kaberett: Trans symbol with Swiss Army knife tools at other positions around the central circle. (Default)
kaberett ([personal profile] kaberett) wrote2025-06-17 11:47 pm

today I have mostly been asleep

The watch tells me I achieved +102 "body battery" points, which I am amused to see.

But I have also visited the allotment (on my way back from physio) and have eaten: raspberries, a strawberry, a cherry, redcurrants, jostaberries, peas, broad beans, kohlrabi. V pleased.

stonepicnicking_okapi: ChopSuey (chopsuey)
stonepicnicking_okapi ([personal profile] stonepicnicking_okapi) wrote2025-06-17 11:51 am

Views & News: School's (almost) out for summer

1. Last day of school for the boys is tomorrow. There was supposed to be a picnic at Minisculus' but it's too wet. Tonight is a ceremony at the middle school (not a graduation--they have stressed that) and then Minor is staying for the 8th grade dance.

2. I noticed something interesting (to me) last week during the ceiling catastrophe. I missed drinking any coffee Tuesday because I was in exile, but I didn't notice it. I didn't get that nail-being-driven-in-the-temple headache I normally get. Like, nothing, no physical sign that I was caffeine deprived. So maybe the anxiety adrenaline of the ceiling held it at bay? I don't know. I'm just making an observation. I started to feel it on Day 2 but I got some coffee and of course it went away

3. I'm about halfway through The Seamstress by Maria Duenas and enjoying it. It's an epic life story of a woman from Spain who lives in Morocco during the Civil War. I'm at the even of WWII now. Finished Bridge to Teribithia with Minisculus and now we're reading something called Clementine which is the typical 'kid does pranks and gets into trouble' story.

4. I cracked open a new jigsaw: Around the Word in 50 Plants.

5. No news from the Visiting Angels. :( I'm hoping everything is okay. I uploaded the COVID vaccine info per request but it's been crickets for a week.

6. I REALLY need to get cracking on my casefic for the exchange.

7. I like train ambient channels:



6.
flamingsword: “in my defense, I was left unsupervised” (Default)
flamingsword ([personal profile] flamingsword) wrote2025-06-17 06:41 am

Friend’s mom died

Yesterday died in a fire. I lit that match myself.

My friend’s mom died at like 5 AM yesterday, I’m behind where I need to be on homework, and I got a good massage with a lot of neck and shoulder work but then immediately got another headache when I got home which the whole point was to keep the headache from coming back. Bc of course.

So:
• I’m going back on the anti-illness protocol for headaches from sinus infection, and seeing if that helps: use of tea tree oil aromatherapy inhaler every hour for the next few days; lots of pumpkin seeds in case this is viral in nature; using a neti pot at least once a day which I should do now, probably.
• I made some calls and did some internet things when my friend’s power and internet went out yesterday (bc of course) and helped her get set up with whole body donation. I may ping her once a day with a puppy meme, or other short way to say she is loved and cared for, but right now her instinct is to hole up and lick her wounds, and I respect that.
• It is time to get out of my comfortable bed and do a bunch of homework.

Meow. 🐱 Fuck yesterday and fuck today, too.
ravena_kade: (Default)
ravena_kade ([personal profile] ravena_kade) wrote2025-06-16 09:57 pm
ravena_kade: (Default)
ravena_kade ([personal profile] ravena_kade) wrote2025-06-16 08:18 pm

(no subject)

The weekend was okay. The rain cleared up late Saturday.

We stopped at Sabbaday falls first and Dad walked up a bit with me. There is a climb, but there are also benches at regular initials. We were the only ones there. I showed Dad how to use the camera and we said we would come back when the skies cleared. When we returned to the parking lot an older couple were getting out of their car. The man was carrying his artist wife's basil and paints. The intrepid artist had planned a day of plein air painting. They were very sweet.

The rest of the da was spent shopping and going out to eat. Since Sunday was to be clear we thought we'd take photos then. Sadly Dad slept wrong and had a stiff/sore neck all Sunday so he did not take any photos. Instead he drove around and I got out of the car alone. Not fond of that Makes me feel like I am being chauffeured. I dont. like that.

