Notes – Dan Q

“I’m glad I’m not the only one”

Still at MegaConLive. I’ve not done this kind of con before (and still wouldn’t, were it not for my tweenager and her various obsessions). Not my jam, and that’s fine.

But if there’s one thing for which I can sing it’s praises: everybody we’ve met is super friendly and nice. Sure, you can loudly telegraph your fandoms and identities via cosplay, accessories, masks, badges, bracelets or whatever… but it’s also just a friendly community of folks to just talk to.

The fashion choices are, more than anything, just an excuse to engage: a way to say “hey, here’s a conversation starter if you’d like to talk to me!”

Overheard a conversation between my kid and another of a similar age, and there was a heartwarming moment where the other kid said, “oh wow, I thought I was the only one!” Adorbs.

It’s Eddie Bowley!

I may have been dragged to MegaConLive London by my multi-fandom loving 12-year-old, but I at least managed to find somebody worth getting a selfie with.

MegaConLive London

My 12-year-old’s persuaded me to take her to MegaConLive London this weekend.

As somebody who doesn’t pay much attention to the pop culture circles represented by such an event (and hasn’t for 15+ years, or whenever it was that Asdfbook came out?)… have you got any advice for me, Internet?

67 Bananas

I think my “six seven”-obsessed younger child was in the kitchen with a biro earlier. How do I know, you ask?

I got a CCC postcard!

Well my day, week, and year (which has been off to a slightly ropey start) got a whole heap better today when I received a postcard from August (@august@chaos.social) & Sappho (@kruemmelspalter@chaos.social), sent from 39c3 on a CCC postcard… with a CCC stamp (thanks, Deutsche Post)!

Super cool, and exactly the mood boost I needed today.

EV Battery Low

Tonight I learned that when my electric car gets down to 5% battery, it sounds an alarm.
And that when it gets down to 4% battery, it sounds a louder alarm.
And that when it gets down to 3% battery, it engages ‘limited performance’ mode and shows a picture of a tortoise.
And that when it gets down to 2%, and you’ve already turned off the heating and the radio and you’re wondering how much power the windscreen wipers are using… that’s when it stops showing you it’s estimated range.
Fortunately, I then only had half a mile left to go. But for a while there it felt a little bit hairy!

Note #27940

Bitterly cold and starkly beautiful, this morning: West Oxfordshire is blanketed in an impenetrably thick freezing fog.

It’s quite pretty, though I’m regretting not bringing my gloves out with me!

Note #27909

Not kink-shaming anyone, but I’m not sure I want to go to the ‘toilets viewing area’.

Note #27906

The younger kids’ taekwondo school put on a free ‘new years workout’ class this morning. It was pretty awesome.

My watch says my heart rate averaged 146bpm, peaking at 169bpm. It’s possible I’m not as fit as I used to be. 😅

But at least I don’t feel like I might die, like I did during the ‘dads go free’ promotion last year. Progress?

Bee

As part of my efforts to reclaim the living room from the children, I’m building a new gaming PC for the playroom. She’s called Bee, and – thanks to the absolute insanity that is The Tower 300 case from Thermaltake – she’s one of the most bonkers PC cases I’ve ever worked in.