Tremendulent!

And now for Seren's Most Recent Moment of Clarity

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:07:14 GMT

Feel free to skip this as I'm still in the throes of working through STUFF. ( CUT FOR ALL THE STUFF )

comments

Oh, look at me posting again!

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 13:29:51 GMT

So, when I was living with the guy, I lived outside of town, about a 40 minute drive to work and all the other stuff. Now that I'm living with mom, I'm in town and that has been kind of great. My commute is shorter (traffic still sucks) and I can actually meet up with people and do stuff after work without dreading the long drive home in the dark.

Y'all. I had dinner with friends this week. We made nachos and laughed like idiots, it was awesome. I'm meeting a friend today to go to an exercise class and we're having coffee afterwards (I then have to go to work cause there's a funeral and I told the family I'd help with the tech, but you know.). I can DO more stuff now.

This is not to say I wasn't doing stuff before, but I honestly feel a little bit freer. Still sad, but freer.

I've also been working out more! Which makes me feel SO much better and I am SLEEPING. My thighs are not happy with me, but they'll get stronger.

And Mabel the Hedgehog is adjusting and loves running around on the couch downstairs.

I'm good. I'm way too busy at work, but I'm making plans (TRAVEL!), and I'm taking care of mom and myself and I'm getting there.

Happy Saturday!

comments

I'm...good?

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:14:11 GMT

In my continued attempt to be more present here, here is a post! :D Honestly, things are...better. I'm still feeling all the things, but the main feeling I'm sitting with is disappointment.

I'm just so dang disappointed things ended the way they did when I'm fairly sure they didn't have to. I'm disappointed that we couldn't be what the other person wanted/needed. I'm disappointed that I'm grappling with the cultural/societal nonsense of feeling like I "failed," or I'm "not where I should be at this point in my life." It's all nonsense and I'm exactly where I should be because I'm alive and I'm thriving, so eff off society. I'm sorry for him that he's going to go through all this alone. I'm also disappointed because all the things that gave me pause initially are really coming to light. I'm not disappointed in myself, exactly, but some things have just been confirmed to me that I think I should have taken more seriously. They're things that were NEVER going to "get better." And I should have trusted my instincts. Now I know.

In good news, I'm feeling lighter and lighter and each day I'm that much further from the pain of it all and closer to feeling like my self again. I've made some really cool travel plans for next summer, something that I've always wanted to do, and I'm even considering home ownership.

And I have my hedgehog again! Her name is Mabel and she's a hilarious little grumpus and I love her.

In closing, it's Thursday, and while I could never get the hang of Thursdays, there are British murder mysteries to watch later this evening and a hedgie to cuddle (carefully) and I'm getting there.

comments

Effing August

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:39:42 GMT

Soooo...remember how I said I'd post here more often and then disappeared? Yeah. It has been a rough two weeks. I'm absolutely cutting this for length and for mentions of depression and alcoholism (not mine).

( Cut for all the things )

You're all amazing! Be well!

comments

Um...hi?

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:48:39 GMT

Well, hullo Dreamwidth!

So...it's been a minute! I am thinking about dusting this place off a little as I go through a bunch of stuff and dang it, I miss longform blogging and posts. I'm wondering if having a space to write STUFF might help my brain and health some. I'll put the bigger stuff under a cut 'cause A LOT is going on.

However, here's my not-so-deep-thought for the day:

I was scrolling through something the other day and I just realized how much I miss movies. They haven't gone away, obviously, but my attention span and my ability to afford to take three hours out of my life to drive across town to watch something that may or may not be good is just plain gone. I actually had the urge to watch the new Jurassic World movie (cause I love a creature feature), but it was freakin' $20 to RENT. Nope. There feels like there's too much choice and yet not enough choices? Like I said, this is definitely a not-so-deep-thought and others have commented on it far more eloquently than I have. I'd just like my attention span back. That would be nice.

Anywho, I think I might try to be on here a bit more often. I miss writing and I miss y'all.

Have a Happy Saturday!

comments

Dear Yuletide Writer!

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:39:14 GMT

Dear lovely, lovely Yuletide Writer!

