Hi there 2020
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Been meaning to do a round-up thing. Don't really like them, but hey, new decade...
Christmas
Christmas was lovely and I got some lovely presents. The main ones were an Aziraphale mug (as in, the wings one!):

The other one I'm still not quite sure is real. You know how you see something utterly gorgeous but it's out of your price-range and you know you'll never get it, but you still look at it and go 'If only'? Some years ago (2013? Ish?) Debenhams had this coat in their winter collection:

And this Christmas... I got it!
It's hanging right next to me, so it obviously exists here, as something that belongs to me. So I am v happy. Also Impish Girl (the 18 y.o.) is v jealous, since she vividly remembered it, and coveted it, even age 12 or however old she was back then. She also said (with an edge to her words, how dare I get the coat that she loves *g*): 'Now you won't just be the prettiest mum in town, you'll also be the most stylish' and like, that made my Christmas!<3
Fannishness 2019
Well, when it comes to fandom Good Omens has reigned supreme this year. I never expected to fall in love with a show again, not on this scale, and I can't begin to explain how much it means to me. (There will be more fic soon.)
However there were other shows (in no particular order):
- Russian Doll. I loved this wholeheartedly, but could never find a single thing to say? It just is, it's pretty much perfect, it just... didn't hit *that* button.
- Umbrella Academy. This came out pre-Good Omens, and I fell, and I fell hard. I love it to pieces, and if it hadn't been for Good Omens, this might have become my main thing. It's far messier than GO, far more cynical and violent (Number Five is one of my favourite characters ever btw), and I look forward to S2 immensely.
- Bojack Horseman. Just started watching the new season. This show is unparalleled, being one of the funniest, most innovative and quietly brutal and insightful things around.
- Rick & Morty. Hm. I don't find the toilet humour appealing, but I can appreciate what it does. (Has anyone written anything on how Dan Harmon is dissecting masculinity through Morty, Jerry & Rick?)
- Derry Girls. I love everyone and everything, and all hail Sister Michael.
- Fleabag S2. No words, Fleabag is just poetry. Rude, messy, difficult, hilarious and beautiful. What a show. Loved the ending.
- The Windsors. I have a vague theory that there are two kinds of people: Those who watch The Crown, and those who watch The Windsors. I feel that I *ought* to watch The Crown, everyone says how great it is, but... The Windsors is hysterically funny, brilliantly written and everyone is terrible. (Prince Andrew? Disturbingly accurate; crude, sexist, creepy as hell, beyond selfish. Pippa socks him one in S2 when he grabs her ass, it's great.) I could go on, and might write an actual post tbh. It's great in the way of proper sitcoms, setting up completely ridiculous premises and executing them beautifully. (If you watch, the order is: S1, Christmas Special, S2, Wedding Special.) Only drawback: Kate is (for never explained reasons) a Traveller, although they use the word g*psy. (It is clearly an acceptable form of racism to happily broadcast, and the writers seem to have zero qualms about getting mileage out of every cliché. Just to give you a heads up.)
- Hannibal.

(Spectre was on TV yesterday and we semi-watched some of the ending - from the weird torture scene onwards - and ye gods what a disappointing villain the new Blofeld is. Zero menace, just a pathetic nerd. I thought longingly of Hannibal.) (Oh and Andrew Scott was in it for like three seconds and brightened everything up. Another wasted opportunity.)
There are probably things I've forgotten, but those are the main ones.
I feel like I ought to watch the new Star War (my heart belongs to TLJ, so my main concern was always that it didn't undo TLJ), but am mostly curious about Knives Out. Also the girls are keen on Little Women.
ETA: AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER! Dammit, knew I'd forget something. Basically binge-watched this with the fam and loved everything. Zuko is my darling forever. (I have a type, and I'm not apologising.)
Some sort of looking back at the past decade?
Looking back, then 2010 started with the Tenth Doctor regenerating to the Eleventh, an event that brought me untold joy, new best friends and a whole new world of meta. (I am torn re. the new Doctor Who tonight (6.55 - 8) - because it clashes with the Derry Girls Bake-Off (7.40 - 9). Derry Girls will probably win, and then we can watch Doctor Who afterwards. Sorry Thirteen. Oh and Dracula at 9pm! Moffaaaaat! ♥)
I was also not working yet (got my current job in 2011) and am unable to remember exactly what life was like as a stay-at-home-mum.
Best day/moment of the past decade was probably the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Beautiful and brilliant and full of hope and excitement for the future.
Worst day (for me): 24 June 2016. :(
ETA: Feel I should also mention Gen-Z and the awesome young people stepping up. Malala. Greta. Little Miss Flint. The Parkland students. (So many more I could mention, but we are going to go out for a walk, so will log off.) It's shameful that children have to step up because the adults failed, but I am grateful that they are more than equal to the task.
And finally...
The only thing I'd add to that is that this decade we need to be saving the actual planet. (And the NHS of course. And the country. And...) Starting 2010 I don't remember worrying about any of this. (Maybe I was naive and living in a bubble. And OK, sure climate change was a thing, but I guess I thought that governments would *do* something? Instead they just got racist & cosied up to billionaires.)
Been meaning to do a round-up thing. Don't really like them, but hey, new decade...
Christmas
Christmas was lovely and I got some lovely presents. The main ones were an Aziraphale mug (as in, the wings one!):

