#adventures in post-academic academia

[soufre-de-paris]

i am begging all academics to hire fucking translators instead of insisting they "have a handle" on $LANGUAGE "well enough" to publish a fucking paper

spoiler: you don't

[dunmeshistash]

Laios Revealed in Five Keywords

5 keywords section from the Adventurer's Bible, this is transcribed from the EHScans translation for more info you can check this post. My own notes will be at the end of the post.

1. Family

Laios' family consists of his father (the village chieftain), mother, and little sister Falin. A talented mage, from a young age Falin possessed a mysterious power that allowed her to hear the voices of the dead. Others found this ability creepy, and she found herself the target of persecution because of it. Since Laios' father chose to expel Falin from the village instead of protecting her, Laios' animosity toward him has led to them not meeting for over 10 years. His mother is mentally frail and prone to being bedridden; it seems that Laios is not on good terms with her either. Incidentally, the reason why Laios looks so tidy is because at one point he grew out his hair and beard, but Falin mentioned that he was starting to "look a lot like Dad"

2. Monster research

Due to his love of monsters, others recommended that Laios become a monster scholar. However, academia presented an insurmountable barrier to Laios, and he soon gave up on that path. From most to least interesting, the types of monsters he likes are: Dragons = Animals > Magical Beings > Plants > Insects > Undead > Spirits. There is a monster scholar Laios respects, but the person in question likes to spout ridiculous, groundless theories about monster, other scholars steer clear of them at academic conferences. However, Laios is rather fond of those crazy theories

3. Unexpected Talent

As he's copied the drawings of monsters in his Monster Field Guide countless times, Laios is very good at drawing monsters. However, he's terrible at drawing anything else. The (overstuffed) "Ultimate Monster" that Laios came up with is a hybrid of: rhinoceros, bull, bird (2 species), bat, snake, horse, boar, and tiger.

4. Military Deserter

Laios enlisted in the military after graduating from school; it was there that he learned his fundamental swordsmanship skills. However, the army's regulations didn't sit well with Laios, so he ran away. He joined a caravan that passed through town, as they let him ride along with no fare so long as he helped with odd jobs. Even after he arrived at the island, Laios earned his living expenses doing things such as helping to load and unload cargo at the harbor.

5. Ban on Romance

After seeing his dungeon party nearly fall apart after two members fell in love*, Chilchuck warned Laios that workplace romances should be forbidden. Though Laios met his fiancee once and thought she was cute, the engagement was broken off after he ran away from home. Apparently, the woman in question is now a mother of three. Incidentally, since Laios' current savings are only enough to purchase a single horse and several goats, trying to find a bride would likely be a difficult task for him.

------

*I believe this was translated this way before the extra that explains the situation came out, the official translation translates it as "In the past, developing intimacy within the party led to a crisis that nearly broke it up." which I don't know if describes it better? Here's the original text "過去に仲間といい仲になりかけて 、パーティーが解散の危機に見舞わ れたため" as far as I can tell (considering context) it's something like "due to him getting too close to a companion the party nearly fell apart" but I can't really tell.

Stats

Timelines

Official version bellow the cut

[baniisharur0tte]

Dog-Eared Pages <3

chapter 1/??

You meet Suguru Geto at your local library!! There's more mysteries behind the front desk in chunky black boots than you found poking through the shelves.

content: fluff!! academic-esque topics, this story will include smut but not in this chapter (will note when it will occur) Fem!Reader x Suguru Geto, slow burn if you squint?

word count: 4.5k <3

authors note: sorry for being inactive!! health issues + generic life chaos kept me chronically offline (rip) this was inspired by a lottt of different things. i wanted to write a dark academia-ish geto story, and then i was reading kafkas metamorphosis + the castle and i was like 'rip suguru, u would've loved kafka' and then i watched Whiplash and then i was watching Your Lie In April and THEN i saw photos of st. paul's cathedral library and i was like 'oh bitch. it's all coming together.' so yeah!!! i hope u like it!!! it's v plot heavy so if ur just here for smut i'll be posting some more geto shortfics in the future so stay tuned!!

(geto smut: here)

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

perusing the aisles of the quiet, warm library, you thumb through the books on the shelves.

life had snuck up on you so quickly. once, an avid writer, reader, and painter. now a morning manager at a clothing boutique in the heart of the city.

a college dropout and a doomscroller.

you got into almost every one of your dream schools upon high school graduation, but generations of familial poverty does not soften its heart for a budding scholar. so, you worked 2 jobs to put yourself through your first semester. by the time you threw in the towel and dropped out, you were 30lbs lighter with protruding ribs, anemia and $40,000 in debt.

but life carried on without you paying attention.

working, sleeping, working, sleeping.

menial job to menial job, countless pointless promotions with no added pay, drafty apartments and off-brand dish soap.

suddenly, 5 years went by.

when was the last time i read?

when was the last time i painted?

when was the last time i felt proud of what i did?

you thumbed through the books, looking for a familiar title.

