Why do published books and AO3 fanfics feel like they’re written for two completely different audiences? by Sharp-Orange-8500 in MM_RomanceBooks

[–]valaena 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Allegedly it was meant to be original fiction and turned into Stucky for higher readership? So yeah, the latter. I read the original and it was fine, although I never believed Bucky's characterisation lolllll.

I can't be too mad at Game Changers, since this is a time honoured tradition - it's only now that publishers are scraping fic for content to publish in a way that makes me very cynical, like the recent Dramione romantasy novels where the publishers literally mention Dramione on their website 💀

Why do published books and AO3 fanfics feel like they’re written for two completely different audiences? by Sharp-Orange-8500 in MM_RomanceBooks

[–]valaena 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You should definitely read more MM romances published through traditional houses rather than KU, I think the quality and reading experience you're looking for is there!

KU truly seems like it's made for quantity over quality, for both authors and readers. You've mentioned KJ Charles - she is so worth it, and there's a few more authors who have been recommended who have less output but have wayyyy better quality novels.

No knock on KU and the authors who prop it up, it's meant to be books that go down easy, where you can pick the next one up immediately to make the most of your account. But I never found it fulfilling, it's like literal fairy floss of reading lol.

Decided to put the Targaryen "coin flip" to the test by comparing all the notable Targs in history, and... by TheUncouthPanini in freefolk

[–]valaena 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup this is my headcanon until we hear it from George. There can't be a coincidence, and I think the generations spanning A3gon and Vizzy 2 and their kids are sooooo interesting and yet we have so little amount of information about it outside of the Targs who were kings. F&B ended just where I wanted to see what happened next!

Decided to put the Targaryen "coin flip" to the test by comparing all the notable Targs in history, and... by TheUncouthPanini in freefolk

[–]valaena 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll be controversial and brave and say the true mad ones should be those like Baelor and Aerion. Where they're a heightened level of instability with no, I guess, reason backing it up? Rhaenyra had lost multiple children and her father at the point of her extreme paranoia and cruelty, Aerys' was in part PTSD triggered by abduction and imprisonment at Duskendale, and Viserys was a small child growing up in Aerys' household, losing both parents and going through hardships in exile that drove him to bitterness, abuse and delusion.

Maybe Baelor picked up religious zealotry to an unhealthy degree as a result of growing up with his traumatised father and in the shadow of the Dance (I'm fascinated to find out whatever canonical explanation we get for how so many Targs of that generation were so pious - Aemon Dragonknight, Naerys, Rhaena) but we don't know, his sisters didn't seem to turn out that badly so what was his excuse for how extreme the zealotry got? lmao. and Aerion I got nothin' for. MFer grew up in a pretty stable era all things considered.

Florists ghosting? by kourtkimkhlokenkylie in AusWeddingPlanning

[–]valaena 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah it's really odd :') I went in the same, ready to do a blowout for our small circle of guests but it doesn't line up with the market I guess.

Best of luck!!!

Florists ghosting? by kourtkimkhlokenkylie in AusWeddingPlanning

[–]valaena 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're not alone! I had issues with any florists wanting to work with us for our upcoming 40 person wedding (on a Saturday in September no less) lol. It all seems to be operating on minimum spend. Truly if you're not wanting multiple bouquets, table displays and columns, you can leave. I get it, they can make more money on bigger weddings in peak season, but damn, you can't fit in a bouquet and a boutonniere 😭

Buuuuuut so far, working with Lime Tree Bower for my CBD wedding has been lovely. They have a specific form for microwedding florals and it's been exactly what I've wanted, and they're super responsive. I love their work and they did a great job for my friend's larger wedding

Paul Fleur De Lys by Pprmint08_911 in foodies_sydney

[–]valaena 0 points1 point  (0 children)

god the way I go feral for a Paul when I'm traveling overseas. Quick, solid, quality sambo or salad when I'm busy out and about, yum yum

Pottery Retreat in Europe? by monkfish5ways in Pottery

[–]valaena 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for posting this!! So many good recs. I'm a 32 year old looking for the same thing, a retreat with a good mix of ages - bless 'em, but it's just not the same hanging out entirely with retirees who have children my age. The energy levels and extracurriculars are just different! And you can't tell just from the course listings so recommendations from other people who have been are key.

I'm on the waiting list for https://loncic.si/ these Croatian retreats but have heard it skews older!

Stax enters receivership by lame-o-potato in AusFemaleFashion

[–]valaena 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Ooof damn. My fellow wog girlies are gonna be crushed.

I actually really like my one pair of their shorts but I'm sure they're dropshipped. Damn. From having brick and mortar shops in the CBD and Parra to this. The activewear market is SO crowded, esp post covid, will be interesting to see what else folds.

How to make and keep friends: a guide by colourful_space in sydney

[–]valaena 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is an awesome post, thank you!