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for writing something for me! I promise you that I will enjoy it! The one thing I really want you to do is to have fun and enjoy yourself. I am pretty firm on my dislikes, but as for the actual story, go for it. If there's something you've been wanting to write with these characters that I don't mention here, go for it! That being said, here are some of the things I like and dislike as well as my story ideas.

( Read more... )

comments

My end of the year update and I'm feeling cautiously optimistic

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 19:27:35 GMT

Hullo! SO MUCH IS GOING ON.

Well, sort of. Have five things that are currently going on!

1. I'm back in Florida as of mid-October and so far, so good. I'm living at mom's and it's okay? We're sharing a car which isn't actually too horrible. PLUS! All the cuddle time with the fluffiest dog ever and the sleepiest cat who lives to sit on you. So, not too bad. I've found a gym, so I can disappear for an hour a day or so to move about.

2. I started volunteering at the church bookstore which was really fun! It's an Episcopal church and is pretty progressive, they welcome everyone and are involved with a lot of groups in the community. I'm super skeptical about organized religion, but this church keeps surprising me. Everyone is really nice and friendly, but not in a fake way. Which is good because...

3. I GOT A JOB!!! At the church! *facepalm* I'm going to be the Rector's Assistant and Membership Coordinator, which translates to an executive assistant/admin assistant/data entry/organizer. The job's been expanded so I kind of get to make up some of my tasks and really do a lot of creative stuff. PLUS - full health coverage with a really decent provider and contributory pension. AND I'M MAKING WAY MORE THAN MY PREVIOUS JOB. I'm kind of freaking out. I think it's going to be a really fun job, or at the very least, it'll be the kind of job I can stick with for a year or so that will ease me back into working in the states. Y'all, I'm really excited.

4. I've signed up for Get Your Words Out this year. I didn't do it the last two years, so I'm glad to try it again this year. I have a project I'm sort of thinking about...

5. In annoying news, I have to get a car. Bleh. I miss public transport.

Merry Happy and Joyous Winter Tidings to everyone!!!!! I hope everyone is getting in some much deserved down time and I'm wishing everyone all the best in the world!

comments

Dear Yuletide Author...

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 22:09:44 GMT

Dear amazing and wonderful Yuletide Author!

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for writing something for me! I promise you that I will enjoy it! The one thing I really want you to do is to have fun and enjoy yourself. I am pretty firm on my dislikes, but as for the actual story, go for it. If there's something you've been wanting to write with these characters that I don't mention here, go for it! That being said, here are some of the things I like and dislike as well as my story ideas. ( Likes and Dislikes and My Requests )

I hope I've given you a few ideas to go on, but honestly, just enjoy yourself and have fun re-watching the source material! Thank you so much!!!!

comments

It's Wednesday - let's have a post!

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 12:45:17 GMT

I think I can manage Five Things.

1. I finished my Black Sails fic for WIP Big Bang! It's frickin' over 100,000 words! At least 30,000 of those words were written in the last two months. *collapses* I'm owning this, I'm so proud of myself for finishing this story. I wanted to finish it and I did. WOO!

2. Following on from the above (holy crap, I finished it!), I'm glad I did it because I proved a few things to myself. Namely, that yes, I can actually write a novel-length story. And that I can discipline my writing. I have an actual method that does work. I can do this again. I want to do this again. (I...might have an idea I want to do this with...we'll see...it involves plants and Florida swamps and metaphysics...)

3. The move back to the states is progressing steadily. My flight back to my lovely trashfire state of Florida is on 15 October. I'm so conflicted about this move. I have no idea what it's going to be like when I get there and I don't even want to speculate about it. I'm just going to let it happen and try to be as chill as I can.

4. Wrapped up in the above is some serious baggage around the last 20 years and I'm trying not to kick past!seren too much. She would have done things differently if she could have. But, I feel very unprepared and like I've fallen behind where I'm 'supposed' to be. Which is, frankly, bullshit. I know it's bullshit. Still, the feeling remains and I'm working on it.

5. I'm having to move out of my current flat in a week because the uni semester starts soon, so a Master's student is moving in. However, my landlady's parents (bear with me) own this big house that's been converted into student flats, apart from the third floor which is a one-bedroom flat they usually stay in. They're heading out, so, I'm moving in!

