no. no, thank you.
Feb. 8th, 2026 09:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
waterswordAnother 4 inches of snow? And high winds? And "arctic chill"? I cannot.
I am trying the applesauce loaf again, this time with some chunks of "Gold Rush" apples in the batter and making sure not to use lumpy brown sugar. Fingers crossed.
Amtrak's 2FA system is garbage and I may have to contend with Julie, my nemesis (Amtrak's phone customer "service" bot) to get to New York to see Dessa in March (and sneak out of a conference early); my splurge on Restaurant Week was kind of a waste of money (pasta oversalted, rosé weirdly bland); I am sick of all my clothes, no doubt because I have been wearing all of them at the same time for the past month, and the idea of acquiring different clothes is the epitome of exchanging money for bads and disservices.
THIS IS THE BAD PLACE.
40 Days of Drabbles > 2026
Feb. 8th, 2026 07:45 pmflareonfury![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
40daysofdrabbles - so I created this community a few months ago in honor of the old request challenge thing I used to do (of various degrees of success). I am tempted to use the community in the style of adventdrabbles, 'cause it seems wasteful not do more with it. So I'll probably post "prompts" daily there for the period of Lent.Lent is starting February 18th, and again I'm not really religious (despite my family wishes), but I figured I could try this challenge again and see if I could exercise my writing abilities a bit more. I'm gonna try and get everything written & posted by Easter, or by end of April at the latest. *fingerscrossed*
You do not have to be a "friend" to request a pairing, but if you are unsure of a fandom/pairing I like - my list is located here (while not complete exactly, it's mostly is) or feel free to check out the tag list on
harpiewriting for ships I've already wrote for. I also technically have a list of Crossover pairings but that hasn't really been edited since 2012 so yeah... Also some of these fandoms are old and I have not recently watched them (or at times finished them). Request as much as you want since there are so many slots open.... I'll try to pick the ones I know for sure I can/will write & add them to the table. Prompts aren't required. (Or preferably use a prompt from one of my tables I need to write for! :P ) Drabbles will at least be 100 words, maybe more depending on the plot bunnies.
I rarely write dark fics, smut, or super angsty stuff, so if you prefer that, I might not be able to do it? If you have any Do Not Wants, let me know otherwise it'll be whatever my brain can think up.
| 001. --- | 002. --- | 003. --- | 004. --- | 005. --- | 006. --- | 007. --- | 008. --- | 009. --- | 010. --- |
| 011. --- | 012. --- | 013. --- | 014. --- | 015. --- | 016. --- | 017. --- | 018. --- | 019. --- | 020. --- |
| 021. --- | 022. --- | 023. --- | 024. --- | 025. --- | 026. --- | 027. --- | 028. --- | 029. --- | 030. --- |
| 031. --- | 032. --- | 033. --- | 034. --- | 035. --- | 036. --- | 037. --- | 038. --- | 039. --- | 040. --- |
(no subject)
Feb. 8th, 2026 09:24 amvaloiseThis year I made 2 vids for festivids.
As a gift for Vialana I made this vid for Clue. I hadn't seen the movie until last Spring after seeing a really good high school theater production of it. I rushed to see the movie version and have been thinking of vidding it ever since.
AO3
Last year while screening fandoms for Festivids rarity I stumbled down a classic Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies rabbit hole. I methodically when through a chronological list of Bugs Bunny shorts from 1944-1963, scouring online sources for copies, adding info to a lengthy spreadsheet. Armed with a year's worth a work I had fun making this vid fortafadhali
AO3
festivids. As a gift for Vialana I made this vid for Clue. I hadn't seen the movie until last Spring after seeing a really good high school theater production of it. I rushed to see the movie version and have been thinking of vidding it ever since.
AO3
Last year while screening fandoms for Festivids rarity I stumbled down a classic Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies rabbit hole. I methodically when through a chronological list of Bugs Bunny shorts from 1944-1963, scouring online sources for copies, adding info to a lengthy spreadsheet. Armed with a year's worth a work I had fun making this vid for
tafadhaliAO3
no ceiling when i'm in my zone
Feb. 8th, 2026 02:58 pmpensnestThe glorious Wordsmiths At Gorsemere continue to bring me joy. Today's episode was possibly the most sublime. One Mr Sheats arrived, and a cricket match ensued, with commentary by, in succession, Sheats, Wordsmith, and Cholerick.
As the episode drew to a close, Dorothy Wordsmith was heard to say, "Oh, dear, Mr Sheats has forgotten his stockings. I shall preserve them in this basil pot." And I was overtaken by relentless giggles.
