Thoughts on the Journey

The weather is at the moment far too hot and humid but life is going pretty well. I had a new mattress delivered yesterday and had my first sleep on it last night, which was nice. Its going to take a little getting used to after my very old mattress that dipped so much.

At work, I set up my first display in the Reference area and what's cool is I can see people looking at the books. Also once I explained the idea, one of the pages brought me books and dvds that work for it. I just love the feel of this library and love being more involved. I also chose a book for a romance book club I'll be reading in August, A Marvellous Light, which I loved and have already reread the entire series at least once.

Also something I love about being in Reference which is in the older part of the library is that all the tourists ask me questions. My library is a famous historical town outside of Boston. So I get to explain about the Wyeth paintings and the manuscripts downstairs and our 150th and it feels nice. It reminds me of the area I grew up in outside Philly and the year after college when I interned at a Philly museum. I'm also aware of how the signage is our library isn't great, one of the drawbacks of basically numerous renovations added onto an older building is honestly its confusing and we just don't have good signs. This is one of those things that I'm going to keep gently poking at.

Yesterday, I finally found the local Farmer's Market which was also not signed well at all. Not far from me is a gigantic high school and the market was on the complete other side of it in a covered parking area. I picked up delicious fresh veg, which I've been eating with dinner. Some berries that I think I'm going to make into granita before I head off for a bit. Apparently the bigger market happens on Tuesdays at a park not far from a busy intersection. Not sure when I'll be able to get to it. Sadly the weather was awful just so humid and I'd worn the wrong pants, but part of the day was spent reading in a nicely ACed cafe.

Another quality of life thing that I'm going to try and do before heading off to see family is switch out my old purse for the new Critical Role bag I bought. Technically I don't think its that much smaller but time for a change and I like it

I seem to have gotten into the habit of posting about once a month. I mean to do it more often but words haven't been coming that quickly. Also I'm nearing the end of a bad shark week which has sapped a lot of my energy. But the weather lately has been feeling more fall like which has helped. So I'll go with various things that are going on.

For my shark week, I bought myself a heatable pillow with lavender in it shaped like a uterus and it makes such a difference in my pain levels.

I've been sending out a good bit of my mail and my two nephews in France sent me drawings they did which are now on my fridge. One of the first big trips I'll be planning when its possible is to see them.

My cooking's going fairly well, my local Asian supermarket has had a deal on pork belly and the other time I got it, I think was smaller. This second batch is giving me lots of leftovers, which is good but a lot. So I keep trying to find ways to change it up, I also ended up with a lot more guacamole than I normally have but I think I can make a good dent in both of those tonight.

I finally was able to go back to the dentist and have this major gum cleaning thing, which feels like useful maintenance. Now I need to take that same kind of idea to my poor car that's waiting for me.

Job stuff is a lot of waiting and throwing things out into the void hoping someone answers back.

I did reconnect with the alum group from my NZ university, we actually had a video call that went pretty well. A little disconcerting to realize how many of the men on the call had MBAs and all but I like this alum group.

At the moment, I'm reading this amazing book Sharks in the Time of Saviors which is really good. I have a couple of books due on Monday so I'm planning on doing lots of reading this weekend.

My last two weeks have been full of a strange mixture of what comes next, the sense of the end of my time at work and looking forward to my birthday. To begin with, the Monday before last I changed offices to where the woman I originally replaced sat. What makes this change so surreal is that suddenly by sitting where she was sitting, I can keep a much better eye on the student workers and the desk. One of the parts of this job that I've had trouble with and honestly messed up a bit is helping the students work enough and keep track of when they're missing shifts. Until I sat in this desk, I didn't realize just how much of that was because I couldn't easily see them. My other office did technically have a window that looks out but the blinds are always down so I had to get up to see. People always searched me out with questions but now all I do is look up as my open door leads to the desk.

