Valentines Day stuff! Also, BRAND NEW EXPERIMENTAL HISTORY MEME!

[beboots]

 Good evening, everyone! Happy Valentines day, for those of you who celebrate it! 

First, a brief link recommendation. If you've never heard of Postsecrets, you should definitely check them out: essentially, people send in anonymous postcards with their secrets on them. Some are sad, some are quirky, some are touching, and all are absolutely awesome. This week they have a Valentine-themed series of postcard secrets for you to look at. This one was my favourite: 


Furthermore, the Edmonton Journal (which, along with the National Post, I read almost every day to keep up with news about the world) apparently held a contest for the best Edmonton-themed Valentines cards, most of them poking fun at the city. This particular one was my absolute favourite, mostly because I had to cross that bridge five days a week to get to Fort Edmonton this past summer. It was murder during rush hour when it was down to one lane. >_<; It's been under construction for at least two and half years.

For more, see here!

As a side note, I did celebrate this Valentine's Day as a single person. Here's hoping that I shall find my true love in the coming year! :) I should mention that I mostly enjoy Valentine's Day because it also doubles as my dearest mother's birthday! We have flowers and chocolate about the house, then, regardless of the state of our personal lives. :) Happy birthday, mother mine! Now, tomorrow is the holiday I look forward to even more than the events of St. Valentine... Cheap Chocolate Day! Celebrated: wherever chocolate is sold!

On a final note... I actually began writing this post in response to the lovely surprise left for me at atla_valentine. I hadn't realized that people would leave me messages! :)  They made me smile. Therefore, my original plan had been, in response to people writing lovely flattering things about the history dorkery that goes on in this journal, to write a post about some of the crazy little tidbits I've been learning about in my History of Translation class... which just so happens to be what I'm studying for at the moment (even as I procrastinate reviewing for the midterm to write this post). I'll get around to that very soon! It will still happen!

I did, however, just have a thought. Maybe I could do something completely and utterly crazy and unprecedented. I could... do a history meme. I want to share the love with you guys. I love telling historical anecdotes; I like to think I got quite good at it while working at Fort Edmonton. Maybe no-one will want to play with me. I will still tell crazy history stories to the world! Just give me a direction, guys. :) What do you want to hear?

It shall be a shameless effort at trying to emulate the cool kids (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE), only instead of fanfic, it will be random history tidbits, in the style of the posts that have appeared in this journal before.

THEREFORE, what I resolve to do is ask you, the readers, for history prompts! Ask me a historical question: anything you like. For instance: "who is your favourite member of European royalty and what was the most interesting thing they ever did?" "What do you think is the silliest reason a war ever started?" "What is the most unusual historical artifact you have ever seen in person?" "What can you tell me about Canada's participation in such-and-such a war?" It can even be something like "tell me the craziest thing you know about the 17th century/the bubonic plague/aboriginal history/etc., etc., ad nauseam." I shall even search for an appropriate image to accompany the historical blather! 

If I don't know the answer to your question, I resolve to use my research skills and access to university databases to find the answer! You may get more coherent history squee if I've heard of the topic before, though. I have studied European history across the ages, some East Asian history, and lots of Canadian and American history, but still, don't let that limit your selection! I suspect that if you ask me something about the history of medicine or the French or English languages you will get extra-long anecdotes. Indulge your curiosity, and I will try to be interesting in return! :) 

Comments

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"They have some issues with that, but in the end, the aviators probably forge a few things with Laurence's full permission and let Granby run errands." Lol yes. Perhaps on paper Laurence is on "medical furlough", because legally it's difficult to acknowledge the existence of human-into-dragon-transforming-magic. Officially, Laurence was birthed off of a captured French egg, perhaps? Nobody has to know besides, well, those IN the know, about the fact that this dragon used to be a person?

