Nine Worlds and general Britishness
Aug. 13th, 2015 10:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pensnestI feel I ought to be expansive on the subject of Nine Worlds, the geek convention where Beast and I spent the weekend, but it's always difficult to write a con report after something so big and varied. I naturally spent quite a bit of time in the fanfic track, as usual, but I ventured out into other tracks and generally found something interesting. Was on a couple of panels - RPF, for one, and "women's writing and fanfic" which was quite interesting and enjoyable, and very well moderated. It's much easier to be on a panel than to moderate one!
Overall impression of the con was that it is even more colourful and costumed than in previous years. I wore my sparkly stars and planets T-shirt and was awarded a cosplay token, which was pleasing. I even did some face painting, and it was gratifying to hear a joyful cry acknowledging the Pokemon butterfly I'd just applied to someone's cheek as she left the room. I tasted Giles (Earl Grey) and Buffy (blood orange and spice) flavoured marshmallows, which were amazingly good. I went to a session on 'tropes' in fanfic, and was inspired to combine the 'Canadian shack' with 'Amnesia', which I think would make a very cool story. (And was also inspired to note that neither of my mpreg stories really follows the usual line.)
I was most happy to meet the lovelyephemera, although we were mostly going in different directions - that's the trouble with an interesting convention, there's too much to do to be able to sit and have a natter, because you don't want to miss it. And my children's housemates were there, one of whom had crocheted herself an Ood costume (amazing) and another of whom sported a farting hippo, which was greeted with rapture by somebody who recognised what it meant.
However, if you were to ask me for more details, I would be quite unable to supply them. It's a bit of a blur!
There seem to be a couple of memes floating around my reading list. I shall do the British one, as it does not inspire me to point and laugh.
1. Marmite- love or hate?
I am firmly in the Love It camp. On my breakfast toast, with butter first, then thinly spread. And it is an *excellent* enhancer of stews.
2. Marmalade- thick cut or thin cut?
Neither. When I was a child I used to eat Silver Shred, which is lemon marmalade and oddly sweet, but I've never liked the bitter taste of the orange stuff.
3. Porridge- made with milk or water?
Half and half, although occasionally just milk (when it's skimmed milk).
4. Do you like salt, sugar or honey on your porridge?
This morning's porridge contained a seed mix stirred into it as it cooked, and also sultanas, bits of dried apricot, and chopped Brazil nuts. Brown sugar on top. This is about normal for me, porridge-wise. Also cream, when we have some in the house.
5. Loose tea or teabags?
Teabags. Not so stylish, but much easier to use.
6. Where on your door is your letterbox?
In the middle, horizontal.
7. What's your favourite curry?
I… don't know! So many choices! I am very fond of the kind of Mushroom Bhaji you can get as a side dish, and will always order it.
8. What age is the place where you live?
The house was built in 1919. The city goes back to the Anglo-Saxons. I'd have said Roman, but brief research revealed that the Roman city was actually a few miles away, and the Anglo Saxons built the new settlement with the bricks the Romans had abandoned. Why didn't they just live in the Roman buildings?
9. Where do the folks running your local corner shop come from?
There isn't exactly a corner shop here, but there's an Aldi just up the road, so… Germany?
10. Instant or fresh coffee?
Instant, most of the time.
11. How far are you from the sea?
15-20 miles.
12. Have you travelled via Eurostar?
No
13. If you were going to travel abroad, where's the nearest country to you?
If I were a crow, probably Belgium, but practically speaking it's the Netherlands. There is even a daily flight thither from this city's little airport.
14. If you're female (or possible even some males) do you carry a handbag?
Yes indeed! It is bright pink.
15. Do you have a garden? What do you like growing?
I have a giant back garden which is very, very slowly being brought under control. This year there is rhubarb, a flourishing pumpkin, several courgette plants which are being a bit lazy, and some tomatoes. I also have rosemary, sage and thyme in pots, which will be transplanted into an actual flowerbed in a month or so. I did stick some sweetcorn and dwarf bean seeds into the ground, but they could not fight the weeds and have done nothing, but they were a rather belated and forlorn hope anyway.
