Surfacing, and Guardian anniversary

[marycrawford]

We had a heatwave here, in a country that isn't equipped for it. Last year it lasted half a week of 35+C temps during the day, and I took refuge in a library that had A/C and sweated it out at home for the last day, when even crossing the street felt impossible. This year it lasted a FULL WEEK and I am starting to think that we may need to invest in home A/C; even one week a year of this is devastating and it takes me at least another week to recover.

Last year, during the heatwave, I was watching Guardian for the first time and it was a sheer delight, if you can call a show a delight when it's filled with angst and h/c and self-sacrifice (yes, yes I can, because those are some of my favorite things).

During this year's heatwave I was mostly watching Lost Tomb Reboot Sir: Your Face (I'm at the start of ep 22; Wu Xie just knocked over a huge vase he was forbidden to touch, because he is Like That) as well as rewatching some Guardian eps. I still have two Guardian stories in progress that I want to finish writing, as well as some that are in the planning stage; I have so many stories by others that I want to leave feedback on that it's making me feel overwhelmed; at this point, I haven't written a word of either feedback or fic in weeks, and the rock to push uphill feels bigger than it did before.

But it's a new day, it's actually cool outside, and I could at least open the Scrivener file...?

Comments

[naye]

and the rock to push uphill feels bigger than it did before
This is so very, very relatable. I don't have any good advice to give or anything, just sympathy. ♥

Also glad you're enjoying the SIR YOUR FACE show. Because. His face!

[marycrawford]

Sympathy is very welcome! I have a suspicion that even without heatwaves, a lot of us are in this boat and have been for a while.

HIS FACE. They do such a wonderful job of lighting and giving him extended, loving closeups and just, wow. The camera doesn't just love him, it is smitten.

[marthawells]

I'm glad for you that that's over -- there's nothing worse than a heat wave in buildings that aren't designed for it.

[marycrawford]

Thanks! Me too. I'm super pleased to see a weather forecast that's all 20-22C temps, the way it's supposed to be.

[trobadora]

and the rock to push uphill feels bigger than it did before

I feel you on that so much. *hugs*

Good luck opening your file!

[marycrawford]

I opened it! And...didn't add a ton of words to it, but opening it is definitely the first hurdle. Thanks for the encouragement. <3

[trobadora]

The first hurdle, no matter how objectively tiny, is always the worst one. In my experience, at least. Opening the file. Typing the first word. Stupid things like this.

Congrats on getting there!

[winter_blossom]

I still have two Guardian stories in progress that I want to finish writing, as well as some that are in the planning stage...

I would absolutely love more Guardian fic from you, regardless on when they'll be ready, so... *Cheers you on* (Sorry I don't have anything more helpful to offer!)

[marycrawford]

Aw, that is totally helpful, thank you! Also that is a beautiful Shen Wei icon, sigh.

[winter_blossom]

Isn't it just? I don't usually use live-action character icons, but when this was put up for grabs on sid guardian I had to break my own rule, it was simply too gorgeous to ignore <3

[clevermanka]

Happy anniversary! The heat stuff sounds awful. I'm sure that's not helping the overwhelm. Best wishes on your writing.

[marycrawford]

Thanks on all counts - and best wishes to you too! I'm really looking forward to going back through all your links and picking out Z1L stuff I may have missed out on.

[gwyn]

Seattle's the same way, and more and more people are investing in an AC unit because the recent years have become so unbearable. I got one a couple years ago and it was life changing, I wished so much I'd had it after my surgery. With all the hot flashes, too, I don't know if I could go back to the way it was--it seemed like a stupid expense, because it's only about two weeks total in the year, but now with climate change and my own hot flashes, I'm like, yup, it was a great decision. I'm glad it's finally cooled down for you guys there.

[marycrawford]

it seemed like a stupid expense, because it's only about two weeks total in the year

Right, this! That's how it feels to me, and I know our houses aren't set up for some cheaper options with all windows opening outwards etc, but I think your experience sums up how much it's worth it, after all. I'm glad you have A/C now, and I wish you'd had it after surgery, too.

[laireshi]

I am this weird person who loves heatwaves, but I feel for those who suffer. *sends over fans and ice*

Good luck with writing! You don't need to try and push uphill this big rock. Make it into little stones instead. One sentence is still more than nothing, and sometimes nothing is what the brain needs, too. *hugs hugs*

[marycrawford]

Aww thank you. <3 At least it's cool again now (and now we get storm winds because of course we do) but man I wish I was the person who loved heatwaves, my life would be easier :D

You've got a damn good point about the big rock. I like to be all dramatic and Sisyphus, but in the end all the little pebbles still count, and I get more words done that way...

[xparrot]

Agggh melting in a heatwave does not help the creativity, no. And having grown up with awful humid heatwaves that meant a couple weeks of summer were always lost to flopping in front of fans and moaning...AC is amazing! It's worth it if you can swing it...

