#crossposted to dreamwidth

[primeideal]

The South Pole: A Historical Reader (edited by Anthony Brandt)

The title is a slight misnomer, it's an anthology of Antarctica exploration more broadly, but we get the idea. Highlights and enticements on dreamwidth!

[ladyosen]

Tamon's B-Side Episode 5

Nice episode today!

Honestly, I'm enjoying the Tamon x Utagi x Ouri love triangle very much! I'm also enjoying Tamon x Ouri a lot and see that as a valid aspect of it too.

I really appreciate that neither Tamon or Ouri won center though and I think it was obvious the moment it was mentioned Keito wasn't worried despite being in 2nd place. He probably knew exactly what Tamon and Ouri's failings were and how they were overextending themselves.

I also loved the convo that Ouri and Tamon had later. Ouri acknowledging that he always chokes at the end is interesting and shows a lot of self awareness even though he did blame Tamon in the end, I think that's just him picking on Tamon. Even Ouri just telling Tamon that yeah, some people will stay your fans and some won't and you have to accept that. I do like Tamon's willingness to adjust his behavior towards Ouri and realizing that being pitying and giving into him isn't working. But also, that he still has a major flaw to overcome of being self conscious about his likeability.

And I like that Utage was a little less shocked about Tamon's bad performance than she would have been before. Unlike her friends, she could tell he wasn't doing well. She's seeing him as more of a human being and because of that is more willing to see his mistakes and can still be his fan.

It’ll be intriguing to see if Tamon manages to become center again.

[regardstosoulandromance]

ao3 wrapped: 2024

word count: 104,238

fics posted: 56

fic with the most hits & kudos: lord save me- my drug is my baby (agatha all along, hits: 5,114, kudos: 429)

fic with the least hits: Snowy Days and Warm Mittens (caos, hits: 17)

three favorite fics I've written this year:

...At Last I See the Light (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Words: 22,225) - For Sabrina Spellman, getting a job at the happiest place on earth feels like a dream come true; not only does she get to pretend to be her favorite Disney character everyday but her coworker, Nicholas, playing charming thief Flynn Rider to her lost princess Rapunzel might just like her back. The only thing standing between Sabrina and the best day ever is her evil boss, who definitely is out to get her. Will true love prevail or will Disneyland's magic spell be broken?

a fire inside of you (Supergirl, Words: 1,019) - "I'm not sick Ms. Grant," said Kara, "Really." Cat continued to look at her in disbelief, muttering, “Really Kiera. I don’t have time for this,” as she reached across, closing the gap to press a cool hand to Kara’s forehead.

be still my foolish heart, don’t ruin this on me (Once Upon a Time, Words: 2,384) - “She has a crush on you, you know.” He was glad Neal had his grandson, otherwise Rumford might have dropped him in shock. He choked on air, sputtering, “How- I- Miss French-“ “I mean she hasn’t like, told me or anything, because you’re my dad and that would be weird,” Neal said, “But she’s super into you.”

three favorite fics I've read this year:

Our dreams are all the same (you could hurt me, but you wouldn't know what to say) by Theonlydan - Rich bored daddy's girl Sabrina wants a thing or two from her stepmom. In hindsight, Lilith doesn't disapprove. So who's the instigator? They say an absent father and a distant mother can really fuck you up, but Sabrina says it’s the absence of the nail clipper that will drive you insane. So much for a “family” trip, Sabrina snorts. She crouches in the middle of an empty hotel room. Lilith’s suitcase is heavy. She lays it down, telling herself she’s doing this because the idea of finding a manicure kit looks promising, while being fully aware she’s lying to herself.

but the verse is sweet by smallblueandloud - "How old is she?” asks Bail, before he can think not to. “Twenty five,” says Solo. He looks, really looks, at Solo for the first time. “And how old are you?” "...not twenty five.” (or, the Force brings Bail and his sixteen-year-old daughter to witness their future. the Force has a shitty sense of humor)

Somebody Know Me Too Well by dionaeamuscipula - "Joanne had spent her life convincing people that she didn’t want to be understood, didn’t want the intimacy of being known—her own husband couldn’t have said her favorite color—but then Bobbie—Richard—freezing the glass, then submerging it in hot water, and of course it shattered, it shattered all over her." Joanne and her complicated relationship with being known.

[primeideal]

Wheel of Time 2.8: What Was Meant To Be

Quarterstaffs and trebuchets. (Moderate book spoilers.)

[primeideal]

Wheel of Time 2.6: Eyes without Pity

Bonsai and kinkshaming. On dreamwidth! (Should be spoiler-safe.)

[primeideal]

WoT 2.4, "Daughter of the Night"

Liveblog on Dreamwidth. This should be mostly fine for book spoilers, again, avoid if you're super-averse.

[primeideal]

WoT Season 2 Start

Note: this is 90% free of major spoilers, but some of the stuff like "small change from the books here" or calling out foreshadowing and even the stuff that's not explicitly labeled as foreshadowing might make you see characters in a certain way. So if you're completely spoiler-averse, avoid. Otherwise it's probably fine.

Episode 1: A Taste of Solitude

Episode 2: Strangers and Friends

Episode 3: What Might Be

[ladyosen]

Personal

It's been forever since I've done anything like this and I look at my dw entry I made in 2012 and wow. I mean I'm in a better place moneywise at least, though I could be more responsible, but I got to get back on track with a lot of things.

But some goals and thoughts.

1. I really need to improve my eating. It's like the biggest part of the puzzle for me. I have a bad habit of snacking on junky food out of boredom. Also stopping at places on the way to or from work and getting a lot of junky food. I need to stop that and also do better with my meals. I think I want to have a goal of having at least one veggie/fruit-laden meal. Like a smoothie, salad or soup or something else that is plant-heavy.

2. getting more consistent with fitness which is hard because of all the pain issues I have in my foot, back and hips. I've been working with this mobility app, so I'm hoping that will help. And I'm thinking about getting a Switch so I can play games like Ring Fit Adventure, but in the mean time, I'm working on doing some small exercise videos to get into the habit.

3. Want to keep up with my writing consistently. I'm also working on mirroring stuff here and at squidgeworld (would love suggestions though). It's hard because some of the ao3/otw stuff demotivated me bad, but I don't want to give up either

4. I also want to write an original thing, because I've been reading too many bad transmigration novels and the like. But I want to research more.

5. I also want to I don't know, take up painting. I saw a good post on twitter about having a hobby that doesn't involve screens which resonated with me a lot and like... I think something artsy like that would be good. I experimented with a cheapass pour painting kit I won at our work holiday party and it didn't go well but I also want to keep trying because colors! There's also all these fun youtube tutorials I want to do though I realize that is slightly against the no screens things lmao, but the spirit is there.

6. Also want to catch up with reading both books and manga, because there is a whole world out there. And I was a big reader as a child.

7. Getting into a good groove with rp while not being anxious about being slow. I want to just... hold myself to my own standards I guess.

8. Also less mindless reading gossip sites. I have a bad habit of just clicking and scrolling for hours, sometimes obessively and it's stressful for me. I've lost so much of my life doing this. I hate it.

9. Also this is hard but I want to be more honest about my likes and that. I have a bad habit of holding back, which ties in with my shyness about chatting with people, but I want to be more honest, though that might be baby steps.

And honestly, this all feels cathartic to write out.

cross posted to dreamwidth