"Laurence never quite develops the taste for shiny things, I think, but somebody can make him a very, very happy dragon if they bring in a jeweler and let Laurence talk through exactly what they'll be making for Temeraire." Oh yes. :) I'm sure that the other dragons, especially Temeraire, look in askance at him when he's all like "but gold and silver clash! And wouldn't look good against the yellow of my scales anyway! And it's too expensive!" They try to convince him of the virtues of shiny things but he still doesn't quite get it. His form of dressing up is giving his scales a good scrub and perhaps put on a few relatively plain chinese claw covers that Temeraire finally managed to push on him.

"Lord Allendale is immensely reluctant to admit his son is still alive (and a dragon). His wife visits as often as she can, which is every two or three months, and her main concern is that they're looking after him and that he's eating enough and if he needs her to set the ladies of the town at their husbands' ears." I <3 Laurence's mum. You should also see this image:
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:Majestys_dragon_02_72dpi.jpg

Also these other, non-spoilery images:
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:Hatchling.jpg
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:Life-changed-anke.jpg
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:Majestys_dragon_01_72dpi.jpg
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:First-flight-anke.jpg
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:Shelter-anke.jpg

There are lots of other lovely images by this artist and others on the wiki, too, but unfortunately they're all in one category and many of them are spoilers.
Oh, here's one more, because Laurence and Temeraire cuddling is love:
http://temeraire.org/wiki/Image:Toj_01_reunion_72dpi.jpg

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"Lol yes. Perhaps on paper Laurence is on "medical furlough", because legally it's difficult to acknowledge the existence of human-into-dragon-transforming-magic. Officially, Laurence was birthed off of a captured French egg, perhaps? Nobody has to know besides, well, those IN the know, about the fact that this dragon used to be a person?" Right!!! It's quite quiet, and Laurence can't go near cities anymore. No more society for him, rather like a permanent sailing expedition he finally decides. He did like the sea better, and it's for the best that he didn't marry that girl after all.

"Oh yes. :) I'm sure that the other dragons, especially Temeraire, look in askance at him when he's all like "but gold and silver clash! And wouldn't look good against the yellow of my scales anyway! And it's too expensive!" They try to convince him of the virtues of shiny things but he still doesn't quite get it. His form of dressing up is giving his scales a good scrub and perhaps put on a few relatively plain chinese claw covers that Temeraire finally managed to push on him." OMG yes, and he only accepted the claw covers because they were easy enough to remove. He'd be mortified if (when) Jane noticed them, but she'd understand. I think she's gentler on several things, because Laurence is so far out of his element it would be cruel to tease him so much as usual.

I don't think dragons have a set mating season, but it is rather traditional to have extra stirrings in the spring. When I finally know enough canon to slide this in somewhere, I can use that as a starting point for Tem, and then a huge leap forward for Laurence.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"and it's for the best that he didn't marry that girl after all." Yeah, that would be awkward. >_>

I'm sure that Laurence has all sorts of problems now with seniority. Should he be treated as a young dragon, which he is in skill? According to his experience in the aerial corps? As a member of a branch of the military/navy? His actual age? Does he have an actual rank anymore OH NOEZ

"OMG yes, and he only accepted the claw covers because they were easy enough to remove." Exactly. Temeraire wanted to give him a present because he loves him and also because the last present didn't work out so well, but it still took a lot of convincing. They do look rather nice, though, and all of the dragons agree, although they could use more giant jewels and elaborate carvings. Possible of dragons. JEWELED DRAGONS.

It's also a strictly dragon-type thing to wear, and so Laurence can have additional qualms about that. He SLOWLY slides into dragondom, feeling uncomfortable the entire way.

Oh yes, Jane would lay off most of the teasing. Perhaps the first time she tried it didn't go over well? A joke in poor taste because it almost made Laurence cry but Laurence CAN'T cry anymore and that makes him even more sad? But I'm sure that as Laurence grows more comfortable with things she will start to break out a few more jokes.

