, Film & Literature Hobby

Expressive: Excitable, Childish, Party Animal, Dramatic, Over-Emotional, Diva

Facial hair

Fitness / Fatness - original

Foodie: Natural Cook, Cuisine hobby, Cooking skill

Hair colors - original

Indoorsy: Bookworm, Computer Whiz, Couch Potato, Hates the Outdoors, Film & Literature Hobby, Games Hobby

Infamous (bad reputation): Bad Reputation*, Evil, Mean-Spirited

Intellect (high IQ): Genius, Logic Skill

Introvert (reserved): Brooding, Loner, Unflirty, Shy, No sense of humor, Grumpy, Socially Awkward, < 2 Outgoing personality points

Laid Back (slacker): Couch Potato, Mooch, Slob, < 2 Active personality points

Musical: Natural Born Performer, Star Quality, Virtuoso, Music & Dance hobby

Occult (mystical): Werewolf, Witch, Fairy, Mermaid, Supernatural Fan

Outdoorsy: Angler, Green Thumb, Loves the Outdoors, Sailor, Gardening badge, Fishing badge, Nature hobby

Outgoing (social): Irresistible, Flirty, Natural Born Performer, Party Animal, Social Butterfly, > 8 Outgoing personality points

Plant Lover: Eco-Friendly, Gatherer, Green Thumb, Vegetarian, Flower/Gardening badge, Plantsim, Fairy

Rebellious: Daredevil, Inappropriate, Hot-headed, Rebellious.

Stylish (elegance): Snob, Diva, Irresistible, Cosmetology badge, Fashion interest, Formal wear

Technology: Servo, Bot Fan, Computer Whiz, Handy, Vehicle Enthusiast, Robotics silver Badge, Mechanical skill

Tidy: Neat, Cleaning skill, > 8 Neat personality points

Undead: Ghost*, Vampire

Well-Liked: Good reputation*, Friendly, Good, Proper, Nurturing.

*"Ghosts" = sims turned into playable ghosts, with Ghost trait (and Mermaids are sims with mermaid trait, but ofc you don't need these to be able to use this mod).

🔸 Hobby requirements in Dill's / Atomtanned's versions (as well as interest) were set to 5 points, which is kinda an average in my game. I don't want TOs to trigger too easily so I've increased these to 8 points, just like Skill point requirements.

I also increased good reputation requirement from 30 to 60.

Above is the comparison of original vs new TOs, in the exact order.

FYI I've fixed the little mistake I've found in the mod - in my version stylish TO works as it should.

If you have any questions about how the game calculates attraction, read this.

And here's free version (SFS) of my buyable ReNuYu potion default, will be useful if you'd like to correct TOs for all your Sims.

"ONLY TO Chemistry" mod

Conflicts with No Zodiac Chemistry by Belladovah , chemistry mods by Peanutty (it incorporates their "No zodiac and no Aspiration"mod) and any other that contain Attraction Constants BCON and Attraction Tuning BCON.

In unmodded TS2 game, interests and skills do not play part in attraction. Trait-based chemistry changes that only to some extent because Zodiac and Aspiration are more important. To make TOs the crucial attraction factor in my game, I disabled Zodiac / Aspiration Chemistry, and tweaked bolt requirements.

This mod makes chemistry between Sims straightforward and TO-based however various bonuses to attraction also apply (!), like Beauty Wish, Vacation bonuses, bonus for very good rep or penalty for extremely bad reputation (even if your Sim likes bad guys, they will be put off by Dirty Dirtbag status, and enticed by extremely good rep). Anyways, if you use this mod and your Sims have no other attraction bonuses, then:

if one Sim has a turn-on towards the other, and the other has none, it results in no bolts

if one Sim has two turn-ons towards the other, and the other has none, Sims have one bolt chemistry

if one Sim has a turn-on towards the other, and the other has a turn-off, it results in negative chemistry

if a couple has single turn-ons towards each other, it gives them one-bolt chemistry

couple has three turn-ons, that gives them two bolts

couple has three turn-ons, one turn-off, that gives them one bolt

couple has double turn-ons, they have three-bolt chemistry

Special bonuses granted by mods for certain Traits like the "irresistible" still matter of course.

[atomtanned]

🌹 atomtanned's Trait-Based Chemistry

I've used @lilbabydilljr's Turn-Ons & Turn-Offs for a while now, and I love that he added in 3t2 traits when calculating chemistry. I wanted to tweak it for my game, and I finally learned how to do so. This is a heavily-modified version of his mod, so most of the credit goes to him - I just added/removed traits and changed some images and text strings.

Like any mod that involves traits, this requires @hexagonal-bipyramid's Easy Inventory Check.

This is definitely the most involved BHAV editing I've done yet, so please let me know if you find any errors, as it's a bit hard to test in game.

UPDATE: If you use Clean UI (or any other UI mod that uses Clean UI as a base) this mod will need to load after. Or you can delete the turn-on images that are included with that mod.

UPDATE 2: @cityof2morrow let me know that this mod (and I believe any other custom turnon/turnoff mods) also conflict with NickM406's No More Loading the * Family mod. Thank you!!

✨ DOWNLOAD: SFS / PATREON / MF

I've included the full list of turn-ons/turn-offs below the Read More link. The original names of Dill's Turn-Ons are in parentheses where applicable. Please note that this list uses the original TS3 trait names for clarity, but there's recommendations for changed trait names below as well.

Adventurous: 3 vacations, Adventurous, Daredevil, Sailor

Alien: Trait, skin, eyes

Animal Lover: 2 pet friends, Animal Lover, Cat Person, Dog Person, Equestrian

Artistic: Artistic, Avant Garde, Photographer's Eye, Savvy Sculptor, Flower Arranging/Pottery/Sewing badge, Arts & Crafts hobby, Creative skill

Athletic: Athletic, Equestrian, Loves to Swim, Sports/Fitness hobby, Body skill

Charismatic: Born Salesperson, Charismatic, Flirty, Irresistible, Schmoozer, Star Quality, Charisma skill

Cultured (Bookish): Avant Garde, Bookworm, Film & Literature Hobby

Daydreamer (Dumb): Absent-Minded, Neurotic, Socially Awkward, Unstable, < 2 Logic Skill

Fitness/Fatness: no change from Maxis game behavior

Foodie: Natural Cook, Cuisine hobby, Cooking skill

Indoorsy (Gamer): Bookworm, Computer Whiz, Couch Potato, Hates the Outdoors, Film & Literature Hobby, Games Hobby

Infamous (Bad Rep): Negative Reputation, Evil, Mean-Spirited

Intellectual (Smart): Bookworm, Genius, Logic Skill

Laid Back (Slacker): Couch Potato, Mooch, Slob, Personality

Mechanical: Servo, Bot Fan, Computer Whiz, Handy, Vehicle Enthusiast, Robotics Badge, Tinkering hobby, Mechanical skill

Musical: Natural Born Performer, Star Quality, Virtuoso, Music & Dance hobby, Dance skill, Creativity skill

Occult: Werewolf, Plantsim, Bigfoot, Witch, Fairy, Mermaid

Outdoorsy: Angler, Green Thumb, Loves the Outdoors, Sailor, Gardening badge, Fishing badge, Nature hobby

Outgoing (Indoorsy): Friendly, Natural Born Performer, Party Animal, Social Butterfly

Plant Lover: Eco-Friendly, Gatherer, Green Thumb, Vegetarian, Flower/Gardening badge, Plantsim, Fairy

Rebellious (Baddie): Daredevil, Inappropriate, Kleptomaniac, Party Animal, Rebellious

Reserved (Timid): Disciplined, Loner, Proper, Shy, Unflirty, Personality

Serious (Productive): Brooding, Disciplined, Frugal, No Sense of Humor, Perfectionist, Workaholic

Stylish: Avant Garde, Diva, Irresistible, Cosmetology badge, Fashion interest

Tidy (Neat Freak): Neat, Cleaning skill, Personality

Undead: Ghost, Vampire, Zombie

Unique (Magic): Avant Garde, Childish, Eccentric, Insane, Loser

Well-Liked (Good Rep): Good reputation, Friendly, Good, Good Sense of Humor

I use updated trait names/descriptions for several traits, mostly to be more positive or less ableist, and those are what I had in mind when I made the chemistry changes above. A few I made myself, so those are included in the RAR in a separate folder, and I recommend getting the ones linked below too:

Childish > Young at Heart

Commitment Issues > Noncommittal (@equinoxts2)

Evil > Devious (@equinoxts2)

Good > Kind

Insane > Erratic (@dreadpirate)

Kleptomaniac > Sticky Fingers

Loser > Underdog

Neurotic > Anxious

Unstable > Indecisive (@equinoxts2)

[lilbabydilljr]

Hi I’ve been wanting to post this for a few days but I’ve got no desire to actually write a description. But it’s here if anyone wants! Description will come later, I just dropped my boyfriend off today and I’m kinda sad. Long distance. Blah.

Download (SFS)

Info is now under the cut! Look at me go.

01/18 - If you use any replacement UI built off of Clean UI, please ensure either this package loads after, or delete the turn on images that Clean UI includes. Thank you grilledcheese-aspiration for reminding me! The two turn-ons effected are ‘Musical’ and ‘Neat Freak’ which were originally ‘Hard Worker’ and ‘Unemployed.’

So I will say I probably should’ve done these differently (turn Creative into Artistic as opposed to Vampire, but whatever. They actually started out alphabetical in game which I thought was neat. They’re still fairly close!

But basically what I’ve done here is replace almost all the turn-ons with personality/trait based ones. I’m wishing we could mix and match individual turn-ons actually because as I write this list I’m already worried about people thinking there’s too many supernatural ones. But they’re used in my game so idk. They’re much more relevant than full face makeup I feel.

For badges sims require a silver level to have the turn-on. For skills I’ve increased it to 8 points, and if a turn-on mentions a hobby, a sim either needs 5 points or have it as their One True Hobby.

