turps | (no subject)

We've been for a good walk at Herrington Country Park today. Despite the grey weather I've never seen the place so packed with cars parked all along the main road, though luckily we managed to get one of the disabled bays next to the lake. The play park was still chained up but two ice cream vans were there, selling ice creams with some good social distancing going on. In fact, despite the many people there social distancing was easy, everyone taking care to keep away. But it was lovely to see so many families having picnics or playing together on the fields.

Corey phoned when we were just coming to the end of our walk, so I had a long chat to him. He's doing okay and finally, things have started to happen work-wise. All the bars in the chain he works for are being safety accessed and he should know by next week if they can reopen in some capacity once the new guidelines that say you can eat/drink outside come into effect. We're both highly doubtful that the bar will run as usual as a nightclub, especially as it's still not known if the unis will be back in September, but it may be possible to sell drinks on a takeaway or outside table basis during the day. So, for now he's still furloughed but that may change relatively soon.

I told Corey I'd finally started to watch The Witcher, only on ep one atm though, as he was telling me how much he'd enjoyed the show, he also suggested I try Preacher, so there's another added to my list.

My poor kindle case gave up the ghost last night, the last clasp finally breaking completely. I was reading in the bath when it happened and due to the angle, I was holding my kindle at, it fell and banged me on the nose, and also got covered in black as I had a charcoal face mask on at the time. Thankfully, due to the wonders of Prime I have a new case already, it's just a case of getting used to it as it's just that little bit different in design that it feels wrong in my hand.

The June Something catch up.

What is something you think fandom, as a whole, needs? Either literally, like a service, or figuratively, like a 'head slap'?

My instant reaction to the question, that some parts of fandom need to get back to 'don't like, don't read' I try not to be all fandom old, but it does seem like for many people that just doesn't happen, instead they read and think they've got the right to complain about what they have just read. Which I don't get. It just seems so simple, if you don't like something, don't read it. What's so hard to understand about that?

And a more minor one where I do let my fandom old side out, drabbles are stories that are exactly one hundred words long. They're not short one-shots or ficlets and I will forever want to shake my cane over my lawn when I see a drabble posted that's hundreds of words long and yes, I know fandom evolves, word use evolves but *shakes cane* *slaps fandoms head*

Watch this video (or just read the lyrics). What pairing does this song remind you of and why?

I didn't think I'd be able to do this easily as I don't tend to think of lyrics, videos etc in terms of pairings, then I saw this in the lyrics

Well I'm no superman
But I'll love you that best I can
And you know I'm just flesh and bones, but with you
I feel I'm flying

And come on, it had to be Winterhawk. Clint being flesh and bones, and yeah, I know Bucky is more supersoldier than superman, but it works. They can feel like flying while being sniper bros.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

topaz119

I really liked The Witcher, far more than I expected. BabyBoy was my gateway there, because it’s one of his all-time favorite games/book series. Have you heard the truck about the timelines? It’s not really a spoiler (they’re dropping hints in the scripts but it’s not super clear), but I’ll let you opt in to me saying it (I think it makes keeping track of things much easier, especially in the first few episodes, but totally your call.)

From:

dine

your time at Herrington Country Park sounds delightful - I'm glad you had the opportunity! did you get an ice cream?

I fully acknowledge I'm a fandom old, and definitely agree with both your responses to that catch up question!

it took me a while to decide on an icon - it was so hard to choose between the ice cream one, or the cane hand - they both seemed appropriate to me

From:

i_amthecosmos

You know something fandom really needs? Mental heath professionals who are in it. I'm not kidding in the slightest. I'd love to see a therapist that understood fandom drama.

From:

turps

No, please tell me. I enjoyed the first episode but get the feeling it's a show where you need to pay attention because so much is happening.

All Corey really told me was he thought I'd like it and it ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger. Though he didn't give any details.

I'm looking forward to watching more now.

From:

shadowhive

That sounds nice, I’m glad they were all keeping to the distancing

Ohh I need to watch The Witcher more. I’ve only saw the first ep too.

Oh no! I hope it didn’t hit you too hard

Oh I’m with you so hard oh that one.

From:

topaz119

Ok, so the three main characters (Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri) are all on different timelines, especially in the early episodes. They all keep to a forward moving timeline once they’re introduced, (except for some pretty clear flashbacks/dreams) but Ciri’s story happens over a few weeks (and the events in her arc is what the overall story is driving to); Geralt’s goes over 30ish years; and Yennefer’s takes about 60. Once they meet onscreen, their timelines meet up too, but it’s a little confusing at first.