I found a new beautiful place. Echo beach. A beautiful glacial formed lake at the foot of a cliff. I was stunned when the small trail opened up. It is a place that I would love to paint. I also found a new waterfall for me.

I haven't downloaded my photos yet. I am procrastinating. I know the camera phots aren't perfect. I need to find out when the best light is at these spots to get good picks and go back/ Mountains are different than the beach. Too early and the sun doest make it through the trees. Non photographers dont like waiting for the light to finally make it there.
svgurl: (bollywood: shahrukh looking back)
svgurl ([personal profile] svgurl) wrote2025-06-16 05:10 pm

multifandom questionnaire pt 3

This is part 3 of [personal profile] maevedarcy's 72 Multifandom questions to ask a fangirl.

Experiences and Memories

1. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had related to your fandom(s)?
I feel like everything in Smallville fandom has kinda blurred together. Maybe not a specific fandom, but in recent years, the excitement of running (well, co running) my first exchange was such a good feeling, as was the unexpected enthusiasm over Comment Bingo, when I finally got it up and running.

#2-12
2. Have you ever traveled to a location specifically because it was featured or related to your fandom(s)?
No. When I went to Vancouver though, I was excited when I realized I could recognize the top of the building that they used as Oliver's penthouse/Queen Tower in Smallville. I still remember a LJ friend made a list of places that they film at, and I left it on my laptop and forgot that I wasn't planning on taking it, so I couldn't use it. IDK how much my family would be all for my Smallville related tour of Vancouver but I could've tried to see a couple of spots. Oh well.

3. Can you share about a time when fandom helped you through a difficult period?
I don't know if there's a specific time, but fandom has always felt like an escape. I'm pretty closed off/keep things to myself, for better or for worse, and sometimes, I think I have been able to express myself online in a way that is a little harder to do in person. And people have always been kind and supportive and I have appreciated that a lot. I've left fandom multiple times but it's always easy to find a home here when I return.

4. What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line for an event or release related to fandom?
Probably a couple of hours. Both when I stood in line at Barnes N Nobles for the 7th Harry Potter book (had to go twice - one to get the ticket with the Letter Group I was in earlier in the day and the second time when they were actually opening the doors) or when I went to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight and had to be there at like, 9PM. Even then, we were further back than I planned so we could've gotten there sooner but the seats we ended up with weren't so bad, iirc.

5. Have you had the chance to meet any of the actors, musicians, authors, or creators from your fandom(s)?
No, the closest I got was when I saw Shah Rukh Khan filming on my college campus and seeing Chris Evans in LA pre-Captain America. I was getting ice cream with a few friends and a premiere for Push had just let out. Dakota Fanning left fairly quickly, but I do remember he was hanging around. We recognized him but I didn't have a smart phone or anything for him to sign, so I didn't bother.

6. What’s the most treasured piece of merchandise you have that’s related to fandom?
Bollywood may not be a fandom I was ever in much, but I was obsessed with Shah Rukh Khan as a teen and I was in London a few days after his Madame Tussaud's statue was revealed, so when we went, they had a SRK doll. I bought it and brought it back with me. I still have it. Also my sister once got me a Superman keychain from Six Flags and I still keep it on my lanyard. It's held up well! :D

7. Do you remember the first item you ever collected or received related to fandom?
Not really. I had a lot of Shah Rukh Khan posters as a teen. I would assume it was something Superman related though since I've been a fan for so long.

8. What’s the most exciting fan event or panel you’ve attended?
I've never attended any fan events/panels.

9. Have you participated in any challenges, collaborations, or competitions within fandom?
Yes, I've been apart of land comms, bingo events (though I'm terrible about completing them!), fests, and exchanges. They're a lot of fun and have helped me get out of my comfort zone.

10. How did you feel the first time you saw your favorite character, band, or actor in person?
I remember OneRepublic was part of this summer fest years ago and I was really excited to watch them live. I don't know how much I actually enjoy live music events/concerts, but that was a blast.

