You sound really busy! I hope classes go well and you're able to get some writing done. On my end, last week my fandom time was devoted to getting ready for rarepairexchange - my co mod and I were handling the last of the noms, etc. At least sign-ups opened and people are enthusiastic! :)
Even though the timeline of my stories would coincide with major real world events, if the canon doesn't address them, I tend to leave it out too, because it makes me uncomfortable to throw them in (ex: if a canon is airing in 2001 - I still wouldn't write a fic about 9/11, though I don't judge others for doing so). I have used familiarity with a skill or a location when I can, such as when I write a character baking or the like.
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Even though the timeline of my stories would coincide with major real world events, if the canon doesn't address them, I tend to leave it out too, because it makes me uncomfortable to throw them in (ex: if a canon is airing in 2001 - I still wouldn't write a fic about 9/11, though I don't judge others for doing so). I have used familiarity with a skill or a location when I can, such as when I write a character baking or the like.