Episodes
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We read the first half of the first new-to-Niamh saga this week, and have a great time with awful men, questionable gender politics, and high drama. Also, some violence is done to a bearman, donât really like that but so it goes sometimes. Our chat about everything else continues as usual, as Niamh overtakes Em in Metaphor, we watch and read some stuff, and a conversation started last week gets finished as Em finally gets to their point about some stuff.
Things This Episode: The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All, Even Though We're Adults, Infinity Nikki, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, gender and queerness talk, Metaphor: ReFantazio
Note: we meant to circle around to the discussion of Lapland and the Sami people but didnât actually remember to do that. Weâll try to bring it up when it recurs next time but note that the region referred to in Sweden as Lapland is home to an indigenous people called the Sami people, and âLappâ while common in the sagas is considered an offensive term to refer to these peoples. in my (Em) research, even Lapland itself seems like a disputed term depending on who you ask. Thatâs the short version of it, highly recommend people do research on their own!
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Fae posts on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: HrĂłlfs saga kraka, ch. 21-34; from The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, trans. Jesse L. Byock (Penguin Classics)
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Weâre both a little run down and we just read the intro to a book, so very short saga this week as we just kind of have a small chat and take it easy. Some days are just harder than others. Hope you enjoy nonetheless. Things discussed this episode: Thanksgiving, Trivia Games, being a student, Look Back (the film), Multiple Maniacs, Even Though We're Adults, Nana, Ranma 1/2, Ravencroft news, Ceres Fauna graduating
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Fae posts on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: HrĂłlfs saga kraka, ch. 1-20; from The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, trans. Jesse L. Byock (Penguin Classics)
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Missing episodes?
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We talk about Ref, a man who is pretty chill until you call him gay so much his family begins asking questions. Then heâs going to end your whole bloodline. We have a good time with this relatively light saga, and then talk about our usual manga and vtuber spread, including some extra time with Nerissa for her birthday stream. Things in this episode include: Ref's Saga, Even Though We're Adults, Look Back (the manga), Ranma 1/2, Christmas Carol, PokĂ©mon Cards, Nerissa birthday stream, vtuber merch, a little bit of Metaphor (not much)
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Fae posts on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Introduction to the Saga of King Hrolf Kraki; from The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, trans. Jesse L. Byock (Penguin Classics)
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We finish Arrow-Oddâs Saga, and then Em has a few more Icelandic things to talk about that end up taking up a good portion of the episode. Things in this episode include: Arrow-Odd's Saga, Independent People, Godland, Even Though We're Adults, Holocure, Duklyon: Clamp School Defenders, Shirahimeshou: Snow Goddess Tales
Check out the Ghost Divers on Independent People!
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: KrĂłka-Refs Saga; The Saga of Ref the Sly, trans. George Clark, published in The Sagas of Icelanders (Penguin Classics)
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We begin Arrow-Oddâs saga, and talk about being back in the land of prose and strange Giantess fanfic on this weekâs episode. Bonus talk includes: Independent People, I Am A Cat, Tokyo Babylon, But Weâre Both Adults, and the usual Metaphor talk. I probably missed a few things, but Iâm editing against a deadline today so thatâll have to do. Please enjoy!
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Ărvar-Odds saga, ch. 19-32, from Arrow-Odd, trans. Hermann PĂĄlsson and Paul Edwards, published in Seven Viking Romances (Penguin Classics)
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[taking a very deep breath]
On this enormous episode of Around the Long Fire, we finally finish the Poetic Edda! It ends really well, but with a surprising difference between our two versions. The cartoon Em mentions is Zack Snyder's "Twilight of the Gods", for the record. After an extra long Saga segment, we briefly talk about the election (please read Em's friend Madiha's blog about waking up the day after carrying on as we always do), Em talks about the first third of the book Independent People, Em is reading Clamp manga Tokyo Babylon, Niamh talks about travelling to get hololive merch with faer kid, we compare our Culvers orders as Jailbirds must, we have a vtuber corner (featuring Mint's 3.0 karaoke), we both talk about wrapping up How Do We Relationship? so far (up through Volume 11) and talk about how the girls continue to speak directly to our memories, Niamh talks a bit about Still Sick, and then we have a very extended Metaphor segment where we might not actually play very much (up to reaching the third city) but also talk about Personas 3, 4 and 5 and go on at length about what we like about the storytelling of Atlus games at large. Also mentioned are Evangelion and Pastoral: To Die in the Country. Peppered throughout with talk about life and trauma, as we always do. Truly we're cooking on our bullshit so much in this episode, it's great.
