Jump to content
Post-Update: Forum Issues Read more... ×
BPAL Madness!
Post-Update: Forum Issues

Blogs

Featured Entries

  • Silvertree

    Mod post: No wishlist posts in blogs

    By Silvertree

    Please be aware that we do not permit swap-related content on profiles or in blogs. Please post this content only in the For Sale, Swaps, and Wanted forums, or in the Wishlists topic. ~from Swapping 101  Thanks!
    • 5 comments
    • 7,696 views
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Hugo Eligibility Post

Nominations are open for the 2024 Hugo Awards. Several works with which I’m involved are eligible, so here is my Hugos 2024 post. Eligible for Best Related Work (both published by Vernon Press in 2023): Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier (edited by Amy H. Sturgis and Emily Strand for Vernon Press, 2023) Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away (edited by Emily Strand and Amy H. Sturgis for Vernon Press, 2023) Also, StarShipSofa is eligible for Best Fancast! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who have read and/or listened! ALT ALT
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Join Me for A Haunting on the Hill

This year I’ve been delighted to join SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online with Signum University. This week I’m wrapping up teaching my first module, which is on The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. It’s been so much fun! Currently my March module candidate is up for vote for until 2/1. It’s on A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand. I hope you’ll join me! More information on my offered modules is here.
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Meet The Last Man!

Meet The Last Man! In March 2024, I will be offering the module “Meet The Last Man” with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University. Mary Shelley’s novel The Last Man is one of the most relevant books we can read right now, and I’m really looking forward to exploring it with students! Here is more information.
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Happy Birthday, Shirley Jackson!

On this day in 1916, the great Shirley Jackson was born. Here’s a little piece I wrote earlier this year about teaching Jackson’s remarkable novel Hangsaman. It’s posted at “Reading Shirley Jackson in the 21st Century,” an online resource investigating the past and future landscapes of Shirley Jackson studies. I’m looking forward to teaching The Haunting of Hill House in January! Teaching Shirley Jackson’s Hangsaman (1951) by Amy H. Sturgis
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Two Visits to Hill House!

I’ll be starting 2024 with two visits to Hill House! I’m joining SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online with Signum University. My first modules include The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (January) and its authorized sequel, A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand (February). Registration is now open for January’s module. Voting is now open for February’s module. Here are more details. I hope to see you in SPACE! ALT ALT
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Dice in Mind Interview

It was a delight to join Emily Strand, with whom I co-edited the anthologies Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier and Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away (both 2023 from Vernon Press), to talk Star Trek and Star Wars with the Dice in Mind podcast. Dice in Mind is a podcast hosted by Brad Browne and Jason Kaufman that explores the intersection of life, games, science, music, philosophy, and creativity through interviews with leading creatives. Episode 106: Drs. Amy Sturgis and Emily Strand | Dice in Mind
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Join me in SPACE!

I’m delighted to be joining SPACE (Signum Adult Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online with Signum University. My upcoming modules in early 2024 include The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand, and The Last Man by Mary Shelley. I hope to see you in SPACE! Registration is now open for January’s module, The Haunting of Hill House. More information on my offered modules is here. ALT
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Ciao's Blog.
 

Indie Perfume Collection [12/2023]