Fitness/Fatness - New icons, unchanged Swimwear > Adventurous - 3 Vacations, Adventurous, Daredevil, Sailor Formal > Alien - Trait, Skin, Eyes Underwear > Animal Lover - 2 Pet Friends, Animal Lover, Cat Person, Dog Person, Equestrian Vampire > Artistic - Artistic, Avant Garde, Photographer's Eye, Savvy Sculptor, Floral/Pottery/Sewing Badge, Arts & Crafts Hobby, Creativity Skill Stink > Athletic - Athletic, Disciplined, Equestrian, Loves to Swim, Sports/Fitness Hobby, Body Skill Logical > Bad Rep - Negative Reputation, Evil Great Cook > Bookish - Bookworm, Film & Literature Hobby Mechanical > Charismatic - Born Salesperson, Charismatic, Natural Born Performer, Schmoozer, Star Quality, Charisma Skill Creative > Content - Platinum, Lifetime Happiness Skill (side note this one will be the first one to go if someone can come up with something better it is my least favourite) Athletic > Dumb - Absent Minded, Less than 2 Logic Good at cleaning > Foodie - Natural Cook, Cuisine Hobby, Cooking Skill Zombiism > Gamer - Computer Whiz, Couch Potato, Loser, Games Hobby Robots > Good Rep - Good reputation, Good Plantsim > Indoorsy - Bookworm, Brooding, Couch Potato, Hates the Outdoors, Loner Werewolf > Magic - Genie, Witch, Fairy Witch > Mechanical - Servo, Bot Fan, Computer Whiz, Handy, Vehicle Enthusiast, Robotics Badge, Tinkering Hobby, Mechanical Skill Hard Worker > Musical - Natural Born Performer, Star Quality, Virtuoso, Music & Dance Hobby, Dance Skill, Creativity Skill Unemployed > Neat Freak - Neat, Cleaning Skill, Personality Cologne > Occult - Werewolf, Plantsim, Bigfoot, Genie, Witch, Fairy, Mermaid Facial Hair > Outdoorsy - Angler, Green Thumb, Loves the Outdoors, Sailor, Gardening Badge, Fishing Badge, Nature Hobby Glasses > Plant Lover - Eco-Friendly, Green Thumb, Vegetarian, Flower/Gardening Badge, Plantsim, Fairy  Makeup > Productive - Ambitious, Eccentric, Frugal, Gatherer, Perfectionist, Workaholic Full Face Makeup > Slacker - Couch Potato, Mooch, Slob, Personality Hats > Smart - Genius, Logic Skill Jewellery > Stylish - Avant Garde, Diva, Irresistible, Proper, Cosmetology Badge, Fashion Interest Custom Hair > Timid - Brooding, Coward, Loner, Shy, Socially Awkward, Unflirty, Personality Charismatic > Undead - Ghost, Zombie, Vampire

Version 2 Added, Choose one

Fixes Fitness/Fatness names. Those were meant for me only!

Creative > Baddie - Daredevil, Evil, Flirty, Great Kisser, Irresistible, Party Animal, Rebellious traits

[the-laridian]

Wordcount 8 March 2024

Pluvia (original SF): 3474

Rowan's couch surfing adventure, editing: 1249

Also today: got another Six Fanarts done. This is the All-Fallout version, apparently. One left to go. Also got some more Argyle sewing done; it'd be nice to get most of it done this weekend, even though there'll be a lot of border work ahead. Figured out some about the Fallout cross stitch plans (more!). Oh, and actually did some cross stitch too.

Total for today: 4723

Total for March: 36,107

Total for 2024: 493,606

[mystech-master]

My FGO Servant ideas/Servants I'd expect

These are some Servant ideas that I have had since I've already asked what you guys want.

I know that the Servant has to be someone that people know for the most part, since almost every Servant is someone that everyone knows with a few exceptions.

Some spoilers for other Fate works bellow

Saber

Yagyu Jubei, the One-Eyed Samurai. I feel like his NP will be some kind of Mystic Eye under his eyepatch or something. But if they want to go super Bullshut, I could imagine him being a Pseudo-Servant of Yvette L Lehrman.

Archer

Tchaikovsky, composer of 1812 Overture. The Orchestral song featuring CANNONS! I have already made a Reddit post about it here. I am trying not to just shove people in Caster

Angelica Ainsworth, holder of the Gilgamesh Class Card in Prisma Illya. I wonder how Archer/Caster Gil would react to her, or even Enkidu. I mean we know Kid Gil isn't fond of her.

Lancer

Arachne, the Spider-Woman Weaver. Her Lance would simply be an enlarged sewing needle. She'd either be a sort of Spider- Centaur, or the Spider-Legs would be coming out of her legs. For some extra shit, she might be merged with the Japanese Spider-Yokai Jorogumo, or just reference it similar to how Galatea referenced the tsukumogami. Also, her being a woman made into a monster by Athena, Medusa might gain a new friend.

Sigma,>! Maiya Hisau's son from Fate/Strange Fake. Apparently the True Lancer of the True and False Holy Grail War!<. I really just want him in to see how he'd interact with the EMIYA family. ~~Someone give Shirou/EMIYA some guy friends!~~ Of course, we'll need to wait a long time for strange fate to finish to get him since the author doesn't like using f/sf characters for anything else atm.

Loki, god of mischief. Maybe being half-Jotunn can be a good enough justification to keep him as himself and not need to be a Pseudo. I like OSP's interpretation of a "genderfluid benevolent but mischievous Hearth Spirit who protects the home and family". Genderfluid would open up for one of Fate's many genderbends they love doing, but if they kept him male and make his character about all the kids he has, then imagine...Loki, who is a god of mischief and a dad.........Loki making dad jokes. Although I feel like they might go with the female Loki one since Fate loves Genderbends and IDk if Japan has an equivalent to dad jokes. The reason he'd be a Lancer is the spear of Mistletoe he gave to Höðr which then resulted in Baldr's death which is treated as the precursor to Ragnarok.

Rider

Jiraiya, the Gallant Ninja. It was either this, with him riding his summonable Toad (I mostly think of this video), Assassin b/c Ninja, Caster b/c of reasons covered in the video linked before and some similar videos by the same guy, and Saber with the Nakirimaru, or "wave cutting sword," used to exorcise the Snake Spirit from Orochimaru. I went with Rider so the Rock-Paper-Scissors match of Frog-Slug-Snake matches the classes of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru respectively.

Caster

Tsunade, the Slug Maiden. The reason is mentioned above in Jiraiya's segment.

TOHSAKA, Rin as a Counter Guardian. The closest we'll get to actual Rin on her own with no other god(dess) inhabiting her body as a servant. NP would be the Jeweled Sword Zelretch. Also, imagine Ishtar seeing the older Rin (her vessel)'s more developed body and getting pissed.

Orpheus, the musical son of Apollo. Considering one big part of his story was being so bummed about his wife dying that his music just depressed everyone, even the gods, with his bad vibes, I could imagine them making him into sort of an emo guitar player or some shit. But if that is too lame then giving his Lyre some Siren Song-esque powers might be something since during his adventures with the Argonauts, since when the sirens began to sing he "played music that was louder and more beautiful, drowning out the Sirens' bewitching songs."

Assassin

Not too sure on the spirit, hopefully a Death God, but I want a Pseudo-Servant of Kairi Sisigou. I mean a Necromancer Mercenary, TELL ME that doesn't fit. Also the possible fun interactions he can have with Mordred again, and her family and new friends.

I mentioned above, Orochimaru, with him being a Pseudo-Servant in Souichirou Kuzuki. I just needed a snake-themed servant to put him in because I know everyone wants him as a pesudo so Medea can have her husband.

Berserker

Kriemhild, wife of Siegfried. Either this or Avenger. Berserker would be the most fitting for my idea, but Avenger would also fit and most likely have cooler animations I bet. As the wiki says about her personality: "Kriemhild held a "deep‐rooted and blind love" for Siegfried, such that it's described as "passionate love that repays the murder of one’s loved one with twice the payback." Siegfried's death, rather than assuage the feud with Brunhild, caused Kriemhild to "burn with the flames of revenge."' NP being a more demonic/dark version of Balmung. I wanted her to be a sort of obsessive wife and mother to Siegfried and Sieg (I like to imagine them having a mentor-student to father-son dynamic), the family dynamics between the three would be fun to imagine.

Lycaon, the wolf king. He once tested Zeus' omniscience by serving him the roasted flesh of Lycaon's own son Nyctimus, in order to see whether Zeus was truly all-knowing. In return for these gruesome deeds, Zeus transformed Lycaon into a wolf. He'd be a pseudo for Svin Glascheit. I just needed a wolf spirit to put Svin in. I mean everyone already is imagining Berserker-Jack the Ripper using Flat as a vessel.

Magni, son of Thor. Do I even need to explain who I am using as a vessel for this Spirit?

Avenger

Pandora, the all-endowed first woman. At first, I was unsure about her class. Yes, the whole thing of Pandora's Box was made as a punishment for Prometheus stealing fire (I wonder how Fate would interpret this with the whole Age of Gods vs Age of Man thing), but as the wiki says "She was given knowledge by the gods that she had to wait until humanity perished so that she can finally open the box and release the world's true potential. Because of her immortality, Pandora suffered greatly as people unreasonably tried to kill the undying mud doll whenever they discovered she wasn't human. After so many years of suffering, Pandora began questioning on why she had to go through this for humans."

Captain Ahab, Captain of the Pequod. >!Implied to be one of Watcher's Shadows in fate/strange fake, so the reason he'd be unavailable is stated above!<. His NP would be his prosthetic leg made out of whalebone, which may give him some aquatic abilities. Or it might be the harpoon that he got tangled in which resulted in his death.

MoonCancer

Tsukuyomi, the Shinto Moon God. Using Hakuno Kishinami as a vessel. I mean combining the Admin authority from the EXTELLA's Regalia which grants him kingship of the Moon Cell with Tsukuyomi's moon god authority would be pretty cool. I know a lot of people want a Dioscuri situation where we get both male and female Hakunos but I feel like it'd be one or the other. Of course, this is only if Hakuno NEEDS a god in him. I partially Headcanon that the reason BB made Jinako a MoonCancer was as a test run for when she does it to Hakuno.

Alter Ego

Ergo, The Man Who Devoured God. From The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi. " Because of the method of creation he has several gods within him after devouring their flesh. All three gods within him, one of which is Sun Wukong, have the shared themes of "water gods" and "hands"." Having 3 gods fits man other Alter Egos haveing 3 gods in them (Sakura Five, Ashiya Douman, and Sitonai).

>!U-Olga Marie, the Alien God. The Best chance we get of having Olga back. Similar reason for being summoned as Kiara.!<

Lemme know what you guys think of my ideas and if you'd add anything to them.

[jyou-no-sonoko19]

So I’ve gotten hold of the 2nd Studio Draft (script) of “October Country” and man are there some interesting things to note, both stuff that was inexplicably left out, and things that just confirm stuff for me. I have a suspicion many of these things were actually filmed, based on the missing parts of lines, and just got edited out by cowards. 

Join me on my adventure... won’t you? 

Starting with Mary.

Dang, studiodraft2!Mary had sass, I want that for her. 

Ok look, Mary dropping the title of the episode, which is an awesome reference and totally left out of the broadcast version. An absolute travesty, because not only does Mary get to state the show’s mission statement, but we also have a reason behind the ep title. Like, you guys, I love Radbury as much as the next bean who spent high school reading edgy sf, but I did not catch that reference for the episode, and I’d rate very few others did. Wasted. Writing. 

You mean we could have had Mary with her hair coming loose and whipping about while she sings? Really? REALLY, RAS??

