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floor cry - swimming team

July 21, 2019

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Dex said...: If we ever had to battle over the last traybake, I have a feeling that you would be the clear winner :)

Even when you tell me supposedly weird things, they sound completely normal to me :) That probably makes me the weirdo! Although I definitely don't want you to get the impression that I am going around with claws :) I hate that feeling as well! I definitely blame my overly sensitive fingertips on the fact that I have never done any hard work :)

Antihistamines have been taken and I also wore a face mask today while cleaning. They both definitely helped. And I am going to see the new Scream film at Mareel tonight with Kerry and a couple of other people from work. My expectations are not high at all but we'll see...; 18 March 2026 at 13:15
Dex said...: To be honest, Scream 7 wasn't the best. Perfectly acceptable but probably the weakest so far.; 19 March 2026 at 11:53
Dex said...: I think my parents should be flying home on the 24th March and then staying in Aberdeen for a few days so hopefully I will get a video call with Freya :); 20 March 2026 at 12:42
Louise Boyd said...: Freya! Fuck yeah!
It feels like it's been ten thousand years since there's been a Freya update!

How could Scream 7 be the weakest when Scream 3 exists? I know, I know, you like it for some inexplicable reason that makes me think you might be mentally deranged, but 7 still can't possible be worse?! Surely... *-*; 20 March 2026 at 17:51
Dex said...: I will continue to stand by my opinion on the piece of nonsense that is Scream 3 :D But Scream 7 was very underwhelming, especially the killer reveal and motive. I was glad to see Neve Campbell again though, and Jeff from Community :); 22 March 2026 at 11:35
Dex said...: Lilliputty, it has suddenly turned into winter again!; 23 March 2026 at 18:26
Louise Boyd said...: I knowwwww! Isn't it terrible? >_<
You haven't got snow or anything, do you? That'd be wild. Not unheard of. But wild.
At least it's sunny sometimes, now?
Ugh, I'm sick of making excuses for this country's stupid weather <_<

Wait, who's Joel McHale playing? Is he a local cop or something? Is he the new Dewey?!; 23 March 2026 at 21:46
Dex said...: There have been sleet showers! And it is supposed to get colder :S I'm not sure if my parents will be glad to arrive back in the UK tomorrow :)

He plays local cop / Neve Campbell's husband.; 24 March 2026 at 23:34
Louise Boyd said...: So he is the new Dewey!
Let me guess, it looks like he might eat shit but survives after all so Sidney can have some semblance of a happy ending, 'cause, y'know, bitch is due one?
I'm never going to watch this, so tell me who the bad guy is? A rando, or someone interconnected? Please tell me it's another long lost sibling!

Urgh, that is bad weather. We haven't had anything so drastic, and it's still intermittently sunny but cold as fuck, but yeah, you win. Shall I do that fingers crossed thing I do sometimes -because I totally think I'm magic or something - to make the weather gods do a 180 and bless us with a six month long summer instead?

Enjoy your last night free of parental units! Be as lazy as humanly possible! With food!; 25 March 2026 at 17:40
Dex said...: You guessed it exactly, Lilliputty :D That has been a feature of these new Scream films - people being stabbed a million times and still surviving :)

3 killers, all totally random. The main one is Sidney's friend/neighbour (her motive is so boring that I can barely remember what it is but there is no familiar connection), while the other ones are a patient and doctor from the mental hospital. The twist is that they are using AI to pretend to be Stu having survived the first film and come back for revenge.

My parents made it safely to Aberdeen but they were delayed at Amsterdam, then diverted to Edinburgh where they had to get a bus to Aberdeen! They should be coming up to Shetland on the Saturday night boat so a few more nights of freedom for me :); 26 March 2026 at 18:07
Louise Boyd said...: Wow, that's over a three hour bus trip *-* Sucks for your parents but yay! More alone time! Plus a video chat with Freya! Living the life, much? What are her interests these days? Is she still a ballet/dinosaur kind of girl?
I wonder if she's ever seen the ballet hippos in Fantasia. They had a profound effect on me as a kid.

:(
Must AI be in everything?! >_< Ughhhhh. That's so stupid, I hate that, I will never watch that. I think the franchise has officially committed its own suicide. So sad! The first batch were so goooood.
At least the Ready or Not sequel's out, now.; 26 March 2026 at 21:21
Dex said...: I'm definitely more excited to see the Ready or Not sequel than I was to see the new Scream film :)

Freya has certainly grown up a bit. Walking to school on her own and having her own house key :) And she's still well travelled - they are heading to Portugal today! There was a bit of drama as they realised half way to Glasgow that Freya's passport was still at her dad's so they had to come back and find it!

I'm not sure if she has seen Fantasia but I think she would love it. I mean, it has ballet and dinosaurs, two of her favourite things :); 27 March 2026 at 18:54
Dex said...: Parents are on the boat tonight so I will pick them up in the morning. Hopefully they just want to rest when they get home and it won't be very stressful but I have my doubts...; 29 March 2026 at 00:13
Dex said...: I'm very sorry to say, Lilliputty, that I am already extremely stressed out by my parents being here!; 29 March 2026 at 19:19
Louise Boyd said...: Diagnosis: an extreme case of Parental Agitation. Cure: Run directly into the wilderness with a sandwich bag of Oreos and nothing else!
...
Too extreme? Or not extreme enough? *-*

My childhood best friend went to Portugal when we were in high school, and she said it was the best place she'd ever been. Sunny, friendly, and there were orange trees at her hotel.
Beats a Novotel in London any day of the week! I bet Freya's having the best time. Imagine all the new wildlife she'll discover!
...
Just checked the weather there, and for the next week its sunny, warm, sunny, warmer, sunny, waaaarrrmmmm, suuuunnnnnyyyyyy.
I'm so jealous x_x; 29 March 2026 at 21:11
Dex said...: I do love that you checked the weather in Portugal for Freya. You really are my favourite, Lilliputty :) Maybe she'll have orange trees at her hotel too. I hope so :)

Someone brought in a very large tray of homemade tiramisu to work today. Probably the best one I've ever had :) And I had two portions as there were very few people in the office with it being the Easter Holidays. I mean, it would have just gone to waste :) Definitely helped me forget the anxiety at home :); 31 March 2026 at 01:03
Dex said...: Have you had any Easter Eggs yet, Lilliputty?; 31 March 2026 at 23:33
Louise Boyd said...: Alas, no Easter Eggs as of yet. Well, no big easter eggs; there's been plenty of Cadbury Mini Eggs. Sarah even made Easter Nests last weekend, and they are just as good as I remember them being.
I have high hopes for her baking this weekend!
I'd ask if you'd had anymore, but clearly you've been loading up on tiramisu *-* The dessert of the gods. I'm actually shocked you didn't go for third helpings - because I absolutely would've, even if I'd groaned about having a bellyache for the rest of the day ^-^

You never told me if you got a Freya video call!; 1 April 2026 at 20:42
Dex said...: I did buy a very cheap Cadbury's buttons Easter Egg for myself a couple of weeks ago :) What exactly is an Easter Nest? I feel like I had them when I was a child and loved them but can't actually remember what they were. Mini eggs in an edible basket? Because that sounds like something I would still love :) I hope you will continue to make me jealous of Sarah's baking :)

I totally would have had another helping of the tiramisu but I try to stick to the office etiquette of leaving enough for others :) Just as well as the vultures demolished the whole thing in no time at all!

I only saw Freya very briefly on a video call. She definitely seems to have grown up and tried to sell me a friendship bracelet for £2! :); 1 April 2026 at 22:57
Dex said...: Kerry and I are staying in a flat in town for the Easter weekend. Hopefully plenty of rest and maybe a couple of Easter Eggs :); 2 April 2026 at 22:49
Louise Boyd said...: The Staycationers strike again! :D
You two are unstoppable.

Easter Nests are mini eggs in an edible basket! It's basically chocolate mixed with golden syrup, butter, and shredded wheat or your cereal of choice to make a little basket for the eggs to sit in. So good. Pure nostalgia food ^-^
Hopefully Sarah'll make some more this weekend, along with the traditional Hot Cross Bun loaf :D Way better than normal hot cross buns (and the unfortunate Tiramisu failures -_-). Although, I did have these apple cinnamon ones lately and they were pretty epic. Thoughts on hot cross buns?

...
And did you give the tiny entrepreneur her £2?!; 3 April 2026 at 21:39
Dex said...: I'm sorry for the short message, Lilliputty. Just at the holiday flat, sheltering from the weather! I hope you get all of those things tomorrow :); 5 April 2026 at 02:36
Louise Boyd said...: Happy Easter, Dexterous :)
Hope the weather isn't too crazy on the tiny isle; it's ranged from stormy to rainy to snow to rainy to sunny, here *-* Kind of bonkers!; 5 April 2026 at 18:05
Dex said...: Back home now! I'm very sorry that I wasn't able to message more. I hope you had so much sugar at the weekend, Maggot. Please tell me that you had something to make me jealous :)

The weather here was not as bad as they said it was going to be. There was actually fair bit of sun, quite windy (but not insanely so), and a couple of very heavy snow/hail showers so maybe not quite as crazy as Blair :) You are definitely due a really nice week of weather!; 7 April 2026 at 21:22
Louise Boyd said...: Hark! A miracle occurred: it was warm and sunny enough I could sit outside and chill with Charlie for a solid hour.
It was so nice *-* And it's going back to cold and grey tomorrow. I hate April! >_<

How was the Easter Staycation? Did you return home well rested and full of egg-shaped chocolate?
I actually don't have any major bakes from the weekend to make you green with envy. Only a Hot Cross Bun Loaf (I say only, it's magnificent) and more Easter Nests. It was a very chill few days.; 8 April 2026 at 21:13
Dex said...: I love how you say that you don't really have any bakes to make me jealous and then just casually throw Hot Cross Bun Loaf and Easter Nests at me :D

I'm so glad you got to spend an hour in the garden with Charlie :) You do have the best garden! Book and cold drink too?