Here is my current full size indie perfume collection! I've been meaning to whittle this collection down, and over the past few years I really have! It's funny how so many of my favorites are perfumes from almost a decade ago that I still cherish to this day. Clearly I move through oils rather slowly. Over time I want to go through and add mini reviews to each of these since that will be fun. Here's to keeping this collection curated! Link to my bottle collection can also be found here! Total Bottles (38)   ? Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (17) General Catalogue Eat Me - Gorgeous cake, earthy woody black currant, and a hint of juiciness from red currant. It’s round, intoxicating and not super sweet. Age has done wonders for this beauty. No. 93 Engine - This honestly has just gotten even better with age. Herbs, resin, besswax, and benzoin. It's golden, spicy, and rich, and it's really mellowed out with time. No edges at all. Snake Oil - My bottle is rather old so the oil is thick and gloriously terracotta colored. It smells of spices, musk, incense, and a sweet sugared vanilla underneath it all. A triumph of a scent that is best experienced with a light hand. Tamora - A warm, fuzzy, amber and peach perfume to end all peach perfumes. Sweet, a hint fruity, golden, and rich. It’s like a warmed summer day where you can feel the heat envelop you, but the juice of a ripe fuzzy peach keeps you refreshed while sitting in your wicker chair. Zombi - Dry decaying greenery, wet earth, and roses. It’s a bit powdery and musky. I used to love this, and in a way I still do, but that musky powdery edge is a little bracing. I will keep this for now, but one day it might make its way out of my collection. Special General Catalogue Collections Hand of Glory (Carnaval Diabolique) - Leather and beeswax and a good dose of sandalwood underneath it all. The leather is so creamy and supple and buttery and positively frenched with melted lightly sweetened candles. A favorite comforting leather. Lady Una (Neil Gaiman: Stardust) - It’s just as I remember it, a comforting vanilla green tea with a healthy dose of a beeswax like honey and lightly spiced, lightly green berries. It’s a bit lactonic but also comforting and a little laundry like and fresh. A bit of a conundrum, but a lovely one. Temple Viper (Carnaval Diabolique) - Sugary incense, resins, vanilla, a bit of smoke, and patchouli. There is also an addicting, lovely, powdery champaca floral tone running through which keeps this a bit lighter than regular Snake Oil. I used to wear a ton of Snake Oil and Samhain, so this reminds me of my college days but it’s something I can still wear and adore! Wulric, the Wolfman (Carnaval Diabolique) - Cocoa and lavender with a large dose of vanilla and a hint of something herbal that keeps this from getting too sweet. Delicious and perfect, especially for sleep!  Discontinued and LE Celeste (BPTP) - Buttery, sugary vanilla, and powdery orchids. It’s very lady-like, and it smells like a lightly purple, velvety, powdery, floral marshmallow. Edith Cushing (Crimson Peak) - Predominantly vanilla musk and grey amber on me. I absolutely adore a light amber scent, and this is a stunning one. It almost has a sweet floral quality that makes it quite approachable. Not the most unique, but lovely nonetheless. My Little Grotesque (Lilith) - Vanilla cardamom cake, nothing more, nothing less. Cardamom and vanilla are two of my absolute favorites so this is a cozy favorite, and I adore that the gourmand vanilla cake note is the same as in Eat Me. Paduan Killer Swarm (2010) - It's sweet, cozy, resinous, and warm. The tonka and licorice are at the forefront when it is wet, but when it dries down the spices and woods come forward to make it feel a little less juicy. It's still an absolute cozy favorite of mine in a similar vein to the Soldier. Halloweenie a World Where There Are Octobers (2013) - The initial blast is all bell pepper, green and dry and a little spicy. It dries down with a bit more of a dry sweetness (like maple syrup without the syrup) and a bit of fall spices. It’s still peppery, but the “green” aspect is mostly gone. Very atmospheric and unique. Golletes (2010) - Lovely, pink, and foody. Of all the foody scents I have, this is BY FAR my favorite. It's just delectable without being too heavy. Yules Snow-Flakes (2009) - I don’t think there will ever be a prettier snow perfume than this one. Minty, slushy, aquatic snow, and something ethereal tying it all together, something floral I think. It’s a crisper, cooler version of Snow White. I am desperate for another bottle. the Soldier (2010) - This starts off as all red musk, black tea, a bit of creaminess, and gourmand anise which I'm assuming is the pie! No black pepper in sight! It's gotten richer and more gourmand over time and has this syrupy almost honeyed red musk and licorice pie vibe now, less tea.   ? Arcana and Arcana Craves (3) Astrid's Diadem (Discontinued) - This smells like a delicious lemon merengue with a hint of mint and something a little herbal. There is no cookie or a baked feel, just cream, sugar, a touch herbal lemon, and mint. Honey Craves Sunshowers - Golden glorious vanilla cardamom with an herbal cardamom at the forefront. It’s absolutely stunning. Vanilla Craves Crescent Moons - This smells like the prettiest floating fluffy milk scent. I don’t get any floral, just sweet slightly fatty lactones. Like heavy whipping cream, not butter?   ? Fantôme (3) Finist the Falcon - Juicy rose jam with velvety currant and a hint of cream underneath it all. My favorite rose. It’s lush, juicy, and delicious without going gourmand or fruity. Just a vibrant beating heart of a rose. the Fox Sisters - If I had to pick a "signature" scent, it would be this one. It's a cardamom forward chai latte, and it fulfills my wish of both smelling like a snack and being a snack. Perfection. Lycanthrope - Fresh, sweet, and sparkly from the bottle, but on skin a bitter, herbal, freshness from the tomato leaf starts to bloom. There is depth from the oakmoss and lingering sweetness from lychee, peach, and a dash of honey. Overall a gorgeous sweetened fresh spring garden botanical.   ? Mythpunk Olfactive (2) Mossmallow Puff - Initially the vanilla marshmallow vanilla is strong with hardly any earthiness, but then the earthy notes peak out and balance the scent quite nicely. I get a lot of rain, moss, and a touch of sweet amber. It reminds me of an early morning rain shower, when dawn is just creeping over the horizon, and you’re outside getting drenched in the rain in your prettiest white dress. Strangeling - This is an earthy, dry, mossy, matcha powder and oolong tea with no sweetness whatsoever. The matcha and tea drenches ink stained pages of yellowed ancient books with slightly vanillic binding. Still, there is no sweetness. It’s quite herbal, but there is no sharpness. It’s got a round warm and dry quality to it. Almost like someone is brewing a cup of green tea on a dry day. I’ve never encountered anything like this, and I love how the tea is not tempered by any sweetness and the journey the scent takes me on.   ? Nocturne Alchemy (4) Blue Egypt - The perfect perfume to wear to sleep and perhaps my favorite from Nocturne Alchemy. It's juicy but soft and sweet lavender and chamomile tea. Eternal Ankh - A cool floaty soft vanilla, mostly vanilla with a dollop of white amber. It’s a bit fluffy and powdery and definitely needs some age on it to become beautiful, but once it does? Stunning. It's a classic for a very good reason. Moonstone (Studio) - A slightly powdery marshmallow vanilla. It stays close to the skin and is very lightly sweetened. I suspect this needs age. Opal Vanilla (Studio) - Cozy, sweet, condensed milk vanilla that is more potent in the bottle than on skin. It’s sweet and lactonic and less buttery than I expected. I suspect this needs age as well!   ? Poesie (6) Comfort (Winter LE) - A lightly spiced, lightly woody, lightly musky, lightly sweet, enveloping vanilla. Comfort is a good name for this since it smells like a lovely cozy sweater and is perfect for layering. Curiouser and Curiouser (LE) - It's a fluffy and sweet vanilla with a hit of freshness keeping it from getting heavy at all. It reminds me of a lighter, fresher BPTP Celeste but without the "purple" that I largely get from Celeste. Emmeline Pankhurst (LE) - This is Poesie’s tea note with a heaping helping of cool, airy, earthy stone and musk. It’s a pretty, chilly, but more bracing version of their Twice to Tea classic. Initially, the earthy watery elements are strongest, but over time the tea and earthy notes balance each other out. It’s a soft crisp blend that feels both cuddly and invigorating. Poison Pen Lane (LE) - Black tea, berry jam, and a hint of something absolutely snuggly and woodsy underneath it all. This perfume is delicious, cozy, and perfect for fall. The berries are decidedly blueberries, and they recede a bit over time. This feels like a more nuanced, cozy, and grounded take on their Twice to Tea classic. Twice to Tea - It's a sweet scent that has bits of tea, vanilla, milk, lavender, and that sweetness that comes with earl grey tea. It's not super foody but is more of a perfume version of a rather sweet tea if that makes sense. Velvet Moon (Collab) - Initially, this smells like a whisper of a sweet cardamom vanilla. It’s so light I can barely smell it, but in the drydown, it transforms to this papery inky library scent. I really do sense the flickering candle-smoke and hardwood shelving. It’s incredibly evocative.   ? Possets (2) Black Annis (Halloween Retour) - Medicinal, herbal, and slightly sweet black licorice. Dark, inky, and absolutely gorgeous. This is the anise perfume of my dreams. Pavane - Cardamom sugar cookies! A rich spiced gourmand that is neither too rich and sweet nor too spicy. It’s a delectable combination of the two, and I love wearing this snuggled up in a sweatshirt with a book in hand.   ? Treading Water (1) Déchets - The prettiest fresh floral jasmine scent. I don’t even like jasmine, and I find this to be so lovely. It’s airy and pretty and warm and almost vanillic.
CiaoBonefish

