Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday 11 January 2023

Month in Review(s) - December 2022

 

December - you gotta love December (well, I do anyway,) if only for the Christmas-ness.

True, December was, like much of 2022, full of ups, downs, and in-betweens.

But Christmas was nice - maybe not The Best Christmas Ever™, but then, is it ever?

I had a nice cwtchy* Christmas at home with my parents, my cats, and my brother. Who bakes awesome mince pies and gives them to me. (The brother, not the cats.)


*Just realised when editing that this is Wenglish and most of you won't know what being cwtchy means 😅 - uh... it doesn't really have a direct translation. It's kind of like combining huggy, and homely, and cozy... only better!


December - Rhagfyr

Tuesday 11 January 2022

Month In Review(s) - December 2021

 

December had Christmas - and therefore was de facto awesome.

I don't make the rules (well, not all of them.)

(I love Christmas. So. Much.)



'December - Rhagfyr' with a sparkly background



As I usually do in December, I scaled back on blogging a bit

 - although I decided to keep going with my Comics Wrap-Up posts this year so that I could ramble on about Hawkeye, because I am Marvel trash.

So that's the reason there's so few posts this month.

I usually try to use the time when I'm posting less to schedule and organise and all that jazz. Key word is 'try' - but there's points for trying, right? 😉

Sunday 29 November 2020

Nerd Church - Covid 19: Have A Safe and Happy Christmas

 

(Warning: As you can probably tell from the title, this post is about Covid 19/Coronavirus)


Christmas in 2020 is gonna be weird. I think we all know that.

I think, if those of us who celebrate go into it trying to make the best of things, it's gonna be better than complaining about the things we can't do.

(Although, a notable exception is the British tradition of enjoying a good moan about everything - but the key to that is you have to really enjoy it. Otherwise it doesn't count 😉)



'Covid 19: Have A Safe and Happy Christmas' with multi-coloured snowflakes, and a red reindeer silhouette



At the same time, if you're not feeling it this year - if you're sad, or angry, or any combination of things - then that's OK too.

You feel how you feel, and feeling guilty that you don't feel how you 'should' at Christmas is only gonna make you feel worse.

I realise that that's something of a paradox - make the best of things and look on the bright-side, but also accept it if you feel cruddy and don't put too much pressure on yourself - but I'm a walking contradiction kinda gal 😅

Sunday 22 December 2019

Nerd Church - My Favourite Time of the Year (...Despite Everything)


(Warning: this post discusses bereavement, & other bad stuff that's happened to me at Christmas)


This week has been... difficult.

That's the polite way of describing it, anyway.



I don't want to go into the detail because I'm just gonna get really upset again -

- but basically, there's a serious and significant - though thankfully fixable, although in the long-term rather than the short-term - problem with my grandfather's grave.



'Happy Christmas! Nadolig LLawen!' with red background, and Christmas tree with presents on the left-hand side



So, yeah. That's what I've been dealing with in the week before Christmas.

I guess it could be worse - last year, in the week before Christmas, we buried him.

A few years before that, my other grandfather died on Christmas Eve, followed by his wife, my grandmother, four days later.


Sunday 15 December 2019

Nerd Church - Hope, Politics, and the Zombie Apocalypse

**This post contains affiliat links for Amazon.com (US) which earn commission when you make purchases**

(Please do not make UK purchases with my Amazon links)





Something important happened on Thursday, dearest nerdlets!

What..? The UK election..?

Yeah, that happened too.

We now know which brand of f**ked we, as a country, are stuck with *sighs*



What I'm talking about, though, is yours truly watching a truly bizarre, but amazing, film, called Anna and the Apocalypse.



'Hope, Politics, and the Zombie Apocalypse' with a sprig of holly on the left-hand side, and the silhouettes of 3 zombies on the right-hand side. The first zombie has a santa hat, and a wreath around his neck. The second zombie has a reindeer antler headband. The final zombie has a gift tag and a bow. (...And I clearly got carried away making this graphic!)



Have you ever thought, 'wouldn't High School Muscial be better if it was combined with Shaun of the Dead... and it was in Scotland... at Christmas...?'

No? Well apparently someone did!

No, really. That is what this film is.


Wednesday 9 January 2019

Month In Review(s) - December 2018



In order to fully boot 2018's a** out the back door, there's still a little business to attend to - in this case, December's wrap-up.



December title image against a snowy background


Except for Christmas (which is always amazing - I love Christmas,) December sucked.


Sunday 23 December 2018

Friday 5 January 2018

Month in Review(s) - December 2017

Decemmmmberrrr!!!!!!!!! Wooo!!! XD (Yes, it's January - but let's face it, I never wrap-up on time.)



