One Wonderous Sunset, One Final Blaze of Glory
Dec. 28th, 2025 01:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
glindaIt's the end of the year, and I’ve got time for one last album for this challenge.
In a year when it felt like everyone in my age bracket was obsessed with Oasis going back on tour, the equivalent band for me, Pulp, released a new album and went out on tour. (I was 11 going on 12 when I first heard Disco 2000, it was on a funny shaped sample CD that my dad got as a freebie somewhere, he brought it home, handed it to me and said ‘you’re going to love that one’ and I was hugely annoyed he was right. Different Class was the album that defined my teen years - it rewired something in my brain.) I’m mostly glad I didn’t try and get tickets after all, the surprisingly large number of clips of their Glasgow gig, were up in the gods of the Hydro which is realistically where I’d have ended up and overall if I couldn’t have been down on the floor, I was just as well just watching their ‘surprise’ Glastonbury gig. (It was the 30th anniversary of their classic Glasto performance when they were at the height of their fame.) I really loved both the singles they released from it - I was doing a lot of driving for work, and despite how much 6Music over played them both, I never got sick of either track - and the new bits I heard on the Glasto set so I fully intended to pick up a copy of the album - More. I just never got round to it, until the end of November when I was looking for a pick me up in HMV and spotted a ‘colour’ vinyl edition in the twofer deal - I got Air’s Moon Safari an album I’ve loved for years, but only ever had it ripped from an friend’s copy - and knew that was exactly what I needed.
(And because Pulp absolutely know their audience, particularly for the vinyl edition, there's an insert with both production details and all the lyrics - seriously bands underestimate how much added value having the lyrics provides. Also I got the 'green' vinyl addition and it's just a gorgeous shade of bottle green which makes a gorgeous contrast with the orange on the central label. Just nice simple design. When Jarvis and Candida from the band were interviewed by Jo Whiley after the Glastonbury gig, Candida noted that when they’d all got together to rehearse they’d felt excited to make music together again for the first time in ages and I think you can tell, it really feels like an album made by a band enjoying making music together. I mean they’ve been a band together for longer than my entire life, when they released their breakout album His and Hers in 1994 they’d been going for like 16 years! It’s nice to think they just get back together every so often because it’s still fun to make music together.)
It was a great choice. Got to Have Love and Spike Island are still clearly the stand out tracks - classic Pulp tracks - but listening to it on vinyl, just letting it play while I was doing other things was a great way to let the rest of the album soak into my brain. Tracks I’d probably have skipped over in digital format, or even just on CD for being a bit blah, have settled into my brain and become favourites. It’s such a middle-aged album and I love it, just listening to Jarvis’ wry dead-pan commentary on life and love, that mixture of cynicism and hopefulness that is their trademark, is soothing to me. The stripped back beauty of some tracks versus the lush production of tracks like The Hymn of the North an album that reminds me why I still love this band so much. I was going to pick out my favourite tracks to talk about - Grown ups and Background Noise - but the more I listen to the album the more I fall in love with it all the tracks. It’s not often that one of your favourite bands from your teens gets back together and makes one of their best albums - I’ve been lucky Skunk Anansie came back with a banger in the form of Black Traffic but that was 2013, I think, it doesn’t happen a lot - and I’m so glad they did.
In a year when it felt like everyone in my age bracket was obsessed with Oasis going back on tour, the equivalent band for me, Pulp, released a new album and went out on tour. (I was 11 going on 12 when I first heard Disco 2000, it was on a funny shaped sample CD that my dad got as a freebie somewhere, he brought it home, handed it to me and said ‘you’re going to love that one’ and I was hugely annoyed he was right. Different Class was the album that defined my teen years - it rewired something in my brain.) I’m mostly glad I didn’t try and get tickets after all, the surprisingly large number of clips of their Glasgow gig, were up in the gods of the Hydro which is realistically where I’d have ended up and overall if I couldn’t have been down on the floor, I was just as well just watching their ‘surprise’ Glastonbury gig. (It was the 30th anniversary of their classic Glasto performance when they were at the height of their fame.) I really loved both the singles they released from it - I was doing a lot of driving for work, and despite how much 6Music over played them both, I never got sick of either track - and the new bits I heard on the Glasto set so I fully intended to pick up a copy of the album - More. I just never got round to it, until the end of November when I was looking for a pick me up in HMV and spotted a ‘colour’ vinyl edition in the twofer deal - I got Air’s Moon Safari an album I’ve loved for years, but only ever had it ripped from an friend’s copy - and knew that was exactly what I needed.
(And because Pulp absolutely know their audience, particularly for the vinyl edition, there's an insert with both production details and all the lyrics - seriously bands underestimate how much added value having the lyrics provides. Also I got the 'green' vinyl addition and it's just a gorgeous shade of bottle green which makes a gorgeous contrast with the orange on the central label. Just nice simple design. When Jarvis and Candida from the band were interviewed by Jo Whiley after the Glastonbury gig, Candida noted that when they’d all got together to rehearse they’d felt excited to make music together again for the first time in ages and I think you can tell, it really feels like an album made by a band enjoying making music together. I mean they’ve been a band together for longer than my entire life, when they released their breakout album His and Hers in 1994 they’d been going for like 16 years! It’s nice to think they just get back together every so often because it’s still fun to make music together.)
It was a great choice. Got to Have Love and Spike Island are still clearly the stand out tracks - classic Pulp tracks - but listening to it on vinyl, just letting it play while I was doing other things was a great way to let the rest of the album soak into my brain. Tracks I’d probably have skipped over in digital format, or even just on CD for being a bit blah, have settled into my brain and become favourites. It’s such a middle-aged album and I love it, just listening to Jarvis’ wry dead-pan commentary on life and love, that mixture of cynicism and hopefulness that is their trademark, is soothing to me. The stripped back beauty of some tracks versus the lush production of tracks like The Hymn of the North an album that reminds me why I still love this band so much. I was going to pick out my favourite tracks to talk about - Grown ups and Background Noise - but the more I listen to the album the more I fall in love with it all the tracks. It’s not often that one of your favourite bands from your teens gets back together and makes one of their best albums - I’ve been lucky Skunk Anansie came back with a banger in the form of Black Traffic but that was 2013, I think, it doesn’t happen a lot - and I’m so glad they did.
Teaser for end of year reading recap
Dec. 28th, 2025 01:49 pmvivdunstanStarted writing my end of year annual reading recap. 58 books finished this year, over 16,000 pages worth. Mostly read on my Kindle with an utterly gargantuan font. Delighted to still be managing to read, albeit with ever increasing difficulty, as my neurological disease progresses further.