Lost Tomb Reboot Sir: Your Face

This is such an accurate subtitle for this show, it's amazing to stare at him.

And so much sympathy on getting back to rolling the writing boulder...it definitely gets heavier the longer it sits. All the moss growing on it causes more drag...(sometimes for me, writing something short can help get me going again, as it gives the triumphant jolt of finishing something and also being able to post?)

Anyway good luck - may the fall be inspiring! (For me too *fingers crossed*)

[marycrawford]

Flopping in front of fans and moaning, that was me! Uncanny! Yeah, I hope we can swing A/C for next year, maybe combine it with solar panels so we can use all that sun beating down on us.

I really appreciate the writing sympathy, I know what you mean about the moss...

writing something short can help get me going again, as it gives the triumphant jolt of finishing something and also being able to post

Ha, this is true, and I saw that you posted LTR fic, go you! It does help to be able to finish a short thing, you're right. The trouble is keeping it short and not letting it grow a plot...👀

[onemuseleft]

at this point, I haven't written a word of either feedback or fic in weeks, and the rock to push uphill feels bigger than it did before

I feel this so strongly. I have a dozen tabs open meant for feedback and about the same number of WIP files and... it's starting to feel overwhelming enough that I just don't do any of them.

The weather sounds awful. We had similar temperatures here the first two weeks in August and it's literally exhausting, even with home AC. I hope you're safe and that things cool off soon!

[marycrawford]

It does help to know I'm not the only one having Overwhelm issues - and yeah okay I knew that before, but it helps to hear it anyway. Sympathies!

Things have cooled off - and now we're immediately into Storm Francis, because of course we are, but it's still better than 35C...

[nnozomi]

I am starting to think that we may need to invest in home A/C; even one week a year of this is devastating
Oh no, oh poor you. AC is a thing here because the +35C temps last a month or more, and I can't imagine getting by without it. I hope it's cooler now for you and will stay that way for a while...

During this year's heatwave I was mostly watching Lost Tomb Reboot Sir: Your Face (I'm at the start of ep 22; Wu Xie just knocked over a huge vase he was forbidden to touch, because he is Like That)
lol, I'm entertained that you and I basically posted simultaneously about this Peak Wu Xie scene (I've just finished episode 24). I can understand why some people are saying the warehouse sequence is less interesting, but there's so much of his face. How is he like that.

I still have two Guardian stories in progress that I want to finish writing, as well as some that are in the planning stage
no rush, but looking forward to any and all of these at your leisure. (I sometimes have good results when saying to myself "it doesn't matter if I didn't do it yesterday and it's okay if I don't do it tomorrow, I'm just going to do a little bit today," but it's very circumstances-dependent.) <3

[marycrawford]

AC is a thing here because the +35C temps last a month or more
A month or more is just hellish, oof. And yeah A/C is great but even so, the moment you have to step outside...

Peak Wu Xie <3. I have to admit I've been muttering "why can't they go back to raiding tombs" now and then, but Wu Xie gets such gorgeous lighting and closeups, and he is luminously beautiful in every shot.

I like your slogan! And hey, I wrote a little bit today, so that's a good thing for sure. Thanks for the encouragement. <3

[sakana17]

\o/ Happy Guardian anniversary!!

Ahhhhh Sir: Your Face! <3 <3 <3

Re: feeling overwhelmed. Can you avoid going uphill by taking a few steps in a moderately upward direction? Everyone will be happy to read new fic from you whenever that happens! Some of us (well, me) save your fic for those miserable days when there is no more Sir: Your Face and everything seems blah. Because your stories are so good and welcomed and a gift to bring happiness. And we always need happiness, no matter when it happens! <3

[marycrawford]

Ha, you were the influencer that started it all! :D (Okay, I watched some Youtube eps on my own, but I didn't really watch in order and take my time until dorinda convinced me with descriptions of ep 8...)

And awww now I retire with blushy face but thank you! <3 That means a lot. I did write a little bit today, and I hope I can keep the streak going.

[umadoshi]

This year it lasted a FULL WEEK and I am starting to think that we may need to invest in home A/C

That is TOO MUCH heatwave without AC. Just. Too much.

I'm incredibly grateful that we got heat pumps installed last year. Our townhouse is less horrible in heatwaves than other places we've lived, but the heat pumps have still made such a difference.

Happy Guardianversary!

the rock to push uphill feels bigger than it did before.

Ugh, such a brutal feeling. I hope you can find your feet and get out from under it. *hugs*

[marycrawford]

I'm incredibly grateful that we got heat pumps installed last year.

Oh huh, I had no idea that those could be used for cooling as well as heating - I need to do research, clearly, because if they can do both that sounds incredibly useful. I'm glad you had that option!

Thanks for the good wishes, for the anniversary and for the whole rock-up-hill thing - I appreciate both. <3

[umadoshi]

I need to do research, clearly, because if they can do both that sounds incredibly useful.

Heating, cooling, and dehumidifying! It's really great.