11. Have any of your family or friends become fans because of your influence? What was that like?
My sister has actually ended up getting me into shows for the most part, because I barely watch anything and she gives a lot of things a shot (she was even watching Smallville before me). My dad watched Elementary because of me, since I wanted to, and he really liked it too, so we'd watch together.

12. What’s the most emotional moment you’ve had as a fan within your community?
I remember when one of my LJ friends passed away. We weren't close, but we did work together on a fandom newsletter and I was just shocked. I'm sure many other people can relate unfortunately, but the way it all happened and escalated so quickly was a lot. I think that was the first time someone I knew online had passed away. Just so sad.
stonepicnicking_okapi: record player (recordplayer)
stonepicnicking_okapi ([personal profile] stonepicnicking_okapi) wrote2025-06-16 04:11 pm
Entry tags:
scripsi: (Default)
scripsi ([personal profile] scripsi) wrote2025-06-16 08:13 pm

A writing meme

 Writer’s meme from all over my f-list.


The last sentence you wrote.

And to her joy, both she and Vasily were to attend the Hoogovens Tournament in the Netherlands shortly after New Year, which would give them nineteen days together. 

 

2. A character whose POV you’re currently exploring.

Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit and Karen from All About Eve. Because I can never write on just one fic at the time.

 

3. How you feel about your current WIP.

Of the two I actively write on, I feel good. Of the ones that I haven’t written on for a very long time, varying degrees of guilt.

 

4. A story idea you haven’t written yet.

Several. On the top of my head I have ideas for Grimm, The Mummy and The Queen’s Gambit.

 

5. First sentence of the fifth paragraph of an unpublished WIP.

I don't have any unpublished WIPs… I have unpublished chapters, or rather chapters I'm still working on, though.

 

What made being married to Addison so difficult was what wasn’t there.

 

6. The word that appears the most in your current draft (wordcounter.net can tell you).

I’m sure it can, but I can’t muster up the energy to check. I don’t think it would be very interesting anyway.

 

7. Your preferred writing fonts.

Whatever is default. I don’t care, as long as it isn’t difficult to read.

 

8. If you had to write a sequel to a fic, you’d write one for…

A sequel to my Mummy-fic Ghosts. I have the whole plot mapped out, it’s the writing out that takes time.

 

9. Start to finish, how long did it take you to write the last fic you posted?

No idea. I never time it.

 

10. What is the longest amount of time you’ve let a draft rest before you finished it?

Probably a couple of years, but I’ve never timed that either.

 

11. A WIP you’d like to finish someday.

All of them. When, is another matter…

 

12. A trope you’re really into right now.

I’m not sure I can say I’m really into it, but marriage of convenience/forced marriage is looming large.

 

13. A fandom you’re thinking about writing for.

Grimm. Not sure I will write it, though. I’m having a lot of fun thinking out a plot for a Rosalee Calvert/Sean Renard-fic, but I doubt anyone would be very interested in it, so it may just live rent-free in my head instead.

 

14. Where do you get your inspiration?

I never really pinpointed exactly what it is that triggers my inspiration. I like strong female characters and morally ambiguous male ones, but there are plenty of media I really love that I never feel the urge to write for. Like Sens8 which certainly contains both and that I love so much, but when it comes to fanfic ideas, I have none.

 

15. Favorite weather for writing.

No idea. I never even thought about that.

 

16. Favorite place to write.

At work. I realize how that sounds, but my work largely is me having to sit in front of a computer waiting for things to happen. And mostly things don’t happen, and as long as I stay put I can do whatever I want to occupy myself, as long as I can drop it at once. I do all my writing and other computer activities at work and barely touch a computer when I'm home.

 

17. Talk about your writing and editing process.

I start with writing scenes and snatches of conservation I know I want to include. I’m not a very linear writer but go back and forth until the whole fic/chapter is complete. I usually do spellchecking continuously. When I need a little pause, but don’t do any major editing until I’m done. I usually read it through, and then run it through some kind of free grammar checker. If I have a beta, I then send it to them. And when I get it back I go over it again.