"The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka"

you spot, the green spine standing out against a slew of brown and red books lining the shelves.

i know this one, i wrote a paper on it my senior year in high school.

you picked it up, inspecting the cover.

it's the same as you remember it, a large beetle on his back struggling to get out of bed.

it would be almost comical if you hadn't known how the story ended.

you walk over to a round table with 2 chairs tucked in the corner of the empty reading area. it's no bigger than a small table you'd find inside a cozy diner that's just shy of enough space for the plates you'd share with someone across from you.

soft warm lighting and a dusty smell of paper and pen ink filled the air in the library.

the dark wood of the table was nostalgic to you, it pulled you back to all those years spent toiling over stories, filling your head with adventure and heartache.

reading so ferociously, you'd find yourself sat at a table much like this one for hours. getting up for food and to stretch, only to find that your back was aching and your elbows red from leaning on them.

the last one in the school library, the first one at the door in the crisp fall mornings outside the public library on weekends, the last one up in the house at night.

yellow, dusty reading lamps and a heavy backpack full of books.

why did i let go of that so easily?

it was almost nerve-wracking, beginning a book again. it felt almost like trying to rekindle an old love, what if it's not the same this time?

you crack it open, taking a deep breath.

it's going to be okay.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

roughly 70 pages, and a few tears later, you finished the story. regardless of your concerns, you were just as enthralled by the story as you had been any other book you read before. the wonder and passion of a child had not left you, and the comfort in knowing that made you all the more emotional. you were swirling with thoughts,

why didn't i do this sooner?

can i go back to school someday?

why did they hate the poor bug man!!!

you close the book, leaning back in your chair with a sigh.

pushing yourself back between the table and the top of your chair, you crack your back.

rubbing your eyes, and pushing your hair out of your face, you look up at the room around you for the first time in a little over an hour.

to your shock, there is a man across from you at the small table. his legs crossed, a knee propped up on the edge of the table. long dark hair curtaining his face, one hand holding his head up, cupped under his chin balanced on the arm rest. the other holding a small blue book titled 'The Castle, Franz Kafka'. he read intently, eyebrows gently furrowed.

when did he get here?

how could i not have noticed?

funny, he's also reading kafka.

funny, he's also very pretty.

as all these thoughts flood your mind, you find yourself staring.

without looking up, he speaks for the first time.

"sad, isn't it?"

you clear your throat, wondering if he's speaking to you. "sad? what is?"

"the story, the one you read. it's sad. some critics say excessively so." he say coolly, turning the page.

you stutter for a moment, and reply "yeah, it was. i don't understand why they were so angry with him." you take a beat, and continue "i'm trying to get back into reading again, so i picked a book i read in high school to start with. i decided i'd read my favorites again and see where that takes me."

he looks up at you.

dark catlike eyes examine your face. his skin was a pale, almost a sickly shade, but his high cheekbones had a light dusting of pink. his silky black hair wafting around his angled face, his full lips drawn into a delicate smile.

he was, objectively the most beautiful man- maybe person- you had ever seen in your life.

sitting back in his chair, tucking his hair behind one ear, he says "do you feel differently about it now than you did in high school?"

you take a moment to examine him before answering.

a large, black, waffle knit sweater with a white button up poking out the collar, and grey corduroy trousers with the cuff rolled up exposing black, shiny boots. he looked very clean and neat, long elegant lines mapping his frame.

"i think..." you begin slowly, scrunching your eyebrows in contemplation, "i think it's unfair for me to act like i haven't examined this story from an academic perspective. i wrote a paper on it at the time. back then, i took the stance that kafka was trying to get people to understand what it's like to be sick or disabled, to understand what it's like for you to, for whatever reason, no longer be the same as you were yesterday. i think his sympathy, whether it be because of his own illness or simply an empathetic approach to the topic, is relevant and well crafted."

you pause for a moment, before continuing.

"you said many critics condemned the story for how sad it was, seemingly overdoing it. personally, i disagree. i think that the neglect of those who are ill or disabled is something we often ignore for the same reasons- it's too upsetting to look at. so, i don't think my thoughts have changed. i can't seem to understand why they all hated Gregor. i never have. he was just a bug man!!!!" you laugh lightly, "he's just a poor little-well, very large- bug!!!!! he didn't deserve how he was treated, and the point is to make us feel that way."

he raised an eyebrow, his smile growing slightly. "i couldn't have said it better myself."

he looks you up and down slowly, before returning to his book. his gaze was piercing, as if he could see straight through you to the back of the chair.

you shuffle in your seat, feeling his eyes leave you. finding a reason to talk to him again, you say "i noticed you are also reading kafka, but i never read the castle. do you-do you like it?"

your voice cracks a bit at the end, flustering you. you nervously fidget with your hands before quickly stopping and instead folding them on the table, back straight.

he looks up at you again, flicking his eyes up.

"yes. it was the last story he worked on before he passed, it was never finished actually. i've read it a few times."

his face doesn't turn away from the page, but his eyes held a steady wash over you.

"can you tell me what it's about?"

he smiles again, leaning back in his chair once more. "i can't, i'd hate to ruin it for you. but i'll talk with you about it after you read it."

he snaps the book closed and set it on the table, getting up from his chair.

standing over you, you notice just how tall he his. his long, broad frame towers over you in your chair- you are eye level with his belt buckle.

you feel your face grow hot as you stumble over your words, "i'd love that! i mean- that would be nice. how will i know how to tell you when im done?"