"I can use that as a starting point for Tem, and then a huge leap forward for Laurence." I look forward to see how you'll approach this. XD

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure that Laurence has all sorts of problems now with seniority. Should he be treated as a young dragon, which he is in skill? According to his experience in the aerial corps? As a member of a branch of the military/navy? His actual age? Does he have an actual rank anymore OH NOEZ"

It throws the entire system off. Dragons seem to be ranked by age/skill and also ability. He's a fire-breather, so he gets a big boost, and he's also an experienced captain and distinguished serviceman.

"Exactly. Temeraire wanted to give him a present because he loves him and also because the last present didn't work out so well, but it still took a lot of convincing. They do look rather nice, though, and all of the dragons agree, although they could use more giant jewels and elaborate carvings. Possible of dragons. JEWELED DRAGONS." Laurence: (face-forefoot) There doesn't seem to be a universal term for reptile feet, except FEET, but that doesn't always seem accurate. He manages to convince them that he likes simplicity (and the dragons: ???)

It reminds me of a story where all the crows on an island were bribed into helping with the fight (they could turn into humans to really help) with an incredibly gaudy sparkly rock each.

"It's also a strictly dragon-type thing to wear, and so Laurence can have additional qualms about that. He SLOWLY slides into dragondom, feeling uncomfortable the entire way." That's precisely it-- they're made for CLAWS. People don't wear those, he's not a person anymore, exactly... it's hard, but Tem was fussing so.

"Oh yes, Jane would lay off most of the teasing. Perhaps the first time she tried it didn't go over well? A joke in poor taste because it almost made Laurence cry but Laurence CAN'T cry anymore and that makes him even more sad? But I'm sure that as Laurence grows more comfortable with things she will start to break out a few more jokes." Oh, yes, I can see that. Nothing beyond the usual, but it HURTS and he's too damn polite to make her stop, so it takes a few seconds of realizing that she's wounded him, badly, but he lets her apologize and she stays with him for a long time. She doesn't start joking again until he's a bit more settled, unless it's at her own expense, or Tem's when he's being a bother.

"I look forward to see how you'll approach this. XD" Laurence needs to accept himself as a dragon before he can realize that it's not all that bad. At all. Actually... well, kind of nice, and he did think long ago he couldn't marry anyone so long as Tem would be first.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"It throws the entire system off. Dragons seem to be ranked by age/skill and also ability. He's a fire-breather, so he gets a big boost, and he's also an experienced captain and distinguished serviceman." That would be what they eventually determine, but there will probably still be debates about it and I'm sure Laurence is anxious and depressed about the subject.

"He manages to convince them that he likes simplicity (and the dragons: ???)"
Quick non-spoilery bit, in the future of the series! At one point later in the books Laurence is all but forced to dress as a prince of China in a fancy robe with lots of jewels and feels REALLY SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT IT. He looks over at this other British guy at the feast in jealousy because the man has managed to be so very elegant: his cravat is nicely starched, boots polished, tiny little medal of valour on his jacket and a small tasteful stick of gold in the cravat... and then Temeraire leans over and whispers at Laurence with satisfaction: "Oh, look how ~plain~ [he] looks!" and all of the dragons present agree with Temeraire and Laurence is MORTIFIED. XD Yeah, so this reaction is canon.

"It reminds me of a story where all the crows on an island were bribed into helping with the fight (they could turn into humans to really help) with an incredibly gaudy sparkly rock each." That sounds like an awesome story and I really want to read it now. >_> MOAR SUMMER READING FOR BEBOOTS!

"She doesn't start joking again until he's a bit more settled, unless it's at her own expense, or Tem's when he's being a bother." Yeah, Jane is really good to the people she likes. The people she DOESN'T like, on the other hand...

"Laurence needs to accept himself as a dragon before he can realize that it's not all that bad. At all. Actually... well, kind of nice, and he did think long ago he couldn't marry anyone so long as Tem would be first." I imagine a lot of the fic will be Laurence coming to terms with what he has become... with lots of emotional fumbling along the way. But once he fully accepts what he is... >:D

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"That would be what they eventually determine, but there will probably still be debates about it and I'm sure Laurence is anxious and depressed about the subject." Laurence won't say much about it, of course (it wouldn't be proper), but he EARNED that rank. Last time he lost everything he had Tem, so it was okay. Now they want to give him a captain and Tem is past due for his own formation, and they don't need him and Tem together. So they'll be separated, not many people are to know that he used to be human, they're considering using a new name for him...

