Typo du jour
Jan. 8th, 2026 12:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fred_mouseshare selfish on Instagram or Facebook
suspicion: bit by autocarrot. However! This was an academic journal article; it makes me a little concerned about the editing.
fred_mouseDaily Happiness
Jan. 7th, 2026 07:47 pmtorachan1. We walked up to Layla for bagels this morning, only I didn't end up getting a bagel after all, because they have a new seasonal pastry, orange blossom babka. I love orange, so I couldn't resist, and it was definitely a good choice. The smell was very faint, so I wasn't sure how orangey it would actually taste, but it turned out to be very flavorful. I'm not sure I'll actually get it again, since I'm trying to not eat pastries for breakfast very often, but I would get it again if the opportunity every arose.
2. The front yard is covered in soooooo many berries. Just a gross carpet of berries. But I did manage to rake up quite a bit of it and get it into the yard waste bin for tomorrow's pickup.
3. Gemma looks so proud of her hunt lol.
2. The front yard is covered in soooooo many berries. Just a gross carpet of berries. But I did manage to rake up quite a bit of it and get it into the yard waste bin for tomorrow's pickup.
3. Gemma looks so proud of her hunt lol.
Wednesday 7 January 1662/63
Jan. 7th, 2026 11:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
diaryof_samuelpepys_feedUp pretty early, that is by seven o’clock, it being not yet light before or then. So to my office all the morning, signing the Treasurer’s ledger, part of it where I have not put my hand, and then eat a mouthful of pye at home to stay my stomach, and so with Mr. Waith by water to Deptford, and there among other things viewed old pay-books, and found that the Commanders did never heretofore receive any pay for the rigging time, but only for seatime, contrary to what Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten told the Duke the other day. I also searched all the ships in the Wett Dock for fire, and found all in good order, it being very dangerous for the King that so many of his ships lie together there. I was among the canvass in stores also, with Mr. Harris, the saylemaker, and learnt the difference between one sort and another, to my great content, and so by water home again, where my wife tells me stories how she hears that by Sarah’s going to live at Sir W. Pen’s, all our affairs of my family are made known and discoursed of there and theirs by my people, which do trouble me much, and I shall take a time to let Sir W. Pen know how he has dealt in taking her without our full consent. So to my office, and by and by home to supper, and so to prayers and bed.
Back on my bullshit again
Jan. 7th, 2026 08:41 pmmificOh noes! Toomuchplor just posted a new HR fic but there's no fic! Must have taken it down after posting so as to fix something. *whimpers and waits impatiently*
The 3rd and final chapter of "Ember and Ice" dropped yesterday. Hilariously, fangirls on tumblr are getting stuck into the political situation in the story, which does leave a lot to be desired although the defeat of the Lunare by the Solari results in a slightly "captive fairy prince" situation which is always fun. I enjoyed this extra offering by the boys, but audio erotica as a medium does nothing for me, as opposed to the fanfic (and podfic) now being produced by the ton for Heated Rivalry, much of which is excellent and extremely hot. I find it more hilarious than hot to actually hear our heroes giving a blow job - all those wet sucking and smacking sounds - and I kept imagining the poor foley person having to slap their wet thigh, or something, when they were getting into serious fucking. Imagination works way better than surround-sound for me! Although, if "My Moon My Man" is the standout song of HR, "my moan my man" is definitely Hudson's theme song in Ember and Ice!
I've signed up for the Hollanov Big Bang as a writer, artist, and beta (not that I'm going overboard with this or anything). If you're interested, sign ups are here. Info and the schedule are here.
Excellent recs by lotstradamus, here. Almost all are explicit, with some great ideas and interesting writing.
If you're looking for another gay romance with a happy ending, try the movie "Bros". Where I live it can be rented from Apple+. It's more typical of gay culture than HR and the protagonists are a lot older (pushing forty), but it's very charming in its own way. Commitment-challenged bros to lovers in this case, not "enemies". I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The 3rd and final chapter of "Ember and Ice" dropped yesterday. Hilariously, fangirls on tumblr are getting stuck into the political situation in the story, which does leave a lot to be desired although the defeat of the Lunare by the Solari results in a slightly "captive fairy prince" situation which is always fun. I enjoyed this extra offering by the boys, but audio erotica as a medium does nothing for me, as opposed to the fanfic (and podfic) now being produced by the ton for Heated Rivalry, much of which is excellent and extremely hot. I find it more hilarious than hot to actually hear our heroes giving a blow job - all those wet sucking and smacking sounds - and I kept imagining the poor foley person having to slap their wet thigh, or something, when they were getting into serious fucking. Imagination works way better than surround-sound for me! Although, if "My Moon My Man" is the standout song of HR, "my moan my man" is definitely Hudson's theme song in Ember and Ice!
