Candle on, cup of tea beside me, it’s time for theeeeeeeeeeee…
- No question, Mr Thornton for me. And it’s all down to the man who played him. Post by scalpelgal
- I still haven’t watched UV, partly because all I need are the gorgeous Astrov gifs made by riepu10
- No Armitage in these pictures, but I just totally loved the UV set. Screencaps posted by richardarmitagefanpage
- Young(er) Armitage in a series of screenshots from an RH interview, posted by mzperx0506universe
- Wow. I mean, OMG. The aesthetics of the UV set in close up images. The vintage look is right up my street. Posted by richardarmitagefanpage, again. (And now I am feeling *very* keen on watching UV…)
- I wonder how much of a hardship it was to choose the pictures for the Crucible posters. Posted by astrovian
- Some lockscreen designs for lovers of NS by mockscreen
- Catching up with a few What a Guy Wants edits by nfcomics. Who would’ve thought that Guy was such a clever guy…
- *snorts* Yes, indeed, such a gentleman, with no ulterior motives. What a Guy Wants by nfomics, again
- And a third nfcomics Guy, just because it’s so close to the truth *haha*
- Now, I do not really wear make-up at all, but I very much approve of this idea by call-me-aureum. What’s next? Chalk paint colours inspired by RA characters, anyone?
- I enjoyed fizzyxcustard’s take on what Thorin’s bedchamber might have looked like – and hehe, I think we should do a challenge in which we imagine various rooms for various characters!
13 is an unlucky number, so I am leaving it at 12.
How is everybody? I’ve been somewhat quiet lately, including on Twitter. No particular reason other than the beginning of the year and my reawakened nesting instinct. Last year around this time Mr Guylty and I spontaneously launched into a reno of my study/work space and then repurposed my son’s old bedroom as our “library”. This time I am focussing on our bedroom. I decided to paint an old heirloom chest of drawers in a soothing, sage-y green. That done, the rest of the decor in the bedroom didn’t match anymore, so now more make-overs have to follow. Today I sewed some fabric panels with vintage material for our wardrobe. Next project is a new bed spread for which I need to dye lots of fabric pieces. And so time passes…
I’ve also been quite busy fielding queries on my Etsy store. I haven’t kept stats, but a large number of orders never reached their buyers and I am having to re-send items. That also applies to the fundraiser items from December. I was delighted to hear from Esther that her shipment finally arrived yesterday. Sent on December 7th, arrived January 16th. Yep, I am appalled at that. I know that there are some very patient supporters still waiting for their items to arrive. If you are one of them (and haven’t yet been in touch with me), let me know! For most of the packages I have no way of tracking them. But I may be able to replace items as I still have fabric and beads at home…
Other than that – have a nice Sunday, all,
Sonja ❤️
Guylty Pleasure 
Thornton for me too… though there’s new competition in Anthony Bridgerton if you’ve seen that series yet (absolute tosh but the costumes and the men are to die for 🤣)
#5 wow indeed… the detail!!! Down to the apple core in the drawer!
I received my purchases safely, thank you! Super. And thanks for the roundup as ever 😊 I look forward to seeing the nesting projects. I wish I could prod myself into doing something similar!
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Oh yes, Anthony was hot. (Although a bit of an arsehole, too.) And spot on, “tosh” is the word. I watched Bridgerton with hubby, and we both felt entertained by it, but agreed that the story was cliched and underdeveloped. But nice costumes and many juicy peaches 😂)
And glad to know the mail has made it safe.
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It was Anthony’s behaviour in the first ten minutes that made switch off
Honestly sex by a tree while the servants stood by!
