10 multifandom icons for fandom10in30
Jun. 4th, 2026 08:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tinnyThe current round 64 at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandom10in30 is all about colors inspired by summer fruit. There were some really exotic fruits in there, I had fun making them into a rainbow. :D
Teasers:
( 10+1 multifandom icons, Love on the Turquoise Land, Off Campus, ... )
Concrit and comments very welcome! Take and use as many icons as you like, credit is appreciated. If you want to know whose textures and brushes I use, take a look at my resource post.
Previous icon posts:
fandom10in30 is all about colors inspired by summer fruit. There were some really exotic fruits in there, I had fun making them into a rainbow. :DTeasers:
( 10+1 multifandom icons, Love on the Turquoise Land, Off Campus, ... )
Concrit and comments very welcome! Take and use as many icons as you like, credit is appreciated. If you want to know whose textures and brushes I use, take a look at my resource post.
The best Project Hail Mary review, limerick-stylée
Jun. 4th, 2026 01:09 pmpetraI swear I didn't write this and you know it wasn't me, because I would've been spamming you all with Grace/Rocky since March if it had been.
But! Limericks! The third one is especially great.
But! Limericks! The third one is especially great.
Navy Promotion List
Jun. 4th, 2026 10:09 amfabrisse posting in thisfinecrewOn June 11, 1970 Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth Hoisington were the first women in the U.S. military to be promoted to Brigadier General.
Yesterday, Pete Hegseth removed all women from the promotions lists. He also decided that some men had too much melanin and took them off the list, too, but it wasn't every man of color who was removed.
If you grew up in the military, if you know a veteran -- especially if it's a female veteran -- call, write, or email their congressperson and your own. Bonus points if the congress critter is on one of the armed services committees. [ https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/ lists the senate committee, https://armedservices.house.gov/about/members.htm lists the house committee members]
After 28.5 years in the Army, my father retired and became a professor. Many of the kids he taught were ROTC -- as he had been -- and a large percentage went into the regular military rather than the reserves. About eight months before he died, we got a letter from one of his students who had just retired as a Rear Admiral thanking him for his guidance and example. Dad was so proud of this woman. When he entered the service, most WACS and WAVES were nurses or secretaries. Now, he was being honored by a student who had been promoted to a higher rank than he'd held for her work in Computer Systems.
Several years before her promotion, when I was five, I was privileged to meet Colonel Hoisington. I swear I heard Dad's spine snap as she was introduced to us by a mutual friend. On our way home that evening, he told me to remember her because it was predicted that she'd be the first woman general.
As a sample, I would like to suggest:
It is appalling that a Secretary of Defense has removed all women and many men of color from the Naval promotions list. At a time when we have hotspots around the world, it is crippling to morale to see that hard work and honorable service has been deemed unworthy of further advancement. Nurses, doctors, logistical and other support personnel are as essential to our ability to operate as helicopter pilots or gunners. Good officers should be promoted.
If you or the veterans you know have any personal story to share, please do so.
I grew up in the military. I hate what's being done by our current president in the Middle East, Venezuela, and, potentially, Cuba. But that doesn't mean that I don't value military service. It's time that Congress demonstrated that it, too, values the voluntary service of our military.
Yesterday, Pete Hegseth removed all women from the promotions lists. He also decided that some men had too much melanin and took them off the list, too, but it wasn't every man of color who was removed.
If you grew up in the military, if you know a veteran -- especially if it's a female veteran -- call, write, or email their congressperson and your own. Bonus points if the congress critter is on one of the armed services committees. [ https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/ lists the senate committee, https://armedservices.house.gov/about/members.htm lists the house committee members]
After 28.5 years in the Army, my father retired and became a professor. Many of the kids he taught were ROTC -- as he had been -- and a large percentage went into the regular military rather than the reserves. About eight months before he died, we got a letter from one of his students who had just retired as a Rear Admiral thanking him for his guidance and example. Dad was so proud of this woman. When he entered the service, most WACS and WAVES were nurses or secretaries. Now, he was being honored by a student who had been promoted to a higher rank than he'd held for her work in Computer Systems.
Several years before her promotion, when I was five, I was privileged to meet Colonel Hoisington. I swear I heard Dad's spine snap as she was introduced to us by a mutual friend. On our way home that evening, he told me to remember her because it was predicted that she'd be the first woman general.
As a sample, I would like to suggest:
It is appalling that a Secretary of Defense has removed all women and many men of color from the Naval promotions list. At a time when we have hotspots around the world, it is crippling to morale to see that hard work and honorable service has been deemed unworthy of further advancement. Nurses, doctors, logistical and other support personnel are as essential to our ability to operate as helicopter pilots or gunners. Good officers should be promoted.
If you or the veterans you know have any personal story to share, please do so.
I grew up in the military. I hate what's being done by our current president in the Middle East, Venezuela, and, potentially, Cuba. But that doesn't mean that I don't value military service. It's time that Congress demonstrated that it, too, values the voluntary service of our military.
The Restoration Game by Ken MacLeod
Jun. 4th, 2026 09:15 amjames_davis_nicoll
A programmer is dragged into a geopolitical squabble, complicated by untoward existential revelations.
The Restoration Game by Ken MacLeod
Another Twisted Tale? In this economy?
Jun. 4th, 2026 08:41 pmscaramoucheI don't think any of the Disney YA novels are particularly big except in certain circles, but I guess the Twisted Tales series has been doing well enough that it's justified some spin-offs. Even so, there's something like two dozen books in the series now, so I was not expecting that the "Part of Your World" TLM AU novel, which already got a graphic novel adaptation a few years ago, would also get a manga adaptation? Isn't that same thing, for the same market (since they're both English-language publications), just in different styles?
I just managed to get my hands on the two volumes of the manga and I think if the graphic novel didn't already exist, I would probably like it better. It's the same story but with some changes to make it more exciting (there's a whole fight sequence Ariel gets to do) but Ariel cries so much and although Ariel, Vanessa and Ursula look great, Eric doesn't look like Eric at all and it keeps throwing me out.
