Domestic adventures

Truefax; the difference between ordinary porridge and instant porridge is that if you try to cook ordinary porridge in the microwave, it will explode. And the writing on the side of the porridge box that says otherwise is a damn dirty lie.

Other truefax; 'My porridge has exploded' is one of the most ridiculous sentences in the English language.

15 books in 15 minutes...or not.

Because I can't resist a meme. Not one like this anyways.

Instructions: Don’t take too long to think about it. List 15 books you’ve read that will always stick with you — the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Copy the instructions into your own note, and be sure to tag the person who tagged you.

The Chronicles of Narnia

101 Dalmatians

Wee Free Men

...oh, bother.

No, that's not a book.

That's the noise of me trying to think of another book, coming up blank, and realising that for me, it's the video games that have stuck with me more than books. Though I love books too. But it's the game-stories that resonate in me.

Well, I never was one for doing things the way everyone else does. So let's do it Eagle's way.

Fifteen games in fifteen minutes, in no particular order.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Final Fantasy IX

Final Fantasy XII

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Fire Emblem(FE7, Blazing Sword, Rekka no Ken, etc.)

Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VIII

Pokemon Blue Version

Final Fantasy(the original)

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

Phoenix Wright: Justice For All

Kingdom Hearts II

...Okay, I managed fourteen. Still, that's better than three. Welp, now for explanations.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. This game I love to pieces, not only for the compelling gameplay and amazing storyline, but for one boy I met through it; one wicked, funny, troubled, wild, amazing boy, full of darkness and sparkle, who is now one of my best spirit friends in the 'verse and I hope will be for a long, long time. Soren of the Greil Mercenaries.

A lifetime being labelled as 'boring, grumpy introvert, who couldn't have fun if the world was a party, and has no sense of humour' by the placental mammals* can be pretty annoying, when you know that you're not like that, inside. Sure, you're cynical, but in this world that comes with having a brain, dear. And what, never heard of black humour? Apparently not. And who says that just 'cause you aren't a naive little kid-type, you can't get joy out of simple things? I'll have you know I can draw with chalk on pavements, blow bubbles and play hopscotch with the best of them! Only, when people see you do that, it's point-and-laugh time. So...you hide. But playing's not so much fun when you're on your own.

Soren and I have had fun together. We've sung along to The Killers, tag-team-taunted Shinon, and tag-team-snarked annoying placental mammals(even if they couldn't hear us, it was enjoyable anyway). We've jumped on my bed and chanted 'Five Little Monkeys' till we really did fall off, danced the Witchy Dance to the Fire Emblem theme and to 'Keep The Faith', terrified Stefan, thrown popcorn at Naesala, collaborated on complex and insane ninja plots, and just hung out together, each reading our own books or listening to music or whatever, comfortable in each other's company. He's been a true boon companion.

That would be a lot, on its own. But being friends with Soren's been good for me in another way too. It's forced me to seriously think about the ramifications of privilege, and to be more conscious of my own(and thus better at checking it). It's also made me think about the label of 'victim', and how harmful and limiting that label can be-whether it's other people labelling you, or you labelling yourself. It's helped me have the courage to look at the world without painting my glasses rose-pink, and not flinch. It's made me a wiser person.

Much love to ya...Lady Senerio.(No, I am never going to stop calling you that. Ever. :P)

Final Fantasy IX. This was the game that really got me into gaming. I picked it up on a whim in a little game store in my hometown that's closed now...and my life was changed forever.

I'm trying to put words around the idea, but...it's too much, too hard. I've been trying to put words round the idea, really, since I started writing fanfiction for it, and I know I've not managed to capture a hundredth part of what I saw and felt.

I'll just say that Zidane has been an inspiration to me. Trying to shine like a jewel is hard work, but it's worth it, I think.

Final Fantasy XII. This one was all about the scenery for me, really-the scale of it. The expanse of the Westersand or Tchita Uplands, the gloom and glory of the Sochen Cave Palace or the Stilshrine of Miriam.

