I first started reading Dracula Daily about a week or two into May 2022 because everyone and their mom on tumblr were talking about it. Breaking the novel into smaller bite-sized pieces occurring in real time really helped me to digest it better and helped me to get a better idea of how the story was actually paced out. I got caught up on a few entries and kept up with it until around late September/early October when a lot was happening in my life and I couldn’t keep up.
I tried again this year and I also listened to the Re: Dracula podcast which helped me a lot since I’m a visual-auditory learner and I’m not the best at reading. I listened to every entry and usually read the corresponding email at the same time. The podcast was also helpful since I knew about how long it would take to get through each entry so I could plan my time around it. I had a much easier time this year reading the novel. I’m proud to say that this time around, I saw it all the way through to the end.
I’ve had a lot of fun reading and listening to Dracula, telling my loved ones about it, and talking about it with everyone here online! I’ve loved the art, memes, and discussions we all had around this old classic book. The book is so unique and compelling and it doesn’t get as much appreciation and respect as it should.
Thank you so much to Matt Kirkland and the @re-dracula team for providing such a wonderful, immersive, and well-made experience and bringing together a bunch of nerds online. I don’t think I would have ever read this book without you. And thank you to all the other readers and listeners who helped make the journey as much fun as it was. We laughed, cried, cheered, and talked together and I’m so glad that I was a part of it all. I’m sad that it’s over but I’m happy that it happened at all.
Some old funny illustrations that I’ve probably already shared
Okay since there’s been a resurgence of interest in the Napoleonic Wars, my old content was constantly reposted so I thought I shall show you the deepest parts of the fandom:
My bestie from high school died today. It’s been 20+ years since we graduated, but in a way I feel like I’m mourning my childhood along with her.
She’s been in precarious health for years. So this wasn’t a 1000% shock. But it’s been a reminder that even when you think you’re prepared to say goodbye, you’re still not ready. I said what I needed to say to her years ago. I’ll always miss the things that I can no longer share with her. Like Queen Margrethe abdicating…when I saw the BBC news flash, all I thought was, “I can’t text E and say, ‘Did you see this?? What do you think??’”
I met her (in Tumblr years) eons ago. 1996. We’ve gone through highs and lows, months and sometimes years, where we barely spoke. Not because there was a rift; it had more to do with life and geographical proximity (the lack thereof). In the last 5 years or so we really were in communication much more like we were in high school. This year I’ve probably spoken to her more consistently than SINCE we’ve been in high school. I saw it as a gift. And now I know it was the parting gift.
Farewell, my friend. “You know I love you more than my luggage.” 💔
it’s been a long time coming… 💘 20 hours of stitching later and I am so proud of my eras tour jacket 🥹🫶🏻 and yes there are eleven era hearts 🤍 @taylorswift