There’s a bit of dialogue between Geralt & Renfri (before they have the very showy sword fight (which you should absolutely find the featurettes Henry Cavill’s did about the stunt work & swords) where she says something about Calanthe just having won a war—this is the grandmother Queen in the city getting sacked in Ciri’s timeline. As Yenn grows up & takes her place in the world, she’ll mention how long it’s been & maybe a little about the political situation in the world. Also, the wizards are really scheming and playing a lot of power games that end up causing issues so I tried to pay attention to them, too.

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger but I loved it.

From:

frausorge

That sounds nice that people are able to enjoy the park (safely) again!

And I'll cross my fingers for Corey's work to strike the right balance between activity and safety too.

*puts down picnic blanket next to you on the 'drabbles are 100 words exactly' hill*

From:

turlough

Sounds like you'd a good day at the park despite the overcast weather. Sometimes just getting to be out and about is enough to put you in a good mood.

some parts of fandom need to get back to 'don't like, don't read'

Hear, hear!!

*helps you to slap fandom REALLY HARD about the drabble thing*

From:

romantical

DRABBLES ARE 100 WORDS FOREVER. I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL.

From:

turps

I think a lot of people are prepared to die on the drabble hill!

From:

turps

It was a lovely day at the park, and while it was overcast, it meant walking was easier. Sometimes it's just too much walking in direct sun, especially as half the lake walk is uphill.

Seriously, I'll never get why people will read something they know they won't like just so they can complain about it. It makes no sense.

The drabble thing is very annoying.

From:

tempore

I loved the Witcher to the point I bought and read all the books. Which... I'm not sure how I feel about the final one. But overall, I enjoy the series.

I'm so with you on fandom, both the don't like, don't read, and the drabbles. I refuse to read anything labeled a drabble that isn't 100 words.

I swear, some day I want to create a course on participating in fandom. Starting with commonly misspelled or confused words, to the history of fandom, and how to comment.

Lesson one would start with: conscious/conscience (one is a state of awareness, one governs one's feelings or reactions) and breathe/breath. Breathe is a verb, breath is a noun.

From:

turps

I'm so glad we can go to the parks again. I really missed being able to walk away from my immediate home space.

Corey should know something by this week. Apparently they're going to move social distancing from 2 meters to one, so that should help prompt bars to open. Though I still think they'll be one of the unsafest spaces out there.

Yes. Yes they are!

From:

turps

People at the parks and beach seem to keep their distance much better than in the shopping areas. I guess having space to spread out makes all the difference.

I plan on watching more Witcher once I've finished replying to more comments. I'm liking what I've seen so far.

Yeah, I thought you'd agree with don't like don't read.

From:

turps

You know something fandom really needs? Mental heath professionals who are in it.

You're on to something there.

I always think my niece, she's 17 now but a few years ago she started to edge into fandom and got into a bad space, a place where people were far too co-dependent and she actually lost herself to fandom for a while.

Fandom is a fantastic place, but it does have a side that's not good at all. I know to keep well away, but I fear for those that get caught up in drama.

From:

turps

I did not get an ice cream, but I helped James eat his which was just as good.

I do think that fandom needs new blood to move things along, but I really don't agree with some of those new things. Like drabbles and the anti thing. I honestly don't know why anyone would spend their energy and time on reading stuff they hate just so they can complain about it. It really makes no sense.

From:

turps

You're a star. Thank you for that. It really does help.

I'm still watching and enjoying but you're right, it is confusing if you don't know what's going on.

I'll keep an eye on the wizards too. I like little heads up like that because you do catch things that normally would go unnoticed.

Thank you again!

From:

i_amthecosmos

Yeah! Fandom is so highly emotional, and it leads to bonding quickly with people that a person might not know that well. I was an adult with a mood disorder when I discovered it, and I did okay. But I'd still have loved to talk to someone who wouldn't need a 15 minute explanation of 'shipping drama'.

(I'm sure there are lots of mental health professionals out there, I just can't find 'em.)

From:

turps

That's good that you enjoy the series of books as I was considering getting them myself. I'll have to check the price of the ebooks once I finish watching the tv show. Do they stay faithful to the book source of are they like Game of Thrones and branch off?

Seeing something labelled as a drabble when its clearly not always jars me.

I swear, some day I want to create a course on participating in fandom. Starting with commonly misspelled or confused words, to the history of fandom, and how to comment.

That's a good idea and would be really interesting to read.