I'm actually really excited! It's this big Victorian house that is on one of my favourite streets in town. It has a lovely view of the tennis courts as well as the sea (if you stand on your tiptoes). I've always wanted to see inside of the houses on this street and now I get to live in one! And it's all inclusive! No utilities bills or council tax for a month!

Happy Wednesday! ♥

comments

Five Things on a Wednesday!

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:41:40 GMT

Hullo! Apologies for the lack of posting - life got busy.

1. I've given my notice at work and I'm definitely moving back to the states this October. *panics* It's okay. I'm okay. My boss was pretty chill and they want to stay in touch. I'll most likely still do some work for them remotely when I first head back. A lot of what we do can be done online, and I'm happy to do it!

It's funny, actually - the blessing and curse of working for such a niche little company is that there are only about 30 of us in the entire world who know our product like we do. Which is cool! But sort of limiting? They haven't broken into the North American market yet, but I told them that if they do, to please look me up! My boss has already said that they'd rather send me to train someone than one of them have to make the trip. Who knows? I'm keeping all my options open.

2. I'm THIS CLOSE to finishing my WIP Big Bang. THIS CLOSE.

3. I'm still going back and forth about being excited and dreading moving back. It depends on when you ask me. I think the trick is to find things to do. Mom's already nominated me to help her church create a database to hold all of the research they've found out about their cemetery, so that's something. I'm also supposedly painting the porch? And maybe training her dog to be a behavioral therapy dog? Which I'm quite looking forward to. He's a sweetheart. A big, fluffy sheltie who looks just like Lassie.

4. I was nominated by my personal trainer (which sounds way more pretentious than it actually is!) to tell #myfitnessjourney for the local free magazine. So, I did? It's not that dramatic, really. I just exercise way more than I used to and it's paying off. (I'm currently wearing jeans that I'd put in the charity shop pile last year because they were too small!) The thing is though - I'm still round. I'll always be round. I am a curvy lady and I'm finally beginning to love that about myself. I started the exercise to get more energy and strength and I've got them. I feel good! Which is all I ever wanted.

5. Stuff I've watched recently:

Good Omens - very enjoyable although I'm not as wild about it as most of Tumblr seems to be - nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

Killing Eve season 2 - Good Lord. I shouldn't have binged it. I really should have paced myself. I think season one is a bit better written, perhaps? But this season was still full of wild and incredible moments. As always, Fiona Shaw is both terrifying and brilliant.

Fleabag season 2 - I do not have a priest!kink. I really, really don't. But damn if I didn't get chills with some of Andrew Scott's scenes. Dear Lord. And I LOVE the sisters.

I hope everyone is doing okay out there! Happy Wednesday! ♥

comments

i walked up a mountain this weekend (and no, that's not a metaphor)

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:18:01 GMT

1. I hiked up a mountain last weekend. It was really frickin' hard and my thighs still haven't forgiven me. But I did it. I'm kinda proud of myself. It was another one of those 'let's see if I can do this' challenges I keep setting for myself and I did it. The mountain is called Cadair Idris and it's pretty well-known in these parts. We definitely went up the wrong way, but my ankle held up beautifully. So, I think this may be one of those things that I'm going to cling to in the next few months (years?). I hiked up a mountain less than a year after fracturing my ankle and dislocating my shoulder. If I can do that, I can do anything. Right?

2. I'm about 95% committed to moving back to the states and it's still freaking me out. It's very strange to essentially be given a chance to actually be selective about what I do next. I'll be in a position where if I don't have a job, it won't be life or death and that's really, REALLY freaking me out. I actually get to be picky about what kind of job I do next? I've never had this luxury and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.

3. Easter weekend approaches! Four day weekend! I'm pet-sitting an adorable Springer spaniel for a friend as well as house-sitting. She has an amazing kitchen, so I'll be baking a strawberry-peach pie and attempting, for the first time, to make a gumbo. Both of these dishes will be just for moi! And maybe for a friend if she gets back into town in time. No promises.

4. Other than the pet-sitting, I have no plans for the long weekend, so that means it's a perfect time to WRITE. I'm determined to finish my Black Sails epic, so that's what I'll be working on, I think. It's been a bit of a relief to think about it in terms of the whole story as opposed to chapter by chapter.