Just one thing: 28 December 2025
Dec. 28th, 2025 07:48 amjazzyjj posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
December Days 02025 #27: Sysadmin
Dec. 27th, 2025 11:20 pmsilveradeptIt's December Days time again. This year, I have decided that I'm going to talk about skills and applications thereof, if for no other reason than because I am prone to both the fixed mindset and the downplaying of any skills that I might have obtained as not "real" skills because they do not fit some form of ideal.
( 27: Sysadmin )
( 27: Sysadmin )
Sunday Secrets
Dec. 28th, 2025 12:20 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
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See the secrets, read the stories, share your confession. Visit Now
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Yuletide recs (part 1)
Dec. 27th, 2025 09:26 pmsnickfic posting in yuletideSeven recs at my journal for:
True Detective: Night Country
Kyle Murchison Booth Stories
Companion
Kraken
My Sister and the Prince
Dragonriders of Pern (2x)
True Detective: Night Country
Kyle Murchison Booth Stories
Companion
Kraken
My Sister and the Prince
Dragonriders of Pern (2x)
🥳
Dec. 28th, 2025 03:05 amgoodbyebirdMy favorite thing about birthdays is emotional blackmail, so my birthday wish is you watch the pilot for Interview With The Vampire.
If you already have, my wish is you post about your Christmas tree if you have one. I'd love to hear about your favorite decoration - especially if it's old or you made it as a kid! - see a picture even.
Love y'all ❤️
If you already have, my wish is you post about your Christmas tree if you have one. I'd love to hear about your favorite decoration - especially if it's old or you made it as a kid! - see a picture even.
Love y'all ❤️
Pass It On 6
Dec. 27th, 2025 05:08 pmchocolatefrogs posting in iconthat
https://res.cloudinary.com/dc2cefbey/image/upload/v1766884181/ay5y_z3mpdd.jpg
Next picture: Christopher Pike (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)
a handful of Yuletide recs
Dec. 27th, 2025 06:06 pmisisDecember has been busy-busy for me between Yuletide preparation (as a mod) and Yuletide preparation (as a participant who also took on a pinch hit), but now, ahh, everything is done and I can reap the rewards!
My awesome gift (5-minute fandom: British Airways "May We Haveth One's Attention" Safety Video):
A British Original: Discovering Haddersford House and Its Residents (2248 words, gen)
Summary: A magazine article from the world where characters in costume drama occasionally come to life of their own--and stick around after the cameras stop rolling and the crews have gone home.
I really had no idea what to expect from this request (just that I had to have something about this marvelous video!) and I love how it's played with an absolutely straight face. Also, there's a nod to Planet Vancouver, hee!
Speaking of the ridiculous played straight, this is understandable (and hilarious) with only osmosis knowledge of The Godfather:
An Offer You Can’t Refuse (Unless You’re Lactose Intolerant) (1008 words, Godfather movies, gen)
Summary: On the day of his daughter’s guinea pig’s wedding, Don Vito Corleone received a request he could not immediately refuse.
Absolutely the best Godfather fic ever.
The rest of my recs really do require canon knowledge, but I know many of you know these canons:
Memories Are Made of This (4002 words, Northern Exposure, Ed Chigliak-centered ensemble gen)
Summary: “So this is Cicely,” Ed said, gazing wide-eyed up and down Main Street. “Where’s the rest of it?”
This is wonderful - like an episode of the show, warm and funny and a little bit off-kilter.
Hoar and Hound (2236 words, Cadfael Chronicles, Brother Cadfael-centered gen)
Summary: On a frigidly cold December night, Cadfael follows a trail through the abbey grounds.
A lovely, thoughtful portrait of the abbey and of Cadfael. The way he quietly assesses the needs of the people (and creatures) around him is perfectly in tune with canon.
Dis Manibus (1364 words, Frontier Wolf, Alexios/Cunorix, Alexios/Hilarion, G)
Summary: Alexios goes out to make an offering to the shades of the dead, but he does not go alone.
This is lovely and tender and measured, and has something of Sutcliff in the descriptions. For me Alexios/Hilarion only works if it honors the close friendship between Alexios and Cunorix, before things went bad - and this is perfect.
We Greet the Peoples of the Tower (1717 words but heavily illustrated; Chants of Sennaar, gen)
Summary: There are some oddly regular scratch marks on a wall in the Alchemists' level...
Basically this is a fangame (though the game part is optional; the first set of chapters are illustrations with glyphs as in the game, and the second half holds the translations), a whole new level in which the Monster goes seeking the other peoples to assert he is a human and their brother. It's a moving story that fits with the game themes, and it's just very cool!
Actually, if you've played Chants of Sennaar, I recommend all the Yuletide works for the game as the fandom has clearly brought its A-game, they're all great. (The one above is just extraordinarily so!) And there are two Madness works I haven't even looked at yet!
My awesome gift (5-minute fandom: British Airways "May We Haveth One's Attention" Safety Video):
A British Original: Discovering Haddersford House and Its Residents (2248 words, gen)
Summary: A magazine article from the world where characters in costume drama occasionally come to life of their own--and stick around after the cameras stop rolling and the crews have gone home.
I really had no idea what to expect from this request (just that I had to have something about this marvelous video!) and I love how it's played with an absolutely straight face. Also, there's a nod to Planet Vancouver, hee!
Speaking of the ridiculous played straight, this is understandable (and hilarious) with only osmosis knowledge of The Godfather:
An Offer You Can’t Refuse (Unless You’re Lactose Intolerant) (1008 words, Godfather movies, gen)
Summary: On the day of his daughter’s guinea pig’s wedding, Don Vito Corleone received a request he could not immediately refuse.
Absolutely the best Godfather fic ever.
The rest of my recs really do require canon knowledge, but I know many of you know these canons:
Memories Are Made of This (4002 words, Northern Exposure, Ed Chigliak-centered ensemble gen)
Summary: “So this is Cicely,” Ed said, gazing wide-eyed up and down Main Street. “Where’s the rest of it?”
This is wonderful - like an episode of the show, warm and funny and a little bit off-kilter.
Hoar and Hound (2236 words, Cadfael Chronicles, Brother Cadfael-centered gen)
Summary: On a frigidly cold December night, Cadfael follows a trail through the abbey grounds.
A lovely, thoughtful portrait of the abbey and of Cadfael. The way he quietly assesses the needs of the people (and creatures) around him is perfectly in tune with canon.
Dis Manibus (1364 words, Frontier Wolf, Alexios/Cunorix, Alexios/Hilarion, G)
Summary: Alexios goes out to make an offering to the shades of the dead, but he does not go alone.
This is lovely and tender and measured, and has something of Sutcliff in the descriptions. For me Alexios/Hilarion only works if it honors the close friendship between Alexios and Cunorix, before things went bad - and this is perfect.