"i work here, just come back and tell me." he smiles over his shoulder, as he turns to walk away.

looking down at the table, he had set The Castle down on top of The Metamorphosis.

you sit for a moment, digesting your conversation.

picking them both up, you return your book to the correct shelf and bring his to the front desk to check it out. as you approach, you see him leaning over the desk, his hand cupping his jaw as he draws on a small pad of lined paper. as you approach, he covers the paper swiftly with a small stack of books. with his sleeves pushed up, you notice a thick, silver, flat-chained bracelet on his wrist. distinct veins running from his knuckles up his forearm catch your eye. long, slender fingers decorated with a handful of chunky rings twirl his pen in fluid circles, the other hand pushing into his pocket. as you set your book down, he flashes you a smile.

"find what you were looking for, miss?" he said in a bantering tone.

you laugh lightly as you hand over your library card, "i think i did sir, thank you."

he takes a moment to look it over before scanning it. handing it back to you, he says "your name, it's pretty. id like to see it again here soon."

your eyes snap up at him, a hot flush washing over your face. he's gently sliding your book inside a small, brown paper bag.

as he hands it to you, you nod and squeak out a feeble "of course, have a good day, sir."

you quickly turn and begin to walk away.

you stop and look back over at him.

"can i ask yours?"

"suguru geto."

"your name, it's pretty."

he smiles and looks down at the desk, a faint wave of pink over the bridge of his nose. a hand raises to rub the back of his neck, nodding.

"i see, okay. have a good day, miss."

he waves gently, a blush across his cheeks. you wave back, and walk out onto the bustling street.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

authors note #2: I LOVE HIM GRRR I CANT WAIT FOR U TO READ MORE EEE !!!

[annabolinas]

Hey, y'all! I'm super excited to announce something very special: I'm launching a blog! It's called Adventures in Early Modernity. I'll be writing about early modern history, the Tudors, Tudor media, my journey in academia, and some of my other secondary intellectual interests (i.e. ancient history, the Hebrew Bible, classical/early modern literature, etc). I'm really looking forward to giving you a glimpse into my daily yapping and updating you on my life as an early modern history grad student. The site is up now, and you can access it here:

I already have two blog posts up! The first is an introduction to the blog and an account of my academic life (a detailed telling of my time at Oxford and Cambridge will be in a different post):

And the second post up is part 1 (the 4 worst) of a 3-part ranking of 12 on-screen depictions of Anne Boleyn. I've had strong opinions on them for some time, so I'm really excited to finally put them out there! I will be tagging the portrayals on this post, BTW, so don't look at the tags if you don't want spoilers.

I'm over the moon, frankly! Make sure to subscribe to my blog so you can receive email updates with each new post. Just enter your email at the bottom of the page.

Tagging some of my mutuals to signal boost this:

@theladyelizabeth @catherinesboleyn @glorianas @jezabelofthenorth @fideidefenswhore @period-dramallama @katharinepar

[ahistoriantobe]

Got a second call back. If they do end up offering me the job, I honestly don't know if I'd accept. The campus is way too far away, it'd be a horrible commute, and I'm really not sure I'd like to offer the class they seem to want me to.

On the other hand, I need a job.

Adulthood is hard.

First post-phd academic job interview tomorrow. Eeep!

[whisperingspinesliterary]

Book Review: An Education in Malice by S.T Gibson

Greetings, adventurers, welcome back to the library!

In my post My First DNF of 2025, I talked about how the very first book I tried to read this year I couldn't finish. Then, a few days before this post, I talked about my final read of 2024 - I Was a Teenage Slasher. But I haven't talked about the first book I finished reading this year. I spoke about it briefly over on my YouTube channel, when I went over my 25 books I want to read in 2025.

An Education in Malice by S.T Gibson was the first book I read this year. It was published in February 2024 and currently sits at 3.5 stars and over 17k ratings on GoodReads. I've talked a little about how I read this book and Voice Like a Hyacinth (the novel I talked about in THIS post about my first 5 star read of the year) at the same time and was surprised they shared similar themes. I'd describe them both as queer dark academia books. As they both take place in colleges and protagonists in both novels are lesbians. Only Voice Like a Hyacinth takes place in an art college. While An Education in Malice centers around poetry.

We follow Laura Sheridan, who arrives at Saint Perpetua's Women's College in Massachusetts in 1968. It's her first time being away from her small town in the south. So she's a little lost. The only class of Laura's that we ever see if her poetry seminar with Professor De LaFontaine. This is where we officially meet Carmilla, De LaFontaine's favorite. She described as always wearing expensive, elaborate costumes. She isn't greatly liked amongst her peers.

An Education in Malice is, apparently, a retelling of Sheridan Le Fanu's 1872 novella Carmilla. Which I've heard about a few times, though I've never actually read it, and I had no idea what it was about (I still don't). So, I can't really say if it lives up to the original material. I'm willing to wager that, no - it doesn't. I may have to track down a copy and see for myself.

We follow Carmilla and Laura as they become academic rivals - which is told to us, rather than shown. We only ever see once where Laura reads a poem, and De LaFontaine loves it. Which makes Carmilla angry because she doesn't want anyone to upstage her or take De LaFontaine's attention away. Other than that, we never really 'see' their rivalry - we're just told over and over again that they're rivals.

For a book with malice in the title, and the theme being enemies-to-lovers - it really didn't feel like it lived up to it. Carmilla and Laura's relationship felt more like instalike/instalove on both parts, and then just being annoyed at each other until they reconciled with their feelings and confessed to the other. We're never really shown how much they don't like each other. Just one second, they're annoyed with the other, the next they're kissing outside the dance.

