Jules Jones
@julesjones.bsky.social
I write science fiction, fantasy, and (mostly) lgbt romance. I read *lots* of things.
Started on Usenet and mailing lists, added LJ and IRC, moved from LJ to DW, mostly on Mastodon.
www.julesjones.com
Started on Usenet and mailing lists, added LJ and IRC, moved from LJ to DW, mostly on Mastodon.
www.julesjones.com
My Horoco dip pens arrived today by Royal Mail 48 hr service with tracking - on time and as predicted. Apart from the minor detail that when I got the notification email that it it had been dispatched I went to the website to rearrange delivery to Saturday, because I wasn't going to be in.
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November 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
My Horoco dip pens arrived today by Royal Mail 48 hr service with tracking - on time and as predicted. Apart from the minor detail that when I got the notification email that it it had been dispatched I went to the website to rearrange delivery to Saturday, because I wasn't going to be in.
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Order placed - Sailor Horoco fude, 1.1 stub, and a fine nib and two feeds. Plus a bottle of Van Dieman ink in an interesting looking colour, which took it over the free shipping minimum.
#FountainPen
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#FountainPen
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November 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Order placed - Sailor Horoco fude, 1.1 stub, and a fine nib and two feeds. Plus a bottle of Van Dieman ink in an interesting looking colour, which took it over the free shipping minimum.
#FountainPen
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#FountainPen
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Bought a new 48 slot pen wallet to go with the three I already have, not so much because I need that many as that I want to organise by maker and could do with more room. Started going through the box on my desk checking before putting away.
Spa day next weekend, I think...
#FountainPen
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Spa day next weekend, I think...
#FountainPen
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November 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Bought a new 48 slot pen wallet to go with the three I already have, not so much because I need that many as that I want to organise by maker and could do with more room. Started going through the box on my desk checking before putting away.
Spa day next weekend, I think...
#FountainPen
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Spa day next weekend, I think...
#FountainPen
1/3
Still trying to work out what to do with the remains of the Cashmere From Hell. I have somewhere between 15g and 25g laceweight still on the cone, but it is a nightmare to work single strand and I need to Navajo ply, so realistically I've got 50-75 m to play with.
November 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Still trying to work out what to do with the remains of the Cashmere From Hell. I have somewhere between 15g and 25g laceweight still on the cone, but it is a nightmare to work single strand and I need to Navajo ply, so realistically I've got 50-75 m to play with.
Amazon is really, *really* determined that I shall take up my free trial of Prime. I presume they're trying to lock people into their ecosystem for Christmas shopping.
November 22, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Amazon is really, *really* determined that I shall take up my free trial of Prime. I presume they're trying to lock people into their ecosystem for Christmas shopping.
Reposted by Jules Jones
Reposted by Jules Jones
After some technical issues, the #Blakes7 Production Diary Series B is back on sale. HOWEVER... if you're thinking of picking this up (or any of our titles), hang fire until next week. With luck Lulu will offer their usual Black Friday 30% off deal! As soon as we know, we'll let you know! Thanks.
November 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
After some technical issues, the #Blakes7 Production Diary Series B is back on sale. HOWEVER... if you're thinking of picking this up (or any of our titles), hang fire until next week. With luck Lulu will offer their usual Black Friday 30% off deal! As soon as we know, we'll let you know! Thanks.
So now that I have gone looking for rollerballs that take fountain pen ink cartridges I am spoilt for choice even in the cheap price range. I wasn't a few years ago when I first wanted to replace the one I had. Now it's just a case of which grip and will it take a converter.
November 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
So now that I have gone looking for rollerballs that take fountain pen ink cartridges I am spoilt for choice even in the cheap price range. I wasn't a few years ago when I first wanted to replace the one I had. Now it's just a case of which grip and will it take a converter.
