The Day in Spikedluv (Sunday, June 8)
Jun. 9th, 2025 07:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spikedluvI did a load of laundry, ran a load in the dishwasher and then emptied it (!!), did the usual amount of hand-washing dishes, and scooped kitty litter. I baked chicken for the dogs’ meals and made brownies. I mowed the lawn.
For fun stuff I watched the current ep (season finale *sniffle*) of Leverage: Redemption and an HGTV program, read more in Amelia Peabody, and talked with mom on the phone.
The water in the pond has gone down to normal levels, thankfully. Pip used the shop vac in the basement, but stirring up that water made the entire house stink. Not sure what else we’ll need to do.
Temps started out at 55.0(F) and reached 78.4. It was nice and sunny all day, with a slight breeze. Tomorrow: more rain. Ugh!
For fun stuff I watched the current ep (season finale *sniffle*) of Leverage: Redemption and an HGTV program, read more in Amelia Peabody, and talked with mom on the phone.
The water in the pond has gone down to normal levels, thankfully. Pip used the shop vac in the basement, but stirring up that water made the entire house stink. Not sure what else we’ll need to do.
Temps started out at 55.0(F) and reached 78.4. It was nice and sunny all day, with a slight breeze. Tomorrow: more rain. Ugh!
Murderbot reviews/meta, weather, fannish activity, and more
Jun. 9th, 2025 08:01 pmmificI've been reading reviews of the five Murderbot eps to date, by William Hughes. They gel with what I'd been thinking and give some interesting meta. Worth checking out, if you're into the show.
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-premiere-recap-episodes-1-and-2
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-recap-season-1-episode-3-risk-assessment
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-recap-season-1-episode-4-escape-velocity-protocol
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-recap-season-1-episode-5-rogue-war-tracker-infinite
We've had a cold snap here - temps down to 7C (45F) - which I know is nothing to you tough Northeners but it reminded me how much I prefer summer. I broke out my oodie (a massive hooded sweatshirt of velour fleece lined with fake sheepskin fleece - mine has slices of pepperoni pizza on it) which was amazingly warm and comforting for a while, then when I'd warmed up, rapidly became claustrophpbic. I'm keeping it in reserve for more wintry dips in temperature.
I'm working on a NSFW artwork of John Sheppard and Rodney McKay as "always a girl" lesbians, and managed to turn myself on! Unusual - it can happen when I write sex scenes, but never before with a high-rated pic I've been drawing. I really want the pic to work so will need to run it by at least one art beta when it's a bit more finished - John/Joan's hips are proving elusive. Meredith's looking nicely lush though.
Lots of podfic-related activity lately - the longer one I'm recording is going well, plus the regular Voiceteam festival had an archiving challenge so we've been hit with >600 podfics to archive, some in weird, tiny, Yuletidey fandoms that are a puzzle to categorise.
I had a brief brain melt and panicked that the due South Big Bang deadline was June 16th (it's August 16th), and having come to my senses, relievedly abandoned the punishing podficcing schedule I'd invented. But I do need to get onto my into-a-bar fic asap. Writing - so much harder for me these days, goddamnit.
The Mexican sunflower is still flowering up a storm, even in the cold and rain. It's a keeper! Not a lot of choice about that as with big ones like mine the roots can be several metres deep, and they come away again cheerfully when cut back.
I had a moment in a comment over onminoanmiss's journal, when I realized the phrase "trumped up" charges now has a horrible new meaning. So I've written an imaginary future entry in Etymology.com:
trump (v.2)
"fabricate, devise," 1690s, from earlier trump "deceive, cheat, impose upon" (late 14c.), from Old French tromper "to deceive," a word of uncertain origin.
Trumped up "fabricated out of nothing or deceitfully; forged; false; worthless" is recorded by 1728. Since 2025 the origin has become conflated, especially in the US, with the second Trump presidency (January 2025 to his September 2025 impeachment) in which Trump and his lackeys were notorious for illegal executive orders, false charges, and widespread abuse of power.
Hope you're all keeping warm, or cool, depending!
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-premiere-recap-episodes-1-and-2
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-recap-season-1-episode-3-risk-assessment
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-recap-season-1-episode-4-escape-velocity-protocol
https://www.avclub.com/murderbot-recap-season-1-episode-5-rogue-war-tracker-infinite
We've had a cold snap here - temps down to 7C (45F) - which I know is nothing to you tough Northeners but it reminded me how much I prefer summer. I broke out my oodie (a massive hooded sweatshirt of velour fleece lined with fake sheepskin fleece - mine has slices of pepperoni pizza on it) which was amazingly warm and comforting for a while, then when I'd warmed up, rapidly became claustrophpbic. I'm keeping it in reserve for more wintry dips in temperature.
