The Cheshire Cat...

[fajrdrako]

I had a lovely weekend, though full of activity. Saturday: getting apa-stuff ready, then picnicking in Vincent Massey Park with walkingowl and sandwiches from Gismo's and hot dogs from Harvey's. We walked around Hogsback a little. Then the apa collation: crowded, good to see the people who were there.

Sunday: breakfast of crepes filled with raspberries and chocolate with maboroshimaki. Then I went with Paul, Tasia and Dennis to see a garden in Marathon with some really stunning flower beds, my favourites being the vividly purple irises. Then we went to Carleton Place, to the Book Gallerly, where I got:

1. Dictionary of Ancient and Medieval Warfare - Stackpole Books. It looks nicely comprehensive and easy to use.


2. The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius, a Penguin edition. Not the one I already have, though - this is filled with photos of Roman places and people. And just as lurid as I remembered.


3. The National Geographic Society's vol. III of The Story of Man: The Middle Ages It hardly matters what the information in it is, the pictures are wonderful.


4. The Runes: An Illustated Guide to Interpreting the Stones by Jonathan Dee (what a suitable name for an occultist!)

And - tas-daa! - last but certainl not least:

5. The Rough Guide to Malta and Gozo by Victor Paul Berry. None of the Ottawa bookstores seem to have this. It was the last thing I found in the Carleton Place bookstore, just as I was about to give up looking though the travel section because it was getting late and everyone wanted to be leaving. I am so pleased.

Then we went to the cheese store, the chocolate store, the clothing store and the gift shop in Balderson, and then to the Cheshire Cat pub in Carp. I have loved that place every time I have been there, and this was no exception. The haddock with grilled vegetables was good enough, but the dessert I had - strawberry and rhubarb pie - amazingly wonderful. I was surprised to see how close the Cheshire Cat actually is to Ottawa. Hope I can find a way to go again.

Comments

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! The Rough Guide to Malta! *vbg* I'm grinning like a Cheshire Cat myself! Does it have anything about flea markets or car boot sales? ;-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I am so excited to have found that book. It seems to be brand new, too! Haven't had the chance to browse for flea markets or car boot sales in it yet, but I'm expecting all sorts of goodies.

The man who sold the book - obviously the proprietor - was chatty and had all sorts of personal anecdotes. He warned me that Malta is beautiful and fascinating but the food is awful. I tried not to look too skeptical. He then talked about how wonderful the food was in turkey. Do you think he was on a Mediterranean cruise?

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

About the food - it very much depends. There are some brilliant places to eat - just ask Simon and Cindy!

It's a matter of knowing where to go - and which places to avoid. I don't eat out a lot, but can provide some recommendations closer to October. And if you're coming all this way, you won't just stay for the four Siege days, will you? ::she asks hopefully::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I still haven't found anything about flea markets and boot sales but I continue to look. I'm sure I'll find lots of wonderful food. I've been thinking in terms of spending two weeks in Malta if I can afford it (I'm working hard at saving up so I can) and I may also have to negotiate with Beulah on that.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Two weeks?! Wheee! I'm sitting here with a big grin on my face.

As for whether you'll be able to afford it - have you considered a cheaper hotel than the Siege Auberge, at least for pre- or post-Siege days? There are lots of cheaper options as long as you don't mind rather more basic accomodation.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Two weeks?!

Well, I'm hoping. The fact that currently I haven't even saved enough for plane fare is discouraging, but I'm working on it and determined to succeed.

Yes, I have been planning to find somewhere cheaper than the gathering hotel for the rest of my stay, and I'm happy to have basic accommodation. I like the idea of a comforable bed and breakfast place, or something like that.

P.S. I'm having a wonderful time with the Moonverse stories. And writing my own Sparrington. Can't help myself.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm hoping. The fact that currently I haven't even saved enough for plane fare is discouraging, but I'm working on it and determined to succeed.

You must! You can’t possibly not come. D’you need help robbing a bank or something?

I like the idea of a comfortable bed and breakfast place, or something like that.

'Fraid we don't really have b&b’s in Malta. But there are plenty of cheapish basic hotels which are okay as long as you’re not expecting too much. I can help out with suggestions/opinions closer to the date – just ask.

I might be able to offer you a place to stay – but that depends on whether [Bad username or unknown identity: ”glinda_north”]P.S. I'm having a wonderful time with the Moonverse stories.
So glad I recced them! KJ is a brilliant writer.

And writing my own Sparrington.
Yay! And the obvious question is: can I read it? Please?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Robbing a bank is impractical. I'm working on (a) John Dee-type magic or (b) inheriting a fortune from a hitherto unknown rich relative.

A cheapish basic hotel would be great.

might be able to offer you a place to stay – but that depends on whether [Bad username in LJ tag]

Er...? Who/what does it depend on...? (I love suspense! And I love thinking about possible endings to that sentence. It depends on whether the Turks are about to attack. It depends on what regulations are enforced by Juan de Homedes. It depends whether Lymond is in residence, or Gabriel is in the vicinity.)

I read the story about Norrington and Jay last night. (Penumbra? I'm forgetting the titles....) Enjoyed it very much but no one is as good as Sparrow and Jay is no substitute. Which I suppose was one of the points Norrington makes in the story.

As for my own Sparrington....heh. It's growing as I plot and write. This is fun. I need more time to write. Time! I'm writing scenes in snatches at lunchtime and at bus stops.

can I read it? Please?

Of course! Do you want to volunteer for a beta-reading, or do you want to wait till it's all pristine and fixed up? My working title is "Risk".

