my weekend plans required more enthusiasm

[thanate]

Yesterday began with a dead lizard, but went on to dolphin training. The current substitute for a dolphin show at the aquarium (as dolphin shows tend to get all the dolphins old enough to understand them all riled up and swimming fast, which is a bit disruptive if you're only a month old and want your mother to slow down so you can do things like eat) is a small-group session that begins with an open training session, where you've got a narrator explaining bits of what they're doing and where they are in the training process, while they run through a bunch of future show behaviors that are trained enough to look like something. Then there's a bit of video on the mothers (both born here ten years ago) and this year's babies, with some extempore narration by whatever trainer is on mic. Reputedly this will be going on for the next week or two before they start trying to phase in more bits of a normal show; I stayed to watch it yesterday afternoon, and found it a great deal more fascinating than the normal show. I have no idea how fast it's going to sell out (particularly this weekend) but if you happen to be by the aquarium, I'd recommend it. There's also the chance of catching a tiny dorsal fin or two rising in the back pools, if you're looking, and they are quite cute.

For myself, I have been poking at the usual sort of things; my brother sent us a copy of Boom Blox Bash Party, which is not his sort of game at all, and I find myself unusually good at it. Probably (based on conversation over the prequel at heuchera's bachelorette party) because the motions involved do not in any way resemble the motions actually used when throwing things, and I'm good at the flick of the wrist that the controller wants. I have been doggedly collecting gold medals on the various throwing things levels. Remarkably, my wrist hasn't started complaining yet, either.

There was a making light sidebar link the other day to a page in The Anatomy of Norbiton, by which I find myself particularly fascinated. Between that and the fragments of extremely peculiar pseudo-Regency romance that ursulav has been posting, I could be glued to my computer until my head explodes. I shall attempt not to do this, however; it is starting to get hot out, but still it's far too nice for that sort of thing. Also, the sundrops are blooming all over the place, the peas are starting to produce, and I am wondering why I haven't got any beans to plant. I guess I could still order some...

Oh, and a request-- is there anyone who reads fan fiction who'd be willing to beta-read something for me? (It's not fan fic, but I want some of the feel of the tacky kind in a couple segments.) It's about 5k, and I'm mainly looking for what works vs what doesn't, though detailed feedback is good too if you've got the time & interest. Please let me know if you're up for it-- thanks!

Experimentally cross-posty from dreamwidth. Comments encouraged in either location.