We mainly watched a lot of tv (mostly nonsense) and slept in until lunchtime :) No Easter chocolate but Kerry did make fajitas, which were very nice (I don't know if I have ever told you that she's a vegetarian), and demolished the complimentary Tunnock's Tea Cakes :); 8 April 2026 at 23:02
Dex said...: Parents are heading back to Aberdeen at the end of April (medical reasons but nothing very serious I hope) so I will hopefully get more Freya calls :); 9 April 2026 at 21:49
Dex said...: I saw some new cookies & cream popcorn in Tesco. Obviously, I had to buy it :); 10 April 2026 at 22:58
Dex said...: I sometimes wonder how people keep their houses so clean and tidy! My parents have only been back a couple of weeks and it already feels like a lost cause :S; 11 April 2026 at 22:56
Dex said...: We might get some sun over the next couple of days... I really am going to try to go to Sandness more often this summer. I think with my dad's age, my parents won't be going so often (his mobility isn't great these days).; 12 April 2026 at 22:33
Louise Boyd said...: If you don't go to Sandness more over the Summer, you'll have to deal with me giving you hell on the daily because you have access to a second house and a whole ass beach, and you're not taking advantage! *-*
Think of all the quiet time, Dexterous, and the infinite snacks you can live on during your stay!

Notes on the Cookies & Cream Popcorn, please. Good? Bad? Weird but moreish?

Any more staycations on the horizon? Or are you and Kerry taking a break from being cute as fuck? OR! Is the allure of complimentary Tunnock's Teacakes too high?

It's been truly typical April weather here, some real four seasons in one day shit, and I kinda hate it? Kinda love it? Like, it's raining so much, but sometimes it's sunny while it's raining and all the colours in the garden get super technicolour and I feel like I'm in a Ghibli movie *-* Can't really complain, can you?

Ps. Always thinking good thoughts for your family and their general wellbeing, Fungus. The Evas for the win!; 13 April 2026 at 21:11
Dex said...: It always makes me feel much better knowing that my Maggot is out there thinking good thoughts about us. I really hope your family are doing okay too (actually much more than okay!).

I would definitely recommend the Cookies & Cream Popcorn! They certainly didn't skimp on the Cookies & Cream :) I think that I could really get into popcorn after not having had it in so long!

This sounds awful but I usually rely on Kerry to make plans for us. The thought of planning something just seems so stressful so it is always far away from my mind :S But I promise that I will try to convince her to come to Sandness :)

I always imagine your house and garden as being like something from a Ghibli movie :); 15 April 2026 at 01:06
Dex said...: I was just checking the cruise ship schedule for this year. I don't know how they convince so many of them to come here!

https://www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk/sectors/cruise/2026; 15 April 2026 at 23:15
Dex said...: My parents are thinking of getting a new car... Although I'm assuming I will be paying for some or all of it since I am the one usually driving it!; 16 April 2026 at 22:14
Louise Boyd said...: But... if you're the one paying, shouldn't this be your decision?
This makes very little sense!
(I sometimes forget you're a grown ass human who can drive and make grown up purchases *-* )

I can tell you exactly why people cruise over to Lerwick! 'Cause it's quaint as shit!
I mean, I get it, apparently Blair's a really popular place for tourists, and as someone who's lived here almost her whole life, I just don't get the appeal, but I guess people are into it. Same goes for the Tiny Isle: you just can't see how pretty it is because you're a jaded local, but trust me, I've google image searched it a bunch of times and it is indeed, quaint as fuck. St. Ninian's Isle? That's some pretty af coastal landmass, my friend.

It's sunny and raining again, and I've changed my jumper three times because I have no temperature control in April. My kingdom for a country without schizophrenic weather 90% of the year >_<

Ps. I let other people make plans for me, too :) But I get so annoyed when the plans aren't right :):):); 17 April 2026 at 17:45
Dex said...: Looking at the met office, you might be due some very nice weather next week...

They will probably be trading in our old car and exchanging it for the same make but a newer model. Then I don't have to cope with too much change and they will hopefully get a good deal :) They haven't actually asked me to pay but I think I would feel too guilty not to. I'd be happy with a hybrid and something that isn't noticeably bigger than our current car (I would prefer a small car but understand that it's maybe more practical getting a mid size one).

I really should appreciate this place a bit more :) I definitely think that Shetland was a great place to grow up in. It's just so remote! I sometimes think about all the places I could drive if I lived south but I definitely cannot see myself ever living somewhere else now. I hope I get to see Blair at some point though :)

I always feel nervous planning for other people. I think I would definitely feel that way planning for you :); 17 April 2026 at 23:40
Dex said...: There has been some sun today so using this opportunity to bask in the sun lounge like a cat while my parents are in Sandness :); 18 April 2026 at 14:27
Dex said...: Kerry did go with one of her friends to watch Ready or Not 2 in Mareel the other night. Apparently not quite as good as the first one but still very entertaining :); 19 April 2026 at 15:05
Dex said...: The garage is letting us borrow a car to test drive for a week in the hope that we'll buy it. And we are getting the hot water tank replaced tomorrow! So feeling a bit stressed at the moment :S; 20 April 2026 at 22:29
Louise Boyd said...: Oh boy, and I was a tiny bit stressed over people coming to fix us up with super fast internet (apparently we've been limping along =/ ).
At least you get to play around with all the buttons in the new (potentially) car? That's fun, yeah? ... I have no idea what car people do *-* Climb in the boot and see if it's big enough for a Newfoundland? That's what I'd probably do!
Did you ever, during the summer, when you were a kid, hang out in the boot of the car? The sibs and I did. I have a very clear memory of hopping out of the boot and stepping on a bee stinger 0_0

Honestly, I was expecting Ready or Not 2 to not live up to its predecessor, simply because nobody can make sequels in Hollywood. They can barely make good movies, but the sequels are pretty atrocious. And why are they all "2"s?! That's not inventive! The Practical Magic sequel's done it as well and I hate it! That, and them making the movie in the first place. Sigh. It's a perfect film, and they should've just left it alone or make a prequel about the aunts x_x

It's so sunnnnnnny! But I feel like crap because of my uterus. FML *-*
Gonna try and enjoy it, though, even through the crippling pain, because I caught sight of myself in direct sunlight yesterday, and I'm always pale, ghost-like, dying Victorian urchin-esque, but damn... I need some vitamin D, and I need it quickly before I start to look like Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire 0_0; 21 April 2026 at 20:58
Dex said...: Enjoy super fast internet browsing, Lilliputty :) Actually, the new car is very similar to the old car, except that it is a hybrid and is dark grey rather than red. I haven't driven it yet as I was at work all day so only saw it when I got home (that's when my brain can't cope with too much) but I'm sure I will give it a test drive soon :) I definitely want to believe that I spent time in the boot of the car when I was a kid :) I remember one of our cars had two seats in the boot that faced backwards so that you could awkwardly stare at people driving behind :) Stepping on a bee stinger does not sound like much fun at all though :S

I'm sorry, Maggot. I really hope the pain goes away soon and that you can enjoy soaking up some sun alongside Charlie and a good book :)

It's almost like they make sequels just to make money and don't really care if they are any good or not :S; 21 April 2026 at 22:16
Louise Boyd said...: The first part of super fast internet installation has been completed! Just the inside part to happen next. I hate people being in the house -_- But I cannot wait for everything to stop buffering. I swear, our current internet knows that it's being replaced, somehow, because it's been a little bitch recently <_<
How's the hot water tank replacement gone? You must've been out the house at work for most of it, right?

I loved cars that had seats in the boot! We had a blue Land Rover Discovery that I was kind of in love with and it had this little seat that I'd always choose if we were going somewhere. I have a very strong memory of spilling a whole bottle of Irn Bru whilst sitting in the boot seat while we were on holiday in Carradale. It dried by the time we got back to the holiday house from Campbeltown, so I never fessed up ^-^

Y'know what's really bugging me with movies, right now, and the whole Hollywood industry in general?
Nobody's faces move because of all the plastic surgery and botox. I don't want to crap on anyone's right to choose what they do to their own body (all looks bloody terrible, though; I miss proper teeth), but they're actors! Their whole job is to emote! And watching the Practical Magic 2 trailer just gave me the ick because Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's faces don't fucking move! It's like watching Buffalo Bill wearing his skin suit, except he can actually project feelings >_<
...
Might be time for a Hannibal rewatch. I haven't seen Manhunter in years, and I keep meaning to give Silence of the Lambs another shot. I love Jodie Foster but Anthony Hopkins is the worst actor x_x; 22 April 2026 at 18:23
Dex said...: I definitely wouldn't have confessed to the Irn Bru either :) I wonder if Carradale is still a nice place to visit... I really hope so.

The hot water tank is installed and seems to be working fine - the water is certainly hotter than it has ever been! :) That is one of the few good things about working. You can be out of the house all day and let someone else deal with the strangers :) I hope the internet installation doesn't take long and that you can hide in your bedroom during it :)

I don't know why they can't just age gracefully. Even when they aren't that old they are still getting stuff done to make them look younger and it's just wrong (as well as actually looking terrible because it's so unnatural). No doubt they will just end up using AI for all of their films so that no one ever sees them age like a normal person :S

I don't know how AH managed to win an oscar for that!; 22 April 2026 at 23:23
Dex said...: We have finally had a full day of sun. Two of them actually :D; 24 April 2026 at 00:59
Dex said...: Her mother is already planning for Kerry's 40th birthday next year! Apparently a trip to Italy for them is on the cards. New Zealand was the first choice but I think the thought of flying there was too much. I somehow think my 40th will be much more boring :); 25 April 2026 at 01:19
Dex said...: I meant to say that my dad also had a small operation yesterday so his head is looking quite patched up but I think he's okay. But apparently anaesthetic doesn't work very well on him so I don't think it was the most pleasant experience :S; 25 April 2026 at 20:07
Dex said...: The forecast for Blair for next week, especially from Wednesay, looks very much like garden weather :); 26 April 2026 at 12:14
Louise Boyd said...: Sucks about your dad :( Any surgery is bad enough, but when the anaesthetic doesn't work? Ouch! Glad he's okay, though. As per usual, all the best thoughts being directed the Eva Clan way ^-^

I've had my first reading day on the deck, in the sunshine, with Charlie Bear wiggling around next to me. So nice :D I'm looking forward to many more. Hopefully Lerwick will get in on the pre-summer-spring thing that's going on.
Have you seen the cat that used to visit your garden, lately?