We Greet the Peoples of the Tower (1717 words but heavily illustrated; Chants of Sennaar, gen)
Summary: There are some oddly regular scratch marks on a wall in the Alchemists' level...
Basically this is a fangame (though the game part is optional; the first set of chapters are illustrations with glyphs as in the game, and the second half holds the translations), a whole new level in which the Monster goes seeking the other peoples to assert he is a human and their brother. It's a moving story that fits with the game themes, and it's just very cool!
Actually, if you've played Chants of Sennaar, I recommend all the Yuletide works for the game as the fandom has clearly brought its A-game, they're all great. (The one above is just extraordinarily so!) And there are two Madness works I haven't even looked at yet!
Celebrating 25 years of Bernice Summerfield at Big Finish
Dec. 28th, 2025 01:03 amvivdunstanSharing this for other fans of sometime Doctor Who companion Bernice “Benny” Summerfield, whether in novel, comic or audio form. I’m not sure why Big Finish are posting this on YouTube now, 2 years after Benny’s Big Finish 25th anniversary. But it is a nice documentary regardless.
I will be resuming my listen through of the Big Finish Benny audios in the New Year.
I will be resuming my listen through of the Big Finish Benny audios in the New Year.
Various Links 12/22-12/27
Dec. 27th, 2025 06:24 pmsenmutBack on, I think, the correct day. (Look, Thursday was a Sunday, Friday was a Monday, today is a Sunday, tomorrow is supposedly a Sunday)
~ North American Indigenous Santa Dance - video, performer is known as "Powwow Santa"
~ Cat figuring how to get in out of a vase - video
~ Frame-slowed, colorized Victorian snowball fight - video
~ The LGBT bookstore saves a man - text, untranscribed, mention of self harm and suicidal ideation (old post, but I reblog when I see it to remember what FAMILY is)
~ Knitted wedding dress - photos and text
~ Trumpeteer gets an unexpected accompaniment - video, sound needed
~ Stonehenge Solstice Cat art - picture
~ North American Indigenous Santa Dance - video, performer is known as "Powwow Santa"
~ Cat figuring how to get in out of a vase - video
~ Frame-slowed, colorized Victorian snowball fight - video
~ The LGBT bookstore saves a man - text, untranscribed, mention of self harm and suicidal ideation (old post, but I reblog when I see it to remember what FAMILY is)
~ Knitted wedding dress - photos and text
~ Trumpeteer gets an unexpected accompaniment - video, sound needed
~ Stonehenge Solstice Cat art - picture
Pass It On 6
Dec. 27th, 2025 12:26 pmchocolatefrogs posting in iconthat
https://res.cloudinary.com/dc2cefbey/image/upload/v1766868187/bzfbf_fdv6n7.jpg
Next picture: Christopher Pike (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)
not being extremely into D&D, I still stand by this *firm nod*
Dec. 27th, 2025 09:33 pmgoodbyebirdNot to be pedantic, but I wouldn't say Will is a wizard or a sorcerer; surely this is warlock territory.
Also, sitting on a shiny new icon that a) I can't upload because it's for an icontest, and b) I'll have to delete another before uploading, well. *sullenly kicks rocks*
( spoilery for 5x06 )
I wasn't a big fan of the first four episodes, but these two have been very entertaining indeed. Cool visuals! Emotional payoffs! Two thumbs up.
Also, sitting on a shiny new icon that a) I can't upload because it's for an icontest, and b) I'll have to delete another before uploading, well. *sullenly kicks rocks*
( spoilery for 5x06 )
I wasn't a big fan of the first four episodes, but these two have been very entertaining indeed. Cool visuals! Emotional payoffs! Two thumbs up.
7 Recs
Dec. 27th, 2025 01:04 pmkaranguni posting in yuletideI bring a quick 7 recs in 6 fandoms at my journal for
- The Bedlam Stacks (backstory! Keita! Merrick!)
- The Way of the Househusband (domesticity! But also porn!)
- Antique Bakery (Ono and Tachibana in the mountains!)
- Wimbledon (Peter is an idiot! But sort of okay at tennis!)
- Cthulhu Mythos (Dream Cycle Randolph brings horrors to the yard!)
- Snake Fight Portion of Your Thesis Defence/Rivers of London (no more need said!)
Infrastructure rumbles back into life
Dec. 27th, 2025 07:51 pmcosmolinguistI enjoyed the last week or so of various celebratory meals and seeing people and getting/giving gifts.
But it's so exciting to have a normal day now.
One of the recycling bins will be emptied tomorrow!
I can go to the gym for the first time in two weeks! (I didn't, I was too tired (I keep forgetting to eat! I don't get hungry but I get exhausted!) but I can look forward to it tomorrow.)
We walking Teddy again today! (They've had visitors and others who asked to do it over the holiday, he is that much of a treat to walk.) All three of us could join it today, which was really nice; D got a cute selfie of us all and everything.
I can get a delivery slot for groceries again! (Tesco will bring us stuff tomorrow afternoon!)
Most importantly, normal stuff is happening but I am still off work. I am so tired I'm still sleeping a lot and tired all day.
Yuletide Recs!
Dec. 27th, 2025 11:52 amrachelmanija posting in yuletideRecs in Chalion/World of the Five Gods - Lois McMaster Bujold, Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey, Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin, FAQ: The "Snake Fight" Portion of Your Thesis Defense - Luke Burns, The Long Walk - Stephen King, "The Lottery" - Shirley Jackson; New Yorker RPF, Lyra series/Caught in Crystal - Patricia Wrede, Mushishi, Some Like It Hot, Watership Down - Richard Adams.
At my DW, with commentary.
At my DW, with commentary.
Yuletide Recs!
Dec. 27th, 2025 11:51 amrachelmanijaHere are some Yuletide recs, sorted for your reading pleasure by whether or not you need to know the canon.
Do Not Need to Know Canon
Chalion/World of the Five Gods - Lois McMaster Bujold
a knock at your front door. I think all you need to know to read this story is that there are five Gods - the Mother, the Father, the Son, the Daughter, and the Bastard - who are definitely real but rarely interfere in human affairs. They can, however, make people saints - able to do limited miracles - if they need to. This story deals with the Father, the God least-explored in canon, and is set in modern-day Chalion. It's got a clever look at what modern Chalion might be like, a very likable main character, and some beautiful writing.
FAQ: The "Snake Fight" Portion of Your Thesis Defense - Luke Burns
If you've never read the canon, I've linked it above. It's extremely short and you will be glad you did. There are other "Snake Fight" stories and they're all fun.
Snake Logistics for Spring Defenses. Some students are just begging for a black mamba.
Need to Know Canon
Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
find the true. Mirrim and F'lar have a chat at a Gather. I enjoyed this conversation between two characters who I don't think ever exchange words in canon. Good characterization, good atmosphere.
Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin
to be useful, if not free. My gift! A backstory/canon diverge AU for Serret, the enchantress in A Wizard of Earthsea. Beautifully written, beautifully structured.
The Long Walk - Stephen King
There's No Discharge in the War. Stebbins in a time loop. Long, intense, often horrifying, sometimes very moving, and cleverly constructed story about Stebbins and the other Walkers.
"The Lottery" - Shirley Jackson; New Yorker RPF
Why one small American town won’t stop stoning its residents to death. Isaac Chotiner interviews the guy who runs the lottery in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery." If you've never heard of him, he's a journalist who's very good at letting people hang themselves with their own words. The story is dead-on, hilarious, and chilling.
Lyra series/Caught in Crystal - Patricia Wrede
Three Things That Might Have Happened to Kayl Larrinar. My treat! A very satisfyingly bittersweet canon divergence AU for Kayl's Star Cluster, full of camaraderie and atmosphere.
Mushishi
I want to taste the shadows, too. A lovely little casefic/character study about Adashino, the guy who collects mushi-related stuff. It really feels like an episode of the anime, especially the final portion.
Some Like It Hot
Anchors Away. A short and very sweet post-movie coda.
Watership Down - Richard Adams
There is no bargain. Five encounters with The Black Rabbit of Inlé. An exploration of how the Black Rabbit is different things to different rabbits in different circumstances, very well-done, sometimes moving, sometimes chilling. The Black Rabbit is Death, so warning for rabbit death.
What have you enjoyed in the collection?
Do Not Need to Know Canon
Chalion/World of the Five Gods - Lois McMaster Bujold
a knock at your front door. I think all you need to know to read this story is that there are five Gods - the Mother, the Father, the Son, the Daughter, and the Bastard - who are definitely real but rarely interfere in human affairs. They can, however, make people saints - able to do limited miracles - if they need to. This story deals with the Father, the God least-explored in canon, and is set in modern-day Chalion. It's got a clever look at what modern Chalion might be like, a very likable main character, and some beautiful writing.
FAQ: The "Snake Fight" Portion of Your Thesis Defense - Luke Burns
If you've never read the canon, I've linked it above. It's extremely short and you will be glad you did. There are other "Snake Fight" stories and they're all fun.
Snake Logistics for Spring Defenses. Some students are just begging for a black mamba.
Need to Know Canon
Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
find the true. Mirrim and F'lar have a chat at a Gather. I enjoyed this conversation between two characters who I don't think ever exchange words in canon. Good characterization, good atmosphere.
Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin
to be useful, if not free. My gift! A backstory/canon diverge AU for Serret, the enchantress in A Wizard of Earthsea. Beautifully written, beautifully structured.
The Long Walk - Stephen King
There's No Discharge in the War. Stebbins in a time loop. Long, intense, often horrifying, sometimes very moving, and cleverly constructed story about Stebbins and the other Walkers.
"The Lottery" - Shirley Jackson; New Yorker RPF
Why one small American town won’t stop stoning its residents to death. Isaac Chotiner interviews the guy who runs the lottery in Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery." If you've never heard of him, he's a journalist who's very good at letting people hang themselves with their own words. The story is dead-on, hilarious, and chilling.
Lyra series/Caught in Crystal - Patricia Wrede
Three Things That Might Have Happened to Kayl Larrinar. My treat! A very satisfyingly bittersweet canon divergence AU for Kayl's Star Cluster, full of camaraderie and atmosphere.
Mushishi
I want to taste the shadows, too. A lovely little casefic/character study about Adashino, the guy who collects mushi-related stuff. It really feels like an episode of the anime, especially the final portion.
Some Like It Hot
Anchors Away. A short and very sweet post-movie coda.
Watership Down - Richard Adams
There is no bargain. Five encounters with The Black Rabbit of Inlé. An exploration of how the Black Rabbit is different things to different rabbits in different circumstances, very well-done, sometimes moving, sometimes chilling. The Black Rabbit is Death, so warning for rabbit death.
What have you enjoyed in the collection?
Pass It On 6
Dec. 27th, 2025 11:43 aminnitmarvelous_og posting in iconthat
Link: https://i.imgur.com/WyJaVLU.jpg
Next: The Avengers (2012)
Uh there is a problem: I just noticed there was a picture change for the next ison after I made my icon. Mod, what should I do?
It was this picture:
( Read more... )
My Yuletide present this year!
Dec. 27th, 2025 09:37 amdorindaI got a Nero Wolfe story for Yuletide this year, a Saul/Nero with a fitting hint of Saul/Archie!
Frozen Pipes and An Unassuming Smile (3319 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Nero Wolfe - Rex Stout
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Saul Panzer/Nero Wolfe
Characters: Nero Wolfe, Saul Panzer, Archie Goodwin, Fritz Brenner
Additional Tags: little sprinkle of Archie/Saul just because. i mean have we read the books
Summary: His Christmas plans ruined by an iced-over interstate, Archie comes home unexpectedly to find someone else in his chair. Now he has to figure out why Saul Panzer's in the brownstone and why Wolfe is being so damnably cagey about it before—Well, actually, he doesn't have to figure it out at all. But he's bored and he's curious, so...
The dynamic between Saul Panzer and Nero Wolfe in the books is extremely enjoyable, though of course never center stage. They have a lot in common and are personal friends, and Saul pops up in some very intimate places, including one book where Wolfe reveals that Saul is asleep up in Wolfe's own room (!) after an exhausting patch of casework.
So my signup included interest in Saul/Wolfe (as well as Saul/Archie and Archie/Wolfe), and my author ended up writing the first entry in the Saul/Wolfe tag! One of its delights is that it also gives us a good characterization of Archie, as he tries to solve this mystery propelled by his own affronted sense of territoriality re: Wolfe. It's a very cozy brownstone story, with delicious meals, and Fritz of course knowing everything. :D
Frozen Pipes and An Unassuming Smile (3319 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Nero Wolfe - Rex Stout
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Saul Panzer/Nero Wolfe
Characters: Nero Wolfe, Saul Panzer, Archie Goodwin, Fritz Brenner
Additional Tags: little sprinkle of Archie/Saul just because. i mean have we read the books
Summary: His Christmas plans ruined by an iced-over interstate, Archie comes home unexpectedly to find someone else in his chair. Now he has to figure out why Saul Panzer's in the brownstone and why Wolfe is being so damnably cagey about it before—Well, actually, he doesn't have to figure it out at all. But he's bored and he's curious, so...
The dynamic between Saul Panzer and Nero Wolfe in the books is extremely enjoyable, though of course never center stage. They have a lot in common and are personal friends, and Saul pops up in some very intimate places, including one book where Wolfe reveals that Saul is asleep up in Wolfe's own room (!) after an exhausting patch of casework.
