(no subject)

[turps]

I finished reading the second story in The Halo Effect series last night, and was sad when I finished because it's so damn good. Extremely well written and obviously researched really well.

I've mentioned it before but it's a Downton Abbey series focussed on Thomas Barrow and between the two stories in the series comes in at nearly 527k. I binge watched all of Downton last year but I really don't think you need to know the show to enjoy this. A lot is focussed on Thomas' experiences as a medic in the war and what he does afterwards, so there's some medical gruesome details on occasions. Mostly though, it's about how Thomas sees himself and the difficulties of being gay in that time period and the resulting sense of worth and getting through life when you spent nearly every moment expecting something bad to happen.

Which sounds heavy, and often it is, but there's humour, love and friendship, well rounded OCs I came to love as much as the canon characters and a epilogue that delighted me. I really do recommend, but if you do read, make sure you have lots of time to do so.

Plus, as a bonus, it stops just before the trial that lasts a million years.

Now that I've finished that I can catch up on some other fics that have been posted. There has been a winterhawk valentine's exchange and a few Musketeer stories posted, including more Dragon Rider fic. I'm spoilt for choice, really.

It looks like it's going to be a nice day today so I think we'll head off for a walk at the beach. It's nice to have a relatively free Sunday, James' new shifts are working great for him but the downside is with only having weekends off, we need to get grocery shopping, cat food and litter either Sat or Sun, and the shops have been so busy every time we've done so. But, he's off tomorrow so the shopping will be pushed back to then and hopefully it'll be a bit quieter.

It was really windy with heavy rain yesterday and it was great to not have to worry about the fence coming down or the roof leaking. Getting these jobs ticked off is really satisfying. What was a little frustrating was the day it was fixed the roofing man texted James to say I'd given him £20 short when I paid. Now, I know I didn't as I checked the money twice but was stupid and didn't get him to check himself when I handed it over. It was all new notes, the springy plastic kind and as he shoved it straight in his pocket so I suspect one has been lost at some point. It's either that or he was trying it on and I'd rather not think that as he did a fantastic job and was nice when he was here. Whatever it was, if we need any more jobs doing like that I'm going to insist on a bank transfer or actually count the money into someone's hand.

Finally, I got invited to disneyplusshows which looks good so far. I've been enjoying it reading Wandavision reactions and of course am looking forward to all the other new shows, especially Hawkeye. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, check out the comm.

Comments

[sperrywink]

Sorry I missed your birthday! I've been going through a bit of a rough patch with respect to sleep, so I am all discombobulated.

Anyway, Happy Belated Birthday!!

[turps]

That's not a problem in the slightest, I'll take happy birthday wishes at any time.

I hope you're feeling a little better now ♥

[spikedluv]

I haven't watched Downton Abbey, but your description of that fic makes it sound really good, so I've bookmarked it.

I'm lucky to not work so I can do my shopping during the week. I hate going out on weekends to do it. (Though if I'm there early enough it's not very busy.)

[turps]

The Downton fic is so good. I've seen another rec where the reccer hadn't seen the source material and didn't find it an issue. So, if you do read I hope you enjoy.

I do think I'm going to have to start going grocery shopping either late or early. Going into crowded shops where you have to queue to do everything isn't fun.

[topaz119]

I kept meaning to ask if that was the long Downton fic you'd been reading--isn't it marvelous? Not just more character development for Thomas, but such a good Anna and Sybil, too. I'm glad that was it, b/c now I know someone else who understands all of my 'wait, what's canon again?' issues but a little sad b/c I was halfway hoping there was another long, good fic out there.

The eternal quest, sigh.

On that topic, have you read the fic where Thomas gets caught up in a temporal anomaly & winds up taking up residence in Stark Tower? I can def hunt that one down for you. :D

[dine]

oh, that time-travel Thomas story is awesome! I came across it again recently, and think I'll have to reread it soon

[turps]

I wish it had been a new long Downton fic, as that would have meant I'd have the one you mentioned to read too.

You're so right about the canon issues, the series and story are very much entwined in my head now. What I find most impressive is, that despite fic Thomas being different to screen Thomas, he's not OOC at all. On-screen Thomas can be very unlikeable at times, and now I'm thinking about those times and applying fic logic to them, for example, when he's being cutting or mean it's because he's got all his feelings and issues squashed down along with his grief.

I mean, he's still unlikeable at times in the fic, but when you know why, it's much easier to understand and tolerate that. As Anna does, and Mrs Hughes.

You're also right about Anna and Sybil, I enjoyed them so much. I also enjoyed hating on Carson and O'Brien, especially the second as she drove me insane at times with her sly digs. As for Carson, I was tempted to cheer each time he was pulled up about his treatment of Thomas. Which is a sign of a good fic, the ones that pull you in and make you have all the feels.

I would love to read that Stark tower fic if you can easily find it, and of course, if you find another long epic, I'd love to read that too.

I'll wish for that along with you.

[dine]

that The Halo Effect series is terrific, isn't it? maybe I need to reread it sometime soon, as I totally enjoyed it

I'm glad James' schedule is working for him, though it's too bad all your erranding is complicated because of it

[turps]

I enjoyed The Halo Effect so much. It's one of the best stories that I've read for a while.

James really is loving this new schedule, and he got his first pay packet on the new band yesterday and while it is down it's not down so much we can't manage. Plus, seeing how he is now, any drop is worth it.

For grocery shopping though, I suspect we're going to try going in the evening when it's a bit quieter. Thankfully living easy walking distance of Lidl means I can get odds and ends during the week, it's just the cat stuff the car is needed for.

[turlough]

Coming to the end of a long, really satisfying story is always a bit of a let-down. It sounds like you'll have plenty of new stories to read though and I hope they're be just as fun!

Good luck with the shopping tomorrow!

How irritating! Hopefully it's just a case of a lost note and not the guy trying to pull a fast one. Bank transfer definitely sounds like the way to go in the future.

[turps]

I was sad to reach the end of the Downton fic, it's so good, and so long, the longest thing I've read for a long time.

Shopping was done, and it was quieter which was nice.

Yeah, I should have said a bank transfer from the start really.

[frausorge]

I'm glad your roof held up! But that does sound frustrating about the money. I'll join you in hoping it's just an accident.

[turps]

It's so good to have a watertight roof again.

There's a big chance it was an accident. The new notes can be very springy, especially straight from the ATM, which some of these were. I do suspect a twenty will be blowing in the wind somewhere.