 

18. If you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic.

I don’t.

 

19. The most interesting topic you’ve researched for a fic.

17th century medicine for a Versailles-fic.

 

20. In what year did you publish your first fic?

2003. Which means I’ve been writing for 22 years, as I have been writing for a year before I got the nerve to publish it. On LJ and fanfiction.net. And it was a Hook/Wendy Peter-Pan-fic.

 

21. When did you publish your most recent fic?

Last chapter on a WIP in February this year. Last WIP I started was in September 2021, and the last finished fic was in February 2022.

 

22. Do you ever worry about public reaction to what you’re writing? How do you get past that?

I do, as I often write about pretty traumatizing things, like non-con. I don’t want to upset people, but I know some people get upset just by the fact that people write it, not how it is written. I try to be respectful of my subject, and I also make sure the fic in question is tagged accordingly, and often also have an AN in the beginning with warnings.

 

23. Pick three keywords that describe your writing.

Historical, fantasy, female protagonists. Ok, that was four words.

 

24. How do you recharge when you’re not feeling creative?

I try to not force myself, but I also try to do something creative every day, even if it’s just a very tiny thing.

 

25. Besides writing, what are your other hobbies?

Reading and sewing, both everyday clothes as well as historical costumes. I also enjoy other creative pursuits like embroidery, beading and, very recently, making paper flowers.

 

26. Are you able to write with other people around?

Yes, people around and talking is not a problem. But music is too distracting

 

27. Your favorite part of the writing process.

Coming up with the story, and being done!

 

28. Your least favorite part of the writing process.

Getting to the point that I start writing. I’m very good at finding other things to do. When I started, I always wondered what the fuss was about.

 

29. How easy is it for you to come up with titles?

Quite easy. But I often use quotes from published authors and poets.

 

30. Share a fic you’re especially proud of.

A gen Penny Dreadful fic;A Place In the Shadows. It turned out exactly as I had envisioned it, which is rare.


kaberett: Trans symbol with Swiss Army knife tools at other positions around the central circle. (Default)
kaberett ([personal profile] kaberett) wrote2025-06-15 11:59 pm

vital functions survived an event

... and has been doing very little of anything else. SHOCKINGLY.

flamingsword: “in my defense, I was left unsupervised” (Default)
flamingsword ([personal profile] flamingsword) wrote2025-06-15 05:15 pm
Entry tags:

*worries*

A friend’s mom is in the hospital with possible complications from a stroke, and friend lost her dad a couple years ago. I’m not sure what I’m hoping for other than miracles of medical science. Do I hope that if she passes, then she passes around the same time as her husband, so that my friend only has a week or two of bad anniversaries? Or do I hope that she hangs in there to spread out the griefs, even though that would be a grinding misery all its own?

I am sending food to the hospital so that my friend doesn’t have to deal with getting food together or making decisions about anything but her mom’s care. I have offered other forms of support, but those she will have to choose when or whether to take me up on them.

*worries in a major key with discordant minor notes*
stonepicnicking_okapi: carrots (carrots)
stonepicnicking_okapi ([personal profile] stonepicnicking_okapi) wrote2025-06-15 03:39 pm
Entry tags:

My poem: drupe

This weeks' prompt was: color. This is called an In Memorium stanza.

drupe by okapi

of orange-yellows, reds which leach
in blush upon the most sun-kissed
of rounded flesh, in velvet mist
enveloped, casting fog on each

and every curvature whose breach
reveals a more uniform gold
of corpus, sweet perfumes unfold,
attracting wasps and buyers, speech

is needless, scent alone can preach
its Good News, bushel baskets filled
to rolling, dark hearts hedged and grilled
by dark nettles which overreach

on pitting, nectar colors teach
the artist how to mix the rich,
the once-child to remember, stitch
a patch of farmer’s market peach
stonepicnicking_okapi: carrots (carrots)
stonepicnicking_okapi ([personal profile] stonepicnicking_okapi) wrote2025-06-15 03:29 pm

Happy Father's Day!

