blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2009-12-31 05:42 pm

Goodbye, 2009!

Well, that was a year, wasn't it?

I had hoped to start this post with links sending you all to ecards, but some lupin at Oxfam decided that instead of using the name provided by the purchaser in the From section of the gift purchase interface, they would use the real name provided in the Please Take My Money part. Eedjits. So no ecards for you lot! One pic, below, because the other is just all Sincere and Depressing.

Anyway, I bought you all adult literacy classes for Cambodians, and paints and brushes for childcare in South Africa. That seems about right for so many writers, readers and artists!

This was a weird year for me, in life and in fandom. I seem to have spent a lot of it several months behind where I meant to be. For this reason, it is my last year of beta-ing in fandom for the foreseeable future. I seem to have beta-ed about 10 words to every one I have written, which means my WiP pile is no smaller than it was at the start of the year, rather, it has grown. Shameful! I have two beta jobs left on my plate, and once they are done, so am I.

I did fail a bit with last year's resolution not to do any more fests, but only a bit. [livejournal.com profile] hp10k_showcase  was more like a bunch of friends daring each other to put something out that was a bit unlike what any of us normally did, while [livejournal.com profile] hd_career_fair  was a fair, not a fest ;-) I'm keeping the no fest rule until all my WiPs are done (er, probably 2013 ...)

Writing-wise, I was a disaster. I think that all I have managed this year was two parts of A Single Wizard's Guide to Fatherhood (both deranged), one part of Baby, Basket, Death Eaters (likewise), the quite serious for recent me And Save Me From Bloody Men, and the good god woman, what were you thinking Little Red Courgette. The last two benefit enormously from the inclusion of art from raitala, who is a profoundly good influence.

Fingers crosse LJ stops chopping out these two lines! The best fandom thing for me was
[livejournal.com profile] azkatrazathome , which was our Con for People What Aren't At the Con. While it was madness to run, and would not have happened if it had been left to me (thank Merlin for the mod team, who were all BRILLIANT!), it threw up so much good stuff that it was worth every minute of sleep deprivation! If you're at a loss for things to read over the snowed in/defeated by heat part of the year, trek over there for the drabble challenges and prepare to laugh an embarrassing amount. Which reminds me ... I did write an end to the Tag-Team Fic and never posted it ... er, anyone up for a beta? And, why yes, I do have the memory of a vague guppy.

The best thing has, as always, been you, flist. I have failed miserably in keeping up with reading and commenting, and two computer deaths (one thorough) played merry hell with my Giant List of Open Tabs to Read. So if there was something you particularly think I am a thicky/complete bastard for not commenting on, please feel free to let me know. Otherwise, I should catch up somewhere around April of next year.

That said, I wish each and every one of you a Very Happy New Year and the very best of life in 2010. May small improvements grow into large ones, may difficulties be replaced by opportunities and doses of luck, may past grief be tempered by present joy, and may all of you be surrounded by kindness and good will as we embark on this year.

[identity profile] maevemist.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:42 am (UTC)(link)
Happy New Year to You! (in exactly 5 hours and 19 minutes)


Is it odd that out of all of the important details you have just posted about the one thing that was like a neon sign to me was End-to-the-tag-team-fic? Please post it with or without a beta. If you really need to have someone look over it just to have a scape goat I am more than happy to cliam ownership to that title.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
I'll see if I can get anyone to have a close look at it in the next day or so, if not, I'll give it a close read tomorrow and get it up asap!

And yes, I am deeply crap, sorry!

[identity profile] maevemist.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
I am just excited about having more of it because I had such a good time that weekend and am quite proud that I contributed alongside so many fabulous people.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-12-31 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
I was reading through it last night, it was pretty bloody fabbo, especially given what little time we all had!