5. I keep trying to start new shows, or new-to-me shows, and then I just don't. It's really weird. Lately, I always just end up watching Midsomer Murders or Inspector Lewis re-runs. I don't get it. Although, I did watch Derry Girls and it's an absolute delight. I'm ready to watch the new season of Killing Eve, but it hasn't aired in the UK yet.

I hope everyone is doing all right! Take care out there! ♥

comments

Five Things on a Tuesday

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 13:47:32 GMT

*waves*

1. Got struck down by a dreadful cold last week. I even stayed home one day as my nose was pretty darn gross. I worked from home, naturally, because in this day and age heaven forbid you actually have an proper sick day where you don't work. Did I ever tell y'all that when I had my accident last year and could only use one hand and one leg, my boss dropped my work laptop off the day I got home from the hospital? *sighs*

2. It's looking more certain that I'm going to make the big move back to the States. Probably September? That's when my lease ends, so it kind of makes sense. I'm...terrified? I'm trying to find things to look forward to, and while they exist (my family, living rent-free for a while, I can get a dog, new places to explore, I won't have this constant feeling of being pulled apart, etc.), I'm having a hard time these days looking forward to much of anything. It's most likely a symptom of some larger depression issues, but being optimistic feels too draining as the thing I was looking forward to never matches my expectations.

I don't mean that I've become totally pessimistic, just...neutral, with a side of mild pessimism. :P

In short - this is a very big move and I'm very anxious about the whole thing, but I don't feel I can stay where I am any longer. So, it's probably a good idea to retrench.

3. I've signed up to WIP Big Bang 2019 to finish my Black Sails fic! I started this fic when we moved back to Wales, so it's fitting that I finish it before I leave.

4. Still doing lots of exercise and that aspect of my life feels pretty good! I have more energy and more shape to bits of me.

5. I don't think I have a #5? I hope everyone is doing okay! Happy Tuesday! ♥

comments

Five Things on a Wednesday

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:42:54 GMT

I'm feeling much better this week.

1. Seriously, much better. Not altogether sure why? Probably because I did all the hard stuff last week and this week I'm feeling the relief of letting a few things go (both physical stuff and mental stuff). I've also changed my diet a little. Just added more protein but also made sure to eat stuff I wanted to.

2. I'm still exercising and I went to a gym session last night and it was really hard, but good. Especially good in that I've been working on getting better and I am. My stamina and my energy levels are so much better than a month ago. Yay!

3. Work is...okay. I'm not as full of rage as I was, but I'm much more wary of stuff.

4. I think I might do a walking holiday in Ireland to see the Giant's Causeway. It looks amazing and I've found a really good deal for not very much. I've been in the UK for 12 years and I've never made it to Ireland. I need to get to Ireland. I've lived in Wales, England and Scotland, I need to complete the circle. I also need a mini-break, so I'm looking at May... Possibly. Maybe with a friend, maybe on my own. But I really want to do it.

5. I need to work on my Abigail/Billy story, however I had an idea the other day for an original thing that I might try exploring...

6. Ooh, look! A 6! I kind of loved Netflix's the Umbrella Academy. I'm not quite sure why? The soundtrack is AMAZING and I just really liked the characters a lot. It was fun and while there are some seriously grim moments, it didn't feel utterly weighted down by them? I have to admit, I've taken to fast forwarding through scenes that look like they'll be grim. I don't tend to miss anything and I can get the gist of the scene, I don't need to see it.

I hope everyone is doing okay! Happy Wednesday! ♥

comments

oh, just enough already

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 11:11:46 GMT

The word for last week was: disillusioned. I could also say it was 'disappointment', but really it was 'disillusioned'. My faith in my job, my boss, my ex-boyfriend, my ex-husband, and my mental health was just shaken and stirred and I'm so very tired.

I've stopped my driving lessons because I just don't care anymore. I could use the money and if I'm moving back to the states in the next 6 months or so, I don't need the license. I never needed it in the first place. It was something that I thought I wanted. And if I hadn't injured myself last summer, I'd probably have it by now. In any case, I've stopped the lessons and will get a refund which can go towards stuff I'd rather spend the money on.

I can't remember feeling this crappy, but I know that I have? And that I've gotten past it and felt good and better and healthy. I think I need to eat more, believe it or not. I've started really exercising and I need more protein.