Discussion of an NSFW artwork and TMI
I'm working on a NSFW artwork of John Sheppard and Rodney McKay as "always a girl" lesbians, and managed to turn myself on! Unusual - it can happen when I write sex scenes, but never before with a high-rated pic I've been drawing. I really want the pic to work so will need to run it by at least one art beta when it's a bit more finished - John/Joan's hips are proving elusive. Meredith's looking nicely lush though.
Lots of podfic-related activity lately - the longer one I'm recording is going well, plus the regular Voiceteam festival had an archiving challenge so we've been hit with >600 podfics to archive, some in weird, tiny, Yuletidey fandoms that are a puzzle to categorise.
I had a brief brain melt and panicked that the due South Big Bang deadline was June 16th (it's August 16th), and having come to my senses, relievedly abandoned the punishing podficcing schedule I'd invented. But I do need to get onto my into-a-bar fic asap. Writing - so much harder for me these days, goddamnit.
The Mexican sunflower is still flowering up a storm, even in the cold and rain. It's a keeper! Not a lot of choice about that as with big ones like mine the roots can be several metres deep, and they come away again cheerfully when cut back.
I had a moment in a comment over on
minoanmiss's journal, when I realized the phrase "trumped up" charges now has a horrible new meaning. So I've written an imaginary future entry in Etymology.com:trump (v.2)
"fabricate, devise," 1690s, from earlier trump "deceive, cheat, impose upon" (late 14c.), from Old French tromper "to deceive," a word of uncertain origin.
Trumped up "fabricated out of nothing or deceitfully; forged; false; worthless" is recorded by 1728. Since 2025 the origin has become conflated, especially in the US, with the second Trump presidency (January 2025 to his September 2025 impeachment) in which Trump and his lackeys were notorious for illegal executive orders, false charges, and widespread abuse of power.
Hope you're all keeping warm, or cool, depending!
(no subject)
Jun. 9th, 2025 01:54 amolivermossI spent the hot summer evening as one does, watching Twilight in an alley projected against a bar
(I've still never read the books and only watched one of the films very recently. But, it sounded hilarious. They've got a Twilight drag event next. I'm debating going. The organizers and attendees were wonderful, but doing too many of these events as someone who isn't a fan feels odd. I got asked what 'team' I am and was confused for a moment.)
(I've still never read the books and only watched one of the films very recently. But, it sounded hilarious. They've got a Twilight drag event next. I'm debating going. The organizers and attendees were wonderful, but doing too many of these events as someone who isn't a fan feels odd. I got asked what 'team' I am and was confused for a moment.)
June: Picture Prompt Fun
Jun. 9th, 2025 10:14 amprisca posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
sweetandshortIn June, we will have some fun with pictures again.
Here are two pictures to create a little something for. Use the images (one or both) as inspiration and interpret them in whichever way you like. Click the preview for original size.
Allowed are fics up to 500 words, small poems like haiku or tanka (3-5 lines), icons (100x100 px), and small graphics up to 500 px width x height.
All fandoms, genres, and ratings are welcome, as are original and real-person work.
When posting directly tosweetandshort, please use a header of your choice and put bigger works under a cut. You can also post your work at any other place, but please leave a header and a link here to keep the community running.
This challenge runs until June 30, midnight in your timezone.
:::
Challenge Reminder:
10 out of 20
Here are two pictures to create a little something for. Use the images (one or both) as inspiration and interpret them in whichever way you like. Click the preview for original size.
Allowed are fics up to 500 words, small poems like haiku or tanka (3-5 lines), icons (100x100 px), and small graphics up to 500 px width x height.
All fandoms, genres, and ratings are welcome, as are original and real-person work.
When posting directly to
sweetandshort, please use a header of your choice and put bigger works under a cut. You can also post your work at any other place, but please leave a header and a link here to keep the community running.This challenge runs until June 30, midnight in your timezone.
:::
Challenge Reminder:
10 out of 20
Quote & Fact...
Jun. 9th, 2025 12:09 amfairyniamhQuote:
"Be a student. Stay open and willing to learn from everyone and anyone. Being a student means you have room for new input. When you are green you grow, when you are ripe you rot. By staying green you will avoid the curse of being an expert. When you know in your heart that every single person you encounter in your lifetime has something to teach you, you are able to utilize their offerings in a profound way."
