Another beautiful day!
Oct. 15th, 2025 10:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
conulyAnd no headache, which is great - I've been super headachy these past few weeks.
*******************
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
conulyDoctor Who: Robot
Oct. 18th, 2025 12:45 pmsenmutFor a variety of reasons I am not at #NoKings today, in more than spirit.
Instead, I put on some Classic Doctor Who. As a tiny child, I came into this cultural phenomenon via the SECOND serial, already partway through, for Tom Baker & Lis Sladen & Ian Marter, "Arc in Space". I had, since then, seen "Robot", but I haven't seen it as frequently as other serials.
Things that stood out: Benton's promotion to a Warrant Officer, a reference to Ft. Knox's security, another mention of American military. The casual entry of "would you like a jelly baby" was a delight. Sarah Jane's compassion being a pivotal plot point was grand. Tom Baker endeared himself swiftly to me all over again in watching this.
Having a woman in charge of the villains, having her call out misogyny, though I felt it in poor keeping that Sarah Jane would have made that error, and all the ways Winters was shown to be as ruthless as Sarah Jane was being kind - these things were solid and good.
Say what you will of effects, but quite honestly? I miss hokum effects that were obviously not real. This was a very solid show, and I miss all of the cast who have gone on already. Seeing them in their prime was a delight. (No Tom icons, but I do have Lis)
Instead, I put on some Classic Doctor Who. As a tiny child, I came into this cultural phenomenon via the SECOND serial, already partway through, for Tom Baker & Lis Sladen & Ian Marter, "Arc in Space". I had, since then, seen "Robot", but I haven't seen it as frequently as other serials.
Things that stood out: Benton's promotion to a Warrant Officer, a reference to Ft. Knox's security, another mention of American military. The casual entry of "would you like a jelly baby" was a delight. Sarah Jane's compassion being a pivotal plot point was grand. Tom Baker endeared himself swiftly to me all over again in watching this.
Having a woman in charge of the villains, having her call out misogyny, though I felt it in poor keeping that Sarah Jane would have made that error, and all the ways Winters was shown to be as ruthless as Sarah Jane was being kind - these things were solid and good.
Say what you will of effects, but quite honestly? I miss hokum effects that were obviously not real. This was a very solid show, and I miss all of the cast who have gone on already. Seeing them in their prime was a delight. (No Tom icons, but I do have Lis)
![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Oct. 18th, 2025 04:46 pmturpsIt was quite a day yesterday.
It started well, I went with James to get our flu jabs, and got those done fast, in and out of the pharmacy before our official appointment times.
Then off to the doctor, who after a few attempts managed to draw enough blood from James to send off for the routine tests he needs. Though, I do wish people would listen when James tells them it's easier to draw from the back of his hand. I get it probably feels wrong for the medical people to start there, but his veins are so buried in the crook of his arms that it's almost impossible to find them.
Left there and came home as the tumble drier repair man was due. That actually went better than I expected, turns out the baring had gone causing the belt to snap. But the guy said it was such a good machine it was worth repairing, though due to the space needed for the repair, he'd have to take it to his workshop to do so. But, it should be fixed and back by Monday afternoon, and for cheaper than I was expecting, which is good.
After he left we did some organising for the craft fair we've done today. Got everything sorted, and then got ready to take Murphy to a vet appointment as it looked like his UTI was back again. But, turns out it was much more serious and he had a bladder blockage.
As I couldn't get him an appointment until 5:30, that meant the vet who could do the op to unblock had gone so we were sent off to the out of hours emergency vet hospital. This is where he ended up a month ago, so I knew they were nice there, but man, I really didn't expect to be heading there again.
( cut for vet stuff )
Drove home and because it was so late ended up at the fishshop for a cheese patty, chips and curry sauce tea. Ate that then ended up just waiting for the vet to phone with news, which she did close to ten.
Then to top it all I had the most horrendous night sweats that woke me up. ( cut for detail )
So that was yesterday, and I did not want to get up at 6am to get ready for the craft fair today. But I did, and the fair itself went okay.
Now we're home, and I intend to have a lobster bath, wait for the nurse to phone about Murphy, or phone them myself if I can't wait, then watch Strictly. Though tbh, I'd say the odds on me staying awake for the whole thing are pretty low right now.
It started well, I went with James to get our flu jabs, and got those done fast, in and out of the pharmacy before our official appointment times.
