all made up with nowhere to go

I have had a cold for the last...week? I felt really grim when I finished work last Saturday, but it had also been a really bad shift - it was busy and we were a person down, so yeah.

Now I'm at the sneezy/snotty stage, which eugh. I think I may actually spend the day in bed, if I can think of something to do whilst being there. (This is the downside of all my creative stuff being mostly downstairs now, heh).

And my hands have been hurting to varying degrees during this time. Which could mean this is a stress response (and I think sometimes it is), but also it could be my immune system being all "HEY! LISTEN!" Which I also suspect it might be. IDK. I am not a doctor, and apparently it's still not arthritis, so who t f knows??

I'm looking at my hands right now as I type this, and I can see that my right hand is swollen. My left hand feels it, but doesn't look as bad. I wish I knew what was going on here.

Anyway, that aside, I sorted through some more of my mum's/gran's yarn stash - the stuff I don't want is going to charity shops or the local college - and found a whole load more crocheted squares, including what looks like the start of a blanket like my childhood one. Which confirms to me that my gran made these, since I know she made my blanket.

So I have unjoined all the squares I'd put together so far, so that I can put them around this rectangle instead, but also so I can make a more coherent big blanket. I'm honestly glad I didn't do anything more than slip stitch them together, as it made taking them apart really easy.

But part of the reason I decided to go through the yarns was because I was looking for 100% (or high percentage) wool to felt. Because after almost a year of feeling like I didn't want to do felting/didn't know what I was doing, I am sort of back on that! Partly because thinking about art dolls got me thinking of ways to make them, and 3D felting is one way I can do (some of) that. I didn't think I wanted to learn 3D felting, but I appear to have changed my mind about that!

But also partly because I sorted some yarn that I found in the cupboard under the stairs a few months ago, and then proceeded to knit three scarves from the blue shades (as it is my favourite colour). I washed them, as the yarn had been under the stairs for more than forty years, in all likelihood, and some of them felted. I don't mind, since the scarves were just for me. But then I was like, "I could make my own felt from some of these yarns!" by knitting them up and chucking them in the wash. I don't know that it will work for all of them, but I think I have a fairly good grasp of what a wool yarn feels like? And assuming they were mostly my gran's, she seems to have used high percentage wool a lot. So I shall experiment. Although not right now, given how my hands feel.

I impulse bought some more felting stuff - it should have been delivered on Thursday, but I knew I would not be home when the postman brought it, so I had to rearrange it to come this coming Tuesday. Which turned out to be the only day where I am home as I am working/doing other stuff the rest of the week. So. Yeah. Although I haven't regretted the purchase in the time since I bought it, so yay?

I feel like this post should have a more coherent end to it, but it isn't going to. I'm stopping it here.

Last Monday, I had nausea with a migraine that was so bad I actually thought I was going to throw up. I got the nausea before the pain, so initially, I thought it'd been something I'd eaten the day before. Turns out not!

So, anyway, I don't often get that as a symptom, which is why I didn't twig what it was at first, and when I usually do, I'm usually just a bit queasy.

I. I do not want this.

Then yesterday, I had an air pressure migraine, which was gross because I could feel it in my face. Like. I wish sinuses did not exist, because I hate it when I can feel that they're there and am reminded.

I do not want that, either.

~

I started playing FFXIII-2 again a bit ago, and I am currently around 7 hours in. I don't really have a lot to say, except I think I'm probably playing it wrong. I'm trying not to use my game guide unless I really have to (they say, having already looked up two bosses on the internet). I'm dumping most of Serah's development into Ravager/Medic/Saboteur (in roughly that order) because I think she has higher magic stats that Noel, and then Noel is Commando/Sentinel/probably Synergist? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I remember more of the early game than I thought I would. Snow's daft redesign doesn't bug me as much as it used to (although I still am side-eyeing that haircut because WHAT IS THAT).

~

In other news, I had to go out yesterday morning at short notice, and much to my own annoyance, so I bought myself some pens to make me feel better (nobody is surprised). I got a six pack of neon Stabilo fineliners, and two Uni Pin pens - one a brush tip, one a 05 dark grey. Turns out I already had a replacement brush pen, and the dark grey one's tip is bent (I didn't think to check it before I left the store). It's useable, but I am slightly annoyed about that. And I can't get a replacement because I didn't get a receipt, and I won't be able to go back any time soon :|

I'm really pleased with the neon fineliners, though, because they truly are eye-wateringly neon. I don't know what I'll use them for, but I'm sure I'll think of something.