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Ărvar-Odds saga, ch. 1-18, from Arrow-Odd, trans. Hermann PĂĄlsson and Paul Edwards, published in Seven Viking Romances (Penguin Classics)
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We continue with Gudrunâs vengeance against her family, for better or worse, as we begin to wind down the Poetic Edda. On top of that, we have the usual vtuber corner, a big talk about How Do We Relationship?, a health update ⊠and then decide to spill our next season an entire week early because we both finished some prep work weâd done for it!
Then, in our Metaphor Game Club, we wrap up the second major story dungeon, get our bat friend Heismay, and talk about how weâve been spending our free time around that event.
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Parts 30-The End of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics); The Jörmunrekkr Lays â GuĂ°rĂșnarhvöt and HamĂ°ismĂĄl & Other mythological poems â Baldrs draumar, RĂgsĂŸula, Hyndluljóð, and GrĂłttasöngr
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We have an absolutely jam packed episode this week as not only do we talk about the return of Gudrun and her sorrows, but we also talk a bit about vtubers, we both watch some movies (some classic, some not), Niamh continues to read How Do We Relationship?, and we continue to talk about Metaphor: ReFantazio through the next two hours or so of game (up until you get the 4th party member, which Niamh hadnât done as of recording this week). Just so many things!
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Parts 27-29 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics); The Niflung Cycle â OddrĂșnargrĂĄtr, AtlakviĂ°a, and AtlamĂĄl hin groenlenzku
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We revisit some of the first stories we read on this podcast, this time in verse form! Theyâre pretty pleasant, even if theyâre a bit disjointed. We take care of some odds and ends before getting into our main event: our Metaphor game club begins in earnest, which contains a few surprises including a new challenger, some mechanical decisions that surprise, and putting the Persona fandom on notice.
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you which versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Parts 20-26 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics); The Niflung Cycle â Brot af SigurĂ°arkviĂ°u, GuĂ°rĂșnarkviĂ°a I, SigurĂ°arkviĂ°a hin skamma, HelreiĂ° Brynhildar, DrĂĄp Niflunga, GuĂ°rĂșnarkviĂ°a II, and GuĂ°rĂșnarkviĂ°a III
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The sagas finally begin to cook as we talk about tragic love and reincarnation and what exactly is a Valkyrie. Also, speaking of tragic love, Niamh watched Twilight movies and Labyrinth, so we have plenty of misplaced sexual angst to pick over. Finally, Em celebrates Kiaraâs big day as she had her fourth anniversary live this past week.
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you whis versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Parts 15-19 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics); The Niflung Cycle â FrĂĄ dauĂ°a Sinfjötla, GrĂpisspĂĄ, ReginsmĂĄl, FĂĄfnismĂĄl, and SigrdrĂfumĂĄl
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The sagas arenât exactly setting our world aflame this week, so we instead talk a bunch about Licorice Pizza (building off of Ornate Stairwells), vtubers, and video games. In fact, some night say this is the beginning of our lengthy Metaphor game club, to be performed over the next 6-12 months!
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you whis versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Parts 12-14 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics); The Helgi Lays â HelgakviĂ°a Hundingsbana I, HelgakviĂ°a HjörvarĂ°ssonar, and HelgakviĂ°a Hundingsbana II
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Odin gets up to trouble, including being weirdly homophobic to his stupid son Thor, in this wild episode of poetry and would-be plays. After that, Em gets a little too real venting about their current medical situation, but then we recover as Niamh talks about vtubers and movies until everyone has a good time again. Thanks for listening, sorry for the emotional rollercoaster this week!