So my signup included interest in Saul/Wolfe (as well as Saul/Archie and Archie/Wolfe), and my author ended up writing the first entry in the Saul/Wolfe tag! One of its delights is that it also gives us a good characterization of Archie, as he tries to solve this mystery propelled by his own affronted sense of territoriality re: Wolfe. It's a very cozy brownstone story, with delicious meals, and Fritz of course knowing everything. :D
epigramma de (neglegenter) heteroclitis verborum formis linguae akkadicae recentioris
Dec. 27th, 2025 01:12 pmThe end of Heated Rivalry season 1
Dec. 28th, 2025 12:36 ammificSo season one is over, and we have to wait a year and a bit for season 2, because the script isn't written yet (whereas a year ago Jacob Tierney had the S1 script completed). I've already watched the existing eps at least twice, some three times, and have watched popular scenes many more times than that, in gifs.
Watching episode six was such a trip as by then I was fully immersed in the fandom. It dropped here at 7pm each time, and I made myself wait until after 9pm when it was dark before watching, as I like to be cocooned in a lighted bubble with the show. Then after the ep was finished I went to tumblr for the gifs, reactions, and meta, and today I rewatched it, picking up several small things others had noticed and blogged about. I'll rewatch the show again off and on - it's a comfort watch for me now - and while we wait for season 2 there'll be art, and fanfic.
( Read more... )
And in 2026 we'll get Connor in his first movie as a protagonist: April X. Dystopian sci-fi, already gathering kudos and in final production.
Watching episode six was such a trip as by then I was fully immersed in the fandom. It dropped here at 7pm each time, and I made myself wait until after 9pm when it was dark before watching, as I like to be cocooned in a lighted bubble with the show. Then after the ep was finished I went to tumblr for the gifs, reactions, and meta, and today I rewatched it, picking up several small things others had noticed and blogged about. I'll rewatch the show again off and on - it's a comfort watch for me now - and while we wait for season 2 there'll be art, and fanfic.
( Read more... )
And in 2026 we'll get Connor in his first movie as a protagonist: April X. Dystopian sci-fi, already gathering kudos and in final production.
Just One Thing (27 December 2025)
Dec. 27th, 2025 12:21 pmnanila posting in awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
(no subject)
Dec. 27th, 2025 10:58 ambeluosusdemum bruma venit requiescitque algida tellus
gens tremebunda gelu subsidet ante focum
emoritur fugiens annus ; stant duriter orsa
aut oblita cadunt — pigra manus, cor iners
ausculte in tenebris : canit perdulce Camena nivosa
suscipe nam calamum ; denique finis adest
gens tremebunda gelu subsidet ante focum
emoritur fugiens annus ; stant duriter orsa
aut oblita cadunt — pigra manus, cor iners
ausculte in tenebris : canit perdulce Camena nivosa
suscipe nam calamum ; denique finis adest
December Days 02025 #26: Rocks
Dec. 26th, 2025 11:15 pmsilveradeptIt's December Days time again. This year, I have decided that I'm going to talk about skills and applications thereof, if for no other reason than because I am prone to both the fixed mindset and the downplaying of any skills that I might have obtained as not "real" skills because they do not fit some form of ideal.
( 26: Rocks )
( 26: Rocks )
Game Changers (Heated Rivalry): Love Takes Miles by corsi
Dec. 27th, 2025 08:06 pmmific posting in fancakeFandom: Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry
Characters/Pairings: OFCs, Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Scott Hunter/Kip Grady, Hayden Pike, Troy Barrett, mentions of many HR characters
Rating: Teen
Length: 6937
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply. Some mentions of homophobia and slurs.
Creator Links: corsi on AO3
Themes: Outsider POV, Unconventional format & style, Epistolary, Worldbuilding, Fans and fandom
Summary:
yaratroycabaret
Reccer's Notes: This is courtesy of a rec incathexys' journal. It's another fic told through snippets from invented social media posts across about ten years, following the development, within the universe of Heated Rivalry, of hockey rpf fandom, mainly focusing on Hollanov (Ilya/Shane). It's extraordinarily well done, and although the story of Shane and Ilya's decade-long love affair is the core thread, the real tale is of the rpf fandom, specifically a few devoted fans. The poignancy and brilliance of this fic is the portraits it paints of fanwriters and young fans, immersed in the fandom while they grow and develop, moving through their own life stages and dramas while posting about the hockey players they love, especially Hollanov. And in the end, of course, the Hollanov truthers are resoundingly vindicated. The formatting makes it clear that we're seeing posts on tumblr, livejournal, AO3, Reddit, Twitter, etc., with different types of fandom on each platform. Hilarious and touching, this is a wonderful read, and the details are meticulous and very funny.
PS: It may help to know in advance (as these may be hockey rpf terms with which I was unfamiliar) that 2481 is code for Hollander/Rozanov (their jersey numbers), and 2435 is Hollander/Pike. MHL is the Major Hockey League, HR's version of the NHL. Some details in the fic will probably only make sense if you've read the books.
PPS: Also, there's a fictional recs list by "ice knives" partway through, and I want to read ALL OF THEM!
Fanwork Links: Love Takes Miles (read it in creator's style if you can, for the formatting)
Characters/Pairings: OFCs, Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov, Scott Hunter/Kip Grady, Hayden Pike, Troy Barrett, mentions of many HR characters
Rating: Teen
Length: 6937
Content Notes: no AO3 warnings apply. Some mentions of homophobia and slurs.
Creator Links: corsi on AO3
Themes: Outsider POV, Unconventional format & style, Epistolary, Worldbuilding, Fans and fandom
Summary:
yara
troycabarettried to get oomf into hockey and now she's obsessed with FUCKING HOLLANOV? THEY'RE 50 YEARS OLD
Or: Ten years, as seen through fandom.
Reccer's Notes: This is courtesy of a rec in
cathexys' journal. It's another fic told through snippets from invented social media posts across about ten years, following the development, within the universe of Heated Rivalry, of hockey rpf fandom, mainly focusing on Hollanov (Ilya/Shane). It's extraordinarily well done, and although the story of Shane and Ilya's decade-long love affair is the core thread, the real tale is of the rpf fandom, specifically a few devoted fans. The poignancy and brilliance of this fic is the portraits it paints of fanwriters and young fans, immersed in the fandom while they grow and develop, moving through their own life stages and dramas while posting about the hockey players they love, especially Hollanov. And in the end, of course, the Hollanov truthers are resoundingly vindicated. The formatting makes it clear that we're seeing posts on tumblr, livejournal, AO3, Reddit, Twitter, etc., with different types of fandom on each platform. Hilarious and touching, this is a wonderful read, and the details are meticulous and very funny. PS: It may help to know in advance (as these may be hockey rpf terms with which I was unfamiliar) that 2481 is code for Hollander/Rozanov (their jersey numbers), and 2435 is Hollander/Pike. MHL is the Major Hockey League, HR's version of the NHL. Some details in the fic will probably only make sense if you've read the books.