( Wobbly photos behind the cut. )
I just managed to get my hands on the two volumes of the manga and I think if the graphic novel didn't already exist, I would probably like it better. It's the same story but with some changes to make it more exciting (there's a whole fight sequence Ariel gets to do) but Ariel cries so much and although Ariel, Vanessa and Ursula look great, Eric doesn't look like Eric at all and it keeps throwing me out.
( Wobbly photos behind the cut. )
Cause feeling pain's a hard way to know you're still alive.
Jun. 4th, 2026 04:21 ambeansideHappy Thursday!
I'm so glad that the only places I need to go today are both air conditioned. They're not up to my levels of frosty, but but it's better than nothing. Today, unlike yesterday, I will not be sitting outdoors for over 2 hours int the heat. But more about that later. I have two things to do today. 1. go get our pills, and 2. take some stuff to the storage unit so kitty will have more room. The pharmacy is important, but the storage unit is vital. We've got winter clothes, and suitcases and a Christmas tree to get out of the house. We want the good Princess Celeste to have plenty of room.
When I expressed frustration that we had four more days until we got to meet her, her foster mama offered to meet tonight. It's tempting, but we're not ready. Plus we have a lot going on this weekend, and I'd hate to leave her the first full day.
So, Sunday it is. How can I possibly wait to pick up this baby?
I love her foster mother. I had asked if she had any video or audio of her talking. which she's sent. But she's continued to send photos and video of her. They're adorable, and I appreciate it so much.
We got more info on her background. She was adopted in 2022 by what was assumed to be a lovely couple. They passed all the background check and vets and references. They had her for 3 years, before she tested positive for FELV. They immediately wanted to euthanize, but the vet worked with hte shelter, and let them know. They hurried over, and she was saved. (The people have since turned to backyard breeding to make some cash, so they're not great people in general.) She's been back with them for 8 months, so she'she's about 4 years old. I was already grumpy at these people when I thought they'd surrendered her. But no, instead they were going to euthanize a perfectly healthy cat who may never show signs of FELV. Also as presumed, they got the cheap test, which has a 40% fals positive on healthy cats.
I mean, maybe on Monday, our vet will say "yes, she has it." It's what I'm expecting on the PCR test. Then, we'll make plans on how to keep her as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
I went insane on buying. Princess Cece got like four packages yesterday. Chewy is doing little backflips, I swear. Also Petco and Amazon. She's got a ton of food, meal toppers, treats, churus. And more coming today, I think. She has her bougie food coming and her cat tree, and maybe a fountain to drink out of and her princess dress (which I repeat: if she doesn't want to be a cat who wears clothes, she certainly doesn't have to.
Even her foster was saying that they're kind of limited to what's donated and what's on sale food wise, so she's going to be in for a bit of a shock at the level she's to be spoiled. Last night, I ordered two cat bed/caves for her to hide in if she needs to. They're both very nice and she can curl up in either and feel safe. One is a cute felted orb. The opening is kind of high on the side, so she'll be able to either peek out or snuggle down out of sight. The second is made like a cat food can, with the top just a tiny bit raised for the best hiding places. She's going to be SO spoiled. And hopefully, Ms. Picky Eater will find her groove and become spherical kitty!
We'll keep it within reason, but we're going to make this cat round.
Yesterday was a busy day. I worked from 8-12, then went over to the Patient Access Picnic. Last year, our table was behind the speaker, this time in front of. Even though we were about 50 feet away, good lord it was loud. You could barely hear yourself think, and to talk to someone, you had to yell, so that made it even louder. I came home with a screaming headache. The company was lovely, including a couple of my old IKEA friends, J and M. I helped M get hired in Radiology. I have kept in touch via facebook messenger, but it was really nice to see her. The food was okay. Hamburgers and hot dogs, BBQ chicken, pasta salad, corn and baked beans. The chicken was a little dry, but the sauce was good, so that was something. I was severely nauseous when I left, but the Mounjaro did not make anything return to sender, so that's good. All in all, glad I went, to see M if nothing else, but lord, I wish they'd turn the music down. Of course, next week I'm going to be in another loud overstimulating environment, taking a turn at the Hopkins Pride booth.
After the picnic, I'd planned on getting the pills, but the beltway was backed way up on both sides. I think I'll probably try to go at lunch. I got home a little after 3. Of course, being me, I'd offered to work the last two hours of the day in case we were crazy. (Which we were.). It was a lot of fun with the headache, but I got through it.
I got a certificate from the Head of Radiology in the Hospital for always being willing to help out with problems. It came with points, so soon I'll be able to buy some other silly, useless thing.
Tomorrow, we have to set up the cat tree. (Unless it gets here early and we do it tonight) We should also test the fountain (Depending on when that arrives). Oh, and probably make another trip to the storage unit. We have a lot of shit between the 3 suitcases, a big cooler, Christmas stuff and winter clothes. It'll be nice to have the big suitcases out, since we won't need any of them for 5 months. I'm pretty sure the overnight trip at the end of July can be handled in the Nomade Lane carry on and maybe my tiny kid-sized rolly bag. The beginning of October might need a rolly bag for each of us, since the con lasts 3 days. And CONfab will definitely need a rolly bag and maybe a big bag.
Saturday, we have to drop the puppers off for his day care. We have He-Man in the morning at 10, Im going out to lunch with a friend after, and then we shall work on getting anything else ready for the princess. We'll change the sheets. Shame the new comforter hasn't come. I'll vacuum, and wipe things up, just so there's a little less Boodle hair on things.
Sunday, we have game at 11-2, then we're driving up to York, PA to meet Miss Celeste. And as long as she doesn't hate us, we're coming home with a kitty. Her foster has made it clear that she's ours if we want her. So that's good. We were both a little worried that the foster would hate us, but we've been texting and she's decided that we're good people. So yay!
I'm a wee bit nauseous this morning, but we'll see how it goes through the day. I will nudge Jenn about the PTO I put in for both Celeste and Yoda's appointments this week. Celeste is Monday and Yoda's is Wednesday. I may call today to see if we could nudge his cytopkine shot up to today or tomorrow, because he's been itching something fierce and I don't want him to get an infection.
All in all, the beanside/nilchance house is all in for this kitty. I'd say the kitty talk will drop off when we get her, but I'd probably be lying.