Laura has a dark infatuation with Carmilla. She's a closeted lesbian (this is the 60s) who enjoys reading old pornographic materials when nobody is looking. She's obsessed with the idea of controlling what someone else does in a sexual environment. Which, in and of itself, isn't a bad thing. In fact, the author portrays someone closeted and trying to keep from showing who they are very well. Even when Laura meets other lesbians, she's still can't seem to bring herself into the open.

Meanwhile, Carmilla's character fluctuates and not in a 'character development' kind of way. One minute she's snobby and degrading anyone she thinks is beneath her. The next she's acting like a whiney, petulant child. Once she and Laura start accepting one another, she becomes needy and clingy. Her character's mood swings gave me whiplash.

One of the biggest things that docked this points for me was that it's first-person dual point of view. I cannot stand this trend where suddenly every book needs to have dual POV. It ruins so much of the magic of the characters falling in love and some of the mystery of the story. Most of the time, having dual POV is a hindrance to the novel. I found Carmilla's sections to be pointless. There was truly nothing in them that I felt added to the story. The book would have worked just as well, maybe better, had it only been from Laura's POV.

There's also a major plot point that I felt kind of got cast aside most of the time. Even though it was the entire catalyst for De LaFontaine pulling Laura into her inner circle. Sure, there are some consequences to it. But it feels as though it's largely forgotten after it's introduced.

Despite everything, I did enjoy reading An Education in Malice. I gave it 3 stars in the end. There were definitely things I didn't enjoy about the book. However, for what it was, it wasn't bad. I liked Saint Perpetua's as a setting and the other characters in the world. If you're looking for a queer dark academia vampire novel, this may be for you!

Thanks for reading, I hope you stop by the library again soon!

- Whisper

Let Me Know: Have you read An Education in Malice? What did you think of it? Have you read anything else by S.T Gibson?

[kingofthewilderwest]

Hi! I found your account through your old Shipping Names and Linguistics post, and I was wondering, do you know of any actual sources talking about the construction of ship names in English fandoms that might back up your observations? I am actually currently in my way-too-young cocky linguistics grad student stage of life and thinking of looking into something similar regarding Japanese ship naming. So, I figured it would be good to have a solid base in English fandom conventions to compare it with if possible.

Obviously that post was quite a while ago, so no big deal if you never really delved into it further. Thank you regardless!

Hey there and thanks for popping in!!! Now I'm curious about Japanese ship naming, and I think that's a fun adventure you've got! I wish you the best luck with your exploration. XD

From your message, it sounds like you read my pinned note or the note in the comments. For others coming into the conversation, this is my note:

I was trying to hedge my words in that comment, but also give a clear warning. I'll be more direct here, hah, and hope no one minds. The fact that the shipping names and linguistics post had a reblog renaissance in 2024 has been a bane. 😅 A small bane, but oh noooooOoOoOo.

I mean, it's good people are interested in linguistics, and I had fun writing that post at the time. Maybe that post did more good than I think it has. ^^ But one of the biggest issues tumblr has with linguistics is that Most Of The Information On Tumblr About Linguistics Is Sorta Wrong (TM), and it's galled me, oh it's galled me, oh it's galled me bad that I could've contributed to that. Ahahaha. I tried to be accurate in those old posts, but as above mentioned, I went waaaaaay beyond things I knew, and a first year PhD student is not anywhere as informed as they'd like you to think. (NO SHADE ON YOU. JUST SHADE ON MYSELF. JUST SHADE ON MYSELF!!!)

I haven't read that post since I wrote it, and I haven't braved myself to, because I don't know if I'll be begrudgingly impressed with myself, or cringing so hard I pop out of my skin. I've suspected it may be the latter, so I just wrote my friendly warning, prayed no one would dig up my other old linguistics posts, and fled into the night. XD

The short and the long of it is that I do not really want that post circulating nor for me to be intellectually connected with it today. I'm not going to delete or private it because I have more control if I still have access to it as OP, but I've sorta disowned it. Ahahaha. I ended up with a career in linguistics and am working in the industry, but I left education after my first year of PhD due to personal and health reasons, and have not been in linguistics academia since. This means I have not been around any sources you could ask for, and you're more likely than me to come across them. Best of luck in your hunt for information. ^^ I hope you run into some fascinating ideas.

I hope these responses come out as humorous rather than disappointing to anyone reading. I am grateful you stopped by! And now I'll have to learn about the Japanese side of ship names. Because I love Japanese and I love fandom shenanigans and that's, when I'm not making drastic claims on tumblr, still very fun stuff!!!

Enjoy your academic rabbit holes, enjoy your grad school years, enjoy linguistics, and enjoy all else you get your paws on!

[studyate]

Welcome to my cozy little corner of the internet, where I indulge in my love for all things study-related. Come say hi, I love to make new friends :)

About Me:

Hi! I'm Vaidehi (she/her), a 22 year old, final year medicine student from India!

Fun Facts:

I'm that techy girl who's going to come and help the teacher with the smartboard

There are only 6 months remaining for my final year exams, so this is definitely not an attempt at procrastination, I swear! I'm just strategically postponing my stress and anxiety until the last possible moment.