Its also odd to not be sharing an office anymore, the library has been having a lot of office musical chairs going on. So the woman who originally shared the office with the person I replaced moved offices before I went into that office. Then someone else has moved into my old office which has space for three people. Another temp who left at the beginning of May called our office the office of misfit toys, because all the stuff lives there and there were two temps plus my other co-worker, a recent alum who's working on a two year contract.

The timing ended up being just right for another reason as the week before last, other than one day, I had phone interviews either at lunch or one after work for school librarian jobs. The first lunch time one was the last day of finals and all the library study rooms where I'd normally go were rooms for finals. So I walked all over the library searching for a quiet space before realizing wait, I have an office with a door I can close. So I closed the door and had privacy to talk. It was kind of weird and nice. All the phone interviews were pretty hopeful, next Tuesday I have a video interview as a follow up to one of them. Its a nice reminder that my skills are seen and people want to learn more about me.

Sunday I was finally able to hang out with some friends in person which I'd really been needing. We bought food at the Public Market and then ate out on the Greenway. The day was beautiful and there were lots of dogs and kids playing around us. I'm trying to get myself out more this spring and summer as I've been realizing how much my commute has cut down on my desire to go too far when I have time off. I'm so grateful to live in a city where there are friends, schedule wrangling is required but we make it work. My plan for birthday is to try and maybe get to the Dragon Boat festival on Sunday or try to get out to the zoo one day. There's also free entry to the MFA with a BPL library card which I want to take advantage of too.

After the last day of Finals even before that the library and campus have been getting quieter and quieter which has meant my boss has done a little more hovering. There hasn't been too much to see was the students who are working are good at getting done what needs to be done. And I'm at the point of feeling like she can be disapproving all she wants at me that I wasn't standing directly at the desk and immediately there to help someone, but I know things are getting taken care of. Also that she was annoyed I forwarded an email to a student with some dates in it, it feels like an odd sort of reaching. But I also knew that my shark week started so I'm a little more grumbly. My contract ends at the end of June and I'm going to end having some time to not be working.

Friday was commencement and I was at the front desk all day except for when I did lunch and dropping some gifts to graduates and I loved watching the ebb and flow of people. The weather which has been grey was beautifully sunny and not too warm, just the right temperature. I ended being a tiny bit late due to traffic so had to deal with my boss being a little disapproving at me but then she left. And then it was the fun of taking these little snack bags to our student workers who are graduating as they were lining up. It was wonderful, I even got a hug and so many smiles. Then I came back and did a lot of directing people to the bathrooms and watching the ceremony where it was streaming. Anita Hill was the speaker and she seemed like she did a great job. I didn't see all of it due to my timing.

An odd note to the day was that Bill, this older man who's the main facilities guy in the library kept hanging out and talking with me. At some points it was interesting to hear his views on how things are run, we shared some complaints on how communication isn't great on campus. Other times, he talked more at me which was kind of annoying and now I look back, I wonder how often he's done that to student and other workers. He's an odd presence, tall older guy that's not very neat. Some of the things he'd said, I wish he'd actually brought up before as he sees when some jobs weren't getting done. Normally I'll see him briefly at the end of the day but I guess he also likes the energy of commencement since he spent a lot of the day near the front.

My birthday's next Saturday, which is also reunion and I've got enough students to cover it. As a kind of early birthday present to myself, I did a big order from Torrid, who was having a really nice Memorial day sale. The first thing arrived today, a dress which I put on and felt comfortable and beautiful. Its been a while since I wore dresses even though I like them, but part of this order is trying clothing styles that will make me feel summery and pretty. Another fun early birthday thing is that my parents bought me the thinkgeek death star glasses. I need to figure out where in my small kitchen to put them but they look very cool.

In terms of books, I've been reading Little, Big by John Crowley which is one of those books that's always coming up on book lists alongside other books I really like. I'm finding it slow and strange going, the language can be lovely and lyrical with an intriguing setting, but the thread of the story is odd. It keeps turning away from what seems to me to be the interesting plotline for a more almost normal one and that choice always seem to be from something happening to a woman to a man's life. Also there's an odd sexual undercurrent to it that keeps pulling me out of it. I wouldn't say its a slog as when I sit down to read it, I tend to move fairly quickly through it but it feels longer. Reading it has me wanting to reread some of my favorite authors who write magical realism or fantasy.