One thing they did mention about her is that she loves to sit next to you or on your lap while you game. Jess is so excited about that. Boodle would lay on the cat tree next to her desk, or on the desk while Jess played D&D. Depending on one of our other group member's travel plans, we may have a game right after we get her home, so she'll get her chance pretty quickly, though it might take a couple of weeks for her to get that comfy.
Or, maybe she will be one of those cats who just settles right in with no fuss, I have no idea. It's all up to her.
Okay, going to stop babbling and drink some coffee. Everyone have an amazing Thursday!
I'm so glad that the only places I need to go today are both air conditioned. They're not up to my levels of frosty, but but it's better than nothing. Today, unlike yesterday, I will not be sitting outdoors for over 2 hours int the heat. But more about that later. I have two things to do today. 1. go get our pills, and 2. take some stuff to the storage unit so kitty will have more room. The pharmacy is important, but the storage unit is vital. We've got winter clothes, and suitcases and a Christmas tree to get out of the house. We want the good Princess Celeste to have plenty of room.
When I expressed frustration that we had four more days until we got to meet her, her foster mama offered to meet tonight. It's tempting, but we're not ready. Plus we have a lot going on this weekend, and I'd hate to leave her the first full day.
So, Sunday it is. How can I possibly wait to pick up this baby?
I love her foster mother. I had asked if she had any video or audio of her talking. which she's sent. But she's continued to send photos and video of her. They're adorable, and I appreciate it so much.
We got more info on her background. She was adopted in 2022 by what was assumed to be a lovely couple. They passed all the background check and vets and references. They had her for 3 years, before she tested positive for FELV. They immediately wanted to euthanize, but the vet worked with hte shelter, and let them know. They hurried over, and she was saved. (The people have since turned to backyard breeding to make some cash, so they're not great people in general.) She's been back with them for 8 months, so she'she's about 4 years old. I was already grumpy at these people when I thought they'd surrendered her. But no, instead they were going to euthanize a perfectly healthy cat who may never show signs of FELV. Also as presumed, they got the cheap test, which has a 40% fals positive on healthy cats.
I mean, maybe on Monday, our vet will say "yes, she has it." It's what I'm expecting on the PCR test. Then, we'll make plans on how to keep her as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
I went insane on buying. Princess Cece got like four packages yesterday. Chewy is doing little backflips, I swear. Also Petco and Amazon. She's got a ton of food, meal toppers, treats, churus. And more coming today, I think. She has her bougie food coming and her cat tree, and maybe a fountain to drink out of and her princess dress (which I repeat: if she doesn't want to be a cat who wears clothes, she certainly doesn't have to.
Even her foster was saying that they're kind of limited to what's donated and what's on sale food wise, so she's going to be in for a bit of a shock at the level she's to be spoiled. Last night, I ordered two cat bed/caves for her to hide in if she needs to. They're both very nice and she can curl up in either and feel safe. One is a cute felted orb. The opening is kind of high on the side, so she'll be able to either peek out or snuggle down out of sight. The second is made like a cat food can, with the top just a tiny bit raised for the best hiding places. She's going to be SO spoiled. And hopefully, Ms. Picky Eater will find her groove and become spherical kitty!
We'll keep it within reason, but we're going to make this cat round.
Yesterday was a busy day. I worked from 8-12, then went over to the Patient Access Picnic. Last year, our table was behind the speaker, this time in front of. Even though we were about 50 feet away, good lord it was loud. You could barely hear yourself think, and to talk to someone, you had to yell, so that made it even louder. I came home with a screaming headache. The company was lovely, including a couple of my old IKEA friends, J and M. I helped M get hired in Radiology. I have kept in touch via facebook messenger, but it was really nice to see her. The food was okay. Hamburgers and hot dogs, BBQ chicken, pasta salad, corn and baked beans. The chicken was a little dry, but the sauce was good, so that was something. I was severely nauseous when I left, but the Mounjaro did not make anything return to sender, so that's good. All in all, glad I went, to see M if nothing else, but lord, I wish they'd turn the music down. Of course, next week I'm going to be in another loud overstimulating environment, taking a turn at the Hopkins Pride booth.
After the picnic, I'd planned on getting the pills, but the beltway was backed way up on both sides. I think I'll probably try to go at lunch. I got home a little after 3. Of course, being me, I'd offered to work the last two hours of the day in case we were crazy. (Which we were.). It was a lot of fun with the headache, but I got through it.
I got a certificate from the Head of Radiology in the Hospital for always being willing to help out with problems. It came with points, so soon I'll be able to buy some other silly, useless thing.
Tomorrow, we have to set up the cat tree. (Unless it gets here early and we do it tonight) We should also test the fountain (Depending on when that arrives). Oh, and probably make another trip to the storage unit. We have a lot of shit between the 3 suitcases, a big cooler, Christmas stuff and winter clothes. It'll be nice to have the big suitcases out, since we won't need any of them for 5 months. I'm pretty sure the overnight trip at the end of July can be handled in the Nomade Lane carry on and maybe my tiny kid-sized rolly bag. The beginning of October might need a rolly bag for each of us, since the con lasts 3 days. And CONfab will definitely need a rolly bag and maybe a big bag.
Saturday, we have to drop the puppers off for his day care. We have He-Man in the morning at 10, Im going out to lunch with a friend after, and then we shall work on getting anything else ready for the princess. We'll change the sheets. Shame the new comforter hasn't come. I'll vacuum, and wipe things up, just so there's a little less Boodle hair on things.
Sunday, we have game at 11-2, then we're driving up to York, PA to meet Miss Celeste. And as long as she doesn't hate us, we're coming home with a kitty. Her foster has made it clear that she's ours if we want her. So that's good. We were both a little worried that the foster would hate us, but we've been texting and she's decided that we're good people. So yay!
I'm a wee bit nauseous this morning, but we'll see how it goes through the day. I will nudge Jenn about the PTO I put in for both Celeste and Yoda's appointments this week. Celeste is Monday and Yoda's is Wednesday. I may call today to see if we could nudge his cytopkine shot up to today or tomorrow, because he's been itching something fierce and I don't want him to get an infection.