I've signed up for the Hollanov Big Bang as a writer, artist, and beta (not that I'm going overboard with this or anything). If you're interested, sign ups are here. Info and the schedule are here.
Excellent recs by lotstradamus, here. Almost all are explicit, with some great ideas and interesting writing.
If you're looking for another gay romance with a happy ending, try the movie "Bros". Where I live it can be rented from Apple+. It's more typical of gay culture than HR and the protagonists are a lot older (pushing forty), but it's very charming in its own way. Commitment-challenged bros to lovers in this case, not "enemies". I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Daily Happiness
Jan. 6th, 2026 07:48 pmtorachan1. Apparently today is Three Kings Day as someone brought in a king cake to work, but it was actually a really good king cake! I've only had King Cake once before and found both the style of cake and frosting to be not my jam, but this is a Mexican style king cake, which is not actually cake, but rather just very sweet bread, and instead of royal icing on top, it has bits of like quince paste or something. It is still ring shaped and has a plastic baby Jesus in it, though. It was from the in-store bakery of a Mexican supermarket chain and there's one not that far from work so if I remember about it next year I might actually consider buying a whole one myself.
2. Cutie guy.
2. Cutie guy.
Tuesday 6 January 1662/63
Jan. 6th, 2026 11:00 pmdiaryof_samuelpepys_feed(Twelfth Day). Up and Mr. Creed brought a pot of chocolate ready made for our morning draft, and then he and I to the Duke’s, but I was not very willing to be seen at this end of the town, and so returned to our lodgings, and took my wife by coach to my brother’s, where I set her down, and Creed and I to St. Paul’s Church-yard, to my bookseller’s, and looked over several books with good discourse, and then into St. Paul’s Church, and there finding Elborough, my old schoolfellow at Paul’s, now a parson, whom I know to be a silly fellow, I took him out and walked with him, making Creed and myself sport with talking with him, and so sent him away, and we to my office and house to see all well, and thence to the Exchange, where we met with Major Thomson, formerly of our office, who do talk very highly of liberty of conscience, which now he hopes for by the King’s declaration, and that he doubts not that if he will give him, he will find more and better friends than the Bishopps can be to him, and that if he do not, there will many thousands in a little time go out of England, where they may have it. But he says that they are well contented that if the King thinks it good, the Papists may have the same liberty with them. He tells me, and so do others, that Dr. Calamy is this day sent to Newgate for preaching, Sunday was se’nnight, without leave, though he did it only to supply the place; when otherwise the people must have gone away without ever a sermon, they being disappointed of a minister but the Bishop of London will not take that as an excuse. Thence into Wood Street, and there bought a fine table for my dining-room, cost me 50s.; and while we were buying it, there was a scare-fire in an ally over against us, but they quenched it. So to my brother’s, where Creed and I and my wife dined with Tom, and after dinner to the Duke’s house, and there saw “Twelfth Night” acted well, though it be but a silly play, and not related at all to the name or day.1 Thence Mr. Battersby the apothecary, his wife, and I and mine by coach together, and setting him down at his house, he paying his share, my wife and I home, and found all well, only myself somewhat vexed at my wife’s neglect in leaving of her scarf, waistcoat, and night-dressings in the coach today that brought us from Westminster, though, I confess, she did give them to me to look after, yet it was her fault not to see that I did take them out of the coach. I believe it might be as good as 25s. loss or thereabouts.