On top of that, Fran is awesome. The runaway who made good. Or at least made fun bad! Her aching family situation struck a chord with me. It still hurts-I could see in her face, in Eruyt, when she first entered and talked to Jote-she looked like a little kid, hurt and confused, and that made my heart clench, because she was strong, she was capable and clever, she was respected and looked up to and yet here in front of the family who'd disowned her she was once more a sad little kid.

She's a sky pirate, but she's still a little girl, who misses her sisters and her home.

And she's that little girl, but she's also a sky pirate, who can fix an airship and fly a hoverbike and snatch a treasure out from under the noses of who-knows-how-many nobles and Imperials. Who travels the world, wild and free, and-I think-happy. On the whole.

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. What is it with me and individual, amazing characters?

This time, it was Midna. Because, really, Midna is awesome. And that is all.

Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. This one stays with me for its utter creepiness. Moon with a face that SCOWLS...and the masks, oh god the masks...poor Mikau...

I never actually finished this(got stuck somewhere after the sea temple)but I may never be able to get it out of my head.

However much I try.

Fire Emblem. Because of all the amazing people in Steel Bird Pack. Because of peerless warrior Lyndis and daft dear Hector and gentle, brave Eliwood, and all their legion, their horde, their elite. And, mostly, because of Legault. Because Legault is one in a million.

Thank goodness.

Final Fantasy VII. Because of the utterly confusing story, because of Aeris and how she was the one who came up with the utterly flawless idea of crossdressing Cloud, and because I met Caity there.

Final Fantasy VIII. Because of the Garden. I've spent more time as a student than anything else, and I feel I know my way around schools-for better or for worse-so writing fic for it is natural in ways that it isn't for other games. Also, because of the discussion that me and Athene got into about what videogames the cast play.(I gave her a new reason to hate Rinoa. As if she needed any more. :) )

Pokemon Blue Version. Because it was the first RPG that ever I played. Ever. So it was kind of like my introduction to the mechanics of RPGing. And the first computer game I was really into. And because I had a Ninetales. Fire breathing kitsune!

Final Fantasy. Because of Amano's gorgeous, eerie, evocative art. The 'Strange Land' picture will be with me till I die. I want a print of it.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. Because due to some very nasty meds that I am thankfully no longer on, I've some idea what it's like to lose your anima. So I can really sympathise with the aegyl. Also, because of the Cu Sith, and because of that one Cu Sith that was friends with Tomaj. I don't know why.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Because this was so much darker and more twisted than the other Phoenix Wright games, because of hobo-Phoenix with his mild manner hiding a steel heart, and because it will always be my headcanon that Thalassa Gramarye was a BITCH.

Phoenix Wright: Justice For All. Because of Franziska. 'Nuff said. Because I've said it already.

Kingdom Hearts II. Because of how beautiful and awful the World That Never Was is, and because of the unfairness that made me fume. Also, because Xigbar has a surfer-dude accent and a ponytail and hangs upside-down in mid-air, and there is no possible way that that is not win.

EDIT: And a fifteenth! Can't believe I didn't remember this before, but, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Because of my Echidna. And also because of the Timmy joke. ^_^

*Eagle's current code for Boring People, particularly People Who Like Boxes. A further explanation may or may not be forthcoming; watch this space.

Wow. Just...wow.

Yesterday I got out The White Darkness from the library-the audio book version as they didn't have the actual book itself-and stayed up late at night to listen to it.

And, well, wow.

I gloomily suspected from the blurb that it would end up being anti-figment, but...it didn't. Sym's Titus was her lifeline, he helped her, without him she'd never have made it. And handsome Thulcandran Sigurd turned out to be a total love-rat. So no 'she just needs a proper boyfriend and then she'll grow out of it' then.

On top of that the story was gripping, and well-written. I spent most of the time hugging Knuxplushie so hard, because I needed to hug something so bad. Maybe it's just me, but since I was a little kid, one of my worst fears, the sort that crops up in nightmares, has been of getting lost, somewhere where there is nobody to help me, and where I can't find my way home...