In good news: I just bought a ticket to go see Reginald D Hunter, who I think is hilarious and he's actually coming to town. I'm going to another swing dancing lesson tonight. And, I think that might be it for the good news at the moment. But it's only Tuesday, things may get better.

I hope everyone is doing okay out there! ♥

comments

Well, at least it's not January anymore!

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:48:32 GMT

Hullo!

1. Mood took a dip this week. Most likely due to the usual monthly reasons, as well as lingering 'stuff'. It's so much fun bouncing between feeling sad and feeling angry. Then back to sad, then back to angry. Then to okay and then to happy. Then back to angry. Grr. It sounds worse than it is, let me just say. I'm doing all the right things and stuff will get better. I'm just in this weird period of potential flux and loneliness.

2. I went to a beginner's swing dancing class on Tuesday! It was really fun! And I gotta say, the best dancer was hands down this older gent. I swear, he was a natural-born leader. I didn't know the steps and yet I knew where to go every time I got partnered with him. It was incredible. I definitely think I'll go again.

3. Well, work has managed to piss me off. I mean, REALLY PISS ME OFF. I can't remember being this angry with my boss. It's a good thing he's away today and tomorrow otherwise I don't think I'd be able to hold my tongue. I came this close to writing him an email outlining my grievances, but am holding off. UGH.

4. I'm off to a concert tomorrow night that I think is going to be mostly opera; which could be interesting in all manner of ways. On Saturday to the pub to watch Wales v Italy (rugby). My ex-husband is in town this weekend and would like to get together for a catch-up. I probably will, but I think some of that anger I mentioned earlier may find it's way into the conversation. Which may not actually be a bad thing. We shall see...

5. I posted a frickin' chapter of my poor WIP! It's been TWO YEARS, but I DID IT!. If anyone is interested in reading a Black Sails fic featuring the tiniest little rowboat of a ship, Abigail Ashe and Billy Bones (seriously, they shared 15 seconds of screen time and didn't actually speak to each other), it's this way: a tide of hope

I hope everyone is having a good week! Happy Thursday! ♥

comments

Five Things on a Tuesday

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:12:28 GMT

Howdy!

1. I'm feeling much better about life and things in general. I mean, it's still January, but it'll be February on Friday and that means that time is passing and I think that's a good thing. But boy howdy, this month has lasted for at least a year. Sheesh. ( cut for a bit of rambling re: dudes )

2. I started exercising again! I went to my very first yoga class last week and loved it. I'll definitely be going back.

3. I'm also going to fold 1000 origami paper cranes this year. I'm teaching myself origami and if I make 3 to 5 cranes a day over this year, I should reach 1000. It's really fun.

4. Who actually managed to write and type up 2,500 words of the next chapter of 'a tide of hope' this weekend? THIS GIRL. WOOO!

5. Has anyone watched 'The Terror? It was an AMC series on last year about the Northwest passage. It looks intriguing!

I hope everyone is okay! Happy Tuesday! ♥

comments

Oh, Wednesday

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 11:45:04 GMT

Things!

1. Still pretty down in the dumps. I also managed to sprain my bad ankle on Monday directly after my first personal training session at the gym. So. Ow. And flippin' typical. I immediately went to the doctor because I wasn't going to take any chances, but there aren't any breaks and it is feeling better than it was. Just back to being stiff and achy. Argh. I'm really grumpy about it. I'd managed a jog for the first time in 6 months and while I'm not back to square one, I'm definitely set back a little.

2. I miss looking forward to things. I looked forward to talking to him in the evenings. And planning the next time we'd meet up. I know this is temporary and there will be other things to look forward to, but it's hard to find them right now.

3. I have, however, rejigged my narrative. Last week I was saying: 'I'm so sorry that I couldn't be what he wanted.' Now, I'm saying 'I'm sorry that he couldn't be what I wanted.' It's a small change, but it's helping a little.

4. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is an amazing show and is currently seeing me through all this. Any other comedy show recs? I keep eyeing Schitt's Creek, but I'm not sure I want to start at the beginning.

5. I'd really like to do some writing, but have no desire to write about relationships, which is kind of what my current WIPs are based on.

I hope everyone is doing okay! Have a good Wednesday! ♥

comments

Five Things on a Thursday

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 12:21:06 GMT

I really am trying to get back into this blogging thing. It'll click eventually!

