turps | (no subject)

We went to see Wicked For Good on Saturday and I really enjoyed it. Both the film itself, and the buzz in the cinema, the charity cos players were there and Odeon had various displays up for photo ops while the staff were all wearing witches hats, add in the general air of excitement of people going in, and it was just a lovely atmosphere.

I'm sure James would have enjoyed it too if he'd been awake for more than 1% of it *g*

I will cut him some slack though as he came down with a nasty chest cold on Sunday, so much so he had to call in sick from work yesterday as he was really not well. He's a bit better today, and thankfully, had annual leave in for Thurs and Fri so with his regular day off will only have to claim two sick days. It also gives him time to rest up, as we've got a craft fair on Saturday, and then my MiL wants to take us out for Sunday dinner on Sunday.

I got a new to me type of comment at AO3 the other day. It was someone saying they thought the fic would make a good comic and said their insta name if I wanted to make that happen. Curious, I Googled the insta and it was from a fan who does comic strips, for a price I'm sure, so while their work was good, I won't be taking up the offer. The fic they picked was my Intoabar 911 Lonestar Voyager cross featuring TK and Nelix, which I guess could support a comic strip, but I'll never find out. ~~And mainly, have come away from the comment with a grudging respect for someone putting their work out like that.~~ Thanks for Cesy in comments for telling me what these comments are about. No respect at all now.

I enjoyed Strictly at the weekend, the Steps mashup was great, but really what I was really looking forward to was Nikita dancing with Layton again, and I was not disappointed. Well, I would have loved their part of the routine to be longer, but the behind the scenes stuff that various people shared helped make up for it.

I was sad for La Voix having to pull out though, she wasn't the best dancer, but made the show so much fun.

Class wasn't on yesterday, as someone had booked the hall for a wake. Now, the hall we use isn't a typical gym studio, it's actually part of the old Miner's Welfare building that's joined to the modern gym by a series of maze like hallways, and does actually have a bar at one end. But, I was still surprised that anyone would want to use it for something like that, as it's not the most picturesque place, and also kind of smells of sweat. But, people like what they like, I guess.

I bought a tunnel thing that's designed to circle the bottom of the Christmas tree, the idea being, the cats will go through the tunnel and leave the actual tree alone. They've both enjoyed going through it, but I suspect what it'll be is a handy step to help Kevin climb the branches. Anyway, here's Murphy enjoying the middle.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

sweettartheart

I'm giggling at your tree decoy!

From:

turps

I suspect the chances of it actually working are very slim.

But in the meantime, the cats are enjoying running around it *g*

From:

cesy

The commission bots on AO3 are the newest type of spam - they probably stole a fanartist's insta link or work. Report them if you have time.

From:

turps

I didn't realise that, and that puts a very different spin on the comment.

I do have time, and in fact will go and report right now. Thanks for the heads-up.

From:

kat_lair

Alas that kind of spam is depressingly common. I either go 'just a reminder that soliciting paid commissions is against AO3's T&Cs' or leave it alone for long enough to it be deleted. One bot goes, another one takes its place.

The tunnel thing is awesome.

From:

turps

It's the first time I'd come across that kind of spam, so I'm glad I posted about it and people warned what it actually is.

The cats love the tunnel, but I remain sceptical it will protect the tree.

From:

ephemera

I love the fuzzy festive doughnut, although I share your skepticism on whether the cats will follow the instructions!

From:

turps

Oh, I have no doubt at all ~~Kevin~~ the cats will totally ignore the festive fuzzy doughnut instructions *g*

From:

jacieleigh

I've not yet seen Wicked. I need to check to see if it's on Disney+. I've heard the new one is better, so I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Yes, that's a common AO3 scam. It also violates AO3's TOS. I report those when I get them and AO3 removes them pretty quickly.

What a cute fuzzy tunnel! I bought the donut about the same time I got Pippin, and she decided it was hers. She will sometimes go inside, but spends time daily on top. The others don't use it ever. Pippin might like a tunnel. Hopefully, it will save your Christmas tree from cat attacks.

From:

turps

I remember watching the first Wicked last year, and being so surprised at the ending as I hadn't taken in that it was a two part series, so it was good to see the conclusion. Hope you enjoy if you do find it on Disney.

It was the first time I'd seen that scam. I've caught loads of different ones before, but this version was totally new. I've reported now, so hopefully AO3 will deal quickly.