I spend my time with video games or romance, adventure and mystery novels

I'm learning Italian on Duolingo

I'm a Ravenclaw/Thunderbird

I play Chess on Chess.com and also King's Choice if you wanna be friends there

I paint sometimes

I'm trying to be a Gym regular

I'm a Swiftie and Directioner

If you're looking for a study buddy or just someone to chat with about school, feel free to send me a message! I'm always happy to make new friends and support each other through our academic journeys. 😊

I'll just tag my original stuff with #studyate I guess

People who inspired me to make this studyblr:

A huge thank you to @studyquill for her post on how to make a studyblr <3

@featheredstudies @a-cloak @studyblr @studyblr-perhaps @emmastudies @ibycaceres @stargazerbibi @medstudentblues @glimmry @faerieicetea @caramelcapuccino @darkacademicreads @ben-learns-smth @frenchiepal @diaryofastemstudent @academia-lucifer

[mydaroga]

Fest for Beatles Fans 2024 Write-Up

In case anyone wants to know what goes on at these things, I can at least give you a run-down of what I did at this one, though as always there was far more going down than any one person could see. I tend to favor panels and discussions over bands, so I am sure I missed a lot of great music. Because the bands were great.

It was held this year at the TWA Hotel, which is part of JFK International Airport and has retained a lot of the features of when it used to be a terminal. I posted photos of it last year when I was there on a layover, and I still love it to death. They did NOT let me ride on the baggage thingy though. In addition, I was unable to secure a room at the hotel, though if they hold it here again I will be snagging one because, like I said, the place is bonkers.

Friday

I entered my cross-stitch in the art contest, because why not? While there ran into several people whom I had met last August at the Fest in Chicago.

Beatles Biography panel with Vivek Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle graphic novel) and Madeline Bocaro (In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono). Vivek comes off very passionate and sweet, very respectful of Brian Epstein and cognizant of the importance of telling his story right. Bocaro is also very passionate, but I'm afraid some of us present her personal Ono pendulum has swung too far to admit any human fault in her subject. I later bought the Brian book, but not the Ono.

First Generation Fan Panel was mostly Leslie Healy recounting her adventures, which are legion: she was at the Ed Sullivan dress rehearsal, and at Shea Stadium, and she's *also* the one who got that audio at Paul's house when she visited all four Beatles in 1967. Also, she had a Bearded Collie, which I also had growing up, so that gave me a thrill.

I entered the 60s dress up contest -- second time as Twiggy was the charm, and I won! And then there was a lot of dancing. Gogo boots, ironically, not so much made for such activities.

Saturday

Chatted with some folks because it was more interesting that listening to the speakers, oops. The guy from the Ranking the Beatles podcast is lovely and we've already been in touch since. Also Terry Crain who wrote a great coffee table book about NEMS Beatles merch, which I bought last year.

Went to the dealer's room and bought silly buttons, like TO HELL WITH THE 'BEATLES' and I ❤�� PAUL. There were butcher covers and all that jazz, and horrid dolls, and all the lovely awful things, none of which I could ever afford. But I can buy buttons!

Lovely friends entered the talent contest and proceeded to the finals, and they kicked so much ass and I am so proud of them.

Academic panel with Ken Womack, Christine Feldmman-Barrett, and Andy Nichols was pretty good, a lot of talk about how subsequent generations get hooked and sort of the state of Beatles fandom/academia today. Which feels fairly positive, in the sense that all present felt there is more respect now than there was--though still room to improve on that score.

As a side note, all of my interactions with Womack convince me he's a great guy, very passionate in his love for the Beatles and very devoted not only to doing this right but in elevating lesser-heard voices. He's a very likable man.

Speaking of, next he interviewed Laurie Kaye, who did the radio interview with John on his last day. Her story was very moving.

Tried to dance again this evening after the talent show but unlike the previous night, everyone thought we were weird and stared forbiddingly at us from their seated positions.

But my PAUL IS DEAD / IF YOU WANT IT / HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM JOHN & YOKO shirt was a hit. Finally.

Sunday

Saw Jude Southerland-Kessler talk about the "birth of the beatles" but sadly it was NOT about the tv film of the same name. So I went to chat with Adrian Sinclair and Allen Kozinn instead, which they later tweeted about.

Beatlemania in the 21st Century panel was about, well, what it says. Next was Women's History of the Beatles which was also interesting and involved various writers, teachers, fans, podcasters, etc. I got to meet Erika from BC the Beatles which was very cool.

Then came the Laurence Juber and Steve Holley panel which I have mentioned elsewhere.

Jenny Boyd talked about fashion and the Apple Boutique, hosted by a lady who wrote a book about Beatles and fashion I would like to read.

Fantastic band with great additional harmonies, which I knew who they were.

I did not win the art contest. I did get a participation ribbon. I'm not even a millennial.

We then found a quiet place to chat, of which which the hotel had many, and then I needed to go to bed so I could be bad in like five hours for my flight.

I've probably forgotten lots of things but that is the general run down. There was also a video room, two stages for bands, more art, authors and guests at tables all weekend, and Mickey Dolenz, whom I did not meet but it's cool he was there.

[ae-park]

Æ PARK — a writeblr re-introduction;

sending a hello to the wide blue yonder of writeblr! i'm back after a long hiatus, so please bear with me while i reacquaint myself. i'm æ, previously iusiurandums, a thirty-year-old qpoc creative looking to connect with writers and readers who love provocative, diverse fiction. nice to meet you (again, for some)!