PPS: Also, there's a fictional recs list by "ice knives" partway through, and I want to read ALL OF THEM!
Fanwork Links: Love Takes Miles (read it in creator's style if you can, for the formatting)
Biggles promptfic (finishing up the year)
Dec. 26th, 2025 08:48 pmsholioWrapping up this year's prompts! This isn't entirely the last of them, but I think after this one, I'm done with the ones that sparked story ideas, so I'll be declaring prompt amnesty and starting over fresh in the new year.
Gen, late in canon, Erich + team with perhaps slight EvS/Biggles undertones, 1800 wds
Originally posted on Tumblr
( 1800 wds under the cut )
The prompt, which is somewhat spoilery for the fic
[from an anon] Biggles prompt- on a case they run into/are made to work with someone who was nasty to Biggles in his school-days, who tries to renew such treatment, and EvS, also involved with whatever they're investigating, finds himself possessed of both an unexpected protective urge and in the rare position to offer his own "you're better than the people you're working for" speechGen, late in canon, Erich + team with perhaps slight EvS/Biggles undertones, 1800 wds
Originally posted on Tumblr
( 1800 wds under the cut )
(no subject)
Dec. 26th, 2025 10:40 pmskygiantsEvery year I'm like "I should really read the Neon Hemlock novellas" and then perhaps I actually manage to get around to reading one of them, but this year I ... thought I had read all of them because I thought there were only four published but it turns out in fact now that I check there were several more than that. Well! I read four of them! They were all very gay and very tropey; under these subheadings, I enjoyed two of them quite a bit, one of them didn't hit for me, and the last one I found incredibly frustrating, for personal reasons.
The two I liked were No Such Thing as Duty, by Lara Elena Donnelly, and The Oblivion Bride, by Caitlin Starling. Both of these have a definite air of fanfiction about them: No Such Thing As Duty is a 'what if my favorite historical guy met a sexy vampire' fic, the favorite historical guy in question is W. Somerset Maughan. I have come to the conclusion that I'm really quite charmed by this sort of thing as long as the favorite historical guy in question is not a pre-existing big seller like Christopher Marlowe or Charlotte Bronte but someone who I actually have to look up:* the author's real victory is in making me Wikipedia their special historical guy and go 'whoa, sure, lot going on here actually'
*I'm aware this is very subjective and there are many people out there who don't have to go to Google to know basic things about W. Somerset Maughan. But they ARE a lot fewer I think than the people who don't have to go to Google to know basic things about i.e. Lord Byron. That said, if you are experiencing boredom at the idea of Yet Another Sexy W. Somserset Maughan fic, I'd love to know about it.
The Oblivion Bride meanwhile is a classic Lesbian Arranged Marriage fic that, per the author's note, appears to have grown out of a Dishonored fic the author wrote several years back. I don't know anything about Dishonored so I can't tell you much about that. What I can tell you is that she's a normalgirl cadet member of an important family who's been thrust into an important political position because all her actual aristocratic relatives have mysteriously died, she's an icy cold Murder Alchemist General and also Magical Detective who's marrying her by order of the prince to solve the mysterious deaths and keep the political assets in the hands of someone loyal to the throne; could they actually fall in love? The answer will shock you! Anyway, I like tropes, and I like lesbians, and I like that Caitlin Starling is never afraid to lean into her id; I was as happy to read this in novella form as I would have been on AO3.
The Dead Withheld by L.D. Lewis is the one that didn't quite hit for me -- it's a supernatural noir about a PI who can talk to the dead investigating the cold case death of her wife, and it is doing exactly what it says on the tin but something about it never quite grabbed me. Too short? Not enough oomph? Anyway, it might grab you!
and The Iron Below Remembers by Sharang Biswas drove me up a wall, in large part because the worldbuilding it's doing is extremely playful and interesting and fun -- it's set in an alternate universe where a South Asian empire was the major early colonial power instead of Rome, and their abandoned artifacts and technology power contemporary superheroes. The protagonist is an academic dating a superhero; the text is heavily footnote-studded and 50% of the footnotes are really fun and interesting little explorations of this alternate history. Unfortunately for me, the actual plot laid on top of this rich worldbuilding is all Gay Superhero Relationship Drama and the other 50% of the footnotes are gossipy anecdotes about the protagonist's sex life. This is certainly going to be a feature for some people but was, alas, a bug for me; every time I went through the effort to click through the annoying footnotes format on my digital edition I was really hoping to get a meaty paragraph about what happened after Siddhartha marched into the city of Rime and did not feel rewarded any time I got a smug half-sentence about shibari instead.
The two I liked were No Such Thing as Duty, by Lara Elena Donnelly, and The Oblivion Bride, by Caitlin Starling. Both of these have a definite air of fanfiction about them: No Such Thing As Duty is a 'what if my favorite historical guy met a sexy vampire' fic, the favorite historical guy in question is W. Somerset Maughan. I have come to the conclusion that I'm really quite charmed by this sort of thing as long as the favorite historical guy in question is not a pre-existing big seller like Christopher Marlowe or Charlotte Bronte but someone who I actually have to look up:* the author's real victory is in making me Wikipedia their special historical guy and go 'whoa, sure, lot going on here actually'
*I'm aware this is very subjective and there are many people out there who don't have to go to Google to know basic things about W. Somerset Maughan. But they ARE a lot fewer I think than the people who don't have to go to Google to know basic things about i.e. Lord Byron. That said, if you are experiencing boredom at the idea of Yet Another Sexy W. Somserset Maughan fic, I'd love to know about it.
The Oblivion Bride meanwhile is a classic Lesbian Arranged Marriage fic that, per the author's note, appears to have grown out of a Dishonored fic the author wrote several years back. I don't know anything about Dishonored so I can't tell you much about that. What I can tell you is that she's a normalgirl cadet member of an important family who's been thrust into an important political position because all her actual aristocratic relatives have mysteriously died, she's an icy cold Murder Alchemist General and also Magical Detective who's marrying her by order of the prince to solve the mysterious deaths and keep the political assets in the hands of someone loyal to the throne; could they actually fall in love? The answer will shock you! Anyway, I like tropes, and I like lesbians, and I like that Caitlin Starling is never afraid to lean into her id; I was as happy to read this in novella form as I would have been on AO3.
