The key didn’t look particularly important. Just one of many on the keychain. Weathered metal, obviously long-used, but nobody could remember when it was last turned. The mystery wasn’t what lock it would open, but what would be released when it was used.
Personal
The stuff about me and my life. The “diary” side of blogging.
To all those I know who have come out, have not come out, aren’t sure if they need to, want to, or are safely able to come out: Whoever you are, your identity is valid, and I hope you can live your life however you see fit, comfortably and loved. #NationalComingOutDay
Not-So Idle Hands
I grew up in an era when most families had a single phone, which was attached to the wall and had a corded handset (yes, that far-distant time). When I was a teen and in the habit of having long phone conversations, I’d pace back and forth, idly cleaning and straightening up whatever was in my reach. The section of the house within reach of the phone cord was often the neatest part of our house (and my parents eventually got one of the really long 50-foot cords to extend the range of my cleaning).
I hadn’t thought about this in years, but realized today that when working from home and on a teleconference where I don’t have to watch a shared screen too closely, I pace back and forth to the limit of my headset cord’s reach, just as I did when I was a kid.
I might need to find a USB extension cord so I have enough reach to keep my entire office tidy instead of just the part I can currently get to.
Untitled Goose LARP
While telling Prairie about the latest craze sweeping the internet and many of my friends, it seems I left out a pertinent piece of information.
“It’s called ‘Untitled Goose Game’, and apparently the whole point is to be an annoying jerk of a goose, running around, flapping your wings and honking at people. Apparently it’s a lot of fun.”
“This is…a video game, right? Not real world?”
At which point I cracked up and assured her that yes, it was a video game, and she didn’t need to be on guard, expecting random people to suddenly run up and start “honk”ing at her.
Though now, I kind of want to see an Untitled Goose LARP get going….
Book fifty-two of 2019: Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
While the story didn’t entirely grab me, the artwork by #nwc43 Artist GOH Sana Takeda is quite gorgeous. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her work in person next spring.
Book fifty-one of 2019: The Trouble With Tribbles, by David Gerrold. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fun, breezy memoir about the creation of one of Star Trek’s most beloved episodes, this is an enjoyable peek into the creative process for television in the 1960s, and Star Trek in particular.
Book fifty of 2019: Conjure Wife, by Fritz Leiber. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1944 Retro Hugo Best Novel
I enjoyed this one more than I expected when I started it. There’s an entertaining story in here, you just have to deal with the very mid-40s gender stereotypes.
Book forty-nine of 2019: Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series, by Aaron Harvey and Rich Schepis. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
TAS finally gets its behind-the-scenes episode-by-episode review. Artwork, trivia, and memories from those involved make this a must for TAS fans. 🖖
Book forty-eight of 2019: How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems, by Randall Munroe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Smart people over-thinking things to the point of absurdity” has been many of my favorite conversations with friends, and this is that, in book form.
Book forty-seven of 2019: Starfleet Academy, by Diane Carey ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A quick and simple bit of fluff, based on an early CD-ROM game. As such, not exactly the most complex or demanding of novels, even among Trek books, but that’s about what I expected, so no disappointment.