So to my office, however, to set down my last three days’ journall, and writing to my Lord Sandwich to give him an account of Sir J. Lawson’s being come home, and to my father about my sending him some wine and things this week, for his making an entertainment of some friends in the country, and so home. This night making an end wholly of Christmas, with a mind fully satisfied with the great pleasures we have had by being abroad from home, and I do find my mind so apt to run to its old want of pleasures, that it is high time to betake myself to my late vows, which I will to-morrow, God willing, perfect and bind myself to, that so I may, for a great while, do my duty, as I have well begun, and increase my good name and esteem in the world, and get money, which sweetens all things, and whereof I have much need. So home to supper and to bed, blessing God for his mercy to bring me home, after much pleasure, to my house and business with health and resolution to fall hard to work again.
Footnotes
PSA
Jan. 6th, 2026 11:19 amganimedeI only just became aware of this, so I imagine a lot of other people aren't aware of it either.
As of December 29th, LiveJournal made a rather major change but only announced it inru_news as it only seems to apply to those with Cyrillic Services. The post in question is here, and thanks to Google Translate, this is the content: ( Important Changes )
What it boils down to is that anyone in Russia has to either pay or get verified with their government ID, and they can no longer see any post from anyone who doesn't have Cyrillic Services. It seems as though the LJ owners (Rambler, who are owned by Sberbank) are wanting to isolate the two halves of LJ from each other - the Russian side and the non-Russian side. There are rumours (again!) that they are also wanting to get rid of the non-Russian side, either by selling it to someone else, or closing it down. However, due to sanctions, they're going to be limited in selling it to an organisation outside of Russia. I know that there have been warnings about LJ's imminent demise before but it is always better to be forewarned and prepared, just in case. Given that LJ has a history of doing things without warning, you can guarantee any sale or shutdown will happen suddenly too. Back up your LJ if nothing else!
As of December 29th, LiveJournal made a rather major change but only announced it in
ru_news as it only seems to apply to those with Cyrillic Services. The post in question is here, and thanks to Google Translate, this is the content: ( Important Changes )What it boils down to is that anyone in Russia has to either pay or get verified with their government ID, and they can no longer see any post from anyone who doesn't have Cyrillic Services. It seems as though the LJ owners (Rambler, who are owned by Sberbank) are wanting to isolate the two halves of LJ from each other - the Russian side and the non-Russian side. There are rumours (again!) that they are also wanting to get rid of the non-Russian side, either by selling it to someone else, or closing it down. However, due to sanctions, they're going to be limited in selling it to an organisation outside of Russia. I know that there have been warnings about LJ's imminent demise before but it is always better to be forewarned and prepared, just in case. Given that LJ has a history of doing things without warning, you can guarantee any sale or shutdown will happen suddenly too. Back up your LJ if nothing else!
Daily Happiness
Jan. 5th, 2026 08:29 pmtorachan1. It was so nice having no rain today. Things are starting to dry up! And I was able to get the car washed this morning before work. There have been a few times when the car had a lot of berries on it and the person working the car wash said I could go through a second time, but there was usually either a long line or I had to be somewhere at a certain time, so I didn't bother (even once through the Costco car wash does a very good job, since it's a lot longer than most drive-through car washes so there's just more time for stuff to be washed off), but there was no line today and I didn't have to be at work at a specific time, so I went through again just to get any last lingering bits off. It looks so much better!
2. Work was pretty decent today. A good balance of having enough to do not to feel bored, but not being super stressed out about anything. And someone brought in Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
3. Look at this cutie Jasper!
2. Work was pretty decent today. A good balance of having enough to do not to feel bored, but not being super stressed out about anything. And someone brought in Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
3. Look at this cutie Jasper!
Monday 5 January 1662/63
Jan. 5th, 2026 11:00 pmdiaryof_samuelpepys_feedUp and to the Duke, who himself told me that Sir J. Lawson was come home to Portsmouth from the Streights, who is now come with great renown among all men, and, I perceive, mightily esteemed at Court by all. The Duke did not stay long in his chamber; but to the King’s chamber, whither by and by the Russia Embassadors come; who, it seems, have a custom that they will not come to have any treaty with our or any King’s Commissioners, but they will themselves see at the time the face of the King himself, be it forty days one after another; and so they did to-day only go in and see the King; and so out again to the Council-chamber.