All in all, the beanside/nilchance house is all in for this kitty. I'd say the kitty talk will drop off when we get her, but I'd probably be lying.
One thing they did mention about her is that she loves to sit next to you or on your lap while you game. Jess is so excited about that. Boodle would lay on the cat tree next to her desk, or on the desk while Jess played D&D. Depending on one of our other group member's travel plans, we may have a game right after we get her home, so she'll get her chance pretty quickly, though it might take a couple of weeks for her to get that comfy.
Or, maybe she will be one of those cats who just settles right in with no fuss, I have no idea. It's all up to her.
Okay, going to stop babbling and drink some coffee. Everyone have an amazing Thursday!
Peak breakfast pot
Jun. 4th, 2026 10:10 amnanilaI’ve been making overnight oats in jars for the bloke and me since the start of the year, and have experimented with varying ingredients and quantities. I think I’ve finally found the balance I like best, so I’ve carefully documented this below in case I ever stop making them regularly.
- Base layer is 3 medium-sized strawberries, chopped into 1cm pieces. For the bloke, 4 tablespoons of oats, for me, 3 tablespoons.
- Shake the jar to mix oats and strawberries. This is especially important if using the jumbo oats (as shown here), otherwise I end up adding too much milk.
- Add milk to just below the top layer of oats. For him, whole milk, for me, oat milk.
- Add full-fat Greek yoghurt. For him, 3 heaping tablespoons, for me, 2. This helps to moisten the top layer of oats, and also gives a smooth layer between the oats and the crunchy bits at the top.
- Add Linwoods Milled Flaxseed, Sunflower, Pumpkin & Chia Seeds & Goji Berries. Two teaspoons for both of us. I used chia seeds on their own for a while, but I found that I didn’t much care for their crunchy texture and tendency to get stuck in my teeth even after soaking them briefly in water to activate their mucilaginous properties. This mixture is much nicer.
- Add 3-4 teaspoons of pomegranate seeds. These have the right balance of juice and crunch after the yoghurt layer.
- Finish with granola. I prefer the stuff that has freeze-dried strawberries mixed in. For him, 2 tablespoons, for me, one.
- Put lids on jars, store in fridge until morning. I find these fill me up sufficiently that I’m rarely hungry before lunch, although I often eat a banana around coffee time just to give myself a little boost.
Did you bring gold? Did you bring silver to set me free?
Jun. 4th, 2026 03:01 amsovayWe might not have spent the sunset at Marblehead Light if we had known that all five yacht clubs within earshot would fire off a salute of cannons in accordance with the naval tradition of evening colors in season, but on either side of the sudden harbor-rolling cracks of smoke it was a postcard of a sunset in the smelted oranges and wave-mirrored blues of a painted present from, partitioned by the nineteenth-century cast-iron skeleton of the light itself. spatch had wanted to take me to water after I had spent the previous day in the kind of pain where as soon as it eased off a little I passed out. We ate roast beef sandwiches parked at the Mystic Lakes and drove north once rush hour had died down.
( I've brought silver to set you free. )
Home again with a bowl of noodles, I heardrushthatspeaks' irresistible report on Tokuzō Tanaka's The Whale God (鯨神, 1962), a radiation of Melville I had known nothing about. Rob and I have not yet caught up on the latest episode of Widow's Bay (2026), but last week when we marathoned the previous three we were delighted to confirm that in its remix of New England horrors, Shirley Jackson had unambiguously entered the chat. Hestia, our own lighthouse, was golden-eyed in the cat tree.
spatch had wanted to take me to water after I had spent the previous day in the kind of pain where as soon as it eased off a little I passed out. We ate roast beef sandwiches parked at the Mystic Lakes and drove north once rush hour had died down.( I've brought silver to set you free. )
Home again with a bowl of noodles, I heard
rushthatspeaks' irresistible report on Tokuzō Tanaka's The Whale God (鯨神, 1962), a radiation of Melville I had known nothing about. Rob and I have not yet caught up on the latest episode of Widow's Bay (2026), but last week when we marathoned the previous three we were delighted to confirm that in its remix of New England horrors, Shirley Jackson had unambiguously entered the chat. Hestia, our own lighthouse, was golden-eyed in the cat tree.also not quite knitting
Jun. 3rd, 2026 10:22 pmthistleingreyI realized this week, while waiting, that a while-waiting project is still needed---something that could indeed drag on for months unhindered, but also, something that needs only one active skein of yarn and few or no instructions. (Not a cardigan-puzzle, and not the MKAL wrap.)
The sloppy handspun that was a tourist-traveler gift is too uneven to suit Lille Kolding. The WIP is, or was, awkwardly dense with the needle size I was using, and if sized up, it'd become too floppy in Kolding's brioche section.
Now that the most recent bout of waiting has led to completion of a Grainwise, I think that the pattern's mostly garter-stitch construction might forgive the handspun's unevenness. It's written for MCN (merino-cashmere-nylon) and I've used a wool-silk blend, but it's fine if the handspun isn't transformed into something swish. It should just become something other than a felted lump or, like, compost.
Also, Lille Kolding is more boring than Grainwise to knit, for me---how the design is put together, not what the finished product looks like.
This type of thing is why we need thoughtfulness regarding diversity in all domains, not only knitting design, where it isn't really crucial. In other words, it's great that many different scarf/shawl patterns exist.
Pushing myself through making one Lille Kolding was okay. The process of it nixed my willingness to plod through Architexture, which was meant as a while-waiting project, sat for months, and then was undone last month. Several knitters have commented on Rav that it's soothing and rhythmic. For me it just feels tedious, and given that I must listen closely sometimes while waiting, any project had better not put me to sleep. I imagine that some knitters would find Grainwise boring or tedious instead.
The sloppy handspun that was a tourist-traveler gift is too uneven to suit Lille Kolding. The WIP is, or was, awkwardly dense with the needle size I was using, and if sized up, it'd become too floppy in Kolding's brioche section.