I can't claim credit for the bluebells or indeed anything else that's growing here, but I intend there to be lavender and crocosmia, cerinthe (I brought a couple of starter plants from Hemel but haven't cleared sufficient space from the weeds to do anything with them yet), fuchsias… I don't quite know yet. We shall see. There is a *lot* of scope...
16. Full cream, semi skimmed or skimmed?
Skimmed most of the time and especially in tea. Semi-skimmed usually when there are visitors, and it gets used up in coffee and on cereal.
17. Which London terminal would you travel into if going to the capital?
Liverpool Street.
18. Is there a local greasy spoon where you live?
No. There are several pubs within easy walking distance that do good food, though.
19. Do you keep Euros in the house?
Maybe a few? By chance rather than by design.
20. Does your home town have a Latin, Gaelic or Welsh alternative name?
North Wic (Anglo Saxon) is the best we can do.
21. Do you have a well known local artist or author?
Daniel Defoe, Dame Julian of Norwich, Malcolm Bradbury, Celia Fiennes, John Skelton, Anna Sewell. Probably a bunch more.
22. Do you have a favourite Corrie character?
Nope. Never watched it.
23. Are your kitchen sink taps separate or a mixer?
Mixer
24. Do you have a favourite brand of blended tea?
Not particularly.
25. What's in your attic if you have one?
Two bedrooms.
26. If you go out for a cream tea, what jam do you like on your scone?
Raspberry, the One True Jam.
27. Talking of scones- scon or scown? Jam or cream first?
Scon, and jam first.
28. Barth or bath?
Barth.
29. Carstle or castle?
Carstle. I am entirely a Southerner.
30. What flavour of crisps do you favour?
Not really a crisp eater.
31. If you go to the chippie, what do you like with your chips?
Lots of salt and vinegar, possibly tomato ketchup, and battered cod.
32. Take away, take out or carry out?
Take away.
33. If you have one, what colour is your wheelie bin?
Green for rubbish, grey for recycling. Yes, I have got that the right way round. Norwich is strange.
34. What colour skips does your local skip hire use?
No idea.
35. Do you celebrate Guy Fawkes?
Nah.
36. Dettol or TCP?
Dettol, for no particular reason.
37. Do you have a bidet in the bathroom?
Yes.
38. Do you prefer courgettes or aubergines?
Courgettes. I made a moussaka a few years back and spent quite a lot of time vomiting it all back, which rather put me off aubergines.
39. In the 'real world', do you have friends of other nationalities? Which nationalities?
Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, German, American, Singaporean, Irish... they're all Fans, but I've met them in person and would be happy to do so at any time.
40. Do you have a holy book of any sort in the house?
I have a bible (KJV) but am not sure whether it is currently in the house or in the Lion's Cage.
41. Do you prefer a hankie or tissues?
Tissues.
42. Are you a fan of crumpets? What do you like on them?
Oh, yes. Butter. And, for real self-indulgence, golden syrup. OM NOM NOM. Or runny honey.
43. Doorbell, knocker or both?
Both. And a doorbell on the back door, too. The doorbell on the back door goes Ding Dong, whereas the doorbell for the front door only goes Dong.
44. Do you own a car? What sort?
Yep: Prius.
45. What sort of pants do you guys prefer? Y fronts or boxers?
My guy prefers boxers.
46. Anyone still a fan of suspenders?
I much prefer stockings to tights, which are evil, but although I have the equipment I don't think I've actually worn stockings and suspenders for *years*.
47. Do you have a favourite quote from the bard?
No. Too much choice. Cannot choose.
48. Do you like toasted muffins?
Sure. Occasionally have them with soup.
49. Do you think a traditional trifle should contain jelly?
Yes.
50. Do you attend regular religious worship? Of what kind?
No.
Overall impression of the con was that it is even more colourful and costumed than in previous years. I wore my sparkly stars and planets T-shirt and was awarded a cosplay token, which was pleasing. I even did some face painting, and it was gratifying to hear a joyful cry acknowledging the Pokemon butterfly I'd just applied to someone's cheek as she left the room. I tasted Giles (Earl Grey) and Buffy (blood orange and spice) flavoured marshmallows, which were amazingly good. I went to a session on 'tropes' in fanfic, and was inspired to combine the 'Canadian shack' with 'Amnesia', which I think would make a very cool story. (And was also inspired to note that neither of my mpreg stories really follows the usual line.)
