Today I wrapped upAnnihilationby Jeff VanderMeer, a horror/sci-fi novel with fantastical (?) elements about a biologist exploring a very unsettling landscape.
There are no names given in this book—the narrator and protagonist is simply "the Biologist," and she refers to her other three teammates by their job titles as well. Locations outside of the place they're exploring—Area X—are not given either, but the world is implied to be much the same as our own, with Area X a troubling and relatively recent anomaly. A private company hires the Biologist and her colleagues to venture into this strange place and take notes. They are the 12th such expedition.
I appreciate that much of the horror inAnnihilation isn't in-your-face: it's the slow build of things that are justoff. This quiet and subtle approach means that when something extreme happens, itfeelsextreme. The Biologist and her colleagues know that Area X is dangerous before they venture in, but even so, they are unprepared forhowand to what degree. VanderMeer's portrayal of how trust frays among relative strangers under these conditions felt realistic.
That's right, folks: the day you've been waiting for is finally here. All those hours of planning, long nights of anticipation, and stockpiling of Lactaid pills will finally pay off, because today...is Cheesecake Wreck Day.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Jem," you're thinking - because you frequently get me mixed up with the 80s cartoon rocker - "Jem, how is it even possible to Wreck a cheese cake?"
Why, like this, my adorably confused reader:
[singing] "This-is-how-we-do-it!"
Aww, I see this was taken on my birthday, Mike & Angie. Well, thanks for the thought and all, but that drippy brown splotch has just reminded me: I...uh...don't eat drippy brown splotches. Sorry.
So that's a traditional cheesecake Wreck, but what if I told you it gets even Wreckier?
BEHOLD, THE WEDDING CHEESE CAKE WRECK!!!
Yes, my dear Wreckies, I'm afraid it's true: that is a "cake" made entirely of cheese. And not a sweet cream cheese, either - oh no. I'm talkin' the stuff that gets described with words like "sharp," "green veining," and "stinky feet." And it's a wedding cake.
I wish I could say this is a one-time fluke, but unfortunately wedding cheese "cakes" are a growing trend. They're not in addition to the traditional cake, either; they're in place of it. Meaning there is no actual wedding cake at these weddings - just cheese. Cheese! As if that's an acceptable substitute!
What happened to the time-tested wedding arrangement? You know, the one where we bring expensive linens, crystal, and espresso-makers in exchange for a free meal, a little boozy dancing, and a slice of gorgeously decorated, oh-so-scrumptious cake?
Frankly, it only adds insult to injury when someone tries to "pretty" these things up, too:
Fake flowers and ribbon pinned (yes, pinned) into cheese wheels does not an elegant "cake" make.
Still, nothing's as bad as combining cake, cheese, and a pork pie all into a single display:
The question is, can you tell which layer is which?
Cass J., Anony M., Stella P., & Second Anony., I Camembert it; all the Gouda puns Havarti been used!
*****
P.S. If you also enjoy cheesy puns, then BRIE-HOLD!
Hello on Friday! Looking back at the day today -- or yesterday, if today hasn't gotten going yet -- how did it go?
- I thought about my fic once or twice - I wrote - I did some planning and/or research - I edited - I've sent my fic off to my beta - I posted today! - I'm taking a break - I did something else that I'll talk about in a comment
Looking forward, how are you planning to spend your weekend?
- I'm going to make up for not writing all week by having a writing marathon - I'm going to keep writing at my current rate and see how it goes - I have other plans, but I might have time to get some writing in - I'm going to take a break from writing
My requestor has left me no prompts, which is sometimes worse than 'prompts I can't write'.
--
19th September - Ships Crossing
If I can get the sign up in before they close. My nominations have yet to be accepted. (In fairness, I only did them half an hour ago.)
--
I didn't sign up for the sedoretu exchange this year, I was deep in the weeds of life at the time and simply couldn't get the energy to sign up, let alone write a story.
I'd feel like a heel if I didn't unleash a pack of thanks on Heather W., Nicole O., Erin R.., Catherine S., Sara S., Lysa R., & Thomas R. for taking pictures rather than going barking mad.
Hello on Thursday! (Sorry for missing yesterday!) How are things going in the world of fic?
Did you write?
- Yes! - No! - Not yet!
If yes, what kind of writerly activity did you engage in? How do you feel about it? If no, what were the obstacles/situations that affected your writerly pursuits? What will you do differently tomorrow to get more writing done? If not yet, because the day hasn't gotten going yet, what kind of writing activity are you planning (or hoping) to accomplish?
