A bed of roses

Got my hair cut to my satisfaction - finally! The hair dresser took me literally about going short-short at the back and got the clippers out! With a comb attachment. Not much off the front but some cute shaping around my ears. It's going to look about perfect in a month or so, I reckon :D

Took husband out for some fresh air. I left him parked by the suitcases whilst I got my hair done, then took the long way round to the chemist to pick up his prescription. Then back home for some more work.

This week's Friday Feature was hilarious. I think one reason they stopped doing them was because Rob was just played out. Taking a break has really allowed him to get his mojo back. Either that, or someone else is writing for him.

I watched the State of Play thing. Not much to excite me personally, although all the games LOOKED amazing. I think Astro's Playroom is a good place to start when it comes to introducing the younger grandkids to video games, though.

And Trump is guilty! Who knew?! Yeah - just about everyone. But he could still be president. I can't even...

Had some helpful feedback from one of my Betas for some of my short stories. In some cases, exactly the opposite to the other Beta who's provided critique. This is why it's good to have a range of views! It's so interesting to see how different minds work against the grist of your story, the things each person picks up on and how varied the responses are. And it's the downside to publishing. Your book is out there, all alone. People might read it, but you'll never know what they all think of it. I described publishing 'Mannerley' as being like sending your child off to 'big school' for the first time - you've taken them as far as you can, and now they're in someone else's hands and you have no control over how they will be received. And it's why I value my Betas so much - and why I loved writing for fanfiction.net; I live for feedback!

I finished the day off by bidding - and winning - on a dress on ebay. I even paid for it. Then I got an email saying the money was being refunded because the item was out of stock. WTF?! It's a dress - a pre-owned item - unique. How can it be out of stock?! And if it was sold to someone off-line, why continue to list the item? And if it didn't sell for as much as you hoped, raise the starting amount. I will be keeping an eye out for the seller and will avoid them.

And now it's time for bed. Good night, DW!

*WARNING - FFXII:ZA SPOILERS AHEAD...  WARNING - FFXII:ZA SPOILERS AHEAD...  WARNING - FFXII:ZA SPOILERS AHEAD... *

Yeah - I'm too lazy to do the cut thingy.  Sorry...

Vayne is gone!  He was more of a challenge than I remember but I think I was ridiculously over-levelled last time I played.

I read a theory piece that said that Vayne is the real 'goody' of FFXII because he wants to take responsibility for history away from the Gods, but Ashe and co are following the Gods'/Occurias' wishes making them the 'baddies'.  But a) Ashe does make the decision to destroy the Sun Cryst (albeit late in the day - and she leaves the actual job to Reddas), and b) Venat is BAD - she tortures Vayne when she turns him into the The Undying, and has been corrupting both Vayne and Cid for years.  I agree that Vayne is committed to a noble cause but he's a bit like Seifer - he's backing the wrong side.

I sat through the credits because I thought there might be a little snippet of something at the end but there isn't - except for New Game+ and lots of nice concept art.  I was particularly struck by the picture of Cid holding baby Balthier.  The actual final bit of the game comes before the credits when the camera pans out to show Rabanastre in the middle of the desert.  Whoever developed that game is DEFINITELY a fan of Azure Dreams.  That person (or those people) also must also have worked on that tower-thing on the FFX/FFX-2 remaster.

A couple of things I really liked - Vaan's expression when he said, 'Larsa would definitely have said that' and the dialogue between Balthier and Fran when he picks her up - FRAN: I'd say you have more of a supporting role; BALTHIER: Fran, please.  Because, of course, he's the leading man!

But I digress.  I have completed the story element of FFXII:ZA and I love it more than ever.  I thank everyone at Square Enix who made it possible.

I have also found a couple of games that are coming out next year that look interesting.  Biomutant and Lost Sphear  They are now on my 'maybe' list behind Horizon: Zero Dawn.

Time to get this day underway"