Friday Fics Fix - On Witches and B**ches

Yesterday was International Women's Day, so why don't we get feminist for this week's Fics Fix?

Too often, we dislike female characters - not least because their authors and/or creators make them unlikable.

Month in Review(s) - February 2018

You remember, in January, when I said I was getting the hang of the whole life-balance deal-y?

Yeah... well, regular service has resumed. My life is back to Milo-Murphy's-Law-levels of randomness.

If you haven't seen Milo Murphy's Law, this is what I'm talking about:

(Warning: flashing images)

...I relate so hard it scares me.





Typical example: I had a scratch on my hand. Not unusual?

It was from the cat. Still not that odd?

It was because the cat was squirming, trying to stop me, from stopping him, from climbing into my big brother's sling (which he was wearing at the time,) which he has because he broke his arm roller-skating.

This is my life.

Nerd Church - The Value of Reading

Why should we value reading?

Because it's important. Because the literacy of teenagers in the UK is Not Good. Because reading opens the mind to new ideas, new perspectives, other cultures.

Because reading - and comprehension of what you're reading - is more important in the digital age, where we're bombarded by texts, tweets, posts, and online forms, than it ever has been before.

Anxiety vs Blogger

(Warning: This post is about depression and Anxiety, and the demonstration of a negative thought spiral.)

First off: I'm OK. I've had a rough-ish few days (not too bad, but bad enough,) but I'm OK.

There is no need to worry about me.

Sometimes, much as blogging has saved my life, it can contribute negatively to my mental health.

I don't need to take an extended break - honestly, I'm fine. I love blogging just as much as I ever have, and, overall, it's good for me.

And the problem wasn't really blogging - it was the Anxiety.

But I did need to 'write it out.' This is the result of that.

Nerd Church - Some of My Favourite Welsh-Language Music

It's St. David's Day/Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant on Thursday, so I figured I'd give you guys some of my favourite Welsh-language music to listen to :)

I originally wrote this list on Twitter, for Welsh Language Music Day/Dydd Miwsig Cymru, on 9th February/Chwefror - but it's a pretty good list, if I do say so myself, so I thought I'd share it here too.

(And yes, I love Yws Gwynedd - they are most definitely Roc a Rôl as far as I'm concerned 😎)

...in case you hadn't noticed! Lol.

(Via Giphy)

Nerd Church - Rebel Valentine 2: Return of the Candy Hearts

(Yeah, no, I don't know where that post-title came from either! 😅)





Welcome to this year's coffee-fuelled, rule-breaking, kick-a** Valentine's Day* Nerd Church post!

(Those who read last year's post will know (sort of) what's ahead - those who didn't, hold on darlings, Cee's about to get on her soapbox, and possibly end up sharing TMI. But that's what she does.)

*Yes, I'm aware that it's not Valentine's Day until Wednesday. I'm doing my post now. Because I'm a rebel.

Friday Fics Fix - Dumbledore is Gay. Dumbledore is Gay. Dumbledore. Is. Gay. Deal With It.

You may or may not know that the chance has once again been lost to allow the Harry Potter universe's Albus Dumbledore to BE gay on-screen.

Why is that important when J K Rowling has already said (over ten years ago,) that Prof. Dumbledore is a gay dude? Because word-of-God/author is not the same as on-screen canonisation (official-ness.) It comes across as queer-baiting. At best.

Month in Review(s) - January 2018

January felt like a month which put a rocket to my secret* blogging powers.

I don't know why, but I actually really liked the posts I wrote this month! And I'm (finally) beginning to get a handle on the whole 'juggling work, life, blogging, and miscellaneous other stuff' thing.

That said, I've probably just jinxed myself for the year ahead. My life tends to resemble an episode of Milo Murphy's Law sometimes 😅

Nerd Church - The Problem With the NHS

The problem with the NHS is not a problem with the NHS.

And with that bombshell, I should probably explain to my international nerdlets (and I will never get over the fact that I even have international nerdlets,) just what it is that I'm talking about.

The NHS is the National Health Service - set up so that everyone in the UK has access to state-run, FREE, healthcare. (Set up by a Welshman. #JustSaying.)

Nerd Church - Cut Yourself Some Slack

I'm an impatient person. I want it done 600% right, and I want it done yesterday.

But I've had to learn that I can't work like that. I can only do what I can do, and it's much better to work slow and steady.

We have a tendency to go way easier on other people than we do on ourselves (me? talk about myself? Ha ha ha... look a distraction!!)

So I think it's time we reminded ourselves that it's ok to not do EVERYTHING - as long as you're doing something.

Friday Fics Fix - Use Your Head

This week's fic made me metaphorically punch the air. Because dudes - yes!

This fic is one of those which you don't need to be all that familiar with the fandom itself to enjoy - which is good because it's from the re-booted MacGyver fandom, which is kind of smaller than most fandoms.

2017's Top 4 Books (...In The Opinion of Yours Truly)

2017 can't be well and truly dusted off and put back on the shelf* without some input from your favourite Bookish Rebel (moi, ofc,) on the bestest books of the year.

This is TOTALLY MY OPINION ONLY.

Obviously, I can only pick from books I've read. And within that only books published in 2017.

Even given those rules, there's a bunch of books that I've read that I didn't include - THAT DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T LIKE THEM!!!!

This is basically a snapshot of the stand-outs. There were loooooads of other books I could've included - promise!

(My Anxiety kicks in when I think I might be leaving someone/something out that deserves recognition - does it show?!)

*Ha, shelf? Books? Hehe! XD

Nerd Church - 5 Things I Learned From Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff (Without Reading a Word)

'Oh scream, America, scream. Believe what you see. From Heroes and Cons.'

We are in the middle of the 21st Century Breakdown.

Unfortunately, I don't think Green Day meant their apocalyptic concept-album to be an instruction manual. *laughs slightly hysterically*

Month in Review(s) - December 2017

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

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!!!! 😁 )

2018 Fanfiction Reading Challenge Sign-Up

The Challenge

Nerd Church - 17 Becomes 18

So 2017 is ending. We tried, but in the end it followed 2016 into the sh**-pile of history.

But that doesn't mean we should give up on 2018. Because 2018 can do better. 2018 can pick itself up, dust itself off, and prove that doom and gloom isn't inevitable.

Nerd Church - The Gift of Christmas

Christmas is awesome. Christmas is love and hope.

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.

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

It's December - and nearly Christmas. 

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?"

Nerd Church - 10 Self-Care Reminders For When You're Extra-Busy, or Working Extra-Hard

Yep, this is both a self-care exercise and a blogpost. THAT is multitasking 😎

So sometimes, when we're busy, we forget to take care of ourselves - especially mental-health-wise. I'm officially the world's worst for this - I overwork A LOT.

So, here's a few things I have to remind myself of - and I hope they help you too!

Nerd Church - Break the Effing Cycle

I'm pi**ed off. I'm really pi**ed off. Because the only bank branch, of any type, left in my town, is set to close.

Why should that pi** me off? It's only a bank, right?

Have you lived in a poor area? Because I f**king do.

And when things leave, they don't come back. When things leave, they take jobs, money, chances...

When things leave, they take hope with them.