Random bookplayer updates · 2:18am Oct 23rd, 2017
Some random stuff that isn't really worth its own blog posts:
First, I have the next chapter of Sun and Hearth in editing right now. I'd like to have at least one more written before I post it, and I'd like to finish the story up by the end of the year, but we'll see if that happens.
If people who had been reading wanted a refresher after so much time they obviously can go about that however they like, but my personal recommendation would be to reread Chapter 7 - "A Light in a Dark Cave," and Chapter 13 - "A Line." With those two you should have the important stuff fresh in your mind in the shortest number of words. If those selections surprise you, well, that's been part of my problem with this fic.
Second, I have a writer playtime recommendation! Writer playtime, if you haven't been following me long or don't remember, is the stuff inefficient writers do that's related to writing but is not, in fact, producing publishable material. For many of us it's useful for the times when we don't have time or energy to actually write, but we want to keep our toes in so that when we do have time we're ready to go.
I recently got a smartphone[1] and developed an obsession with productivity and organization apps. Looking at writing apps, I couldn't help thinking "ya' know what I really need to organize my notes? A wiki."
So I found Ema Personal Wiki (you want v. 3 from the Play Store.) It's available for both Android and Windows, and syncs between them with Dropbox. It is bare-bones, and it's pretty buggy (hint: you need to make a PersonalWiki folder in Dropbox for syncing to work) but it's super easy to use. So if you have original fiction settings, tabletop RPG campaigns, or complex fanfic with lots of worldbuilding, and you think being able to makes wiki-style notes might be helpful, it might be worth looking into.
Third, speaking of my sphone... I might have mentioned before that I don't play video games, seeing them as unproductive timesinks. But I did need something for my phone for "stuck in the waiting room" or "something to do while waiting for Trixie to go to sleep" times. And it couldn't be any kind of mindless Tetris-style game, because Tetris will consume my life and I have no reason to believe that Candy Crush would be any different.
So I downloaded the app for a game I played a few years ago, Fallen London. If you happen to play Fallen London, or decide to start, or get back into it, add me as a contact. I will respond to social actions with in character notes.
Fourth, a bit regarding human toddler Trixie. I haven't posted many pictures mostly because my Photobucket finally gave out, partially because I'm lazy, and partially because I don't have a ton of chances to take pictures because she does not like to sit still.
But, if you're wondering how she's doing, the answer is good! She's still delayed in language and advancing in other areas (she loves video games and is a whiz at memory games, and she's sight-reading some words.) She's much more socially engaged than she used to be, but we're also dealing with some typical toddler problems that are exacerbated by the language thing. She's getting therapy several times a week, and loves going out both to therapy and anywhere else I can think to take her.
An interesting story: So, in trying to get her various therapies, we accidentally got an evaluation for physical therapy (long story.) No one thought she needed it, physical activity has always been one of the places she's been on par, or even advanced. Since she was a little kid she'd invent challenges and games for herself not just in climbing and escaping from things, but things like moving her leg over a stack of blocks or balancing things on her feet.
So, we saw the PT, and she noticed that Trixie actually does have some physical issues: she has low tone and hypermobility in her joints and some sensory issues along with it-- basically, her joints don't send the information that would allow her to know how much they're bent or how much pressure is on them.
So, why didn't we notice anything? Well, it turns out that (according to the therapist) the therapy for this problem is pretty much exactly what Trixie has been doing. The PT recommended a limited number of sessions to see if she noticed anything extra that might help, and a foot/ankle brace that might help her feet (she described the lack of sensation between foot bones as "like walking on jelly fish.") But for the most part Trixie has had this one under control for us.
So, that's all for now. I do have a real blog post on writing coming soon, I promise. I just wanted to get this stuff out of the way while it's on my mind.
[1] Tip: If you're an Xfinity customer for cable or internet, look into the recently started Xfinity mobile. They're currently throwing phones and plans at people. I got my phone on sale for under $5, and my plan is essentially free, since it's free voice and text and $12 per gig for data, and I almost never actually use data.
Glad to hear Trixie's getting taken care of. Fingers crossed things get square with her PT and the speech class, dude. And I'll take a look sometime into Fallen London. It some sort of text-based game or something?
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Yeah, it's text based open-ended RPG. It's an AU Victorian thing; think something like the Ravenloft Masque of the Red Death setting (if you know it) with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.
The fact that Trixie actually enjoys the sessions is a great thing indeed. It only gets harder when they don't want to go. Wonderful to hear!
Fallen London sounds intriguing. The Android app seems to have some serious complaints, but I'll give it a shot.
Out of curiosity, have you tried playing 80 Days? It's an excellent game (much more an unfolding story which you direct, really) with a lot of replay value, and fits perfectly with your "waiting room" criteria.
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The app for Fallen London isn't perfect, and I do recommend checking in occasionally on the desktop site on occasion if you decide to play.
As to 80 Days, I certainly have heard good things about it, but I admit I've never been very interested in RPGs that aren't open world. The tabletop gamer in me rejects the idea that I can't decide that my character is only adventuring to earn the money to buy the world's largest collection of shoes. (I played Morrowind and Oblivion back in the day and spent about as much time arranging things in my houses and picking out outfits as I did killing things and taking their stuff.)
Thank you for the updates. I'm glad things are going well for you and Trixie. You're a good mom, and one day you'll look back on all this and laugh.
("It may be one of those low, eerie chuckles that rises gradually to a maniacal scream, but it will be a laugh." -- Mister Boffo )
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Speaking as an on again off again player, Fallen London is pretty fun. I recommend giving it a shot and if you want to add me I'm the Lady Eve
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Thanks, both of you.
I'll check it out tonight and see what I can make of it.
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I have not a clue what I'm doing, but I signed up and added you both. I intended to send you both calling cards (I don't know their purpose, yet) and may have sent one only to bookplayer. Ferret did you receive anything from me? If not, I'll try again.
It all looks cool and a bit overwhelming, but that's what falling into an alien culture is like...
4706464 I did not, whats your handle and i'll message you.
4707042 'Tis Peregrine Westclaw. Seems every alt I have on the net has a claw or paw of some kind (and one reclining duck).
I previously searched for Lady Eve, and when I entered/added it, turned into Miss Eve. So I have added a mysterious Eve person, and also one esteemed bookplayer, who kindly offered me a squishy fungus as welcoming gift.
Dude - your phone plan! Since moving back to the motherland of moose and syrup I've been seriously unimpressed with the phone plans - they're epic crap. Best one I could get's like 33 bucks a month for texting and 200 mins of calling, and no data (cuz the phone monopolies here treat it like damn gold dust, and shit, I'm not Oprah, who's paying like 80 bucks a month for data? And unlimited ain't even a thing here). And the service is still pretty patchy, and even wifi is slightly buggy to connect to...
Aaaanyway - jealously about your banging phone plan aside, glad to hear that Trixie's been doing well - and preemptively become her own personal trainer? Girl's got some initiative! Hope things keep improving even more with the PT!
Always glad to hear good news about Trixie. I mean, I'm sure the first few minutes after the therapist mentioned her joint issues were pretty hell. Very happy there's an upside.
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What! Unproductive! Bookplayer I'm aghast!