1. I broke up with the fellow I'd been seeing for several months. It'd been a rather long-distance thing (8 hour train ride) but we talked every day. It's been really hard. I still can't actually say or write the words 'broke up' without tearing up. But, it was time. He'd really been pushing for me to move down to where he is and I just plain didn't want to. There's a 90% chance that I'll move back to the States in the next few years. I was happy to keep this casual and enjoy ourselves and that's not where he is. There were also other things about him that were giving me pause that I knew I couldn't live with. Thing is, I breezed past red flags and ignored my gut feelings throughout my marriage - I can't do that again. So I didn't.

We're planning to stay in touch and there appear to be no hard feelings, but we'll see. It still sucks and I still feel like crap. You'd think that doing the right thing would make you feel better, right? Dang it.

2. I'm doing ALL the self-care. I'm headed to the library on Saturday and have already requested a bunch of random non-fiction books about various topics just so I can read and take notes and enjoy the peace of the reading rooms. I'm making my favourite pasta dinner tonight. I'm starting a personal training thing at the gym on Monday with someone who runs a ladies-only bootcamp the rest of the year (so I trust her and she knows me and my skills). I'm also getting my hair cut next weekend. I can do this. *fingers crossed*

3. Driving lessons continue. Still hard. However, at my lesson on Tues (the morning after the break-up where, yes, I did cry on my driving instructor because of course I did - she's very nice and it was fine), I apparently had the best lesson yet and if I drove the same way on my test that I did on Tues, I'd pass. Yay! Progress!

4. I managed some decent writing last weekend on a WIP, which I wasn't expecting. But it was me, a cappuccino and my notebook in a cafe and the words appeared on the pages. Nice.

5. One last thing about this break-up (sorry, I'm such a broken record right now) is something my counselor said to me when I saw her last night: I'm having such a hard time right now because I wanted this to work. I cared. I connected with someone. I wanted a relationship. I let myself be vulnerable and open for possibilities. I tried and for awhile, I was really happy. And that's a good thing. I have no regrets about that whatsoever. I was strong where it counted and I listened to my gut and I did something about it. I can be proud of myself for that.

I hope everyone is doing okay! Happy Thursday! ♥

comments

Five Things on a Fri-well, Monday!

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 14:25:40 GMT

Things!

1. Yuletide story has been betaed (THANK YOU!!!!!) and posted. I'm feeling pretty good about it and I kind of like it. I hope my recipient does, too. I've never written in this fandom before and it was fun to try to get into something that I encountered during my childhood.

2. I just need to get through the next 4 days and then I'm off for the holidays! Woo! I'm spending them with the new fella which should be interesting. And fun. Hopefully, a lot of fun! He actually has to work most days, including Christmas Eve and Christmas day. He apologised for it and I was like, 'My dude. My Christmas wish is to stay in my pyjamas until at least noon and raid your very incredible DVD collection. I will be fine. I will be watching telly and baking. I will be so very happy.'

3. I wrote 500 words of the next chapter of a'a tide of hope'! Holy schniekes! My goal is to publish the next chapter before the end of 2018.

4. Anyone have any non-fiction book recs? I've got a few lists I refer to, but if anyone has anything off the top of their head, that would be grand. I have a very long train journey this Friday as well as the return one. I have some fiction lined up, but it's always nice to have a non-fiction in reserve.

5. I...don't think I have a 5? I hope everyone has a decent Monday! ♥

comments

Five things on a Friday!

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 15:04:53 GMT

In an attempt to liven my DW back up, here's 5 Things on a Friday!

1. I am TOTALLY renting The Meg tonight. I love shark movies and I adore Jason Statham, so this is going to be so bad, it's AWESOME. (And how hilarious is it that when I went to add tags to this entry, I apparently already have a Jason Statham tag? Good job, past!Seren!)

2. I'm taking driving lessons. Yay? I have an American license, but since I'm a UK resident, I have to actually get a UK license. It's...going. I only ever learned automatic, so this whole clutch thing is nuts. And what's with the no stopping at junctions? What's this giving way nonsense? I'm from the land of if you don't STOP, you get a TICKET. It freaks me out. However, saying that, today my instructor said I drove my best yet. Woo!