Now that the most recent bout of waiting has led to completion of a Grainwise, I think that the pattern's mostly garter-stitch construction might forgive the handspun's unevenness. It's written for MCN (merino-cashmere-nylon) and I've used a wool-silk blend, but it's fine if the handspun isn't transformed into something swish. It should just become something other than a felted lump or, like, compost.
Also, Lille Kolding is more boring than Grainwise to knit, for me---how the design is put together, not what the finished product looks like.
This type of thing is why we need thoughtfulness regarding diversity in all domains, not only knitting design, where it isn't really crucial. In other words, it's great that many different scarf/shawl patterns exist.
Pushing myself through making one Lille Kolding was okay. The process of it nixed my willingness to plod through Architexture, which was meant as a while-waiting project, sat for months, and then was undone last month. Several knitters have commented on Rav that it's soothing and rhythmic. For me it just feels tedious, and given that I must listen closely sometimes while waiting, any project had better not put me to sleep. I imagine that some knitters would find Grainwise boring or tedious instead.
wednesday books explore the timelines
Jun. 3rd, 2026 10:22 pmlandofnowhereNot too much reading this week, partly because I watched through the BBC adaptations of Strong Poison and Have His Carcase -- excellent, though with less glorious dressing gown content than Ian Carmichael. And also because I was waiting for my library hold on An Academic Affair to come it, which it has, though I am now probably just saving it for upcoming travel.. But on the other hand I have some interesting stuff to report on!
The Tachypomp and Other Stories by Edward Page Mitchell. These are science fiction short stories published between 1874 and 1881 in the New York Sun, most of which were published anonymously and then forgotten until they were collected and published in 1970. They are interesting not just because they introduced a lot of now-familiar tropes in SF, but also generally ertertaining to read. They are written from a straight male perspective with fairly conventional gender roles, though midway Mitchell figures out how to write female characters who can't just be replaced by sexy lamps. Compared to later American SF
I discovered it because I've been curious for a while about the history of time travel fiction, and learned about The Clock that Ran Backward is the first known example of a backwards time travel story. The characters travel back in time to help out at the 1574 siege of Leyden, and the main thing that differentiates it from modern examples of the genre is that it has more references to Hegelian philosophy to justify the timey-wimeyness.
The title story, The Tachypomp, is the only one that was publshed non-anonymously, and I'd previously read it in the collection Fantasia Mathematica. It starts out with a lot of the narrator doing a lot of grumbling that he's not a math person, but then the plot is essentially an extended word problem/thought experiment (with shades of relativity, though this predates Einstein). I did remember the detail that the mad scientist's lodgings contained a hole that went all the way through the earth, into which he would drop unwanted creditors.
In some ways the most interesting and unique story is possibly The Senator's Daughter, written in 1879 and set in a future 1937. The last piece of period futurism I read, The Affairs of John Bolsover by Una Silberrad, suffered from having a future that was not very different from the past. This one errs in the other direction. First, in the usual way of having an excess of futuristic technology some of which is still science-ficiona. But also, you can tell that it was written before the Chinese Exclusion Act, because it's imagining a future where East Asian immigration to the US has influenced the culture to the point that one of the two major parties is the "Mongol-Vegetarians". But while the whole premise is weird, ultimately the story's sympathies are against racism, and I didn't cringe too much.
The Tachypomp and Other Stories by Edward Page Mitchell. These are science fiction short stories published between 1874 and 1881 in the New York Sun, most of which were published anonymously and then forgotten until they were collected and published in 1970. They are interesting not just because they introduced a lot of now-familiar tropes in SF, but also generally ertertaining to read. They are written from a straight male perspective with fairly conventional gender roles, though midway Mitchell figures out how to write female characters who can't just be replaced by sexy lamps. Compared to later American SF
I discovered it because I've been curious for a while about the history of time travel fiction, and learned about The Clock that Ran Backward is the first known example of a backwards time travel story. The characters travel back in time to help out at the 1574 siege of Leyden, and the main thing that differentiates it from modern examples of the genre is that it has more references to Hegelian philosophy to justify the timey-wimeyness.
The title story, The Tachypomp, is the only one that was publshed non-anonymously, and I'd previously read it in the collection Fantasia Mathematica. It starts out with a lot of the narrator doing a lot of grumbling that he's not a math person, but then the plot is essentially an extended word problem/thought experiment (with shades of relativity, though this predates Einstein). I did remember the detail that the mad scientist's lodgings contained a hole that went all the way through the earth, into which he would drop unwanted creditors.
In some ways the most interesting and unique story is possibly The Senator's Daughter, written in 1879 and set in a future 1937. The last piece of period futurism I read, The Affairs of John Bolsover by Una Silberrad, suffered from having a future that was not very different from the past. This one errs in the other direction. First, in the usual way of having an excess of futuristic technology some of which is still science-ficiona. But also, you can tell that it was written before the Chinese Exclusion Act, because it's imagining a future where East Asian immigration to the US has influenced the culture to the point that one of the two major parties is the "Mongol-Vegetarians". But while the whole premise is weird, ultimately the story's sympathies are against racism, and I didn't cringe too much.
Pride StoryBundle lands tonight!
Jun. 3rd, 2026 09:03 pmcatherineldfMelissa Scott and I have been hard at work pulling together this year's version of the Pride StoryBundle.It will go live tonight and run through July 3rd. You can get 3 titles at the $5 level or all 16 titles at the $30 level and designate a portion of your purchase price (no cost to you!) for Rainbow Railroad, an international nonprofit that works with LGBTQ+ folks fleeing persecution. Needless to say, their services are needed more than ever right now. On average, we raise between $700 and $1000 for Rainbow Railroad every year so we hope to hit the high end this year.
What's in the Bundle?
What's in the Bundle?
- My Wolves of Wolf's Point books from Queen of Swords Press, Silver Moon and Blood Moon. Coming out a midlife, found family, menopause and lycanthropy! I won an Alice B. Reader's Award last year and these books were part of that. Blue Moon (Book 3) is moving along and I hope to have an update soon.
- Melissa Scott's Master of Samar (Candlemark & Gleam)- gripping standalone gay fantasy with her usual brilliant writing and world-building.
- J. Warren's gay science fiction novel, Worldburner (Queerspace Books). Like great queer space opera? We got you covered!