Tem probably ends up roaring a bit. Jane yells even more. Granby himself is at that meeting, as a likely candidate, and finally interrupts (quite white at the idea) to say that he has continued serving as Laurence's lieutenant and sees no reason that much change. Sir.

I am not at ALL surprised that Laurence prefers ravens to peacocks-- Ravens seem the most appropriate for Britain, as they believe that Britain will fall should the ravens ever leave the Tower of London.

"That sounds like an awesome story and I really want to read it now. >_> MOAR SUMMER READING FOR BEBOOTS!" Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce, and sequel Trickster's Queen. They overthrow a very bad government and there is magic and a very irreverent heroine and very good attention to "what happens when you oppress people a bit too much."

"Yeah, Jane is really good to the people she likes. The people she DOESN'T like, on the other hand..." The people she likes like her even more for that, though, so it's okay. Lady Allendale will probably all but applaud a particularly scathing dismissal of Rankin.

"I imagine a lot of the fic will be Laurence coming to terms with what he has become... with lots of emotional fumbling along the way. But once he fully accepts what he is... >:D" Some people will be upset because chapter two (or really, the third paragraph of chapter one) is not dragon-porn. Chapter ten (oh dear) won't be dragon-porn. Laurence is still proper and shy and Jane had to outright seduce him... but if Tem did it, it might not go well. Laurence is in the classic position of loving someone too much to say no, even if it would destroy several emotions and make him ill at ease all over again. So Jane makes Temeraire wait until Laurence is finally ready, and swears that Tem will know.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

" Laurence won't say much about it, of course (it wouldn't be proper), but he EARNED that rank. Last time he lost everything he had Tem, so it was okay. Now they want to give him a captain and Tem is past due for his own formation, and they don't need him and Tem together. So they'll be separated, not many people are to know that he used to be human, they're considering using a new name for him..."
And Laurence can't quite figure out how to frown as a dragon and doesn't WANT to and he KNOWS it's his duty but :( :( :(

"Tem probably ends up roaring a bit. Jane yells even more. Granby himself is at that meeting, as a likely candidate, and finally interrupts (quite white at the idea) to say that he has continued serving as Laurence's lieutenant and sees no reason that much change. Sir."
I'm sure that Temeraire was eavesdropping at the window as subtly as a several-ton heavyweight dragon can. But it's not as if anybody can budge him. Also, when the most likely candidate isn't cooperating with the plan to give Laurence a captain... GIVE UP HOPE.

(also, the return of Granby's pejorative SIR used against someone else = WIN)

Ooh! I've read a lot of the series that Tamora Pierce wrote; she was my favourite author in junior high. I don't think I progressed to the Trickster series, though I have to, now. :)

"Some people will be upset because chapter two (or really, the third paragraph of chapter one) is not dragon-porn. Chapter ten (oh dear) won't be dragon-porn." LOL trufax.

But you're so right. You have to go about this delicately.

"Laurence is in the classic position of loving someone too much to say no, even if it would destroy several emotions and make him ill at ease all over again." ;_; But oh man, when you FINALLY get to that bit, it will be all the more romantic/awesome/sweet because of it.

I remember reading an amazing fanfic that WAS a romance but the characters didn't even KISS until like chapter 45, didn't even THINK about kissing before like chapter 40, and they didn't get down and dirty until like chapter 55 or 60. It was a long time in coming, but all the more realistic for that. Most people don't jump in bed with each other after two days or weeks. :P

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"And Laurence can't quite figure out how to frown as a dragon and doesn't WANT to and he KNOWS it's his duty but :( :( :(" But luckily Tem and Jane and Granby look out for him.