There was a post going around Tumblr at one point about how if someone's being bothered by something that seems small, its probably because there's more going on. Today I had one of those days when the fact that I had to dig my car out since the plow that does the parking lot completely hemmed it in and I couldn't get it out, that was my point of too much. Well, no that's not true, emailing my boss and trying to explain that first I would be late and then not sure if I could get my car out and could I work from home. And her sort of sympathetic reply that basically always seems to have behind it, I think you're not doing enough hurt more. So this negative feeling plus being cold and feeling awful after being outside either in my car trying to warm up or digging it out in below 10 degree weather sat with me.

Its not until I really started to think about it that I saw just how much of this is other stuff; how sick my sister is and that I'm far away, the certainty that I'm not getting this job long term, but my boss hasn't told me yet, as well as this sense of all these other things I want to do that I haven't done. I'm so behind on my book reviews and all these things I wanted to write. Then I find myself going, well but none of this matters that much compared to other things out in the world, which I also know. Usually I can have a good long vent, do some baking or writing then I feel a little better, but so much of the hard stuff, I can't do much about.

Last night I made delicious banana bread and my kitchen is well stocked with a number of good things. I think I have to be more open with my boss about how sick my sister is, our relationship hasn't been one where I felt comfortable saying that, but I think its time. With how things are, I might end up having to go away quickly and this way she'll know. I'm going to keep doing a good job and create and do what I can, but today was a hard day.

Today I ventured into the cold and my new purple jacket kept me nice and warm. My fact-checking is done so this weekend I'm going to try and do some writing, maybe catch up on all my book reviews that I didn't get to in the last few months.

I've also been watching the US Figure Skating Championships, I've always loved figure skating and the commentators are wonderful.

Day 5

Recommend a fannish or creative resource.

Since I'm currently writing Star Wars, my favorite resource is Wookieepedia. I don't think I've ever not found something or sometimes not finding is the answer. Since I'm also a librarian, I have been slowly collecting all the various books with behind-the-scenes and background info about Rogue One. Also Star Wars' puts out great books like the visual encyclopedias and wonderful in-universe background like the Rebel Dossier. I have this plan to make a Star Wars' shelf for the books and various toys.

In my work as a fact-checker, where my focus is often based in a place like a state or country, I have learned to rely on historical societies. Also when looking into Native American history, tribal websites are so helpful. The closer you can get to the source the better.

My day today went from getting going on a good schedule to annoyed at the hotel and then curled up in a snow day. I'm not too far from Boston and have done some arranging for my job thing tomorrow, not everything was moved but I sent messages.

This hotel is one I won't be coming back because even though its a chain I like and near the highway, the way they acted this morning was awful. So I wasn't the only one trying to leave this morning and I said I was checking out. Then I went to my car, got my stuff inside, cleared it off, everything started and I was able to back out and then got stuck. That all took me half an hour, I know they were busy but I feel like if you have a hotel with snow expected, check in a lot with people. Weirdly, there were two guys in a pick up truck just sitting there. I still don't know if they were watching me or what.

So I went in, cold, wet and annoyed because the side door locked and I'd turned in my key. I get in and try to get the front desk attention, they finally try and help me because I'd pulled my car out enough to block the snow plow. After a lot of yelling and some more interactions where they really didn't seem to trust that I knew my car, we got it back into its parking spot. Another woman who's car was out near mine watched it and was wonderful for sympathizing with me and saying, no, I heard what they were saying, you were right. I really needed that. I know what it sounds like when wheels are spinning, but it did get back into its parking space.