I almost forgot, but Minisculus made him a card and the boys' father went with Minor to Day 2 of the track meet and Minor says he PR'ed as his gift (on the 1500 m). Yesterday he didn't PR on either of the 2 events he did (3000 m and 800 m). We all went and I got a very bad sunburn because it was crazy humidity and I thought it was going to rain but it never did so I didn't prepare myself or my skin properly.

I think I am going to go to Taco Bell and get a big, big box of tacos. I don't want to go to the grocery store today and get stuff to make homemade tacos. He's watching soccer/football now, so he's happy.

I know a lot of us have complicated relationships with our fathers. Mine's been dead for almost 20 years but he left his mark for sure :/ For good and for bad. He was a very intelligent man who loved me and my sister but who was also completely at the mercy of his inner demons.

Anyway, there are lots of great fathers out there, too! Huzzah!
muccamukk: Pastel pink headstone covered in flowers and reading "My dignity." (Misc: Graveyard of my Dignity)
Muccamukk ([personal profile] muccamukk) wrote2025-06-15 08:29 am
flamingsword: The word THERAPY in front of a Paul Signac painting (Therapy)
flamingsword ([personal profile] flamingsword) wrote2025-06-15 06:18 am

Headaches again and 5wants/5needs

Yesterday the headache that I’ve had off and on since Wednesday came back at about 11 AM, so I got to go to a yarn swap but not the No Kings protest. I did call my congress-critters though and had my ex husband divert the extra money he wants to send me to bail funds and the ACLU.

Gonna try the 5 Wants / 5 Hidden Needs thing again.
ExpandRead more... )
muccamukk: Elyanna singing, surrounded by emanata and hearts. (Music: Elyanna Hearts)
Muccamukk ([personal profile] muccamukk) wrote2025-06-14 09:24 pm
Entry tags:

Music Saturday


Surprisingly sapphic for Raye (who usually sings about relationships with men, but maybe she's bi?). I guess she was at World Pride? Hmm...
kaberett: Trans symbol with Swiss Army knife tools at other positions around the central circle. (Default)
kaberett ([personal profile] kaberett) wrote2025-06-14 11:59 pm

two some good things

Item the first: I have no idea what the hell made the ominous donk-slither-donk noise in the portaloo at about midnight last night, but the phone I'd convinced myself it was was in a neat little pile with my laptop, in the tent, in the morning -- after I'd spent some time being sad about inadequate backups of photos of tiny sleepy rhinos -- which was an enormous relief (though I am also very pleased with myself for how well I handled things). (Especially given that my conviction that this was what had happened was in part based on being as aware as I could be of how abruptly my cognitive function had deteriorated with Surprise Unscheduled Migraine Onset.) (Still haven't worked out what on earth the donk-slither-donk was, but it's none of the obvious Truly Upsetting things to have lost, so I'm Currently Fine With This.)

Item the second: it is hot. This field contains lots of chamomile, and also lots of people. I am really enjoying the way it smells.

Item the third: I am really enjoying the dark chocolate + salt + nuts snack bars that crew welfare is providing, which I'd not previously noticed.

Item four: THE HALBARD THAT IS A SHARK.

ebaths: Someone from a Fukumoto manga with a flat expression saying “Mahjong causes great damage to the human spirit without a single benefit”. (mahjong)
ebaths ([personal profile] ebaths) wrote2025-06-14 03:12 pm
Entry tags:

Screens cause great damage to the human spirit without a single benefit. (Feature Phone Post 1)

I recently decided I had to upgrade my iPhone 8. I’ve been on a slow, steady attempt to reign in my technology usage. Within the last six months I’ve deleted Twitter (the app, then my account), Instagram (just the app), and Youtube (just the app…I still use Youtube in the browser. It’s a work in progress). This has been overall extremely good. When I decided to upgrade, I had an opportunity to exit the Apple environment and possibly exit the smartphone altogether.