"Beginning today, make the decision to love and accept yourself just the way you are. Say your name followed by the words "I love you" and make this your daily mantra, repeating it often, especially during times of stress. Let it be your first thought upon arising and the last you think before falling asleep at night. This simple act of self-courtship can profoundly change your world. Try it for yourself and see. Make a personal decision to be in love with the most beautiful, exciting, worthy person ever - you."
~ Wayne Dyer
Facts: (Unique Town/City Names)
Virginia :
Dumfries - Named after Dumfriesshiire, Scotland — birthplace of its founder, John Graham. (Exactly what you would expect from one of the original colonies.)
Boogertown - Many theories on the name, I have favor the Old Timers Mountain Men telling stories about Boogers and Boogermen. (Ghost or hobgoblin; the devil.)
"Be a student. Stay open and willing to learn from everyone and anyone. Being a student means you have room for new input. When you are green you grow, when you are ripe you rot. By staying green you will avoid the curse of being an expert. When you know in your heart that every single person you encounter in your lifetime has something to teach you, you are able to utilize their offerings in a profound way."
"Beginning today, make the decision to love and accept yourself just the way you are. Say your name followed by the words "I love you" and make this your daily mantra, repeating it often, especially during times of stress. Let it be your first thought upon arising and the last you think before falling asleep at night. This simple act of self-courtship can profoundly change your world. Try it for yourself and see. Make a personal decision to be in love with the most beautiful, exciting, worthy person ever - you."
~ Wayne Dyer
Facts: (Unique Town/City Names)
Virginia :
Dumfries - Named after Dumfriesshiire, Scotland — birthplace of its founder, John Graham. (Exactly what you would expect from one of the original colonies.)
Boogertown - Many theories on the name, I have favor the Old Timers Mountain Men telling stories about Boogers and Boogermen. (Ghost or hobgoblin; the devil.)
Torchwood: Fanfic: You get what you give
Jun. 9th, 2025 11:32 amm_findlow posting in fan_flashworksTitle: You get what you give
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Owen, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,363 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Written for Challenge 481 - Charity
Summary: Ianto has charged himself and Owen with a less than ordinary Torchwood assignment.
( Read more... )
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters: Owen, Ianto
Author: m_findlow
Rating: PG
Length: 1,363 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Written for Challenge 481 - Charity
Summary: Ianto has charged himself and Owen with a less than ordinary Torchwood assignment.
( Read more... )
Pride Month
Jun. 8th, 2025 07:39 pmysabetwordsmith31 Ideas To Take Action & Celebrate Pride Month In 2025
June is Pride Month! This month-long celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the very human and very beautiful spectrum of gender and sexuality, all while coming together to fight for widespread equality and justice in the LGBTQ+ community.
June is Pride Month! This month-long celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the very human and very beautiful spectrum of gender and sexuality, all while coming together to fight for widespread equality and justice in the LGBTQ+ community.
Grishaverse - Shadow and Bone through Ruin and Rising
Jun. 8th, 2025 05:23 pmolivermossI finished up the trilogy while I was away. My main take-away is that the plot:pages ratio is wild.
( No plot spoilers, but some plot structure talk )
I had trouble vibing with the way the story resolved because Alina spent way more time homesick for the Little Palace or even the army tents than where they grew up. Them not feeling like they ever had a home was a recurring theme and even a plot point. Them going back and making it a home is a lovely idea, but it's kinda sad to me that they are mostly isolated from the other survivors and just have staff that think they are loony tunes.
Also, happy or tragic I wanted more resolution for poor Nicolai, who could only really be understood by Alina or maybe Mal. Even just as friends, I wish they where still in each other's lives and not just rare visits.
In certain ways the ending was beautiful and bittersweet, but I never got the impression that that's what Alina would want from anything in the previous pages of the series. Protect the kids and get away from positions of power? Sure, but actually run the orphanage herself? Have all the other adults, besides Mal, profoundly mis-understand her? I'm glad they are together and the place is under their control, but...idk maybe I'll feel differently if I read more of the books in the series or re-read them later.
( No plot spoilers, but some plot structure talk )
Ending spoilers under the other type of cut
I had trouble vibing with the way the story resolved because Alina spent way more time homesick for the Little Palace or even the army tents than where they grew up. Them not feeling like they ever had a home was a recurring theme and even a plot point. Them going back and making it a home is a lovely idea, but it's kinda sad to me that they are mostly isolated from the other survivors and just have staff that think they are loony tunes.
Also, happy or tragic I wanted more resolution for poor Nicolai, who could only really be understood by Alina or maybe Mal. Even just as friends, I wish they where still in each other's lives and not just rare visits.