- Office of the Lost by J. Scott Coatsworth and Kim Fielding (indie published). Hilarious gay romantic fantasy about opposites attracting.
- We're Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2024 edited by Ryka Aoki and Charles Payseur, Embodied Exegesis: Transfeminine Cyberpunk Futures edited by Ann LeBlanc and Finding Echoes by Foz Meadows, all from Neon Hemlock. Lots of brilliant queer short fiction and a novella that's got a lot of buzz.
- Running Dry by M.Christian (Queen of Swords Press). Chris' last published novel - stylistic, atmospheric, suspenseful tale of gay vampires on a roadtrip from hell.
- Was by Geoff Ryman (Small Beer Press). A classic! Generally considered to be one of the best gay fantasy novels ever written, Ryman brings together three different characters all drawn into version of the Wizard of Oz for their own reasons and needs.
- Of the Emperor's Kindness by Chaz Brenchley (Wizard's Tower Press). A sapphic fantasy of manners by a master of the craft.
- Yoke of Stars by R.B. Lemberg (Tachyon Publications). Birdverse tale about how language shapes this queer-normative world.
- Reclaimed by Seth Haddon (Blind Eye Books). Mystery, high stakes and a romance between a gay man and a trans man.
- The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields (Space Wizard Fantasy). Sapphic epic fantasy!
- I Want That Twink OBLITERATED! edited by Trip Galey, C.L. McCartney and Robert Berg (Bona Books). Fun, pulpy anthology of tales of villainy thwarted and more.
- Wolf's Path by Joyce Chng (Atthis Arts). A single author collection featuring queer poetry and prose, art and autobiography.
Wed Reading Meme/Question a Day Meme for June
Jun. 3rd, 2026 09:18 pmshadowkatBeginning of the June - Question a Day Meme
1. Is anything (minor or major) irritating you at the moment?
My back is bothering me, and so is my right knee, and my shoulders are tight.
2. Have you ever used a photobooth? Are they still around where you live (where’s the nearest one?)
I don't remember? I assume so. No, they aren't in my area - they may be in New York City? But I've not seen any? I have no clue where the nearest one is? (I hate getting my picture taken - so it's not something I'd seek out?)
3. Do you still pay for things with cash? Have you been somewhere recently where they don’t take cash anymore?
Yes, depends on the place. There are some spots that tend to prefer cash. I bought a milk shake from Carnval with cash - they tend to want you to spend more for the card. Although that may have changed, I didn't ask.
Also, my hairdresser wants either cash tips or tips by Venmo, I'd prefer to give cash. I don't like Venmo.
Yes, I've been to places that don't take cash - here and there. Not many though. The MTA OMNY CARD Machines don't take cash, nor does my laundry room - we have to use a credit or debit card to renew and add funds to the laundry card. It used to be cash only, but now it's card only.
***
Wednesday Reading Meme
* Currently reading "Wydling Hall by Elizabeth Hand", Hand is an established horror and dark fantasy writer from the late 20th to early 21st Century. Notably best friends with some writer bloke who blew me off on a dating app for not having a photo that gave him that spark. I got annoyed enough - to write the interaction into the book I self-published. (I'm not positive? But I think the guy may have been horror writer Paul Trembalay, although at the time we flirted with each other on social media - he was unknown and struggling. ) I'm not a fan of professional writers - particularly horror writers, they tend to be assholes? I don't know what it is about that profession - but the ones who become successful at it (ie, can make a living at it), tend to be folks you do not want to meet in person or know? Sci-Fi writers aren't too bad - they tend to keep to themselves and don't go overboard on the marketing. Literary also not that bad, nor is urban fantasy. But Horror - damn.
But I can still enjoy their writing. I'm very good at compartmentalizing.
It's rare that I can't compartmentalize. Also, I know very little about Elizabeth Hand (by design - I don't want to know anything - the small bits shared on book jackets and in the acknowledgements - are more than I want to know). Honestly, I wish the writers would just go by pseudonyms and we learned zip about them.
I know too much about Neil Gaiman - so can't read his books any longer or watch anything adapted from them. (That's an author that I can't compartmentalize - I've tried and failed. Not helped by the fact that he is a dark fantasy horror novelist. So I got rid of the Neil Gaiman books I owned.)
Anyhow - Wylding Hall is a creepy folk horror gothic novel about a 1970s British acid-folk band, whose somewhat misguided manager sends them off to/ strands them at - an ancient, creepy isolated country house in Britain, to record their album. Much chaos ensues, a legendary album is recorded, and alas their new lead singer mysteriously disappears. Years later, a documentary is made with the surviving band members - the story is told through their fragmented interviews. (Think Daisy Jones and the Six - except as a creepy horror novel by Elizabeth Hand featuring some quirky British folk band in lieu of Fleetwood Mac.) The story unravels the dark secrets of the house and the band's tragic summer, blending folk horror, psychological suspense, and a haunting mystery.
It's compelling. Very similar to Hand's other novels - which kind of refer to the demon in the corner, without ever actually looking at the demon in the corner? You are aware it is there, what it has done, what it is about to do...but for the most part? It's left to your imagination. It's a specific style of psychological horror writing that I adore. I like the less is more approach to writing. Where the horror is more implied than actually shown. Donna Tart did it well with The Secret History. Hand shows a touch more than Tart, but not by much. And both excelled at psychological folk horror, with a gothic twist.
Oh, it's June finally. I graduated from PT for the most part. No more for the time being. Vestibular issue has been corrected. Hooray? Now, if I can just get my right knee fixed.
1. Is anything (minor or major) irritating you at the moment?
My back is bothering me, and so is my right knee, and my shoulders are tight.
2. Have you ever used a photobooth? Are they still around where you live (where’s the nearest one?)
I don't remember? I assume so. No, they aren't in my area - they may be in New York City? But I've not seen any? I have no clue where the nearest one is? (I hate getting my picture taken - so it's not something I'd seek out?)
3. Do you still pay for things with cash? Have you been somewhere recently where they don’t take cash anymore?
Yes, depends on the place. There are some spots that tend to prefer cash. I bought a milk shake from Carnval with cash - they tend to want you to spend more for the card. Although that may have changed, I didn't ask.
