![[sticky entry]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/entry/sticky_entry.png){kind=small}
(Edited May 4, 2022)
OK, this is supposed to be a sticky post. I've had this journal for years, just for reading, and hope to be more active from now on. Please forgive some flailing as I figure out posting, formatting, etc.
I'm a civil servant by day, Renaissance dancer by night, and 24-hour bibliophile. Gafiated Canadian SF fan, proud recipient of 1 and 1/8 Aurora awards for fan organization.
My last name is distinctive, and I prefer to keep my personal and professional lives separate. If you figure it out (not hard) please just don't use it here.
I love reading, am not so good at outward communication. I may vanish at irregular intervals if I am in the middle of a depressive episode.
If I ask to subscribe, it's because I enjoy your writing. No hard feelings if you don't accept or reciprocate.
I live in Treaty Six territory.
My pronouns are she/her.
Trans women are women, trans men are men, human rights are for everyone.
We are at Eastercon!
Apr. 18th, 2025 11:14 amIt's been a couple of months of ups and downs, and this month is very definitely up. K and I are on a bucket-list trip overseas. We started with three days in Amsterdam followed by 10 days in London. Many thanks to ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cosmolinguist for recommending the Travelodge chain. We stayed in the Covent Garden hotel and it was brilliant.
We arrived in Belfast yesterday. I hope to do a bit of promotion for the Edmonton in 2030 Worldcon bid. I'm not on the committee, however I can testify as to how my home city is pretty great. I have brought a package of maple sugar candies with me for the purpose of giving one to each person who asks me a question.
cosmolinguist for recommending the Travelodge chain. We stayed in the Covent Garden hotel and it was brilliant.We arrived in Belfast yesterday. I hope to do a bit of promotion for the Edmonton in 2030 Worldcon bid. I'm not on the committee, however I can testify as to how my home city is pretty great. I have brought a package of maple sugar candies with me for the purpose of giving one to each person who asks me a question.
Bought memberships to Eastercon 2025
Oct. 20th, 2024 02:49 pmWe had an overseas trip planned for August, and then K broke his ankle and we had to cancel. We agreed we'd try for next spring instead.
We are both SF fans, the old-fashioned book-reading types. We missed the Glasgow Worldcon, so decided we'd find another largish con to attend as one of the elements of our trip. Reconnect, the next Eastercon, takes place April 18-21, 2025 in Belfast. I just bought us two memberships.
This gives me an anchor date to plan the rest of the trip around. I'm going to rebook many of the destinations we settled on last time: Amsterdam, Dublin, Portsmouth, London. Next up is to figure out what order we'll visit them in.
(K's ankle has healed just fine.)
We are both SF fans, the old-fashioned book-reading types. We missed the Glasgow Worldcon, so decided we'd find another largish con to attend as one of the elements of our trip. Reconnect, the next Eastercon, takes place April 18-21, 2025 in Belfast. I just bought us two memberships.
This gives me an anchor date to plan the rest of the trip around. I'm going to rebook many of the destinations we settled on last time: Amsterdam, Dublin, Portsmouth, London. Next up is to figure out what order we'll visit them in.
(K's ankle has healed just fine.)
Home again, home again
Oct. 5th, 2024 10:19 amI flew home on Tuesday, and spent much of the following two days asleep. After many hugs from K, a massage, and a good conversation with a friend about our upcoming Renaissance dance class, I am reviving.
This afternoon I'll be meeting friends on the patio of Beer Revolution for some brews and socializing. Today's forecast is sunny and 14 C, pretty good for this time of year. K's broken ankle has healed enough that he can drive. He doesn't drink alcohol, so I'm safe to have a beer.
Beer Revolution runs a couple dozen rotating taps, and I just looked up their beer board for today. Hmmm, the coffee brown ale looks interesting. Ooooh - haskap cider!