Seriously. If you think you might enjoy listening to a radio comedy based upon the humble lives of several lakeland poets, let me hasten to assure you that you would, indeed, you would.
And now, I must paint.
As the episode drew to a close, Dorothy Wordsmith was heard to say, "Oh, dear, Mr Sheats has forgotten his stockings. I shall preserve them in this basil pot." And I was overtaken by relentless giggles.
Seriously. If you think you might enjoy listening to a radio comedy based upon the humble lives of several lakeland poets, let me hasten to assure you that you would, indeed, you would.
And now, I must paint.
February 8, 2026 + February 24 & 25, 2026
Feb. 8th, 2026 07:49 amlizzybuffy20088. How often do you read fiction?
All of the time. It is my preference rather than nonfiction. I read 50 books last year and hope to do about the same this year.
24. What are you watching this month that you are enjoying?
We re-watched "The Night Manager," so we could watch season 2. The first was excellent, the second is good, but not quite as good. Also watching figure skating in the Olympics.
25. When was the last time the windows in your home were washed?
It's been a couple of years. It is something we will (hopefully) do more regularly once K retires.
All of the time. It is my preference rather than nonfiction. I read 50 books last year and hope to do about the same this year.
24. What are you watching this month that you are enjoying?
We re-watched "The Night Manager," so we could watch season 2. The first was excellent, the second is good, but not quite as good. Also watching figure skating in the Olympics.
25. When was the last time the windows in your home were washed?
It's been a couple of years. It is something we will (hopefully) do more regularly once K retires.
got through the weekend
Feb. 8th, 2026 07:51 pmtielanNot quite as bad as feared, although every time I tried to take a nap/sleep in, I ended up having to field a call from a Baby Boomer.
UGH.
I mean, it was only twice. But both times it was about stuff that my uncle was trying to get rid of. First his wife called me (after he called my phone and couldn't get through, she called B1's phone, and B1 WOKE ME UP to give me the phone). And then mum called me WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SLEEP IN ON SUNDAY MORNING.
IDK. I try to sleep, it never manages to be enough lately. Like I'm functional, just tired. Also, headaches a lot. And my temporomandibular joint has been giving me trouble. It feels fine most of them time, but biting down on things is a bit dodgy.
Tomorrow, I'm going to watch the superbowl with some guys from church. It's annual, and just one of those Things That I Do. Three of the four friends who usually come along and watch have checked in with me to see if I'm coming. And as for the fourth friend, I'll just say "curiosity is not his love language".
Oof, I might go lie down and do some reading until I fall asleep.
I did write about 1200 words today, though. That was good.
UGH.
I mean, it was only twice. But both times it was about stuff that my uncle was trying to get rid of. First his wife called me (after he called my phone and couldn't get through, she called B1's phone, and B1 WOKE ME UP to give me the phone). And then mum called me WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SLEEP IN ON SUNDAY MORNING.
IDK. I try to sleep, it never manages to be enough lately. Like I'm functional, just tired. Also, headaches a lot. And my temporomandibular joint has been giving me trouble. It feels fine most of them time, but biting down on things is a bit dodgy.
Tomorrow, I'm going to watch the superbowl with some guys from church. It's annual, and just one of those Things That I Do. Three of the four friends who usually come along and watch have checked in with me to see if I'm coming. And as for the fourth friend, I'll just say "curiosity is not his love language".
Oof, I might go lie down and do some reading until I fall asleep.
I did write about 1200 words today, though. That was good.
Really just an AMV rec post for The Summer Hikaru Died
Feb. 8th, 2026 02:08 pmcaramarieI’m following The Summer Hikaru Died as the manga is released in English, and I’d heard good things about the anime but I hadn’t intended to watch it because I generally feel that anime adaptations won’t give me anything I don’t get out of the manga. I only changed my mind after I watched the AMV IMPOSTEЯ (by Bauzi) courtesy of katranat’s 2025 reclist. Which I guess was visually striking enough to convince me otherwise!
So I watched the anime over my summer break and I enjoyed it a lot! I like the manga but the anime definitely made me feel more obsessive – although that could be in part the more compressed experience and I should try rereading the manga straight through. Hikaru is an endearing cosmic horror, but Yoshiki is my fave. I just want that boy to be happy!! So much angst but in a very understandable way.
There were four AMVs for it in Festivids this year. I particularly enjoyedwinterevanesce’s MONSTER! and pi’s TMI ♥
katranat’s 2025 reclist. Which I guess was visually striking enough to convince me otherwise!So I watched the anime over my summer break and I enjoyed it a lot! I like the manga but the anime definitely made me feel more obsessive – although that could be in part the more compressed experience and I should try rereading the manga straight through. Hikaru is an endearing cosmic horror, but Yoshiki is my fave. I just want that boy to be happy!! So much angst but in a very understandable way.