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid having Lymond in residence would be rather a barrier to having people to stay. They might want to share. ::horrified gasp:: "Mine. My own!". Yeah, right.

Heh, I bungled the html. Most of the paragraph's missing. Do you want it now or would you like to prolong the suspense? *g*

Thankfully I was writing in Word and hadn't closed the file. It should have said:
I might be able to offer you a place to stay – but that depends on whether glinda_north needs putting up. And on whether you’d be okay with rather basic facilities and a bathroom that lacks doors. As it has two doorways with just cane blinds, there is not a lot of privacy. So you might prefer a hotel. *g*

There, was that more or less exciting than you were expecting? ;-)

I resisted reading Penumbra to start with, since my oh-so-subtle reaction was "who the fuck is this Jay person? James belongs with Jack". Rereads convinced me that the story is about James/Jack after all - it takes the encounter with Jay for James to really admit to himself how hung up he still is about Jack. IMO, of course. Tho' I did say something along these lines to KJ and she didn't disagree... *g*

I would be honoured to beta your Sparrington - absolutely.

PS I'm enjoying this "conversation"!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

They might want to share.

Y'know, I think Lymond and people connected to Lymond often had that problem. Like, everyone at the French court. Life is full of difficulties.

glinda_north might be there too? Oh, wonderful! We'll have a marvellous time.

I am happiest with the most primitive of conditions, including limited or nonexistent privacy. Especially when the alternative is not going there at all! However, what I would *like* would be the most beautiful of palaces with fountains, birds (in the style of Guzel's winter palace) and a staff of beautiful people running to cater to my every whim. I am aware that live involves a series of compromises.

it takes the encounter with Jay for James to really admit to himself how hung up he still is about Jack.

I agree, and I like that a lot. So... I hope she's planning to do another store where Jack and James can get together again? (Must write her a letter of comment as soon as I have a moment....) Jay was fun in his own right, but no substitute for the inimitable and unique Captain J.S.

I would be honoured to beta your Sparrington - absolutely.

Thank you! I just have to finish it first... over the weekend, perhaps? (This is optimistic, but possible, depending on its ultimate length.)

PS I'm enjoying this "conversation"!

Me too!

Confession time

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Oops, forgot to say that while I'd be honoured to beta your Sparrington-in-progress and would love to do it, I haven't actually done this before. Beta virgin, that's me. *g* So if you'd rather go for someone with experience, I won't be the least bit offended.

Re: Confession time

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually done this before. Beta virgin, that's me.

Experience is totally unnecessary - what I need is reactions, like, "Brilliant story!", or "you spelled Spareau wrong", or "this makes no sense whatsover" and even "this is phsycially impossible... too bad." And since I (a) trust your judgement and (b) know you appreciate the pairing, your comments would be valuable. But I don't want you to feel you have to - ! If you want to just read it after it's all done, that's fine too.

I think what I'll do is polish it as much as I can and you can feel free to beta it or not as you wish, when you get it.

Now all I have to do is finish writing the thing....! I'm enjoying this way too much.

Re: Confession time

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

glinda_north might be there too? Oh, wonderful! We'll have a marvellous time.

She might be, but is not at all sure. If she can’t make it or doesn’t need to stay with me, then you’re more than welcome to come and stay. I thought I should mention the lass than 5-star conditions, so that you know what you’d be letting yourself in for. *g* It’s just that I moved into this house five years ago, meaning to get it finished and furnished properly within a couple of years. Some hope of that! Of course the fact that for the last 15 months I’ve been working reduced hours with a correspondingly reduced salary hasn’t actually helped. I don’t think I ever answered your comment to my post about ME/CFS. I was diagnosed with it almost two and a half years ago. I’m feeling better now, but that’s mainly because I’ve recognised that I have limits which can’t be ignored and I do my best to stay within them. As you say, life is full of compromises. ;-)

[Bad username or site: ”firesignwriter” does plan to write more Moonverse stories – but all sorts of things in real life are taking all her attention at the moment and she doesn’t want to write more Sparrington until she can really give it her full attention. She <i @ livejournal.com]did post a tiny snippet (http://www.livejournal.com/users/firesignwriter/82912.html) of Jack and James’s first meeting, though. Just a snippet, but it still packs quite a punch!

what I need is reactions, like, "Brilliant story!", or "you spelled Spareau wrong", or "this makes no sense whatsover" and even "this is phsycially impossible... too bad."

Okay. I can’t comment with any authority of what’s physically possible – but I can make educated guesses. *eg* Am flattered that you feel you trust my judgement. And now I’m really looking forward to reading and betaing it. Let me have it, complete or in sections, whenever you’re happy with having someone else look at it. And if you have any specific questions, send those my way too. ::bounces slightly in anticipation::

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

That's firesignwriter, of course.

Re: Confession time

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope glinda_north will be there because it would be great to see her again. I understand about less-than-stellar accommodations and the compromises a person has to make when they have ME/CFS. I had Epstein-Barr syndrome at one time, I believe it's a similar situation. The only way to cope is to do what you can and not worry too much about the rest.

Thanks for the firesignwriter link!

The story isn't done but I hope to have time to work on it tomorrow. I'm enjoying myself hugely, which just means it's growing and growing.... I'm in search of a good title. (Always the hardest thing!) Current working title is "Risk". Are there any other PotC fics out there with that title?

Re: Confession time

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

The only way to cope is to do what you can and not worry too much about the rest.

Agreed. But that's an uphill stuggle in itself!

How's the story going? :-)