I was persuaded to give it a second go and I am glad I did
I have read several of the books so wasn’t a complete newbie
I suppose the the producers wanted to shock
It certainly hammered home Anthony’s character
A bit like having Thornton beat up a worker ( not in the book either)
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Same here, Yve – I found myself embarrassingly prudish about that scene 😂. And Anthony’s patriarchal/masculine high-handedness just really riled with me. Tbh, even his “true love for poor actress” stance at the end didn’t really redeem him in my eyes. But he was nice to look at 😁
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Ah hell, I’ve been working like a demon. Mine arrived safe too. Sorry, I suck hard sometimes and never enough or in a good way, (according to my hubs) when I’m in work mode. 😔 Shame
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Hey, and I am sorry that I couldn’t fulfil your address wish. The item was not sent by me, and by the time I realised it, it had already been sent. Apologies!
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No worries girl, it turned out better that way. I’m just happy to have remembered to participate. No apologies needed at all.
Sorry to hear some people haven’t gotten their loot. You do such an amazing job organizing, promoting and shipping everything out. The problems start when you have to rely on someone else to do their part. Hope everyone’s late items show up. 💕😊
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Ah, that‘s good 🙂
And yeah, the logistics were a bit of a challenge this time. But well, a little bit of excitement is always good ;-). I just hope nobody was left disappointed.
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I hope so too, you’ve never disappointed me. Thanks again for all the selfless charitable work you do!
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😘
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I am still patiently waiting 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
❤️🤗
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You’re a star, Olga. Here’s hoping all goes well!
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I got mine this week — sent from the UK, not from you — so five weeks.
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Fab – glad to hear the items arrived. But jeepers, five weeks. I am shaking my head here.
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Yeah, 10-14 days would have been normal. Also, I see no evidence that US Customs ever touched it (I like to blame things on US Customs but i don’t think I can in this case).
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Super weird, all of this. Ok, Covid is to blame, but obviously also the erosion of USPS thanks to 45.
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Maybe. IMO it’s not directly election-related; it is more complex than that. Congress has been at war with the USPS for decades at this point — I won’t give you a blow by blow, but important forces in Congress want USPS privatized, and that was the real underlying issue here, long before the election, You can add to that DJT’s hard-on for Jeff Bezos, which resulted in DJT’s unfounded allegations that USPS was undercharging Amazon for its services. The timing of the appointment of a new Postmaster General was related to the expiration of the previous Postmaster General’s term / retirement. It wasn’t clear at the point of the nomination of the successor that so many people in the US would vote by absentee mail-in ballot; at that point DJT was still claiming the virus was no problem at all.
Louis deJoy, DJT’s nominee for Postmaster General, was both an important GOP donor and the successful operator of a logistics company, and controversial both because he did not divest himself of investments in the logistics sector, and because he had never worked for the USPS (Postmaster General is a position usually held by someone from inside). He was finally confirmed in the summer of 2020, just as the initial wave of COVID was calming here slightly, and he instituted a wave of down-sizing measures that related to the drastic fall off in the last several years of first-class letter delivery, a loss leader for the USPS (that kind of mail is dying a gradual death and not just in the US due to the decline in direct-mail advertising, which kept first class letter delivery afloat). First-class volume was not significantly affected by COVID; it was projected to continue to fall off.
As these measures happened during the summer, the conspiracy mill (which struggles hard with correlation vs causation, and also includes left-wing participants) used them as evidence that DeJoy had been nominated in order to mess up ballot delivery and thus throw the election to DJT. If you had said “DeJoy was nominated to create a situation that facilitated USPS privatization,” I’d absolutely agree to that, but there’s no evidence that points causally from his appointment to any attempt to throw the election. When these conspiracy rumors started making the rounds, DeJoy agreed to delay further downsizing relating to first-class letters until the election was over. And in fact there is no evidence that the USPS took any significant measures at all to throw the election. There were a few places where courts ordered the USPS to scour their facilities for ballots to make sure they were delivered to polling places on time, but some ballots always arrive late; this is a risk of mail-in voting.
Finally, USPS has hugely stepped up its logistics to try to deal with the flood of packages. Until this week, every time I went into the post office there was a sign up saying they were hiring full time with benefits, flexible schedules, etc. Before Xmas, we had USPS people knocking on our door at 10 p.m. some nights to drop off packages. So I think discussion of “erosion” in the current context is also overblown. Like every logistics / delivery service, they were hit with a huge storm. The Amazon direct delivery trucks are also going out at least 14 hours a day with all kinds of delays. I’ve been waiting on a UPS package of sweaters I ordered around Thanksgiving since mid-December.
