How Do They Do That?

I intended to read the Hugo novella nominees, even after I realized I'd missed the voting deadline, but the "read novellas" brain was sidetracked by other stuff until after Worldcon had come and gone. So that didn't happen.

Instead, I reread Murderbot, as one does, and ran through a Victoria Goddard reread of her Greenwing and Dart novels, and also picked up a couple of the related 2024 shorter stories I hadn't gotten to. I think Goddard's revised her intentions about the series a lot since the first novel, or she's learned some things about writing, or both. I also wonder if it's a characteristic of Goddard's writing, or of cozy fantasies, to recap events a lot; it makes for a repetitive experience when rereading, especially if doing a marathon reread.

I also picked up an insufferably cute, extremely entry level cross-stitch kit in August, completed it before the labor day weekend, and now I'm making good on three year old threats to Get Into Cross Stitch. I spent late last week and the weekend splitting my attention between organizing a generous embroidery floss gift / hand me down, and actually doing the project of the week(s), a bookmark kit. Some of the gifted threads have wraps that look like a pre-2000 style, so I've inherited not just E.'s foray into needlework, but possibly E.'s mother's or grandmother's. Or a successful goodwill trip; the mysteries are many.

The Goddard marathon and adventures in fiber arts ate the vacation time I had put in for last week, but at least thread organization was compatible with rewatching chunks of The Expanse. "Oh, I'll put on something for background," I said. "I can stitch and watch." Ha, not quickly or consistently, not without getting much better at cross stitch. But I can watch a screen while sorting and cataloging thread - success!

I also pushed the first episode of B5 on a friend who also enjoys The Expanse, and she liked "Midnight on the Firing Line" enough go on to "Soul Mates". (I offered a highlights watch, she said she wanted the full experience. Will report back if/when she makes it through "Infection".) I cannot imagine why I thought someone who liked a 21st century SF/F epic with lots of geopolitical tensions and protomolecule shenangians flipping over the table would enjoy Babylon 5, a late 20th century SF/F with lots of geopolitical tensions and the Shadows actively wedging a hydraulic jack under a table leg. Yes, that's sarcasm, I am quite happy I have talked another person into watching B5.