The Duke returned to his chamber, and so to his closett, where Sir G. Carteret, Sir J. Minnes, Sir W. Batten, Mr. Coventry, and myself attended him about the business of the Navy; and after much discourse and pleasant talk he went away. And I took Sir W. Batten and Captain Allen into the wine cellar to my tenant (as I call him, Serjeant Dalton), and there drank a great deal of variety of wines, more than I have drunk at one time, or shall again a great while, when I come to return to my oaths, which I intend in a day or two. Thence to my Lord’s lodging, where Mr. Hunt and Mr. Creed dined with us, and were very merry. And after dinner he and I to White Hall, where the Duke and the Commissioners for Tangier met, but did not do much: my Lord Sandwich not being in town, nobody making it their business. So up, and Creed and I to my wife again, and after a game or two at cards, to the Cockpitt, where we saw “Claracilla,” a poor play, done by the King’s house (but neither the King nor Queen were there, but only the Duke and Duchess, who did show some impertinent and, methought, unnatural dalliances there, before the whole world, such as kissing, and leaning upon one another); but to my very little content, they not acting in any degree like the Duke’s people. So home (there being here this night Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Martha Batten of our office) to my Lord’s lodgings again, and to a game at cards, we three and Sarah, and so to supper and some apples and ale, and to bed with great pleasure, blessed be God!
2026 Snowflake Challenge #3 - A Love Letter to Fandm
Jan. 5th, 2026 08:22 pmbadfalconDear fandom,
I don't think I'd have the life I have without you.
That's not hyperbole.
You've been one of the most consistent threads in my life, even when everything else has shifted around you.
I found you young, in my teens, when being intensely passionate about fictional worlds and Australian pop stars was all I knew. At school, I had basically no friends - I was into the wrong things, the things that marked you out as odd rather than interesting. I listened to the wrong music, watched the wrong TV shows, and wore the wrong clothes, and I liked reading.
I know now that I'm autistic and non-binary, but I didn't know it then - I was just... weird. I wasn't like the girls, so they didn't want to know me, and the boys who liked sci-fi wouldn't talk to me because they thought I was a girl.
But online, I found you. And I found people who cared about the same things I did, in the same way. You were where I learned how to talk to people, how to connect, how to build relationships around shared enthusiasm instead of small talk. You gave me community when I didn't have one.
Honestly, I don't think I'd have any friends without fandom. I met everyone in my life either through bands or TV shows (mostly Good Charlotte, Supernatural and Leverage) - all of us blogging our fears, our hopes and dreams on LJ.
I even met my partner through fandom, via commenting on her kinky SG-1 fanfic on AO3 - which has somehow, five years later, turned into a whole life together. It still feels slightly unreal when I stop and think about it. We're having a civil partnership ceremony in April, which we affectionately call “not getting married”.
You've been there through so many versions of me. Younger me, who needed you desperately. Older me, who wanders off sometimes and then finds their way back. You've changed shape over the years - different platforms, different cultures, different rules - and not all of those changes have been easy. Sometimes you're messy. Sometimes you're exhausting. Sometimes you're sharp in ways that hurt.
And yet
You've given me joy that doesn't need to justify itself. You've given me people who get it, who speak the same strange shorthand, who understand why caring deeply about fictional characters or real-life athletes can matter so much. You've taught me that enthusiasm is not something to grow out of, and that loving something - openly, thoughtfully, obsessively - can be a form of resilience
These days, fandom looks like tennis feelings and fic, like small, niche corners of the internet where a handful of people care just enough about the same things I do. It looks like late-night rabbit holes, shared jokes, collective gasps, and moments of tenderness I didn't know I needed until they appeared on my screen.
I don't love you uncritically. I know your flaws well. But I love you honestly, and I'm still here. You've shaped my friendships, my writing, my sense of self - and even my romantic life.
Thank you for growing with me. Thank you for waiting when I wandered off. Thank you for still making room for me now. Thank you for the people. Thank you for the connections. Thank you for still being here, and for letting me still be here too.
I don't think I'd have the life I have without you.
That's not hyperbole.
You've been one of the most consistent threads in my life, even when everything else has shifted around you.
I found you young, in my teens, when being intensely passionate about fictional worlds and Australian pop stars was all I knew. At school, I had basically no friends - I was into the wrong things, the things that marked you out as odd rather than interesting. I listened to the wrong music, watched the wrong TV shows, and wore the wrong clothes, and I liked reading.