There are some things I need (need, not want) that I can find most easily on Amazon. It is Black Friday week, a thing that has been imported to the UK and has no reason to be here other than yet another retail sector excuse for "buy!buy!buy!" I do *not* want to buy this week from Amazon. :-(
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November 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
There are some things I need (need, not want) that I can find most easily on Amazon. It is Black Friday week, a thing that has been imported to the UK and has no reason to be here other than yet another retail sector excuse for "buy!buy!buy!" I do *not* want to buy this week from Amazon. :-(
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Reposted by Jules Jones
When I worked at a bookstore, I quickly learned that people cannot tell the difference between Xmas music and any Baroque or Elizabethan music album that doesn't get too organ-ish. I used this to my advantage.
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
If we had to hear “Baby Shark” everywhere we went for two whole months out of the year we’d throw a fit, right?
And rightfully so.
So tell me, why do we put up with it when the song is “Frosty the Snowman”?
And rightfully so.
So tell me, why do we put up with it when the song is “Frosty the Snowman”?
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 AM
When I worked at a bookstore, I quickly learned that people cannot tell the difference between Xmas music and any Baroque or Elizabethan music album that doesn't get too organ-ish. I used this to my advantage.
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
One customer caught on... AND THANKED ME
Reposted by Jules Jones
wtf
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 11:32 PM
wtf
Reposted by Jules Jones
Your motivational post for the day
AI advocates have warned that if every author in the class action filed a claim, it would "financially ruin" the entire industry.
Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action
Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.
arstechnica.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Your motivational post for the day
Jarriere came round for dinner and Blu-ray last night. We watched Redemption and Shadow, and are *extremely * impressed with the new effects. They are so very much in keeping with the original, only on a better budget and modern greenscreen etc, with just a touch of CGI.
#Blakes7
#Blakes7
November 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Jarriere came round for dinner and Blu-ray last night. We watched Redemption and Shadow, and are *extremely * impressed with the new effects. They are so very much in keeping with the original, only on a better budget and modern greenscreen etc, with just a touch of CGI.
#Blakes7
#Blakes7
AliExpress has noticed I'm in the market for a handbag and suddenly my offer feed is full of them. Including the "2025 New Spacious Middle Aged Women's Multi Layer Lightweight Crossbody Shoulder Mother Bag".
Nearly falling off my chair laughing. :-) (Also bookmarked.)
Nearly falling off my chair laughing. :-) (Also bookmarked.)
November 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
AliExpress has noticed I'm in the market for a handbag and suddenly my offer feed is full of them. Including the "2025 New Spacious Middle Aged Women's Multi Layer Lightweight Crossbody Shoulder Mother Bag".
Nearly falling off my chair laughing. :-) (Also bookmarked.)
Nearly falling off my chair laughing. :-) (Also bookmarked.)
I haven't been able to replace my Clarks handbag in the style I like; cross-body with lots of zippered pockets. It appears I should have been on AliExpress looking for men's fashion messenger bags. :-) I'd forgotten that's what you call a handbag when it isn't for gurlz.
November 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I haven't been able to replace my Clarks handbag in the style I like; cross-body with lots of zippered pockets. It appears I should have been on AliExpress looking for men's fashion messenger bags. :-) I'd forgotten that's what you call a handbag when it isn't for gurlz.
Reposted by Jules Jones
I turn 40 in a few days, and I've been reflecting on how blessed I am to have been able to have beaten the odds when so many trans folks don't.
Since it is trans awareness week, I'd like to make you all an offer. If you donate to The Trevor Project this month, drop a screenshot of the receipt...
Since it is trans awareness week, I'd like to make you all an offer. If you donate to The Trevor Project this month, drop a screenshot of the receipt...
November 15, 2025 at 5:02 AM
I turn 40 in a few days, and I've been reflecting on how blessed I am to have been able to have beaten the odds when so many trans folks don't.
Since it is trans awareness week, I'd like to make you all an offer. If you donate to The Trevor Project this month, drop a screenshot of the receipt...
Since it is trans awareness week, I'd like to make you all an offer. If you donate to The Trevor Project this month, drop a screenshot of the receipt...