They tried so hard to set Mary up as a fake-out villain, and it reminds me super-hard of the setup for Buffy, where you had a high school football guy messing about with his girl in an empty school after dark, and you worry for her because this is a vampire show, but then it turns out she was the vampire the whole time. That was in the 90s, though, so we have to hit it differently in 2018. And after everything in this script... we’d have way more than just the look she gave in the car that had me going oh my lord the sweet teacher is going to kill that girl but then it was just cinnamon roll from the next cut on.

Character building?? Foreshadowing?? We don’t know them!

So some hack thought that it would be a better idea to have it be sewing scissors, because it’s funny or clever to have this cottage core school teacher stabbed by her own hobby supplies. Over Lilith using a far more logical murder weapon??

I mean, I don’t NEED to say it....... but possession-believers, look.... you need to stop. You are all out of sources here.

Anyway. More to follow.

[mosylufanfic]

You’ve Got Mail

This is for the second day of Killervibe week, the Meet Cute theme! Based on something that happened to a Facebook connection of mine, although as far as I know it didn’t turn out this cute.

You’ve Got Mail

The first note was stuck to Caitlin’s door with a piece of scotch tape. She frowned and unfolded it, wondering if the new neighbor already had a problem with her erratic hours. 

Hi! (read the computer-printed note)

I just moved into 202 and wanted to introduce myself to all my neighbors. I'm Cisco Ramon and I'm starting my Masters' in electrical engineering at the university. Normally I'd knock and say hi but this whole quarantine thing kinda keeps me from doing that. :( 

I speak English and Spanish and a little bit of Klingon. I cook sometimes but mostly get too much takeout so any good restaurant recommendations are welcome! I like tinkering and video games and SF/F books and movies and shows, like you couldn't tell from the Klingon. I have a cat named Buttercup who is a giant butt and I love him. If you see him outside, I’d really appreciate it if you called or texted because he's not an outdoor kitty. 

He'd added a picture of the cat, staring menacingly at the camera as if promising that anyone who tried to pet him would lose a finger. Caitlin smiled in spite of herself. 

Hope you have a great day! Cisco Ramon, Apt 202

He'd also added his phone number.

Caitlin read it through a couple of times before looking across the courtyard and up a floor at 202. It being 11:30 at night, the door was shut tight. There was a muted bluish flicker in one of the windows, like he was watching TV. It would be rude to knock on his door at this time of night. 

Also, they were all practicing social distancing right now.

Caitlin was a champ at social distancing. She could social-distance on Olympic levels.

She went into her apartment, shutting the door behind her.

***

On her way to the hospital the next morning, she left a plastic container full of cookies on the mat of 202. There was a note carefully taped to the top. 

Thank you for your nice note. Here are some cookies to welcome you to the building. They're chocolate chip. If you can't eat them, it's okay to throw them away. I've been baking a lot in quarantine.

She was halfway to the hospital when she realized she hadn't put her name or apartment number on the note. So for all Cisco Ramon knew, some anonymous benefactor had dropped cookies on his doorstep.

She sighed. She really was bad at this, just like Jay had said.

***

There was another note on her door when she got back home, this one hand-written in a sprawling, jagged scrawl.

Hello Cookie Queen!

I hope I'm not creeping you out or anything. I saw you through the window, leaving the cookies this morning, but I didn't want to freak you out by opening up the door right away.

They were delicious. I will happily eat any baked goods that you want to get rid of. That's not a beg, by the way. I can make my own cookies, once I find a good grocery store. (Any recommendations?) Just if you're the kind of person who likes to make entire batches and then has to eat them for the next three weeks, I can help with that. I don't have any allergies or anything.

Anyway I think I've weirded you out enough for one note. 

Cisco

***

Hi Cisco

My name is Caitlin Snow and you already know my apartment number. The grocery store I like is the Safeway at the corner of Livingston and Bellmore because they are very firm about masks and disinfecting right now, much better than the Kroger. Also closer. There's a Taco Galaxy across the street from them that delivers until midnight and I like their chicken taco salad.

She stared at the note for a few minutes, then wondered if he would think she was saying a Mexican place because he was clearly Latino. She crossed out and substituted The Golden Wok on Bellmore delivers, and they do a good sweet and sour chicken.

I am a first-year resident so my hours are kind of strange but please let me know if I can ever help out with anything. 

Caitlin, Apt 106

She chewed her lip for a moment, then added to the last paragraph before the sign-off, I wasn't weirded out.

Then she wrote it out in pen on a clean sheet of paper and found another plastic container to fill with butterscotch oatmeal cookies.

***

Hi Caitlin!

Nice to have a name and stop calling you Cookie Queen. Unless you want me to continue calling you Cookie Queen, that's okay too. Thank you for the second batch! Just as delish.

I took your tip about the grocery store and stocked up. Also got green pepper beef at the Golden Wok. Nom, nom, nom! Any ruling on the Taco Galaxy across from Safeway?

I'm major impressed with the residency thing btw. Are you doing okay? Is your ICU totally packed? I have a sewing machine because I do cosplay but obvi no cons right now, so I've been making masks and stuff too. Do you need any?

Cisco

***

Cisco,

We're doing okay right now. I'm not treating many COVID cases personally because I'm in my first year, but everybody is doing more than they would have normally. If you have extra cloth masks, I know some shelters and the local food bank are distributing them.

I like the chicken taco salad at Taco Galaxy. 

She paused, studying the note. She wanted to continue this conversation. She liked him - his warmth and his humor. Maybe she should start texting him. She had his phone number, after all. Or would that be weird?

She wrote down, Where did you move from?

Caitlin

***

They traded notes back and forth, at least once a day but more often twice. Their correspondence ranged from the mundane - he'd moved from Coast City, she had come here from Gotham - to the personal - neither of them had very good relationships with their families - to the downright philosophical.

I dunno, he wrote one rainy day, I feel like the people who say this is God's punishment or whatever are totally getting God wrong. Like I don't believe in God anymore but if I still did, I don't think I'd believe in that kind of God. 

A virus is a virus, she wrote back. There's debate about whether a virus really counts as alive or not, but it's just doing what all life does. The pandemic is definitely down to human hubris and selfishness and shortsightedness. No need for divine punishment. And I don't believe in that kind of God either.

At work, she would mentally compose parts of her next letter during her rare free moments, and every time something funny or strange or horrible happened at the hospital, she found herself telling him about it. No names, of course, because of HIPAA, but writing them down helped her work them out.

The day he mentioned his most recent ex, she caught her breath, a strange flutter in her stomach.

She did a number on me, I'm telling you. It's weird because I do think she liked me, maybe as much as I liked her. It's just she was in some bad stuff with her brother, and she wasn't really interested in getting out. When I realized that she was using me to help him out, I was done. Probably way after I should've been, but that was the last straw. I'm not saying that breakup was why I picked CCU for grad school and moved here two months early but I'm not NOT saying that.

She lay on her couch reading the note over again. His tone was cheerful, as it usually was, but she could almost feel the regret and self-recrimination behind it. 

Also, did this mean he was single? He hadn't wrapped it up with any other mention of someone else he was dating now. 

I know what that's like, she wrote back. My most recent ex was - 

She lifted her pen and stared at the paper. How to describe Jay?

My breakup with my ex was pretty bad too. You just start to doubt everything that you ever thought or felt. Like, is this real or is this another time bomb he put in your head?

God RIGHT he wrote back. The good exes leave nice little presents for you in your head. You think of them because you see a movie they liked or something they used to wear and it just makes you smile. But the bad ones leave freaking land mines and time bombs.

***

More than once, she arrived home to find a bag of takeout or a tupperware full of some recipe he'd tried out. His tastes were a little more adventurous than hers, but she willingly ate whatever he left. Knowing somebody was thinking about her was as nourishing as the meal. 

And some of it was really good. 

She kept baking, leaving cookies and bread and other treats at his doorstep. Sometimes she experimented, too. 

One day as the first leaves were turning, she left a jar with a note taped to the top. I decided to try something. Let me know if Buttercup likes these.

She got a reply within hours. 

Buttercup would like to formally request to move into your apartment now, because I'm a terrible kitty papa and never thought of making him treats. Also I'm very cruel because I won't let him eat the entire jar no matter how much he yells. You are a genius.

She laughed and wrote back, Obviously you're an excellent kitty papa because you love Buttercup very much. It was a pretty simple recipe. I'll attach it for you so you can make your own. I'm glad he likes them.

She didn't see a reply on her door that night. This wasn't unprecedented, though it was unusual, and she found herself cycling through a few anxious loops of what-if - what if he was sick? what if he had nothing more to say to her? what if it had been just too weird for her to make treats for his cat? what if he was talking to someone else now?

But the next day when she went out to get her mail, she found a note tucked into her screen door. She grabbed it and opened it up. 

Hey I realize this is kind of a weird question since we've been passing notes all this time, but would you be okay with texting? Or FaceTiming or WhatsApp or something? I don't know if you kept my number but here it is again anyway. 

She read the short note through a couple of times, trying to identify the feeling bubbling up in her stomach. 

She did like writing the letters. There was something so calming and old-fashioned about sitting down with paper and pen and writing everything out that was on her mind. And getting a letter back felt like a present. 

But on the other hand, this felt like a step toward something . . . new. Something more. Closer. 

She looked up at 202. A curtain twitched, and she caught her breath. Cisco leaned against the glass, spotted her, and lifted his hand in a wave. 

She waved back. 

She'd seen him a couple of times, leaving something at her door or going to grab his mail. She liked his face and his smile, what she'd seen of them. 

He saw the note in her hand. That much was obvious. Even from here, he looked a little nervous. Or maybe that was her, projecting. 

She pulled her phone from her pocket and tapped in his number. He looked away from the window, reached out to grab something, and lifted his phone to his ear.

"Hi," she said shyly. "It's Caitlin."

His smile spread over his face, big enough to bathe her in warmth from one floor and a whole courtyard away. "Hi, Caitlin," he said. "Cisco here."

She smiled back. "So. How's your day going?"

It would be a long time before they actually got to meet in person, without a mask. But she was looking forward to it.

FINIS

[ebottcatacombs]

Not-Fancy Dates To Take The Boys On

The skelebros’ favorite not-fancy dates. Dedicated to @popatochisssp, whose writing inspired me to make this blog

UT Sans -

Late night shopping cart races. While it’s true he loves a good night’s sleep, he also enjoys staying up late on occasion if some fun times are involved. That being said, he doesn’t care much for fancy restaurants or crowded theme parks, but grocery stores are tame and full of potential entertainment material. Plus, there’s a sort of giddy feeling he gets seeing a place that’s usually full of people so empty. It’s a strange sort of giddy, bordering on fear. Like when you ride a roller coaster.

Ideally, the date consists of pushing each other in carts (he’ll urge you to make the “nyoom” noise when you push him) eating free samples (he brought disguises you can sneak extras) and goofing off in the kid toy section until you get asked to leave. Then he’s content to loiter in the parking lot, staring up at the stars with your hand in his.

