Daily Check-In
Jul. 8th, 2026 08:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starwatcher posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandom_checkinThis is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Wednesday July 08, to midnight on Thursday, July 09. (8pm Eastern Time).
Poll #34813 Daily Check-in
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 3
How are you doing?
I am OK.
2 (66.7%)
I am not OK, but don't need help right now.
1 (33.3%)
I could use some help.
0 (0.0%)
How many other humans live with you?
I am living single.
1 (33.3%)
One other person.
2 (66.7%)
More than one other person.
0 (0.0%)
<sigh> My apologies, folks. I simply forgot what day it was. 😢
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
AMA: Day 8
Jul. 8th, 2026 06:47 pmvolkameriaMasterlist (Slots still open!)
asuraid asks: "What is your ideal day? Could even just be lounging around all day LOL"I answer: Ooh, this is a fun one! I have 2 types of ideal days, after thinking about it.
1. A day where I'm able to accomplish a bunch of meaningful work. Whether that's at work, or around the house, or helping someone out - if I can take on a large task, work hard, and get it fully accomplished to a high standard, that makes the day pretty dang great. Especially if at the end of it all I can go hang out with some friends or enjoy a good meal, or veg out on the couch with something that makes me laugh, and top it off with a hot shower with all the aromatherapy/scrubs I can get my grubby little hands on.
2. I *love* exploring. Going to a large city and getting lost in all the side streets, touring museums, finding cool hole in the wall shops, taking dorky pictures with me and my friends, chatting with people I'll probably never see again, trying all different kinds of food and snacks and drinks... it's so fun! My ideal vacation would be going to a gigantic city I've never been to before, especially overseas (I wanna go to London and Tokyo and Rome sooooo badly), and just getting lost wandering about.
Choices
Jul. 8th, 2026 09:19 pmcornerofmadnessSo today I went to the Honda dealer to look at another CR-V and went next door to the Hyundai dealer. Since Hyundai has made remarkable strides in reliability over the years it's now nearly as reliable as Honda and Toyota. After comparing the CR-V to the Tucson, I'm probably going to go with my first ever Korean vehicle. I mean Honda's warranty is 3 years. Hyundai has both the general car AND the electronics under warranty for 6 years/60,000 Miles and tops it with 10 year/100K miles on the driveline.
And then they offered me 0% apr for FIVE years.
It's hard to say no to that.
Came home, searched for end of life planning things that are also humorous found them (and then went to drink pickle brine so I can speed things along)
After that I saw something on Facebook that sounded so good so I went off the site to track it down in the real world so to speak. I found it. It's not some b.s. made up for FB. abruzzo sister tours and they do ancestral tourism. I will check into them more. This would be like archaeotours in Wales where I have a private tour. I am willing to pay for that. Hoping this is an option that doesn't have 1001 complaints lodged around them.
What I'm Reading Wednesday
What I Just Finished Reading:
One of the Girls - this was good
Our Wicked Gifts - not bad, horrorish
What I am Currently Reading:
Purra-normal Activity - a cozy mystery, so far so good
The Silent Companions - for summerween
The Harvesting - Zombie apocalypse fare
What I Plan to Read Next: some of my looming arcs (carry me to the grave or the seance garden) and things for popsugar
And then they offered me 0% apr for FIVE years.
It's hard to say no to that.
Came home, searched for end of life planning things that are also humorous found them (and then went to drink pickle brine so I can speed things along)
After that I saw something on Facebook that sounded so good so I went off the site to track it down in the real world so to speak. I found it. It's not some b.s. made up for FB. abruzzo sister tours and they do ancestral tourism. I will check into them more. This would be like archaeotours in Wales where I have a private tour. I am willing to pay for that. Hoping this is an option that doesn't have 1001 complaints lodged around them.
What I'm Reading Wednesday
What I Just Finished Reading:
One of the Girls - this was good
Our Wicked Gifts - not bad, horrorish
What I am Currently Reading:
Purra-normal Activity - a cozy mystery, so far so good
The Silent Companions - for summerween
The Harvesting - Zombie apocalypse fare
What I Plan to Read Next: some of my looming arcs (carry me to the grave or the seance garden) and things for popsugar
Steel Roses
Jul. 8th, 2026 07:48 pmstepnixHeartQuest is an early 2000s FUDGE-derived system for shoujo manga-style campaigns. Steel Roses is the expansion that adds mecha. Supposedly it's inspired by Escaflowne, Rayearth, and Sakura Wars, but i got a lot of loose Evangelion vibes from it.
I'm just kinda amused and amazed that this exists. fascinating artifact. who convinced all these writers that mech games need AI rules. why are they Asimov again
Blue Mosaic Mix and Filigree Slides
Jul. 8th, 2026 06:37 pmyourlibrarian posting in everykindofcraft
I had the tubes of this stone for some time and came across the balls during a trip to Minnesota in 2024. Combined them with some gold and multi color E beads to echo the colors in the stone. It's so lovely to look at, I wanted it to stand as alone as possible in the necklace.