The Dead Withheld by L.D. Lewis is the one that didn't quite hit for me -- it's a supernatural noir about a PI who can talk to the dead investigating the cold case death of her wife, and it is doing exactly what it says on the tin but something about it never quite grabbed me. Too short? Not enough oomph? Anyway, it might grab you!
and The Iron Below Remembers by Sharang Biswas drove me up a wall, in large part because the worldbuilding it's doing is extremely playful and interesting and fun -- it's set in an alternate universe where a South Asian empire was the major early colonial power instead of Rome, and their abandoned artifacts and technology power contemporary superheroes. The protagonist is an academic dating a superhero; the text is heavily footnote-studded and 50% of the footnotes are really fun and interesting little explorations of this alternate history. Unfortunately for me, the actual plot laid on top of this rich worldbuilding is all Gay Superhero Relationship Drama and the other 50% of the footnotes are gossipy anecdotes about the protagonist's sex life. This is certainly going to be a feature for some people but was, alas, a bug for me; every time I went through the effort to click through the annoying footnotes format on my digital edition I was really hoping to get a meaty paragraph about what happened after Siddhartha marched into the city of Rime and did not feel rewarded any time I got a smug half-sentence about shibari instead.
Doug
Dec. 26th, 2025 09:58 pmfauxkloreBack in 1990, I discovered storytelling more or less by accident. I lived in Los Angeles and I got the regular course / event catalogues from the University of Judaism. One catalog listed a full day Jewish storytelling event, a mixture of workshops and performances. I decided to go, largely because I’d had a conversation several months before (at a wedding, if I recall correctly) in which somebody had mentioned storytelling to me.
Aside from the official learning activities, I heard stories from all of the people leading the event. One of those people was Doug Lipman, who told a Jewish story called “The Sword of Wood,” which made a big impression on me. I also met a lot of people and learned that there were storytelling groups throughout the L.A. area, including one that met quite near where I lived. I took flyers about those groups. I also took a flyer about a weekend workshop Doug and Jay O’Callahan were doing a few months later somewhere in the Inland Empire and decided to sign up for it.
Not long after, I gathered my courage and went to Community Storytellers. I don’t remember if I told a story that first time there, but I know I did fairly soon and before long Community Storytellers was on my monthly calendar of things to do. I met great people there and I remember feeling relieved when I went to Doug and Jay's workshop and one of those people was also there.
The stories I had been telling up to then were largely original fairy tales and my takes on folklore. But the workshop emphasis was on personal stories. At any rate, there was one exercise that had to do with a memory about a place. And a place that I had not thought about in 20 some odd years immediately popped into my head, in amazing detail. It’s the basis for the story I’m telling in the upcoming New Year’s Eve event.
I ended up signing up for another workshop (and another and another) with Doug. His coaching style, which started out with appreciation for the teller, was very effective. And his reactions were full of unrestrained joy. His spontaneity was also a delight. When he led workshops at Wanna’s house in Pasadena, we’d all go out to lunch at Souplantation (a soup and salad bar restaurant) and he wrote a song that included lyrics about “working hard at the soup plantation.” I also remember driving home from his workshops so full of what I'd learned that I missed my exit on the freeway two nights in a row.
Overall, Doug was someone who had a huge influence on my storytelling - and my life. And I can’t count how many other storytellers I’ve met who have said the same thing. He was a special person and I will always be grateful to have known him. He died today but he will always be a part of so many of us.
Aside from the official learning activities, I heard stories from all of the people leading the event. One of those people was Doug Lipman, who told a Jewish story called “The Sword of Wood,” which made a big impression on me. I also met a lot of people and learned that there were storytelling groups throughout the L.A. area, including one that met quite near where I lived. I took flyers about those groups. I also took a flyer about a weekend workshop Doug and Jay O’Callahan were doing a few months later somewhere in the Inland Empire and decided to sign up for it.
Not long after, I gathered my courage and went to Community Storytellers. I don’t remember if I told a story that first time there, but I know I did fairly soon and before long Community Storytellers was on my monthly calendar of things to do. I met great people there and I remember feeling relieved when I went to Doug and Jay's workshop and one of those people was also there.
The stories I had been telling up to then were largely original fairy tales and my takes on folklore. But the workshop emphasis was on personal stories. At any rate, there was one exercise that had to do with a memory about a place. And a place that I had not thought about in 20 some odd years immediately popped into my head, in amazing detail. It’s the basis for the story I’m telling in the upcoming New Year’s Eve event.
I ended up signing up for another workshop (and another and another) with Doug. His coaching style, which started out with appreciation for the teller, was very effective. And his reactions were full of unrestrained joy. His spontaneity was also a delight. When he led workshops at Wanna’s house in Pasadena, we’d all go out to lunch at Souplantation (a soup and salad bar restaurant) and he wrote a song that included lyrics about “working hard at the soup plantation.” I also remember driving home from his workshops so full of what I'd learned that I missed my exit on the freeway two nights in a row.
Overall, Doug was someone who had a huge influence on my storytelling - and my life. And I can’t count how many other storytellers I’ve met who have said the same thing. He was a special person and I will always be grateful to have known him. He died today but he will always be a part of so many of us.
Jewish Christmas
Dec. 25th, 2025 09:05 pmfauxkloreThe classic Jewish Christmas is a movie and Chinese food. Because my friend, Cindy, is out of town and wants to see the same movie I want to see (Song Sung Blue), the movie got postponed to Sunday. But my chavurah did an early dinner at a Chinese restaurant. I hadn’t been to Hot Peppercorn in Springfield before. It turned out to be an easier drive than I’d expected it to be - pretty much right off the Beltway.
The food was good. In particular, the vegetarian hot and sour soup was excellent. Their garlic sauce (which you can get with pretty much any protein) was also good, but not as good as that as some other places I’d been to.
More importantly, the company was good and the conversation was lively. And the price was pretty reasonable.
I passed on the dessert reception at one person’s house, because I had too much to do at home. I did manage to get almost all of my laundry (which I’d done earlier in the day) put away. But I still have too much to do.
The food was good. In particular, the vegetarian hot and sour soup was excellent. Their garlic sauce (which you can get with pretty much any protein) was also good, but not as good as that as some other places I’d been to.
More importantly, the company was good and the conversation was lively. And the price was pretty reasonable.
I passed on the dessert reception at one person’s house, because I had too much to do at home. I did manage to get almost all of my laundry (which I’d done earlier in the day) put away. But I still have too much to do.
Happy Yuletide!
Dec. 26th, 2025 11:51 pmtrobadoraThe holidays have been calm and quiet for me so far, but I've spent them with my mum, so somehow almost all the time was filled up anyway. *g* Tonight I finally found the time to properly settle down with my Yuletide gifts! I got three of them, two in the main collection and one in Madness. ♥ ♥ ♥
Here they are:
I'm so pleased! So far I'm having a fantastic Yuletide. :D
Now I'm looking forward to diving into the rest of the collection! How's everyone else's Yuletide so far?