UT Papyrus -

Fashion show! Like Sans, Pap’s ideal date happens in a store. However, he prefers unique clothing stores or big bustling malls. They’re so exciting! You better believe he’s bringing a boom box full of fashion-montage beats. You pick outfits for each other to try on and take tons of pictures. Papyrus is full of compliments the whole time, praising how well you wear each outfit and how this one scarf brings out the color of your cheeks when you blush. Compliment him back and he’ll be beaming the rest of the day.

You two usually don’t end up buying anything. If you see something you really like, Papyrus will look for ways to improve the design and you something similar but better (usually covered in flames) because let’s face it, clothes are expensive, and there’s no need to spend all that money when it’s more fun (and usually cheaper) to sew something. After the date, he takes you to get smoothies.

UF Sans -

At first, UF Sans tried to take you to one of those couples pottery classes. He was quick to get annoyed with the teacher, though, and you ended up leaving early. Now craft dates are held in his garage. He tries to mix up what you do, getting clay for sculpting and modgepodge for greeting cards, but when it’s his turn to choose the craft you two end up tinkering with car parts or making something more practical than knick-knacks or post cards. He likes to feel productive, and he likes using his hands.

He won’t ever say it, but he loves when you ask him for help. Not in a creepy way — he respects your independence and loves to see you thrive on your own — but if you ask his expertise on something you’re making it boosts his confidence and makes him feel useful. He loves when he gets to sit behind you and help position your hands the right way, murmuring directions in your ear as he walks you through steps.

UF Papyrus -

While this man definitely appreciates a classy resturant, UF Papyrus can’t resist the allure of a cozy bookshop. The smell of coffee and paper soothes him, and even such a loud guy can appreciate the quiet. The date usually starts with pastries and fancy coffee. He likes to impress you with his super refined coffee taste (you can tell by the look on the barista’s face he orders something simple in a complicated and round-about way) and depending on what you order he’ll make a teasing comment about your sweet tooth. By the third date, he knows your order by heart.

Usually Papyrus will give you time to look around by yourself while he writes in his journal. Or you can sit beside him and read yourself, or write. But he enjoys the quiet moments between you two when you just enjoy each other’s presence.

By far his favorite part of the date is the journey to the romance section. He grabs some classics off the shelf and looooooms close to you, lowering his voice and reading off some of the sweetest words you’ve heard. He is absolutely preening and puffing with pride once he’s got you blushing. Get him back by reciting a love poem to him. Make sure it’s super corny and tooth-rottingly sweet. He will be the blushiest boy.

US Sans -

Gym dates or park dates. Really, any date where you two can burn up some energy. He enjoys roller skating and treadmill dancing, so expect him to show off. Boy can also lift like no one’s business. If you’re not particularly sporty, no worries! He’s happy to lead you in some yoga or just take a walk with you. He also finds pushing you on the swing irresistibly romantic, the nerd.

It’s important to say that while he’ll encourage you on these dates, he’ll never push your limits. If you don’t feel comfortable in a gym that’s fine, and if you can’t keep up with his excessive amount of energy he understands. As far as dates go, he’s super flexible and accommodating. You want a chill picnic? Perfect! He knows the spot. You prefer an arcade over the roller rink? No worries, watch him destroy his high score on Dance Dance Revolution! Overall, his main focus is showing you a good time.

US Papyrus -

You might just be surprised by the amount of energy US Papyrus has on your date. It’s by no means as intense as his brother’s idea of a workout, but he enjoys exploring the outdoors. Impromptu dates happen quite often, as he has a habit of staring out of the window, and if he sees a bird he needs in his journal he’ll ask if you’re up for an adventure. He has an impressive collection of drawings and pressed leaves in his book. Once you come along, he’ll also pick flowers and thread them in your hair.

If you two are going on a planned excursion, you’ll need boots, water, snacks, and a machete. Papyrus doesn’t care to follow paths, so you’ll make plenty of your own. Sometimes you go with a goal in mind (an abandoned fort he heard a rumor about, a certain type of mushroom he’s never seen before) and sometimes you just walk. He’s an excellent conversationalist, and you find talking to him feels easy and natural. You two don’t take any pictures, but Papyrus likes to sketch your adventures. You’re in all of his drawings.

SF Sans -

Given how busy SF Sans is most of the time, he actually prefers simple, easy-going dates. As much as he loves to get dressed up and show you off, taking you to fine art museums and treating you to expensive drinks, homey dates will always be his favorites. He enjoys a good game night with you. Gin rummy, bananagrams, chess. Something stimulating but not tiring (like his job.) You two often break out games and puzzles on the weekends, enjoying a dinner of delivery whatever (veggie pizza is his favorite) and whatever alchohol you can scrounge from the cabinet.

As the night goes on, the games usually turn to things like truth-or-dare and twenty questions. You play ‘never have I ever’ and take shots from those paper mouthwash cups. It’s his favorite part of the week. He gets to unwind with you, and he doesn’t even have to drive anywhere. He doesn’t even have to wear pants! He is honestly so relieved to be out of his royal guard uniform you do not even know. He insists pajamas are necessary for maximum date coziness (plus you look adorable and extra soft.) The date ends with you falling asleep on top of each other.

SF Papyrus -

Blanket fort dates. Look, SF Papyrus is... not fancy. Please don’t make him be fancy. He’s depressed and has little energy, so this is the perfect date for him. Crowds overwhelm him and he already has a tendency to nest, plus you two can fall asleep all cuddled up. He also puts a lot of effort in the blanket fort. Fresh-baked cookies, fairy lights, teddy bears, the works. He makes them functional and beautiful, and you always get to pick the movies. Often times he feels like he should be able to take you on a better date, even if you insist this is more than fine, so he tries to make everything extra perfect to show you he cares and is willing to put work into your relationship.

Papyrus also has an old record player he’ll set up on these dates. Once you two start to wind down for the evening he’ll put on a gentle tune and gather you up in his arm, cuddling you to his chest as he sings. His voice is soft and warm, just a bit scratchy, and you can smell something smoky and sweet on his teeth. He massages your head until you fall asleep.

HT Sans -

At the end of every month the community holds a farmer’s market, and every month Sans takes you on a farmer’s market date. Usually crowds make him nervous, but this is a decidedly tiny meet-up, mostly consisting of people just trying to get by, people trying to continue a family tradition, people just starting out in their passion, that sort of thing. To your surprise, Sans isn’t as reserved as usual the first time he takes you to the market. He cracks jokes, talks to vendors, buys a kid a yarn doll. Deep down, he’s a real people-person who loves to see others smile.

The people at the farmer’s market love you. They coo over what a cute couple you and Sans are. You’re offered a free sample of organic lotion and collect some soup recipes. A little kid introduces you to their teddy bear. One lady tells you about what a joy Sans is, how he always buys something from each of the vendors, encouraging them and giving them hope. They’re so glad the two of you are happy together.

You look forward to the end of every month.

HT Papyrus -

Gardening dates, all the way. On the surface gardening quickly becomes a passion of HT Papyrus. The king and queen used to garden, he tells you, planting golden flowers next to a patch of tulips. And isn’t gardening lovely? It’s an endless circle of food, it looks pretty, and plants are such good listeners. You are also a good listener and very pretty, he tells you. You blush. He puts a hand over yours, helping you pat the soil down nice and snug.

Papyrus has a green thumb, you find out. He’s attentive to the needs of the different types of plants, and is patient while waiting for things to grow. He encourages his plants constantly (“you can do it, I believe in you, you’re the loveliest vine!”) One day you two set up an irrigation system, and between figuring out how much water should go where and how to adjust the system for when it’s time to rotate crops, you two became so very confused. Stumped, you laid in the sun, tossing solutions back and forth. You were growing frustrated, but when you looked to Papyrus he was smiling. When you asked him why, he simply replied he hasn’t been this excited to solve a puzzle in a very, very long time.

You smiled back at him.

[thatchainsguy]

Adventures in Menswear Pt. 1

I think I’m figuring out what cuts work on what body parts for me. So far slim or superslim, even, works for shirts and jackets (arms are still *swimming* in them, though), and the exact opposite is true for my pants. Pants have to be regular or classic or something like that. Anything slim or skinny immediately won’t fit over my thighs, and if I go up a size, then the thighs fit and the waist gaps. I’m very grateful for my sewing machine and a basic knowledge of alterations because I have a feeling there will be many.

The first two photos are in Ted Baker, which is my *fav,* but ohsobougie and very expensive, even at the outlets. I want one of the mauve colored suits from there SO BAD. The other four are from Zara, which is an absolute tourist madhouse in Orlando, but now that I have an idea on size and cut, I can order stuff online. I’m really curious to see if StitchFix will send me “athletic” cut pants from Bonobos tomorrow because I really want to try those, but I don’t have a store near me. I’m also gonna need to tear apart some of my thrift stores around here. Orlando has nothing on LA or SF thrift stores and I’m super jelly of ya’ll that live there!

Also, I’m getting my hair cut even shorter tomorrow because why pretend? Will have to post pics of that, too.

[silverfoxstole]

After wrestling him back into his NotD gear for a photo the other day (he’s been happy in his Dark Eyes outfit for the last few months, which as well as being comfy makes him much easier to dust) I decided to make Eight Bear a new shirt and waistcoat.

The original shirt was a bit short and the collar not quite wide enough and the fabric I’d used for the waistcoat was a bit thick so this time I used up the cotton lawn I had leftover from the full-sized versions I made for myself. In addition to lengthening the shirt body I added a bit to the sleeves as they have a tendency to get caught in the coat when I put it on him, and both shirt and waistcoat now fasten with buttons instead of the poppers I used before.

The new shirt:

And with the waistcoat:

I don’t know if it’s visible but he does have a watch chain; I’d run out of gold topstitch thread so I had to double up on an ordinary one in grey and it doesn’t stand out that well.

Finally, everything together:

Would you believe that two tiny garments took me nearly four hours to make? Talk about fiddly…

Never mind; he’s happy with the result!

[k-a-cook]

[image description: photo of a shelf display of Sylvanian Families figurines and buildings arranged in a rough U-shape. From left to right: Bramble Cottage; the Hazelwood Toy Shop; the vintage Village Florist; and the Village Bakery. A selection of figurines--animal figures dressed in simple dresses and overalls--populate a green grassy space between the buildings, looking like an overcrowded village scene. Animals include cream and brown rabbits, squirrels, striped cats, cream cats, beagles, white and cream mice, deer and polar bears. The scene is packed with miniatures, including plants, picnic tables, push cards and sundry food items.]

I have a single shelf in my wardrobe dedicated to my Sylvanian Families (Calico Critters for US folks) collection, although this isn’t all of it. I have some figures and playsets from the original era, some of the 1998 releases, some of the returning 2003 releases and a few bits here and there from the sets since, although I haven’t bought any new things myself for a long time. Cheap fake plants, 3D erasers, miniatures from a local craft store and Re-Ment pieces fill out the scene along with SF-branded pieces and accessories.

