Sunday, 27 February 2022

Nerd Church - Short Story: Girl, Alone

 

'The neighbours have come home. I can hear Mr L pulling his filtration system off – the sound seeps through the walls. Our walls are so thin – doesn’t seem like it could keep what’s going on out there at bay, does it?'



About mid-week this story was slammed into my brain, without warning, by the universe.

And I am but a simple writer - the universe calls, and I answer.

So... have this sci-fi-ish/dystopian-ish short story, I guess! 😅

(Bo Burnham's Inside (especially All Eyes On Me,) was pretty much my writing soundtrack for this - for anyone who finds that sort of insight interesting! ...Plus, it, uh, might explain a lot 😅)



Content Warnings:

- isolation

- life-threatening climate/environmental catastrophes

- brief non-sexual nudity and mentions of anatomy

- life-threatening heat and physical stress

- implied physical disability/health condition

- mental health issues/extreme stress


...I've never done a full Content Warnings list like this for one of my stories before, so be careful and tell me if I missed anything that needs to be listed!



'Girl, Alone' against a background of diamond-patterned translucent glass


Friday, 25 February 2022

Friday Fics Fix - Needy Lesnicki: In the Wind and On the Run

 

'But the lies were out there, circulating, and were made into a movie, which is a really mixed blessing. Let’s pretend this narration is over the title crawl, and cut to our heroine...'



'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape


This week's fic is based on the amazing staple of Sapphic culture that is Jennifer's Body.

Jennifer's Body is a 2009 cult-classic unapologetically Queer horror film.

I love it, and, yes, I've rec'd fics on it before. Jennifer's Body fic authors write some interesting stuff!

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Comics Wrap-Up - How Can You See Into My Eyes Like Open Doors?

 

'Comics Wrap-Up' with lined-notebook-style background and speech bubbles containing heart symbols

It's Thursday, this is Dora Reads, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness, m'k?

Everything I've got for you this week is in the 'Other Stuff' category - looks like Loki's been playing tricks on me again. 😘

Wednesday, 23 February 2022

Review Time! (Graphic Non-Fiction Edition!) - Iranian Love Stories

Warning: This post contains discussions of totalitarian regimes, so-called 'virginity tests', intimate anatomy, misogyny, general human rights abuses, and related topics.



**This post contains Amazon.com (USA) affiliate links. I earn commission from qualifying purchases**




Iranian Love Stories




Iranian Love Stories book cover with an M/F couple kissing surrounded by traditionally-dressed men in clothes that are reminiscent of what mullahs wear
Title: Iranian Love Stories

Author: Jane Deuxard

Artist: Deloupy

Genres: Graphic Novel (Graphic Non-Fiction,) Non-Fiction

Buy Now on Amazon.com  







A Few Starting Notes:



I received a free digital review copy of Iranian Love Stories from Edelweiss, as an opportunity to provide an honest and fair review.

Sunday, 20 February 2022

Nerd Church - The Dark Side of Carbon Offsetting

 

Carbon offsetting is sadly not the get-out-of-eco-jail-free card that some people think it is.

Whether you're a frequent flyer looking to make up for the environmental sins of your trips around the world, a heavy-polluting fossil-fuel-based corporation, or just someone who gets their Etsy packages delivered, you've probably heard of carbon offsetting.



'The Dark Side of Carbon Offsetting' with a woodland background



But, so that we're all on the same page: what is carbon offsetting?

Well there's no concrete definition - everyone has their own ideas of what 'counts' as carbon offsetting and what doesn't - but I can give you the basics.

Carbon offsetting, as far as I understand it, is where someone - sometimes an individual, but more commonly a business or organisation - attempts to counteract their carbon footprint by supporting environmental projects.

This support often comes in the form of... (paying to make the problem go away) ...investing.

This might be an investment in a green energy scheme, such as a wind farm or tidal energy project...

Friday, 18 February 2022

Friday Fics Fix - Between Punishment and Compassion


'"You got a phone? Look up local B&Bs," Sam said to Bucky. "Or whatever Canadian is for B&B."

"I think it's just B&B. They literally speak the same language, Sam."'



'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape



Yes, this is a The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) fic.

In my defense: I've been totally open that I am trash 😅

And! Also! This fic might be TFATWS, but it's a lot different to the sort of stuff I usually rec from this fandom.