I was most happy to meet the lovely
ephemera, although we were mostly going in different directions - that's the trouble with an interesting convention, there's too much to do to be able to sit and have a natter, because you don't want to miss it. And my children's housemates were there, one of whom had crocheted herself an Ood costume (amazing) and another of whom sported a farting hippo, which was greeted with rapture by somebody who recognised what it meant.However, if you were to ask me for more details, I would be quite unable to supply them. It's a bit of a blur!
There seem to be a couple of memes floating around my reading list. I shall do the British one, as it does not inspire me to point and laugh.
1. Marmite- love or hate?
I am firmly in the Love It camp. On my breakfast toast, with butter first, then thinly spread. And it is an *excellent* enhancer of stews.
2. Marmalade- thick cut or thin cut?
Neither. When I was a child I used to eat Silver Shred, which is lemon marmalade and oddly sweet, but I've never liked the bitter taste of the orange stuff.
3. Porridge- made with milk or water?
Half and half, although occasionally just milk (when it's skimmed milk).
4. Do you like salt, sugar or honey on your porridge?
This morning's porridge contained a seed mix stirred into it as it cooked, and also sultanas, bits of dried apricot, and chopped Brazil nuts. Brown sugar on top. This is about normal for me, porridge-wise. Also cream, when we have some in the house.
5. Loose tea or teabags?
Teabags. Not so stylish, but much easier to use.
6. Where on your door is your letterbox?
In the middle, horizontal.
7. What's your favourite curry?
I… don't know! So many choices! I am very fond of the kind of Mushroom Bhaji you can get as a side dish, and will always order it.
8. What age is the place where you live?
The house was built in 1919. The city goes back to the Anglo-Saxons. I'd have said Roman, but brief research revealed that the Roman city was actually a few miles away, and the Anglo Saxons built the new settlement with the bricks the Romans had abandoned. Why didn't they just live in the Roman buildings?
9. Where do the folks running your local corner shop come from?
There isn't exactly a corner shop here, but there's an Aldi just up the road, so… Germany?
10. Instant or fresh coffee?
Instant, most of the time.
11. How far are you from the sea?
15-20 miles.
12. Have you travelled via Eurostar?
No
13. If you were going to travel abroad, where's the nearest country to you?
If I were a crow, probably Belgium, but practically speaking it's the Netherlands. There is even a daily flight thither from this city's little airport.
14. If you're female (or possible even some males) do you carry a handbag?
Yes indeed! It is bright pink.
15. Do you have a garden? What do you like growing?
I have a giant back garden which is very, very slowly being brought under control. This year there is rhubarb, a flourishing pumpkin, several courgette plants which are being a bit lazy, and some tomatoes. I also have rosemary, sage and thyme in pots, which will be transplanted into an actual flowerbed in a month or so. I did stick some sweetcorn and dwarf bean seeds into the ground, but they could not fight the weeds and have done nothing, but they were a rather belated and forlorn hope anyway.
I can't claim credit for the bluebells or indeed anything else that's growing here, but I intend there to be lavender and crocosmia, cerinthe (I brought a couple of starter plants from Hemel but haven't cleared sufficient space from the weeds to do anything with them yet), fuchsias… I don't quite know yet. We shall see. There is a *lot* of scope...
16. Full cream, semi skimmed or skimmed?
Skimmed most of the time and especially in tea. Semi-skimmed usually when there are visitors, and it gets used up in coffee and on cereal.
17. Which London terminal would you travel into if going to the capital?
Liverpool Street.
18. Is there a local greasy spoon where you live?
No. There are several pubs within easy walking distance that do good food, though.
19. Do you keep Euros in the house?
Maybe a few? By chance rather than by design.
20. Does your home town have a Latin, Gaelic or Welsh alternative name?
North Wic (Anglo Saxon) is the best we can do.
