(no subject)

Today is the day of the insurance claim. I spent a while working my way through shops in Tuggers and I've bought some replacements for some things. After I got home, I had a very long conversation with the jeweller who's quoting on the heirloom jewellery that was stolen. My misspent rocky childhood has turned out to be really useful for quite a few matters appertaining unto jewellery. I know exactly when each setting was crafted and where and the style and even where the stones were mined. I think there was only one question that I was unable to answer, and that one had a perfectly logical answer without me. It took me a while to think through lengths and thicknesses. Anyhow, it's done. The estimate will be complete fairly soon. I will be mostly through this mess.

By 'mostly' I mean I'm only halfway through the megashop of replacing things and I'm still sans computer and camera. It's a plaguey thing from a work point of view, for I can't take work with me. I need to replace my toner three months early because I'm having to use so much paper to reach the same ends, too.

My big accomplishment of today's shop was getting envelopes of all the right sizes.

I didn't manage to find a coffee grinder (which isn't anything to do with the burglary - it's because the one my stepfather gave me chose last week to give up the ghost) and I ran out of energy before I got to toner stage, but I have everything else from my today's list. I even have stockings for Aurealis, should I need them. And I've replenished my chocolate supply. This has nothing to do with the insurance and everything to do with my mental health.

(no subject)

I am entirely in love with the idea of being able to refuse to review a book. First there was the Canberra on the coast geographer (and you have one more day to vote in the poll, while I think on it) and now there is a novel which gets some very basic things wrong. Simple factual errors made over and again. If I reviewed it I would be fascinated by the errors and would focus on them as if they were the book and I would miss the wood for the trees.

(no subject)

Tonight was a very special and unusual birthday party. We celebrated Jimmy's 31st birthday. He couldn't be there, but black forest cake was cut in his memory and there was much amazingly good food and friends and a few tears.

Everything was Star Trek, except for the geek clothes of attendees for we were many fandoms. I'd forgotten how young Harrison Ford was when I was a teenager. I'd forgotten the pure silliness of helium balloons and the wonderful generosity of small children. I was given a purple balloon of my very own and shown good Transformer action (car to something else, not sure what except that it had splayed hands and a big grin) several times by one child in particular.

I made new friends and spent time with friends I already knew. I marvelled at the great heart of the people (Jimmy and his wife, Andrea, who organised the party) who brought us together.

I wish Jimmy hadn't died. He has, however, left a wonderful legacy of friends and of love. May we all be so blessed.