1. I learnt to make home-made oven chips after seeing my sister-in-law make some at Easter. They're so bloody easy (although a little bit time consuming) that I don't know why I didn't think of it before. Also they're reasonably close to chippy chips*, although not quite, as they haven't been flash cooked in oil.

*I realise this descriptor likely means nothing if you don't live in the UK. Sorry.

2. I bought Loop Hero because it was on sale on Steam, and I feel horrible right now. I played two hours of it yesterday, and had a great time! Although it makes my computer run hot (whoever thought putting the fan on the underneath of this thing was a good idea was WAY wrong), but that could've been because I was sitting in bed with a duvet underneath it? *shrugs*

3. relatedly: I am rapidly losing interest in Slay the Spire.

I read some Steam reviews of Loop Hero, and one was all, "THIS GAME IS TOO SAMEY!!!1!!!" and then I went and played StS, and realised that it is extremely samey, even though there is the random element to the game in what relics and cards you get. Whereas with Loop Hero, you can at least mix stuff up a bit more in what cards you unlock and are using. I dunno, I might change my mind in a week or so on that, who knows?

4. I got my new glasses, and now my bank account is sad :(

It is nice to be able to see properly but OMG I wish there were more financial help for people with vision problems. And, although I am currently saying this from a selfish place, I wish it were true regardless.

5. I don't have a #5, but five things make a list, right?

# I woke up this morning with a migraine, which is delightful (not), but absolutely explains my liquid brain at work yesterday. UGH.

I know this is a precursive symptom AND YET, every time it happens, I am surprised when I feel like a rotten vegetable the very next day.

# Everyone appreciated their Xmas presents, which was great, since I was really whiffly about my brother's and sister in law's. But they were happy, and that makes me happy.

My nephew continues to be adorbs, as almost always.

They gave me money, so now the traditional wondering what to buy with it has commenced! I mean, it's likely going to be things I can be creative with, but the question is what. Though I did also think about getting a couple of months' subscription to Skillshare, but I don't know what classes I would want to take, and then I would feel like I wasted the money if I didn't watch anything. I think part of the problem is that there's so much stuff on there, and you can't easily browse what's available without being nagged to sign up (source: I tried it and that was what happened), and I dislike that intensely - it also annoys me on Pinterest and Instagram. Sometimes I like being able to browse without having to be signed in, websites!

It also doesn't help that my weasel brain is a weasel brain, and so whatever I'm focusing on now may not be something I want to watch a class in, if you see what I mean. And also will I still be interested in the thing if I make a list now but don't look at it until maybe a month later when I finally remember to subscribe? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

# I strung the stretcher from an old canvas to use as a loom, and I am making a rag rug on it! I haven't got very far as yet, but hopefully it won't take too long (as long as I have something to listen to/watch while doing it, because it turns out that's what I need to make certain things not boring!)

# I don't know if I will post again before New Year's, so I hope everyone has a lovely time!

I think I have found this year's new skill to learn, heh.

You see, over about ten years, I've slowly come to realise that actually, I am really interested in print making. I've always been fascinated by prints as art (esp Japanese woodblock prints because, I don't know if you've noticed, but I am a ginormous weeb), but didn't really start thinking of it as an artistic outlet until about 2011 or so.

I could have done print when I was at college, but the one teacher was perfectly nice but terrified me, and the other was two-faced and horrible. So I didn't. I sort of regret it, but I also don't. As I may have mentioned before, college had some strong ideas about what was and wasn't art, and my art, in their eyes, was very much in the not camp. So I'm glad I didn't. And I can learn things on my own terms.

And so I've done some messing about in the past with carving stamps, but nothing really stuck. I did do a bit of lino carving but, as usual, I tried to run before I could walk and made a complicated idea when I should've been aiming for something much more simple. Also I was using extremely old lino, which didn't help.

ANYWAY. Somehow, I have ended up watching a bunch of videos by artists I follow on youtube, where they were making lino prints and I was like, "YANNO WHAT".

So, long story short, I bought some stuff at Xmas, but haven't really got to using it until recently. And then yesterday, I bought a set of blades, since I only have the one, and it's quite a wide V shape, so I can't really do small details with it. But with this set, it should make my life a bit easier (although my hand joints may argue with that).

Also I've been interested in screen printing for a veeerrry long time, so I am going to have a go at that, as well. And, since I'll be using stencils rather than photo emulsion for this, my paper cutting skills will come in handy! I will probably investigate some other techniques as well!