CiaoBonefish

0
Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

New Dark Academia Essay!

I’m delighted to say that my essay “Dark Arts and Secret Histories: Investigating Dark Academia” has just been published in the new academic anthology Potterversity from McFarland. In the piece I define Dark Academia, distinguish the storytelling genre and its history from the aesthetic, and consider why there is an explosion of new DA storytelling happening now. (One reason of many, I argue, is that authors such as Sarah Gailey, Naomi Novik, Victoria Lee, and R.F. Kuang, among others, were both inspired by the Harry Potter series and moved to push back against J.K. Rowling’s positions through their own works, which offer fresh, diverse perspectives and insightful, timely critiques.) ALT ALT
View the full post.
eldritchhobbit

eldritchhobbit

0
Miss Twilight's Blog

Krampusnacht 2023 Answers

Paintbox Soapworks Yule is coming out!   Are you interested in any (especially their not-Krampus-but-Sinister) of their offerings? I love the Bath Streusel and Sorbetto!   Also wax melts!      Would love to try Joulupukki wax melts!  Would definitely take Roses in the Snow (I had some of the OG), Sugar on Snow, and/or Schwarzwald (prefer sorbetto or wax melts for the last three.  Sample size is great!)   Maybe Orange and Yellow or Black Twig?   Honestly, all of her stuff smells fantastic.  When I do big orders she pops in samples of things I didn't order and then I'm all, wow this is great too.     Of the older offerings, I'm a fan of Right Red Hand (sorbetto, wax melts) and The Queen is Dead (wax melts) and would love to try Fantasticake (sorbetto, bath streusel, or wax melts), Let me in at your Window (bath streusel, sorbetto or wax melts), GTFO (sorbetto or wax melts), Deacon (sorbetto), Karen Rose Signature (sorbetto), Rice Pudding (sorbetto), The Sword & The Eastern Sky (wax melts), 221B (wax melts), The Wooden God (wax melts), Waking the Witch (wax melts), Pussy Hat (sorbetto) ...    (You'd think Moonshadow would be my favorite but some reason I didn't like this one.  First time for everything I guess.)     Interested in any of the Haus of Gloi Yule (or other things on their website?) I would love Nefarious Gingerbread Man in the sugar exfoliant or bubbling scrub!  Body powder would be fun in Long Winter's Nap or Turkish Delight!  Would always take candles or melts in Turkish Delight or Nefarious Gingerbread Man as well.   Actually Tannenbaum also sounds like a great candle scent.     Would you be interested in any tea from August or Brutaliteas (the latter even has a Krampus-inspired tea)? Or, is there any tea from another purveyor you are lusting after?     August: OMG there is a new tea --  Wild Heart Smoky Lavender Oolong tea!  I'm not especially an oolong fan, but I would try this because hello lapsang souchong!    And even though I'm not a fan of malt, I kind of want to try the chocolate cherry tea (Cabaret.)     Last time I got samples of Avalon, Mojave, Breakfast, Dolomite, Civil Disobedience (because they were out of the 15 cup bags, sniff) and 15 cup bags of Metropolitan, Gold Rush, and Outlaw.  I would take more Civil Disobedience if that comes back in stock and I still need to test the samples.   Their Dots & Loops was actually amazing so now I am into trying apple teas (Dots and Loops was apple and anise/fennel, I love anise / fennel in my tea!) so I am curious about the Beltane (Apple Blossom Oolong) although it uses words like "mild" and "crisp" and "earthy" so ... they lost me there, but then they say "buttery baked apple" and I'm conflicted, haha.       Brutaliteas:  would totally try: * Butterbotch (I love butterscotch tea!!!) * Back in Blackberry * Cakes on a Plane * Chaiday the 13th * Cherrie * Cherrifier * Decomprose * Hot for Peacher * The Silence of the Jams * Waking the Lavender * War Figs * Cotton Candyman * Malloween  * Violet Cremes * Honeydew Hast * Neetlejuice * Jams   (No Rooibos/Honeybush, Mate/Yerba Mate, Pu Erh, Walnut, Coffee, Chili, chamomile, etc.  That leaves the Krampus inspired tea out as it has Pu Erh in it. Shudder.)       Coalition tea makes a great Krampus blend though!   https://www.coalitiontea.com/products/krampus-loose-leaf-holiday-blend-3-oz?variant=42703402467479 or if you want free shipping with $35, they have an etsy store too.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/1032537068/certified-elephant-friendly-krampus?ref=cart&variation0=3062772331     Is there any international snack you would love to get your hands on? (I can check and see if the International Marketplace in my city has it!) I love things like clotted cream, sticky toffee pudding, japanese kit kats, ... um... brain fog..  I love all kinds of fud.   Victim, how would you like an adorable Krampus t-shirt? I found two cute ones (one a pastel Krampus Cat and one is a more direct, olde timey Krampus), in both ladies and gent sizing. If you're interested let me know what size you'd like ASAP so I can order one for you! I don't do Pastel but I do have Krampus shirts on my etsy wishlist.  I wear an 18/20 in women's, so usually at least a 2xl womens.   are you interested in homemade brown sugar shortbread? I can do plain, or different flavor combinations incorporating chocolate, orange, cherry, lavender, rose, peppermint. Last year I made some lavender peppermint that was super yum.  I love shortbread (especially chocolate -- like the chocolate walker's shortbread is the BEST.)   But I'd be up for rose or lavender.  or ORANGE CHOCOLATE.  I don't really like mint in anything except my mint tea with licorice.      What are your feelings about fruitcake? This is full of fruit, booze and nuts and marzipan if I can find it. It's not your grocery store fruitcake.  I have only had one fruitcake I love - a cherry almond marzipan fruitcake with amaretto.  (You can make your own marzipan or get it at world market.)  It has dried pears in it too but you can't really taste them.   How about infused moonshine whiskey? Only if it's smooth and delicious.  *wink*     How do you feel about graphic novels and manga? Any favorites? I used to like them (especially things like Sandman, Watchmen, V, Lucifer, etc.) but I can't really read them anymore because my eyes suck.  I have to read things electronically where I can adjust the size of the font and that's no fun with graphic novels or comics.   Victim, would you be interested in a knitted or crocheted Krampus thing?   I NEED the crocheted Krampus hat with the horns.  I have the pattern already but I don't crochet.   Would you like a handmade wreath? I have made two in the past and really enjoyed the process, If so can you please let me know what your color preferences are. Do you tend to like sparse wreathes or packed ones? How would you feel about a Krampus wreath or would you prefer a general seasonal one? I would absolutely hang one on the door or somewhere in the house!  Krampus wreath!!!!   I mean, I love Black, Silver, and Purple but those don't seem very Krampus-y so maybe Black, Red, Green, Silver?  I don't know!  Anything except brown / yellow / orange / tan / cream is probably great!   Ummm not totally sparse so maybe more packed?   teeturtle is having one of their megasales - anything look fun to you? (they have way more than just t-shirts)  https://www.teeturtle.com/ Always!!   I usually do the women's in a 2xl but the last one I got is kind of large on me (I've lost weight, huzzah) so maybe I could try an XL?   However be aware that teeturtle sometimes has REALLY slow shipping and may not ship in time for you to send by the deadline.  I have designs on my amazon wishlist that I would love (put them there before the universal wishlist thingy went away.)   https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39Q05UJVXC9BW?ref_=wl_share   I have lots from teepublic and teefury too.     Here's some new ones that aren't on my list: And look!  teeturtle has a Krampus shirt!!  https://www.teeturtle.com/products/have-yourself-a-scary-little-christmas-krampus?variant=19577791462777 and Cthulhumas!!  https://www.teeturtle.com/products/merry-cthulhumas?variant=19577791490179 And I love the Jack Skellington with the snowflake (What's this?)  https://www.teeturtle.com/products/whats-this?variant=19577791480093 I love all of the unicorn pins (holiday or not) and fox pins as well.     
twilighteyes