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Ah, that’s interesting. I didn’t know the details and stepped into the trap. Or rather, I kind of bought into what I had read online about 45 deliberately denigrating the postal service as a way of leading into later claims of election fraud. In any case, I think you are lucky to still have a state owned mail provider. The privatisation of such services elsewhere, Germany included, do not strike me as an improvement to keeping essential services in the hands of the state.
With a changeover soon happening, will the position of Postmaster General be reappointed or will deJoy stay in place?
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There’s no term limit, so it’s up to him, and since the board of governors are generally sympathetic to him at this point as far as I know, I don’t know why he’d retire. It’s an extremely well paid job for civil service, about $300k annually in salary. He didn’t divest of his other interests, it’s still in his personal interest to kill the USPS, and the people in the GOP who want the USPS privatized are all still there.
I can see why people might conclude that DeJoy was put in place to mess up the election given how things turned out, but GOP attempts to kill USPS date back to the Reagan administration, and if that was what DeJoy was supposed to do, he did not deliver. DJT was polling extremely well before COVID and incumbents have a huge advantage. It’s true that Trump had undermined the US election system more or less since he took office in 2016, but his remarks about fraud notwithstanding, he had every reason to think that he would do as well as he had in 2016 or better until the economic effects of the pandemic were felt and the BLM protests erupted. I don’t think Trump is that much of a long-term thinker, either. As someone put it recently, he’s a man for short-term grift.
I feel like the USPS is a bit like the public transportation system in Germany, at least when I lived there — isn’t there a law that public transportation has to reach within a short distance of every German settlement? If there were no USPS most of the rural US would either be cut off or rely on the exorbitant prices of private delivery services — and those are exactly the places that don’t have contact with broad-band internet, too. If I understand correctly (although there is some debate about this) the problems with USPS breaking even relate heavily to the legal requirement it agreed to in 2006 regarding pre-funding retirees’ health benefits instead of doing pay as you go. This practice, while it wouldn’t put the USPS back in the black, definitely limits the amount it can spend on modernization and changes to its business model. The USPS keeps saying that last-mile delivery is not what’s causing the problems in their books, and by law they are not allowed to charge less than cost for package delivery. So it definitely seems like other obligations could be dragging them down — but I haven’t had the energy in the past to get on top of this question. A student in one of my classes did a presentation on this summer, which is why I know all this detail.
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Sounds as if the Postmaster General job is actually too good to give up voluntarily. Still, that conflict of interest of DeJoy’s has my alarm bells ringing.
Also, not surprised to hear that there have been attempts from conservatives for so long to privatise USPS. It just never ceases to amaze me that any government would want to give up progressive ideas/institutions (state services such as post, public transport, public health, public pools, rubbish collection etc…) that were so hard-won in the early 20th century. Sure, I understand their arguments and reasoning (money), but ideologically doesn’t it mean so much more about the state of social progress when a state is able to provide its population with these services… (rhetorical question). Anyway, it’s a trend long established everywhere – and in most places it has also been shown that privatisation has not brought the benefits that those responsible promised. Disappointing!
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My issue is basically that the state grants a private monopoly to whoever is providing the government service, but potentially without regulating them. There’s this long ongoing discussion about why we should privatize the DMV, but if a private company refuses someone service, what recourse does the individual have beyond suing? At least government agencies have to follow their own rules and there are safeguards in place. I read an article several years ago about people whom Amazon blocks from using their service. Well, as it becomes more and more of a monopoly, eventually there will be things for which it is the only source. So what if it blocks you from using it? Quis custodiet ipsos custodes applies in more than governmental contexts, if private companies take on governmental functions. I think the fact that DJT had a vendetta against Jeff Bezos really masks the extremely problematic features of Amazon, which seems to me frequently to act in restraint of trade to its own advantage and I would hate to see that extended to governmental or quasi-governmental functions.