Oh wow, Italy? I'm very much planning on just eating cake and watching all my favourite movies on my 40th *-*
Italy, though... sounds nice! And Kerry doesn't even like sweets so she won't eat all the available gelato! Practically criminal *-*
Pizza, though. Imagine all the pizza *-* *-* *-*
...
All my dream travel plans are food orientated :); 26 April 2026 at 21:36
Dex said...: Thank you, Lilliputty. I really do appreciate you thinking about my clan :)

I did see the small black and white cat the other day! :D The one with the bell on a red collar. I hadn't seen her for ages. She was looking at me through the french windows - her eyes seemed to changed colours like she was possessed by a demon :) And then I caught her peeking at me from around the corner as I was leaving the house :)

I'm so glad that you and Charlie got garden time :) I'm sure he helped himself to the best spot to wiggle in :) The weather here is supposed to be very nice tomorrow and Thursday. I'm sad to be working but I am off on Friday for a few days.

Eating cake and watching favourite films definitely sounds like a Maggot & Fungus type of birthday :) I always dream of going around and seeing places if I ever go on holiday even though I secretly know that I will be more interested in finding a nice place to read all day while eating all the food :); 28 April 2026 at 20:33
Dex said...: It was so sunny today, Lilliputty. But the office got so stuffy that I got a headache and went home early! :S; 29 April 2026 at 22:29
Dex said...: Parents are now on the boat down to Aberdeen for hospital appointments and time with Freya :); 30 April 2026 at 19:16
Louise Boyd said...: I think any hospital appointment would be worth it for some Freya time. She's the cure for everything ^-^
Has she got summer plans, yet? Off on any new adventures across the ocean(s)?

How's the headache doing, Dexterous? I hate it when sunny days get ruined by your body being a dickhead; happens to me all the time! Did you try the caffeine and salt method? At least you've got tomorrow off and the weekend to hopefully enjoy some sunshine, and you've got the house to parent free - always a win.
Maybe the demon cat will return and you could have your very own Ghibli moment together.
My demon cat has been very sulky today, but I can't really blame him. Being covered in dark fur during hot and sunny days - which today was - must really suck =/ It's bad enough having long hair. At least once a year during 20℃+ days in the summertime I get the urge to chop all it off just to get some goddamn relief 0_0
But then I remember I was traumatised by childhood bobs and forget the idea entirely ^-^; 30 April 2026 at 21:38
Dex said...: Knowing her mother, I'm quite certain that Freya will be going somewhere in summer. Probably too much to hope that it will be here :) Her mother is even going on holiday while my parents are down, and leaving them to look after Freya (although by all accounts she does a very good job of looking after herself these days :) ).

I did try caffeine and sugar (completely forgot about the salt) at work but I think I was too far gone by that point. But lying on my bed for an hour with a dressing gown over my head seemed to do the trick :) I think my office headaches are usually related to the heat and stuffiness, and staring at a screen probably doesn't help either. I have decided on the theory that if I don't do something to cool down before my body reaches a certain temperature, then there is no going back and the headache is inevitable. Probably nonsense though :)

Poor Charlie. I hope he managed to find some shade to sprawl about in :) I am really glad you have had plenty of sun though, so long as the temperature hasn't reached the hair chopping stage :); 1 May 2026 at 11:27
Dex said...: They are actually forecasting sleet showers for us :S; 2 May 2026 at 10:43
Louise Boyd said...: Hah! This stupid planet. It's not normally this shit in May, is it? Or am I just experiencing that Seasonal Forgetting Syndrome again?
Oh well, maybe this means we'll get an awesome summer with endless days of sunshine and warmth! ... Delusion is a wonderful thing ^-^

I bet your headaches are congestion. Stuffiness can really mess with your sinuses. Is the headache coming from the bridge of your nose/forehead area? Maybe behind the eyes?
Weirdly enough, one of the best ways to treat it is by using steam x_x And drinking a fuck ton of water. You could try taking antihistamines.; 2 May 2026 at 21:34
Dex said...: Thank you, Lilliputty. Your suggestions always help so I will definitely try them. And I really should drink more water anyway! :)

The leaves on the tree in our front garden still haven't appeared... When they do, I'm taking it as a sign for the start of continuous warmth through to August :)

I really hope you're feeling okay at the moment. I'm sorry that I don't ask that enough.; 3 May 2026 at 23:02
Dex said...: Kerry was the one feeling ill today with a headache and had to go home early :S; 4 May 2026 at 18:18
Dex said...: We did get some sleet today! Those tourists on the massive cruise ship that was in must have been wondering what was going on!; 5 May 2026 at 20:01
Louise Boyd said...: British weather must be completely bewildering to tourists. It's almost funny they choose to visit us *-*
Sleet is bonkers, though, especially for the last month of Spring! Wtf! I swear last year's winter is on a mission to hang around as long as possible. Stubborn little fucker <_<

How's Kerry feeling? Maybe there's a bug going around the office and it's just taking you all down one at a time, like a sniper with a grudge to bear *-*
I'm fully expecting to catch a summer cold this year. It's totally going to happen and it's going to suck, and I will whine my face off ^-^; 5 May 2026 at 21:35
Dex said...: Genuine snow yesterday morning, Lilliputty! Followed by a relatively nice afternoon. Crazy!

Kerry seems to be feeling better, thank you :) I think she's just a bit fed up with her job and the office environment though :S I wish she would take a proper holiday of a few weeks.

I hope you don't catch a summer cold, Maggot! But if you do, I hope you know that you can always whine to me :); 7 May 2026 at 18:36
Louise Boyd said...: Snow is not okay in May! Wtf?!
Someone needs to have a word with the planet and tell it to get its shit together, otherwise we're gonna start getting snow in August, and I am not cool with that!
...
Snow is winter is totally cool, though; if it could provide that I'd be totally chill with the universe.

This is why you have to kidnap her (in a nice, consenting manner) and take her to Sandness so she actually puts her feet up for a bit!
Lure her in with wine and cheese, and all her favourite movies!; 7 May 2026 at 22:11
Dex said...: I really want to go to Sandness more often so I will try to convince her :)

The weather has been a bit better today but I think I fell for the hype when we had a couple of very sunny days last week and convinced myself that summer had arrived :)

My parents are back tomorrow morning but will be going to Aberdeen for 2 weeks at the end of June / beginning of July for my dad to get his eye operation. I might book some leave for those two weeks... :); 8 May 2026 at 19:03
Dex said...: I really don't know how it can still be this cold in May! And still no leaves on the tree :S; 9 May 2026 at 22:14
Louise Boyd said...: I've decided to be delusional and believe that this eternal winter means that we're going to have a really nice summer. Like, off the charts awesome, as a reward for this Game of Thrones bullshit. Now, this will probably not come to be, but for the sake of my fucking sanity, I'm putting my full faith in it coming true. Care to join? *-*

Eye operation? Eeesh, that's intense. Is it major or a routine surgery? I've heard my dad talk about a few over the years (ones he's sent patients in for/witnessed as a student) and it's kind of bonkers impressive what modern medicine can do. I would say you should go with them so you can get all the Freya time but travelling with the rentals is always majorly stressful 0_0; 10 May 2026 at 21:25
Dex said...: Your faith gives me faith :)

Cataract surgery so I'm hoping it's not too bad. Apparently day surgery but I think they need to go down a week before for various tests and then another week afterwards to recover before travelling.

I can't remember if I have told you this before (probably because it's not important at all) but it seems crazy to me that my dad has been retired for 20+ years now, when I was still in high school. So even though he has been having problems with his mobility and Parkinson's for the last few years, at least he has had plenty of time to enjoy not working :); 10 May 2026 at 22:43
Louise Boyd said...: Does your blind faith make you one of my delusional flock? Like a weather-based cult leader? Do I have to fashion a sunshine hat and create a funny high five? Like Rimmer?

As far as I know, cataract surgery is really routine and doesn't take long to perform, depending on the severity, Like, under half an hour, I think, so I definitely wouldn't worry. Should be no bother :) And I'm sure Freya will be the best, and cutest, nurse.

It's kind of badass that your dad's been retired so long and got to be around when you were growing up. And I'm guessing your folks travelled a lot; they always seem to be on the go! I reckon that's the dream, tbh. Work some, relax more.
My next door neighbour was a civil servant, same age as my folks, and he retired when I was in high school, as well, and he's such a chill guy. All he does is golf!; 11 May 2026 at 21:45
Dex said...: Always one of you delusional flock :) And I would definitely copy any ridiculous high five you came up with for us :)

Thank you, Lilliputty. I really will try not to worry. And I will be jealous of them getting to spend two weeks with Freya :)

Yes, my parents have been on a lot of holidays :) I'm more of a stay at home kind of person. Maybe I could spend a long retirement in Sandness being very leisurely. That might make me as chill as your neighbour :); 11 May 2026 at 23:24
Dex said...: The new car has arrived at the garage so we should be getting it this week!; 12 May 2026 at 23:26
Dex said...: It is a slightly disturbing thought that I will be turning 40 in about 100 days :S I wonder if people still say that life begins at 40... I do feel like I've been middle aged for about 10 years already so it might not be too bad :) Still quite jealous of you being a year younger though :); 13 May 2026 at 22:55
Dex said...: When I went to one of our regular places for lunch today, the woman behind the counter seemed to think I wanted a strawberry blondie which they had run out of. I really didn't mind at all (I got millionaire's shortbread instead) but she said that she would keep one of the strawberry blondie's aside for me tomorrow so I guess I will be going back there for lunch!; 14 May 2026 at 23:08
Louise Boyd said...: Wait. But why did she think you specifically wanted a strawberry blondie (sounds awesome, btw)? Do you just have a strawberry blondie vibe?
Actually, you kinda do, this makes perfect sense, now! :D
Verdict on the baked good? Worth going back for?