In certain ways the ending was beautiful and bittersweet, but I never got the impression that that's what Alina would want from anything in the previous pages of the series. Protect the kids and get away from positions of power? Sure, but actually run the orphanage herself? Have all the other adults, besides Mal, profoundly mis-understand her? I'm glad they are together and the place is under their control, but...idk maybe I'll feel differently if I read more of the books in the series or re-read them later.
Update on RL, mostly downer so feel free to skip
Jun. 8th, 2025 06:49 pmmxcatmoonJust a few updates, feel free to skip as usual (maybe just writing it down will help some).
( Updates... )( Updates... )
( Updates with political and mental health stuff... )
I do have a couple of ideas for drabbles... maybe I'll manage to write one or two after all...
( Updates... )( Updates... )
( Updates with political and mental health stuff... )
I do have a couple of ideas for drabbles... maybe I'll manage to write one or two after all...
10 out of 20 - Queer as Folk (US, 2022) - Brodie, Brenda, and Julian Beaumont
Jun. 8th, 2025 03:14 pmcmk418 posting in sweetandshortTitle: Ready, Willing, and...
Fandom: Queer as Folk (US, 2022)
Characters: Brodie Beaumont, Brenda Beaumont, Julian Beaumont
Rating: Teen
Prompt: Elite
Word Count: 230
Summary: Brodie is on the verge of coming out to his mother
A/N: Also written for the "coming out" prompt for the June Pride Month Bingo atallbingo
( Ready, Willing, and... )
Fandom: Queer as Folk (US, 2022)
Characters: Brodie Beaumont, Brenda Beaumont, Julian Beaumont
Rating: Teen
Prompt: Elite
Word Count: 230
Summary: Brodie is on the verge of coming out to his mother
A/N: Also written for the "coming out" prompt for the June Pride Month Bingo at
allbingo( Ready, Willing, and... )
Birdfeeding
Jun. 8th, 2025 02:48 pmysabetwordsmithToday is mostly sunny, humid, and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I dropped the Java moss into the trough pond. It floated. If it doesn't sink after absorbing water, I may need to find a rock to put on it.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I did a bit of weeding in the septic garden and new picnic table.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I sowed cypress vine seeds around the support wire and in the septic garden. Some of the earlier ones have sprouted, but I plant extra because they often get eaten.
I gathered a few poppy seeds.
The first Asiatic lilies are blooming, white with pink tips, around the telephone pole. :D Daylilies have buds.
I've seen a male cardinal at the hopper feeder.
Lots of things are sprouting in the septic garden. \o/
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I picked half a bag of mulberries in the south lot and along the front fence.
I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a mourning dove.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I picked half a bag of mulberries along the front fence and in the savanna.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds from the tulip bed.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds along the strip garden.
The sky clouded over in the afternoon and feels like it might rain again.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds around the edge of the house yard.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I dropped the Java moss into the trough pond. It floated. If it doesn't sink after absorbing water, I may need to find a rock to put on it.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I did a bit of weeding in the septic garden and new picnic table.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I sowed cypress vine seeds around the support wire and in the septic garden. Some of the earlier ones have sprouted, but I plant extra because they often get eaten.
I gathered a few poppy seeds.
The first Asiatic lilies are blooming, white with pink tips, around the telephone pole. :D Daylilies have buds.
I've seen a male cardinal at the hopper feeder.
Lots of things are sprouting in the septic garden. \o/
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I picked half a bag of mulberries in the south lot and along the front fence.
I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a mourning dove.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I picked half a bag of mulberries along the front fence and in the savanna.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds from the tulip bed.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds along the strip garden.
The sky clouded over in the afternoon and feels like it might rain again.
EDIT 6/8/25 -- I pulled weeds around the edge of the house yard.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Fortune Wheel 02.25: Playlist Week 5
Jun. 8th, 2025 08:52 pmprisca posting in fandom_empireAnd here you find this week's playlist.
Short reminder:
You can post unlimited works, but the total weekly regular points are 15.
You don't have to use both prompts, but you can reach maximum points by using one prompt only.
The lucky color can bring some extra points when following some special rules (optional!)
The color is always connected with the given prompt (color 1 belongs to prompt 1 / color 2 belongs to prompt 2)
You can earn extra points once for each prompt.