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Ha, I wish that the private providers *had* a monopoly – because then there would be less confusion. Over here, some formerly state-provided services such as rubbish removal have been sourced out to various providers. The result is *not* a competition with lower prices for customers, but general confusion over which provider serves which areas.
But ok, no, seriously I don’t really want a monopoly for private companies, either. The Amazon example is really fitting. It does sometimes worry me how much power these private companies hold. Especially Amazon with its AWS service.
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the whole Amazon v. Hachette thing, for instance.
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If I could throw in my Monopoly Nightmare. Since the mid 90s, the comics industry has been in a chokehold to one distributor. Diamond Comics, aka DCD.
Efficiency was the first thing to go, overcharging for shipping has been SOP from the start. Their response being; “where else you gonna get your books?”
They’ve also singled some of us out for added penalties. I’ll spare you those details, but it’s cost the whole industry so much more than sales.
Monopolies are bad in my opinion and not just because I have first hand experience.
Sorry for the rant.
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Monopolies are always bad. They are basically a way of blackmailing and strong-arming the consumers, as well as distributors and merchants.
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let me know if you need any spare Baubles
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Ah, thanks for the offer, Rachel. Good to know. There were a few spares left over after the auction – luckily, because I am having to send a couple of baubles tomorrow, replacing a lost shipment.
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That’s frustrating for you x
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The package I shipped from New York City to a winner in Nevada took three weeks. It would have been 3 days in the past. Which means the U.S. Postal Service still hasn’t recovered from the interference of Drumpf’s appointee last fall who tried to prevent mailed-in early ballots of last year’s election from reaching their destinations. (It didn’t work, and that man’s name is on the list of people who need to be sent to prison.) Which means that mail coming in from other countries (which switches to the USPS once it hits the US) will also be delayed. Well…it just means that some of us still have something nice to look forward to!
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Fab, glad to know that it arrived, even if horribly delayed. Absolutely deplorable what Drumpf has been doing to the USPS. Honestly, the 20th can’t come soon enough for me. I am just hoping that justice will be served on all those criminals who are basically Drumpf’s sidekicks.
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#2: It always strikes me that whenever a costumer wants him in loose pants, they always look rather large (given how thin he is), because, hello, total pant leg circumference is determined by…those thighs.
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That’s a thought that had not occurred to me – but it totally makes sense and explains it!
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#5: A Cyrillic typewriter? Huh, wha, how did they find that? And all that fake paperwork (receipts, etc., some it also in Cyrillic, Russian, I assume.) I had no idea stage prop design was so specific and so accurate. Without the film, who would have ever seen this stuff? Is it in service to the actors believing they are in the environment (rather than the audience)? Is this level of detail typical, does anyone know (given that I know nothing about performing)?
#6: LOL! They chose brilliantly, though, and I remember a jolt the first time I saw it. The plot of the whole play was on his face: anger, bewilderment, fear….
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Yep, #5 also had me 😳. Brilliant work by Rae Smith. So much detail – for something that was not going to be seen by the audience in the theatre. Good question whether she re-propped the whole thing for the film. Although I would imagine that the detail is something she decides on herself – to the benefit of the actors.
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5- Lot of great stuff for your next DIY or shrines, Sonja!
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You are absolutely right, Radaghast. Actually should save some of those pictures and print them out for shrines!
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3- “decay”, just one word in mind but I like the stage set very much
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It’s simply stunning. I loved it from the moment the curtain lifted in the theatre. Seeing these pictures, I like it even more!
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#9: Following #8, this suggest that you, like me, do the same thing every time you go to Night Flight Comics’ site. Read one good joke, then get hooked and scroll down for more. Yup, happens every time!
#10: I wrote the comment above before seeing this one ha ha ha, proves my point!
#11: After all these years, who knew someone would think up yet another angle for being a fan, yeah!!! Thank you, Aᴜʀᴇᴜᴍ Gʜᴜʟᴇʜ, and welcome to the club!