I will always revel in the fact that I'm younger than you. Sorry :)
It is weird, though, this whole turning forty thing. Like... we're still babies! Practically twenty year olds! How can we possibly be this many decades old *-*
I think you (and I, when it comes) should remain chill about it, though. No almost-midlife crises where we starting wearing beige and really getting into red wine and documentaries because that's what forty years olds do? (I have no idea what forty year olds do). No, we shall remain the weirdos we are. Fuck the aging process! :D
...
I can't promise I won't renege on this when the time comes =/

Dexterous, my laptop is dying a swift, hot death x_x
She's wheezing nonstop and her backside could fry an egg, and all I'm doing is writing this message *-*
I need moral support for the loss of my beloved MacBook! Send virtual flowers to her funeral, she's not much longer for this world.
Also, support for me while I shop for a new one because I have NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING.
When did laptops get so complicated?! *-* And expensive! Fucking hell.; 15 May 2026 at 21:42
Dex said...: I have never used a MacBook but I have every faith in my Maggot to make an excellent purchase :) I hope your current one lasts a little bit longer but I will have the flowers on standby! It sounds like she will deserve them and a nice eulogy :)

I'm very glad I went back to the cafe although I must have misheard her as it wasn't a strawberry blondie but a strawberry tart/cake that she had set by for me, which made more sense as I think she made it herself while the blondies are bought in. When I got there, it was by itself under a glass bowl on the counter and I had to hear someone try to order it and be told that it was reserved for me! And she then told me that she had been telling people for the last hour that they couldn't have it :S And I also ended up getting the last coronation chicken. So quite the lunch :)

I'm sure that talking to you will definitely make me feel okay about turning 40. You always seem to know how to make me feel better about things :) And I am almost certain that I won't get into red wine :); 15 May 2026 at 23:21
Dex said...: The Mario cube lamp you gave me is still one of my favourite things that I use all the time :); 17 May 2026 at 01:47
Louise Boyd said...: Cool :) I sometimes worry I force these things on you! Just because I'm a giant nerd, doesn't mean everyone else is *-*

Goddamn. Strawberry tarts are in my Top Five Favourite Desserts! You used to get really nice ones from M&S, but I haven't had one in years.
No wonder all the customers were scrambling to have yours. I bet they were driven absolutely bonkers by it. Did you feel especially smug when it was finally released from its glass dome prison?

Laptop shopping is hard *-* Because what I should get is something like a Lenovo or an Acer, but what I want is the new MacBook Neo. But that's like a couple hundred pounds extra, and I don't know if I can in good conscience do it just because I love Apple >_<
Why must I have no sense? x_x; 17 May 2026 at 21:46
Dex said...: Smug but a little bit awkward :) I still have no idea why she thought I needed it so much but I'm very glad she did :)

I have an Acer Chromebook which has served me perfectly adequately over the last few years but I totally get you wanting the MacBook Neo, especially if that's what you have been used to. Whatever you get, I just hope you are very happy with it :); 17 May 2026 at 23:37
Dex said...: Leaves are starting to appear on the tree!; 18 May 2026 at 21:55
Dex said...: This is officially and old people's house now. Occupational Therapy came and installed handlebars around the house to help my dad. I'm sure I will feel like using them sometimes too :); 19 May 2026 at 21:58
Dex said...: Still waiting on new car. Mainly because my mother wants a personalised licence plate! I tried to talk her out of it but she was very determined :S; 20 May 2026 at 18:26
Louise Boyd said...: Nooooo, not a personalised licence plate! x_x Those make me judge people so hard.
Your mum gets a pass, though. Obviously.
How bad is it, though? Does it have "EVA" in it?

How's your dad getting on with the new house additions? I always thought having one of those built-in seats in the shower would be awesome. I'd love a sit down sometimes when I'm washing my hair *-*

New laptop development: my "E" key fell off and won't go back on =/ It's just kind of floating on top so I can still use it, but... yeah, not the best! The old girl's not being subtle about how much she wants to be put out to pasture *-*; 21 May 2026 at 21:33
Dex said...: Oh, I judge them too! And it does have EVA! The only comfort I can take from it is that the number is in the form of a normal licence plate so that it will hopefully only be people who know me who will judge :)

I think he's getting on okay, thank you :) No shower seat though. Otherwise I would be using it all time when showering :)

I will definitely understand if your messages over the next little while seem to be missing random letters :); 21 May 2026 at 22:17
Louise Boyd said...: I'm genuinely intrigued as to whether Kerry's going to be one of these will that will absolutely roast you over this personalised licence plate. SO intrigued :D; 22 May 2026 at 22:02
Dex said...: Oh, I'm sure she will :D But hopefully with a degree of pity too!; 22 May 2026 at 23:10
Dex said...: It looks like you are in for an excellent week of weather! I really hope you get to enjoy some garden time with books and Charlie :); 24 May 2026 at 10:31
Dex said...: I am seeing the small black and white cat (the one with the red collar and bell) in the garden quite a lot at the moment :); 25 May 2026 at 21:15
Louise Boyd said...: I'm not pro catnapping, but... :D
My fluffy beast has been enjoying the shit out of the sunshine, being real cute and rolling about on the deck while I clear it of moss. Which actually caused a new discovery in the life that is me: I'm allergic to geraniums *-*
We have a big patch of them at the end of the deck, and they kind of flop over onto it, so I stuck my hand over to clear it and came away if with a rashy hand. I triple tested it, and I am indeed, allergic to geraniums. There is no end to the bullshit that is my DNA! >_< It's almost funny.

Did you know there are Hobbit holes in Wales?

https://holidayswales.co.uk/hobbit-huts-wales/

Added to the bucket list :D I'm practically a Hobbit already.

Very important question: has the ice cream sundae truck been back?; 25 May 2026 at 21:58
Dex said...: I really wish your body was a bit kinder to you, Maggot. I hope it hasn't stopped you rolling about on the deck with Charlie :) You definitely deserve to enjoy your garden this summer. Choice of cold drink on a warm day? I must know these things :)

I have a feeling that a week in one of those Hobbit holes is exactly what the both of us would need :)

Sadly, no ice cream truck so far :S Although it has not really been that warm here. Probably 12c maximum. I definitely realise that I am a northern boy when I am totally fine with that temperature :); 26 May 2026 at 22:27
Louise Boyd said...: I genuinely don't think I could survive living in Lerwick *-* You people of the Tiny Isle are made of sterner stuff than me! This goblin needs sunshine and warmth.

Warm day, cold drink of choice? Well, that depends on how fancy I'm feeling that day. Because if it's your bog standard day to day drink, it's probably just Robinsons Summer Fruits squash with plenty of ice in it. If I'm feeling a little fancier? Cold coffee made so it tastes like coffee cake. And if I'm feeling decadent? Frappuccino, of course. They have a Strawberries & Cream one I've been meaning to try, but every time I go to order I deviate to something chocolatey. It's a problem!
Your turn! I know there's going to be a iced caramel latte in there somewhere :)

Bonus question: ice cream/lolly of choice on a hot summer's day?

Charlie report: my boy loves the sun, and also eating slippers ^-^; 27 May 2026 at 21:23
Dex said...: I definitely don't know how I could cope with 30c in a city! Today was very nice, and I think it is the same tomorrow. Although that may be the last of it for us for a while :S

I always love your answers. You always put so much thought into them :) I'm sorry, I realise I am the worst at answering things. But I would be having that Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino every sunny day if we had a Starbucks :) I think I would always choose a Frappuccino over an iced caramel latte. But I'm usually happy with anything loaded with coffee and sugar :)

On a very warm day, I think I would go with something simple like a Calippo. So refreshing :) Or maybe a Fab or Twister :)

Charlie really knows how to enjoy life :D Hopefully not your slippers though!; 27 May 2026 at 22:44
Dex said...: I may go to the cake fridge tomorrow morning as I actually have cash on me for once :); 28 May 2026 at 22:49
Dex said...: I don't think you will approve of my choice but I went for the cream buns :); 29 May 2026 at 21:48
Dex said...: New car will finally be ready to be picked up on Monday! :); 30 May 2026 at 10:34
Louise Boyd said...: And life with a personalised licence plate begins *-*
Will you become that family that parks diagonally over two spaces instead of one? Shun the ticket system and pay in gold doubloons? Will you overtake tractors at blind corners because the gods are clearly on your side?! :0
:D

I do disapprove of cream buns, but only because I'm a weirdo who doesn't like cream =/
It's sad for me more than anyone else! I'd love to eat a cream bun without making a yuck face, but alas.
Sarah did buy me little tubs of cookie dough, though, 'cause I've always seen them eating it American movies thought it looked tasty, but, uh, it's fine? I'd rather eat a cookie 0_0

Has the sun disappeared for you, too? Blair is firmly mired in grey skies and solid hours of rain upon rain. It sucks >_< I was really enjoying sitting on the deck and scraping all the moss out of it while I listened to podcasts, and now I have to stay inside and readdddd.
...
I know that sounds like I should be happy about it, but my last few book choices have been subpar, and I can't get into my current read >_< I'm cursed. Again!; 30 May 2026 at 22:08
Dex said...: Oh, of course. The roads will belong to me after I get that personalised licence plate :) To be honest, I'm one of those people who hates overtaking anything :)

As a cookie or as little blobs of cookie dough in ice cream :) It definitely was a nice idea for her to buy the little tubs though :)

Yes, the sun has disappeared since Thursday and hasn't really been back since! And today was very misty :S I really hope you get more time on the deck soon. What kind of podcasts do you listen to?