— you can also find me at patreon !

about æ;

— i'm fond of typing in lowercase, studying classic literature, lo-fi music, and embracing lacunas, also known as untranslatable words.

— my favorite tropes are academic settings, "it's complicated" romances, anti-heroines, sub-textual doublespeak, and lovable fools.

— my digs are speculative fiction, emphasizing late young adult/new adult contemporary fantasy. throw in some intergenerational trauma and found family healing, and beware of characters who will do anything to achieve their goals.

— expect experiments with typography and transtextuality within my works! i love playing with language, narration, perspectives, and mediums.

wips under the cut! ⤵

projects;

⛓ on oaths and omens

dark academia contemporary fantasy medical drama set in 199X dublin, ireland

a historic clan's legacy, a vengeful plague, and a slaughtered family are all on the line as talented curse breakers compete for their school's most prestigious award to change their destinies. for what is a curse if not a promise tainted? status: drafting

🌊 seaward bones

high fantasy sea-faring pirate adventure

divine and gigantic monsters live beneath the ocean. called 'sea hags,' these sinister creatures sink islands, cause whirlpools, and have the maritime nations of kiticitam at their mercy. when a girl hell-bent on revenge enlists two "sail-for-pay" shipmen to track down the monster who drowned her homeland, she discovers a dangerous network of corruption as deep and myriad as the undiscovered seas. status: brainstorming

🛐 of savants and saints

dark academia contemporary fantasy murder mystery set in 201X new york city, new york

the brightest halls of academia cast the darkest shadows. of thirteen undergrads studying at the illustrious st. iendor university of divine arcana, one will lose their head. twelve will lie to keep theirs. the arbiter of duels is dead, and the culprit hides behind sorcery and cunning. for magicians never reveal their secrets, and witches never confess their sins. status: brainstorming

( to be added to a taglist for any of my works, reply to this post with the project you're interested in! )

& please like or reblog this post if you think we'd vibe! i'm always looking for more writer and reader friends, especially those who like writing experimental and diverse fiction. thank you for reading!

take care. -æ 🌾

[soufre-de-paris]

hi paris! so i slowly went through your recommended reading and just finished it and i really love a lot of the writings! my favorites were decolonization is not a metaphor and everyone is beautiful and no one is horny. so i wanted to ask: do u have any other recs like those two? kissie kissie

hello!! i'm so glad you enjoyed the list!

here's some further recommendations:

terrorist assemblages by jasbir puar. this is a phenomenal book about the 'other' as it relates to queerness and also racism. it is a it difficult to read, unfortunately, but well worth the cost. she has another book called the right to maim which is about the choice for states to maim instead of kill, and is extremely relevant for the present. (i love jasbir so, so much. her next book is supposed to be about settler colonialism. i cannot wait.)

can the subaltern speak? by gayatri chakravorty spivak. this is the foundation of a lot of current thought (including the decolozation essay you've already read) about how and if the "other" is allowed to speak on its own behalf.

the book is the rectum a grave? by leo bersani is a classic, and does really well beyond its titular essay. the whole book is fantastic. i especially like the essay on monogamy.

tools for convivality by "ivan ilych." it's a collection of thoughts for building towards a future that i find to be rather refreshing altogether, and somewhat interesting as a groundwork to compare around what other people suggest for a better future.

i'll try to think up some more for you! i have pdfs of all of these: shoot me a message and i'll send them over.

bjs!

[sims2idea-lientebollemeis2i]

Title: Elevating Sims' Educational Odyssey: The Master and Doctorate Degree Project

In my ongoing mission to enrich the academic tapestry within The Sims 2, I've ventured into the realm of advanced studies, aiming to redefine the post-college experience for our Sims. Building upon my previous projects, where teens could tailor their education, this new endeavor focuses on the often-overlooked Master and Doctorate Degrees.

In contrast to the traditional schooling system, which tends to lose its luster after college, I believe that advanced degrees should be a pinnacle achievement for our accomplished Sims. After all, why should the journey end at a diploma when there's so much more knowledge to acquire?

Inspired by the complexities of real-world academia and drawing from my own experiences, the Master and Doctorate Degree project introduces a nuanced approach to post-college life. Now, Sims who have successfully navigated their undergraduate years can embark on a new scholarly adventure.

Upon completing their college education, Sims can choose to pursue a Master's or Doctorate Degree, each tailored to specific skills and academic disciplines. This postgraduate journey isn't just about accumulating knowledge; it's a strategic undertaking that influences a Sim's future in profound ways.

As Sims immerse themselves in the rigors of advanced studies, they'll encounter challenging scenarios that not only shape their academic prowess but also contribute to the development of additional skills. The ultimate goal is to reach the zenith of their academic pursuits, achieving the coveted Master's or Doctorate Degree.

Upon graduation from these advanced programs, Sims are rewarded with a substantial boost in skill points, reflecting their dedication and expertise in their chosen field. This isn't merely an academic accolade; it's a testament to the Sim's commitment to intellectual growth and mastery.

The benefits of these advanced degrees extend beyond the realm of education. Sims entering their professional careers armed with the knowledge and skills acquired during their Master and Doctorate pursuits gain a significant advantage. This strategic advantage not only mirrors real-world dynamics but also adds depth and realism to the virtual lives of our Sims.