This afternoon I'll be meeting friends on the patio of Beer Revolution for some brews and socializing. Today's forecast is sunny and 14 C, pretty good for this time of year. K's broken ankle has healed enough that he can drive. He doesn't drink alcohol, so I'm safe to have a beer.
Beer Revolution runs a couple dozen rotating taps, and I just looked up their beer board for today. Hmmm, the coffee brown ale looks interesting. Ooooh - haskap cider!
I just learned about this from a CBC article:
1 oz. Pure Silver Glow-in-the-Dark Coin – Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena: The Langenburg Event
A 50-year-old story of UFOs at a farm near Langenburg, Sask. — a town 220 kilometres east of Regina — is being celebrated by Canada Post and the Canadian Royal Mint with a new coin. The story of the UFOs and the five crop circles from 1974 have prompted Canada Post and the Royal Canadian Mint to issue a coin that commemorates the event. "The Langenburg Event" coin is the seventh in the Canada's Unexplained Phenomena series.
The coin is one ounce of pure silver, glows in the dark, and can be purchased online for C$140.
www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2024/pure-silver-glow-in-the-dark-coin-canadas-unexplained-phenomena-the-langenburg-event
(edited to fix the link)
1 oz. Pure Silver Glow-in-the-Dark Coin – Canada’s Unexplained Phenomena: The Langenburg Event
A 50-year-old story of UFOs at a farm near Langenburg, Sask. — a town 220 kilometres east of Regina — is being celebrated by Canada Post and the Canadian Royal Mint with a new coin. The story of the UFOs and the five crop circles from 1974 have prompted Canada Post and the Royal Canadian Mint to issue a coin that commemorates the event. "The Langenburg Event" coin is the seventh in the Canada's Unexplained Phenomena series.
The coin is one ounce of pure silver, glows in the dark, and can be purchased online for C$140.
www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2024/pure-silver-glow-in-the-dark-coin-canadas-unexplained-phenomena-the-langenburg-event
(edited to fix the link)
Back in the late 70s/early 80s my mother taught one of the first courses in Women's Studies offered by the University of Alberta.
She's 82 now. Earlier tonight I found a pin with the above slogan stuck to the bulletin board in her apartment.
Here's an example of her work, the program for the Second Annual Feminist Research Forum, which she organized in October 1989.
omekaprojects.artsrn.ualberta.ca/files/original/6e2089274ab0cb048d8d1fbd879a80592aa5802b.pdf
The thing is, though, every time I say I'm proud to be a daughter of a feminist, I get earwormed by this song.
"Daughters of Feminists" was first recorded in 1990 by Canadian humourist and songwriter Nancy White. It's not what I did, but if you want to rebel and drive your feminist mother up the wall, try wearing pink and celebrating Cinderella as a role model.
www.youtube.com/watch
She's 82 now. Earlier tonight I found a pin with the above slogan stuck to the bulletin board in her apartment.
Here's an example of her work, the program for the Second Annual Feminist Research Forum, which she organized in October 1989.
omekaprojects.artsrn.ualberta.ca/files/original/6e2089274ab0cb048d8d1fbd879a80592aa5802b.pdf
The thing is, though, every time I say I'm proud to be a daughter of a feminist, I get earwormed by this song.
"Daughters of Feminists" was first recorded in 1990 by Canadian humourist and songwriter Nancy White. It's not what I did, but if you want to rebel and drive your feminist mother up the wall, try wearing pink and celebrating Cinderella as a role model.
www.youtube.com/watch
I made a food
Sep. 13th, 2024 04:10 pmAutumn arrived this week, which means I can bake without overheating the apartment. I used the oven for the first time in three months and made banana bread. Actually, I made banana-oatmeal-strawberry-almond-chocolate chip bread. It is yummy. K thinks so too. Between us we have already eaten half of a large panful.
New Rivers of London novella!
Sep. 7th, 2024 07:58 pmThanks to thewayne I learned that the new Ben Aaronovitch novella, The Masquerades of Spring, has dropped!