I'm sorry that your last few books have been disappointing. Would re-reading an old favourite be an option?; 31 May 2026 at 21:21
Dex said...: Very misty again today! I don't think the tourists saw very much :S; 1 June 2026 at 23:07
Dex said...: Still waiting on car :S There is some issue with the computer system at the garage that is holding things up...; 2 June 2026 at 22:19
Louise Boyd said...: Gotta love modern technology where it's meant to make your life more convenient but actually ends up being finicky as fuck *-*

We had our first summer thunderstorm yesterday; dark grey skies and a lot of big booms. The sky did that thing where there's no preamble, it just opens up and empties its entire water supply on us. I love when it does that; as long as I'm inside, that is ^-^
I don't know why I hate getting rained on so intensely, being damp in general is not something I enjoy. Case in point: I went outside today to chuck some bread to the birds and got the back heel of my slipper and sock totally soaked, so I had to hairdryer them to stop that crawling out of my skin feeling :D
Most people would probably just change their socks, but once I'm set on a pair for the day, that's it, can't pick another.
...
The neurodivergence is very strong in me ^-^
Do you have weird behaviours like this? Tell me your oddball things, Dexterous!

So far in the podcast listening quest, I've been through the Pendle Witches, Mary Shelley, The Brontës, Mervyn Peake, and I'm in the middle of one about Angela Carter, my magic realism one true love.
It's all very book-based, apart from the Pendle Witches; I'm just kind of following whatever pops into my head. So if you've got any suggestions! Oh, wait, does Shetland have any good folklore? Like ghost stories and myths and stuff? Cause I'd totally listen to that! I love me a good bit of European folklore.; 3 June 2026 at 17:59
Dex said...: Finally got all the paperwork sorted so they should hopefully be dropping the car off at the house when it is ready :)

I'm quite jealous of your summer thunderstorm. I hope you and Charlie enjoyed watching it from a comfortable spot inside :) Nothing as dramatic here, just a lot of mist :S

I totally get sticking with the clothes you have chosen for the day! I think I would be the same, although probably lazy enough to just change socks rather than hairdryer them :) But I would definitely not feel great about changing them - it would probably ruin my day! And anyway, I have so many oddball behaviours. My morning and evening routines are the routines of a crazy person but sticking to them is the only thing that gets me through the day :)

I'm very glad you introduced me to Angela Carter and Mervyn Peake :) But I'm terrible on local folklore. I want to say that Trows and Selkies are things that appear...; 3 June 2026 at 23:11
Louise Boyd said...: I love Selkies! And I'd never heard of Trows before *-*
I've now got four podcasts saved on the Tiny Isle's folklore; I'll report back on your beasties :D

Charlie actually hates thunderstorms. The big noises really freak him out and he's very offended by whether he doesn't enjoy: rain's the devil's water, wind's only good if it ruffles his fur ever so slightly, too much sun gives him conniption, and talk to him about snow at your own peril x_x
My guy is a very sensitive baby and isn't shy about pointing it out. Loudly. Did you know cats only meow because of humans? They don't communicate that way with each other, and create special meows/chirps just for their human owners. So, really, it's my and the fam's fault that he's such a chatty little fucker at 5am <_<
Cute, though. Can't deny he's cute. He is currently being bullied by the crown, however. They've had their first baby and are protecting it at all costs, but Charlie's not actually doing anything threatening. He's usually just having a sit and they caw at him SO aggressively. One's taken to perching on the whirly, which is adjacent to Charlie's lounging shelf (it was a herb shelf but he commandeered it for himself), and just screaming at my boy. And I can't even do anything because crows keep grudges, so if I try to scare it off, I'll have an enemy for life 0_0; 4 June 2026 at 21:57
Dex said...: We finally got the new car, Lilliputty :D

Poor Charlie. He deserves to spend all the time in his lounging shelf without being bullied by crows! I really hope they realise he's only interested in his own comfort and leave him alone. We get them here as well and they make so much noise on the roof. Someone did say that they remember faces so I think we are both very sensible not to cross them!

I did not know that about cats' meowing! I love that Charlie is so talkative with his family though :D I hope he gets some weather very soon that he has no complaints about :)

I will definitely look forward to you telling me about our folklore :); 4 June 2026 at 23:11
Dex said...: The annual classic car show at Clickimin this weekend. So many vintage cars going around town :) We might go for a look tomorrow.; 5 June 2026 at 21:36
Dex said...: We had nice weather for the classic car show, which is just as well since we spent about 3 hours there :S; 6 June 2026 at 22:55
Dex said...: Kerry thinks that she may have started sleepwalking again. She woke up this morning to find one of her wine glasses in the front garden and she has no idea how it got there except that she was having a dream about putting food out for the cats :S; 7 June 2026 at 23:14
Dex said...: I am quite enjoying driving the new car, mainly because it almost the same as the old car :) It's one of those self charging hybrids so automatically switches to electric when I'm creeping around town at low speed which is usually how I drive :); 8 June 2026 at 18:32
Louise Boyd said...: What's it like? To drive? The closest I've gotten is a pedal race car, but I imagine the similarities are quite... limited <_<
Do you ever just freak out and think, "Holy fuck, I'm going a speed the human body shouldn't, and also, how did any of these other drivers pass their tests?!"
Or is it more of a, "Fuck yeah! I can drive! I'm basically a god!" kinda deal?

Sleepwalking is so weird. I used to do it as a kid, with one instance where I picked up a knife and my mum found me holding it *-*
I'm not sure why Kerry's sleep brain thought wine was a good meal for cats, but you can't fault her for caring! Does she perchance eat cheese before she goes to bed? Apparently that's a rookie mistake and often leads to rampant somnambulism.

It was actually sunny and warmish today, so I got back out into the garden to de-moss the deck some more (and protect Charlie from the crows; they continue to bully him and he's so sad :( ), and delved straight into a podcast on Shetland's Fair Folk, specifically the Finfolk, who seem like right fishy bastards! Like the mermaid equivalent of Kelpies. ... I love them *-* And it was really appropriate because I'm rewatching Buffy in the kitchen while I clean, and it was the "Go Fish" episode with the fish boys :D
I love me some happenstance.; 8 June 2026 at 22:13
Dex said...: Do I ever think those things when driving? Well, I will now! :D But I like to think that I am a very careful driver, always assuming that everyone else is out to get me :) It is very easy to drive though, in that I'm not 100% petrified being behind the wheel :)

You would have certainly been giving Halloween vibes when your mum found you :) Kerry is a bit of a cheese monster so I will need to investigate further... I don't think I have ever been a somnambulist (I had forgotten what that meant), probably because my brain is so boring :)

I really wish those crows would leave Charlie alone! I'm very glad he has you to protect him. He deserves to enjoy his favourite place in summer.

I really love that you are listening to Shetland folklore, even though I feel slightly ashamed that I know nothing about it :S I do remember that Buffy episode though :) I hope you enjoy your re-watch. Poor Giles.; 9 June 2026 at 22:30
Dex said...: Not that it will make you or Charlie feel any better, but we get plenty of crows here too. They make so much noise on the roof :S; 10 June 2026 at 18:14
Dex said...: Kerry wants me to go to the cake fridge tomorrow to pick her up a tattie and bean pie for her lunch. I suppose I could also get something else... :); 11 June 2026 at 22:16
Dex said...: The cake fridge was already almost sold out! At 8.15am! I did manage to get the pies and some pistachio cake.; 12 June 2026 at 18:34
Louise Boyd said...: I think pistachio desserts, except for ice cream are officially on my No list =/
I was so excited about the Dubai craze, but alas, it just tastes like weird old paste to me! Ice cream, though, it can stay. Forever. Eternally!
What was your cake like, though? :D

I think the crows are starting to chill out a bit, definitely harassing Charlie a lot less, but now the blackbirds are freaking out because of the crows and they won't stop tweeting. It's relentless x_x Normally I'm a big fan of bird song but this year they've all gone totally mental. I've seen at least three of them (in a single day) smack into the house windows, which they're fairly prone to do anyway, but it's like something out of a Hitchcock movie, right now *-* I really hope this isn't the start of some bird apocalypse; that is not my favoured dystopia >_<

Any progress on the sleepwalking front? Any more wineglasses left for the felines?
It's such a weird thing to happen, if you think about it. Having no control over your own body, and no memory of it. Total body snatching shit *-*

Ps. Sorry for freaking you out about driving 0_0 Just ignore the dross that comes out of my brain, it's all powered by anxiety gremlins and they have no sense at all!; 12 June 2026 at 19:00
Dex said...: I tend to enjoy most cakes so long as dried fruit is not involved so I was happy enough with the pistachio cake even though it wouldn't have been my first choice. I even had some for breakfast this morning :) I don't think you would have liked it very much though. There was pistachio paste in the centre :S Also, I think I have finally come to the important conclusion that, in general, I prefer cakes to brownies! Although my preference is clearly both :)

I really hated the thought of Charlie not being able to enjoy his favourite spot in summer so I'm glad those crows aren't bothering him so much now. I have definitely had the same thought about a bird apocalypse these last few summers. I think I told you that we keep seeing zombie seagulls around Kerry's, just wandering around in a daze and not even bothering to fly. I'm sure there's no link between that and her sleepwalking...

I really was only joking. You didn't freak me out about driving at all :) I would never want to stop hearing about anything that comes out of your brain :); 13 June 2026 at 11:43
Dex said...: So many cats in our garden today :); 14 June 2026 at 20:36
Dex said...: It has suddenly become quite cold here :S; 15 June 2026 at 22:44
Dex said...: I think there is a hedgehog living in our back garden :); 16 June 2026 at 22:46
Dex said...: I hope you are enjoying your Buffy re-watch, Maggot. It really is a shame about Giles.; 17 June 2026 at 19:57
Louise Boyd said...: I know :( I don't normally get upset about famous people passing but this one stung. Giles was like the grown-up of my childhood!
The rewatch has been nice, though; reminded me why I love this show so much, but I am debating whether to watch past season three - arguably when it stops being really good. I could go on, because missing out the musical episode feels criminal but... I don't know if want to rewatch the Riley years x_x He's the worst and I hate him with a fiery passion.

Hedgepigs! I always forget their shuffling around this time of year; for some reason I always equate them with autumn and every other season they're just hibernating. Doesn't make a lot of sense, but that's my brain! Where did you discover it?

