Christmas wouldn't be Christmas ...

On Wednesday afternoon I was still sorting out my newly downloaded 440GB of MP3/M4B files for 700-ish audios from Big Finish. Backing them up, and running a shell script (thanks to Martin!) to automate changing the folder names from ISBN numbers. I thought I'd check what applications on my Mac can play M4B (Apple lossless format), other than the obvious iTunes. So I opened up an audio file in QuickTime player. And then happily listened to half of The Chimes of Midnight. I'd only meant to check it played briefly! I will listen to the second half later this week. This April was 20 years since I first heard Chimes, the very first time I'd ever heard a Big Finish audio, the very first time I'd encountered the Eighth Doctor. What a way to start!

It's an absolutely brilliant audio, spooky in the style of Sapphire & Steel, but with a scifi twist. The writing is very strong - written by Rob Shearman - and the acting and directing top notch. The sound effects also enhance things, helping build tension in a thoroughly scary listening experience.

Sadly this Doctor Who story is not currently available to buy on the new Big Finish website, which is in a huge state of flux since its relaunch last week. First this audio wasn't there, then it was, then it wasn't again. But when it does come back up it will probably be available to buy in download form for just a couple of pounds. It is utterly worth that, and way more.

Oh and the quote in the post title is from the audio. Which does rather love Mrs Baddeley's plum puddings. It's no wonder many Big Finish fans relisten to this audio each year before Christmas.

This week's oracle cards spread

I'm trying to remember to make time for this each week. To randomly draw a simple past/present/future 3-card spread of the Urban Crow oracle cards which I got recently. And find very easy to work with/interpret.

As usual, I'm using them as a tool to reflect on my situation and circumstances. And think about where I am and what I want to do. I am not using them in a predictive kind of way.

Here is today's spread. With thoughts/comments after the picture.



The middle card, Freedom, was lovely to see. I am currently newly in a better patch in between my recurring rollercoaster of post Covid vaccine neurological autoimmune disease flares. I've had these flares 9 times now, after every Covid vaccine (I get, and need, a lot of Covid vaccines because I am severely immunosuppressed). Each time I am even more ill for up to 3 months, with phenomenally increased sedation, headaches, arm and leg loss of control, and increased bladder incontinence. Many people wouldn't put up with this. But I'm not willing to sacrifice my much needed Covid vaccine protection. And I know I am generating good antibodies from each one.

So I'm in a better patch, for the next couple of months. After that I will get my 10th Covid vaccine, and be iller again for another 3 months. I will just cope. Plus my neurological disease is still progressing, and leaves me severely disabled, even in the better patches. But that progression is slow. And that's partly why I'm still here 30 years into living with this illness!

So yes, this is a time of relative freedom for me, and I want to make the most of it. Maybe get more things done, including the academic journal papers and research projects I am working on sporadically. And maybe get out more with Martin, to have fun.

The left card, reflecting the past, is Anomaly, which can be a problem, or something out of the ordinary, or other interpretations. It's making me think of my latest Covid vaccine flare more than my long-term neurological disease. A devastating neurological flare which has run from early May to early August. And it does tie in with Freedom.

The rightmost card, reflecting looking ahead, is Caching. Which again fits nicely with where I am. I want, in this short better patch, to make new valuable memories, and get things done I can look back on in future. So I want to make the most of this time, in a way I can look back on happily when I'm much iller again.

An interesting draw anyway, and some nice things to think about.

Meanwhile re Freedom, today is the start of the Glasgow Worldcon, and I have digital streaming access thanks to my attending ticket. I won't be watching much live, but hope to see one talk later today. And catch up on even more in the coming weeks and months. I also have Oxonmoot to look forward to in a few weeks. Again with a digital ticket. And ditto for the Edinburgh Book Festival. Streaming has been transformational for me.

Worldcon streaming

Managing to see my first Glasgow Worldcon panel. Watching from bed, lying down horizontal with my iPad and Bluetooth headphones. This is one of just a couple I’ll watch live, during the con. I plan to watch many more on catch-up after.

The streaming is working well, far better than I expected. Only hiccup was a long wait for a missing speaker. But otherwise it is playing well in Safari on my iPad, as well as a text chat in Discord.