There were four AMVs for it in Festivids this year. I particularly enjoyed
winterevanesce’s MONSTER! and pi’s TMI ♥there's just something about the moon
Feb. 7th, 2026 06:10 pmmusesfoolPer my last post, I intended to make two specific dishes for dinner this weekend (panko-crusted pork chops and pasta with sausage and cabbage), and my groceries were ordered with that in mind. Three guesses as to what did not arrive with my order, and the first two don't count. (Spoiler: it was the sausage and the pork chops.)
Sigh.
I gave up on today and just ordered pizza, and I think tomorrow I will pivot to mac and cheese because I have all the ingredients for that without having to do a second grocery delivery.
This afternoon, I baked an apple-cranberry crumble since I had 2 apples I hadn't eaten yet and all those cranberries hanging around. Instead of walnuts, I used pecans and instead of raisins I used chocolate chips, and I used maple sugar over the fruit instead of regular, and it smells fantastic. I can't wait to cut into it. I might need to make some whipped cream to eat with it.
The wind is whipping around like crazy and it's supposed to be super extra cold tomorrow, so I hope everyone is safe and warm, wherever you are.
*
Sigh.
I gave up on today and just ordered pizza, and I think tomorrow I will pivot to mac and cheese because I have all the ingredients for that without having to do a second grocery delivery.
This afternoon, I baked an apple-cranberry crumble since I had 2 apples I hadn't eaten yet and all those cranberries hanging around. Instead of walnuts, I used pecans and instead of raisins I used chocolate chips, and I used maple sugar over the fruit instead of regular, and it smells fantastic. I can't wait to cut into it. I might need to make some whipped cream to eat with it.
The wind is whipping around like crazy and it's supposed to be super extra cold tomorrow, so I hope everyone is safe and warm, wherever you are.
*
Weekly proof of life: mainly media
Feb. 7th, 2026 03:25 pmumadoshiIn movie news, Cineplex has a listing for Zhu Yilong's new movie, Scare Out, which is apparently opening in Canada on Feb. 17. I refuse to let myself be excited about this, after having so much hope about Dongji Rescue last summer. But maybe it'll open here and I'll be able to see it! At least the 17th is before the crunch at work starts.
Reading: To shake things up a bit from Kurosagi, this week I reread the first two volumes of Hikaru no Go. In both of these cases, I'm pretty much relying on Goodreads to tell me when I get to volumes I haven't previously read. Awkwardly for my sense of "what even is time?", this means that I now know that I first read vol. 1 of Hikaru no Go in 2006 and vol. 1 of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service in 2008.
My sense of how far I got into Hikaru no Go is completely nonexistent, since I know I read some number of volumes at some point, and I saw some of the anime (long enough ago that I know we were still living in the co-op we moved out of over fifteen years ago), andscruloose and I (much later) saw the c-drama in its entirety. It's all rather a jumble. But seeing the c-drama did inspire me to finish buying the manga, and I guess its time has come!
I did wind up reading all of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the upshot, given my uncertainty about finishing it to begin with, is unsurprisingly that I doubt I'll pick up the second book. I think it's very safe to say that LitRPG is not my thing. I did wind up liking the book more overall than I would've thought back around the 40% mark or so, though.
Watching: We're caught up on The Pitt and one episode behind on Frieren. We've also seen the second episode of Midnight Mass, which has a lot of animal harm; I don't have any triggers that I'm aware of, but it was enough to be upsetting.
Playing: I think I've finished Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven, which is to say that I've finished the main plot and done a few wrapping-up things, leaving me free to idly manage the cult and do dungeon runs, but that's usually when I wander off.
Weathering: We're having some of what I would call Normal Snow for the second time this week. The first time, a few days ago, I realized I've started to basically think in terms of "winter days that are cold but not much is happening outside" and "snowstorms", without much in between, but that's probably a result of leaving the house so rarely as much as it's a byproduct of climate change.
Reading: To shake things up a bit from Kurosagi, this week I reread the first two volumes of Hikaru no Go. In both of these cases, I'm pretty much relying on Goodreads to tell me when I get to volumes I haven't previously read. Awkwardly for my sense of "what even is time?", this means that I now know that I first read vol. 1 of Hikaru no Go in 2006 and vol. 1 of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service in 2008.