I'm sceptical it'll save the Christmas tree, but thought I could give it a try. If nothing else, it's a nice thing for the cats to play with, and there is a cushion that can go in the middle if it's not being used with the tree.

From:

starwatcher

Confirming what others have said -- I see daily complaints / questions about it on Reddit. AO3 is having a terrible influx of bots and/or scammers. Some want to "create art" or "create comics" or "discuss ideas" about a story. If someone says 'yes,' the next request is to talk off AO3, and then they start discussing/demanding money.

Others are various forms of hate!bots. "Your story started out so good, then you ruined it by doing X, Y, and Z, how could you let down your readers like that?" By reports, some of them are quite viciously savage. Or, "Your story would be so much better if you included transgender representation; please think of all the trans folks who need to see themselves in media!" Or, "Oh my god, who told you could write? Your story is ordinary and boring, and your grammar and sentence structure are the pits! Go back to school and grow up before you try writing again."

Another is accusations of using AI to write your story, they'll report you immediately, how dare you cheat like that, and you should delete all your stories / account now before you get banned. (For the record, AI is allowed at AO3.)

In other words -- anything that seems outside the norms of fandom interaction is probably a bot or scammer. (For example, you know I make art, but I don't go to the author to discuss it. I make the art because I want to, then post it, then give the writer the code to use or not, as they choose. No going off AO3 to "discuss" it.)

The recommended response to any of these bots/scammers is to report the comment, and let AO3 swat them.

Feel free to pass this info around wherever you want. Too many people know nothing about this, and it's a shocking gut-punch if it happens on one of their stories, especially if it's a hate!bot.

In fact, now that I've typed all this out, I think I'll make a post about it.

From:

turps

You know, I've been in fandom for what feels like forever, and yet there's always something that can catch me out. I had no idea about this scam, and have never got a comment like it before, or heard of others doing so either. Which is why I'm so glad others, including you, have clued me in.

I never had any thought about engaging with the person wanting to create the comic -- from the start I suspected money would be involved, I just didn't realise, how that would happen. And the last thing I would want is potential nastiness.

The hatebots sound horrendous. What people get out of doing things like that I'll never understand.

Thank you for all the info, and yeah, a post sounds like it could be a very good thing.

From:

starwatcher

You're welcome. Nowadays, information is more important than ever.

I -- and everyone I've read -- are with you. We understand that the scammers want money. But no one can figure out the "why" behind the hatebots. Society seems to be producing a lot of twisted individuals in recent years...

From:

spikedluv

I'm glad you enjoyed the movie! The whole atmosphere sounds of the theater fun.

I'm sorry James got sick! I hope he feels better soon.

The tunnel looks nice and fuzzy! I hope it works!

From:

turps

I like how the cinema goes all out for the big film releases. It does make for a good atmosphere.

James is on the mend, but better keep his germs to himself.

I hope the tunnel works, too. But suspect it won't *g*

From:

spikedluv

Oops! I just realized I put the 'of the theater' clarifying bit in the wrong place, lol! I'm glad you still understood what I meant!

He sure better!! *g*

If they're already sitting on top of it, they're probably not going to get with the program of going ~through it. o_O

From:

shadowhive

Oh I’m glad you enjoyed Wicked! My local cinema had a big display for it when I went and I’m sure they had plans for the opening weekend (I know they had wicked drinks but they didn’t say what was in them)

Aww James! 😂 Ihope he feels better!

Yeah it was really good to see them again! I really am so sad for La Voix too, it really sucks to go out like that especially before a big date like Blackpool.

Ohh Murphy! That’s so cute, I’m glad they’re enjoying it!

From:

pensnest

Getting cats to do what you want them to do is... well, good luck with that. They seem to be much better at getting us to do what they want. But I should love to see video of them getting with the program and running around the furry tyre!

Those *£$$**!@ bots are getting everywhere. I amuse myself occasionally inventing sharp comebacks, but obviously, it isn't worth wasting time on them. A plague on all their emitters.

From:

turlough

Good to hear at least one of you enjoyed the movie visit ;-D I hope James is starting to feel better now though and wish you all the good luck with the fair on Saturday!

I was going to tell you about the fanart scam thing but I was glad to see Cesy had already done so. Scams suck!

I've never seen anything like that tunnel thingy. I'll keep my fingers crossed it will work though yeah, I think your suspicion of how Kevin will use it is probably correct. The photo of Murphy enthroned in the middle made me smile!