Zombie seagulls? Finfolk, and now this? The fauna in Lerwick is getting more interesting by the day *-* Maybe Kerry is their queen and they're performing some ancient, sleepy ritual. Hopefully not to summon something nefarious =/ I don't think you want her going all Moira Rose and The Crows Have Eyes 0_0

Dessert news: Sarah made a Strawberry Shortcake Tart and it was so freaking good. I had a piece while watching Project Hail Mary with the fam, which was also so freaking good! I've always been a Ryan Gosling fan but this was him at peak funny/charming and I can't get over it. Or how much fun I had watching a sci-fi movie that isn't a parody like Spaceballs or a pastiche like Galaxy Quest. Usually sci-fi is totally miserable and way to serious, but PHM was so much fun, whilst being thrilling and terrifying at times. And I can't believe it was done almost entirely with practical effects! So crazy.
Have you seen it? I think it's gonna be my new obsession for a while.; 17 June 2026 at 21:32
Dex said...: It makes me very happy that you're enjoying your Buffy re-watch :) I know how much you love that show and I feel like you haven't done it for a while. Good luck if you decide to watch until the end! Do you have any particular favourite episodes? Kerry is also a huge Buffy fan and I seem to remember her telling about season 3 episode with Cordelia and Buffy on their way to prom? I'm sorry if I have complete fucked up that description :)

I saw either 2 hedgehogs from my bedroom window, or the same hedgehog twice :) I'm assuming they are living in the trees at the back... I will keep you updated :) Also, I think if Kerry did send animals to attack me, they would be cats :)

I love getting dessert news :D And film recommendations from you! I love when you find something to obsess over :) I will definitely be recommending PHM to Kerry for one of our film nights :); 18 June 2026 at 22:40
Dex said...: Hopefully Blair has some nice weather just around the corner... I don't know if I could cope in a heatwave like some places are getting!; 19 June 2026 at 21:00
Dex said...: My mum is out at a wedding all day so I am on dad watching duties. Which mainly involves sitting in the living room and watching old TV shows on DVD :); 20 June 2026 at 13:52
Dex said...: I've booked some time off next week for when my parents are away so I can hopefully enjoy the house to myself :); 21 June 2026 at 16:55
Louise Boyd said...: Whenever you say it like that I'm always wondering where your brother is in this "house to myself" situation. Do you lock him in a cupboard and feed him pop tarts and Capris Sun's under the door?
Because, I mean, valid.

Hmm, a favourite Buffy episode? That's actually really hard to answer. It'd definitely be one from seasons 1-3. Maybe School Hard when Spike's first introduced; or I Only Have Eyes for You - I'm not normally a ghost girlie, but I love this one, plus it's majorly cruel to the Bangel fandom which being one them, I very much enjoy the pain; and there's always Homecoming, which is the episode you're thinking of and it kicks ass! Oh, or Earshot where Buffy gets demon slimed and can hear everyone's thoughts and it drives her nutty, that's a great episode. And there's obvious out of post-season-three outlier: Once More, With Feeling, the greatest tv musical. Ever. Period. Fully freaking stop. I might throw The Zeppo in there, as well because even though Xander's a very problematic character and my grownup brain find some of the stuff he does/says unforgivable, I do love when he gets to save the day!
I guess season three's my favourite season, and woah, you totally shouldn't ask me Buffy questions, I go way too hard *-*
Although, didn't the Thanksgiving episode of the show come up in a pub quiz you did years ago? So maybe my nerdy verbiage comes in handy! :D

Did you have a nice day with your dad this Father's Day? Do you do anything special? We normally just treat it like a normal day but buy him a gift, be extra nice, and provide favourite foods, which is what happened today! And it was so sunny and warm, I spent a fair chunk of the day on the deck finishing up the de-mossing project whilst listening to The Secret History. Normally I can't do audiobooks but I'm kinda loving hearing one of my favourite books back; reminds me why I love it so much.
My back is not happy with all this manual labour, though. My spine feels like it's made up of mismatched Lego and I've never been more aware of my hips before 0_0 I'm choosing the believe this isn't the aging process and I'm just horribly unfit ^-^; 21 June 2026 at 21:55
Dex said...: I promise that I don't lock him up :) I'm assuming he will be at work but he has an annoying habit of booking leave at the same time as me... Can you still get Capri Sun?

I'm really glad you had a good Father's Day. A nice present and favourite foods are the best things to do for someone :) It probably won't surprise you to learn that we did very little. I bought some chocolate eclairs for my dad and we spent the evening watching our old TV shows as usual :) One of the shows we are watching at the moment is the Maigret tv series from the early 1960s. And I was very happy to find out that his wife is playing by Giles' mother!

I really hope you give you back and hips a bit of a rest for a few days now. Maybe find a nice comfortable spot to lie down and listen to more audio books? What is The Secret History about?

I'm certain that plenty of random knowledge I have picked up for you has come in useful at quizzes :) And I think I ask you about these things because I love you going hard with the answers! It's my favourite thing so please don't ever stop :D; 23 June 2026 at 01:03
Dex said...: Parents are on the boat to Aberdeen now.; 23 June 2026 at 20:36
Dex said...: Quiet day to myself, staying at home and watching old tv shows in the living room. I would like more days like this :); 24 June 2026 at 21:11
Dex said...: I might take a walk to the cake fridge tomorrow morning if this rain has stopped by then...; 25 June 2026 at 23:19
Dex said...: It was raining this morning so I didn't make it to the cake fridge (and there wasn't anything I think that I really wanted). I will make do with yum yums from Tesco :)

My dad had his pre-op appointment today so I think he is feeling a little less nervous about his cataract operation :); 26 June 2026 at 21:39
Louise Boyd said...: "Make do" and "Yum Yums" are not words that go together! First choice, every time, my friend.

It's started raining here, too, in a big, dramatic clap of thunder and lightning. Very dramatic, but thank fuck, it's been SO HOT. I love warm weather, love the sun, love getting outside, but I don't like living in soup, Dexterous. Hot, humid, sticky soup *-* I hate it, but it has chilled the air a little, which will hopefully help me sleep. I don't know if Lerwick ever achieves the kind of heat that doesn't let you rest, and I hope it never does for your sake because yuck!
The heat did mean I got two Frappuccinos in the space of three days, though, so... :D Finally tried the strawberries and cream one and it tasted like a watered down Cornetto. Not bad, but I think I'll stick with chocolate until something fun comes back around.

So glad your dad's feeling less nervous about his operation. Like I said, they're fairly routine procedures, but yeah, still kinda nerve-racking! How are you doing with all this? On a steady diet of sugar to curb the concern?

The Secret History is about a group of American college students who in the midst of studying Ancient Greek, perform the ritual of a bacchanal and end up killing someone. Premeditated? An accident? I actually can't remember, but I've got three and half hours to find out!
It's a great book, I'm glad I read it, but it's soooooo different to what I read now. Very literary fiction, very beautifully writing, very infuriatingly intellectual. I think I prefer it when short woman are kicking the shit out things, these days ^-^

Ps. Did you float the idea of Project Hail Mary to Kerry for your movie night? I'm rewatching it with the fam and it's just so good. Probably going to be a favourite from now on.; 26 June 2026 at 22:20
Dex said...: I do love a Yum Yum. Or several :)

Strawberries and cream Frappuccino does sound so ridiculously summery that I would have had to try one too :) The weather in Lerwick almost never goes beyond 18c so I think we are okay for sleep. I certainly never have any trouble :) Hopefully you get a few non soupy sunny days that you and Charlie can enjoy. And a better night's sleep!

I have been worrying a bit about the operation, just because of my dad's age. But hopefully everything will be okay. And I would be on a diet of sugar whatever the situation :)

It's good to have a change sometimes but hopefully you can go back to reading about short women kicking the shit out of things very soon :)

I love when you find a new favourite thing :) I haven't mentioned it to Kerry yet - she's been a bit preoccupied with more things breaking in her house :S But next weekend we get some time together, I'll definitely be bringing it up :) She's staying in her mum's flat in town tonight (her mum lives in Whalsay but keeps a flat in Lerwick that Kerry and her siblings can use when they need to).; 28 June 2026 at 02:37
Dex said...: One more day off then back to work :S; 28 June 2026 at 23:23
Dex said...: Back to work tomorrow. At least it is the last week of term. Things are usually quieter over the summer holidays...

My dad's operation is on Friday so I don't think they have any plans until then.; 29 June 2026 at 23:25
Dex said...: Kerry is now staying at her mum's flat as another appliance has broken! Her fridge this time :S At least she seems to be intending to deal with it fairly quickly, unlike the still broken washing machine and hot water tank...; 30 June 2026 at 19:16
Louise Boyd said...: Soooo, there's two options here: Kerry's flat is haunted, or she's somehow become magnetic and is accidentally murdering all her appliances *-*
Why does everything break at the same time?! >_< It's like a conspiracy against homeowners/renters! Is it in the contract somewhere? In the fine print nobody ever reads?! One of your old school murder mystery types should be put on the case; they'd have no idea what half the appliances are but they'd figure it out :D

I'm sorry (but not really) to rub this in your face but Sarah made this at the weekend:

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/776454706-chocolate-crunch-cake

Gooey chocolate cake and Nutella-covered cornflakes is something I didn't know was necessary to my wellbeing but it is. I need it to live. SO good. You need to somehow infiltrate the Cake Fridge cohort and convince them to make it for you *-*; 1 July 2026 at 18:21
Dex said...: You know that I love you rubbing desserts in my face, especially when they are made by one of your sisters :D Although it was all I could do to stop myself from trying to grab the chocolate crunch cake through the screen! If only that were possible :) I used to love chocolate cornflakes/rice crispies, especially when they had just been made and were still warm, so that dessert would be right up my street :)

I reckon her house is haunted! I suppose it could be worse. In one of the Campion stories, the murderer leaves behind a house full of death traps!

