It's a Jetta

[cornerofmadness]

It was an interesting ride to Enterprise. The guy I've been talking to picked me up and we were talking, got onto the topic of writing. He's doing a post apocalyptic thing where he wants to subvert the toxic masculinity you often see in dystopic fic and queer it as well (the character is a bi man) and he is a Huskerdust Hazbin fan. I'm surprised he was so comfortable to tell me about a queer story here in deep red southern Ohio. Maybe in the fall I'll try harder to get a SF/F/Horror writers group going at the library. Maybe there is more of us than I know.

The car is a Jetta. I haven't been in a Volkswagon since my mom's 1970s Bug. I had to dig out the owner's manual three times before I got home because shit wasn't where I'm used to it being in my Japanese cars. Also how to tell I haven't been in a car in almost a decade? Within an hour I bashed my knee into the steering column, knocked my skull into the top of the door, jabbed my elbow into that same door. I'm already over the Jetta and they gave it to me with no damn gas. Why is the gas tank on the wrong damn side?

I drove it to my coffee shop, went inside. Not one seat open and six people ahead of me in line. I leave, go to Kroger for road snacks (forgot my toothpaste) go back. It's still jammed but I get at seat. WTF? It's just a random Thursday morning. Are people taking off already for Memorial Day? I'm there trying to write and hoping my book will come at the library before I leave tomorrow. It didn't.

Come home, did laundry but didn't do much else. I don't have to leave until later tomorrow because Evil Little Dog has work and I don't want to be sitting in her driveway waiting. I have a list. I feel like I'm going to leave something.

At 4 pm I get an email. Book is at the library. Head desk. Well now I can get my toothpaste and the book tomorrow (I have to go to Jackson to get to where I'm going)

I took a swing at that not-likely shot at the demon anthology curated by V. Castro. It's worth a shot and I really like that story. I did edit the Appalachian one thanks to ELD's beta but I also shelved it for now since that open call seems hinky.

Comments

[kitarella_imagines]

The guy's book sounds very interesting! Subverting toxic masculinity and queer would be very refreshing.

I've got a film marked to watch on Netflix when it arrives, it's about some kind of toxic masculine man who wakes up in an alternative universe where women are in charge. Something like that anyway. I hope it's good and they don't end it with the world going back to 'normal.' I'll let you know what I think, I can't remember the name of it.

[cornerofmadness]

That's what I told him. I think it sounds like it could be a good book

Interesting. Hope you like it. I don't have netflix. I didn't have the internet speed until this last year but I've been too lazy to hook it up (I have an entire full dvr as is that I watch nothing from)

[kitarella_imagines]

Oh tell him that a random stranger off the internet (me) thinks it will be a good book too 😉

The film is called Ladies First, the summary is:

A male chauvinist is transported to a matriarchal society, facing challenges from a formidable female version of himself.

I'll let you know what I think!

[cornerofmadness]

ha cool I will when i turn in the car

sure

[kitarella_imagines]

haha!

It is a good film, I sat there shouting at the TV when they showed all the harassment women get every day 'smile, love, might never happen' 'make an effort!' etc.

And when a woman gives an idea in a meeting, no one takes any notice, then a man who overheard the idea presents it as his idea, to great acclaim.

^That really grinds my gears, I've had that happen in so many meetings! Grrr. People say 'stop giving ideas then' but why should I be silenced like that?

Anyway. It's a good film and worth watching, for men and women.

[cornerofmadness]

Ugh I know the present an idea thing and get ignored all too well.

I'm p retty fucking loud and apparently a 'rabble rouser' so people do listen to me (I did not realize this until a newish hire said I want to be a loud rabble rouser just like you.' Oh god....

[kitarella_imagines]

Yes...we present an idea and have it stolen by a man who has a louder voice and is given more respect. No one hears my quiet voice.

Good for you! I've been told I'm 'too much' 'too blunt' 'too direct' etc. I think it's just a way to suppress women, they like us to be meek, mild, accommodating.😠

[cornerofmadness]

I think they've given up on me ever being that

[kitarella_imagines]

Good! You be you, 100%.

[cornerofmadness]

I was trained to be quiet, to not make waves and I did that all thru medical school. I was struck this week when the scrapbooking lecture talked about getting students to celebrate their successes. Boy that was not how I was trained but I decided that wouldn't be who I was any more

[kitarella_imagines]

Oh same here! Always be quiet, modest, don’t ask for anything or have inconvenient emotions or needs. Whereas young women today seem to be so much more confident and expect to be treated equally. Which is great! But they often don’t realise how previous generations of women fought for equality. I've had arguments with them recently pointing out how I don’t want to go back to women being 2nd class citizens, and they can’t imagine that happening, so they mock me.

[cornerofmadness]

same here

[angelofthenorth]

I'm dreading the day they make all cars in the UK automatics - i don't drive often so all my instincts are based on stickshift. I feel your pain

[cornerofmadness]

I on the other hand have never driven a stick and would barely know what to do