3. I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping! All the gifts to US people were shipped out last weekend. I'm taking myself to a cafe tomorrow to do my Christmas cards.

4. I really, really, REALLY want to get my motivation back for a tide of hope, my Abigail Ashe-epic thing. I'd love to get just one chapter out before the end of the year. Any tips on how to get one's muse back in line?

5. I met my little god-daughter last night and she's adorable, I'm so smitten! She smiles and seemed very interested in my hair and glasses. I cuddled her all evening. And my little 3 year old nephew is OBSESSED with Thomas the Tank Engine. He KNOWS ALL OF THEM BY NAME. He gets a little upset when little sis heads towards his trains, though. He's clearly been taught how to 'politely' get his parents' attention though, because sis was headed straight for his trains and he said, at the top of his lungs, "EXCUSE ME, MOM AND DAD, EXCUSE ME, MOM AND DAD," while pointing at her. It was hilarious and he's such a clever fellow.

I hope everyone is well! Happy Friday!!! ♥

comments

dusts off my DW Hullo!

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:50:46 GMT

Well, Tumblr is a dumpster fire of the usual fannish proportions, isn't it? I mean, I think we all saw this coming the second Yahoo bought it (And quite frankly, even earlier than that), but it still sucks. A lot. The one thing Tumblr had going for it was if I only had about 5 minutes worth of energy, I could scroll through my dash and still manage to interact in some way with a few different people with some Likes and Reblogs as well as get a small dose of fannish/political/pretty/small animal posts.

In any case, I'm going to attempt to revive my DW a little and see what happens.

And if anyone wanted an update on my going-ons...( Seren's life these days )

I hope everyone is well! Happy Tuesday! Fingers crossed the next time I post it won't be a year from now.

comments

Yuletide Letter 2018

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 18:31:31 GMT

Dear lovely Yuletide author...

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for writing something for me! I promise you that I will enjoy it! The one thing I really want you to do is to have fun and enjoy yourself. I am pretty firm on my dislikes, but as for the actual story, go for it. If there's something you've been wanting to write with these characters that I don't mention here, go for it! That being said, here are some of the things I like and dislike as well as my story ideas.( Read more... )

comments

Life and stuff on a Wednesday

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 09:01:46 GMT

Hello! *waves* I've been neglecting this journal and I don't mean to. I'd like to post more, but the day always seems to get away from me.

So, here are my usual five things!

1. My husband and I have definitely separated and will be filing for divorce one of these days. It's been hard but also good. We still chat and email and things are actually pretty darn all right. We were having coffee one day, looked at each other and went, 'whoa, we've done the right thing, haven't we?' I feel positive about more things now and it's been incredible to just have time to myself and to relearn who I can be and what I can do without having to worry about him. I'm working really hard at my job and taking on all sorts of responsibilites and actually getting recognized for them, in fact...

2. I'M GOING TO NEW ZEALAND IN JANUARY!!! The company I work for is based there and we're the European branch. They've received some new investment money and will be making some changes and they want me to go over and sit down with the team. Eeeeeee! I'm going to Middle Earth!!! I'll be mainly on the South Island near Dunedin, but I've already looked at day trips in the area. I can't wait. I'm also hoping to stop in Melbourne, Australia to see some family there.

Things are happening in very cool ways for me and I'm feeling really grateful for all the hard work that I've put in. You do all these things. You show up. You put in the hours. You're supportive and you work hard and honestly, most of the time, I never expect to see any kind of reward for it. When a reward actually happens, my first instinct is to actually go: Are you sure? Has there been some sort of mistake here?

BUT!

I'm trying to squash that and just go with it.

3. I'm actually exercising. Yep. It's a 'boot camp' that's run two weeks every month from 6.30am-7.30am on the seafront and it's great. The ladies are wonderful and supportive and I have so much more energy and it's not in a gym. I mean, I still hate burpees and jogging, but I'd rather hate them outside than in a gym.

4. Oh, God, I'm so close to having this novel thing done I can taste it. I almost have it ready for some poor soul to read it. (If anyone wants to read this thing and be totally honest about what they think, let me know!)

5. That being said, I hope to finish that and then do something completely different for Nanowrimo. I have a standalone idea that I'd like to run with and see what happens.