( Read more... )
Permaculture
Jul. 8th, 2026 05:36 pmysabetwordsmith“IMPOSSIBLE!” No Work Food Gardens Based on Wild Edible Ecosystems
About 20 years ago, after I first started studying Permaculture, I went to work for a very sustainable Permaculture-oriented CSA farm. One day, after working all morning painfully tending, pruning, and weeding a patch of cane berries, I went for a bike ride along my favorite trail. Black raspberries were in season, so I went home, grabbed 3 3 gallon buckets and filled them up with raspberries.
That was when it hit me. NOBODY was working tending these, except for perhaps the deer and birds fertilizing them. Meanwhile, my own hands were covered with scratches from my morning work.
This is an example of humanity's earliest agriculture: encouraging plants we find useful in places where we go, and occasionally ripping out ones we don't want there. Wild plants can mostly take care of themselves. You don't have to fuss over them like delicate domestic fruits and vegetables.
My approach to laissez-faire permaculture is similar. I plant new things that seem promising. I try to help them establish. They live or die. The ones that live, I expect to take care of themselves. Some of what I grow is really good at that. \o/
About 20 years ago, after I first started studying Permaculture, I went to work for a very sustainable Permaculture-oriented CSA farm. One day, after working all morning painfully tending, pruning, and weeding a patch of cane berries, I went for a bike ride along my favorite trail. Black raspberries were in season, so I went home, grabbed 3 3 gallon buckets and filled them up with raspberries.
That was when it hit me. NOBODY was working tending these, except for perhaps the deer and birds fertilizing them. Meanwhile, my own hands were covered with scratches from my morning work.
This is an example of humanity's earliest agriculture: encouraging plants we find useful in places where we go, and occasionally ripping out ones we don't want there. Wild plants can mostly take care of themselves. You don't have to fuss over them like delicate domestic fruits and vegetables.
My approach to laissez-faire permaculture is similar. I plant new things that seem promising. I try to help them establish. They live or die. The ones that live, I expect to take care of themselves. Some of what I grow is really good at that. \o/
The Hockey Player
Jul. 8th, 2026 03:30 pmolivermossI just watched the Luke Prokop documentary. A high point in which is getting signed by his hometown franchise, Edmonton Oilers, and playing for their AHL team. They signed him knowing he's gay. He's finally getting proper development and feels like he's being taken seriously as a prospect. He's played with the Oilers in preseason games, which means playing with some of the biggest names in hockey.
The coda to all this, which happened after the doc wrapped I assume, is that the Oilers also didn't re-sign him. He's UFA, and currently unsigned. So, the Oilers acquired him and treated him seriously as a prospect for their NHL team, then switched to their new coach Mike Babcock, and then he was not re-signed. Now, we don't know how this played out. Luke might have seen the hiring of Babcock and decided to GTFO, or maybe he feels he has a better chance to move up in a different franchise. But his story is very much an unfinished one and it's a bit strange for this doc to drop while he's on the market and has been for a bit.
Again, we don't know what is up. He might have multiple offers and is deciding. I obviously think he'd be a great fit for Coachella Valley, and hey we just hired staff specifically to develop defencemen! But the doc tries to end on a happy note, when in reality things are deeply unresolved.
I check Luke's Elite Prospects page daily, but if he finally gets a contract somewhere I'll probably hear about it elsewhere first.
The coda to all this, which happened after the doc wrapped I assume, is that the Oilers also didn't re-sign him. He's UFA, and currently unsigned. So, the Oilers acquired him and treated him seriously as a prospect for their NHL team, then switched to their new coach Mike Babcock, and then he was not re-signed. Now, we don't know how this played out. Luke might have seen the hiring of Babcock and decided to GTFO, or maybe he feels he has a better chance to move up in a different franchise. But his story is very much an unfinished one and it's a bit strange for this doc to drop while he's on the market and has been for a bit.
Again, we don't know what is up. He might have multiple offers and is deciding. I obviously think he'd be a great fit for Coachella Valley, and hey we just hired staff specifically to develop defencemen! But the doc tries to end on a happy note, when in reality things are deeply unresolved.
I check Luke's Elite Prospects page daily, but if he finally gets a contract somewhere I'll probably hear about it elsewhere first.