Then off to the doctor, who after a few attempts managed to draw enough blood from James to send off for the routine tests he needs. Though, I do wish people would listen when James tells them it's easier to draw from the back of his hand. I get it probably feels wrong for the medical people to start there, but his veins are so buried in the crook of his arms that it's almost impossible to find them.
Left there and came home as the tumble drier repair man was due. That actually went better than I expected, turns out the baring had gone causing the belt to snap. But the guy said it was such a good machine it was worth repairing, though due to the space needed for the repair, he'd have to take it to his workshop to do so. But, it should be fixed and back by Monday afternoon, and for cheaper than I was expecting, which is good.
After he left we did some organising for the craft fair we've done today. Got everything sorted, and then got ready to take Murphy to a vet appointment as it looked like his UTI was back again. But, turns out it was much more serious and he had a bladder blockage.
As I couldn't get him an appointment until 5:30, that meant the vet who could do the op to unblock had gone so we were sent off to the out of hours emergency vet hospital. This is where he ended up a month ago, so I knew they were nice there, but man, I really didn't expect to be heading there again.
( cut for vet stuff )
Drove home and because it was so late ended up at the fishshop for a cheese patty, chips and curry sauce tea. Ate that then ended up just waiting for the vet to phone with news, which she did close to ten.
Then to top it all I had the most horrendous night sweats that woke me up. ( cut for detail )
So that was yesterday, and I did not want to get up at 6am to get ready for the craft fair today. But I did, and the fair itself went okay.
Now we're home, and I intend to have a lobster bath, wait for the nurse to phone about Murphy, or phone them myself if I can't wait, then watch Strictly. Though tbh, I'd say the odds on me staying awake for the whole thing are pretty low right now.
Table for Two by Amor Towles
Oct. 18th, 2025 07:54 amaltamira16This is a book of short stories, except the second half of the book could have been a novel.
Towles writes a bunch of stubborn women in his stories, and they were really good. In one of my favorite stories, a man sneaks off once a week to do some forbidden thing. His wife thinks he is cheating, but he is not. She asks a relative to follow him and then changes her mind. The relative finds the truth which is charming and hilarious.
The novel at the end of the book is about old Hollywood. Two women go to Hollywood. One has an interesting scar. In Hollywood, one gets minor roles, and it is not quite clear what the first woman is doing. When the first woman is blackmailed, there is a lot of mystery, crime, and intrigue. I got a little confused about the number of characters that entered this story.
Towles writes a bunch of stubborn women in his stories, and they were really good. In one of my favorite stories, a man sneaks off once a week to do some forbidden thing. His wife thinks he is cheating, but he is not. She asks a relative to follow him and then changes her mind. The relative finds the truth which is charming and hilarious.
The novel at the end of the book is about old Hollywood. Two women go to Hollywood. One has an interesting scar. In Hollywood, one gets minor roles, and it is not quite clear what the first woman is doing. When the first woman is blackmailed, there is a lot of mystery, crime, and intrigue. I got a little confused about the number of characters that entered this story.
Ferris Wheel Press Review
Oct. 18th, 2025 09:49 amseleneheart posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
journalsandplannersMany of the stationery people that I follow on social media rave about these pens and ink from Ferris Wheel Press. I decided to get two fountain pens and a couple of bottles of ink in August.
I have some thoughts.
First of all - no complaints about the inks - they are amazing, gorgeous!
The first one is called Copper Carnival. A lovely brown with hints of glitter. Perfect for autumn journaling!
Next is Frozen Fortress. This was part of a line released under license from Warner Brothers when the last Superman movie came out. A gorgeous teal that looks amazing on my bullet journal paper.
I don't have as much positive to say about the two pens that I got.
The first is called Book of Botany in their Carousal pen line, for $90. It is very pretty, although it's a lighter green than showing here:
The barrel is aluminum and I got the fine nib. It writes very well, and feels great in my hand. My issue with this one is the converter. All of their pens come with a universal converter. However, the converter absolutely will not stay put on this pen. Every few days it works itself off the connector and I have to take the whole thing apart to push it back in place, getting ink all over my fingers in the process. I have it loaded with the Frozen Fortress above. Overall, the aggravation is manageable and I enjoy using this pen.
The second one is unusable. I suppose that's what I get for buying a $22 fountain pen (although my $25 Pilot Metropolitan has lasted for years and writes beautifully). This one is Lost in the Leaves, also in the Carousel line.