I mean, y'all probably saw this coming, with me having mentioned buying that book (which still hasn't arrived, dang it), but I also wanted to explain that it didn't come out of nowhere.

Of course, yesterday, when I was testing some little blocks I'd made, I was fantasising about making my own books, and printing the covers myself, and selling them, but IDK how feasible of a thing that is. Maybe I'll just daydream about it for a bit while learning what I'm doing.

Also, quick reminder because I've just made a new pinned tweet: if you want to buy something from me, you can do it via twitter dm (rootsandbones) or dm'ing here OR you can buy a print from my redbubble shop OR chuck me something via ko-fi.

But only if you want to, don't feel obligated. Also apologies for this, but I'm trying to get better at promoting myself.

On the other hand, if you're interested in things that inspire me, my pinterest is rootsandbones (again, no obligation to look, but if you're interested in what I find interesting wrt art, the answer is possibly here!)

~

In non-art news, I started the Nocturne remaster the other day!

Dang, it (mostly) looks good! I say mostly because the cutscenes are...a bit blurry looking? While it looks like everything else has been upscaled, those haven't been? But that's my only complaint.

I'm playing with the Japanese voice track because it's available, so why not!

It feels really nostalgic to play, for some reason, especially when I'm saving at terminals?? But I haven't played the original since 2016, so I guess that explains that!

It feels easier to play than I remember (famous last words). I have got to the manikins, which I think means Matador next (o boy), although I'm playing without a walkthrough, so honestly I could be in the wrong place entirely for all I know. Although the demons are the same level as Hitoshura, so maybe not?? *shrug emoji*

Next up is grinding for money or levels or, gasp maybe both???

I have not been really feeling the Xmas vibe this year, and I think it's because 2020 was 2020. Maybe.

So all I did was put up a small tree, but not the lights (couldn't be bothered); I barely sent any Xmas cards, in spite of thinking at the end of November that I needed to get on and send one to my rellies in Australia (I still haven't); and I had a terrible time finding presents for my nephew, or even the motivation to look for them (I managed okay in the end, though).

I also thought everything might be a disaster, and I just wasn't really looking forward to Xmas day at all.

This culminated, on Xmas eve, in me getting really upset and missing my mum strongly for the first time in a long time*, and then I was bummed out for the rest of the day/into Xmas morning. I did think, because of how strongly and abruptly it came on, that I was going to get a migraine for Xmas, but luckily, I did not!

And Xmas day was fine, so IDK what I was worried about! I got actual presents! And some money that I am going to buy art supplies with, because of course I am. So far I have spent over an hour stewing on what to buy, because yay guilt at spending money!

(note from the future: I eventually got two Finetec paints, and some lino printing things - i.e. new lino, some ink, and a roller).

I thought I would have more to say, but I don't, really. I might drop in again before the new year (depending on energy levels), but if I don't, I hope y'all are doing all right.

~

*It's not that I don't miss her, because of course I do, but this was the first time for a while where I was like, "I wish she were here to share this with".

A list post, because I think that will be the most convenient format!

1. the 11th was the one year anniversary of me having a job! \o/

2. the night of the 11th was the hottest night this year, so I slept badly because of that. And then also one of the neighbour's teenagers was blasting music till past two thirty in the morning, and that didn't help ONE BIT. I suspect I know which teenager it was, but I don't have the guts to complain to their parents.

3. Because of this, I had to ask my boss if it was okay if I didn't work yesterday. I felt bad about it, but he was fine with it, which I thought he would be.

4. My nephew came to visit the other day, and we played Ocarina of Time on my Gamecube (got to the Deku Tree), and the Sims 3 on my Xbox (rebuilt the entire house). He really, really wanted to play my copy of City Folk, but I don't have a Wii. (Thinking about it, I should've just given it to take home with him, then he could've played it on his Wii, but I legit did not think of that until now).

5. I am still making books, because apparently I can't stop! I now have two (if not three) sketchbooks I've made from various types of paper/card, which is hella amusing when you consider that I stopped using sketchbooks.

If you check out the media tab on on my twitter, you can see some of what I've been up to!

6. Talking of sketchbooks! It's been a month since I stopped drawing in a sketchbook and...I don't know if I've missed it or not. I've done the same amount of drawing that I would've done had I been using one, so *shrug emoji*

It does feel nicer to just have a stack of paper and a clipboard - I suspect this is part of the reason I like spiral bound sketchbooks - because you can just fold the entire book in half, so you don't need so much space to accommodate it.