Bother. A web comic writer whose work I love has a novel out. It is only available on Amazon, which quite apart from "I don't want to fund Bezos's lifestyle" means Amazon's proprietary ebook format. That means I can't read it on my Kobo. I have Kindle on my phone, but really really prefer e-ink. :-(
November 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Bother. A web comic writer whose work I love has a novel out. It is only available on Amazon, which quite apart from "I don't want to fund Bezos's lifestyle" means Amazon's proprietary ebook format. That means I can't read it on my Kobo. I have Kindle on my phone, but really really prefer e-ink. :-(
Reposted by Jules Jones
Glad to see the FX for Blake's 7 Series 2 going down so well. :)
November 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Glad to see the FX for Blake's 7 Series 2 going down so well. :)
I have indulged and watched Star One, partly because I watched it on DVD recently so it's easy to pick up some of the changes in the SFX, and partly because I will never get bored of Avon's "I want to be free... of *him*" tantrum. :-)
Obvious changes - the Andromedan battle fleet. :->
#Blakes7
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Obvious changes - the Andromedan battle fleet. :->
#Blakes7
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November 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I have indulged and watched Star One, partly because I watched it on DVD recently so it's easy to pick up some of the changes in the SFX, and partly because I will never get bored of Avon's "I want to be free... of *him*" tantrum. :-)
Obvious changes - the Andromedan battle fleet. :->
#Blakes7
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Obvious changes - the Andromedan battle fleet. :->
#Blakes7
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November 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Blu-ray box set of Series 2 is out tomorrow. Zukalis knew years ago that we're holding out for a hero. Fanvid that reminds me why I loved and will always love this show, so much so that I went out and bought a player when the Beeb announced the Blu-ray.
#Blakes7
#Blakes7
Blake's 7 - Holding Out for A Hero
My small tribute to the heroes (and heroines) of Blake's 7.
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Blu-ray box set of Series 2 is out tomorrow. Zukalis knew years ago that we're holding out for a hero. Fanvid that reminds me why I loved and will always love this show, so much so that I went out and bought a player when the Beeb announced the Blu-ray.
#Blakes7
#Blakes7
Reposted by Jules Jones
Never have. Never will. Not interested in going anywhere *near* a crap app built out of countless millions of hard-won words stolen from my colleagues, the use of which will (bonus!) begin progressively to degrade my cognitive skills and blunt the edge of the tool I’ve spent half a century honing. 🤨
Hands up if you've never used Chat GPT ✋
(I feel like Dozer and Tank in The Matrix right now - at first I didn't use it because, rather ironically, I'm lazy and stubborn (peak Taurus energy there) - literally no, don't make me use the new thing I don't wanna. Now I'm glad I didn't 😅)
(I feel like Dozer and Tank in The Matrix right now - at first I didn't use it because, rather ironically, I'm lazy and stubborn (peak Taurus energy there) - literally no, don't make me use the new thing I don't wanna. Now I'm glad I didn't 😅)
Probably a good way to tell right now if the job you’re applying for is run by absolute dumbfucks is to ask if they’re using AI.
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Never have. Never will. Not interested in going anywhere *near* a crap app built out of countless millions of hard-won words stolen from my colleagues, the use of which will (bonus!) begin progressively to degrade my cognitive skills and blunt the edge of the tool I’ve spent half a century honing. 🤨
Reposted by Jules Jones
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Reposted by Jules Jones
sound on. I’m still laughing
November 8, 2025 at 1:26 PM
sound on. I’m still laughing
The Blu-ray box set of Blake's 7 series 2 is out on Monday. Just to get you in the mood, here's a fanvid by Zukalis of Star One's space metal homage to B7.
Blake's 7 - Intergalactic Space Crusaders
An awesome song about an awesome TV series, written by an awesome musician!
This is from "Space Metal" by Star One, the brainchild of the seriously talented (and very tall) Arjen A. Lucassen. Damian Wilson sings Avon's part, and Russell Allen sings Blake's part, both (you guessed it) awesome vocal
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:55 AM
The Blu-ray box set of Blake's 7 series 2 is out on Monday. Just to get you in the mood, here's a fanvid by Zukalis of Star One's space metal homage to B7.