The barrel is plastic, and it comes with the same converter as the other pen. It also has a fine nib. I absolutely cannot get it to write. My original idea was to load it up with the Copper Carnival ink above. That has glitter, and I know that can sometimes clog pens. When it wouldn't write with that ink, I emptied it, soaked it in rubbing alcohol, cleaned it out, and tried another ink. This time was Windsor & Newton Calligraphy ink in sepia. Same result. Finally I loaded it up with Noddler's Ink in Feather, which I know damn well works because I have it in some of my other pens. No matter how much I tried, this was what I got with this pen:
There you have it - I highly recommend their inks. As for their pens, they have some for $180, maybe those would perform better. But I cannot recommend the Carousel line for the problems that both pens have. I will say that the packing is gorgeous and I couldn't bear to throw it away.
I have some thoughts.
First of all - no complaints about the inks - they are amazing, gorgeous!
The first one is called Copper Carnival. A lovely brown with hints of glitter. Perfect for autumn journaling!
Next is Frozen Fortress. This was part of a line released under license from Warner Brothers when the last Superman movie came out. A gorgeous teal that looks amazing on my bullet journal paper.
I don't have as much positive to say about the two pens that I got.
The first is called Book of Botany in their Carousal pen line, for $90. It is very pretty, although it's a lighter green than showing here:
The barrel is aluminum and I got the fine nib. It writes very well, and feels great in my hand. My issue with this one is the converter. All of their pens come with a universal converter. However, the converter absolutely will not stay put on this pen. Every few days it works itself off the connector and I have to take the whole thing apart to push it back in place, getting ink all over my fingers in the process. I have it loaded with the Frozen Fortress above. Overall, the aggravation is manageable and I enjoy using this pen.
The second one is unusable. I suppose that's what I get for buying a $22 fountain pen (although my $25 Pilot Metropolitan has lasted for years and writes beautifully). This one is Lost in the Leaves, also in the Carousel line.
The barrel is plastic, and it comes with the same converter as the other pen. It also has a fine nib. I absolutely cannot get it to write. My original idea was to load it up with the Copper Carnival ink above. That has glitter, and I know that can sometimes clog pens. When it wouldn't write with that ink, I emptied it, soaked it in rubbing alcohol, cleaned it out, and tried another ink. This time was Windsor & Newton Calligraphy ink in sepia. Same result. Finally I loaded it up with Noddler's Ink in Feather, which I know damn well works because I have it in some of my other pens. No matter how much I tried, this was what I got with this pen:
There you have it - I highly recommend their inks. As for their pens, they have some for $180, maybe those would perform better. But I cannot recommend the Carousel line for the problems that both pens have. I will say that the packing is gorgeous and I couldn't bear to throw it away.
saturday
Oct. 18th, 2025 08:57 amsummersgatePictures from the last couple days:
![IMG_20251016_171749627[1].jpg](https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/egg_shell/1265782/5454237/5454237_original.jpg "IMG_20251016_171749627[1].jpg")
A picture taken over at the lake on Thursday - the last day we had with a totally clear blue sky.
I took this on the way to Olean yesterday - a bench at the Kinzua Dam Allegheny River park pulloff. Why this bench had so much lichen on it and the bench beside it had none I don't know.
This was taken before we got to Olean. There was lots of nice autumn color on the drive.
Jules and I are going to the No Kings in Meadville later today. The sign I made. I have never been to a protest before.
A picture taken over at the lake on Thursday - the last day we had with a totally clear blue sky.
I took this on the way to Olean yesterday - a bench at the Kinzua Dam Allegheny River park pulloff. Why this bench had so much lichen on it and the bench beside it had none I don't know.
This was taken before we got to Olean. There was lots of nice autumn color on the drive.
Jules and I are going to the No Kings in Meadville later today. The sign I made. I have never been to a protest before.
For anyone who enjoys synecdochic being the Pope's Anger Translator
Oct. 18th, 2025 07:53 amrydra_wonghttps://bsky.app/profile/rahaeli.bsky.social/post/3m3eovdxmwk2z
Okay! This is going to take a while so I had to finish some stuff first, but: Why Da Pope Fucking Up Opus Dei Is A Huge Fucking Deal: a thread
I believe the proposed reforms are currently leaked/not confirmed yet, but this is fascinating.
(ETA: the previous round of Pope-exegesis.)
Okay! This is going to take a while so I had to finish some stuff first, but: Why Da Pope Fucking Up Opus Dei Is A Huge Fucking Deal: a thread
I believe the proposed reforms are currently leaked/not confirmed yet, but this is fascinating.
(ETA: the previous round of Pope-exegesis.)