My sense of how far I got into Hikaru no Go is completely nonexistent, since I know I read some number of volumes at some point, and I saw some of the anime (long enough ago that I know we were still living in the co-op we moved out of over fifteen years ago), and
scruloose and I (much later) saw the c-drama in its entirety. It's all rather a jumble. But seeing the c-drama did inspire me to finish buying the manga, and I guess its time has come!I did wind up reading all of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the upshot, given my uncertainty about finishing it to begin with, is unsurprisingly that I doubt I'll pick up the second book. I think it's very safe to say that LitRPG is not my thing. I did wind up liking the book more overall than I would've thought back around the 40% mark or so, though.
Watching: We're caught up on The Pitt and one episode behind on Frieren. We've also seen the second episode of Midnight Mass, which has a lot of animal harm; I don't have any triggers that I'm aware of, but it was enough to be upsetting.
Playing: I think I've finished Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven, which is to say that I've finished the main plot and done a few wrapping-up things, leaving me free to idly manage the cult and do dungeon runs, but that's usually when I wander off.
Weathering: We're having some of what I would call Normal Snow for the second time this week. The first time, a few days ago, I realized I've started to basically think in terms of "winter days that are cold but not much is happening outside" and "snowstorms", without much in between, but that's probably a result of leaving the house so rarely as much as it's a byproduct of climate change.
BTS Drabble Sequence: Prima Materia
Feb. 7th, 2026 06:15 pmkat_lair***
Title: Prima Materia
Author:kat_lair
Fandom: 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS
Pairing: Jeon Jungkook & Kim Namjoon | RM, Jeon Jungkook/Kim Namjoon | RM
Tags: Ambiguous Relationships, Drabble Sequence, Magical Realism, the Japanese MV for Blood Sweat and Tears, in particular whatever is going on with Namjoon, Jungkook and that drink
Rating: T
Word count: 5 x 500
Summary: Namjoon smells different, like the deep green ocean instead the streets.
Author notes: Written fordreamersdare for fandomtrees. DD’s prompt was “Anything that draws on the Japanese MV for Blood, Sweat and Tears, in particular whatever is going on with Namjoon, Jungkook and that drink.” I regret to inform you; I am not so much answering the essay question as I am talking around it. You know, like, 'focuses on the details but presents no actual arguments'. Was fun to write though :D
Prima Materia on AO3
( Prima Materia )
***
Title: Prima Materia
Author:
kat_lair Fandom: 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS
Pairing: Jeon Jungkook & Kim Namjoon | RM, Jeon Jungkook/Kim Namjoon | RM
Tags: Ambiguous Relationships, Drabble Sequence, Magical Realism, the Japanese MV for Blood Sweat and Tears, in particular whatever is going on with Namjoon, Jungkook and that drink
Rating: T
Word count: 5 x 500
Summary: Namjoon smells different, like the deep green ocean instead the streets.
Author notes: Written for
dreamersdare for fandomtrees. DD’s prompt was “Anything that draws on the Japanese MV for Blood, Sweat and Tears, in particular whatever is going on with Namjoon, Jungkook and that drink.” I regret to inform you; I am not so much answering the essay question as I am talking around it. You know, like, 'focuses on the details but presents no actual arguments'. Was fun to write though :D Prima Materia on AO3
( Prima Materia )
***
How is the effective temperature going to be even LOWER at noon than it is now!?
Feb. 6th, 2026 01:44 amThe Dreamer by Dulcie Deamer
Feb. 7th, 2026 08:48 amconulyThe wave yearns at the cliff foot: its pale arms
Reach upward and relapse, like down-dropped hands;
The baffled tides slip backward evermore,
And a long sighing murmurs round the sands . . .
My heart is as the wave that lifts and falls:
Tall is the cliff—oh! tall as that dim star
That crowns its summit hidden in a cloud—
Tall as the dark and holy heavens are.
The sad strange wreckage of full many ships
Burdens the bitter waters’ ebb and flow:
Gold diadems, like slowly falling flames,
Lighten the restless emerald gulfs below;
And withered blossoms float, and silken webs,
And pallid faces framed in wide-spread hair,
And bubble-globes that seethe with peacock hues,
And jewelled hands, half-open, cold and fair.
Sea creatures move beneath: their swift sleek touch
Begets sweet madness and unworthy fire—
Scaled women—triton-things, whose dark seal eyes
Are hot and bloodshot with a man’s desire.
Their strange arms clasp: the sea-pulse in their veins
Beats like the surf of the immortal sea—
Strong, glad and soulless: elemental joys
Bathe with green flame the sinking soul of me.
Downward and down—to passionate purple looms,
Athrill with thought-free, blurred, insatiate life,
Where the slow-throbbing sea-flow sways like weed
Dim figures blended in an amorous strife—
I am enclasped, I sink; but the wave lifts,
With all its freight of treasure and of death,
In sullen foamless yearning towards the height
Where the star burns above the vapour-wreath;
And a deep sob goes up, and all the caves
Are filled with mourning and a sorrow-sound.