A lot of my collection is second-hand and gifted, because these little dolls and miniatures are hellish expensive. The quality is amazing, mind, and I don’t think any similar toy offers the same detail in terms of buildings and accessories, but so expensive!

I’ve always liked miniature things, and being able to sew clothing or make miniatures out of clay makes Sylvanians more interesting to me than some of my other collections. I do admit that they’re hellish, disconcertingly traditional when it comes to gender roles and relationships, but since the characters’ bodies are identical irrespective of gender, they’re surprisingly trans-friendly, and it’s easy to redress figures to make them as queer as I like.

(It’s hard to see in the above photo, but my Wildwood rabbits, thanks to two extra redressed characters, are in f/f and m/m couples, and so are my Beagles. My Japanese-release mice girls, talking beside Bramble Cottage, are definitely dating. My favourite figure, Antonia Beagle, is an aro adventurer, currently chatting to the polar bear exchange students on the bakery roof.)

I would prefer a property where the narrative includes explicit queer characters. But when I look at all my other dolls, who have sexual characteristics extant beyond clothing, the Sylvanian Families figurines are the ones most comfortable to me as a trans person.

I think, though, that I should make a few LGBTQIA+ pride costumes for my characters and set up a mini pride parade through my mini village.

[sflisa]

Up ‘til now - it’s long....

I had so wanted to get this done yesterday.  I just ran out of time.  And that, I guess, is kind of an organizing thought for going into everything before today.

Running out of time.  Running.  Running away, running toward.  I ran toward work and dove in head first, spending many weekends holed up in my office at school, working on scores, planning lessons, making copies.  Jack and the kids were I thought happily busy going to dance classes; he had taken up musical theater as a hobby so they went with him to rehearsals while I went to my own and designed classes for my students.  I taught in the teacher training every Friday night through Christmas time for several years, which was fun, and yet one more thing to juggle.

We started fostering kittens. About once a month, we’d get a new litter, or pair, that needed to be fed, cuddled, and weighed.  Once they reached 2 pounds, we would photograph them, take them back to the SPCA, cry, and pick up another litter.  It was wonderful fun - we made a spoof of a promotional video for BACWTT (Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training) starring the kittens. And, in 2010, a tuxedo litter arrived with their tiger mom, who were named after noodles.  Soba, Udon, etc.  We renamed the whole group after the cast of the old Dick van Dyke show; I fell in love with Buddy and Sally, they joined our family and the fostering ended.

Mom took me to Alaska on a cruise in 2009.  I loved it - everything about it - and surprised myself as well, I never thought I would enjoy a cruise.  It was so great, she invited me and the kids two more times to come along with her.  We went other places too; Mexico, Norway, Mediterranean.  Alyssa and I got to go the Baltics and back to Alaska.  Incredible.

When I look back at this period of time, hindsight is indeed 20-20.  Things were crumbling.  I knew that, but I didn’t know the reason.  All the arguments about the reason that were coming toward me was me that I was the problem, so I left.  I left for what I thought was going to be a short period, to get some focus, and start a healing process.  I got a small apartment (so small that I didn’t even notice that there wasn’t a sink in the cooking area - just a counter, and the only sink was a tiny bathroom sink).  I took only what I needed from the house, a couple of outfits for each of the children, because they were going to be there only infrequently....

The first thing that happened was Trevor decided he wanted to stay with me and not go back home.  Then, it quickly became apparent that Jack couldn’t care for Alyssa well enough without me and Trevor at home, so Alyssa came with me too.  Luckily it was only a three month lease.  One day, I was walking down Broderick and saw a woman coming out of what is now my building with a dog.  There was a for-rent sign and Alyssa and I went up and found our new home.  Trevor approved that night, and we schlepped our IKEA furniture and few boxes down the street, set up our little floor futon beds and 2890 was established.  

Trevor went to China with the Eurythmy troupe.  The night before he left, Jack had a strange constellation of symptoms which sent him to the ER.  They never figured out what was wrong with him, and sent him home.  We checked in on him and he was back at work the next day, so we chalked it up to something he ate, or a short-lived intense virus.

I was at Harry’s bar the Tuesday before Thanksgiving 2011 and Trevor called me with the news that Jack had lost his job.  We had planned a trip to Disneyland and I agreed that we’d go anyway - I was still trying so hard to make things amicable and workable for all of us while maintaining my independence.  The trip was difficult, to say the least, and Jack was once again not feeling well.

I’ll spare all of the details of the next couple of months, but while on a cruise with Mom to Mexico that Christmas, we learned that Jack was having real difficulties during a trip to visit his sister in North Dakota.  At that point, I insisted he get a full medical work-up.  After spending 5 days in the ER, they finally did an MRI and discovered that he had Pick’s disease, a rare form of dementia that affects people in their early 50′s.  At this point we were 53.

Sam and Carol came to help.  They were amazing, strong, clear, compassionate and generous.  I can never thank them enough for all they did for me and the kids, and Jack.  As you likely know, he died from complications of this horrible disease on November 19, 2015.  His diagnosis explained so many of things that were subtle struggles at first that turned into full-blown irreconcilable differences.  You can read or re-read my posts from that time, still on this thread.

Since our transition to a family of three, life has been full and challenging at times, at 2890.  The two Johns adopted us and made sure we were OK.  Both kids finished high school.  Trevor went to college at Lewis and Clark, and majored in theater with a mom-insisted double major in Computer Science.  He is living and working in Portland now, as a designer in theater.  Full time.  He says the CS helps him, but he sure showed me how not to be afraid of ART.  He sings with an a cappella group in Portland, keeping the spirit of PME Jazz and Pop alive in the family.  I think he is beginning to be wholly happy there.

Creations flow from Alyssa’s once tiny fingers and hands; she sews what she sees, she knits like the wind, and has a beautiful singing voice.  We have made a wonderful habit of traveling together.

She’s a freshman at Willamette University in Salem.  She has found her tribe of people and each phone call is punctuated with commentary from at least one of them and lots of laughter.  She is another theater nerd, majoring in costume design and possibly business.  I am so happy for her.

In 2013 I met Scott.  I had made a part time job of going on OK Cupid and trying to date, at the urging of Bronwen at school.  It was going, as I understand it, fairly typically (NOT WELL!) until I met Scott.  I ‘recognized’ him while reading his profile, reached out, he agreed to meet me for a drink, and we adjourned to a nearby restaurant, and closed it on our first date.  I told him my WHOLE story for some reason, I guess I saw no reason not to - there was immediate trust, and we’ve been together ever since.  He’s gone through a lot too, as I guess by the time you’ve been hanging around on the planet this long, is inevitable.  He’s a brave guy - he came with me to Colorado Springs last Thanksgiving and cooked our meal.  Pretty awesome.  He’s done lots of awesome things for and with me.  I think we’re going to keep each other around.  Happy times. 

In 2014, I had been singing with the Bach Choir since I left PME in 2008, our new conductor Magen was listening to everybody before she took the podium in the fall.  She directs a professional choir, the SF Choral Artists, who I hadn’t heard in concert, but I had heard about.  Years before I had gone on to their website to see about auditioning, read the requirements, saw the bios of the singers and turned the other way.  I thought I could never make it in.  She invited me at the Bach Choir audition to come sing for her as a potential member of SFCA.  I quickly brushed up a couple of pieces from college and somehow passed that audition, which is super hard for just about everyone who is a member.  Through rehearsing with this group, I met Simon, the conductor or the St. Dominic’s choir, and was later hired by him as a section leader for what must be one of, if not the best, church choirs in the city.

Recently, Scott introduced me to someone like this:  “This is my girlfriend, Lisa. She is a singer.”  It made me pause, because, that was never how I’d introduce myself.  It was always either as Mom, Teacher, Bob and Jackie’s daughter, Sister, or Wife.  And then, I realized he is right.  I am a singer.  I make my living teaching music, and singing.  And I didn’t double major either.  Not the easiest or most lucrative path, but one I think puts some good into the world.  Not enough.  By far.  I spent October and early November working to get out the vote.  I was very excited by that, and thoroughly committed.  It was fun to be dedicated and feverish about something in addition to music. 

Scott has also challenged me to do something, which is coming up tomorrow night, which is scaring me half to death, and exciting me because it means something really new and potentially wonderful is afoot.  I am singing in the Blue Bear School of Music’s beginning rock band at a bar called the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco.  At 9:30.  At night.  I know the band will sound awesome.  I hope to be able to phonate.  It is throwing me for a loop, but things are starting to happen and I am learning and curious about music again in a whole new way, which will likely have a trickle down to my students after a while.

Writing down these memories has only brought about more, and the realization of how many friends and family members I have not even mentioned.  You are not forgotten, and you will likely show up in epilogue stories which I am being encouraged to write. Many adventures and challenges are left undescribed.  I’m starting a list.

Bob called me this morning and said “Know this:  you are resilient.”  Damn straight.  As of this morning, I am 60.  I can’t make that make sense, even after all this recounting.  I am declaring 60 is the new 40, so that feels a little more manageable.  More adventures await.

One more, later today.  

[mobius2684]

Not so quick rundown of what I have been up to

Basically why I haven’t been doing much in the posting/content department, broken down by month. For the tl;dr crowd: skip the october 2016 entry unless you want to read about some drama, the rest of it has just been my adventures with unemployment and how it has affected me for the past 8 months.

July 2016: This month I had lost my job of 8 years due to the company completely closing nationwide. First time ever filing for unemployment as I wasn’t able to find another job in 3 months since said company announced their closures on April 1st of the same year. Was really upset with the store closing as I really was starting to feel like I had a job that I was decent at, had met some great people working there both employee and customer, and now I wouldn’t really have a chance to interact with them as much. Went to San Diego comic con as I had purchased tickets well in advance. Didn’t get to do most of what was on my list of things to do there, but did get to have a personalized sketch done by Yoji Shinkawa as well as sit in on a small q&a session with Hideo Kojima.

August 2016: With unemployment filed and completed, I was looking for all sorts of work. I collected a lot of possible work via etsy with requests for new destiny cloaks as well as preparing for the halloween season for my goddaughters’ costumes as they live in another state than me. End of the month I ended up with a job offer from the lady who works at the storage unit I rent from. The lady had injured herself at the end of the month by fracturing her right arm in 2 places, making it unbearable to do any of her bookkeeping tasks, and asked if I would like to help her with. I said yes as she’s 73 years old and nobody should have to deal with working through that kind of pain.

September 2016: I started to work for the storage unit place the day after labor day. It was an easy job, just somewhat boring as it was a fairly archaic setup. All bookkeeping was done by hand, including receipts, ledgers, etc. Only the key card system for the gate was done via a computer program. This job was to be temporary while she healed. When she was well enough to work, I would be let go as its a one person operation. Also to note, most storage unit places typically have a home/condo/apartment built into the office, as there is someone always on the premises. This was the case with this place, so I was able to take care of her in the beginning as well as do the tasks at hand. This was also a full time job.

