Patchy internet connection makes for late blogging... but at least I have something interesting for you: a video about testing medieval arrows and their success at breaching armour.

Enjoy!


 

Just like every year, it's time for a nice summer break. I'll be taking care of the things that always drop behind when it's business like usual, and of course I'll also be taking time off to knit, cuddle the cat, go on holidays for a bit, eat ice cream and generally relax.



As usual during my breaks, I'll try to cut down on internet usage as much as possible - so you probably won't see much of me on facebook, instagram, or anywhere else for the next few weeks.

I'll be back in action for the WorldCon in Dublin, which is August 15-August 19, and you might see things from me on instagram and facebook for this. Because of the WorldCon, this year's blog break and shop break will be a bit longer than my actual time off work - I will be back on the blog on August 26.

Until then, have a good summer - see you at the end of August!

I've done it again. A while ago, I sat down with some recording equipment and some sheets of paper and a glass of water, and I got to read a haunting story for Cast of Wonders.


That is my third narration for the Escape Artists, and the third for Cast of Wonders. Fun fact: I actually applied to narrate for EA because I love EscapePod so much, and at that point, I hadn't listened much to CoW. One day, there will be a SFF story that fits my voice. Or at least I hope so... and until then, I'll happily go on reading stories for Cast of Wonders.

This time, it's episode 362, "Hare's Breath" by Maria Haskins. I hope you enjoy the story!

 

First things first: I love the EU. I love what it makes possible, and that it slowly, slowly brings us all closer together. The Euro has made things a lot easier (though it was certainly bad for my currency conversion maths-in-my-head skills!), and I think it's the only way forward.

That said... the EU and its politicians do some really stupidly weird things. Such as moving the parliament once each month from Bruxelles to Strasbourg. For a week.

Here is a video (in German, sorry) about this insanity:

 
This is absolutely, utterly crazy. It's an insane waste of time, money, and resources that could better be spent in other ways. Such as helping people who had to "travel" without wanting it (aka refugees). Such as financing more sustainable technology for travel and energy. Or a hundred other things.

I'm really, really taken aback by this. How on earth can this still go on, while everyone in the EU parliament (hopefully) is aware of the climate change, and of the need to work on a more sustainable lifestyle for all of us? Why have the green parties in the parliament not protested this again, and again, and again, until it stops? Or, if that wasn't possible for them on their own, why isn't this made more public so more people (like me) can get really upset, and think about how to change it?

Aaaaaargh. Can we please, collectively, all have more brain power? To use for making the world better, instead of more crazy, more hateful, more fearful and more insane?

If you like British humor stuff and history, chances are high that you have found out about "Horrible Histories". If not (that is if not as in if you have not found out about them), it's both books and film material showcasing things from history - usually gory, gruesome, or other unsavoury bits. They are doing a very fine job of turning history into songs as well, and one of my favourites is the Four Georges thing, here in a live version:

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If you want more now, try to search for "Horrible Histories songs" on youtube (but don't blame me for that time sink, please).

Long story short, Horrible Histories are now going to bring out a movie, as Microsoft News tells us (including the trailer). The movie will be in cinemas in Ireland and the UK this summer.

 

As it's tradition for me, I spent the weekend around Ascension Day, which is a public holiday in Germany, together with friends, having some bookbinding fun.

The origin of this is that, many years ago, I took a one-week course about bookbinding. Back then, it was organised by the German Youth Hostel Association. I was a young student, and I loved books, and of course I had gazillions and gazillions of copies from books that were not readily available. So being able to bind your own books? That sounded very, very tempting. Also, I already had that thing about collecting craft knowledge...

Long story short - I took the week-long course, I loved the craft, and when I heard about an annual meet-up of "veterans" from that course, I was very happy to join them.

Over the years, a good bit of what I am mainly doing at those meet-ups has changed. There are much less copies to bind; in fact I haven't done that for ages. Sometimes there's something to repair, sometimes I need a new notebook, sometimes I have an idea about a special thing for a friend or family member. I have sort of gained a reputation for making boxes among our group, which is one of my fave things to make, and every year I make at least one box and at least one folder.

This year, there is a tie for "weirdest and funniest box" between this utterly ridiculously small box:

and this box, completely covered in (fake) fur:

So. Which one is weirder? Let me know!