His deal with Subterranean Press is that they get exclusive rights to publish fancy hardcovers. The e-book is not available on Kobo in Canada. However, I can go directly to the SubPress site, buy it in epub format for US$6, then sideload it into my Kobo app.
https://subterraneanpress.com/the-masquerades-of-spring-ebook/
(Since it's DRM free I believe it can be opened with other readers too, but I have not tested this.)
I'm going offline now so I can start reading! See you all tomorrow!
thewayne I learned that the new Ben Aaronovitch novella, The Masquerades of Spring, has dropped!His deal with Subterranean Press is that they get exclusive rights to publish fancy hardcovers. The e-book is not available on Kobo in Canada. However, I can go directly to the SubPress site, buy it in epub format for US$6, then sideload it into my Kobo app.
https://subterraneanpress.com/the-masquerades-of-spring-ebook/
(Since it's DRM free I believe it can be opened with other readers too, but I have not tested this.)
I'm going offline now so I can start reading! See you all tomorrow!
Happy Labour Day!
Sep. 2nd, 2024 10:17 amI prefer Utah Phillips' version of the Joe Hill song, as it's gender-neutral.
Oh, would you have freedom from wage slavery?
Then come join the grand Industrial band
Would you from misery and hunger be free?
Come on, do your share, lend a hand
There is power, there is power in a band of working folks
When they stand hand in hand
That's a power, that's a power that must rule in every land:
One Industrial union grand
Oh, would you have freedom from wage slavery?
Then come join the grand Industrial band
Would you from misery and hunger be free?
Come on, do your share, lend a hand
There is power, there is power in a band of working folks
When they stand hand in hand
That's a power, that's a power that must rule in every land:
One Industrial union grand
Not even garlic powder?!?!
Connection question
Aug. 19th, 2024 10:01 pmIs a fannish equivalent of 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon: "Do you know jonsinger?"
Asking because I think it's the mutual connection for a couple people I just subscribed to.
jonsinger?"Asking because I think it's the mutual connection for a couple people I just subscribed to.
hidden history of Quebec lesbians
Aug. 2nd, 2024 12:36 pmWow, I've had this tab open for a year. I thought hrj and oursin might be interested.
In a former monastery, dozens of boxes hold the hidden history of Quebec lesbians
hrj and oursin might be interested.In a former monastery, dozens of boxes hold the hidden history of Quebec lesbians
Excellent news
Aug. 2nd, 2024 12:18 pmK had his appointment at the fracture clinic this morning. The good news is that he won't need surgery. Initial X-rays showed a posterior malleolus fracture. Today's X-rays confirm that although he cracked that knob of bone right off, it has stayed aligned and is already showing slight signs of mending. The air cast, patience, and physio should result in full recovery.
Huzzah for Canadian health care. All treatment was free, and the wait time after diagnosis to see the surgeon was less than two weeks.
I am celebrating by drinking a flight of mimosas and eating ginger caramel cake at a nearby cafe.
Huzzah for Canadian health care. All treatment was free, and the wait time after diagnosis to see the surgeon was less than two weeks.
I am celebrating by drinking a flight of mimosas and eating ginger caramel cake at a nearby cafe.
3 reasons to be cheerful
Jul. 31st, 2024 03:04 pm- My friend Randy's hand surgery has healed very well. A musician for decades, he can once again play guitar without pain.
- I just ate lunch on the shady patio at local cafe The Upper Crust. Their California Salad has been a menu staple for 30 years and I've been happily enjoying it for the same 30 years.
- The second cohort of teenage magpies are out and about. Their fluffy britches are super cute.
We had a month of travel planned for August - Dublin, Worldcon in Glasgow, Amsterdam, London. Except K broke his ankle last week and we are not going anywhere now. Fortunately our flights to and from Canada could be cancelled and credits banked for future use. The plan is to rebook our big trip for next spring.
K is hugely disappointed. I am too, but more for him. He's never been overseas, and this was going to be a bucket list adventure.
