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I made Andy Weir's Eridian worldbuilding notes into a mini book!

Normally my title pages include my actual city and the date in roman numerals (to mimic the look of traditionally published books), but I am already binding worldbuilding notes; I might as well go full nerd. The page numbers are also in Eridian numbers (affinity publisher cannot automate page numbers in base six; fortunately it's only 231 91 pages long) .

I came up with a heading style before I realized that some headings were much longer than would fit on a single line, but I think the two-line version ended up looking alright for the most part!

I made a slight edit to the text because Andy Weir used red text to tell base 6 numbers apart from base 10 numbers but I was printing in black and white. Rather than messing with a different font I decided to just use the Eridian numerals for base 6, which meant they needed to be defined earlier in the text, so I changed one line and moved one sentence earlier by a couple of paragraphs.

So currently I answer to my full first name (which I usually introduce myself with) as well as two nicknames/diminutives plus my last name when people mistake it for a first name. There are two or three other nicknames I've also gone by in the past. I'm perfectly fine with this, or neutral at minimum-- I have a common name and have had to be flexible with how I'm distinguished for my whole life. I also don't feel a deep and fundamental connection of my name with my identity, though I think going by another name entirely would confuse me.

A number of friends have been appalled at me being called names I don't say are my name. Which is really weird to me, although I'd go to battle for anyone else who was getting either deadnamed or called something they didn't want. But this perspective seems surprisingly common!

Hippopotamus Amulet

Ancient Egypt, Middle Kingdom, c. 2050-1650 BCE

Rock crystal, L 3 cm

Private collection, France

#Hippopotamus Amulet

#AncientEgypt , Middle Kingdom, c. 2050-1650 BCE

Rock crystal, L 3 cm

Private collection, France

“The face of this unique rock crystal hippopotamus amulet is carved with naturalistic features, the heavily proportioned body surmounted by an integral suspension loop with a modern gold wire added. It was used as a protective charm or symbol in ancient Egyptian culture.

The rock crystal material was believed to possess special properties and was often used for amulets due to its clarity and durability. The hippopotamus, in Egyptian mythology, was associated with fertility, protection, and the power to ward off evil. These amulets were commonly worn or placed in tombs as a form of spiritual protection or to ensure a successful afterlife.

Rock crystal, also known as quartz crystal, held significant importance in ancient Egypt. It was highly valued for its clarity, beauty, and believed metaphysical properties. Egyptians used rock crystal for various purposes, including jewelry, amulets, and religious artifacts.

Rock crystal was often carved into intricate amulets and charms, such as the aforementioned hippopotamus amulet, to provide protection and ward off evil spirits. It was also used in the creation of jewelry, such as beads, pendants, and amulets, which were worn by both the living and the deceased.

The hippopotamus was a common inhabitant of the Nile River. The animal’s aggressive nature and large size worried the ancient Egyptians because they frequently went out in boats on the river. Protection against this dangerous animal was imperative, however, the hippopotamus was also associated with positive qualities such as regeneration. See C. Andrews, Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London: British Museum Press, 1994, p. 64.

Such amulets of hippopotamus heads and full figures of the animals were sometimes made in semi-precious stones like carnelian, feldspar, amethyst, and in this example, rock crystal. Rock crystal was a particular luxurious and rare product, and its use for amulets was very restricted.

The hippopotamus was considered a dangerous and unpredictable creature due to its aggressive nature and its association with the Nile River, which was vital for agriculture and daily life in ancient Egypt.

As a result, the ancient Egyptians believed that wearing or possessing hippopotamus figurines made from glass, faience or semi-precious stones would provide protection against malevolent forces, particularly in the realm of childbirth and fertility.”

Allow me to introduce the new characters:

This piece of lint precious child is Rhombophryne maraorao, a little burrowing species from the northeast of Madagascar. It is very similar ecologically to R. coudreaui, a long-known species from further south. The name maraorao means ‘rough to the touch’ in Malagasy, referring to the rough skin of this species. They do a weird thing where they straighten all of their limbs and go stiff in self defence. Think pumpkin toadlet post-launch mid-air stiffness, but… in the hand?

This beautiful creature is Rhombophryne mavokely, a little leaflitter-dwelling species from the northeast of Madagascar. The name mavokely is the Malagasy word for ‘pink’ but literally translates as ‘small yellow’ (mavo = yellow, kely = small). I LOVE this bizarre etymology, and also this species is small and sometimes pink and sometimes yellowish, so the name seemed extremely apt. This species was the first Rhombophryne I ever saw alive—I caught the first ever specimen immediately underneath my hammock on Marojejy in 2016!

This shiny boy is Rhombophryne sonaliae, a rather well known species from eastern Madagascar that has previously been called R. alluaudi—until we showed in 2019 that the correct use of that name was for a Plethodontohyla alluaudi from southern Madagascar! We dedicated this species to Sonali Garg, in recognition of her fantastic work especially on Asian frogs.

This forbidden truffle is Rhombophryne anatiala, a very poorly known species very closely related to R. sonaliae but found further north and differing subtly. The name anatiala means ‘in the forest’ in Malagasy, referring to the forest habitat of these frogs.

This bumpy beanbag with his go-faster chevron is Rhombophryne kotrobaratra, an interesting species from northeastern Madagascar with rather unusual anatomy, especially its quite long and strong hindlimbs. The name kotrobaratra means ‘thunder and lightning’ in Malagasy, and refers to the inclement weather that seems to bring these frogs out (true for all Rhombophryne, really) .

This coffee bean is Rhombophryne quentini, an orange-thighed species from high-elevation forests in northern Madagascar that resembles R. ellae. Back in 2020 I named R. ellae after my partner, Ella, and I thus took particularly great pleasure in naming this new, closely related species after our four-and-a-half year-old son, Quentin. A little family of frogs. :3

This little pebble is Rhombophryne kilonjy, a small, poorly known and obscure species related to R. ellae and R. quentini but found in lowland forest close to the coast in northwestern Madagascar. The name kilonjy means ‘pebble’ in Malagasy because, well, just look at it.

Even way back in my tumblr posts from 2013 and 2014 I think you would find mentions of the work I had begun on this monograph. I had no notion that it would take more than twelve years to complete. But I cannot express my joy at finally being able to share these charming, round frogs with the world. I hope you approve of the names!

Also, the kiss was a big deal not just because it was gay but because the trans actress was HIV positive. They wanted to show the world that you can't contract HIV just from kissing someone. Bear in mind, the AIDS crisis was still fresh on people's minds in the 90s.

"Okay, I got you."

*Removes the B from the BREAD sign*