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#9 and #10 – you got me, Besotted 😂. What happens is that nfcomics’ posts never show up in the tag, and so I have to remember to search for the What a Guy Wants items separately. And then I get stuck, scrolling down…
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I haven’t received my fundraiser package yet, but I will wait patiently; everything is taking a long time. ❤
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Let’s definitely keep an eye on it, Abi! I don’t want anyone to lose out. If you get to the point where you lose all hope of it turning up, let me know and I will see what I can do to replace it!
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Another here waiting patiently. If past parcels are anything to go by, the wooden ornaments that I bought will be spending more time in this country than they did in their original one. Australia Post has a habit of sending packages on a tour of various places before finally bringing them home where they belong *eyeroll*
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I am crossing my fingers that the package made it to Australia, Mezz. I just had to resend a purchase from an Australian customer, and that was an order I originally dispatched at the end of November…
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I was wondering whether the delays could have been Brexit related as well. I know Ireland is still in the EU, but maybe things also get sent via England and routes needed to be changed? Doesn’t explain the long mailing times to the US, though. Due to Covid, the postal services have been extra busy with even more online shopping (and possibly less flights available to send them), so somewhere there lies a reason for delay as well, I think. Sounds like packages are slowly arriving at destinations, so I hope that will hold true in the coming days or week for others as well. For you as a sender it’s stressful, though. I don’t even know whether all of my magnets have arrived yet, so should anyone say anything about that to you, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
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The delays are definitely also Brexit related. You are absolutely right; much of the post (and goods) destined for Ireland, are sent via Britain. It makes sense, in that Britain is a bigger country (and market), and also closer to the continent. I imagine that goods and mail are transported in the same lorries from the continent to Britain, and then separated to go on further to this little island. In any case, Ireland has been lumped in with Britain when it comes to some carrier services – despite Ireland a member of the EU. But German mail and goods carriers like DHL and Hermes are currently not delivering to Britain – and Ireland. Infuriating.
The long mail times to overseas destinations are probably due to the less frequent flights, I’m sure. Cargo is probably still flying the way it always does, but afaik mail is also often loaded onto passenger planes. With the latter flying less frequently, there will be a backlog.
Ah well, there’s nothing we can do, just hope that it will all get back to normal at some stage…
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Fingers crossed!
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I’ve never known the post be so slow but when we list the possible reasons, the virus, Christmas, Brexit, online shopping, privatisation …, it’s amazing anything is delivered at all.
Thanks for the cheering round-up Guylty.
3) Maybe some UV inspiration for your new bedroom? Green foliage might match your chest of drawers.
4) Oh god, I love that interview, it’s one of my favourites. How beautiful is he, so sexy and seductive.
12) I haven’t got any further than imagining bed-chambers for most of RA’s characters.
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I have to agree – I feel bad about complaining about the mail service. After all they are working under severe strain at the moment, and we are lucky that we have a postal service at all. Just hoping that things will calm down soon. I am doing my bit and have scaled down my online shopping sprees 😉
3) – oooh, nice idea. I’m still waiting for hubster to build that minimalist four-poster he promised… could arrange a few leafy foliage on that!
12) – 🤣
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Post within the UK has been good
My friends daughter works for them
I she did say illness and quarantining had been a big problem however they have coped amazingly well and I am always happy to see the postman and say hello
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Our postman is a really chatty guy, and whenever he rings (because the post doesn’t fit into the letterbox), he has a few friendly words. They really have done their best in the last year.
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Here’s a summary of what happened to the USPS:
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Pingback: 2021 Armitage Weekly Round-up #3 | Guylty Pleasure
Whoa, 3 in one week? In the words of Homer Simpson, Whoo Hoo and thank you girl!
As to your suggestion of imagining what various RA characters bedrooms might be like, I’ve never had much of an imagination, but think this is a path I probs shouldn’t go down. Too many inappropriate thoughts already go through my head as it is. 😆
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Those bedroom ideas are indeed a tightrope walk…
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Hahaha 😆 I know! 😂
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