Tag Archives: six nations

Sunday 17th March, 2013

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  March 17, 2013 - 21:26 | Site Diary
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I hope St Patrick’s Day [Wikipedia article: St Patrick External Link] went well for everyone. My week has disappeared in completing small tasks – some of which are still outstanding as I still haven’t refound the photos I’m supposed to scan for someone – and the weekend has been spent organising for and spending some time with my niece. It was her birthday in the week, so we’ve had a family meal this evening.

And a short sword-and-shield fencing lesson for her this afternoon, which is not something I know anything about but I figured if I got her in the habit of using both hands and hitting the weapons rather than her friends / opponents, the wooden toys would be a little safer and more acceptable to my sister. Just call me an irresponsible aunt. The good news is, I think my niece enjoyed being an armed pink princess and I may wear my fencing kit next time. Just to survive.

Edited to add: And the Wales v England game was awesome :)

Monday 25th February, 2013

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  February 25, 2013 - 19:24 | Site Diary
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I didn’t mean to leave it quite so long between posts. I skipped one wekend because I basically didn’t have anything to share, but two? I guess I just misplaced the to do list at some point!

I was pretty active, b my standards, this weekend in that I went up to Leeds to meet a bunch of other people who learn Welsh with SaySomethingInWelsh [External Link], and spoke a mix of Welsh and English. Nobody was comfortable enough to speak in only Welsh but we threw Welsh words into some English sentences, and English words into some Welsh sentences. And all came away feeling like we’d been marked “must try harder”, I think. But we enjoyed it and I hope to go back next month.

I also managed to watch all three of the (men’s) Six Nations rugby matches this weekend. Short short version: England beat France, Scotland beat Ireland and Wales beat Italy.

The better news is, I also finished a short story. I’d been having difficulty with an idea and have been sulking for a while. On Monday I persuaded myself to put it down and pick up another, so by the end of Sunday I’d written 5000-ish words. 3800 of them survived the first draft. Not bads for a week’s work!

Oh, and the latest things up on the Artful Hearts Designs Facebook page [External Link] are some cocnut shell keyrings from Sam and some more pictures from Terry.

Sunday 10th February, 2013

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  February 10, 2013 - 19:14 | Site Diary
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Well, I forgot to take Mousie to the February freeplay session – it could be that Miss Mouse is not intended to learn to defend herself while on her travels. That may even be what the Hellhounds are for. (Finally! A use for them!)

Of course, going fencing meant I missed the Scotland v Italy game – and so, again, I probably missed the most entertaining and open game of the weekend. I made it back to watch an efficient but not that spectacular win by Wales over France in a game that was only entertaining because “my” team was in it rather than because of anything that actually happened. Today’s match between Ireland and England was barely any better with the weather making it hard to do anything but hang on for grim death. Apparently. (I wasn’t there, I can only go by what was shown on tv.) England won and thus become the favourites for the Six Nations.

At this point, I have to admit I haven’t been up to much. I’ve been procrastinating, which makes for lots of time sinks and no obvious progress. Sam has been a bit more industrious, however, and you can find some photos of her keyrings, earrings and candles on the Artful Hearts Designs Facebook page [External Link], along with some photos of her friend Terry LAIR / Cabin Clutter Creations’ work. Sam’s also currently running a competition for a keyring, which you can see here: [External Link].

Sunday 3rd February, 2012

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  February 3, 2013 - 21:55 | Site Diary
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Could someone please tell me how we got to February already?

On the good side, February means the Six Nations is on again. I watched the Wales v. Ireland match (I kind of wish I hadn’t. First half = ouch, second half = oh, so close). I missed the England v. Scotland match (more on why shortly) and I chose not to watch the Italy v. France game – which, by a swift intervention of Sod’s Law, apparently turned out to be the most exciting game of the weekend. Italy won and, according to some, turned the “natural order” on its head. They’ve been improving over the last decade, though, and they played extremely well last season so I thought it was a possible and deserved outcome.

I missed the Calcutta cup match (England / Scotland) because I met Dylan Fox [] and Allegra Hawksmoor [External Link] at The Telling (2) [External Link] in Doncaster – at least, for part of it. Although spoken word is often lost on me (short attention span, missing some of the nuance) it was an interesting evening and I’m glad I went. But then we were also involved in some pre-Industrial Age style smelting and manning the bellows was oddly fun.

There’s been an on-site change this week, in that the Smallsword Symposium web page went live with the 2013 dates (and more information to be added between now and October), so I’ve created a link page here.