 I started to get a bunch of early etsy orders for the holiday season as well as for halloween, so on top of having a full time job, I had to also work my etsy part time on top of the halloween costumes for my goddaughters. I had an old acquaintance contact me out of the blue around this time as well, where she told me that she was planning on visiting close to me to see some friends she met while playing Destiny. At the time I was happy for her and excited as I hadn’t seen her physically in about 10 years and figured this might be a great trip for her to show her around my hometown and the surrounding area and just catch up. More on her in October. Finished this month with a very last minute run to see Carpenter Brut in concert. Literally found out about the concert 2 hours before they went on so drove as quickly as I could to DNA lounge. Definitely was worth it, excellent show all around.

October 2016: This one is a long one. Skip to November if you don’t want an essay about old acquaintance. I’m needed for another month to work at the storage unit place. I have had to help her with things that I was not prepared for, mainly of the medical type. She is diabetic and has survived both lung cancer and colon cancer. I am becoming more of her in-home care person on top of taking care of the expected duties of the job, which was starting to put a strain on things as I would simply work my 8 hours a day for 6 days a week, most of that was taking care of her, going home, taking care of my grandparents, and sewing and working on etsy until I needed to sleep, rinse, repeat. I get the goddaughters costumes made and out to them, they love them, as well as another friend of mine wanted me to make matching dad and son costumes for his son’s first halloween.

 Made his son a pikachu costume and Dad an Ash jacket. Also near the end of this month I got to see Magic Sword in concert. It was a bit of a bummer as the venue was ill-equipped to handle a show like theirs so we didn’t get the whole experience with the lights and background, on top of the fact that the sound guy was doing a lousy job so they didn’t come out for an encore and simply stopped playing halfway through “In the face of Evil”. Hoping that they’ll come out to SF again or somewhere closeby so I can see a full show. *skip to november 2016 to avoid massive drama backstory essay

 Middle of the month is when my old friend was due to come out to visit. A little background on said friend: I met her back in 2005 when I was just starting to get into cosplay. We would chat about similar interests as well as cosplay related things, despite there being an age difference of about 6-7 years. She’s had a few hardships in 2006 that was of her own doing which led her down a path of co-dependence on others as well as manipulation and always playing the victim. Our communication was spotty, her only surfacing when she felt like it, always to unload her stories of woe and hardship.

 I had tried to help her on several occasions as best as I could despite being several states away. I’d send care packages when I could afford to, mainly of food as she would talk about not having money for it, work screwing her out of hours, etc. I would also send old clothes as she lived in a much colder part of the country now and she was ill prepared for the winter in her state. I had commissioned her for a costume just to help her pay bills despite said commission being extremely late for the event it was needed for, and practically unwearable due to poor construction. I had sent her money when she was in between relationships and had no job. Simply put, I was there for her as much as I could be, but she wasn’t really reciprocating that over the years and at the time I wasn’t really able to see it.

Fast forward to the week she is coming out here. She fails to tell me that her friend that she is visiting is more of a romantic interest. She’s in a 3 year relationship with a guy she’s living with. She has also been talking with another guy who she plays Destiny with in a romantic way, so basically she’s got 2 possible love interests and a boyfriend at home that she doesn’t want to work things out with, but also doesn’t want to break up with just yet as if she does then she won’t have a place to live. Trying not to judge but also not really liking said situation as its pretty scummy of her. The weekend before her trip, said friend she’s supposed to be visiting with for a week upsets her majorly and is now not a possible romantic connection in her mind, but is not known by him as she doesn’t tell him that she’s upset with him because she’s now too invested in this trip.

She comes out here and gets to stay with him at his parents place. She has a list of things she wants to do while out here, but wants to do them in a certain order so she has money for said things. Understandable, but makes it a bit difficult as she expects both myself and her host to take her places and keep her entertained. A lot of suggestions get shot down as she doesn’t like doing said things, but has to realize that there aren’t many free things to do during the weekdays. She gets increasingly frustrated by her host and his family for doing the most mundane things despite letting her stay there for free as well as feeding her, considering she is in the heart of wine country as well as the heart of dubious airbnb country where they could have easily charged her a premium for staying with them. She feels entitled to her friends money, as many times I would get a text from her complaining about him not paying for her part of their outing. She would also get upset with him when he would ask who she would be on the phone with, as she was in contact with said other guy who she liked from Destiny. This would irritate me as I felt as if she was ungrateful and somewhat disrespectful, on top of the fact that I was juggling a full time job, my etsy as a part time job, and taking care of both my grandparents and this lady at the storage unit.

 I take her out to SF so we can catch up and just have some girl time, despite really not having the time to do so, on top of it being an extremely busy weekend in SF as fleet week was happening. She didn’t really talk much with me on the trip unless it was to complain about her friend and to tell me how excited she was to talk with the new guy she liked. I would try to talk about what’s been going on with my life, only to be met with segues into something else completely different or just changing the subject. Not a lot of catching up, she spent a good chunk of her money on items for herself as to be expected, with snide remarks on how nobody really gets her gifts. This kinda pissed me off as I had spent at least 2 weeks on a knitted scarf for her as well as a small messenger bag that I sewed for her for this trip. I take her back to her friends parents place and go home.

 A few days after our outing, my grandpa had a stroke episode while I was home on my lunch break that scared both myself and my grandma. Had to rush him to the ER, had to contact work and let her know what’s going on and why I’m not back, work was supportive and just closed up early for the day for me as I wasn’t sure how long we would be in the ER. I’m getting texts from my friend of her complaining that this guy wasn’t paying for her outing once again. I simply texted her back stating “I am at the ER right now with my grandpa and grandma, grandpa had a stroke episode and we’re trying to see how severe it is”. I get no reply back from her for 2 hours. I simply chalk it up to her being busy, or one of us being in a dead zone or whatever. I didn’t have time to worry about that as I was worried about the condition my grandpa was in and just keeping my grandma calm. Thankfully it was a mild stroke, no major issues. We were at the hospital for 7 hours.

 I get my grandparents back home, call work to let her know how my grandpa is doing and that I will be in tomorrow for work. Said friend texts me to complain about how crummy her trip to the aquarium went. At this point, tensions were high, but I simply sent her a message saying “I’m guessing you didn’t receive my last message that said that I was in the ER with my grandpa who had a mild stroke. I had been in the ER for about 7 hours now”. Her response was “no”. Now, if you’ve made it this far into reading this whole thing, first off thank you and congrats. Secondly, you’re probably wondering “why does this whole mini essay about this chick matter?” or something to that extent. Well I don’t know about you good people here, but normally if a friend or loved one or just someone you kinda sorta know states that they were in the ER, and they don’t work in the medical field, most people’s reactions would be “what happened?”, “is everything ok?”, “are you ok?”, “is X person ok?”, etc. ad nauseum. There was no concern shown from her. NONE. No call to see if everything is ok, no text to ask if everything is ok, NOT A GODDAMN THING.

 Why is that such a big deal? Offering compassion does not cost you a damn dime. All I wanted from her was a simple act of compassion. I had not asked for much from her over the time we had been friends. Just the one time I really could use it, its just lost on her. She continues to text me to ask me if we’re still going to hang out before she leaves. I’m just left in just disbelief at the whole thing. I don’t really text her after that, stating I’m busy. She’s constantly bugging me about this, all while I’m telling her that I have family issues to tend to. I finally agree to see her again, despite wanting to rip her head off. I meet with her and the guy, and I simply tell them in person what’s going on and what happened at the ER. Her friend offered concern, all while she’s sitting there stuffing her face and changing the subject. I ask for the bag that she borrowed from me from our previous trip out, she gives it to me and I make an excuse to leave early. She still isn’t getting it, so I ask for her friends’ number. I say my goodbyes and she states that she wants to visit again sometime.

 The day she’s leaving, after she’s on the plane, I text the guy she’s been staying with. I tell him during this whole trip that she essentially used him, complained about him and his family the whole time to me, that the person she was being all secretive about on the phone was some guy she likes better than you, and that she’s in a relationship with someone back home and has been with said guy for 3 years and lives with him. He was not happy about this and rightfully so as he liked her. This of course led to them both arguing, and her contacting me via text about this and why I did it. I completely ignored everything. I felt that I owed her nothing after all of this. Her last message to me was “cool beans. we don’t have to be normal about it. But thanks for betraying my confidence and trust in the first place. You’re a shit friend and I hope you’re happy with yourself. Thanks for throwing our decade long friendship out the window”. She then proceeded to remove me from facebook and any other social media that we shared.

Am I really a shit friend? Am I really a horrible person for doing these things? Did I have to do what I did? Was it worth it? I will let you draw your own conclusions as yes I know that I didn’t have to do what I did and I could have been the one who takes the high road on this, but when you’re under a lot of stress due to work and deadlines and family issues, you tend to do shitty things. I grappled with the whole thing and felt awful for doing what I did, but at the same time I felt that no amount of talking would really get through to her about how much damage had been done. In some senses I do feel like a major weight was lifted from my shoulders as I really didn’t want to have a friend who didn’t understand basic concern for others.

November 2016: Still working at the storage unit place. The lady I’m working for has not been healing well due to not listening to her doctors orders. The maintenance man that the owner hired for the place injures himself horrifically, with what I assume his shin bone is jutting out of his skin. He tells us that he slipped down a ladder and that was about it. He’s rushed to the ER by ambulance. The owner then gets his son-in-law to work for him as maintenance man to replace the injured one. Son-in-law decides to have me start on a project for him, that requires me to make an excel spreadsheet of all the tenants who rent at the storage unit with all their info.

He tells me that the owner needs this info in digital form for insurance purposes and I agree to it since it does make sense, but it detracts from my other duties with caring for the lady I’m working for as well as the other office duties. I do this anyways as it seems like they might actually change the setup there so that its not all hand-written and a bit easier to keep track of as well as back up. Etsy orders are flooding in for the early holiday rush and I’m trying to keep on top of it all.

This marks the first thanksgiving where we don’t celebrate together as a family. My grandma simply just didn’t want to put up with all the fuss, my Mom and my nephew ended up going to Las Vegas for a football championship game for my nephew as he’s been in little league football all through the fall and his team had done really well and made it to the championship game. I couldn’t go with them as I had to watch the farm, as my Mom is a caretaker of a small school district owned farm and the animals need to eat everyday. My Uncle and Aunt both work demanding jobs that they aren’t able to get many days off so they weren’t able to come down for the holidays. My brother went up to his girlfriends parents place, so it was a bit odd and slightly depressing.

Only weird highlight was that I had a short convo with Dennis Wedin on instagram and I mentioned that I hope to send him and Jonatan some little handmade gifts when I get the chance to make them.