December 2017 calendar image





OK, so December for me was actually super-super-hectic, but it came with Christmas at the end, so I really can't be mad at it! Lol.

(I love Christmas. Sooooo much!!!! 😁 )



Sunday 24 December 2017

Nerd Church - The Gift of Christmas

Christmas is awesome. Christmas is love and hope.





Christmas wrapping gift pic





I'm not gonna get all made-for-TV-movie on your butts, but whether you celebrate Christmas or not, there's something exceptionally beautiful about a time of the year dedicated to love, hope, kindness, and joy.

The world that we live in needs more things like that.




Sunday 17 December 2017

Nerd Church - How To Not Be a Jerk To Non-Drinking Guests

It's December - and nearly Christmas. 





drink glass pic







This is the time of year that's traditionally filled with party-goers, many of whom will be drinking. But not all.

As a member of the non-drinking group for the last several years, I can tell you that these reactions are fairly typical:

  • "But... WHY?!"
  • *Stares at me for at least a minute without blinking*
  • "I could NEVER do that!"
  • "Oh come on, have some fun!"
  • "Are you SURE?"
  • "Are you like *takes step backwards* religious or something?"




Friday 15 December 2017

Friday Fics Fix - Festive F/F!

I actually really liked this week's fic (well... obviously... since I'm recommending it... but you know what I mean!)



Fics Fix title image





Sometimes a fic comes along at just the right moment - I mean, who doesn't need something short, sweet, and warming right now?!


Saturday 24 December 2016

Nadolig Llawen i Chi

Hi my nerdlets, this is just me popping in to say Nadolig Llawen i Chi/Happy Christmas To (All of) You!




Christmas cookies





And if you don't celebrate Christmas, then have a great festive celebration of whatever sort you're having, or just a nice day in general :)

Here in Wales (those who are playing the when-she-mentions-Wales drinking game, take a swig!) we grow up with Father Christmas in first-language-English homes.

First-language-Welsh homes, and those who go to Welsh-language-medium schools, have Siôn Corn, which roughly translates to Jack Chimney - a festive spirit who wears green and lives in chimneys.

Of course, both Father Christmas and Siôn Corn have been absorbed into that conglomeration of European figures which is Santa Claus - so that's basically what you'll see around the place.



And, because I couldn't resist sharing this with you, here's a more-than-slightly bemusing finger puppet video in Welsh from YouTube:











Friday 16 December 2016

Friday Fics Fix - A Not-So Jolly Christmas with Draco and Harry

One of the main issues many people had with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the complete lack of explanation of life between the last chapter and the epilogue.







Basically, the big question mark is how exactly the Wizarding World got stuck in and started to reinvent itself - to come to terms with a life after the Battle of Hogwarts.






This week's fic imagines a sort-of 'what if' scenario.

What if, due to the lack of general education most of the students had in that last year, they returned the next year to catch up with their missed studies?

What if Harry Potter returned to Hogwarts... and so did Draco Malfoy?










Because there was so much opportunity to explore what happened to Draco. How did he cope with... well, everything?

And this fic explores that.

And it turns out he didn't cope all that well - which is probably reasonable!






A few warnings: much swearings, much the dark and angsty stuff, and some obsessive behaviour that is NOT HEALTHY in either relationships or friendships.

There's also what can only be described as some sort of Magical Fight Club. #JustSaying











This is the first in a series, and is based around Christmas (woo! Christmas! Lol.)

The implication is that, in future instalments of the series, Draco and Harry (often known in combination as Drarry (#IKnowRight?)) will have something romantical going on, but in this fic, we just have the beginnings of a frenemies bromance a la Magneto and Professor X.





There's also a few typos in there, but it's generally worth it.




This week's fic then, is:

Dark Days of Christmas by Belle_Lestrange101



Enjoy, and have an awesome Christmas my nerdlets!






Friday Fix Fics will return on 6th January 2017










Like this post? Try these:





Sunday 11 December 2016

Nerd Church - You're the Only You We've Got

(Flashing Images Warning: some of the gifs in this post flash a bit faster than the gifs I normally use, and this may affect people with photosensitive medical conditions such as epilepsy and migraines.)



Hello dearest nerdlets! There's something I want you to do - take care of yourselves.

Self-care is not just something for those with mental health problems, any more than the gym is only something for those with physical health problems.

We all have mental health my nerdlets, even if you never have a problem with it.











And this time of year can be financially, emotionally, and physically stressful.

If you celebrate Christmas or any other December-based holiday, then there's loads of stuff to do, things to buy, and relatives to make nice with.






