Lockdown Update Day 206

[elisi]

It's FRIDAY. So let's have GOOD THINGS.

First of all - Friday:

Friday by girlpire

Summary:

Today is the longest day of Angel's life, and the only person who understands is the last person he wants to be around.

Today is the shortest day of Spike's life. He just doesn't know it.

If you only had one day to live the rest of your eternity, how would you spend it? Who would you spend it with?

girlpire is one of my favouritest writers (and a good friend), and I was thrilled when she recently got an AO3 and began uploading her old works. And Friday is... one of THOSE stories. Something that stays with you - something that you can't describe adequately, but that is effortlessly better than 99% of anything else you ever come across.

Just the concept is brilliant: It's a Groundhog Day story, but from the perspective of one of the people caught in the loop. And it's so well done. (I'm gushing, but it really is that good, and that clever.) Please note the tags (just in case there is anything triggering) - it's a dark story in many ways. Mostly though: Mmmmmmm, Spangel.

~~~

Other good things:

Is there any good news today?
(Tumblr post with lots of things from The Happy broadcast)

War Horse creators' refugee puppet set for epic walk
A giant puppet of a child, made by the War Horse creators, is to embark on a 5,000-mile walk from Syria to the UK to "rewrite the narrative about refugees".

A Message from Members of the UK and Irish Publishing Community
We stand in support of trans and non-binary people and their rights.
(** This list of 1,521 was updated from the original list posted on September 30, 2020 and which had over 200 names.)

And here is the corresponding list for the US and Canada.

A B.C. research project gave homeless people $7,500 each — the results were 'beautifully surprising'
Participants found housing faster, boosted food security and reduced spending on substances, study found

For anyone needing Arwen/Aragorn joy in their life

ETA: The friends who drove a bus behind the Iron Curtain
In the summer of 1968, a group of friends adapted a double-decker bus and took it on a journey to Eastern Europe. Sponsored by two Scotch whisky-makers, they encountered Soviet tanks, a Romanian beer shortage and a perilous Yugoslavian mountain pass.

And finally, today's art. For once not by a woman artist, but by Joseph Cornell who is one of my alltime favourite artists:


(x)

Comments

[juniperphoenix]

Those Arwen/Aragorn pics are a delight.

[elisi]

Aren't they just? There's a lot of 'tell, don't show' with that relationship, so the pictures are like a breath of fresh air. <3

[yourlibrarian]

I'll be interested to hear how the puppet walk goes, it's a good idea. When I was on the page I also saw a link to the following: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54468498 That's a nice story and one wishes there were something similar in the U.S. With all the crap that's happening here it would be nice to honor people going above and beyond in helping others.

Also was really glad to see the results of the homeless study -- more evidence that a UBI would be more cost effective.

[elisi]

That's a nice story and one wishes there were something similar in the U.S. With all the crap that's happening here it would be nice to honor people going above and beyond in helping others.
They're an annual thing, and definitely a good thing. Although I often feel like they also highlight issues - take the woman who organised all the PPE: There was only such a shortfall because the government had allow storage to become depleted. And then they spent millions on a contract with someone's wealthy friend and no PPE appeared. It's a bit like the stories of kids raising money from their lemonade stand for their mother's cancer treatment? Yes, the kid is awesome but they shouldn't have to do it. /end rant, please ignore me

Also was really glad to see the results of the homeless study -- more evidence that a UBI would be more cost effective.
All the studies point to this, but the rich simply hate giving money away. :(

[yourlibrarian]

No, I totally get the rant because you're right. And that's in a country that isn't even as crazy about healthcare as ours is. I just got a medical bill that was $8000 before the insurance negotiated rate which took it down to $600+. Imagine if your food costs were that marked up.

I suspect the rich don't hate giving money away so much as they are very competitive and egocentric. Some wealthy people give a good deal to charity and others tend to spend money very lavishly and tip like the big shots they are. But many act as if having the most means they win, and that's not as special if a lot of people have money. I think keeping people in poverty is a way of eliminating the competition.

[elisi]

Somehow my main thought right now is this...



(Although I am sure I have seen studies showing that the more money people get, the more they lose empathy.)

[yourlibrarian]

Haha, great gif! However that is actually true. Sometime this last year I saw a game on James Corden's show where staff goes through a guest's phone and picks out three things from it. Then by asking them questions he tries to guess which guest's content it is. One of the items was a food delivery order for one banana and it was, I think, over $10.

You're correct about the studies but the actual factor is greater privilege (so yes, money, but it can be just one element). Which is one reason I think it's not really the wealth, it's the mindset that tends to come with it.

[elisi]

Haha, great gif!
Arrested Development was on the money. Almost looks like a documentary with hindsight...

One of the items was a food delivery order for one banana and it was, I think, over $10.
omg!! That's ridiculous.

You're correct about the studies but the actual factor is greater privilege (so yes, money, but it can be just one element). Which is one reason I think it's not really the wealth, it's the mindset that tends to come with it.
Very true. *insert the story of The Fisherman and His Wife*

[trepkos]

Oh - I remember "Friday" - vaguely. I must re-read it! Thank you!

[elisi]

I've not read it in years, and it's like reconnecting with an old friend. And the structure of the whole thing is just beautiful - as well as the writing, that goes without saying. Enjoy. <3

[double_dutchess]

Friday deserves ALL the gushing.

Also, I just realised that you posted about Friday on a Friday. Good!

[elisi]

Friday deserves ALL the gushing.
IKR? I downloaded the whole thing back in the day, in case it disappeared...

Also, I just realised that you posted about Friday on a Friday. Good!
She posted the first chapter on Wednesday and I practically had to sit on my hands to stop myself from posting it there and then. But I felt I ought to post it on a Friday...

[girlpire.livejournal.com]

I didn’t even think about it! I definitely should have waited 😂

[elisi]

You could have drawn it out and only posted updates on a Friday...

[girlpire.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the rec! I hope this will be an opportunity for new readers to discover this old story

[elisi]

You are MOST welcome. Like I say above I had to restrain myself...

And I really hope I sent a few new readers your way. It's a classic and they ought to read it. *firm nod*