Obviously, I initially had to scroll down your monthly to find your review of Project Hail Mary :); 1 July 2026 at 22:40
Dex said...: My dad's operation is tomorrow morning so I will let you know how it went. They both seem calm about it :); 2 July 2026 at 20:14
Dex said...: My mum messaged to say that it looks like my dad's operation has gone okay :); 3 July 2026 at 19:22
Louise Boyd said...: Fuck yeah! Go Team Eva :D
Will they be staying long in Aberdeen for his recovery? That would mean more Freya time, and she's the best nurse in the universe, so... win win ^-^
I would say it would be a stellar day for the Cake Fridge to celebrate, but it's too late! Maybe you should check out the ice cream section in Tesco. Ben & Jerry's have a churro flavour that sounds kind of epic.

Any updates on Kerry's Haunted House? Any ghostly apparitions yet?
Not exactly a haunting but we entirely lose Charlie in the house sometimes. It's very spooky because he's the size of a small dog (truly wonder if he's part Norwegian Forest cat or something) and there isn't anywhere he can hide because we're a pack rat family so every nook and cranny is filled, but he just... disappears, not a fluffy trace, and then reappears very calmly sometime later 0_0
I think it's just more evidence that he's an actual demon who can osmose through walls but chooses not to most of the time because it's more fun to make the human serfs open doors for him at all hours x_x; 3 July 2026 at 21:16
Dex said...: I will definitely be trying the churro ice cream if they have it in Tesco :) I'm certainly feeling a bit less stressed now that it sounds like everything has gone okay. They should be travelling on the boat on Thursday night so a few days in Aberdeen to rest. But they won't have Freya as a nurse. She has gone to Greece with her mum!

Kerry has moved into her mum's flat for the time being and that seems to be ghost free :) We were going to look at fridges today but left it too late :S We did go and see the film Obsession tonight so I am feeling a bit disturbed!

Knowing Charlie, he has probably laid claim to some secret comfortable spot in your house :) I do imagine your house as being like some kind of magical library that is full of things but also has many places to hide :); 4 July 2026 at 23:19
Louise Boyd said...: Oh, I want to see Obsession! I've heard very good things, and if it freaked you out it's gonna be awesome :D
(Yes, you're my barometer for spookiness)
Anything would be better than the suck-fest I watched last night, some Aussie zombie thing with Lupita Nyong'o as a kindergarten teacher fending off undead chompers. Super disappointing seeing as I love her, and the Aussies are normally stellar at horror. Like, I'm not easily freaked out by the genre in general but they manage to scare the shit out of me. Have you ever seen The Loved Ones with Xavier Samuels? Or Wolf Creek? They're not even that great movies but the horror in them is *shudder*.

No Freya! Despicable!
I hope she's having a blast in Greece, though; hanging out with her fellow deities and such ^-^

Is it weird that I actually really like appliance shopping? <_<
I've always loved snooping at all the different styles and colours. Stores like that are weirdly comforting to me *-*

Ps. There is nowhere to hide in my house. You couldn't play hide or seek to save your life!; 5 July 2026 at 17:51
Dex said...: We did see a trailer last night for a film about children being turned into homicidal maniacs by a creepy ice cream man. It looked very violent!

I feel like I have heard of Wolf Creek. I just read the synopsis and it definitely sounds familiar. I don't know how good of a barometer I am as I get scared very easily. You probably cope with these things much better than I do :)

I would definitely take you appliance shopping if I ever had a house. I would completely trust your judgement on things to buy. And also because I am assuming you would be coming over all the time :) Do you think a lot about what things you would want for your dream house?

Charlie is definitely a demon :); 5 July 2026 at 23:21
Dex said...: I was just looking at our weather forecast. Nice day tomorrow following by 3 days of mist! Wednesday should be very nice in Blair :); 6 July 2026 at 19:43
Louise Boyd said...: I think we're in for a good run of nice weather, which, yay! I'll try and shove some of it upwards to the Tiny Isle, edge you closer to... 15℃? That's optimum summer weather in the Shetlands, right?

I'm genuinely unscareable when it comes to horror and I hate it x_x
I was such a scaredy cat as a kid, and I'm legit freaked out by some of the things that used to haunt my nightmares (Skeksis, rotoscope Ringwraiths) but now I can watch something gory as fuck things and be totally chill about it. Psychological stuff and true crime is a different story, I find it way harder to disconnect from anything that's possible in reality, unless it's sensationalised like Gone Girl, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or just really fucking great like Broadchurch, The Fall, Zodiac. But weird monsters and such? Don't even break a sweat =/ I remember everyone freaking out over Hereditary a few years back, and I finally got around to watching it last year, super excited for something to finally make me peek through my fingers, and... meh. It's a good movie, but I'm more scared of answering the phone than Toni Collette crawling on the ceiling *shrug*.
What's your scare level? Like, do you have a limit where you nope out? Is Kerry forcing you to watch all these scary movies?!

I would be coming over all the time! For pancakes :D
I don't really think about a dream house in a concrete way, more I like certain decor and colours, and if there could be lots of natural light that'd be great. But I don't know; I pin all this stuff to Pinterest of rooms and aesthetics I like but there's sooooo many options, it's kind of overwhelming *-*
I do know I'd want a reading room, obviously, and a bathroom that kind of felt like being inside a plant, and I'm very into the dopamine decorating trend that's doing the rounds at the moment. But... yeah, I vaguely have ideas but I think I'd need a full estate to execute them 0_0
You?; 7 July 2026 at 18:41
Dex said...: Thank you, Lilliputty. Yes, 15c is generally considered a nice day here :)

I'm really bad with jump scares. And using Kerry as a human shield :) But I really don't think you'll find Obsession very scary. The premise is quite disturbing, and there are some creepy and gory moments, but it is also pretty ridiculous and far removed from reality. I'm actually okay with a lot of horror/slasher film violence as it usually is fairly unbelievable :) But violence that is more true crime are not my kind of thing at all.

I think I have resigned myself to living at home (or in Sandness) forever :) I actually appreciate this house a lot more these days. I very much like that it is full of books and dvds and cds and records :) Did I ever tell you that my great uncle was an amateur painter? We have a lot of his painting on our walls. Just some nice watercolours of landscapes and boats mainly. And he was called David too so we have a lot of paintings signed off with my name :); 7 July 2026 at 23:24
Dex said...: Kerry is looking after her sister's dog tonight. She always gets very excited to see her, although she is a bit of a cheese monster so Kerry will have to keep an eye on her tea :); 8 July 2026 at 19:32
Dex said...: My parents are on the boat back home tonight so I will pick them up tomorrow morning. I will miss having the living room to myself :); 9 July 2026 at 19:19
Dex said...: I think you have managed to shove some of your nice weather up here, Maggot! Thank you! :D; 10 July 2026 at 22:23
Dex said...: New sugar purchase from Tesco: Balconi Italian Sponge Slices :); 11 July 2026 at 16:05
Dex said...: Our electric shower broke last night. While my head was full of shampoo! There was a loud bang and it just stopped, followed by a burning smell :S Maybe baths for me for a little while...; 12 July 2026 at 16:59
Louise Boyd said...: Trying very hard not to laugh, but... XD
But only because I've been there myself! More than once!
And there must be something in the air, right now because our fridge broke today, and our dishwasher finally gave up the ghost =/
Was Kerry the start of some appliance-based hex?

How's your dad doing now he's back home? Enjoying the nice weather or hanging out in the living room watching mysteries?

That's so cool about your great uncle being an artist. Watercolour's one of those mediums that looks like it should be easy, but I trust me, that watery nonsense is hard as fuck to get right *-*; 12 July 2026 at 22:27
Dex said...: I suppose that I am just lucky that my hair is relatively short :) Clearly Kerry has inadvertently cursed us! I really hope that it's not too much trouble getting the fridge and dishwater replaced. Do you have a 2nd fridge that you can move things to? I'm not sure how long we will be without the electric shower. My mother is usually quite good at forcing electricians, plumbers etc. to fix things quickly :) There is also another shower that's connected to the water tank but that's in my parents bedroom so isn't always the most convenient! Although I did use it this morning :)

Thank you, Lilliputty. My dad seems to be doing okay :) He just seems to be back to normal apart from having to put eye drops in 4 times a day! The weather has been very nice the last few days and he has managed a couple of walks. But mostly old tv shows in the living room :)

My uncle used to do some paintings when he visited Shetland so we have quite a few watercolours of places around here like the Clickimin Broch :); 13 July 2026 at 22:14
Dex said...: My parents have booked their flights to the Philippines. They are pretty sure it will be their last time with my dad, as the travel will probably be too much for him next year, so I hope they enjoy it.; 14 July 2026 at 23:28
Dex said...: Actually walked to work without a jacket today. Maybe summer is here!; 15 July 2026 at 22:30
Dex said...: I really hope that Charlie has been able to enjoy the nice weather in his favourite spot without being bothered by the crows.; 16 July 2026 at 23:20
Louise Boyd said...: He's no longer being bullied by the crows but he has forsaken us to sleep on next door's trampoline :|
Always making a spectacle of himself, that one. If he's not sleeping there, he's flashing his entire belly to the street on the hot pavement at the end of our drive.
Hopeless, utterly hopeless!

We officially have a new dishwasher and fridge! I love getting new appliances ^-^ The fridge, however, is now so tall I can't reach the top shelf without a stool *-* BUT, the freezer isn't stocked to the brim yet (it will be, my mum freezes everything) so Sarah's going to make ice cream! I voted for Coffee Oreo, but I think the general masses want strawberry. Fools <_<

Glad to hear your dad's doing well! Sucks it'll be their last trip to the Philippines, though. D'you think they'll miss going? And will you miss the parent free living room? Maybe this'll finally force you to go to Sandness more often!

Ps. A mosquito bit me on the face. THE FACE. I've killed dozens in retribution ^-^; 17 July 2026 at 22:33
Dex said...: A sleeping Charlie would be quite a thing to find on your trampoline :)

Your family definitely don't hang around :) With your sisters being so talented in the kitchen, I'm not surprised you guys have a big fridge! Also, I will send in my postal vote for Coffee Oreo :) Your family are the best but I can't believe they want strawberry instead!