The other one I'm still not quite sure is real. You know how you see something utterly gorgeous but it's out of your price-range and you know you'll never get it, but you still look at it and go 'If only'? Some years ago (2013? Ish?) Debenhams had this coat in their winter collection:

And this Christmas... I got it!
It's hanging right next to me, so it obviously exists here, as something that belongs to me. So I am v happy. Also Impish Girl (the 18 y.o.) is v jealous, since she vividly remembered it, and coveted it, even age 12 or however old she was back then. She also said (with an edge to her words, how dare I get the coat that she loves *g*): 'Now you won't just be the prettiest mum in town, you'll also be the most stylish' and like, that made my Christmas!<3
Fannishness 2019
Well, when it comes to fandom Good Omens has reigned supreme this year. I never expected to fall in love with a show again, not on this scale, and I can't begin to explain how much it means to me. (There will be more fic soon.)
However there were other shows (in no particular order):
- Russian Doll. I loved this wholeheartedly, but could never find a single thing to say? It just is, it's pretty much perfect, it just... didn't hit *that* button.
- Umbrella Academy. This came out pre-Good Omens, and I fell, and I fell hard. I love it to pieces, and if it hadn't been for Good Omens, this might have become my main thing. It's far messier than GO, far more cynical and violent (Number Five is one of my favourite characters ever btw), and I look forward to S2 immensely.
- Bojack Horseman. Just started watching the new season. This show is unparalleled, being one of the funniest, most innovative and quietly brutal and insightful things around.
- Rick & Morty. Hm. I don't find the toilet humour appealing, but I can appreciate what it does. (Has anyone written anything on how Dan Harmon is dissecting masculinity through Morty, Jerry & Rick?)
- Derry Girls. I love everyone and everything, and all hail Sister Michael.
- Fleabag S2. No words, Fleabag is just poetry. Rude, messy, difficult, hilarious and beautiful. What a show. Loved the ending.
- The Windsors. I have a vague theory that there are two kinds of people: Those who watch The Crown, and those who watch The Windsors. I feel that I *ought* to watch The Crown, everyone says how great it is, but... The Windsors is hysterically funny, brilliantly written and everyone is terrible. (Prince Andrew? Disturbingly accurate; crude, sexist, creepy as hell, beyond selfish. Pippa socks him one in S2 when he grabs her ass, it's great.) I could go on, and might write an actual post tbh. It's great in the way of proper sitcoms, setting up completely ridiculous premises and executing them beautifully. (If you watch, the order is: S1, Christmas Special, S2, Wedding Special.) Only drawback: Kate is (for never explained reasons) a Traveller, although they use the word g*psy. (It is clearly an acceptable form of racism to happily broadcast, and the writers seem to have zero qualms about getting mileage out of every cliché. Just to give you a heads up.)
- Hannibal.