Anyway...wow. I'm gonna find a copy of the book and send it to Ash if she hasn't got it already.

Further evidence that(surprise, surprise)the Eagle is nuts.

So I'm working on a Fire Emblem fic.

Sort-of working on.

Problem is, it's a Soren-centric fic.

And problem is, Soren's company does very bad things to me. Five minutes thinking about that guy while I'm in a good mood and I want to call him up and spend the day with him putting jelly in the toilets and decorating trees with Silly String and sidewalk chalking filthy jokes at the entrance to the hospital and generally pranking the world.

So I generally end up giggling to myself and coming up with mad plots that would never really work instead of, you know, writing.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Playing with Dolls; Eagle on my toys

I will admit to being childish at times.

Okay, most of the time.

Anyway, when I really WAS a kid I had millions of plastic animals, that all had their own names and personalities, and that I acted out little stories with...actually, not so little. Great long complicated stories. I had dynasties of plastic beasties. I snuck them to school in my pencil case. It was fun. ^_^

These days? Welp, I dunno where all those plastic animals are. In the attic someplace probably...

...but in some ways, not so much has changed.

Let me tell you about Squalldoll. ^_^

Squalldoll came from the Forbidden Planet bookshop in London, part of a set of four Final Fantasy figurines; the other three were Tifa, Auron and Ashe, and were sent to three good friends of mine. He is about the same height as my thumb, and is an SD-ish rendition of the character from FF8 whom we all know and love. The one inaccuracy is his eyes; instead of grey, they are brown. He had a gunblade(Revolver model)which rested on his shoulder, but the blade broke off and got lost.

Squalldoll rides around in my pocket a good deal, occasionally coming out to investigate things. He is very comforting to hold. I awakened him a bit when I first got him(I awakened all four figures, in point of fact, and did a little extra hocus-pocus on the other three too)and he has a very definite personality. He doesn't talk much, though. In his Squallish way.

I have made a room for him out of a cardboard box, and had far too much fun doing so. In point of fact I have made two rooms as the first one was thrown away by an idiot nurse who thought it was a bit of rubbish. However, it wasn't a total loss, as the second room was, I think, somewhat better-executed. It is green and white, with a bed that came out of a Sylvanian Families set, a table made from a bit of white cardboard, a felt carpet and bedroom rug, and a picture in a little silver frame of Squall and Rinoa dancing at the graduation ball. I liked that cut-scene a great deal, not for the pairing, but because Squall was so funny being reluctant to dance, because he looked so handsome in his formal uniform and Rinoa so pretty in her yellow dress, because once they got into it they seemed to be enjoying themselves so, because the music was lovely, so solemn and so happy both at once, and because secretly, I should like to wear a smart formal uniform and dance the Dollet Waltz with a beautiful lady in a big ballroom with fireworky sky above. It just looked like such fun.

Ever since I sent the other three figures away to their respective owners Squalldoll has wanted rather for company, though he would surely deny this. Aurondoll and Tifadoll got on well with him, and I think he rather liked quarrelling with Ashedoll. Thus, since another human figure would be difficult to get hold of, I found him a pet. My(slightly)guilty fondness for Pokemon resulted in the choice of pet being Spots, a little Vaporeon figure two inches tall.(This has the added bonus that since Vaporeons have no hair, there is nothing for a Squall to be allergic to.)

Spots is doglike in obedience, loyalty and affection, but cattish in physical appearance and mannerisms. He has a collar and lead made from soft blue wool, and I am in the process of making him a room with a waterproof-paper floor where he can get as wet as he likes.

While I've never actually said so before, my mental picture of Phoenix HQ, the grand rambling place where most of my RPs with Ash take place, includes Squalldoll and Spots living loose in the walls and under the floor, purloining food from the cupboards, going on adventures in the jungle of the garden, and defending himself from too-curious animals with the aid of a sewing needle with red embroidery thread wrapped round the thick end, for a grip.