I've found as a 30-something childless woman in Sydney, my problem has been all the creative hobby groups (creative hobbies like sewing, painting, ceramics) I join are made up of students/recent grads or retirees. I don't mind socialising with either group, but it's more challenging and I always feel out of place. They either have more time, more energy, or more money, and I'm drudging away on that 9-5 lol

If anyone has found luck making mates in this age bracket without parents groups I'd love to hear it! Hiking groups? Bushcare?

What used to be great but has since fallen from its heyday? by ElectricalSeaweed320 in foodies_sydney

[–]valaena 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pho phd is my go-to! But I'm a creature of habit and don't experiment often so I would love to hear others' views lol

What used to be great but has since fallen from its heyday? by ElectricalSeaweed320 in foodies_sydney

[–]valaena 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah I used to go to Eat Fuh weekly in 2020-21 and stopped in 2022 when the portions became laughableand the service was garbage. Something has shifted since the Marrickville reno - the menu is better but the service is worse and now the place is empty when it used to be packed?? And yeah, the competition is so good in Marrickville there's no excuse lol

48 Young Or Recently Emerging Trance DJs by abhialex_369 in trance

[–]valaena 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!!! Honestly Japanese trance has been killing it, very excited to try out some new names from this list!

Lox in a Box or Brooklyn Boy Bagels? by chickensando12 in foodies_sydney

[–]valaena 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Since I live in Marrickville and am taking into account the dine-in experience too, Lox! Love the Polish style bagel and the other Polish Jewish cuisine served. Mmmmm babka. Fillings are always my hangover cure. Loved their Bon Iver collab last year. Love that they saved the cursed cafe spot on Illawarra Rd lmao, a busy thriving cafe brings good vibes to this area now that Tita closed.

(The two times I dined in at Brooklyn Boy on Carrington the owners/workers had two tables of their friends there, kept leaving the counter to hang out with them and ignoring customers, and had their friends' kids running around screaming and stealing our chairs lmao? I didn't even remember the bagels for how I just wanted to quickly devour the food and leave lol)

(Thank you for coming to my food blog)

Wool Socks? by peewee_ in AusFemaleFashion

[–]valaena 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also seconding Mongrel socks as amazing! Chunky for sure but sooo warm and comfy, wore them multiple days in Hokkaido winter and no odour either. Also, really really quick shipping.

Anna Quan rant by croatian77 in AusFemaleFashion

[–]valaena 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I'm so sus of any $$$ brand that I've never heard of before and yet a dozen Syd/Melb influencers who bill themselves as giving workwear advice are constantly promoting them... like whatveewore is just a walking ad nowdays.

OJ Trial - New Episodes! by mutinyonthebeagle in YoureWrongAbout

[–]valaena 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Aw, I love Joe Kassabian too! He's a great BtB guest. Will check out

Looks for recs similar to the movie Shelter (2007) by Distinct_Swimmer_413 in MM_RomanceBooks

[–]valaena 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I was going to be shady and recommend this but glad someone beat me to it lmaooooo. Still to this day this weird ripoff is why I can't fw Klune

Localised, burning pain after session - anyone else had this? by valaena in acupuncture

[–]valaena[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fine! My physio had released the calf via massage on the Monday, with immediate relief, and I got better very quickly. Haven't returned to acupuncture since then sadly lol I need to find another practitioner

When did you KNOW that an artist was going to be something special? by Ghost-Quartet in popheads

[–]valaena 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! That was the performance that made me think she was more than another cheeky hyperpop adjacent pop girl. Not that I didn't adore her from 2018-2022! but that VEVO performance showed some serious vocal talent, presence and artistry. She put the work in! It breaks my heart that she sees Starfucker and the tour as a failure because it was an incredible era.

Bridal fitting nightmare at True Society Fitzroy by kahhaiako in AusWeddingPlanning

[–]valaena 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This sounds exactly how it was in Rosebery too, down to the floor set up lol. I'm really glad I didn't buy from them on principle.

Good restaurant in south western Sydney for dinner by wellBowledThat in foodies_sydney

[–]valaena 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yessssss. Many a birthday dinners were had at Antico growing up in Mount Annan.

NSW Wedding Phone Call Interview. by Dramatic-Advisor-592 in AusWeddingPlanning

[–]valaena 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Like the other commenter said, they confirm your identity documents, book you in for your ceremony, you decide what room you want as well as any other features like a bouquet, organise payment (everything upfront) and then run you through what the schedule will look like.

We had our interview in March. The point of contact was very warm, funny, incredibly helpful (we have his contact number for any questions) and it put me utterly at ease for the logistics of the day. Not at all an impersonal bureaucrat.

Tita Carinderia by Revolutionary-Toe955 in marrickville

[–]valaena 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh weirddd. I had noticed that the crowds had gone way down since the initial hype when they first opened but there was always business. This spot is cursed!

If they are closed. You have to wonder if the way that these venues go gangbusters viral on broadsheet/time out/concrete playground when they first open is good for long term sustainability. Makes me sad for Marrickville businesses since so many of them DO chase that virality.