(Spectre was on TV yesterday and we semi-watched some of the ending - from the weird torture scene onwards - and ye gods what a disappointing villain the new Blofeld is. Zero menace, just a pathetic nerd. I thought longingly of Hannibal.) (Oh and Andrew Scott was in it for like three seconds and brightened everything up. Another wasted opportunity.)
There are probably things I've forgotten, but those are the main ones.
I feel like I ought to watch the new Star War (my heart belongs to TLJ, so my main concern was always that it didn't undo TLJ), but am mostly curious about Knives Out. Also the girls are keen on Little Women.
ETA: AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER! Dammit, knew I'd forget something. Basically binge-watched this with the fam and loved everything. Zuko is my darling forever. (I have a type, and I'm not apologising.)
Some sort of looking back at the past decade?
Looking back, then 2010 started with the Tenth Doctor regenerating to the Eleventh, an event that brought me untold joy, new best friends and a whole new world of meta. (I am torn re. the new Doctor Who tonight (6.55 - 8) - because it clashes with the Derry Girls Bake-Off (7.40 - 9). Derry Girls will probably win, and then we can watch Doctor Who afterwards. Sorry Thirteen. Oh and Dracula at 9pm! Moffaaaaat! ♥)
I was also not working yet (got my current job in 2011) and am unable to remember exactly what life was like as a stay-at-home-mum.
Best day/moment of the past decade was probably the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Beautiful and brilliant and full of hope and excitement for the future.
Worst day (for me): 24 June 2016. :(
ETA: Feel I should also mention Gen-Z and the awesome young people stepping up. Malala. Greta. Little Miss Flint. The Parkland students. (So many more I could mention, but we are going to go out for a walk, so will log off.) It's shameful that children have to step up because the adults failed, but I am grateful that they are more than equal to the task.
And finally...
Fact we’re in the ‘Twenties’ sounds so weird. It’s so synonymous with the 1920s. Sounds like a bygone era when women were still fighting for their rights, the upper classes were living a life of hedonism whilst people starved & the world was on the verge of financial ruin and war
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) January 1, 2020
The only thing I'd add to that is that this decade we need to be saving the actual planet. (And the NHS of course. And the country. And...) Starting 2010 I don't remember worrying about any of this. (Maybe I was naive and living in a bubble. And OK, sure climate change was a thing, but I guess I thought that governments would *do* something? Instead they just got racist & cosied up to billionaires.)

