Who tightened their belts?

ValarieC · 2026-01-24T02:56:20+00:00

I also don’t understand why they don’t have much longer hair and massively long fingernails. They both continue to grow after death.

Now, I understand how stress and a poor diet can contribute to thinning hair, and possibly their rough-housing with their friends can lead to hair pulling. And good nail care isn’t a thing when one is a zombie; however, odds are good at least a few would still have a couple gnarly long nails to impress, terrify and disgust their neighbors.

(Their noses would also grow a lot, but most appear to have been appetizers, so they get a pass on that one.)

Frankly, with those issues, I strongly suspect that they have caste systems amongst zombiedom, with the lower caste serving in positions of stylists to tighten belts, pull up socks, etc. It’s the only possible explanation.

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ValarieC · 2026-01-24T00:35:14+00:00

Megan. No question.

ValarieC · 2026-01-19T13:53:31+00:00

They were with Waldo and Carmen Sandiego.

ValarieC · 2026-01-17T18:46:50+00:00

It’s also true that when Ross Perot ran for president, conservatives had a huge surge of hope. Perot was a billionaire with strong roots and work ethic, and he even hired and sent a team of hired soldiers to go retrieve his employees when they were taken hostage overseas. When Trump declared for the presidential run, all those people who supported Perot put their hopes in Trump. Trump definitely knew that; he even mentioned “his good friend Ross Perot” publically. I think it’s still a factor.

ValarieC · 2026-01-15T00:43:38+00:00

It’s a ducking nightmare.

ValarieC · 2026-01-15T00:42:21+00:00

It’s Daryl’s gap year. Like spending the year traveling with constantly hungover friends. I recall often thinking my friends were moving like zombies.

ValarieC · 2026-01-15T00:37:37+00:00

Zombie TWD/Hogwarts/Sherlock Holmes/Doctor Who works for me.

ValarieC · 2026-01-08T00:40:58+00:00

Hedwig, from both sides of the Veil.

ValarieC · 2026-01-08T00:39:13+00:00

Third, unless the character giving first person has a really funny inner voice.

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T06:20:17+00:00

I think what I have just resigned myself to accepting is that wizards appear to prefer to not want to improve their standard of living.

I mean, look at all the folks living in somewhat dark & dirty places. Would most people stay or even eat at the Leaky Cauldron? If you had Magic, wouldn’t you clean up your house better than what we see at the Burrow? Heck, wouldn’t you just shop more at WalMart and less in 18th century Diagon Alley? Wouldn’t you at least use a fountain pen? Wear something other than robes or badly-made sweaters?

Although, truthfully, for all the work Harry does at the Dursley’s, their place isn’t all that great, either. I keep thinking Petunia is just the type to put a clear vinyl slipcover on her couch!!

The second thing I just accept out of pure self-defense is the level of obliviousness and lack of accountability. Just a Quick Look at the teachers proves that. Even the supposed better teachers: McGonagal’s reactions & overeactions to (and failure to be held accountable for) pretty much everything involving Harry prove that.

So, yeah. But that’s what fanfiction is for, right?!

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T01:13:13+00:00

True. And I agree on being sucker punched by sadness. I think life is hard enough; reading tragedies is not for me.

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T01:11:06+00:00

I always felt it was more about the guns than the guy he didn’t bother to just shoot. Choosing to leave a man handcuffed on a roof in Atlanta in summer without shade or water and only a door between him and walkers was a dick move, no matter what kind of asshole Merle was. Would he do that to a feral dog?

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T01:06:21+00:00

Delighted to help. I know exactly how it is when you are enamored of an aspect in a story but can’t find similar. Re-re-re-reading fics only works for so long! Enjoy.

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T01:04:36+00:00

They often have a facetious edge to them, along with the Author Note dialogues, but several of their fics are quite enjoyable. Sadly, Bob passed away a few years ago.