Color blue = write a fic in first person or create three icons with a plain blue background
Color orange = write a crossover or create a graphic work based on two different fandoms
Color yellow = write a 'dialogue only' ficlet or create two 'text only' graphics bigger than an icon
Color white = write an poem (haiku is fine) or create two icons based on any RL character(s)
Color green = Joker: you will earn five extra points for free
Color red = Zonk: you won't earn any extra points for the connected prompt
Complete rules/points H E R E
If you want to participate in the team challenge (even if you didn't sign up, feel free to join as a joker at any time), go H E R E
Don't forget that you have three wildcards to swap a prompt for any from your prompt list. The lucky number remains unaffected!
Catch up
Some participants have missed posting last week. They are marked with 'catch up' in the list.
For this week your maximum points increase from 15 to 30.
You can use each lucky color twice to earn some extra points (Joker excluded!).
Hiatus List
Participants who have missed more than three weeks in a row will be moved to the hiatus list. Don't worry, this is only to keep the playlist easier to handle. You are more than welcome to jump back into the game at any time.
( Playlist under the cut )
( Hiatuslist under the cut )
Posting for this week officially ends Sunday, June 15 17.00 UTC. There is a grace period until the week is finally called 'close'.
Short reminder:
You can post unlimited works, but the total weekly regular points are 15.
You don't have to use both prompts, but you can reach maximum points by using one prompt only.
The lucky color can bring some extra points when following some special rules (optional!)
The color is always connected with the given prompt (color 1 belongs to prompt 1 / color 2 belongs to prompt 2)
You can earn extra points once for each prompt.
Color blue = write a fic in first person or create three icons with a plain blue background
Color orange = write a crossover or create a graphic work based on two different fandoms
Color yellow = write a 'dialogue only' ficlet or create two 'text only' graphics bigger than an icon
Color white = write an poem (haiku is fine) or create two icons based on any RL character(s)
Color green = Joker: you will earn five extra points for free
Color red = Zonk: you won't earn any extra points for the connected prompt
Complete rules/points H E R E
If you want to participate in the team challenge (even if you didn't sign up, feel free to join as a joker at any time), go H E R E
Don't forget that you have three wildcards to swap a prompt for any from your prompt list. The lucky number remains unaffected!
Catch up
Some participants have missed posting last week. They are marked with 'catch up' in the list.
For this week your maximum points increase from 15 to 30.
You can use each lucky color twice to earn some extra points (Joker excluded!).
Hiatus List
Participants who have missed more than three weeks in a row will be moved to the hiatus list. Don't worry, this is only to keep the playlist easier to handle. You are more than welcome to jump back into the game at any time.
( Playlist under the cut )
( Hiatuslist under the cut )
Posting for this week officially ends Sunday, June 15 17.00 UTC. There is a grace period until the week is finally called 'close'.
Fortune Wheel 02.25: Weekly Score 4
Jun. 8th, 2025 08:21 pmprisca posting in fandom_empirePosting for week four is closed now. Thank you to everyone participating. You all are amazing!
Regular Challenge
We have had 20 participants in total; 11 reached maximum regular points.
Team Challenge
We have had 10 participants in the team challenge this week.
Team Alpha has completed the 'white' column. The team earns two points. One individual point for each work goes toaliensamba (1 work), billykaplan (1 work), dianafortseven (3 works), peppermint_shamrock (1 work) and suzy_queue (2 works).
Team Omega has completed the 'yellow' column. The team earns two points. One individual point for each work goes tomelime (2 works), pattrose (3 works), selfindulgentkitten, xinger and ziazippy5379 (1 work each).
The lucky color is Blue. Congratulations go toanalogbasilisk, who earned two points for filling one 'blue' prompt this week.
Points in Total
ziazippy5379 is at the top of the total highscore list with 91 points.
To check out all scores, have a look at the Highscore Sheets. If you find a mistake, or you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
The playlist for week five will be online soon.
Regular Challenge
We have had 20 participants in total; 11 reached maximum regular points.
Team Challenge
We have had 10 participants in the team challenge this week.
Team Alpha has completed the 'white' column. The team earns two points. One individual point for each work goes to
aliensamba (1 work), billykaplan (1 work), dianafortseven (3 works), peppermint_shamrock (1 work) and suzy_queue (2 works).Team Omega has completed the 'yellow' column. The team earns two points. One individual point for each work goes to
melime (2 works), pattrose (3 works), selfindulgentkitten, xinger and ziazippy5379 (1 work each).The lucky color is Blue. Congratulations go to
analogbasilisk, who earned two points for filling one 'blue' prompt this week.Points in Total
ziazippy5379 is at the top of the total highscore list with 91 points.To check out all scores, have a look at the Highscore Sheets. If you find a mistake, or you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
The playlist for week five will be online soon.