第五年第一百七十九天
Jul. 8th, 2026 06:09 pmnnozomi posting in guardian_learning部首
门 part 1 mén
门, gate/door; 闪, to flash/to hide; 闭, to close ( pinyin )
https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?cdqrads=169
语法
4.24 再...也, no matter how...still...
https://www.digmandarin.com/hsk-4-grammar
词汇
点名, to call roll; 点头, to nod; 差点, almost; 景点, tourist spot; 缺点, shortcoming; 特点, characteristic; 优点, advantage; 重点, key point ( pinyin )
https://mandarinbean.com/new-hsk-4-word-list/
Guardian:
死林静，你给我闭嘴, goddammit Lin Jing, will you shut up already!
你对我再好也不能抹杀你啊爸犯下的那些罪, no matter how good you are to me, you can't wipe out the crimes your Daddy committed.
每个罪犯的行动特点大不相同, the behavioral characteristics of each criminal are very different
Me:
他的那个闪烁的演绎！
他在折腾她，她也离不开他。
我问了他，他就点了点头。
门 part 1 mén
门, gate/door; 闪, to flash/to hide; 闭, to close ( pinyin )
https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?cdqrads=169
语法
4.24 再...也, no matter how...still...
https://www.digmandarin.com/hsk-4-grammar
词汇
点名, to call roll; 点头, to nod; 差点, almost; 景点, tourist spot; 缺点, shortcoming; 特点, characteristic; 优点, advantage; 重点, key point ( pinyin )
https://mandarinbean.com/new-hsk-4-word-list/
Guardian:
死林静，你给我闭嘴, goddammit Lin Jing, will you shut up already!
你对我再好也不能抹杀你啊爸犯下的那些罪, no matter how good you are to me, you can't wipe out the crimes your Daddy committed.
每个罪犯的行动特点大不相同, the behavioral characteristics of each criminal are very different
Me:
他的那个闪烁的演绎！
他在折腾她，她也离不开他。
我问了他，他就点了点头。
[ SECRET POST #7124 ]
Jul. 8th, 2026 06:21 pmcase posting in fandomsecrets⌈ Secret Post #7124 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
01.
( More! )
Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 16 secrets from Secret Submission Post #1017.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
Creating a GIF or a collage
Jul. 9th, 2026 05:36 amg_uava posting in fictional_fansI wrote about the different effects of creating a GIF (moving image) or a collage (compilation of multiple images into one static image out of frames from the same scene, which I thought might interest other photo editors. While writing it, I came across the Fanlore entry on the picspam that likens picspams to fanart. It's a first for me to see picspams described that way!
The Perks of Being an Airhead
Jul. 8th, 2026 02:52 pmelyusionSo today I had an interview at Store A. I went to bed the night before late and spent a lot of time before leaving the house chilling because I had no hope and no enthusiasm. Last minute I remembered I'm supposed to bring my resume with me, but the printer in the house wouldn't connect to my laptop so I intended to use the local library's printer, but when I finally left the house I realized I had no time to go to the library. I resigned myself to showing up to Store A empty-handed. Maybe saying I don't have access to a printer would be excuse enough?
But that didn't up mattering, because I arrived a whole 10 minutes late anyways. After thinking hard on how to apologize in a chill but hireable way I walked in, got confused as hell because I had no idea where to go, and then worked up the courage to ask a random employee where the interview was. Eventually a manager came and took me to the office, and she didn't bring up at all my being late nor did I see any other interviewees (wasn't I supposed to be in a group??), but whatever, maybe she's willing to give me a chance and interview me alone so I don't interrupt the ongoing interview.
But she asked me who was supposed to interview me because it sure wasn't her, so I look it up on my phone... My interview was actually at Store B. The store next door that caters fills the exact same niche. I am stupid. But it's okay! I said, because I totally applied to this store too.
No, I did not. I applied to the Store A in my town, not the one in the next town over (where I was).
BUT EVEN SO! Without an appointment or even an application, she proceeded with the interview. AND!!!!!!! I got hired on the spot!(??????????). I just had to do the application when I got home (which I've done). I was like, no friggin' way, but she seemed quite happy to have stolen a possible employee from the next store over.
Conclusion: Just start walking into stores and lying about having an interview. You're welcome!
But that didn't up mattering, because I arrived a whole 10 minutes late anyways. After thinking hard on how to apologize in a chill but hireable way I walked in, got confused as hell because I had no idea where to go, and then worked up the courage to ask a random employee where the interview was. Eventually a manager came and took me to the office, and she didn't bring up at all my being late nor did I see any other interviewees (wasn't I supposed to be in a group??), but whatever, maybe she's willing to give me a chance and interview me alone so I don't interrupt the ongoing interview.
But she asked me who was supposed to interview me because it sure wasn't her, so I look it up on my phone... My interview was actually at Store B. The store next door that caters fills the exact same niche. I am stupid. But it's okay! I said, because I totally applied to this store too.
No, I did not. I applied to the Store A in my town, not the one in the next town over (where I was).