Ow.

Throat.

Ow.

I need honey and lemons.

Things that I have Learned Today

• Library amnesties are love.
• So are libraries now being open on Sunday.
• Greggs's cheese-bacon-and-tomato toasties are delicious.
• Greggs, despite stereotypes, is not frequented solely or even mostly by chavs. While I was having my breakfast there I saw two geeks chatting about some videogames they'd just picked up, a pair of grey-haired folk who looked like somebody's grandparents, several ordinary-looking mothers with children under thirteen or so, a pudgy, long-haired, tattooed middle-aged fellow who rode one of those moped/buggy contraptions for folk who have trouble walking, and an Asian girl of about twelve, alone save for her younger sister, who was terribly overexcited at the fact that the aforementioned middle-aged man had a Mickey Mouse mascot attached to the basket on his buggy. Of course, it might be that the ones up north have a greater proportion of chavs; I reserve judgement.
• Sometimes, people forget to put the jam in jam doughnuts.(On the bright side, though, once I complained about this they were very kind and gave me another doughnut-this one bejammed-free of charge.)
• The church in the square in Huntingdon is not so impressive, inside, as St Neots's, but the people there are generous and you can find some very nice titbits in their booksales. I found a copy of The Neverending Story for 50p.
• The people at the church also agree that while Oliver Cromwell may be their one claim to fame(christened in their font as an infant)he was also an idiot, and that when Christians ban Christmas things have come to a pretty pass.
• Despite flunking Systems and Control Technology, I am able to figure out how to collapse and put up a scooter in a few minutes, despite never having owned one since I was eight.(I discovered this while waiting for the library to open; there were three small girls with one scooter between them, which they were having serious problems with. First they needed it collapsed and couldn't figure out how, then once it was collapsed they wanted it up again and couldn't figure out how to do that...I offered to help on the offchance that all it needed was stronger muscles than those of a twelve-year-old. But it turned out to simply be a matter of understanding mechanics.)

This is totally my philosophy in life

EDIT: The size is playing havoc. Gah. Well, just click on it and you'll see the punchline!

Okay, so I like this result. ^_^

http://www.helloquizzy.com/results/the-social-persona-test-version-25/?fromCGI=1&var_Maleness=1&var_Normality=-4&var_Tradition=-1&var_Dominance=1

Props also to the quizmaster for that bit of sarcasm on the entry page. XD

I cut my finger on a rough bit of pavement, but it was SO WORTH IT

Sidewalk chalking is win.

Especially when little kids join in with you!

Yesterday afternoon was a ridiculously happy time for me, yes it was. ^_^

On Saturday's two interesting purchases

So on Saturday I got two very nice things from the Game in Huntingdon.

Number one; a Knuckles plushie. Who is exactly the right size and shape to snuggle, which is very nice indeed. Squalldoll is very comforting, but he's too small to snuggle. Also, I have found that Knuxplushie makes a rather good partner in crime, because while a teenager wandering about looking cocky or furtive will excite suspicion in hospital staff, a teenager looking sleepy and snuggling up to a stuffed animal looks Innocent and Harmless.

Number two; Pokemon Platinum. Before buying it I got the guide and made a detailed plan of exactly which beasties I'd have on my team. When I did buy it, those plans...well, they didn't quite go out of the window, but, close. Playing this way is more interesting though, so I can't complain! My Rotom is so win. Hell, I love the very concept of Rotom. Ghost in the machine! I've called it Deus Ex. And I've got this Psyduck which I'm also getting weirdly attached to-I meant her just to be a placeholder till I could grab a Vaporeon, but I don't know...

I'm still determined to have a Lucario on the team, though. That plan is staying.

And because Lucario is blue and has what looks like a headband, I shall call it Ike.

He shall be mine, and he shall be my Ike.