While the Master and Doctorate Degree project is still a work in progress, I am thrilled about the potential to reshape the post-college narrative for our Sims. Stay tuned for further updates as this ambitious academic journey unfolds, promising a more immersive and rewarding experience for those seeking to push the boundaries of knowledge in The Sims 2 universe.

[sailoropal]

My Pinned Bio / Summary

Hallo // This pinned bio makes it easier to explain myself, this blog, and what content will likely be spammed with it. As well as reaching out to other fans also thriving here, heh.

I must quickly clarify I do interact with 18+ content, so please, minors DNI and everyone else, proceed with caution; however, this post is SFW, hah!

About Me:

I go by Fae or Spec (She/They).

I am 24 years old - ENFP and queer [not a shock considering my sailor moon core]

A recent postgrad burnout woman who has resigned from the stressful 9 - 5 STEM grad job I had to now work as a disability student support worker. There's a lot more flexibility in this role that allows me to have passions and personality outside my Degrees and Academics, haha!

Regarding birth charts and for the sake of astrology I am Taurus Sun, Capricorn Moon, and Sagittarius Rising.

I have ASD - Like many women, I was late diagnosed due to many in my community dismissing my observational signs as "quirks" and "A wee bit away with the fae". I masked a lot in my life, but I realize it is essential for my mental health to unmask where possible.

My first language is Gàidhlig; later in my life, I learned English when I wanted to move from the Scottish isles, where I grew up. So, if you have a DnD/OC character influenced by Celtic Myth/Gaelic culture, I am happy to give advice and commentary.

Anime/Shows:

Attack on Titan, Avatar-The Last Airbender, Aggretsuko, Anohana, Bleach, Berserk, Chainsaw Man, Devilman Crybaby, Digimon, Dororo, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Made in Abyss, My Hero Academia, Naruto, One Piece, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, Shiki, Yu-gi-oh!, Yu Yu Hakusho, Lovely Complex, My Love Story!!, Wonder Egg Priority, Romantic Killer, Toradora, RWBY, ROTTMNT, Adventure Time, Bee and Puppycat, and a TON of K-dramas/C-dramas/J-dramas - atm I am watching a K-drama called The Glory and my most absolute fave is Strong Girl Bong-Soon.

I am starting the likes of Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and I am open to more recommendations!

Video Games:

Animal Crossing, Bloodborne, Baldur's Gate 3, Fire Emblem, Bravely Default, Cult of the Lamb, Dark Souls, Diablo, Hades, Stardew Valley, Rune Factory, Monster Hunter, Minecraft, Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, The Sims, Style Savvy DS series (Dress-up Games are my weakness), Pokémon, Super Princess Peach (also looking forward to the switch release!)

Okay, I am also obsessed with Dating Horror Games:

John Doe, Something's Wrong with Sunny Day Jack, DachaBo!, Frost Bite, My Dear Hatchet Man, House Hunted.

(I know Your Boyfriend is a popular one - the game is fun, but I am not a fan of the creator.)

I intend to play the likes of Touch Starved, Courtin' Cowboys, Snaggemon, Trapped with Jester, and more, heh. :^

Books:

I read a lot of Fanfiction alongside actual works by Elizabeth Lim, Sue Lynn Tan, Sarah J Maas, Judy Lin - Anything that is literally Chinese Mythic Based Plot, and Fae Smut, if I gotta be honest with you PFFT. I am on Booktok a ton, so recommendations are appreciated while I organise my Kindle.

Roleplay/Writing:

I have been roleplaying/writing since about 15/16, so I have a few years of writing experience creating OCs and writing out RP Ideas. I went on an extended hiatus as I finished university and took time off to deal with my mental health as I settled into a new routine. I am currently not outright seeking RP partners as I slowly find the time to write again, but I am open to people reaching out to discuss their OCs and RP ideas!

I am such a recluse who will binge fanart, headcanons, and fanfics - I love listening to people talk about their OCs, Fanfics, AUs, and the works. If you share my hyperfixations, don't hesitate to infodump! I might get distracted and forget to respond- but I WILL respond.

[circumference-pie]

Writing patterns

Rules: List the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there’s a pattern! @thebansacredbanned and @junemermaid tagged me!

Feiliu eagerly digs his chopsticks into steaming rice, plates full of bamboo shoots and wood-ear mushroom, steamed egg, wild quail. (wind in the leaves, Nirvana in Fire)

This is a study of the academic practices of the Preservation Alliance, a small collective of planets outside the Corporation Rim. (The Old and the New: A Study of Academia on the Preservation Alliance, The Murderbot Diaries)

谁在乎？/ 我在乎。/ Who would care / I care. (our yesterdays have lighted fools, Love Between Fairy and Devil)

As a gesture of goodwill and a thank you for not flattening our kingdom with your combined powers, the emperor of Shuiyuntian has graciously allowed Xiao Lan Hua and her husband the Moon Supreme to go to Arbiter Hall and collect any items that she may have left before absconding so abruptly. (picture-perfect, Love Between Fairy and Devil)

The metal pot is big and shiny, filled with warming water and placed over a burner in the kitchens of the great airship Castle Wulfenbach. (Castle Wulfenbach: Adventures with Gil and Zoing, Girl Genius)

Ran could pinpoint exactly when it started: Tuesday, lunch period, in the school cafeteria, facing Sonoko and Sera across a homemade bento (hers), a cafeteria sausage roll (Sera’s), and a much more expensive homemade bento (Sonoko’s). (bad luck blues, Detective Conan)

The skies and waters in his Sea of Emotion are calm, waves lapping at the island of soft grass he and the ancient god sit upon. (A Shade of the Deepest Blue, Love Between Fairy and Devil)

“Mou, Shinichi, why did you drag me out here in the middle of the night? It’s cloudy and we can’t even see anything.” (your eyes at night, Detective Conan) * * actually this was co-written and I can’t remember which one of us actually wrote it. I think it was me, though.