Also drawings on single sheets of paper are 900% easier to scan!

7. I thought I had a #7, but I do not!

Streams!

Dicebreaker Reads Star Wars Choose Your Destiny: A Poe and Finn Adventure - I should've linked this last time, but, um, didn't? Anyway, Dicebreaker did this for Star Wars Day™ and it was hilarious.

Dicebreaker Podcast playlist - I'm linking this because you might want to listen to it? As I've said before, I know next to nothing about tabletop games, and yet I find this interesting to listen to. So you might, too? *shrug emoji*

Luke plays AC:NH - Fishing Tournament - Please watch this if only for Luke's reaction when Diana says that staying inside is a waste.

Jane plays Two Point Hospital - Curing 8 Bitten

~

I actually did some drawing the other day, and I enjoyed it! \o/

I've not not been being creative, but most of it's been cross stitch, and not my own patterns, so actually wanting to draw (which I love anyway) and subsequently having fun was good! And then I made a paper cut for the first time in over a month, and liked the end result, so double win! Now I just need to stop procrastinating on painting, and we're all good!

Well, I was going to link y'all to Mike from Outside Xbox playing Snakey Bus, except that the VOD has been set to private for some reason, so it's currently unavailable! I caught most of the stream live (missed the first half hour because I was wrestling a duck feather duvet. Don't ask), and it was fun, I thought (I'm a sucker for Snake type games, though, because I spent a loooooot of time playing that on my Nokia way back when).

If it comes back, I'll link it then.

Mike plays Snakey Bus! (IDK about you, but I found myself engrossed watching to see how he was doing. I intended to do stuff while watching but that didn't happen).

~

I went shopping yesterday. I wouldn't have even gone then, but that I was running out of wet cat food, and Jazz is fussy. She only likes expensive stuff. I've tried her on cheaper before, and she won't eat it. Which is weird because her dry food is mostly cheap ass stuff, and she hoovers that up. *shrug emoji*

Anyway, I went super mega early, and managed to get most of the things I went for, plus extras! The only thing I couldn't get was bread flour and I'm not too fussed? I don't really eat a lot of bread any more, but I did want to make things that use it. Oh well. Next time, maybe.

Other than that, I've been doing tidying in my mum's room, and sorting out clothes that can get recycled/sent to charity when places reopen. I found some more stationery. Nobody is surprised.

I can't make up my mind what video game I want to play (untrue: I want to play Two Point Hospital, which is currently on sale on the PSN with 20% off, but I still can't justify the cost to myself! Also I'd rather have a physical copy, etc etc). Let's rewrite that: I can't decide which of the games I already own that I want to play. I'm leaning towards the HD version of FFX-2, though, since it's a year since I played FFX HD, and I remember X-2 being hella fun when I played it many, many moons ago on my PS2.

Also anneapocalypse's post about Roswell, New Mexico reminded me that I have all of the original Roswell TV show on DVD now (I got it from work a few months back), so maybe I should binge that. Even if I am afraid to because I don't know how it will hold up versus my memories (I've only seen it once, and that was when it aired, and I didn't see season three because the BBC hates sci-fi).

1. I looked back through my posts about Maggie Stiefvater's books yesterday and I've mentioned the girl gang book quite a lot. I mean, not that I'm bitter about its no longer existing or anything ¬_¬

2. I'm on my third of three days in a row off work and everything feels wrong. I've had to keep checking it's Saturday, because it feels like Sunday, and if it's Sunday, then I should be at work, not sitting under a blanket writing this!

But it is Saturday, thank goodness.

3. My villagers are up to date in New Leaf! I keep tinkering with the idea of starting a Wild World town, but I don't know right now. I'm not sure I could keep up with two towns at once (although I guess I'm managing a town and a camp right now, so *shrug emoji*)

4. I've sort of haphazardly been doing Inktober and posting it on my twitter and once the month is over, I'll upload the pics to my sketchblog and link it so you can see what the heck I did!

5. Saw a post on twitter that asked if you could pick any game to make into a TV series, what would you choose? I said my gut reaction was Mass Effect, but thought a 2D animated Spryo series would be cool. I can even kind of imagine what I'd like it to look like, and now I can't stop thinking about it.

I also thought an animated Mass Effect series would be good, after some thought. And I can kind of see how I'd want that to look, too, and it irks me somewhat that I don't feel I could translate either thing to a fake screencap for the heck of it.

6. Still feels like Sunday, dagnamit.