Ros Jackson @rosjackson@wandering.shop

@dani Unfortunately I've seen accusations levelled at a variety of people, male and female, etc. There's no way to know in advance, especially because even when someone behaves well to one person that may not be universal. It's deeply disappointing. It's also not just SFF - UK academia is apparently having a similar MeToo moment.

@dani It's in the US. Apparently it initially surfaced in 2018, and it passed me by then. It's a bit more prominent this time around, I think, because we've just today seen one of the authors lose an agent and two publishing contracts.

So, a number of male SFF writers, 4 that I know of, have been accused on Twitter of harassment, misogyny, and various levels of bad behaviour at conferences.

I'm grateful to have never experienced similar at the UK cons I've attended.

These revelations leave me with questions about why I'm so late finding out about this. I've taken some books off my wishlist, and I won't be supporting those authors in future.

FanasyCon 2020 won't go ahead. It's no surprise and it's the right decision, but it's also sad news. The awards and AGM will go ahead online. I hope that in future cons like this will maintain online elements for those who can't attend.

http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/bfs/fantasycon-2020-announcement/

As the shops re-open, let me share a couple of magic words that worked absolute wonders on my family this evening.

Wardrobe audit.

I'm now up several pieces of good clothing, a new set of buttons, and I know exactly what's needed when I brave the stores. Not as much as I thought!

A primary headteacher proposes changing the UK school year to January-December, and extending the current school year to December. https://stevebheadteacher.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/the-way-back-to-school/

Do you agree?

@silvally I'm a councillor. I think many people would be surprised how few emails councillors get on many issues. So do email your councillor, especially if you have something specific to ask that they would be able to influence.

I made my random quiz a bit easier, but it turns out anything over 5 out of 7 is an exceptional score.

http://www.warpcoresf.co.uk/random-book-quiz.php

I haven't been in a vehicle since some point in early March. Motorised transport is a staple of modern living, yet I scarcely miss it.

@thamesynne I don't think I'm the first to consider this.

@thamesynne It's pretty much the definition of what to put in a safeguarding report to social services.

If you're in the mood for something whimsical, try out my random book quiz. A different set of 7 questions each time. How do you score? http://www.warpcoresf.co.uk/random-book-quiz.php

@Gargron Maybe a little something about the timeline of new features? Not all of them, just major ones like the CW, language preferences, and searching only by hashtag, that differentiate the platform.

@hafnia Promoted by Louis XIV as a status symbol for people who didn't need to grow food on their land. Lawns are not only dull, but also all about class.

@vicorva Yep, same. I loved the first one, but at the current price I guess I'll work on my TBR pile first.

@hafnia Mastodon gets a mention in Because Internet, a recent linguistics book by Gretchen McCulloch.

@kiesa That probably depends more on the fabric composition, ie what % is cotton, and whether it's pre-washed already. The main issue I've had with washing them though is with the nose inserts coming apart or coming adrift in the wash.

You'll probably have to experiment with fabrics - masks can be hot to wear and if they're too thick they're uncomfortable. It's a dilemma because you want a good seal, but the better it is the less wearable the mask.