December 2016: Still working at the storage unit place. I end up getting sick near the beginning of the month with a cold/flu. I work through it like normal, just making sure to prepare myself as best as I can at work with plenty of fluids, a blanket, a heater, meds, tissue, etc.

 This time it gets interesting.  Storage unit place also houses cars, trucks, and RV parking spaces. Plenty of people rent these spaces, including one guy who states that he has an old Porsche and its been back there for 10+ years. He’s hoping to restore it for his kids despite none of them being super interested in it. Well with said spreadsheet work, I’m finding a ton of discrepancies as to whom is actually in the units and spaces that they say they are. Lots of calls have to be made, lots of running through the lot to check what is where, etc. Porsche guy is one of those discrepancies, and we ask for him to come down and confirm which space he’s in.

 Well apparently his Porsche is missing as it is nowhere to be found on the lot. He has his sister come down with him and she’s yelling at me and the lady I’m working for, accusing us of stealing his car. The sister then calls the cops to come down and question us. Now there’s no way in hell I or the old lady I’m working for has stolen his car. For one, I had no clue what he had until November when he came to pay his bill. For two, most of the cars that are stored at this particular storage unit place are not in running condition, his included. He had stated this back in November that it doesn’t run and needed a ton of work on it.

 One cop accuses myself and the old lady as well, despite what they need to do is run the VIN, and look at the records at the DMV as to who it had been registered to. For three, the Porsche guy hadn’t even checked on his car ever since he had parked it here for 10 years. No “hey I’ve been paying for this for 10+ years and if its so important to me I should at least check on it”. The guy hadn’t non-opted his vehicle and simply stopped paying any sort of registration on the vehicle. So now I’m a week away from christmas, still sick with whatever super cold/flu that is going around, I’ve been stressed due to busting my ass on getting etsy orders out in time for christmas, working 6 days a week in the office, and now I’m being accused of grand theft auto.

 After the cops finally decide to actually do some investigating, they found out that the car had been stolen in May 2012. Someone towed it off the lot that also rents at the storage unit, hence why they had access to the lot. Since he had rented the spot so long ago, the old lady didn’t remember or even know what he had back there. Since he hadn’t registered it in so long, the person who stole it got some sort of lein title for the car and fixed it to running condition as someone about 500 miles away is driving it around.

Christmas was rather uneventful as I was finally better from being sick and was trying to relax from everything. Got things for my mom and her bf as well as something for my nephew and a few friends of mine. For my birthday I went and watched Moana with my Mom. Ended up sick again as the next day I ended up throwing up. Whether it was the food or just round 2 of super cold/flu, I didn’t know but didn’t really care as I wanted it to be gone. Didn’t do much of anything for new years as I worked and so did a bunch of my friends, top it off with still being sick and not wanting to be around people and spread it around.

 If you’ve made it to the end of this, I truly do thank you as it was a long bunch of bullshit that you honestly didn’t have to read and I could have summed up a lot shorter but didn’t. I hope you enjoyed this small peak into my life. I will eventually update this with January 2017 and February 2017 or just simply make a second post if anyone cares to see the rest of this out. Thanks again.

[hermanwatts]

Sensor Sweep: Year’s Best Horror, Blood Sundown, Al Williamson, Northworld

RPG (Modiphius Entertainment): Before Conan, there was Kull! DANGER BREEDS CAUTION, AND ONLY A WARY MAN LIVES LONG IN THAT WILD COUNTRY WHERE THE HOT VENDHYAN PLAINS MEET THE CRAGS OF THE HIMELIANS AN HOUR’S RIDE WESTWARD OR NORTHWARD AND ONE CROSSED THE BORDER AND WAS AMONG THE HILLS WHERE MEN LIVED BY THE LAW OF THE KNIFE. Here, for the first time in roleplaying gaming, Kull and his world are described in all their savage, dreamlike glory.

Writing (Larry Correia): Of course the article is trash. It comes from Buzzfeed. They get everything wrong. But worse, some of the quotes in there from certain writers are agenda driven garbage, which give aspiring writers a completely ass backwards view of how publishing works. I want to see writers be successful. I’m rooting for you guys. This crap right here? It is defeatist garbage, and if you buy into this pity party, you are going to artificially limit your career.

Fantasy (DMR Books): Lin Carter (1930-1988) blazed a trail in fantasy literary criticism, and for that we owe him a debt. Today on what would have been his 90th birthday I celebrate his pioneering efforts as a historian and guide, thank him for treating fantastic material with respect and enthusiasm—and also offer some critique I think he might have welcomed.

Science Fiction (Black Gate): First, it’s Heinlein’s first novel in that it’s the first one he wrote, way back in 1938 and 1939, when he hadn’t yet broken into print. But it didn’t sell, was never published at the time, and went unknown for decades. In fact the manuscript was thought lost; Heinlein and his wife had destroyed copies in their possession in the approach to Heinlein’s death. Yet another copy of the ms. was found years later, after Heinlein’s death in 1988, and, as Robert James explains in an afterword here, was published in 2004, with an introduction by Spider Robinson. (Spider Robinson would later publish Variable Star, based on a Heinlein outline, in 2006.

Edgar Rice Burroughs (Dark Worlds Quarterly): Edgar Rice Burroughs was a professional in the best sense of the word. This meant he worked hard at producing the best work he could. It also meant he knew you didn’t stop a successful franchise but always left a back door for more stories in the future. With Tarzan, Pellucidar and John Carter he used pretty much the same method (which I think was largely instinctual and certainly not planned).

REH and HPL (Westhunt): Just as Robert E. Howard’s take on prehistory was closer to the truth than the one promulgated by archaeologists  in the past few decades,  H.P. Lovecraft’s views on insanity were more realistic than the common ones in American popular culture – where people are thought to be driven insane by trauma, where your mum and dad fuck you up by their actions, rather than their genes.

Comic Books (Bleeding Cool): Robert E. Howard’s Conan is brought to life UNCENSORED! Discover the true Conan, unrestrained, violent, and sexual. Read the story as he intended!

In the kingdom of Vendhya, the king has just died, struck down by the spells of the black prophets of Yimsha.The king’s sister, Yasmina, decides to avenge him…and contacts Conan, then chief of the Afghuli tribe. But several of Conan’s warriors have just been killed by the men of the kingdom of Vendhya, further complicating the matter. The princess thought she could use the Cimmerian, but rather it is she who will serve his interests…

Fiction (Misha Burnett): I love it when a plan comes together! Yes, I do have a plan, although it may not be evident from my publishing schedule. Ever since I realized that short fiction is the ideal medium for me, I have been working towards building a body of work. As I’ve said several times in this blog, I am now writing stories with an eye not just to first publication, but to inclusion into a series of collections.

Fiction (Marzaat): My multi-part look at this John Buchan collection concludes. Buchan took a cruise to the Aegean in 1910 and that’s the setting of “Basilissa”. This 1914 story is my least favorite in the collection. It mixes precognitive dreams with a standard damsel-in-distress romantic plot. Every April since boyhood Vernon has had a dream where he enters a house with many rooms and senses a danger. On each repetition of the dream, the danger draws closer.

RPG (Tenkars Tavern): Using my Soapbox to “Discourage” a Problem at Some Tables… So I’m not 100% when this post will be, well posted, but I’m running with the assumption that this will be my 1st weekly entry here at the Tavern. There’s so many things I could write about, but one thing popped into my head, something I feel strongly about and something that has a back story. There are probably three things I’m passionate about, well maybe five things, or 50……..I really don’t keep track, but clearly I’m a passionate, passionate man…..

History (Brandywine Books): I’ve been doing a little translation lately (I’ll tell you more about it later) which reminded me of one of my favorite passages from Snorri Sturlusson’s Heimskringla. This story involves King Eystein I, far from the most renowned of Norway’s kings, but very possibly the most likeable. He was part of a set, sharing a joint monarchy with his brother, Sigurd Magnusson. They were both the sons of King Magnus Bareleg, who never got the memo that the Viking Age was over, and died young and outnumbered in Ireland, declaring, “Kings were made for glory, not for long life.”

Pulp Magazines (Pulp Net): Adventure magazine was one of the “Big Four” of pulp magazines. For those not aware, the other three are Argosy, Blue Book, and Short Stories. Adventure existed from 1910 to 1971, though not always as a pulp fiction magazine. Ridgeway, which had been bought by Butterick Publishing, who published sewing patterns and related magazines, published Adventure, along with Everybody’s and Romance, until selling these to Popular Publications in 1934. I suspect Butterick basically sold Ridgeway to Popular, similar to Popular buying out Munsey in 1941.

Art (DMR Books): The great Al Williamson died on this date in 2010. Not to be confused with the equally cool Jack Williamson—wouldn’t it have been awesome if Al had adapted Jack’s “Legion of Space” tales to comics?—Al was the “kid brother” and child prodigy at the Cartoonists and Illustrators School which was run by the legendary Burne Hogarth. Al would fill the same role at EC Comics, where he worked with the likes of Frank Frazetta, Roy Krenkel and Wally Wood. Here’s an excellent bio from the Inkwell Awards website:

Science Fiction (Science fiction fantasy blog): The Northworld Trilogy, by David Drake.  This trilogy was first published as three individual novels: Northworld (published 1990), Northworld Vengeance (1991) and Northworld Justice (1992), although I have all three in one paperback omnibus, published by Baen in 1999. The first novel (but not the others) has the distinction of its own Wikipedia page, so if you want a thorough plot summary – complete with spoilers – you can look it up. The principal character of the story is Nils Hansen, a classic SF hero; an intelligent and highly capable leader of a special police unit on the planet Annunciation, and exceptionally skilled in close combat.

RPG (Dr Bargle blogspot): I’ve been running the sample adventure in Blood Sundown for the past few nights for players who are relatively new to RPGs and it has worked a treat. Everywhen’s simple mechanics with little bookkeeping or arithmetic make it ideal for new or casual players, and the range of pregenerated characters included mean you can be up and running almost straight away. The sample adventure could probably be played in an evening if players most fast, but it’ll have taken us three sessions of 2(ish) hours.

Cartoons (Black Gate): The show’s setup couldn’t be simpler. Sometime in the near future – near enough for there to be no such thing as microwave ovens but future enough for personal hovercraft to be no big deal – Dr. Benton Quest (one of the world’s “top scientists”) roams the globe, troubleshooting various problems for the U.S. and other friendly governments. (We’re never told what Dr. Quest is a doctor of, and it’s impossible to pin down his specialty. Is it nuclear physics? Chemistry? Geology? Botany? Oceanography? Molecular biology? Who knows? He shows a deep knowledge of all of these fields and more, like that guy they had to retire from Jeopardy.)

Horror (Jayro Thermal): 8 stories from Year’s Best Horror Stories 1980        The Year’s Best Horror Stories Series VIII, Edited by Karl Edward Wagner (1980, DAW) Volume VIII was the first edited by Karl Edward Wagner. In 1980 the boom was underway.  When I first landed a copy of this paperback, I read the stories by Dennis Etchison, Ramsey Campbell, Harlan Ellison, Alan Ryan, and Charles L. Grant, but I left money on the table when I got distracted and picked up another book instead.