twilighteyes

0
Miss Twilight's Blog

Krampusnacht 2023 Master Question List

Paintbox Soapworks Yule is coming out!   Are you interested in any (especially their not-Krampus-but-Sinister) of their offerings?   Interested in any of the Haus of Gloi Yule (or other things on their website?)   Would you be interested in any tea from August or Brutaliteas (the latter even has a Krampus-inspired tea)? Or, is there any tea from another purveyor you are lusting after?   Is there any international snack you would love to get your hands on? (I can check and see if the International Marketplace in my city has it!)   Victim, how would you like an adorable Krampus t-shirt? I found two cute ones (one a pastel Krampus Cat and one is a more direct, olde timey Krampus), in both ladies and gent sizing. If you're interested let me know what size you'd like ASAP so I can order one for you!   are you interested in homemade brown sugar shortbread? I can do plain, or different flavor combinations incorporating chocolate, orange, cherry, lavender, rose, peppermint. Last year I made some lavender peppermint that was super yum.    What are your feelings about fruitcake? This is full of fruit, booze and nuts and marzipan if I can find it. It's not your grocery store fruitcake.    How about infused moonshine whiskey?   How do you feel about graphic novels and manga? Any favorites?   Victim, would you be interested in a knitted or crocheted Krampus thing?     Would you like a handmade wreath? I have made two in the past and really enjoyed the process, If so can you please let me know what your color preferences are. Do you tend to like sparse wreathes or packed ones? How would you feel about a Krampus wreath or would you prefer a general seasonal one?   teeturtle is having one of their megasales - anything look fun to you? (they have way more than just t-shirts)  https://www.teeturtle.com/    
twilighteyes

twilighteyes

0
×