I know now that I'm autistic and non-binary, but I didn't know it then - I was just... weird. I wasn't like the girls, so they didn't want to know me, and the boys who liked sci-fi wouldn't talk to me because they thought I was a girl.
But online, I found you. And I found people who cared about the same things I did, in the same way. You were where I learned how to talk to people, how to connect, how to build relationships around shared enthusiasm instead of small talk. You gave me community when I didn't have one.
Honestly, I don't think I'd have any friends without fandom. I met everyone in my life either through bands or TV shows (mostly Good Charlotte, Supernatural and Leverage) - all of us blogging our fears, our hopes and dreams on LJ.
I even met my partner through fandom, via commenting on her kinky SG-1 fanfic on AO3 - which has somehow, five years later, turned into a whole life together. It still feels slightly unreal when I stop and think about it. We're having a civil partnership ceremony in April, which we affectionately call “not getting married”.
You've been there through so many versions of me. Younger me, who needed you desperately. Older me, who wanders off sometimes and then finds their way back. You've changed shape over the years - different platforms, different cultures, different rules - and not all of those changes have been easy. Sometimes you're messy. Sometimes you're exhausting. Sometimes you're sharp in ways that hurt.
And yet
You've given me joy that doesn't need to justify itself. You've given me people who get it, who speak the same strange shorthand, who understand why caring deeply about fictional characters or real-life athletes can matter so much. You've taught me that enthusiasm is not something to grow out of, and that loving something - openly, thoughtfully, obsessively - can be a form of resilience
These days, fandom looks like tennis feelings and fic, like small, niche corners of the internet where a handful of people care just enough about the same things I do. It looks like late-night rabbit holes, shared jokes, collective gasps, and moments of tenderness I didn't know I needed until they appeared on my screen.
I don't love you uncritically. I know your flaws well. But I love you honestly, and I'm still here. You've shaped my friendships, my writing, my sense of self - and even my romantic life.
Thank you for growing with me. Thank you for waiting when I wandered off. Thank you for still making room for me now. Thank you for the people. Thank you for the connections. Thank you for still being here, and for letting me still be here too.
📝 What I’m Reading and Thinking About (Insurgent & Time Hop Coffee Shop)
Jan. 5th, 2026 07:19 pmbadfalconThis week's reading stack feels very deliberately split between intensity and comfort, which honestly says a lot about where my head is at right now.
On one side, I'm continuing with Insurgent. It's fast-paced and emotionally charged, full of difficult choices and escalating consequences. I'm always struck by how much this book is about identity under pressure - how people behave when the systems around them are breaking down, and neutrality stops being an option. It's the kind of read that pulls you along whether you're ready or not, and it definitely demands attention.
On the other side of the stack is Time Hop Coffee Shop, which couldn't feel more different if it tried. This one is all warmth and whimsy — alternate universes filtered through steaming mugs, quiet conversations, and the discovery of the things in life that really matter can be surprising. It's gentle without being dull, and it feels like the sort of book you read slowly, letting it settle.
Together, they make an oddly satisfying pairing. One is about upheaval and rebellion; the other is about pauses, connection, and care. Big stakes versus small kindnesses. Sprinting through plot versus lingering in atmosphere.
I think that balance is exactly what I want from my reading right now - something to engage me fully, and something to remind me to breathe.
If you've read either, I'd love to know how they landed for you. And if your reading week looks completely different, tell me what mood you're in - I'm always curious how other people balance their stacks.
On one side, I'm continuing with Insurgent. It's fast-paced and emotionally charged, full of difficult choices and escalating consequences. I'm always struck by how much this book is about identity under pressure - how people behave when the systems around them are breaking down, and neutrality stops being an option. It's the kind of read that pulls you along whether you're ready or not, and it definitely demands attention.
On the other side of the stack is Time Hop Coffee Shop, which couldn't feel more different if it tried. This one is all warmth and whimsy — alternate universes filtered through steaming mugs, quiet conversations, and the discovery of the things in life that really matter can be surprising. It's gentle without being dull, and it feels like the sort of book you read slowly, letting it settle.
Together, they make an oddly satisfying pairing. One is about upheaval and rebellion; the other is about pauses, connection, and care. Big stakes versus small kindnesses. Sprinting through plot versus lingering in atmosphere.