Also, my hairdresser wants either cash tips or tips by Venmo, I'd prefer to give cash. I don't like Venmo.
Yes, I've been to places that don't take cash - here and there. Not many though. The MTA OMNY CARD Machines don't take cash, nor does my laundry room - we have to use a credit or debit card to renew and add funds to the laundry card. It used to be cash only, but now it's card only.
***
Wednesday Reading Meme
* Currently reading "Wydling Hall by Elizabeth Hand", Hand is an established horror and dark fantasy writer from the late 20th to early 21st Century. Notably best friends with some writer bloke who blew me off on a dating app for not having a photo that gave him that spark. I got annoyed enough - to write the interaction into the book I self-published. (I'm not positive? But I think the guy may have been horror writer Paul Trembalay, although at the time we flirted with each other on social media - he was unknown and struggling. ) I'm not a fan of professional writers - particularly horror writers, they tend to be assholes? I don't know what it is about that profession - but the ones who become successful at it (ie, can make a living at it), tend to be folks you do not want to meet in person or know? Sci-Fi writers aren't too bad - they tend to keep to themselves and don't go overboard on the marketing. Literary also not that bad, nor is urban fantasy. But Horror - damn.
But I can still enjoy their writing. I'm very good at compartmentalizing.
It's rare that I can't compartmentalize. Also, I know very little about Elizabeth Hand (by design - I don't want to know anything - the small bits shared on book jackets and in the acknowledgements - are more than I want to know). Honestly, I wish the writers would just go by pseudonyms and we learned zip about them.
I know too much about Neil Gaiman - so can't read his books any longer or watch anything adapted from them. (That's an author that I can't compartmentalize - I've tried and failed. Not helped by the fact that he is a dark fantasy horror novelist. So I got rid of the Neil Gaiman books I owned.)
Anyhow - Wylding Hall is a creepy folk horror gothic novel about a 1970s British acid-folk band, whose somewhat misguided manager sends them off to/ strands them at - an ancient, creepy isolated country house in Britain, to record their album. Much chaos ensues, a legendary album is recorded, and alas their new lead singer mysteriously disappears. Years later, a documentary is made with the surviving band members - the story is told through their fragmented interviews. (Think Daisy Jones and the Six - except as a creepy horror novel by Elizabeth Hand featuring some quirky British folk band in lieu of Fleetwood Mac.) The story unravels the dark secrets of the house and the band's tragic summer, blending folk horror, psychological suspense, and a haunting mystery.
It's compelling. Very similar to Hand's other novels - which kind of refer to the demon in the corner, without ever actually looking at the demon in the corner? You are aware it is there, what it has done, what it is about to do...but for the most part? It's left to your imagination. It's a specific style of psychological horror writing that I adore. I like the less is more approach to writing. Where the horror is more implied than actually shown. Donna Tart did it well with The Secret History. Hand shows a touch more than Tart, but not by much. And both excelled at psychological folk horror, with a gothic twist.
Oh, it's June finally. I graduated from PT for the most part. No more for the time being. Vestibular issue has been corrected. Hooray? Now, if I can just get my right knee fixed.
What I'm Doing Wednesday
Jun. 3rd, 2026 07:23 pmsagebooks
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. 2011 edition. I learned so much from this despite having a degree in Latin American studies, largely because the research has evolved a lot in the many years since I graduated.
Stealing America: The Hidden Story of Indigenous Slavery in U.S. History by Linford D. Fisher. 2026. ESSENTIAL READING! A legit tour de force. A++ (I am pretty well-educated, but I didn't learn ANY of this in high school or university, and that's a literal crying shame.) Please read, US-ians!
currently reading: The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government by Barbara McQuade. 2026.
yarning
Didn't go to yarn group this week. Am still working on the 2 bunnies. Got a commission for seven US flag catnip silvervine balls.
healthcrap
woke with migraine today. Vertigo is back with a vengeance. Left hand still hurts so much. Have used 1mg melatonin for 4 nights now.
#resist
June 14: Rise Up, Sing Out: No Kings 5
I hope you're all doing well! <333
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. 2011 edition. I learned so much from this despite having a degree in Latin American studies, largely because the research has evolved a lot in the many years since I graduated.
Stealing America: The Hidden Story of Indigenous Slavery in U.S. History by Linford D. Fisher. 2026. ESSENTIAL READING! A legit tour de force. A++ (I am pretty well-educated, but I didn't learn ANY of this in high school or university, and that's a literal crying shame.) Please read, US-ians!
currently reading: The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government by Barbara McQuade. 2026.
yarning
Didn't go to yarn group this week. Am still working on the 2 bunnies. Got a commission for seven US flag catnip silvervine balls.
healthcrap
woke with migraine today. Vertigo is back with a vengeance. Left hand still hurts so much. Have used 1mg melatonin for 4 nights now.
#resist
June 14: Rise Up, Sing Out: No Kings 5
I hope you're all doing well! <333
DNF: The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Jun. 3rd, 2026 10:24 pmdhampyresaThe problem with this book is that I'm French.
Alix E. Harrow's The Everlasting is a novel about deconstructing a country's founding myth. Said myth is inspired by Arthuriana and, especially, Joan of Arc. I'm not against Joan of Arc motifs (hell, it's one of the things I love about Margaret Rogerson's Vespertine). I am also pro deconstructing founding myths! Including French founding myths, including Joan of Arc.
However.
However, I think if you're going to be deconstructing a country's myths it should be your own country. Whether its because the book is in English or the author is USAmerican or the fictional country is England-coded (the main narrator so far (25%) is called "Owen Mallory") or a combination but this feels particularly disrespectful. Leave Jeanne alone and go bother George Washington or something.
Alix E. Harrow's The Everlasting is a novel about deconstructing a country's founding myth. Said myth is inspired by Arthuriana and, especially, Joan of Arc. I'm not against Joan of Arc motifs (hell, it's one of the things I love about Margaret Rogerson's Vespertine). I am also pro deconstructing founding myths! Including French founding myths, including Joan of Arc.
However.
