#luluspetals

[namara-ashina]

luluspetals replied to your post:day 11! second day of orientation! which was again...

earplugs are the savior of roommate relations! Was the bacon made of coconut strips?? that’s wild

more like coconut flakes but yeah it was pretty cool

[namara-ashina]

luluspetals replied to your photo:um so i was tagged by apitnobaka to show my phone...

what a cutie!! What’s her/his name?

her name was jetta

[tinarannosaurus]

Could you do two from Art Crawl (1.08): a)The conversation b/t Gene and Bob about Ken the albino and b) Louise saying "good luck polishing a turd". Thanks!!

Yeah, can do!

[welcometothisby]

What time period do you think The Scorpio Races takes place in? (And why?)

This is probably my favorite question ever because you cannot get me to shut up about history. (You can peruse previous posts on the topic here.)

Maggie was intentionally vague about the time period, but she said there are clues in the book (like the cars), and she used terms like “alternate history” and “Ye Olde Days” in Q&As. This says to me that the setting of The Scorpio Races is not modern.

The descriptions of technology (radio and cinema are mentioned but not television), fashion (flat caps, bowlers, three piece suits and pocket watches), transportation (automobiles and pony carts), and culture (slang, attitudes of the tourists, roles of women) point to the first half of the 20th century. We can rule out the 1900s as being too early. No wars are mentioned, so the 1910s and the 1940s are not likely. That leaves us with the 1920s, the 1930s, and the 1950s.

The Cars: The depictions of the cars are more similar to the cars of the 20s and 30s than those of the 40s and 50s, especially Father Mooneyham’s car. The grand red car could very well be twenty-some-odd-years-old, but Puck and Finn’s appreciation of it seems to indicate that it is top of the line and new (and not only new to the island).

Sean’s Childhood: The prologue takes places nine years before the rest of the story, and Sean mentions visiting the mainland with his father sometime before that. If the story were set in the 1950s, that would put Sean’s childhood right in the middle of WWII, or during the aftermath at the very least. The extravagant clothing of the mainlanders doesn’t really line up with the more minimalist fashion that was required by the rationing of the 40s. If the story were set in the 30s, Sean’s childhood could have taken place in the 20s or even slightly earlier when women still “looked like dolls.”

The Economy: In the aftermath of the WWI, the 20s and 30s roared and then slumped, which makes me think that either of these decades might serve as plausible settings. You see both the decadent attitudes and post-war boom of the early 20s (the tourist woman who bought the Morris on a whim because it was cute) and the unemployment of the late 20s and early 30s (people leaving the island for work). Even though some parts of the mainland would have been hit hard, other parts would have seen increase, and either option was probably still better than life on Thisby. The economy started picking up towards the middle-to-end of the 30s with another war just around the corner.

1920s: When the story plays out it my head, it feels like the 1920s. Much of this is due to George Holly and his clothes, and the close proximity to the suffragist movement (referenced by the reporter who interviews Puck), and the fact that the tourists seem like Bright Young Things. Also, I just love the 20s and thus want it to be set in the 20s. But maybe it’s not set in the 20s (see below).

1930s: Bedford trucks like Gratton’s weren’t produced until 1931. My feeling is that the book is set in the 1930s, because some of the 20s culture carried on through the beginning of the decade. Also, the suffragettes rejected the sidesaddle, and riding astride became the preferred practice by 1930. Puck always rides astride. Coupled with the aforementioned style and social elements, these bits make the 30s seem very likely.

1950s: This is not my first choice for the period, because I don’t think the fashion and design of this decade match up to the descriptions as well, but I’m not ruling it out. There is a line in the book that describes Holly as being “richer than the Queen.” I don’t know if this literally refers to Queen Elizabeth II, who was crowned in 1953, or if it’s a shortened version of the idiom “richer than the Queen of Sheba.”

Conclusion:The Scorpio Races is set during the first half of the 20th century and despite all my exhaustive speculation, I cannot tell you exactly when. I currently feel like it’s set in the early 30s, but honestly, that could change at the drop of a (bowler) hat. What clues pertaining to the time period have you all found?

[namara-ashina]

luluspetals replied to your post:SO SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY USED MY EMAIL TO PLACE AN ORDER WITH BELL CANADA?!?!?!?!

USE THE INFO FOR EVIL PURPOSES

I JUST REALLY WANT TO SEND THEM A REALLY STUPID POSTCARD XD

[tinarannosaurus]

I haven't watched all the episodes but I've seen a few references to Tina being autistic. I know it's not a serious show but I'm curious about this. Like, does the family call her that just bc she's an awkward teen? Thoughts?

(okay please feel free to correct me on any of the following)

if I’m remembering right, the only mention of Tina being autistic takes place during the pilot. it was a joke made by gene and louise in reference to Tina being awkward with the customers.

so yes? sort of?? gene and louise call her autistic because she's awkward -- but it's denied by bob and never used as a joke past the pilot.

[namara-ashina]

luluspetals replied to your post:so we got new measuring cups yesterday at the...

you work at a bakery?!? that’s so cool. jealousss

i wash dishes at a bakery XD i mean the perks are nice but it's really not a very glamorous job

[namara-ashina]

luluspetals replied to your post:You're from Canada, right? I'm American but think Canada seems really awesome, mainly bc of it's natural beauty and awesome liberal social policies. Sooo two questions: do you like Canada and why? (I kinda want to move there) and what are Canadian thoughts about America(ns)?

Cool.I know Canada is no utopia but it seems better than America in many ways.A lot of Americans think poorly of Canadians too-I’m from Maine so we see a lot of French Canadians, so there are a lot of reciprocal stereotypes but idk, Canada seems cool

oh god don't get me started on french canadians. i live in quebec and let me tell you, unless you speak fluent french, you probably do NOT want to move here