Publishing (Kairos): Imagine that you’re an artist of some sort desiring to make a living through your art. In the case of novelists, this used to mean seeking approval from an agent and then an editor before landing a book deal with one of the big New York publishers. That publishing model is on the way out, thanks to decades of literary malpractice on the big publishers’ part brought to a head by the Kindle revolution and finished off by Corona-chan. We can expect another round of mergers and mid list contract cancellations. When the dust settles, old pub will be reduced to pimping a handful of name authors at Costco.

Sensor Sweep: Year’s Best Horror, Blood Sundown, Al Williamson, Northworld published first on https://sixchexus.weebly.com/

[trippinglynet]

Suicide Club Events

A list of most of the events held by the San Francisco Suicide Club, which was active from 1977 to 1982. Details on many of these events can be found here. The Suicide Club archive can be found here. And the history of the SF Suicide Club can be found here.

February 14, 1977 nooseletter – First Calendar of Events!

Weird Walk Caving in Santa Cruz Moonie Dinner Golden Gate Bridge Dinner Treasure Hunt Sliding down South S.F. Letters Baby Beautiful Contest Capturing the Golden Hinde Killer Voyeurism – An American Way of Life The Projectionist Crashing a Bon Voyage Party Ghiradelli Square Squirt Gun Infiltrating Eckankar Naked Cable Car Union Square Stunt Sewers of Oakland Kennedy Hotel Merry Mouth Mental Health Tour Santa Cruz Mystery Spot

May Frog Jump Planning meeting Midnight Ride Mythology and Folklore of Wolves The Last Supper Be Super, Not Superstitious Weekend in Hell Big Time Wrestling at the Cow Palace Pink Flamingos at the Roxie Old and in the Way Caleveras County Frog Jumping Contest Humiliating a Lecturer Teacher Party for Communiversity Fuuuuuucked up with Agamoto and Audium Walking Tour of Dashiel Hammett and Fritz Lieber

June New Games with Juvenile Delinquents Vaudeville Auditions Return to the Kennedy Hotel Performing at a Vaudeville Show The Day the Earth Stood Still Spending the Night in a Ghost Town History’s First Nighttime Capture the Flag Game Second Mysterious Suicide Club Initiation Extra Terrestrial Tourists Massive Assault on an Amusement Park Certified D.O.A. Commencement Exercises

July Mystery Tour Alcatraz Harrassing a Famous Comedian Square Dance and New Games After Midnight in SF Orgy Time Infiltration – Railroaders and Scientology Summer of Love Reenactment Texas Chainsaw Massacre Slapstick Army Meets the Three Stooges

August Bay Bridge Occupy a Nuclear Power Site Transvestites Explore other lifetimes Daisies & Sweet Movie at Roxie Water Sports in Marin at Nude Lake Play Dead Exploring a Dead Hospital The Question Man Beer as in Braindeer Jaws Becoming our Own Heros Enter Unknown #2 (Max Factor Billboard)

September Inner Tubing Swashing our own Buckles Suicide for our Ears Be a Real Cutup – Human Jigsaw Puzzle Jitterbug Can Kill – Dance lessons Death, Sticks, Dance Getting the Most out of being Arrested Living History – The Barbary Coast Enter The Unknown #3 Hour of the Wolf Daffy Duck Musical Roadshow Caving at Pinnacles Golden Gate Bridge Climb Food Fight

October An Evening at the Straight Theater Amusement Appreciation #1 Canoeing under the Wharves Maritime Time Warp Teddy Bear’s Tea Potluck in a Hole Invasion of the Body Snatchers Communiversity Garage Sale Punk Rockers Invade Rocky Horror Picture Show Bring on the Clowns Tupperware for the Masses Enter Unknown #4 & #5 Nude Photos Star Wars Intergalactic Battle Initiation (Goddess) Scorpio Slumber Party

November 1977 Nooseletter

A Crime Will be Committed Star Wars Intergalactic Battle Show & Tell Evening with Psycho/movies Suicide for our Ears The Whole Earth Volleyball Talk about other behind their backs Carl LaFong Motorcade Battle of the Titans Carl LaFongs Victory Celebration Ocktoberfest Twenty four hour Amusement Park Birds Under the Bridge Food can be Fun (to play with) Grim Reaper’s Junk Sculpture From Flower to Flour Sex in San Francisco The Predictable Disaster A Crime You are Powerless to Prevent Will be Committed A Day at the Races Star Wars Intergalactic Battle

December 1977 Nooseletter

A Walk with Love and Death An Evening with Psychopaths Suicide for Our Ears Break Down the Library Doors With Poetry and Song Fantasy Film Society Reunion Sensory Bombardment Collaborative Writing Workshop A Childs Xmas in S.F. Show and Tell National Ding-A-Ling Day Attending a Hysterical Mob Scene Premiere Attack of the Variables A Group Discussion Pieing! Continental Detective Agency vs. The Legion of Crime Sam Spade Costume Ball Greet the Holiday Season Enter The Unknown Climbing the Golden Gate Bridge Commando Raid on the Naval Reserve Fleet Return to the Maritime Time Warp New Years at Falstaff Brewery

1978

Big Time Wrestling Suicide on Ice Bringing Out the Criminal Element in the S.F.S.C. Communiversity Potluck Follow the Foghorns Free Marijuana Day Making Death Glisten Assault on Flight 815 Communing with the Spirits of San Francisco Rehearsing our Lines 1st Regular Bad Luck Ball and Potluck Buffet Movie Crowd Formation The Patchwork Quilt Adventure From Movies to Real Life Decoy Street Return of the Pie Bureaucratic Treasure Hunt 2nd Annual Suicide Club Treasure Hunt

Feb 1978 Nooseletter

Taking the Death Out of Suicide Brazilian Parade Patchwork Quilt Adventure II Monthly Battle – McDonald#146;s Food Fight Communiversity Garage Sale Redwood Chainsaw Massacre Treasure Hunt and Initiations Enter the Unknown #? Sassy Sallying Enter the Unknown #7 Golden Gate Bridge Dinner Getting Wet Trivia Contest

March 1978 Nooseletter

Magical Fantastical Dream Society If Sewing what youve Ripped Enter the Unknown #9 Out of your Casket Separate Realities Patchwork Quilt III Fantasy Film Society Reunion Money, Snakes, and Leprachauns This is Your Death Games!!! The Sewers of Oakland SFSC Benefit at the Roxie Star Wars Intergalactic Battle Fun and Games with the Easter Rabbit The Church of the Microwave Poodle Funfair The Very Last Show Commando Raid (aborted due to lock change)

April 1978 Nooseletter

Playland Lives Infiltrating an Orgy Garage Sailing Fast Fast Fast Relief Communing with the Spirits of San Francisco Patchwork Quilt Adventure IV The Night the World Ended Suicide Club Card Game Enter the Unknown Persona Return to Enter the Unknown Daedalus Delight

May 1978 nooseletter

Ringolevio : A Game Played for Keeps New Games in Berkley The Maltese Falcon Santa Cruzin 2nd Annual Watergun Fight and Potluck Dinner Moonlight Canoe Races Becoming a Functioning Member of Society First Semihemidemiannual Suicide Club Markspersonship Contest Enter The Unknown Capn Kid Treasure Hunt

June 1978 Nooseletter

Patchwork Quilt V Ropes Course Communiversity Garage Sale Kostumed Kooks A Little Night Music Initiation Papas Day Orienteering Final Stakeout

July Breakfast at the Palace Targets Star Wars InterHotelic Battle A Day at Wohler Bridge

August S.T.U.P.I D. #1 Caving Ringolevio 2

September Rollerball Alley An Evening Underground Fox & Hounds Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors Croquet Match Dist. Comm. Calanders Garage Sale Initiation Hammet/Lieber Tour The Lord of the Rings Ringolevio 3 Moonies Enter Unknown Naval Reserve Fleet

November 1978 Nooseletter #13

Suicide for Our Ears #2 The Whole Earth Volleyball Talk about others behind their backs The Carl LaFong Motorcade Battle of the Titans Carl LaFong’s Victory Celebration Roll Out the Barrels – Oktoberfest in Nov. 24 Hour Amusement Park Birds under the Bridge and Hospital Hangover Food can be Fun (to play with) Grim Reapers#146;s Junk Sculpture From Flower to Flour Sex in San Francisco Film – The Predictable Disaster A Crime You are Powerless to Prevent A Day at the Races

1979

Techniques of Persuasion Descent into the Unknown Treasure Hunt Industrial Landscape Play Dead Initiation Golden Gate Bridge Dinner Enter Unknown Tarzan & Green Goddess Capture the Flag Aura You Lonesome Tonight? Sleeping Around S.F. Piedmont Conjunction

May 1979 Nooseletter

Creating a Disturbance on BART (subway) Be It Damned or Be It Dead Nuremberg Trials An Old Tradition Revisited Rush Hour Run Local Bucolia Are You Tied Up Tonight? Portals of Illumination Invasion of the BodySnatchers S.F.S.C. vs. A.L.T.A.

July 1979 Nooseletter

Clown Parade Paint the Damn Thing Green Infilitrating Daniel Camping Out! Questions Daemonic Scavenger Hunt The Lock Merced Monster Return to Paradise Hoboing in America or Riding the Rails

November 1979 Nooseletter

Garage Sailing Enter the Unknown – Journey to a Time Long Ago More Buffoonery Top O The Mark Patchwork Quilt Adventure XIII Lifespring

Christmas Tree Hunt Pinball Madness Patchwork Quilt #14 Do you Like Pie? Federal Express…Going Down The Mysterious Macho Event

1980

Eat Twinkies and Commit Crimes Its not Our Fault The Goldiggers of 1980 Golden Gate Bridge Dinner Treasure Hunt Dawn of the Dead The Wild Bunch The Body Brigade The Third Man S.T.U.P.I.D. #2 Riding the Rails “Chaos, Cacophony and Dark Saturnalia ” Playdead The Unknown Enters Night on Devil Reef Tom Sawyer Float Enter Unknown Alien Landing Initiation into Chaos 43 Person Squamish

1981

Jack Tales Movies: Repulsion / The Tenant Mt. St. Helen?s Slide Show Treasure Hunt Golden Gate Bridge Dinner Hunchback Sherwood Forest 43 Man Squamish Industrial Landscapes The Thing in the Burying Ground Fatty Arbuckle Detective Event Potluck The Sandglass Marshall Tito?s Shorts Casablanca Squamish Paths of the Dead Carnival of Dead Souls Death of a Salesman

1982

Treasure Hunt Golden Gate Bridge Dinner Capture the Cadaver (year?) Showdown at the Hyde St. Corral (year?)