When I explore “anti-technology” discussions, I often see the sentiment “the phone itself isn’t the problem; the problem is how we use the phone”. I disagree—there’s definitely levels of phone usage (“scrolling apps” like Twitter, Pinterest, or Tiktok are way different than Email, Messages, or Kindle) but absolving the phone is wrong. The screen itself is addictive. A smartphone without any apps would naturally be less addictive than one with apps, but a smartphone with just Email and Photos is still addictive and coaxes the user to keep picking it up. I’ve found myself mindlessly refreshing Email. EMAIL!

I think this effect exists with all technology to some extent. I remember being a child and being so interested in my mom’s Nokia 3120 I constantly wanted to use it. Not even playing games, I just wanted to mess with it and change the ringtones and stuff. I don’t think this is unique only to me or only to a certain subset of children, I think these little pieces of technology are obsession-building for us. Screens, in general, are very distracting. I think it’s a common problem that people can’t focus in a room that has a TV on, even if the program is nothing interesting to them.

The beautiful screen is the killer. I firmly believe that owning a Nokia 3120 is more positive than negative in a person’s life; I do not believe this about owning an iPhone.

And I have one! I have a damn iPhone!

So I considered getting a “dumb phone” or “feature phone,” basically a phone that doesn’t have all the features of a current gen smartphone. Oftentimes, these also are in a different form factor (no touch screen, T9 keyboard, etc). The king of feature phone reviews is Jose Briones, if you’re interested in shopping around for one he’s who I’d go to first to get your bearings on what’s available.

Assuming that, if you want to downgrade, you want to minimize what your phone can do, I’d start by making a list of “required” apps that you wouldn’t want to live without. For me, it looks like this:

  • Calling and Texting. When I think about it, the main reason I’d carry a cell phone in the first place is so that my girlfriend can call me when I’m out of the house. I think most people would agree that having a device that allows the people you live with to contact you when you’re out is extremely useful. I don’t really need all my other contacts to be able to contact me at any time, though.
  • Navigation. I have lived without this as an adult, for the year I lived in Japan and didn’t have cell service. It’s not that bad actually, but it requires that I do a lot of pre-planning before I go places. There are many situations where I feel a lot more comfortable having a navigation app to help me get back home. I think that navigation apps are an overall boon to modern life. I would like to lessen my reliance on them (or constant use of them, even when I really don’t need them). If you’re like me, I would recommend trying out not using navigation apps for a few days. Pre-plan your routes and don’t look at maps when you’re out. You might enjoy it!
  • Rideshare services. I hate to say this, but I do actually think that these are basically irreplaceable. Ergh, I don’t know. They’re not irreplaceable. But there’s those few-and-far-between times when they make the difference between an irritating day and the worst day of your year so far. I’m pro-taxi but there’s definitely times when a taxi is significantly less useful than a rideshare app, just realistically. Obviously people (and I) lived without them in the modern world. I mean I probably take like three rideshares a year total so I’m definitely not a brand ambassador. My final thought on the subject: I don’t always need access to Uber, but when I’m in an unknown location, I want access to it.

When you figure out what features you actually need in a phone, you can start considering the models that will work for you. Some are super simple and only have a few apps, some are basically full smart phones but just add a bit of friction to everything.

ravena_kade: (Default)
ravena_kade ([personal profile] ravena_kade) wrote2025-06-14 04:27 am

(no subject)

Yesterday I came home and spent 3.5 hours in the yard. Finally finished the winter clean up chores and planted the plants that I bought in May. It's bee a slog with all the rain. Plus almost every time I put in the gardening gloves my phone would go off. I was out at 7 AM last Saturday (before the rains) and it went off and I just started to cry. My sister texted Thursdsay when I was out for over an hour and then wanted to chat yesterday. I said look, I love you, but I need to get stuff done and it requires my hands. Call me when I am in New Hampshire at night. I'll have no chores then.

Today ...its before 5 AM...sigh... I am off to New Hampshire with Dad for Father's Day. I bought him a camera and I will try and teach him how to use it in program mode. He did photography when he was a kid... and since he likes being up before the birds it maybe something we can do together that doesn't involve a lot of sodium ;-) Wish me luck.