But I should probably at least do a little bit of my tax return research.
I tried to throw a party this evening. Only a couple of days notice. I suspect that most people didn't see the invitation (fb sucks at timeliness), and the other half weren't able to come at such short notice.
Mind you, even with notice, a lot of people don't bestir themselves to come along.
--
It was a pretty good birthday. Nothing dire or terrible, at least. A day of work, and bible study at the end, and one of the bible study leaders made cupcakes, so I got a candle stuck in mine and everyone sang happy birthday.
I made a cake. Red velvet with ermine buttercream. I haven't really had a chance to eat it yet. I'm gearing up the courage to invite people around on Saturday night for post-dinner cake.
Anyway, I'm kind of tired, like I said. I've just calculated my mobile phone costs, because I use the phone for some work stuff, and other than that, I think it's health, any expenses (purchases of technology), and donations.
And then my accountant can tear her hair because I haven't put in the things she really wants and it will involve chasing me to get back to her...
--
Day off tomorrow - cousin's wedding. On a Friday. With family. And we're staying in the area (other side of Sydney) for the night, both the twins and I.
Have to speak to the neighbours about feeding the cats and checking the chooks.
--
Hm. Getting a bit of a headache. I wonder if it was the el cheapo dumplings we had for dinner...
"There was a wall. It did not look important. It was built of uncut rocks roughly mortared. An adult could look right over it, and even a child could climb it. Where it crossed the roadway, instead of having a gate it degenerated into mere geometry, a line, the idea of a boundary. But the idea was real. It was important. For seven generations there had been nothing more important than that wall."
I knew this book was going to hit hard from the opening paragraph above, and it did not disappoint. I've enjoyed Ursula Le Guin's work before--The Left Hand of Darkness is one of my favorite books—and I absolutely see whyThe Dispossessedis considered one of her crowning pieces. The setting for this book is a planet and its moon—Urras, the planet, is a lush world not dissimilar from Earth, which is home to several capitalist countries and at least one socialist country; and Anarres, the moon, which is a dusty, resource-scanty place home to a society of anarchists who fled from Urras just under two hundred years ago. The core of the novel concerns Shevek, a theoretical physicist from Anarres who chooses to relocate to Urras.
Le Guin captures truly great sci-fi because this work is so imbued withcuriosity. Le Guin is asking questions at the heart of any great sci-fi work: What defines humanity? What can we achieve, and how is it done, and what does that mean for society? Whatissociety? What does it mean to be alone? What does it mean to be part of a whole? To me, sci-fi can't betrulysci-fi without a measure of philosophy, andThe Dispossessedhas this in droves.
[very polite Englishman] "Yes, I'd like to order a baby shower cake, if I might. Something perhaps a bit creepy. Not fond of the mother, you see."
[very polite English salesman] "Yes, of course, of course... Might I suggest our Face of Birth cake?"
"Hm, yes, it is quite creepy, but I was thinking something a bit more, if that's not too much trouble?"
"Not at all, sir. Perhaps this will be more to your liking?"
"Oh, that is unsettling... but could we remove the body?"
"Say no more. I've just the thing:"
"Yes, yes, I can see how that might send a bit of a shiver. Could we maybe bury the baby IN the cake, though? Perhaps add a crustacean?"
"Ahh, the old 'crustacean on half a newborn!' That's my specialty, sir, and it's quite creepy - if I do say so myself."
"You know, I truly appreciate your effort, my good man, but I think we've missed the mark. I tell you what: just make something vaguely baby shaped and slap it on the ugliest cake you can find. Think we could do that?"
"Of course, sir, and may I compliment you on your excellent sense of humor? I shall have it post haste."
Thanks to Britani, Valentina V., Alexia O., Alison P., & Zahirah for the ruddy good time.
*****
P.S. If the parents were born in the 90s, bring this to the baby shower, too:
caseficexchange is looking for pinch hitters to fulfil requests that include anime and manga fandoms.
About the event: Casefic Exchange is a fanwork exchange focusing on investigations. These can be solving murders, retrieving stolen items, finding missing people, missions, and mysteries. As long as it has an investigation as its core theme, it fits with the exchange. We are an AO3 exchange; you must have an account and be 18+ to participate.
Minimum requirements: We allow three mediums: a minimum of 3,000 words for fanfiction, a minimum of 10 panels for a comic, or a recording of a completed fic of 3,000 words minimum with "casefic" as one of its tags. Works must include a fandom, character/ship and be of a medium that the recipient has requested.
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