Here they are:
- Nicky and Gwarha from Ring of Swords, completely spot on, in an episode mentioned but not described in detail in canon:
Veni, Vidi, Arrivederci (1516 words)
Fandom: Ring of Swords - Eleanor Arnason
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationship: Ettin Gwarha/Sanders Nicholas
Content Tag: Pre-Canon
Summary: The purple jungle adventure, from Gwarha's point of view. - The Nantucket Trilogy, a few generations later - future history my beloved:
Portraits of the Past (1371 words)
Fandom: Nantucket Trilogy - S.M. Stirling
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationships: Kenneth Hollard/Raupasha, Kashtiliash/Kathryn Hollard
Characters: Raupasha (Nantucket Series), Kashtiliash (Nantucket Series), Original Characters
Content Tags: Post canon, Canon as Seen Through The Lens of History
Summary: A new exhibit opens at the Athenaeum... - More Nantucket Trilogy - a Raupasha drabble about her arrival on Nantucket:
Her New Future (100 words)
Fandom: Nantucket Trilogy - S.M. Stirling
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Relationship: Kenneth Hollard/Raupasha
Characters: Raupasha (Nantucket Series), Kenneth Hollard
Content Tags: Yuletide Madness Drabble Invitational, YUMADRIN 2025, Drabble, Post-Canon
Summary: Raupasha reflects on the future.
I'm so pleased! So far I'm having a fantastic Yuletide. :D
Now I'm looking forward to diving into the rest of the collection! How's everyone else's Yuletide so far?
Chargers
Dec. 26th, 2025 09:13 pmvivdunstanSlight panic tonight, finding my Apple charger - many many years old - had stopped charging my iPad part way through the night, and wasn't charging my iPod touch tonight (it took me until 8pm to realise any of this - I was asleep until 7pm). Martin gave the charger plug a good check, and it's definitely faulty and unsafe. Replacement now ordered - getting a more powerful USB-C charger plus USB-C to lightning cable for my still old devices. Meanwhile Martin found me a spare USB-A charger plug, so I'm good till the new one arrives! iPod touch now charging. iPad rather inadequately charged for tonight's use, but will do! And the new charger will work with any future USB-C based iPad and also iPhone when my last iPod touch has to be replaced.
Ho ho ho
Dec. 26th, 2025 08:39 pmgoodbyebird+ I was going to do my yearly 5 icon slots as a gift to myself, and it turns out 550 is a hard limit and I can't have any more. No fair. I got DW money some other way but boo.
+ Fallout is apparently back! I watched both episodes yesterday and enjoyed them. We're getting more zany vault culture and I'm here for it. Also a delightful actor appearance, big plus there.
+ Absolutely fell behind onrec_cember. My brain has been Tired from being social every day. I do have a few more planned, fingers crossed they actually happen?
+ Christmas Eve was an absolute success. The food was lovely, everyone was healthy and in good spirits, and since there were no kids we took our time and opened one package at a time. I finally have a working vacuum again \o/ A foldable foot bath, and a ginger preserve I'm quite excited to try out. Some creams, tea, and a gift card for RITUALS. All useful things.
+ Joined my brother in picking up my dad from the airport earlier. Now to figure out what will happen for my birthday, then my friend's birthday the day after, and THEN New Year's. I'd like a nap tbh.
+ Fallout is apparently back! I watched both episodes yesterday and enjoyed them. We're getting more zany vault culture and I'm here for it. Also a delightful actor appearance, big plus there.
+ Absolutely fell behind on
rec_cember. My brain has been Tired from being social every day. I do have a few more planned, fingers crossed they actually happen? + Christmas Eve was an absolute success. The food was lovely, everyone was healthy and in good spirits, and since there were no kids we took our time and opened one package at a time. I finally have a working vacuum again \o/ A foldable foot bath, and a ginger preserve I'm quite excited to try out. Some creams, tea, and a gift card for RITUALS. All useful things.
+ Joined my brother in picking up my dad from the airport earlier. Now to figure out what will happen for my birthday, then my friend's birthday the day after, and THEN New Year's. I'd like a nap tbh.
Dec 26 only -- Free romance books
Dec. 26th, 2025 12:30 pmstarwatcherLinks to all platforms / booksellers.
https://www.romancebookworms.com/
As always, feel free to share.
2025 52 Card Project: Week 51: Rest
Dec. 26th, 2025 12:47 pmpegkerrEric had surgery last Friday and needed to have someone accompany him and stay with him for twenty-four hours afterward. The aftercare turned out to be a bit more intense than expected afterward, and so I ended up staying at his place all weekend to assist him.
We were very quiet together. It occurred to me on Sunday, as we sat together in his living room, drinking coffee and looking out the living room window at the winter landscape, that it was the winter Solstice. A year ago on the winter Solstice, I was hosting a solstice party. If I had been at home, I would have lit all my candles to mark the day. Being with him on that day as he was recovering seemed fitting.
The winter solstice is a time for deep rest and healing, for reflection and resilience.
He is feeling much better now and counts the surgery as a success.
Image description: A window with a winter view outside. A pair of feet clad in red and white striped socks are propped up on the windowsill beside a red mug with a steaming hot beverage. A hand holding a couple of pills hovers above the feet.
Rest
Click on the links to see the 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 52 Card Project galleries.
We were very quiet together. It occurred to me on Sunday, as we sat together in his living room, drinking coffee and looking out the living room window at the winter landscape, that it was the winter Solstice. A year ago on the winter Solstice, I was hosting a solstice party. If I had been at home, I would have lit all my candles to mark the day. Being with him on that day as he was recovering seemed fitting.
The winter solstice is a time for deep rest and healing, for reflection and resilience.
He is feeling much better now and counts the surgery as a success.
Image description: A window with a winter view outside. A pair of feet clad in red and white striped socks are propped up on the windowsill beside a red mug with a steaming hot beverage. A hand holding a couple of pills hovers above the feet.
Click on the links to see the 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 52 Card Project galleries.
Happy Boxing Day!
Dec. 26th, 2025 11:31 ambrithistorianI hope those of you who celebrate Christmas had a nice holiday yesterday, and that those of you who don't had a good Thursday. Happy Holidays to those of you who celebrate any sort of December holiday. Things have been in varying degrees of chaos around here, and are likely to continue to be so for at least the next week.
Here's hoping that 2026 is better than 2025!
December Days 02025 #25: Butterfly
Dec. 25th, 2025 11:30 pmsilveradeptIt's December Days time again. This year, I have decided that I'm going to talk about skills and applications thereof, if for no other reason than because I am prone to both the fixed mindset and the downplaying of any skills that I might have obtained as not "real" skills because they do not fit some form of ideal.
( 25: Butterfly )
( 25: Butterfly )