"I'm sure that Temeraire was eavesdropping at the window as subtly as a several-ton heavyweight dragon can." OMG HE WAS. He's bigger than the BUILDING they were using. "But it's not as if anybody can budge him. Also, when the most likely candidate isn't cooperating with the plan to give Laurence a captain... GIVE UP HOPE." Temeraire looks quite enraged enough to knock the damn thing down. If they will not treat Laurence right, then they both will leave, and Lily has said that she will not give them any eggs if they are going to raise them that way.

"(also, the return of Granby's pejorative SIR used against someone else = WIN)" When Jane tells the story later, she doesn't quite grasp the significance, but Granby goes beet red and Laurence cheers up a little.

"Ooh! I've read a lot of the series that Tamora Pierce wrote; she was my favourite author in junior high. I don't think I progressed to the Trickster series, though I have to, now. :)" It's awesome! Very much feels more grown-up than the rest, there's a lot of politics and actual overthrow of the government and it's ALANNA AND GEORGE'S BABY GIRL. She's awesome. She wants to be a spy. They both said no. They seemed to think it would work.

She's Alanna and George's kid, they said no, and... yeah. They had it coming, as much as they get upset about the way it happened.

"But you're so right. You have to go about this delicately." Fast relationships don't usually last, and Tem is very, very serious.

";_; But oh man, when you FINALLY get to that bit, it will be all the more romantic/awesome/sweet because of it." Tem does back way off, and gradually Laurence gets more comfortable initiating more of the affectionate displays and risky flying manoeuvers (too lazy to get the Brit version properly right now) and Laurence gets that look of "I'm going to mess this up but I don't care right now.

The best romances start that way--one book, the two characters weren't face-to-face until 200 pages in, and didn't touch for 60 more pages.
Doubly for this-- Laurence is a gentleman, still, and even if there were some brief adventures with boys, it was probably quite practical and hand-for-hand. (There aren't any girls, at all, and that type of thing was rather common. Outright anal intercourse, however, was NOT encouraged to the point that you could be killed for it (can't find my source, I know I've seen this in period literature somewhere). Men don't... they just... Laurence has to change everything for this to work, and I think Temeraire thinks quite a bit more like a human at the end to really understand Laurence.

(Ninety years or so later, men that had sex with men had wives waiting for them at home.)

[beboots.livejournal.com]

"OMG HE WAS. He's bigger than the BUILDING they were using." XD OMG YES. Temeraire-brand subtlety is amazing to behold. He's bigger than the metaphorical elephant in the room. I'm sure that he makes inappropriate comments every so often and then goes back to pretending like they don't know he's there.

""(also, the return of Granby's pejorative SIR used against someone else = WIN)" When Jane tells the story later, she doesn't quite grasp the significance, but Granby goes beet red and Laurence cheers up a little." YES PLZ. <3 <3 <3

"Very much feels more grown-up than the rest, there's a lot of politics and actual overthrow of the government and it's ALANNA AND GEORGE'S BABY GIRL. She's awesome. She wants to be a spy. They both said no. They seemed to think it would work." IT IS NOW ON MY MENTAL SUMMER READING LIST. I've been meaning to reread all of Tamora Pierce's books for a while... A new awesome series is as good an excuse as any!

"Laurence is a gentleman, still, and even if there were some brief adventures with boys, it was probably quite practical and hand-for-hand." It's my headcanon for situations in which I want him to be in a relationship with another man, and others have used this justification in fanfic before. :) It's practically fanon! ;)

"(Ninety years or so later, men that had sex with men had wives waiting for them at home.)"
I've read about things like that! The history of homosexuality, and the lengths that people had to go to... fascinating stuff. Have you heard of Boston marriages? Popular in the early 1900s? They're two single women living together, purportedly for practical reasons like paying the rent, but it's believed that a significant amount of them were at least party sexual in nature.

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

"XD OMG YES. Temeraire-brand subtlety is amazing to behold. He's bigger than the metaphorical elephant in the room. I'm sure that he makes inappropriate comments every so often and then goes back to pretending like they don't know he's there." Jane manages to maintain her composure. Granby snickers a couple times at particularly good deeds, when not worried sick about Laurence. If it was ANYBODY else, Laurence would be right there with them arguing for the right of it, but he would never put himself out so much.