I think that's enough for a Wednesday. All the positivity aside, things are still scary and I'm worried most of the time about the world and everyone in it. I hope you're all all right and making it through the days. Take care of yourselves! ♥

comments

mamma mia, here i go again*

Sat, 27 May 2017 11:01:35 GMT

Things on a Saturday!

1. Sooo, there are a bunch of people standing outside my house on their mountain bikes waiting to head up a very large hill that they will then cycle down. It rained rather hard last night so I'm hoping this won't end badly. *fingers crossed*

2. In writing news, I'm about to write another chapter of my never-ending 'Abigail Ashe and Billy Bones are stuck on a deserted island, whatever shall we do?' and in my head, this was going to be a simple, calm before the storm type chapter. But now I have ideas and they're all about Abigail's agency and what it means to have power and it's good stuff, but ugh. This was supposed to be simple! Bloody brain.

3. I'm reading the following poem at my sister-in-law's wedding in a few weeks, and I really need to practice, but it's one of my favorites.

Sonnet XVII - by Pablo Neruda

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
hidden within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving

but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

4. Speaking of, I'm very ready to go on my holiday! Rhodes! Greek Islands! Kayaking in blue grottos! I'm going to have to get SO much sunscreen.

*Yes, this is very relevant to my upcoming trip as the hen do is Mamma Mia themed. Oh, dear.

5. I don't think I really have a 5, other than I'd really like to go see the new Alien movie, but I think we're going to be out of town when it's here.

Have a wonderful Saturday! ♥

comments

Fic updates

Fri, 26 May 2017 13:59:00 GMT

Hullo! I have been TERRIBLE about linking to fic updates, so the following are things I've written this year.

Black Sails:

a tide of hope, Abigail Ashe/Billy Bones, 9/?, WIP

Summary: Abigail Ashe awakens to find herself shipwrecked on an island. However, she is not alone. Abigail Ashe/Billy Bones, post season 3.

he's good and he's bad (and he's all that i got), Abigail Ashe/Billy Bones, 5/5, Complete

Summary: There wasn’t anyone left. Not really. Some had fallen in battle, some had just…disappeared. At least the sea remained. Waves still crashed on the shore and birds still flew in the sky and Billy Bones tries to move on. Eventual Billy Bones/Abigail Ashe, but everyone shows up eventually.

The Vampire Diaries:

impossible, extraordinary things, Caroline/Klaus, 1/1, Complete

Summary:"Anyway! Selkies. They’re real and they’re scrappers, can I just say. I mean, you need someone who’s not afraid to play dirty and pull hair, they’re your girls. And guys. They’re a few guys, but mostly ladies. We bonded," Caroline says over the phone.

"I can only imagine,” Klaus says picturing her running through crashing waves, her hair a golden fan around her face as she laughs. He imagines that her skin tastes of salt and he burns.

Caroline sees the world and Klaus definitely doesn't wait for the phone to ring. Future fic, Klaus/Caroline

The 100:

i just wanna be (the sum of your broken parts), Clarke/Bellamy, 1/1, Complete

Summary: 'Bellamy smells nice,' is the second thought that comes into Clarke's head.

Her third thought is 'How can he smell so nice? He hasn't properly bathed in at least two weeks, how can he smell good?'

Naturally, her very first thought is 'Oh, crap, did they see us?' Future fic, Bellarke.

Happy Friday, everyone!

comments

Tremendulent!

And now for Seren's Most Recent Moment of Clarity

Oh, look at me posting again!

I'm...good?

Effing August

Um...hi?

Dear Yuletide Writer!

My end of the year update and I'm feeling cautiously optimistic

Dear Yuletide Author...

It's Wednesday - let's have a post!

Five Things on a Wednesday!

i walked up a mountain this weekend (and no, that's not a metaphor)

Five Things on a Tuesday

Five Things on a Wednesday

oh, just enough already

Well, at least it's not January anymore!

Five Things on a Tuesday

Oh, Wednesday

Five Things on a Thursday

Five Things on a Fri-well, Monday!

Five things on a Friday!

*dusts off my DW* Hullo!

Yuletide Letter 2018

Life and stuff on a Wednesday

mamma mia, here i go again*

Fic updates

dusts off my DW Hullo!