I think that balance is exactly what I want from my reading right now - something to engage me fully, and something to remind me to breathe.
If you've read either, I'd love to know how they landed for you. And if your reading week looks completely different, tell me what mood you're in - I'm always curious how other people balance their stacks.
Daily Happiness
Jan. 4th, 2026 08:00 pmtorachan1. Well, it's back to work tomorrow. I really enjoyed the two four-day weekends in a row. With my position now being part of HQ rather than store operations, this is the first time in the fifteen years I've been with the company that I've been able to take extra time off during December. Since it's the busiest time of the year, there's a blackout period for any time off except with a doctor's note, but that only applies to the store side and not HQ. Since I will still be in this position for at least next year, we are considering taking a trip to Japan in December as well as our upcoming trip in April (previously we were considering going in October to see Tokyo Disney's Halloween, but we can do that another time). Anyway, not thrilled to be back to work, but hopefully it will be a productive week.
2. Tonight should be the last of the rain. It's showing rain tomorrow, but when looking at the hourly breakdown, it's like 1-2am tonight, so should be dry by the morning and then no more rain except maybe a brief blip on Tuesday (there's a weird one hour spike of chance of rain around noon on Tuesday). I'm so ready for it to be over! The tree in front of our house, as well as most of the neighborhood, is a ficus, which is currently in peak berry season, so the rain is bringing down tons and tons of fat gooshy berries that now cover everything, including the car. I'm going to stop in the car wash on the way to work tomorrow to see if I can get it looking less disgusting.
3. Neither Carla nor I are good at folding fitted sheets, and we don't really have a good place to keep them except on the top shelf above the dryer, so previously they were just sort of balled up and thrown up there, which does lead to them sometimes falling down. I finally decided to look into some sort of organization and found that these sheet organizers seem to be very popular. There are all sorts of similar items, but I liked the look of these the most. I got the sheets all packed up and now they're labelled queen and full, so we can easily tell which is which (there are some that we have in the same color and some where I forget which color is whose, as it's not obviously a color I wouldn't have chosen).
4. I was poking around today to see about possible tattoo artists to contact, and while I didn't settle on anyone, I did come up with a firm idea for my first tattoo! And it's something easy to explain, so that will help lessen the anxiety around that part as well. Basically, I was thinking about what else I like that could be good for a tattoo other than cats and dragons, and where I would like it to be, and I think something on my lower leg would be best. It would be covered at work, but I wear shorts like 90% of the time outside of work, so it would be a good place to be on display. Rainbow stuff is a good option as well, so I had the idea of a rainbow band around my lower leg, like down near the ankle but not on the boney bit. I think I'd like it to be fairly wide, like if you remember those wristbands people used to wear for sports in the 70s and 80s, about that thickness. I think it would look pretty cool and I'm excited about it, so now I just need to find someone to do it!
5. Tuxie!
2. Tonight should be the last of the rain. It's showing rain tomorrow, but when looking at the hourly breakdown, it's like 1-2am tonight, so should be dry by the morning and then no more rain except maybe a brief blip on Tuesday (there's a weird one hour spike of chance of rain around noon on Tuesday). I'm so ready for it to be over! The tree in front of our house, as well as most of the neighborhood, is a ficus, which is currently in peak berry season, so the rain is bringing down tons and tons of fat gooshy berries that now cover everything, including the car. I'm going to stop in the car wash on the way to work tomorrow to see if I can get it looking less disgusting.
3. Neither Carla nor I are good at folding fitted sheets, and we don't really have a good place to keep them except on the top shelf above the dryer, so previously they were just sort of balled up and thrown up there, which does lead to them sometimes falling down. I finally decided to look into some sort of organization and found that these sheet organizers seem to be very popular. There are all sorts of similar items, but I liked the look of these the most. I got the sheets all packed up and now they're labelled queen and full, so we can easily tell which is which (there are some that we have in the same color and some where I forget which color is whose, as it's not obviously a color I wouldn't have chosen).