I know we all laughed at the blue liquid used in pad commercials
Oct. 13th, 2025 07:59 pmconulybut I'm not sure I like pink any better.
Maybe they could've eased us into it gradually, with purples?
**********************************************************
( Read more... )
Maybe they could've eased us into it gradually, with purples?
( Read more... )
I read The Incandescent, which has gotten decidedly mixed reviews from all of you
Oct. 14th, 2025 10:41 pmconulyI fall very in the middle - I enjoyed it, probably won't read it again.
But - am I supposed to feel most sympathetic towards the ( Read more... )
But - am I supposed to feel most sympathetic towards the ( Read more... )
Fandom Fifty: #34
Oct. 17th, 2025 08:05 pmsenmut2008. Settling in as having a HOME. Did I have time for the movies? Let's see.
Hmm. 7 films, none of which were seen in theater, and I am pretty sure none of them were seen in the year they came out.
~ Iron Man - bored and found it on TV, absolutely stunned that it was SO GOOD and I didn't want to punch RDJ.
~ The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - bought on DVD as soon as it came out, didn't watch right away. Very good.
~ Wanted - discount bin of DVDs purchase, wound up enjoying it.
~ Mamma Mia! - Logan introudced me to it after he moved here in 2017? I do love it though.
~ Babylon A.D. - Another cheap DVD purchase. It could have been more.
~ Appaloosa - I am not certain how I came to watch it, but I know I love it. It's Ed and Viggo!
~ Jumper - and another cheap DVD buy, but OMG, I loved it. Let's watch Anakin and Mace flip which side they are and have an adventure!
Hmm. 7 films, none of which were seen in theater, and I am pretty sure none of them were seen in the year they came out.
~ Iron Man - bored and found it on TV, absolutely stunned that it was SO GOOD and I didn't want to punch RDJ.
~ The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - bought on DVD as soon as it came out, didn't watch right away. Very good.
~ Wanted - discount bin of DVDs purchase, wound up enjoying it.
~ Mamma Mia! - Logan introudced me to it after he moved here in 2017? I do love it though.
~ Babylon A.D. - Another cheap DVD purchase. It could have been more.
~ Appaloosa - I am not certain how I came to watch it, but I know I love it. It's Ed and Viggo!
~ Jumper - and another cheap DVD buy, but OMG, I loved it. Let's watch Anakin and Mace flip which side they are and have an adventure!
[Challenge #167: Austere] Original Fiction: 'No Man's Land'
Oct. 17th, 2025 04:24 pmbut_can_i_be_trusted posting in vocab_drabblesTitle: 'No Man's Land'
Fandom: Original Fiction
Author:but_can_i_be_trusted
Rating: G
Word Count: 146
Characters/Pairings: Original
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted toficlet_zone and whatif_au
Summary: Heaven might be the ideal; but Hell is far more interesting.
( No Man's Land )
Fandom: Original Fiction
Author:
but_can_i_be_trustedRating: G
Word Count: 146
Characters/Pairings: Original
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to
ficlet_zone and whatif_auSummary: Heaven might be the ideal; but Hell is far more interesting.
( No Man's Land )
[ SECRET POST #6860 ]
Oct. 17th, 2025 07:06 pmcase posting in fandomsecrets⌈ Secret Post #6860 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
01.
( More! )
Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 00 pages, 00 secrets from Secret Submission Post #979.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
did some errands
Oct. 17th, 2025 10:53 pmkaberettDebit card in amended name theoretically on its way to me. Two sets of Objects belonging to Players are now OUT OF MY HOUSE and IN THE HANDS OF ROYAL MAIL. And on the way back up the hill, when I was in less of a hurry, I paused to Observe Some Plants.
Ergo: Some Plants.
Wise Woman Photo Shoot
Oct. 17th, 2025 02:40 pmpegkerrOne of the suggestions I received this year for a Year of Adventure event from my friend John Walsh was the offer of a photo shoot. I've seen examples of what are called 'Crone,' 'Goddess' or 'Wise Woman' photo shoots, and the idea really appealed to me, as I wanted to spend this year exploring the gift of growing older. So John picked me up right before dusk, and we had a wonderful time shooting pictures along Minnehaha Creek, and on the outskirts of the Peace Garden, just across the street from the Lake Harriet Rose Garden.
I'm quite pleased with the pictures. What do you think?
( Wise Woman Photo Shoot )
I'm quite pleased with the pictures. What do you think?
( Wise Woman Photo Shoot )
