vital functions
Aug. 18th, 2019 09:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kaberettReading. The Invisible Library, Genevieve Cogman. I found this diverting and pleasant but not particularly memorable, in that I sort of feel like I'd met most of the ideas before in one place or another, and I found the prose frequently confusing. On the other hand, it's about DANGER LIBRARIANS and DRAGONS and MECHA CENTIPEDES, and it left off at a slightly annoying point, which was sufficient for me to put a hold on the sequel via the magical library ebooks app.
The Binding, Bridget Collins. This was the Libby (aforementioned magical library ebooks app) Book Club Book of... the month? the fortnight? -- I'm not super clear on this point, as it's the first one that's looked relevant to my interests -- ended as of the 14th. I am three quarters of the way through and am gripped. It contains domestic and sexual violence (including infanticide), heterosexism and animal death, so be warned; I would also suggest avoiding the detailed blurb, as it contains a plot-relevant spoiler that definitely... inflects... the reading of the opening section of the book. It's also - so far - fairly light on women, but: it's about memory and records and what makes us who we are and the question of whether forgetting would be better, and what we'd do (and what we'd give up) in order to find out, and it's full of incredibly vital descriptions of farm work, and I think I love it. This might change! But I think I love it.
Watching. Elementary. Can we all just sort of stare at each other, please.
The Blue Planet: Coral Seas. Good: many bright soothing colours. I did not know about the BRAVE PROTECTIVE CRABS that Defend the Coral. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK A BASKET STAR IS (FOR) (OR WHY) BUT BY THE GODS ARE THEY GOING TO JUST SORT OF... SHOW US ONE. Fusiliers are beautiful. And, oh dear, I was deeply amused by the extended segment on pipefishsex courtship.
Dubious: there is an entire segment on shrimp, oh dear. I suppose the social system is interesting.
Growing. The walnut has survived transplant sufficient to be growing new leaves, hurrah, and I have made progress on wrangling the various strawberry runners into plausible growing locations.
I have acquired a string-of-pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and Burro's tail (Sedum morganium) via the magic of Trading Succulents At The Geek Holiday.
A very indulgently drove me across the borough to pick up an allotment-mate's father's spare fig tree, which is now in a pot on the patio.
The holy basil is growing some true leaves. I am suspicious but also hopeful.
Observing. Saw the bat! There are goats at the holiday location! The robin seems to have worked out how the squirrel-proof feeder works!
Playing. A friend did board games at the Pembury on Sunday; I played a couple of rounds of Codenames, one of Dixit, and the new-to-me-game Shadow Hunters.
Poking. From Team Rocket stops: a couple of Ralts with good IVs (!); SNORLAX (none of them 3-star); Lots Of Other Bits. I have got my purified-Pokémon badge up over 50 and am so close to having defeated 100 Team Rocket Grunts. Hatched: a shiny Pichu (and a bunch of other stuff). Caught: a shiny Natu! A 98% Exeggcute and 96% Magikarp. Field research: 98% Sableye, Teddiursa, Alolan Grimer. Traded from A: Lucky Articuno, Haunter, Burmy (pink), Exeggcutor (96%!), Cranidos, Houndoom (96%!).
The Binding, Bridget Collins. This was the Libby (aforementioned magical library ebooks app) Book Club Book of... the month? the fortnight? -- I'm not super clear on this point, as it's the first one that's looked relevant to my interests -- ended as of the 14th. I am three quarters of the way through and am gripped. It contains domestic and sexual violence (including infanticide), heterosexism and animal death, so be warned; I would also suggest avoiding the detailed blurb, as it contains a plot-relevant spoiler that definitely... inflects... the reading of the opening section of the book. It's also - so far - fairly light on women, but: it's about memory and records and what makes us who we are and the question of whether forgetting would be better, and what we'd do (and what we'd give up) in order to find out, and it's full of incredibly vital descriptions of farm work, and I think I love it. This might change! But I think I love it.
Watching. Elementary. Can we all just sort of stare at each other, please.
The Blue Planet: Coral Seas. Good: many bright soothing colours. I did not know about the BRAVE PROTECTIVE CRABS that Defend the Coral. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK A BASKET STAR IS (FOR) (OR WHY) BUT BY THE GODS ARE THEY GOING TO JUST SORT OF... SHOW US ONE. Fusiliers are beautiful. And, oh dear, I was deeply amused by the extended segment on pipefish
Dubious: there is an entire segment on shrimp, oh dear. I suppose the social system is interesting.
Growing. The walnut has survived transplant sufficient to be growing new leaves, hurrah, and I have made progress on wrangling the various strawberry runners into plausible growing locations.
I have acquired a string-of-pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and Burro's tail (Sedum morganium) via the magic of Trading Succulents At The Geek Holiday.
A very indulgently drove me across the borough to pick up an allotment-mate's father's spare fig tree, which is now in a pot on the patio.
The holy basil is growing some true leaves. I am suspicious but also hopeful.
Observing. Saw the bat! There are goats at the holiday location! The robin seems to have worked out how the squirrel-proof feeder works!
Playing. A friend did board games at the Pembury on Sunday; I played a couple of rounds of Codenames, one of Dixit, and the new-to-me-game Shadow Hunters.
Poking. From Team Rocket stops: a couple of Ralts with good IVs (!); SNORLAX (none of them 3-star); Lots Of Other Bits. I have got my purified-Pokémon badge up over 50 and am so close to having defeated 100 Team Rocket Grunts. Hatched: a shiny Pichu (and a bunch of other stuff). Caught: a shiny Natu! A 98% Exeggcute and 96% Magikarp. Field research: 98% Sableye, Teddiursa, Alolan Grimer. Traded from A: Lucky Articuno, Haunter, Burmy (pink), Exeggcutor (96%!), Cranidos, Houndoom (96%!).