BUT EVEN SO! Without an appointment or even an application, she proceeded with the interview. AND!!!!!!! I got hired on the spot!(??????????). I just had to do the application when I got home (which I've done). I was like, no friggin' way, but she seemed quite happy to have stolen a possible employee from the next store over.
Conclusion: Just start walking into stores and lying about having an interview. You're welcome!
July Jams: Sarah McLachlan's Surfacing
Jul. 8th, 2026 02:46 pmsenmutAO3 Link | Sweet Surrender (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Xena: Warrior Princess
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Xena/Gabrielle [Xena: Warrior Princess]
Characters: Xena [Xena: Warrior Princess], Gabrielle [Xena: Warrior Princess]
Additional Tags: Drabble, Inspired by Music
Summary:
When she had set out on her path, choosing to help instead of conquer, Xena had known there was no going back. To go back would open her to the illusion of weakness. To go back would undo the strides of penance already walked.
Then there was Gabrielle. All of Xena's choices teetered on a dangerous edge when she realized that she would destroy the world ten times over to protect Gabrielle. The first kiss broke Xena and remade her. The gentle caress had her kneeling in prayer that no harm come.
Aphrodite's victory was Xena's surrender to her bard.
AO3 Link | I Love You (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Major Character Death
Characters: Samantha "Sam" Carter, Janet Frasier
Additional Tags: Drabble, Canonical Character Death, Inspired by Music
Summary:
From the moment Janet agreed to go on the mission, Sam had three little words she wanted to shout. All of their time spent together, all of the little ways Janet had included her in Cassandra's care circled around those three words.
Sam, consummate soldier and scientist alike, wrapped up the emotional turmoil and put it behind secure locks. There was work to be done; Dr. Fraiser would be taking as few risks as possible to fulfill her part of the mission.
Words remained unsaid, and a woman struggled with holding them back did not protect the ones she loved.
AO3 Link | Full of Grace (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: A Song of Ice and Fire & Related Fandoms
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Catelyn Tully Stark/Brienne of Tarth
Characters: Catelyn Tully Stark, Brienne of Tarth
Additional Tags: Drabble, Inspired by Music
Summary:
Catelyn Stark viewed the world around her with bitterness. Winter was coming, yes, but she'd never hear the septons say it would cost her her family this severely alongside the strength and peace of the lands.
She looked at the uncomely woman beside her, and the cold despair trying to take hold in her soul knew an easing. The days ahead would be harsh, filled with trials and pain, but where Catelyn walked, so too did a bastion of faith and strength.
"Brienne," she murmured. "The night air is cold. Retire with me."
With obedience and awe, her protector did.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Xena: Warrior Princess
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Xena/Gabrielle [Xena: Warrior Princess]
Characters: Xena [Xena: Warrior Princess], Gabrielle [Xena: Warrior Princess]
Additional Tags: Drabble, Inspired by Music
Summary:
Xena's contemplation of her chosen path
"Sweet Surrender"
When she had set out on her path, choosing to help instead of conquer, Xena had known there was no going back. To go back would open her to the illusion of weakness. To go back would undo the strides of penance already walked.
Then there was Gabrielle. All of Xena's choices teetered on a dangerous edge when she realized that she would destroy the world ten times over to protect Gabrielle. The first kiss broke Xena and remade her. The gentle caress had her kneeling in prayer that no harm come.
Aphrodite's victory was Xena's surrender to her bard.
AO3 Link | I Love You (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Major Character Death
Characters: Samantha "Sam" Carter, Janet Frasier
Additional Tags: Drabble, Canonical Character Death, Inspired by Music
Summary:
Sam has three little words never said...
"I Love You"
From the moment Janet agreed to go on the mission, Sam had three little words she wanted to shout. All of their time spent together, all of the little ways Janet had included her in Cassandra's care circled around those three words.
Sam, consummate soldier and scientist alike, wrapped up the emotional turmoil and put it behind secure locks. There was work to be done; Dr. Fraiser would be taking as few risks as possible to fulfill her part of the mission.
Words remained unsaid, and a woman struggled with holding them back did not protect the ones she loved.
AO3 Link | Full of Grace (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: A Song of Ice and Fire & Related Fandoms
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Catelyn Tully Stark/Brienne of Tarth
Characters: Catelyn Tully Stark, Brienne of Tarth
Additional Tags: Drabble, Inspired by Music
Summary:
Catelyn has one comfort against the coming winter
"Full of Grace"
Catelyn Stark viewed the world around her with bitterness. Winter was coming, yes, but she'd never hear the septons say it would cost her her family this severely alongside the strength and peace of the lands.
She looked at the uncomely woman beside her, and the cold despair trying to take hold in her soul knew an easing. The days ahead would be harsh, filled with trials and pain, but where Catelyn walked, so too did a bastion of faith and strength.
"Brienne," she murmured. "The night air is cold. Retire with me."
With obedience and awe, her protector did.