We went to see The Menu yesterday and really loved it. Dark, tense, very funny, and the perfect cast. There’s a few minor bits that don’t gel (sorry) but it’d make a great triple bill with the Benoit Blanc films. It also reminded me a bit of the sort of mid-budget black comedies from the mid-nineties like Shallow Grave or The Last Supper, which I feel like you don’t see as much anymore, at least on the big screen.
Out and about
Moving up to Newcastle has meant a lot more going out and doing things. Partly because we’re no longer in the process of finding a house and moving across the country, of course, but really mostly because there is so much to see and do here. Plus we’ve instituted a local First Thursday. Recent highlights; Halloween! We’d been wanting to have one for ages, and used it as an excuse to paint the living room. We had a couple dozen people over, there were drinks and costumes, and a truly excessive take out order. The next day we went to …
Chicago, etc
Not a proper con report, but a roundup of highlights; Arriving at 3am and losing a day of touristing due to American Airlines being trash, but still getting to ride the L because it runs all night. Good breakfasts at Wildberry and Cafecito accompanied by Alison, Liz, Steven, Garcia, and Vanessa. The artist reception (which could have been better advertised but was still a lot of fun) and seeing the Korshak Collection up close including the original Finlay colour illustration for The Ballad of Lost C’mell. Selling nine out of the ten fans I brought! The Fanzine Lounge, which was …
The Great British Queue
It’s the weekend before the Queen’s funeral, so we get a bank holiday, but everything is closed. Just getting back in the groove of things after a few weeks of non-stop. Orlando, which was very hot and humid. Short version: Galaxy’s Edge was great, the rest of Hollywood Studios seemed neat but it was too hot for me to appreciate. We had some great cajun food, even better Mexican, and lots of IHOP breakfasts. We saw the amazing Tiffany collection at the Morse Museum, followed by some tasy bbq. Went to Kennedy Space Center, which was buzzing with Artemis excitement, …
Jubilee Weekend
Nearly three months at the new place and enjoying the long weekend. The garden is good, the house is fit for visitors and we’ve had a few, which still feels novel. We’ve done well so far at exploring the toon, though mainly in terms of food and drink – there’s just so much of it. We’ve gone as far out as South Shields and Tynemouth, plus a jaunt to Alnwick. I’ve volunteereed for Chicon, and have a few other bits of fanac looming. Motivation is low still, but highter than it has been, so that’s something. My office space is …
Year of the Tiger
Well, that’s a lot to live up to, and speaking as a Rabbit, a little intimidating. But with a big move underway and hopefully lots of good changes to go with it, it feels promising all the same. Current distractions from the wait of finalizing the house purchase are Lovecraft Investigations, from BBC Sounds, and the Zenith, the new VR MMO. The former is spooky but weirdly relaxing to fall asleep to. In the past I’d avoided narrative audio at bedtime because paying attention kept me awake, but I guess that was more of a problem with comedies. Turns out …
Seasons end
It’s been a cold January, mostly spent tidying up from of the holiday season chaos at work (it’s always slow but messy over December) and looking forward to the imminent move to Newcastle. It might be the new year, but it feels like the extension of 2021, with our personal new year starting next month. All is preparation for the next thing, some of it a bit stressful, like how to move the cats, and some of it exciting like what is our first take-out at the new place going to be! In the meantime I snagged some sheepskin slippers …
Goodbye 2021
Just a few hours left to the year. Low key plans again of course, delivery sushi and then Alison Scott’s around-the-world NYE Zoom, which was good fun last year. We have some sake left, and sparkling wine from Valencia We got impatient waiting for Reyes so we opened the cat presents today, they really liked their new bed (made from sheepskin offcuts) and Alice seemed to enjoy her soft brush. Quentin is still uncertain about the wrasslin’ glove, but he takes longer to get comfortable with new things. I’m optimistic for 2022, generally as well as specifically for us with …
Xmas at the Coxon’s
Back from the Coxon family home, where we had a relatively small but still very nice Christmas. We played Sushi Go, got some quality time with Alfie the cat, who is getting cuddly in his old age, and we watched Coco in between the various Xmas meals. There was a Nuñez Zoom, or actually a Whereby, which was quite animated, and George & Kathryn came by for presents and dinner. Fabric wrapping worked well, I found out there is of course a Japanese method called furoshiki which gives you nice tidy results. Along with re-using some gift bags, this is …
Things happened, but I forgot to write about them!
Well, Xmas really sneaks up on you doesn’t it? Especially if you forget to blog for, oh say four months, whoops. Stange times, etc. Summary; went to Corflu, went to Novacon, had opinions on both. Went ot Newcastle to look at houses, we put an offer on one, soon it might be ours! Next up, (virtual) DisCon III!