At that point, the snow was still coming down and the news kept saying roads were closing due to accidents. I decided to stay the night so had to go back out to get my bag and then upstairs for tea. Thankfully a local restaurant did deliver, I had a disappointing dinner from them last night and a good pizza today. That will be dinner too. Tomorrow I'll head out early and probably drive straight to the interview hotel then go collapse where I'm staying. And at this job conference, a lot of places want to talk to me, if I miss some, I'll know I've tried and they will too.

In good news, as the cable in the hotel wasn't working, I finally watched Finding Dory, which is a complicated movie. It has some good and not so much messages about disability but overall lovely. I've also finally started reading Goldenhand and I'm liking it a lot better than Clariel. It has the faster movement to it that I liked in the other books. The Old Kingdom is a world that I'm happy to revisit. And In the Heart of the Sea is on TV too, so far its beautifully made.

Life is a lot but from my experience of heading up to Boston last time for apartment searching, I know that New England states do know how to deal with snow. Tomorrow's drive won't be fun, but I think it will be manageable.

There's also all the mess of politics that I'm working on finding how to best create change and not be overwhelmed. Its hard but all of this is making me more certain than ever that I'm in the right profession where librarians and teachers work to protect and educate.

This has been a good week. I finished my fact checking, had an absolutely wonderful day of substituting where I was able to do some teaching. I spent over an hour helping a student read which made me feel great. It was also in a place I've subbed before and they're always friendly and nice. Spring is starting to make itself known here, the wind can be a little chilly but the sun's out and flowers are blooming. The birds are being busy and everywhere.

Today I finished a fic that I've been working on and I'm happy with it. Its my first Newsies fic that's actually out in the world. I have lots of fics that never left my head but I wrote this one. This round of Porn Battle seems to be, old fandoms and first published fics for them.

Glimpses (409 words) by FiKate
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Newsies (1992)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: David Jacobs/Jack Kelly
Characters: David Jacobs, Jack Kelly
Additional Tags: Surprise Kissing, Prompt Fic, Missing Scene
Summary:

Written for Porn Battle Prompt Stack and the prompt: Newsies, Jack/David, union, night, city.

Before Once and For All, David and Jack have an honest and surprising conversation in an alley.

At the middle of this week, I'm feeling pretty good. I have an interview for the beginning of July and I'm finding some other job openings. Also there was a gorgeous thunderstorm last night which I was able to get pictures of, the clouds were unreal.

What I've finished reading:
For Your Arms Only by Caroline Linden which is my favorite type of historical romance. The characters feel real, there's a discussion of the Napoleonic War and no one's perfect. This book cemented for me that a well written wounded hero realizing that they do bring good into the world and the partner who helps them heal and grow is one of my romance catnips.

The Murder at Hazelmoor by Agatha Christie, which was one I hadn't read before and a mixed bag. It had a wonderful young woman sleuth who was solving the mystery to save her fiancee and she worked with an interesting journalist. The mystery was complicated but the characters were intriguing, the end kind of annoyed me as the romance story went a weird way. I hate the trope of the strong woman staying with a weak man because she'll keep him out of trouble.

What I'm currently reading:
Huck Finn's America: Mark Twain and the Era That Shaped His Masterpiece by Andrew Levy. I picked this book up at the library since I'm always interested in Huck Finn and was in a nonfiction mood. So far I'm liking how the author is pulling in a lot of aspect of the time that Twain grew up in and wrote in about how that changed his writing.

What I'm going to read next:
I think The Baron Next Door by Erin Knightley as I picked it up as a hold. Other than that I don't know, picking the next book is always tricky and depends on my mood.

Its cold and snowy here, a perfect day for this snowflake_challenge and more fic.

Day 14

In your own space, post recs for at least three fanworks that you did not create.

I could easily rec far more than three but I think I'm going to rec a few recent fics that surprised me with how much I liked them. One from a new fandom, one a take on a familiar fandom but different angle and another one that I like. Its going to be hard to pick only three since I've been reading some great fics lately.