See the show schedule here! Thisâll tell you whis versions of books and which sections of those books weâre reading each week.
Niamh podcasts on Export Audio with Ghost Divers, Ornate Stairwells, and Pondering Pootan. Posting on twitter @foxmomnia and on bluesky at foxmomnia.bsky.social
Em hosts Abnormal Mapping and Repertory Screenings on abnormalmapping.com and also is the Pokemon Master of Ceremonies on The Great Gundam Project. They post on twitter @em_being and on bluesky at polarbearsummer.online
Next episode: Parts 7-12 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics)
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Season 3 begins as we crack open the Poetic Edda and talk about dwarves, gods, and Odinâs magic. More vtuber chat this week, of course, but itâs also a sleepy week so a bit on the shorter side. Either way, please enjoy!
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: Parts 3-6 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics)
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This episode is a bit of a mess as we watch a movie thatâs just okay, and also suffer through a weird recording setup (that continued into editing, excuse any scuff this week) as Em is forced to flee their recording room. A bit of a shorter episode as weâve both been run ragged, but we do have some talk about The State of Social Media near the end.
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: Pages 3-36 of The Poetic Edda, a new translation by Carolyne Larrington (Oxford World's Classics)
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We finally watch the movie whose music weâve been using since we started! Turns out itâs pretty good, though I donât know if Iâd go so far as to say the best film of Iceland (which some have claimed). Also, we talk a bunch about movies broadly, as Em preps for a Repertory Screenings that ended up not getting recorded (find out why next week).
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: In the Shadow of the Raven (Ă skugga hrafnsins)
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Arthur is morted and we are finished! We reach the end of the season as things end on a quiet note, and then talk at length about the Hololive English 2nd concert Breaking Dimensions. Other stuff too, but those are the two big ones! Next week we begin our mini-unit of Icelandic films between seasons!
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: When the Raven Flies (Hrafninn flĂœgur)
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The penultimate episode of Morte Darthur shows Lancelot truly has learned nothing, Arthur is put in a difficult spot, and the glory of the kingdom falls apart in most dramatic fashion. Then we have some medical situation talk, and our usual chat about what weâve been up to.
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur, a new Modern English translation based on the Winchester Manuscript by Dorsey Armstrong, chapters 87-END
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We return to the sagas as the grail quest comes to a dramatic conclusion and we lose many of our best heroes. Then, we return to Lancelot, who comes home changed but for how long? On top of that, Niamh finished Chimera Ant in Hunter x Hunter, we talk a bit about movies, and the usual ALF extras.
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur, a new Modern English translation based on the Winchester Manuscript by Dorsey Armstrong, chapters 80-86
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Hi, Em here. We recorded another freeform episode where we just talked about what weâve been up to and how weâve been feeling as I recovery from surgery. I watched Niamhâs favorite movie, and we talk about it. Thereâs some Hunter X Hunter talk, as usual. Spoilers in there through like halfway into Chimera Ant? Anyway, the good news is next week weâre returning to sagas, so please look forward to it!
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur, a new Modern English translation based on the Winchester Manuscript by Dorsey Armstrong, chapters 74-79
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Em was finally released the hospital and immediately wanted to record a little with Niamh that very night. Niamh also had Dia on to talk about the 2006 film adaptation of Tristan and Isolde. Like those legendary lovers, this episodes is two halves that come together to form a single whole. Also thereâs some fighting game talk and general catching up.
Dia can be found on twitter @dialacina
Niamh can be found haunting Export Audio with Ghost Divers and Ornate Stairwells (and Pondering Pootan, which has never haunted anyone) and on twitter @foxmomnia
Em can be found working themselves into an early grave here at Abnormal Mapping and on twitter @em_being
Next episode: Just hanging out, no reading!
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