The green fire fades: I rise: I see the star—
Gone are the triton arms that clipped me round.
Hope beats like some lost bird against the cliff—
The granite cliff above the burdened wave,
Whose fleeting riches are more desolate
Than gems dust-mingled in a nameless grave . . .
When all the wordless thirsts of Time are slaked,
And all Earth’s yearning hungers sweetly fed,
And the Sea’s grief is stilled, and the Wind’s cry,
And Day and Night clasp on one glowing bed—
Oh! in that hour shall clay and flame be blent—
Love find its perfect lover, breast on breast—
When dream and dreamer at the last are one,
And joy is folded in the arms of jest.
****
Reach upward and relapse, like down-dropped hands;
The baffled tides slip backward evermore,
And a long sighing murmurs round the sands . . .
My heart is as the wave that lifts and falls:
Tall is the cliff—oh! tall as that dim star
That crowns its summit hidden in a cloud—
Tall as the dark and holy heavens are.
The sad strange wreckage of full many ships
Burdens the bitter waters’ ebb and flow:
Gold diadems, like slowly falling flames,
Lighten the restless emerald gulfs below;
And withered blossoms float, and silken webs,
And pallid faces framed in wide-spread hair,
And bubble-globes that seethe with peacock hues,
And jewelled hands, half-open, cold and fair.
Sea creatures move beneath: their swift sleek touch
Begets sweet madness and unworthy fire—
Scaled women—triton-things, whose dark seal eyes
Are hot and bloodshot with a man’s desire.
Their strange arms clasp: the sea-pulse in their veins
Beats like the surf of the immortal sea—
Strong, glad and soulless: elemental joys
Bathe with green flame the sinking soul of me.
Downward and down—to passionate purple looms,
Athrill with thought-free, blurred, insatiate life,
Where the slow-throbbing sea-flow sways like weed
Dim figures blended in an amorous strife—
I am enclasped, I sink; but the wave lifts,
With all its freight of treasure and of death,
In sullen foamless yearning towards the height
Where the star burns above the vapour-wreath;
And a deep sob goes up, and all the caves
Are filled with mourning and a sorrow-sound.
The green fire fades: I rise: I see the star—
Gone are the triton arms that clipped me round.
Hope beats like some lost bird against the cliff—
The granite cliff above the burdened wave,
Whose fleeting riches are more desolate
Than gems dust-mingled in a nameless grave . . .
When all the wordless thirsts of Time are slaked,
And all Earth’s yearning hungers sweetly fed,
And the Sea’s grief is stilled, and the Wind’s cry,
And Day and Night clasp on one glowing bed—
Oh! in that hour shall clay and flame be blent—
Love find its perfect lover, breast on breast—
When dream and dreamer at the last are one,
And joy is folded in the arms of jest.
February 6 & 7, 2026 + February 22 & 23, 2026
Feb. 7th, 2026 07:40 amlizzybuffy20086. In 1869, Harper's Weekly published the first picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers. Do you know anyone with a beard or a moustache?
K had a mustache when we dated, got married and for about 6 years after (he cannot grow a beard.) He has been clean shaven for the last 30 years though. His middle brother sometimes has a goatee.
7. Is there a subject at school which you disliked, but you would consider learning now?
No, I loved school, so there was nothing much I disliked.
22. What is your favourite writing implement – a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, pencil or something else?
I like to write with a pen that has a semi fine point and does not smudge.
23. Do you own many mirrors?
Besides the ones in our 3 bathrooms, I have a handheld, a lighted make-up mirror, a free standing mirror in the bedroom and a couple of large mirrors in our gym in the basement.
K had a mustache when we dated, got married and for about 6 years after (he cannot grow a beard.) He has been clean shaven for the last 30 years though. His middle brother sometimes has a goatee.
7. Is there a subject at school which you disliked, but you would consider learning now?
No, I loved school, so there was nothing much I disliked.
22. What is your favourite writing implement – a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, pencil or something else?
I like to write with a pen that has a semi fine point and does not smudge.
23. Do you own many mirrors?
Besides the ones in our 3 bathrooms, I have a handheld, a lighted make-up mirror, a free standing mirror in the bedroom and a couple of large mirrors in our gym in the basement.
Watched A Man on the Inside with Jenn
Feb. 5th, 2026 10:14 amconulyThat's a pretty good show, although she ruined it by guessing all the plot twists.
( Teensy spoiler for second season )
*******************************
( Read more... )
( Teensy spoiler for second season )
( Read more... )