I Sing Anyway (7506 words) by Aelin
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Old Kingdom - Garth Nix
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Prince Sameth/Nicholas Sayre
Characters: Prince Sameth, Nicholas Sayre, Lirael (Old Kingdom)
Additional Tags: Pining, Angst, Large holes in the ground, Lirael is awesome, magic is confusing
Summary:

“Let’s go on an adventure,” Nick said.
“What are you doing,” Sam asked, “with my breakfast tray?”

The Old Kingdom is a favorite fandom and Sameth and Nick are two of my favorite characters but I'd never really seen them as a pairing. This fic convinces me along with being a wonderful post-canon look at the world.

Eyewitness Account (4574 words) by failsafe
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Flash (TV 2014)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Barry Allen/Iris West
Characters: Iris West, Barry Allen, Joe West, Caitlin Snow, Cisco Ramon
Additional Tags: Fluff, Slice of Life, Banter, First Kiss, Hypoglycemia, Unresolved Romantic Tension
Summary:

A formless and featureless future is full of potential, and in this particular case it's pretty and frictionless. At some point in time, Iris knows the identity of the Flash, and in the middle of an awards ceremony there is a small surprise. A day (more accurately, a few hours) in the life, but not an insignificant day for Barry and Iris.

The Flash is my newest fandom and I love this fic because it captures all of the characters being a found family and brings together the couple I want to see while feeling like an episode.

Carousel (1505 words) by jessikast
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: October Daye Series - Seanan McGuire
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Raj/Chelsea Ames
Characters: Chelsea Ames, Quentin (Toby Daye), Raj (Toby Daye), The Luidaeg (Toby Daye), Etienne (Toby Daye), Toby Daye
Additional Tags: Age Regression/De-Aging
Summary:

I’ve always thought of myself as someone who can deal well with weird stuff. It’s just a case of accepting what’s in front of you, and making a plan about how you’re going to figure it out. A childhood hiding the fact that you’re only half-human and an academic for a mother will do that for you.

This, however, was going to take a few minutes to get my head around.

This is an October Daye fic that has three main characters deaged. Its not a trope that I normally like or even think about but it works. Also its from the point of view of Chelsea Ames who's a character I find fascinating. I find Chelsea, Raj and Quentin's take on all the stuff going on around them intriguing and want more, this fic answers some of that more for me.

Its windy and cold today and the world is being scary once more. Keep warm and safe everyone.

Today's snowflake_challenge is one that I hadn't really thought about before though I know my character type for RP.

Day 7

In your own space, share your love for a trope, cliché, kink, motif, or theme. (More than one is okay, too.) Tell us about it, tell us why you love it, give us some examples and recs.

Families and friendship, the kinds that are difficult and that are chosen by the characters. In stories, the ones I love are where you can see people coming together and going, oh, you get it. I also love seeing the domestic contentment that happens when you've found your people and aren't off saving the world. This is one reason that the new Flash television show hooked me so quickly as its all about who do you trust, who do you love and who helps you become a better person. I love it when these relationships are poked at too such as Charles and Raven's relationship throughout the two newest X-Men movies. That being a found family is a complicated and never easy place and when writers go into that, it makes me happy. The bumps and troubles make when it works so much sweeter.

A few of my fandoms that hit this are October Daye, Incryptid, Hexwood, Magid Series, Chrestomanci, Leverage, the Raven Cycle, Robin Hood, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, MCU, X-Men.

This Yuletide was full of a lot of fics that were all about these created families.

Impulse Control about the after of Hexwood.

Eyewitness Account that hits all that I love about The Flash as we see everyone understanding and watching out for each other.

It Takes a Village, a wonderful Vorkosigan fic about planning the wedding and seeing all the people around Ekaterin and Miles.

Ready or Not, a Fangirl fic that's all about finding your own tribe.

A Quiet Night, domestic fluff of October Daye from the point of view of May.

The Eighth Bell, a post-canon Old Kingdom fic where everyone redefines themselves and learns to go forward.

Honestly, I could link my entire reading history on Ao3 to answer this but these are my recent favorites. I'm going to end by linking a wonderful Leverage fanvid that also captures found family so well.