And the final thing to mention is my sister, Sam Jackson, is starting up the arts and crafts again. Things should be turning up on her Etsy account (Sam’s Hut [External Link]) at some point but, for now, she’s concentrating on a Facebook page (currently known as Artful Hearts Designs [External Link]) that is intended to be a shared page with other craft-y friends. Her coffee-themed candles are well worth a look.

Sunday 27th January, 2013

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  January 27, 2013 - 19:54 | Site Diary
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It’s a fencing week this week, starting with the events currently in the sticky slider on the front page (in date order):

I should be attending the SSS Sheffield events and I’ve just booked my place at SWASH (including the dinner) – but I may slope off to watch Scotland vs. Wales on the Saturday.

Further dates for events that I may be going to but don’t currently have enough detail to put up a link for are:

  • April 13th, SSS Sheffield freeplay session
  • May 11th, SSS Sheffield freeplay session
  • August 10th – 11th, Fechtschule York
  • August 16th – 18th, Fightcamp 2013
  • October 19th – 20th, Smallsword Symposium V

(And if you can think of any that I ought to mention, whether or not I can attend, let me know.)

In keeping with the theme, I have two new pages, having written something about the latest addition to the Knight Shop waster set and my second hand Federschwert.

To cap it all off, there’s been a call for submissions to a “dragonpunk” anthology that aims to turn the privilege of medieval-style high fantasy upside down (Combustion Books: [External Link]). And a similar point of view on high / medieval Europe based fantasy can also be found in an older post on the Future Fire Editor’s Blog (“L is for Low Fantasy” [ target="_blank">External Link]).

Monday 5th November, 2012

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  November 5, 2012 - 20:58 | Site Diary
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Remember, remember the fifth of November… I was supposed to do something yesterday, wasn’t I? Okay, people, we have a belated house-keeping post this week. Let’s start with:

Outlaw Bodies

The anthology came out on November 1st. On this site, there’s been an announcement post, a related post (background on my story in the anthology and maybe spoilers if anyone wants to talk in-depth about it) and I’ve added a note to the right so that everyone can get the links to order it. I won’t bore you with repeating the same details for a fourth time. (Look! It’s to the right! That way –>).

As said previously, there are links to all things Outlaw Bodies related here: Outlaw Bodies Blog Carnival [External Link]. If you know of something that isn’t linked there or you’ve seen an online review you think the team should mention, let Djibril know on the comments.

Other Writing

You may also have noticed that another announcement post went up this week. I’ve had another short story accepted for another anthology (No Monsters Allowed). More details as and when.

In terms of what I’m producing at the moment, I am most definitely not taking part in NaNoWriMo. One year, I will, I swear, but my usual work combined with life circumstances mean I can’t commit to writing every day. Yes, that is a cop out. Tough. That said, I’m also basically not writing. I’ll get back to redrafting a few things soon but I’m supposed to be working on typing up and commenting on an acquaintance’s script. The key phrase was “supposed to be”.

Just “Other”

The “supposed to be” is because I’ve been continuing the DIY on the living room. It may even be sorted for Christmas. I now have half a laminate floor down – with help yesterday from my sister. Yay us!

Fencing / Events

Swordfish came and went. I haven’t attended but I’m hoping to go next year. While sitting and staring at rough dates for these things (I hope to make SWASH, the Smallsword Symposium and Swordfish in 2013), it occurred to me that I miss off mentioning a large number of events that I hear about something like a week before they happen. I need to try and stay more on top of these things. And maybe find a way to display them better. Any suggestions?

And, dates for SWASH 2013 have been released (see the BFHS news [External Link]) as March 9th and 10th 2013. Although they’ve changed the weekend, this still conflicts with watching the Six Nations (rugby union) so I probably won’t attend the whole weekend. I promise not to grumble too much but I can’t promise not to wear my Welsh rugby shirt. I’ll post an event note for it when there’s a page dedicated to it instead of just sending you all to the Fed home page.

Sunday 11th March, 2012

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  March 11, 2012 - 16:46 | Site Diary
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Well, I continued the series on Women’s Roles in Fantasy Fiction (and in the real “Middle Ages”) with Women’s Role Models: Generals. There are two related site “innovations” this week. I’ve now put a short section at the end of each of the related posts so that it’s easier to jump between them (if you, you know, actually enjoy reading them) and I’ve shuffled my site categories slightly to allow an easy jump to the group of posts from the menu on the right (and here). The end is in sight with the final post in the series planned for Wednesday this week.

Which also means that now is the time to nominate a subject for me to waffle on, or request an expansion on something I’ve already covered, if you’ve enjoyed my attempts at blogging.