21. Do you have a well known local artist or author?
Daniel Defoe, Dame Julian of Norwich, Malcolm Bradbury, Celia Fiennes, John Skelton, Anna Sewell. Probably a bunch more.
22. Do you have a favourite Corrie character?
Nope. Never watched it.
23. Are your kitchen sink taps separate or a mixer?
Mixer
24. Do you have a favourite brand of blended tea?
Not particularly.
25. What's in your attic if you have one?
Two bedrooms.
26. If you go out for a cream tea, what jam do you like on your scone?
Raspberry, the One True Jam.
27. Talking of scones- scon or scown? Jam or cream first?
Scon, and jam first.
28. Barth or bath?
Barth.
29. Carstle or castle?
Carstle. I am entirely a Southerner.
30. What flavour of crisps do you favour?
Not really a crisp eater.
31. If you go to the chippie, what do you like with your chips?
Lots of salt and vinegar, possibly tomato ketchup, and battered cod.
32. Take away, take out or carry out?
Take away.
33. If you have one, what colour is your wheelie bin?
Green for rubbish, grey for recycling. Yes, I have got that the right way round. Norwich is strange.
34. What colour skips does your local skip hire use?
No idea.
35. Do you celebrate Guy Fawkes?
Nah.
36. Dettol or TCP?
Dettol, for no particular reason.
37. Do you have a bidet in the bathroom?
Yes.
38. Do you prefer courgettes or aubergines?
Courgettes. I made a moussaka a few years back and spent quite a lot of time vomiting it all back, which rather put me off aubergines.
39. In the 'real world', do you have friends of other nationalities? Which nationalities?
Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, German, American, Singaporean, Irish... they're all Fans, but I've met them in person and would be happy to do so at any time.
40. Do you have a holy book of any sort in the house?
I have a bible (KJV) but am not sure whether it is currently in the house or in the Lion's Cage.
41. Do you prefer a hankie or tissues?
Tissues.
42. Are you a fan of crumpets? What do you like on them?
Oh, yes. Butter. And, for real self-indulgence, golden syrup. OM NOM NOM. Or runny honey.
43. Doorbell, knocker or both?
Both. And a doorbell on the back door, too. The doorbell on the back door goes Ding Dong, whereas the doorbell for the front door only goes Dong.
44. Do you own a car? What sort?
Yep: Prius.
45. What sort of pants do you guys prefer? Y fronts or boxers?
My guy prefers boxers.
46. Anyone still a fan of suspenders?
I much prefer stockings to tights, which are evil, but although I have the equipment I don't think I've actually worn stockings and suspenders for *years*.
47. Do you have a favourite quote from the bard?
No. Too much choice. Cannot choose.
48. Do you like toasted muffins?
Sure. Occasionally have them with soup.
49. Do you think a traditional trifle should contain jelly?
Yes.
50. Do you attend regular religious worship? Of what kind?
No.
no subject
Date: 2015-08-13 10:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-16 12:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-13 07:16 pm (UTC)I'm trying to imagine Earl Grey flavoured marshmallows and I just can't do it :-)
I'd to wiki Dettol and TCP. They both sound scary!
You have such an international group of friends :-)
no subject
Date: 2015-08-16 07:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-14 07:23 pm (UTC)Why is butter not an option?
29. Carstle or castle?
Carstle. I am entirely a Southerner.
How come I don't think I've ever heard you say that?
no subject
Date: 2015-08-16 07:47 pm (UTC)Because it would be Bad and Wrong!
I think. Although on reflection, it might be rather good.
I'd be inclined to spell it "cahsle versus cassle". We don't put an 'r' into the word.
no subject
Date: 2015-08-17 03:45 pm (UTC)And oic! That makes a lot more sense.
no subject
Date: 2015-08-15 04:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-16 07:48 pm (UTC)I decided that if I've met them in person, it counts. I think I forgot to put Austrian and Australian on the list, though!
no subject
Date: 2015-08-15 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-15 06:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-16 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-08-15 06:24 pm (UTC)Ah, this meme is better than the one I did. At least it has questions that make sense!
no subject
Date: 2015-08-16 07:50 pm (UTC)