If you act as either a part-time or full-time carer, this goes double for you.

We end up picking up the seasonal social responsibilities of our loved ones as well as ourselves - helping out with the shopping, the decorating, the gift-wrapping, and the card-writing.

For anybody acting as a carer right now: you're awesome. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.






So my nerdlets, here's just a couple of tips for how to take care of yourself over the festive period.

(Obviously everyone is different - these tips can theoretically apply to anyone, but do what works for you.)




  • You-time is important. Take as much of it as you can. You're the only you there is - and we need you to be ok.






  • Perfection is an ideal, not a reality. It's ok for you to go with 'that'll do,' rather than 'that is perfect.'








  • You're human. There's a limit to how much you can do without exhausting yourself. Delegate or say no.







  • You need fuel in the tank. Regular meals are important. Regular sleep is important. Stay hydrated. If there's no fuel in the tank than you can't get this show on the road.







  • Put basic effort into your appearance. I don't mean be vain. I don't mean beat yourself up about how you look. I literally mean do things like brush your teeth and your hair; wash your face. Shower or bath regularly. It's good hygiene if nothing else.





  • Make an emergency self-care plan. This can be something physical like (just as an example) a box where you keep scented candles, chocolate, spa-style skin treatments, and your favourite DVD. Or it can be something you tell yourself, like 'I'm ok, I'm doing fine.' Or something you do to unwind - read, watch reality TV, make a cup of tea or coffee (although, be careful if your mood is easily affected by caffeine.)







  • Don't be so hard on yourself. This is a vital one. We're our own harshest critics. So give yourself a break.








  • Log off. Look, technology is great - but humans designed it, we weren't designed for it. Have a time in the day when you're not looking at a screen, and limit how much scrolling through social media feeds you do.







  • Limit the booze. Look, I'm no prude. Unless you have a legal reason or medical reason not to (and yes, that includes medications that shouldn't be mixed with alcohol,) then go ahead and have a drink. But remember, it's a depressant - you drink too much, even over a relatively spaced-out period of time, and you're gonna feel pretty sh**ty. And binge-drinking is not good for you, end of.






So look after yourself guys!

Next week is the last Nerd Church before Christmas.










Like this post? (Of course you did!) Try these:



Friday 2 December 2016

Friday Fics Fix - Tis the Season

I actually really liked this week's fic (well... obviously... since I'm recommending it... but you know what I mean!)

Sometimes a fic comes along at just the right moment - I currently have an awful cold, and am freezing on top because the weather's decided to go from oh, it's a bit autumn-y to dear God are we living in an iceberg?! within a few days, so I really needed something short and sweet.





And that's what I have for you!






Now, frequent readers of this blog may have noticed that I have a thing for Sara Lance from CW/DC TV series Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow.





So, what could be better than fluffy F/F romance featuring her canon (official) relationship with the beautiful Nyssa Al-Ghul?

Oh, I know, LET'S ALSO SET IT AT CHRISTMAS.









Yes, that's right. We have Christmas, we have F/F romance, we have fluff with no explicit scenes. You're welcome! :)



This week's fic is:

The Gift by DarkAliceLilith


Enjoy, and I'll be back with more fanfiction next week!






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Thursday 24 December 2015

Merry Christmas!

Have an awesome Christmas everyone! Hope it's good for you and yours.

Nadolig Llawen i chi! Merry Christmas to all of you!

I shall see you after all the mince pies and goodies (no turkey or other meats for me - vegetarian!)

So, I've just got some last minute wrapping to do, and some cards and pressies to deliver.

Sunday 20 December 2015

Nerd Church! - Leave the Christmas Stress Behind

I hope wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, you have a wonderful time over the next week or so.

Christmas tree starRegardless of your beliefs I hope you enjoy any holiday you may be celebrating - and just enjoy the week in general if you're not celebrating anything.

Christmas can be stressful though - family is stressful enough on its own: add the duty to buy everyone presents, the pressure to create precious memories, and the worry that you've over-spent, over-eaten, and have been drinking too much wine, and you have a potential recipe for disaster.

Try to remember a few golden rules to stop the stress:



Christmas doesn't have to be perfect.

The most perfect Christmases, paradoxically, are the ones which aren't perfect. The Christmases you'll remember in years to come are the ones where something got burnt, someone forgot to buy a present, or there was a problem with the lights - and you'll have still had fun, still enjoyed, and still made it special.

Enjoy your Christmas - the little things matter more than anything else.

Enjoy what you have - whatever you have.