The redrafting on 25 Ways To Kill A Werewolf continues. I’ve got everything marked-up on paper and I have six more to get onto the computer. Further writing may resume soon, particularly as I’ve had some werewolf related ideas. I suspect there will be a brief short story (or two) detour before I make it back into the world of my Gens.

In rugby news, Wales beat Italy (woot!), Ireland beat Scotland (but it looked close for a while) and Alain Rolland is not scared of controversy (France – England, England won) – this being the referee last mentioned with respect to the World Cup and the France – Wales game (Sunday 15th October, 2011). This week, he gave a yellow card to an English player for something that was technically a penalty. Well, pending any comments from the various rugby boards as to whether they agree with the ref’s call. Again, Mr Rolland’s biggest problem was being put in a situation where his impartiality can be questioned. He should be banned from refereeing any international match with France playing just as he is not allowed to referee an international Ireland match. Not because I believe he’s partial but because it will cut down at least half of the griping. Seriously, the related comments spoil my enjoyment of the game more than his actual calls do!

In life off computer and tv, the boiler was fixed on Monday – so, yet again, I have heating back in time for the weather to warm up. Having worked outdoors three days out of five last week and having been enjoying the summer-like weather today, I can safely say I wouldn’t have frozen to death if the boiler hadn’t been under warranty. On the other hand, I’ve been a sight more comfortable than I would have been without it.

Sunday 4th March, 2012

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  March 4, 2012 - 16:55 | Site Diary
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Continuing the series on Women in Fantasy Fiction (and in the real “Middle Ages”), I posted on Women’s Role Models: Soldiers in the week just gone. I’ve got the makings of the Women’s Role Models: Generals for some time this week – probably Wednesday, again. Please let me know what you think of these posts – partly to alleviate the whole “voice crying in the wilderness” feel of them and partly because I would genuinely like some discussion. How am I expected to know I’m talking rubbish if you don’t tell me, huh? Comments will also encourage or discourage me (whichever you prefer) from doing similar series of posts in the future.

Foxie has been kind enough to link to the first of the series from this post here: Women in Fantasy: Dulle Griet [External Link]. There’s a bit more discussion and a pretty picture for you all to look at. While you’re on Foxie’s blog, you might also enjoy the short story he’s just made available: Son of a Bitch [External Link]. A nice bit of reading to get you giving your computer the odd sideways glance. Just to be sure…

I owe everyone an apology for my crappy little rugby summary last weekend. Not because I should inflict you with more or less detail but because I put things wrong. Ireland beat Italy. France didn’t play until Sunday and they beat Scotland (although Scotland apparently started well). As I typed this, I was watching the dying minutes of the delayed France v. Ireland game. It was 17 all and it stayed that way.

The decorating is (more or less) finished. Until I start the next room. If I mention it, remind me that I hate the actual process, although my newly decorated room looks pretty spiffing, thank you for asking. The radiator drip has been solved properly by putting the radiator back on – the cork did not last well, it was shot out some time on Wednesday and I have yet to find the cork – but the central heating stopped working – also on Wednesday. The pressure has gone from the system but I can’t get the system to refill itself. I could struggle putting water in myself, or I can call the plumber tomorrow, now I know that the radiator isn’t the only problem.

And, finally, redrafting on 25 Ways To Kill A Werewolf continues. I’ve got three or four methods marked up on paper – one of my beta readers wanted a manuscript and I’m a little surprised how much easier I find it doing the initial edits on paper – prior to typing the changes in. Further writing may resume but I think it might be better to concentrate on getting my werewolves done and dusted.

Monday 27th February, 2012

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  February 27, 2012 - 17:37 | Site Diary
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With a little help from Cheryl Morgan [External Link], I put together a post on Women’s Role Models: Ringers, which I posted last week. This is a continuation of the Women’s Role posts started with Women’s Roles in Fantasy Fiction and continued in Women’s Role Models: An Introduction. A post on “Soldiers” follows some time this week – probably Wednesday, when tradition suggests I should actually be out proposing to random men. Feedback on all of these posts would be appreciated, as would suggestions for further examples.

The radiator drip was solved with a cork, thankfully, but I have been redecorating. I’ve managed up to the first coat of paint. This did not distract from Saturday’s rugby – France beat Ireland, Wales beat England (woot! Triple Crown!) – or the disappearance of Sunday in an all day trip to SWASH 2012. Next year, I think they’re moving the dates to slightly later in the year, so I won’t have to chose between men rolling in the mud and people waving swords again. Hopefully, decorating won’t enter into the equation.

Redrafting on 25 Ways To Kill A Werewolf continues, with more writing on hold for a while. I just don’t have the time with redecorating and such.