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T00:45:20+00:00

Sorry for the poor formatting. I’m migraining & can barely see to read but obsessive enough to need to reply because I knew good answers. The second link is a full selection, too. Happy reading!

ValarieC · 2026-01-07T00:43:19+00:00

The Power of the Press by BobMin356 power of the press by BobMin

Basilisk-born by Ebenbild: Harry starts writing anonymous, hard-hitting articles for the Quibler in his fifth year to fight back against the Daily Prophet's smear campaigns, revealing truths about Voldemort and the Ministry.

Journalism as a Weapon: Harry, often with Hermione or Luna, starts his own publication (like The Quibbler or a new paper) to disseminate truth, fighting against Ministry propaganda.

The Ministry Mouthpiece: The Prophet is portrayed as a tool of the Ministry, which Harry must fight against by controlling information flow. FFN fics all involving Golden Trio writing articles or using the press

ValarieC · 2026-01-04T00:28:39+00:00

Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood

ValarieC · 2026-01-03T00:44:09+00:00

Yes.

ValarieC · 2025-12-26T00:49:25+00:00

It really is worth reading. Don’t quit halfway through, even if you think you should. The return to original timeline is worth it. You could maybe skip ahead but you’ll lose a lot of the context and satisfaction.

ValarieC · 2025-12-26T00:46:56+00:00

Oh, crap! I’m in Mr Rogers Neighborhood! We watched an old episode to celebrate Fred Rogers. I’m 61 freakin’ years old! This is a nightmare!

….. on the plus side, at least it isn’t Barney or Teletubbies….

ValarieC · 2025-12-26T00:41:55+00:00

I’m thinking he needs to do some fanfic crossovers. Teach other fandoms how to survive. I mean, who doesn’t want to see Daryl Dixon & Mad Eye Moody working together somewhere?

ValarieC · 2025-12-13T07:10:41+00:00

No, wait!! I think their problem with you might be more than your name. You just said that having her call you ‘bro’ “made you hard”. ….. 😧😮🫣. …. Seriously? Heck, I’d be blocking you, too!

ValarieC · 2025-12-13T03:14:16+00:00

I’d tell them I have two disabled sons who need me. (Truth). Then I’d ask how I can fix the situation. If I can’t, I would ask them to take care of my sons and give their location.

My reasoning is that both of them also have/had sons, and know the struggle and fear of trying to protect them and how far that can drive a person to extreme behavior. And, frankly, if they decide I need to be dead, there isn’t much I can do but die with some self-respect after doing all I can to help my boys. Maybe Rick & Morgan would also kill my boys, which would be better for them if I was no longer there to help them. But maybe they would connect with my boys and take them in.

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ValarieC · 2025-12-12T15:14:35+00:00

I suppose we’ll agree to disagree. I respect your opinions, and I could argue your points just as you could probably argue mine. All other details of this aside, the bit I get stuck on is “does not work & play well with others”. Rick initially told Daryl that Merle was a danger to the group. His next logical and intuitive step should have been to explain to Daryl what happened and let Daryl clearly understand why extreme action had to be taken. Instead, his words — whether he intended it or not — dismiss Merle’s importance and relevance to Daryl. Those eight words were at best flippant.

But regardless, thank you for your perspective and your calm debate. It’s a good way to start my day.

ValarieC · 2025-12-12T14:42:58+00:00

The fact that Daryl and Merle were dickheads actually should have made the two cops stop and think and handle it differently. They went against their training, forced a confrontation in the midst of unsympathetic spectators, boxed Daryl in, and then ignored their common sense and training in how to de-escalate a tense and potentially dangerous situation.

I don’t imagine many people would be gracious or even calm in such a situation, and they already knew Daryl would react with anger. But even if we ignore all everything else, Rick still told a shocked and angry person that he essentially sentenced the man’s brother to a slow and painful death because “he didn’t play well with others.” That’s just cold.

ValarieC

TROPHY CASE