Didn't get that must-have gadget, handbag, or piece of jewellery? The world goes on. Enjoy what you did get - even if it was just a box of chocolates, a totally random and inappropriate kitchen item, or a slightly beaten-up card.

I'm sure whoever gave you whatever unwanted gift was doing their very best. Smile and make do, and enjoy the fact that someone thought of you. (Buying yourself a little something is also worth a smile - you care about you, goddammit!)

Try not to take out holiday stress on other people.

You know all the reasons you get stressy and p**sy at Christmas? Everyone else has them too.

Try to be understanding and not take your stress out on others - even if they're acting unreasonably; they're probably stressed out too.

Nerd Church will be back on Sunday, 10th January.

Friday 18 December 2015

Friday Fics Fix - Christmas-y Fics!!!

Friday Fics Fix fanfictionChristmas is coming! We all know what that means... silly Christmas fan-fiction!!! Wooo!!!!

How Loki Stole Christmas by kel25 is amazing.

It's an Avengers-themed Loki-centric parody of How the Grinch Stole Christmas... what could be better, I mean really?

A Hogwarts Christmas by Car Car is a fic from wa-a-ay back in 2001.

It's another parody (yay, parodies! (I think I need less coffee, or maybe I'm just excited about Christmas)) of a well-known Christmas poem: 'A Visit From St Nicholas' perhaps better-known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.'

This is Harry Potter themed with Dumbledore and the Weasleys - just great.

In a similar vein is Twas The Night Before Christmas by awakened-earth a Sherlock fanfic (as in, BBC's Sherlock.)

It's barmy, and made me smile like a fool when I read it. Which is what I want from my ridiculous Christmas fan-fiction goddammit!!!

Friday Fics Fix is going to take a little break over Christmas - it'll be back on Friday, 8th January, assuming I'm able to face reading more fanfiction again by that point :)

Tuesday 8 December 2015

Christmas Movie Binge

Ok, I'm the Reading Addict. But I also love a Christmas movie. Because I will take advantage of any excuse to be Christmas-y! CHRISTMAS!!! (Ok, I'll be good and get back to the post.)




Looking for Christmas films to binge on?

I got you covered. I watch a ridiculously large amount of Christmas films: here's some of my favourites.





http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000B7VZJM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B000B7VZJM&linkCode=as2&tag=diaofareaadd-21The Muppets Christmas Carol


A Christmas classic if ever there was one - this is one of the awesome-est films you will ever watch.

We got Muppets. We got Christmas. We got a kid-friendly adaptation of a classic of literature that might just spark fond memories for years to come.

I watch this every year, and have done since I honestly can't remember when. I love it. It's just amazing.







White Christmas

The classic Christmas film.

Featuring the amazing Danny Kaye and the smooth Bing Crosby (ain't nothing wrong with a bit of Bing,) this is pure Hollywood. Vera Ellen dances amazingly, and Rosemary Clooney just has that 1950s style.

The songs are some of the best you'll ever hear - to say nothing of the title song. Ahhh! I plan on watching it again and again and again!





Mickey's Once and Twice Upon A Christmas

This is actually two feature-length Disney specials/films.

Made up of little stand-alone Christmas stories, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, this will please big kids, little kids, and everyone in between.

These are cute and sweet, and can be watched in sections if you're short on time. I love them.






A Christmas Carol

Another 'A Christmas Carol' adaptation (funnily enough,) but very different to The Muppets' version.

This is motion-capture animation (where actors act out the parts and then the animation is layered over them, so to speak,) featuring some fabulous performances by Jim Carey.

This film is also hugely true to Charles Dickens' original - sure, there's the odd bit of deviation, but overall this is Charles Dickens' book made film.

There are significant stints of dialogue lifted directly from the book, and the creepy characters of Ignorance and Want are included in all their poverty - allowing the true morality of the story to really hammer home.







Monday 7 December 2015

Want To Spread Some Christmas Magic?

There is a wonderful charity here in the UK called Post Pals (eagle-eyed readers will notice I have a permanent button linking to them at the bottom of my blog.)



Post Pals - Putting a Smile on Childrens Faces


Post Pals mails ill children and their siblings gifts, letters, and cards, to create smiles. It's as simple as that.

A reason to smile during a very difficult period in their lives can make a huge difference to a kid who isn't very well.

So, I figured I'd write a little post to try and drum up some support and/or Christmas cards.

It would be lovely if you could choose a few 'pals' you feel you have appropriate Christmas cards for, and send it to the 'care of' address on their profile page.

Or you can help spread the word by telling others who may be interested, or making a small donation. Post can be sent throughout the year, but obviously, Christmas is uber-special and the perfect excuse to spread some love!