All you lovely people who had travel suggestions and advice, I've made notes and hope to use them next March or April!
K is hugely disappointed. I am too, but more for him. He's never been overseas, and this was going to be a bucket list adventure.
All you lovely people who had travel suggestions and advice, I've made notes and hope to use them next March or April!
We're into day five of the heatwave. This morning we stood in line before Costco opened, and nabbed the 16th and last portable air conditioner from their restock.
Most housing here on the prairie does not have air conditioning. We are much more concerned to not freeze to death. Our apartment faces west and soaks up a huge solar load over the afternoon. We already had one portable AC for the bedroom. With the door closed, it kept the room cool enough to sleep in - but it wasn't enough to cool the entire suite.
Our living room, which doubles as the home office, has been heating up past 30 degrees. It's down to 27 now, and I'm hoping for 25.
Most housing here on the prairie does not have air conditioning. We are much more concerned to not freeze to death. Our apartment faces west and soaks up a huge solar load over the afternoon. We already had one portable AC for the bedroom. With the door closed, it kept the room cool enough to sleep in - but it wasn't enough to cool the entire suite.
Our living room, which doubles as the home office, has been heating up past 30 degrees. It's down to 27 now, and I'm hoping for 25.
Requesting advice for stay in London
Jul. 9th, 2024 02:10 pmLet's take it as a given that I should have sorted this out two months ago. That said, I'd be grateful for suggestions about finding accommodation in London (England). We plan to be there for a week at the end of August. We don't need anything fancy, and it does not have to be in central London so long as it's near some sort of transit. Any particular neighbourhoods I should look for, or avoid? Any other suggestions for a first-time visitor? oursin, cosmolinguist, got any advice for a clueless Canadian?
oursin, cosmolinguist, got any advice for a clueless Canadian?This little light of mine
Jun. 17th, 2024 08:41 amScintillation was, as Jo would say, "just so great!" I particularly enjoyed the panel on imaginary books.
I encouraged myself to go talk to people instead of shyly hanging around the edges 100% of the time. To further that resolution I went to the Friday picnic and offered everyone around me samples of magret seché. (Imagine duck breast, prosciutto style; it is amazing.) As I had hoped, bonding over how tasty it was was a good conversation starter. I also led a group of six other people on a beer tasting expedition to Dieu du Ciel! microbrewery.
I walked around the corner to Chinatown withsartorias where we ate dumplings and talked about German history (her) and socialist prairie women settlers (me). She kindly bought me lunch; since we talked about books I am a business expense ;)
I ate excellent gelato. I sat on a rooftop terrasse under a canopy during a thunderstorm while a group of strangers spontaneously joined us to sing "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head."
I had talked three Toronto friends into attending Scintillation for the first time. It was wonderful to hang out with them. Today K. and I will join them in taking the VIA train from Montreal to Toronto. We bought business class tickets which means wide comfy seats, pretty decent food, and all the wine we can drink.
Now I must go pack and get ready to check out.
I encouraged myself to go talk to people instead of shyly hanging around the edges 100% of the time. To further that resolution I went to the Friday picnic and offered everyone around me samples of magret seché. (Imagine duck breast, prosciutto style; it is amazing.) As I had hoped, bonding over how tasty it was was a good conversation starter. I also led a group of six other people on a beer tasting expedition to Dieu du Ciel! microbrewery.
I walked around the corner to Chinatown with
sartorias where we ate dumplings and talked about German history (her) and socialist prairie women settlers (me). She kindly bought me lunch; since we talked about books I am a business expense ;) I ate excellent gelato. I sat on a rooftop terrasse under a canopy during a thunderstorm while a group of strangers spontaneously joined us to sing "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head."
I had talked three Toronto friends into attending Scintillation for the first time. It was wonderful to hang out with them. Today K. and I will join them in taking the VIA train from Montreal to Toronto. We bought business class tickets which means wide comfy seats, pretty decent food, and all the wine we can drink.
Now I must go pack and get ready to check out.