4. I was poking around today to see about possible tattoo artists to contact, and while I didn't settle on anyone, I did come up with a firm idea for my first tattoo! And it's something easy to explain, so that will help lessen the anxiety around that part as well. Basically, I was thinking about what else I like that could be good for a tattoo other than cats and dragons, and where I would like it to be, and I think something on my lower leg would be best. It would be covered at work, but I wear shorts like 90% of the time outside of work, so it would be a good place to be on display. Rainbow stuff is a good option as well, so I had the idea of a rainbow band around my lower leg, like down near the ankle but not on the boney bit. I think I'd like it to be fairly wide, like if you remember those wristbands people used to wear for sports in the 70s and 80s, about that thickness. I think it would look pretty cool and I'm excited about it, so now I just need to find someone to do it!
5. Tuxie!
Sunday 4 January 1662/63
Jan. 4th, 2026 11:00 pmdiaryof_samuelpepys_feed(Lord’s day). Up and to church, where a lazy sermon, and so home to dinner to a good piece of powdered beef, but a little too salt. At dinner my wife did propound my having of my sister Pall at my house again to be her woman, since one we must have, hoping that in that quality possibly she may prove better than she did before, which I take very well of her, and will consider of it, it being a very great trouble to me that I should have a sister of so ill a nature, that I must be forced to spend money upon a stranger when it might better be upon her, if she were good for anything.
After dinner I and she walked, though it was dirty, to White Hall (in the way calling at the Wardrobe to see how Mr. Moore do, who is pretty well, but not cured yet), being much afeard of being seen by anybody, and was, I think, of Mr. Coventry, which so troubled me that I made her go before, and I ever after loitered behind. She to Mr. Hunt’s, and I to White Hall Chappell, and then up to walk up and down the house, which now I am well known there, I shall forbear to do, because I would not be thought a lazy body by Mr. Coventry and others by being seen, as I have lately been, to walk up and down doing nothing. So to Mr. Hunt’s, and there was most prettily and kindly entertained by him and her, who are two as good people as I hardly know any, and so neat and kind one to another. Here we staid late, and so to my Lord’s to bed.
Dear Candy Hearts Creator 2026
Jan. 4th, 2026 10:49 amscioscribeThank you so much for creating something for me! I'd be delighted to receive anything for any of these requests.
I have gifts enabled, and treats are very welcome! All requests this year are for fic.
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I have gifts enabled, and treats are very welcome! All requests this year are for fic.
I'm
( Likes )
( General Sex Likes/Kinks )
( DNW )
( Gentleman Jim )
( Killer Klowns from Outer Space )
( Knives Out )
( Ladyhawke )
( Our Flag Means Death )
( Pluribus )
( Psych )
( Twin Peaks )
Reading Challenge 2026
Jan. 4th, 2026 11:31 amganimedeFor my reading challenge this year, I was considering redoing some of my earlier Reading Bingo cards that I'd not been able to complete originally. But I wasn't really feeling it and to be honest, I was a little bored of doing them. I still have my annual book target, so I thought that I just do that instead. I was looking over my list of Books That I Own And Really Need To Read OMG, when I realised that some of them were from various series that I have started and not got around to finishing for whatever reason.
I have a ridiculous amount of series ongoing - generally because I read the first book, maybe the second one, and then either the next book hasn't been written/published or the library doesn't have it yet or it's currently out on loan. While I'm waiting, I find another series, start reading that instead, and forget about the first one. Then I have to wait for a book from this other series, and I find a third series... etc etc etc. A few years ago, I started keeping a record of the series I have ongoing and which books I've read or have to read, but there's still a lot. 38 series actually. That's so bad.
So, my plan for my reading challenge this year is to reduce that number and actually get some of them finished. I've picked out the series that are close to being finished or that I particularly want to read. I've come up with the following list:
That's 14 series and gives me a total of 44 books. They vary quite a lot in length, from the pretty short to the very long - 168 pages for Fugitive Telemetry from Murderbot, compared to the 722 pages for Republic of Thieves from the Gentlemen Bastard series! I managed to meet my target of 45 books last year, so my target for this year is 46 books. That works quite nicely with this list of books and gives me a bit of leeway to read a couple of others. I have one book in progress at the moment - Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce which I got from NetGalley - but after that, I will get started on this challenge. Wish me luck!