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*Hugs you*
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Any questions? ;) https://avrelia.dreamwidth.org/267408.html
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Gosh, Eleven was like a burst of fireworks and breath of fresh air rolled into one. I miss him and the Ponds. I miss Moffat. Fingers crossed that Thirteen's next series will have something to chew on.
Looking forward to Good Omens starting on the BBC this month. :)
Best day/moment of the past decade was probably the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Beautiful and brilliant and full of hope and excitement for the future.
Agreed.
Worst day (for me): 24 June 2016. :(
Only beaten for me by the day I found out that one of my oldest friends had died (13 September 2019). But 24 June is still up there.
I am hopefully seeing Knives Out tomorrow. Friend went to see Little Women and liked some things about it but found certain choices very frustrating. TROS is fun but messy.
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You may have a point. I am only a single episode into watching Romana I (the outfit where she looks like The Snow Queen crossed with a swan), but the style is on point. I am ridiculously happy.
Gosh, Eleven was like a burst of fireworks and breath of fresh air rolled into one. I miss him and the Ponds. I miss Moffat.
He was so... joyous. *points to icon* I had that from way before we had ever seen him on screen. THOSE WERE THE DAYS. In Moffat news there is Dracula, so that's something.
Fingers crossed that Thirteen's next series will have something to chew on.
And if not, I'm writing fic. ;)
Looking forward to Good Omens starting on the BBC this month. :)
I know. FINALLY!
Only beaten for me by the day I found out that one of my oldest friends had died (13 September 2019). But 24 June is still up there.
I am sorry about your friend. And the personal obviously trumps the political.
I am hopefully seeing Knives Out tomorrow. Friend went to see Little Women and liked some things about it but found certain choices very frustrating. TROS is fun but messy.
That all echoes what I've heard. Hope Knives Out is as much fun as I've heard.
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I've seen it and it was! XD
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I may have to work out where it's on...
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Number 8 Arts Centre in Pershore
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I didn’t think much about plastic but I did think about the planet 10 years ago. I remember we were investigating solar panels.
I really hope 2020 is better than everyone is saying it’s going to be .....!
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Thank you! I've been meaning to write it for weeks and just... didn't.
I didn’t think much about plastic but I did think about the planet 10 years ago. I remember we were investigating solar panels.
Yeah, it was definitely a thing, but not with the horrific urgency there now is.
I really hope 2020 is better than everyone is saying it’s going to be .....!
Same here!!
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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ (https://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faqbrowse?faqid=303).
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And I felt the same about Russian Doll, I really enjoyed it, but it was one of those shows where I really couldn’t think of much to say about it on my LJ. It was such a self-contained show I suppose, and with so few characters, that it didn’t feel like there was a ton to discuss there other than maybe the ending and what it all meant.
I did also really enjoy Derry Girls and The Umbrella Academy!
And heh The Windsor’s definitely does sound more fun and lighthearted, I was the same in feeling like like I really ought love The Crown when so much time and money has gone into making it as perfect as they can, but I just found it quite slow and dry I’m afraid.
Can’t decide whether I want to stick with Doctor Who or not, I’m definitely more interested in checking out Dracula at the moment :)
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I felt the same about Russian Doll
*nods* Great show, but 100% self-contained.
I did also really enjoy Derry Girls and The Umbrella Academy!
Ilovethemsomuch!
And heh The Windsor’s definitely does sound more fun and lighthearted
It's hysterical. I'll have to do a post, because it's utterly brilliant. Everyone's terrible. (We never see the Queen or Prince Philip, although the latter will write - hugely racist & offensive - letters.)
I really ought love The Crown when so much time and money has gone into making it as perfect as they can, but I just found it quite slow and dry I’m afraid.
I watched the first couple of seasons of Victoria (more costume drama than srs bsns) and rather loved it, but despite Matt Smith I just never got round to The Crown.
Can’t decide whether I want to stick with Doctor Who or not, I’m definitely more interested in checking out Dracula at the moment :)
Well the trailer for S12 looks infinitely better than S11, so I'll probably watch it, but I am definitely more interested in Dracula. I've been missing Moffat's humour.
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I have coat envy though I am far too plump to wear it successfully.
I've seen both Knives Out and Little Women and would recommend both wholeheartedly.
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We made it!
I have coat envy though I am far too plump to wear it successfully.
I have good genes, both my parents are very slim. Although I have a feeling the coat would look good on anyone! Or make anyone look good, rather.
I've seen both Knives Out and Little Women and would recommend both wholeheartedly.
Excellent. It'll be interesting to see if we actually make it to the cinema.
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Cute cup!
That coat is gorgeous!
Haven't seen Russian Dolls or Fleabag yet. Really enjoyed BoJack Horsemen (and my husband surprisingly really loved it, too) and was doing good at keeping up with it until the last few seasons. I definitely need to get on that.
Knives Out is definitely on my watch list. Love a good mystery. I'll probably see Little Women especially if it's nominated for best picture but I'm wary because I love the 1994 version and can't help feeling this version is unnecessary.
Don't remember if I thought too much about climate change at the beginning of the decade, but it might have been when I really started to realize it was something to worry about because just seeing the evidence all around me. Never thought we'd have politicians politicizing it and willing to let the planet die for ridiculous reasons.
Stacey
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Cute cup! That coat is gorgeous!
I'm not usually all that bothered about stuff from tv shows, but that that cup is something else. And the coat... I don't have words. *pets it*
Haven't seen Russian Dolls or Fleabag yet.
They are worlds apart, but both excellent.
Really enjoyed BoJack Horsemen (and my husband surprisingly really loved it, too) and was doing good at keeping up with it until the last few seasons. I definitely need to get on that.
It does get VERY dark (despite the humour), but then light begins to peek back in.
Knives Out is definitely on my watch list. Love a good mystery.
Plus, it just looks like such good fun? Hyper-aware of the tropes, but in a good way.
I'll probably see Little Women especially if it's nominated for best picture but I'm wary because I love the 1994 version and can't help feeling this version is unnecessary.
I... have never read the book, nor watched a single adaptation. (And I realise that most people will look at me funny!)
Never thought we'd have politicians politicizing it and willing to let the planet die for ridiculous reasons.
I think this is the main part? Like... obviously it was a thing, but maybe I was just more trusting of those in charge? :(