Granby does feel better when "SIR" makes Laurence a tiny bit more like himself, since even Tem and Jane can barely manage that much.

"IT IS NOW ON MY MENTAL SUMMER READING LIST. I've been meaning to reread all of Tamora Pierce's books for a while... A new awesome series is as good an excuse as any!" 'Will of the Empress' rocks too, if you read her Circle of Magic series. It's abruptly for older readers and awesome, and I /swear/ there are hints of Briar and Tris and it's freaking adorable. She's all conscientious about what he really likes and he's sleeping with half the city's population of pretty women.

"It's my headcanon for situations in which I want him to be in a relationship with another man, and others have used this justification in fanfic before. :) It's practically fanon! ;)" It's practically history. On a ship at twelve, still on a ship at 15, no female creatures allowed... they had to do something.

"I've read about things like that! The history of homosexuality, and the lengths that people had to go to... fascinating stuff. Have you heard of Boston marriages? Popular in the early 1900s? They're two single women living together, purportedly for practical reasons like paying the rent, but it's believed that a significant amount of them were at least party sexual in nature." A couple of my great-aunts had that, we think-- one related, one her "roommate" of decades. They were tiny little Irish schoolteachers that lived in a very nasty part of Detroit. Nobody messed with them, they were cute and harmless.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Granby's holding up fairly well, all considering, but mostly because he knows that he had to be strong for the others. I mean, he was technically captaining two dragons for a bit, right, when one didn't even really know how to fly and heaven help them if they ran into an actual French patrol... Granby doesn't want THAT much responsibility on his head.

"It's practically history. On a ship at twelve, still on a ship at 15, no female creatures allowed... they had to do something." History canon! Speaking of which, I really need to post some entries from this awesome diary I'm reading from the American Civil War, of a white surgeon who served in a black regiment... and he's actually surprisingly not racist. He is absolutely adorable in his day to day activities. I need to post bits of it.

Your great-aunts sound awesome. :3 I don't know much about my family history back more than a few generations. I had a great-uncle who lost a leg in the first world war: a grenade was thrown into his trench and it was a split-second decision to stamp down on the thing and absorb the blast or do nothing and everybody dies. We also think that my father's grandfather, who immigrated with his wife from what is now Poland right before the First World War may have been murdered. He disappeared suddenly a few weeks after my father's father was born. The man wouldn't have just run off because he was terrified of committing all of a sudden, because hey, they moved halfway across the world together...

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

Granby's under a whole lot of stress, yes. I think Temeraire tells him to not be ridiculous, Laurence needs the training and the harness crew can practice on Temeraire for the time being. .

"History canon! Speaking of which, I really need to post some entries from this awesome diary I'm reading from the American Civil War, of a white surgeon who served in a black regiment... and he's actually surprisingly not racist. He is absolutely adorable in his day to day activities. I need to post bits of it." Awww, yes please!!! Non-racism in history was awesome. I used to genuinely worry that I would have been horrible if I'd lived in that time, but I've gone on enough fruitless crusades with no benefit to think that I still would have been okay at life.

My grandfather's knee was squished in WWII, but he told 12 different stories and no one knows what's right. I think he was in his Jeep driving back from the front lines near Bastogne when a German shell flew too far and took out their vehicle. He was a brilliant engineer, but they made him be a cook because he'd taken home ec.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

I will definitely post some excerpts from this journal like next week or something, once I've gotten through a bit more. It's a lot of his day to day activities. He pursues a hobby in botany when there are slow periods and he even patented a machine that draws silk out of a species of spider that he discovered. I MUST post the incident where he tried to acquire some sweet potatoes but couldn't figure out where to get them. Super cute. Remind me if I haven't posted them in a week's time.

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

He sounds adorable!!! Doctors do get bored and then have a whole shit ton of work to do in postings like that, and "incapable of finding sweet potatoes" makes him an utter Simon.