I have a ridiculous amount of series ongoing - generally because I read the first book, maybe the second one, and then either the next book hasn't been written/published or the library doesn't have it yet or it's currently out on loan. While I'm waiting, I find another series, start reading that instead, and forget about the first one. Then I have to wait for a book from this other series, and I find a third series... etc etc etc. A few years ago, I started keeping a record of the series I have ongoing and which books I've read or have to read, but there's still a lot. 38 series actually. That's so bad.
So, my plan for my reading challenge this year is to reduce that number and actually get some of them finished. I've picked out the series that are close to being finished or that I particularly want to read. I've come up with the following list:
- The Wardstone Chronicles by Joseph Delaney - 1 book
- The Starblade Chronicles by Joseph Delaney - 2 books
- The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovich - 7 books *
- Alex Verus by Benedict Jacka - 10 books
- Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo - 1 book
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - 1 book *
- Gentlemen Bastard by Scott Lynch - 1 book *
- Her Majesty The Queen Investigates by SJ Bennett - 1 book *
- Spellcaster by Charlie N Holmberg - 1 book
- The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman - 6 books *
- Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens - 7 books
- The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell - 1 book *
- The Locked Tomb by Tamsin Muir - 1 book *
- The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells - 4 books *
That's 14 series and gives me a total of 44 books. They vary quite a lot in length, from the pretty short to the very long - 168 pages for Fugitive Telemetry from Murderbot, compared to the 722 pages for Republic of Thieves from the Gentlemen Bastard series! I managed to meet my target of 45 books last year, so my target for this year is 46 books. That works quite nicely with this list of books and gives me a bit of leeway to read a couple of others. I have one book in progress at the moment - Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce which I got from NetGalley - but after that, I will get started on this challenge. Wish me luck!
(no subject)
Jan. 4th, 2026 07:39 pmbadfalconIf there's a ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tennisslash community here on DW, but it hasn't been updated in like 15 years, where do we stand on posting my latest fic to it? Like, what's the etiquette here?
[edit] turns out the comm is locked to members posting only, the membership is moderated. and it doesn't look like the mod has been active on DW since like 2018. So guess that's a not happening.
tennisslash community here on DW, but it hasn't been updated in like 15 years, where do we stand on posting my latest fic to it? Like, what's the etiquette here?[edit] turns out the comm is locked to members posting only, the membership is moderated. and it doesn't look like the mod has been active on DW since like 2018. So guess that's a not happening.
Book Review: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Jan. 4th, 2026 10:02 ambadfalcon⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
Every Heart a Doorway is a small book that carries an astonishing amount of emotional weight.
At its heart, this is a story about children who have been somewhere else - worlds that loved them, shaped them, and made sense in ways this one never quite does. Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children offers care, understanding, and the quiet acknowledgement that returning is often its own kind of loss.
What Seanan McGuire does so beautifully here is refuse to frame those experiences as delusion or escapism. The portal worlds matter. The longing matters. The grief of being shut out of a place where you belonged is treated with seriousness and compassion.
The writing is sharp, spare, and deeply empathetic. In a very short space, McGuire creates characters who feel fully realised, each carrying their own kind of ache. Themes of identity, belonging, queerness, and neurodivergence are woven into the story without spectacle - simply allowed to exist.
There's darkness here, and tragedy, but also a fierce insistence that every child's story is real and worthy of care. This is fantasy as emotional truth, and it lingered with me long after I finished.
Every Heart a Doorway is a small book that carries an astonishing amount of emotional weight.
At its heart, this is a story about children who have been somewhere else - worlds that loved them, shaped them, and made sense in ways this one never quite does. Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children offers care, understanding, and the quiet acknowledgement that returning is often its own kind of loss.
What Seanan McGuire does so beautifully here is refuse to frame those experiences as delusion or escapism. The portal worlds matter. The longing matters. The grief of being shut out of a place where you belonged is treated with seriousness and compassion.
The writing is sharp, spare, and deeply empathetic. In a very short space, McGuire creates characters who feel fully realised, each carrying their own kind of ache. Themes of identity, belonging, queerness, and neurodivergence are woven into the story without spectacle - simply allowed to exist.
There's darkness here, and tragedy, but also a fierce insistence that every child's story is real and worthy of care. This is fantasy as emotional truth, and it lingered with me long after I finished.
