The Bluestocking: it's the season of mulled wine, conversations about pineapple and, of course, gerbils. Confused? You will be...

[EdithStourton]

Welcome to the anarchic and marvellous women-only on-line pub, the Bluestocking. The booze won't give you a hangover, the cakes won't make you fat, and the conversations are fascinating, covering knitting, health and safety, the Muppets and anything else that comes to mind.

Climb Peak Woo, have a cuddle with Rosie the Red Panda, and watch out for capybaras busy with any necessary building works.

Welcome in (and name change at the door if you need too).

This is the Bluestocking, where a French intellectual can be a merry iguana from time to time if she feels the need.

I was wondering why my feet felt heavy and realised they are pressed down under a hot water bottle, a duvet, several supplemental blankets, and a large (6 kg at least) black cat, each on top of the others.

Do you need rescuing or shall we just send you some gerbils bearing tea?

I managed to extricate my feet but am now being glared at, so fear I'll need to leave the bed soon. And it's so warm.

I get really confused when people name change. I have no idea who I'm talking to. I'm a very simple puffin. But always Fuzzy.

Thank you, Transcapybara, we have an answer!
Just one reaction from you, therefore it uses the default username until you post on the thread, and doesn't change it retrospectively. Interesting. I wonder if MNHQ designed it that way, because it would seem to run counter to their anti sock-puppeting measures - you could react with one username and then post with a different name.

@MarieDeGournay I didn't realise you have fibro too. It's a miserable condition, isn't it?

That's interesting. So am I right in thinking that if you react to a post on a thread where you have posted with a different name, the reaction will be from that different name, not the default name?

Yes, I think so. Might explain some of the random reactions I've had on previous threads, from names I recognise from elsewhere but not as regular Bluestockingers.

Me too, Fuzzy. 😫

I never recognise who is behind the changed names - even if I have a suspicion I don't trust it. And I can't post as anything except me. I try to just take posters as they seem to be from their posts.

Has anyone else got reactions from 'Anonymous User'? It could be someone who genuinely has that as a username, but I didn't think spaces were accepted in MN names.

Not seen that. Bit disconcerting!

Thanks for the good wishes💙
I have mentioned having FM on other threads, e.g. the Sara M v BFF one where it was given as a reason for one of the panel leaving - it possibly was a cover for some other reason, but I didn't like some of the disparaging references to FM, you could almost see the air quotes around it!

I like being 'someone else' in the Bluestocking, someone who mostly has funso I haven't mentioned it here, but it's having such an impact on dealing with 'stuff' at the moment that I couldn't not.

I like engaging with each of you and what's going on with you, and keeping an eye on who has been missing for a while, welcoming newcomers and that kind of thing, but I can't do that at the moment, I haven't got the energy or attention span.

I've delegated Gelsomina as my Plenipotentiary Envoy, she will monitor the situation and convey my warm thoughts any Bluestockinger who specially needs them, and generalised bonhomie to everybody else

Yes, Magpie, FM miserable😕but moreso for you because you are still working and you have to turn up and do things to other people's timetables, whereas since I left work [early because of the FM] I can do things to my timetable, i.e. days and hours when I feel stronger.
Except like now, when work needs to be done on the house ASAP, and it's not my timetable anymore, I can't tell them to come back later when I feel better!

So to you too, Magpie

Here's Gelsomina, being smiling and friendly on my behalf

Thank you Marie, and I love Gelsomina! Energy levels mean Bluestocking threads are pretty much the only ones I can keep up with regularly, and even then it waxes and wanes. Three more weeks until the end of term and I'm definitely running out of steam.

Thank you for the name change reaction expelliment. That was very useful to find out.

In summary:

1. Reaction before posting will use current default name.
2. Changing name and posting will change future reactions to new name.
3. Old name reacting to a post made before posting will not change.
4. So maybe go back, unreact and then react again (just press the react button to unreact then press again and choose your emoji), and it will react in your new name?

Hello. I just found the bar so could do with a mulled wine and a comfy chair.

Disabled me has to take Christmas in batches so currently letting meds kick in before tackling some big tasks in the house, and a mulled wine will help

Hello MedievalNun. Nice to see you in here. Please make yourself at home.
A bargerbil will be along shortly with mulled wine and perhaps a snack or two?

Ooo yes please. A mince pie would be nice

The gerbils are very good at mince pies. Hot or cold? Any cream/ custard/ brandy butter required?

@MedievalNun ChatGPT surprisingly gave me two images and the gerbils didn't know if you preferred your mince pies with cream or custard or just as they are. So you have been presented with options.

There's also some holly there. Strictly speaking it's still November so the Christmas decorations are not yet up, but they have been very busy making wreaths in preparation for tomorrow and wanted to welcome you with a few sprigs.

I'm told they are very excited about Christmas at the Bluestocking so I don't know how we're going to manage this for the next three and a half weeks...

I take it you've not been in the gerbil staff room lately.

It's not for the faint hearted. They tried sneaking a tree up in a disused snug last night but I insisted they shove it in a cupboard.

Waves hello to @MedievalNun If you see a stash of Tunnock's please let me know as they went missing in the thread move and I hate being parted from them.

Yikes, gerbils! Tinsel overload!!!

That's a serious tankard of mulled wine! I think we might need to give the gerbils something else to focus on, distract them a bit from Christmas. Otherwise they'll get festive ennui by the time it arrives.

Day 334 of my 2025 new years resolution complete.

One month left to go

<runs round excitedly screaming thank fuck for that>