“Was it all a lie?” (a bullet but not of silver, Detective Conan)

They find Shinichi’s body in an alley behind Tropical Land. (Follow you into the dark, Detective Conan)

See if there's a pattern...hmm. It looks like I mostly like throwing the reader directly a moving scene, whether it's through description of action or dialogue (1, 5, 7, 8, 9). The rest is exposition of a situation (4, 6, 10), a canon quote (3), or some consequence of a nonstandard format (2). I think this mix has been fairly stable throughout my fic-writing career. (Which is five years old now! Dang.)

I tag @sassybluee and @nemainofthewater.

I wonder how many of my fics total open with canon quotes and how many are in epistolary format. Let's see...

Canon quotes: deepest blue*, our yesterdays, wings of ash, two hugs, connect with friends -- 5/35 Epistolary: old and new, wings of ash**, tide, liang-wudi, shuffle romance -- 6/35

* "deepest blue" gets put on the list because it opens with a canon scene, even if the first line isn't strictly dialogue ** "wings of ash" is half-epistolary and half-narration.

So, about a sixth of my total fics for each, and I used to do more of both than I do now. Checks out.

[maffickingcowplants]

Day 6 of 7, Summer 2005 Amidst the sea of anticipation and trepidation, Alexander Goth found himself on the precipice of a new chapter—the pursuit of higher education. The coveted acceptance letter from the University of Britechester, bearing news of his admission into the history program, was a testament to his academic prowess. Alexander, with a mix of excitement and determination, had chosen a path that would unravel the tapestry of the past and weave his own narrative in the hallowed halls of academia.

The University of Britechester awaits, the halls of history were ready to welcome a new scholar, and as Alexander prepared to embark on this academic adventure, the world of academia stood poised to shape the destiny of the young Goth scion.

Posts about Alexander: « PREVIOUS / BEGINNING / NEXT »

[stepseduworld]

Unlocking Global Opportunities: Your Journey to Studying in the UK With StEPS

Are you prepared to embark on an academic adventure that will revolutionize your life? Studying in the United Kingdom could be your gateway to global education, offering a myriad of opportunities and benefits for international students. Let's delve into this comprehensive guide, covering admission requirements, top universities, alternatives to IELTS, work opportunities, costs, scholarships, and more.

Why the UK? A World of Educational Excellence Awaits!

Nestled in Western Europe, the UK boasts a rich educational legacy and is home to some of the world's oldest and best universities. With consistent top rankings in global university assessments, UK universities shine due to their intensive research orientation. Plus, studying in the UK enhances your language skills, making you a sought-after graduate, especially in fields like engineering and the sciences.

Admission requirements vary, so check each university's website for specifics. English language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL are common, but alternatives exist for international students. The application process typically unfolds on university websites or through UCAS for undergraduates. Don't forget to meet deadlines and navigate the student visa process after receiving confirmation.

Choosing the right university is crucial for your career and budget. Delve into the top 10 universities in the UK, including St Andrews, Oxford, Cambridge, and more. Beyond these, prestigious institutions like the University of Glasgow and Queen Mary University of London beckon for master's studies.

MBA Marvels: Paving Your Business Path in the UK

If an MBA is your goal, the UK hosts stellar programs at Warwick, Loughborough, London Business School, and others. Explore your options and set your sights on an enriching business education. Some universities offer admission alternatives for those lacking IELTS scores. Check each institution's specific requirements and available options to pave your way into UK academia.

Studying in the UK promises an inspiring and enjoyable student life. With a diverse international student community, shorter course durations, and more affordable options, it's a valuable investment in your education.

Work and Stay: Unleashing Your Professional Potential

Take advantage of the UK's academic system, allowing 20 hours of work per week while studying. Post-graduation, the Graduate Visa opens doors, providing at least two years to explore work opportunities. Various work visa categories await, from Global Talent to Health and Care Worker Visa.

Studying in the UK is an investment, but it can be cost-effective. Tuition fees vary, and scholarships are available for both international and domestic students. Consider budget-friendly universities like Nottingham Trent and the University of Hull for an affordable education.

Scholarship Oasis: Making Dreams Affordable

Numerous scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, transportation, and healthcare, making studying in the UK more accessible. Students from the UAE, seize the opportunity! The UK welcomes you with diverse courses, universities, and scholarships, offering an enriching education experience.

Studying in the UK unfolds doors to world-class education, language enhancement, and diverse cultural experiences. With various universities, programs, and work opportunities, the UK remains a top destination for international students. Explore your options, plan your journey, and dive into an educational adventure in the United Kingdom.