...Really, I shouldn't be allowed near this kind of thing. ^_^;

Because of a phone conversation yesterday

So from now on the anti-Micaiah campaign will wear cowboy hats!

*Puts on a blue one*

Homeland

Recently I reread Wee Free Men.

I love that book, but it's always made my heart ache. Because Tiffany has things I've never had and never will...an ancestry, and an ancient homeland. Tiffany is pure calkin girl, she has the hills in her bones. Her face and her name. Her eyes and her hair. Tir-far-thoinn. One place out of all the world that is hers, Land Under Wave.

Me, I'm a mongrel, a muddle of different lineages, so many that they cancel each other out and it's like having none-I have no ancestry, only ancestors. And my ancestors came here, to this bit of the world, only very recently...

But I reread this book, and something struck me a different way, and I thought.

This land is not like the chalk downlands, it is not ancient, but like the chalk downlands it was made by men. Men moved the earth around, planted trees and raised buildings. They brought plants from every corner of the globe to grow in their gardens, and they laid down paths among their houses. Just as men, so long ago, cut down the trees of the old forest and brought in sheep that ate the seedlings in the grass...

This land is. It is real. Not some abstract, historical ideal, but real earth and stone and concrete. It is a real place, and there is life here. Humans, animals, the million small tough plants mixed in with the short grass in lawns and parks. Down to the clay and the chalk below(for all South England is built on chalk), this land is alive.

Men brought many things to this land. Plants grow here that have grown here since time immemorial-oak, ash, thorn-but also there are plants that men brought over the water. And plants that men made, breeding for shape or colour or taste. They grow here just as well. I can be one more transplanted thing, here, one more naturalised citizen of the earth. There is a place for such as me.

There is beauty in this land. There is the big sky, which is more beautiful here than anywhere in the country. Painters come here, just for sky. There are the trees. I climbed a hill, here, and saw the patchwork land laid out before me; I found a still small pool, surrounded all by trees, and light shimmered down onto it at sunset. When I was at Longsands, there was a courtyard there, and in that courtyard a cherry tree. In spring it blossomed, and then it was a tree of wonder, a tree of pink-white foam, a tree fit for samurai to write poems to. But it did not care that no samurai saw, that no-one respected it or wrote haiku in its honour. It just was. And maybe some people saw. I know that I did. Maybe there were others...

There is cruelty in this land. But I can accept that. There is cruelty in every land. This is one problem that Tiffany has no advantage over me on. She knows that the people of her land can be just as vicious and unthinking as people anywhere. There was the old lady...What was done to her made Tiffany angry and ashamed and resolved that it should not happen again, not while she drew breath. But it didn't make her feel that she didn't belong right where she was.

I have lived in this land all my life. I know it. They say that the landscape you live in for the first seven years of your life leaves a mark on you. I do not know how true that is, but it is true for me, I think.

The ancient lands have their witches and wizards, and all know. Tiffany tells the hills what they are, and they tell her what she is. But is there anyone to tell this land what it is? Not just the parts of it that are old, but the new? The suburbs lying quiet in the hot sun, the man-made gardens, the playgrounds in the parks? The boats on the river with puttering motor engines? This land is real, as real as any land. When I was jealous of Tiffany it was because I felt less real than her, that my land was less real, because it was not so old and pure. But that's all wrong. Time isn't everything.

This land has no name that I know. There are names for the counties and towns, but there is no name for the land.

I will look for one. I will tell the land what it is.

Maybe if I listen, it will tell me what I am.

Because it's been bugging me a while now

Why does the word 'lemon' denote a pornographic fanfic?

I mean, why 'lemon'? What is there about citrus fruit that is reminiscent of sex?

I mean, on the one hand you have this little yellow dimpled roughly oval thing, on the other hand you have...well, you know.

If lemons are famed for anything, I thought it was staying put. I mean, when I was a kid and in the way or not doing something that I should of been then my mother would say 'Don't just sit/stand there like a lemon!' I can't really see the relevance, myself.