I'm sure they will miss going as they really get well looked after over there. And I will definitely miss having the living room to myself :) But you're right, maybe this is the push I need to make me go to Sandness. It really is a nice small house - if it wasn't for Kerry and work, I could definitely see myself living there :)

The face?! Those monsters! They deserve all the retribution!; 17 July 2026 at 23:17
Dex said...: I meant to say that we got our electric shower replaced as well. Although it seems to look exactly the same!; 18 July 2026 at 18:22
Dex said...: One of the annoying things about being stuck with a personalised licence late is that I feel like I have to keep the car relatively clean or I will feel like I am being judged :) That was my task for today.; 19 July 2026 at 23:47
Dex said...: I hope your family changed their minds on the ice cream flavour :); 20 July 2026 at 23:30
Dex said...: Finally got a break from cruise ships today so I could go to my favourite cafe on the street for lunch without being swarmed by tourists! I managed to get some millionaire's shortbread with a ridiculously thick layer of caramel :); 21 July 2026 at 23:09
Dex said...: Kerry now needs to get her electricity meter replaced! I don't know how long she will be at the flat... It's a good thing her mother hardly ever uses it :); 22 July 2026 at 19:19
Louise Boyd said...: I'm starting to think you and Kerry should start checking under her furniture for Ill Wish dolls because she is straight up cursed!
That's a bonkers amount of stuff to break in, what, a month? Bonkers *-*

The fam did not change their minds about the ice cream flavour, but... it's so fucking incredible I don't even care (and I'm getting coffee this weekend, anyway ^-^). It somehow tastes more like a strawberry than an actual strawberry. Actual sorcery. My sister's a witch!
I'm so lucky :D
I would trade you a bowlful for a slice of that Millionaire's Shortbread, though. Oh! They might actually go really well together. Just mash the Millionaire's up a bit and sprinkle it on top. Yum *-*

My poor mum has caught a summer bug and has been feverish for the last couple of days. There is nothing worse than getting sick in the summer, I swear. Maybe Christmas or birthday, but nah, when it's finally sunny and warm, you shouldn't get infected with the lurgy! That's just cruel!; 22 July 2026 at 21:53
Dex said...: I think it probably has been longer than that but because she hasn't actually fixed any of it, it probably seems like it is all happening at once! Fortunately, her mother is quite the lady of leisure so when she's not living in Whalsay, she's going away on holiday, meaning that Kerry usually gets the flat to herself :) Although she has siblings who might use it when they are in town but they tend to live away or in Whalsay too.

That does sound like a perfect summer dessert :D Your poor mum though! I really hope it passes quickly. She definitely deserves a double helping of ice cream when she feels well enough to manage it.; 23 July 2026 at 23:05
Dex said...: I think our summer may be over already!; 24 July 2026 at 18:52
Dex said...: I hope you're mum is feeling a bit better, Lilliputty. And that you got your weekend coffee :); 26 July 2026 at 00:34
Dex said...: I do love opening a pack of KitKats and finding they are 4-bars rather than 2 :); 26 July 2026 at 22:00
Louise Boyd said...: I miss when KitKats came in foil. The plastic wrapping just isn't as satisfying! A four bar is still a thing of beauty, though. How do you eat it? One by one, or bite into the entire thing? I'm the latter because I'm a monster *-*

Happy to report the mater is 90% back to normal, some residual icky feelings, but well enough to eat Sarah's ice cream, so I'm taking that as a win.
Another win being the coffee ice cream is immense! 10/10. If I could I'd hoard the whole tub for myself! But, alas, I fear I would be beaten and then excommunicated for bad behaviour. Sigh -_-; 27 July 2026 at 22:44
Dex said...: I feel like such an amateur now, eating my KitKats one finger at a time :)

I'm really glad to hear that your mum is feeling better. I didn't like to think of her not being able to eat the strawberry ice cream. And now she can try the coffee too, if a certain someone is willing to share :D But I am so jealous! Gino Ginelli Coffee Ice Cream is one of my happiest childhood memories and I'm 100% certain that Sarah's version is 10x more incredible :); 27 July 2026 at 23:46
Dex said...: I think I will finally start my re-read of Lord of the Rings tonight... It has been many years!; 28 July 2026 at 22:50
Dex said...: I've actually gone back to using my hot water bottle! Maybe August will be better for us... Although I won't complain too much as I prefer this to a heatwave! I'm such a weirdo :); 29 July 2026 at 22:37
Dex said...: Maybe cake fridge tomorrow... They have almond croissant blondies and kinder brownies!; 30 July 2026 at 22:42
Dex said...: I went for the Kinder brownies :); 31 July 2026 at 23:20
Louise Boyd said...: But I thought you preferred cake to brownies? Excellent choice, though! I've been craving Buenos for ages *-* They might just be the perfect chocolate bar. At least Top ten.

So... did you start your reread? Pretty ambitious project, btw. I read the trilogy when the movies were coming out, and I've never done it again. Think about it sometimes because y'know, killer story, but always bail in the end. Keep me informed as you read, I wanna know your reactions to stuff! Like the Balrog! I lost my shit when I was reading the Balrog scene 0_0
Maybe I'll do a movie rewatch while you read :D

Next up on the ice cream agenda is raspberry, and classic chocolate. I'm very excited. And Sarah found those little chewy toffee bits that you got in the Gino Ginelli ice cream, so she's totally gonna try and recreate it :D
I know I ask all the time, but... any sign of the sundae truck? Or is too cold on the Tiny Isle =/ Can't believe you're using a hot water bottle midsummer, that's insane! *-*
I mean, it's not super warm here, but it's nice enough that I can sit outside and Charlie can steal my deck cushion when I get up to go fetch a drink < he did this today, the little wretch. Cute, though. Very cute >_<; 1 August 2026 at 22:09
Dex said...: Cake all the way but the Kinder did persuade me to mix it up :) I hope you get a Bueno soon!

There was something in the back of my head saying that you didn't like the LOTR films... Or maybe that was me :) I did go through a phase in the early/mid 2000s of thinking they were one of the best things ever but I have very much outgrown that. I hope I enjoy the books as much as I remember though! I did start my re-read so I will see how it goes. There are some very creepy scenes in the first book that I am very much looking forward to... Like the Balrog :) Also, the part where they first hide from a ring wraith on the road!

If Sarah re-creates the Gino Ginelli ice cream, I will have reached peak jealousy mode :D Especially since I have heard a terrible rumour that the ice cream truck has retired! The temperature has definitely dropped here but I'm still hopeful it will pick up again during August :S I'm very glad it's warm enough for you and the deck cushion thief to enjoy sitting outside though :); 2 August 2026 at 12:25
Dex said...: Monthly :D I was definitely very curious to hear what you thought about Widow's Bay!; 4 August 2026 at 00:02
Dex said...: So much rain here, Maggot :S; 4 August 2026 at 21:55
Louise Boyd said...: Yeah, we just had a massive downpour. The gutters were going crazy while Charles very calmly watched from atop his perch atop the bunkers under the eaves, totally unbothered, if a little bitter because it was sunny sixty seconds beforehand 0_0
Gotta love British summers; they never fail to surprise.
Please tell me it's at least a little warmer up there with you?

I'm not sure I actually said anything about WIdow's Bay, I kind of just waffled confusedly :D It's my go to move when I don't know how to review something, or my brain's gone into hibernation/flying toaster mode and I have zero thoughts. Which is most of the time, tbh *-*
I think I might try watching it again, though. See if it doesn't hit better the second time around.

SO. Here's the thing with the LOTR movie: I do kind of hate them, but only in specific ways, not in entirety. I actually think Peter Jackson did a really fantastic job bringing maybe the most beloved fantasy novel to the screen. It was no small feat, and it does look pretty spectacular, even after all these years. BUT. While a lot of the casting is so on point it feels like divine intervention (Aragorn, Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond, Gollum), some of the other casting hurts my soul: I love Elijah Wood but his casting is a hate crime; Legolas is a badass in the books and Orlando Bloom made me hate him; I can't talk about Gimli without raging out; Cate Blanchett should've been fantastic but something went terribly wrong; and Liv Tyler is not cunty enough to be my Arwen, the same going for Miranda Otto as Éowyn.
And some of the narrative alterations Jackson made will vex me well into the afterlife: Galadriel's reaction to the Ring; Legolas surfing on a shield; Bilbo's Gollum-esque freakout at Bilbo; Faramir being kind of dick when he's the sweetest man in Middle-earth; and more I'll probably notice when I do a rewatch.
These things I struggle to forgive, in that I fucking can't and I refuse to, but the movies are still so much to watch with moments I still freak out over: Gandalf falling with the Balrog, the hobbits hiding from the the Nazgûl, Aragorn busting through the doors at Helm's Deep, Gandalf escaping on Gwaihir's back, Gandalf arriving at Helm's Deep, the whole escape through the Mines of Moria, Boromir's death, Éowyn's woman-born moment, and so many fucking more I've lost count.
They're great movies, and I do kinda love them, but the parts I don't like really taint it for me. And then what Peter Jackson did with The Hobbit? Unforgivable. Sacrilege. I will never watch them again, they are offence to the senses and I hope Tolkien never hears of them in the afterlife!
...
You see what happens when you ask me questions! *-*
It's so cool you're rereading them, though. Huge endeavour but very cool, Fungus, very cool indeed.
Have you watched any of Rings of Power on Prime? I have and it's... well, it's worth another rant, but I'll spare you that for now :)
They are doing one of the best love stories in the lore for the third season, though: Galadriel and Celeborn, and he's being played by Jamie Campbell Bower who I like a lot, so I might have to watch it for them even if I don't want to -_-
Oh, the things I do for fictional couples!

THEY RETIRED THE ICE CREAM TRUCK?! NOOOOOOOOOO!
That's so sad! >_<
Where will you get sundae's from now?!
Although, knowing your quaint little island, you probably have an ye olde ice cream shoppe, don't you ^-^; 5 August 2026 at 17:59

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July 21, 2019

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