However, I think if you're going to be deconstructing a country's myths it should be your own country. Whether its because the book is in English or the author is USAmerican or the fictional country is England-coded (the main narrator so far (25%) is called "Owen Mallory") or a combination but this feels particularly disrespectful. Leave Jeanne alone and go bother George Washington or something.
[books] Fight Right, Julie Schwarz Gottman & James Gottman
Jun. 3rd, 2026 09:25 pmkaberettI am going to lead, moderately emphatically, with: this is not a recommendation for this book (which in any case I haven't finished). The strapline is "how successful couples turn conflict into connection"; it was published in 2024. As recessional has pointed out to me, some of what's going on is that their target audience is specifically people who are treating each other shittily but don't want to break up/divorce/etc, and do want to learn to do better, but don't have the tools for how.
I, however, am very much coming from a perspective of being much more inclined to push for, if not breakups, the idea that there exists unacceptable behaviour one gets to just nope out over, and also of the tradition of DBT workbooks where there is a heavy emphasis on explicitly acknowledging, out loud, with your words, that the shit you just did is not okay.
All of this having been said, there are two things about this book (so far) that I Must Share.
The first is about a tool the (Schwarz) Gottmans' research group uses. Their research group, for context, is called the Love Lab.
Much of the data and observations about couples in conflict in this book comes from our decades of work in the Love Lab and from other important and groundbreaking observational studies by ourselves and other researchers. But now we are getting even more sophisticated and granular information from the AI we trained with John's emotional coding system, called SPAFF, short for Specific Affect Coding System.
... the second, I say, moving swiftly on, is that a little further on in the book I have encountered a genuinely new-to-me evopsych argument: that because of evolutionary pressures it is men who get Extremely Emotional very quickly, and take a long time to calm back down and reach a point where they can engage rationally again!
... At this point: He's flooded. She's flooded. Both hearts are hammering hard; adrenaline is zinging through their veins. Stan's physiological response has ratcheted up and overwhelmed him even faster than Susan's, and he'll take a lot longer to come down from it.
Here's why: For evolutionary reasons having to do with protecting the tribe and hunting dangerous animals for food, our prehistoric male ancestors gained a survival advantage by being able to quickly mount and sustain an adrenaline-packed response to danger. Those with this rapid response were better able to fight off enemies and hunt for food, and because they were better survivors, their genes were more likely to get passed down and eventually inherited by our men today. That kind of enduring fight-or-flight response might have helped Stan's distant ancestors survive, but it isn't doing him any favors now.
tl;dr for all that I regularly kind of want to throw it across the room there are some amazing moments in this thing. I'm only about halfway through! WHO KNOWS what wonders await me!!!
Wednesday Reading Meme
Jun. 3rd, 2026 03:50 pmsinealaWhat I Just Finished Reading
Jenny Teichmann, Pegasos: An Easy Ancient Greek Reader: A very short original novella in Ancient Greek, retelling the story of Bellerophon and Pegasus, with a facing glossary including basically every word on the page. It's fun! I liked it! Yay, horsies!
What I'm Reading Now
Comics Wednesday!
( Doctor Strange #7, Fantastic Four #12, Iron Man #6 )
What I'm Reading Next
Who knows? I mean, I'm awake right now; I feel like this is a victory.
Jenny Teichmann, Pegasos: An Easy Ancient Greek Reader: A very short original novella in Ancient Greek, retelling the story of Bellerophon and Pegasus, with a facing glossary including basically every word on the page. It's fun! I liked it! Yay, horsies!
What I'm Reading Now
Comics Wednesday!
( Doctor Strange #7, Fantastic Four #12, Iron Man #6 )
What I'm Reading Next
Who knows? I mean, I'm awake right now; I feel like this is a victory.
Bundle of Holding: Kobolds Ate My Baby!
Jun. 3rd, 2026 01:56 pmjames_davis_nicoll
This new Kobolds Ate My Baby! Bundle presents Kobolds Ate My Baby!, the cult-classic tabletop fantasy roleplaying game of anti-dungeon-crawl silliness, in its 2024 Orange Book edition from 9th Level Games.
Bundle of Holding: Kobolds Ate My Baby!
Carolyn Hax readers: I try!! But can’t pronounce brother’s boyfriend’s name.
Jun. 3rd, 2026 08:52 ampetrea_mitchell posting in agonyauntDear Carolyn: My brother is about six months into a new relationship with a guy he really likes and says he can see the relationship heading to marriage. He seems really happy.
I cannot pronounce the new boyfriend’s name. Well, more precisely, I cannot hear the difference. His name is Crag. Evidently, I pronounce it as Craig. I cannot hear the difference. I have tried 9 million times to hear the difference, and I fail every time.
My brother or Crag will say the name, and I repeat it back and it is wrong. This is not for lack of trying. I speak two other languages in addition to English, and I do have some words in other languages that I avoid because I just cannot replicate the sound. Each and every time I say the boyfriend’s name, he corrects me. I will use work-arounds (e.g. are you (plural) going to the game? vs. Are you and Crag going to the game?), and the boyfriend will point out that I’ve just avoided his name. Are you kidding me? Come on.
My brother is my only sibling, and we are very close. I cannot imagine a world in which I don’t get along with or like his boyfriend, but this name thing is really wearing me down.
— Name Game
( Read more... )
I cannot pronounce the new boyfriend’s name. Well, more precisely, I cannot hear the difference. His name is Crag. Evidently, I pronounce it as Craig. I cannot hear the difference. I have tried 9 million times to hear the difference, and I fail every time.
My brother or Crag will say the name, and I repeat it back and it is wrong. This is not for lack of trying. I speak two other languages in addition to English, and I do have some words in other languages that I avoid because I just cannot replicate the sound. Each and every time I say the boyfriend’s name, he corrects me. I will use work-arounds (e.g. are you (plural) going to the game? vs. Are you and Crag going to the game?), and the boyfriend will point out that I’ve just avoided his name. Are you kidding me? Come on.
My brother is my only sibling, and we are very close. I cannot imagine a world in which I don’t get along with or like his boyfriend, but this name thing is really wearing me down.
— Name Game
( Read more... )