(no subject)

Nov. 14th, 2025 10:24 pm
mx_morden: (reading)
[personal profile] mx_morden
I know almost half of the month is gone, but I'm hoping I'll manage to read these four:

Untitled-design-1

before December. Cross your fingers for me, because I'm being REALLY bad at reading, lately :°

Wounded Christmas Wolf

Nov. 14th, 2025 11:43 am
sholio: tree-shaped cookie (Christmas cookies)
[personal profile] sholio
christmas book cover with a couple, falling snow, small town

It is free book time again! This is a Christmas romance, a full length novel unrelated to my other series (though obviously it has shifter-romance-style werewolves in it). The link will work until the book goes live on Amazon on the 21st.

This book went through heavier rewrites than my books normally do, so please let me know if you notice any typos or inconsistencies and I will try to fix them!

As always, no obligation, but feel free to download and enjoy.

Free download from Bookfunnel:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/1c4ety8smh

The Drifter (2025)

Nov. 14th, 2025 10:36 am
pauraque: Guybrush writing in his journal adrift on the sea in a bumper car (monkey island adrift)
[personal profile] pauraque
In this sci-fi thriller set in turn-of-the-millennium Australia, Mick Carter returns to the town he swore he'd never go back to after five years on the road. He's in town for a family funeral, but before he can make it there, he witnesses a murder perpetrated by what looks like military special ops. Then Mick himself is killed as well—only to reawaken moments before his death, getting a second chance to save himself. To figure out what's going on and the nature of his strange new power to cheat death, Mick will have to untangle a web of dark conspiracy, as well as finally facing his own past.

figure is illuminated in light streaming into a railway boxcar as Mick narrates that the man is caught like a rabbit in the headlights

I've played some of these guys' game jam entries, so I was excited for their first full-length point-and-click, and it didn't disappoint. It's a gritty, story-focused game with a great balance of pulp SF and psychological drama. The premise of being able to undo your own death (possibly at the expense of your sanity) allows the game to put you in dangerous situations without frustrating game-overs, as well as exploring themes of trauma and regret. If you could go back and do things over again, would you? Should you? As the true cause of Mick's time jumps is uncovered, the game digs into these questions in ways that are both disturbing and narratively satisfying, and that's a great combination.

cut for length )

The Drifter is on Steam and GOG for $19.99 USD. There's also a free demo on the devs' itch.io page.

friday

Nov. 14th, 2025 02:59 am
summersgate: (Default)
[personal profile] summersgate
DSC_0377.jpg
3 am, awake in my room. Little One sitting behind me.

I wish I was more of a fiction writer. I'd write an adventuresome fairy tale story of my recent visit to the far off land of doctors and nurses and smiling friendly people. Though some are not smiling, just doing their job efficiently. It's my job to try and make a connection with them so there is less to fear. It's a place of whiteness and coordinating pale colors, spotless floors. A place where it is a challenge to quietly suffer, be always cheerful, always friendly, be a thank-you person. There is a layer of politeness and kindness spread thick over every exchange, gratitude is always mandatory. The test in this land is to accept that this thing (body) that carries us around is not under our control. Mysteries. Hopes. Prayers. Acceptance of powerlessness. When you first come to this land you arrive with very little. If you are lucky you have a phone, a little box of entertainment and connection. You are stripped of your clothes, anything that defines your style or the facade you like to present. You go through many holding cells, first a small one with a narrow cot till you can graduate into the system and get a larger one with a (hopefully decent) cellmate and a wider bed with some controls. Each level-up is an accomplishment and a step closer to leaving, to going home - the place that everyone there is yearning for. The place where EVERYthing familiar and good is. This far off land is a place of pinching wires glued to the front of you, tubes inserted into your arms where fluids go in and out, many needles and painful blood draws and a pendulous box hanging from the wires on your chest. It's a lesson in patience. What CAN you live without. How little do you NEED. Pulling the covers over your head is your one private space, but that's interrupted nearly every hour on the hour. This visit to the far off land reminded me again of John and his life, his whole life reduced to a bed with no control over ANYthing. It hurts to remember what his life was like but it was also an example of how to get through a stay in this sterile land. How to quit always wanting, how to become stoic and long suffering, how to be deprecatingly and wryly sardonic, how to act happy in any situation. If you can practice acting happy you can be happy, as much as that is possible...

DSC_0383.jpg

I felt bad for my roommate. She also came in because she had had a bout of aFib but she also had diabetes with a buildup of fluid, badly swollen legs. She had a thick and frequent cough. She had many more wires and tubes connecting her to the bed. Oxygen in her nose, a pulse oximeter constantly on her finger, an IV in her arm and the telemetry on her chest like me. Same age as me - 72. I COULD get up and walk the hall if I wanted. I felt guilty that I was so fortunate. I even felt guilty that I had a window. Could I have acted happy if I was her? I don't know.
flareonfury: (Supergirl TAS)
[personal profile] flareonfury posting in [site community profile] dw_community_promo
[community profile] animatedfanfiction


Community Description: [community profile] animatedfanfiction is for any animated films/shows, such as cartoons or anime fanfiction. Any rating is accepted. Feel free to post your old or new works!

cornerofmadness: (Default)
[personal profile] cornerofmadness
I am....beyond frustrated.

I head to the BMV because they've cheaped out on the plastic and my handicap tag shattered like a porcelain tea cup kissing the floor. Getting a new one was easy. I went to the coffee shop but had so much b.s. to deal with I don't even get much writing done. At least CVS hasn't fucked up for once and as I'm getting my needles and pills, the BMV calls me to tell me they didn't give me all the paperwork and I need to come back.

They are SO lucky that they caught me before I was 25 miles away back at the school. I go back and the same woman waits on me. She blinks at me and seems unable to comprehend why I'm there (or that I was there before to the point I wonder what she's high on) Someone else walks over to save her and gives me the paperwork.

Now I'm nearly late racing to the university because the student who has stood me up FOUR times already with no explanation is supposed to be there on my day off to make up the lab exam. She shows and then I go into my meeting.

I haven't mentioned that there has been so much shit at work with fucked up schedules. This meeting is on fire. A couple of us got yelled at (me included) to calm down. But dudes you put two of my classes at the same time and you have 30 students (not including the 24 in my class) we can't even find a time for and you're telling me you haven't changed your major so it's OUR fault. Dudes this is the first time in SIX years you've taken both sections of A&P so don't give me that shit. You didn't look at the schedules we've given you. And please remember that we have to work around all the OTHER biology classes because we have two labs that can hold this many people and oh by the way the last time we had nursing, rad tech, ultrasound and resp therapy, sports and exercise ALL taking both sections of A&P we had a THIRD instructor. Me and DM are the only two left (and one of us is 72) you are killing us.

So in this one of the academic coaches is at my door. I put him off and he returns at the end with my research student who is 1 class short of graduation. We sit down with the biology coordinator and try to figure this out. The only solution? Me offering my online class so now I have two online classes, three face to face classes and two separate research students.

RIP my sanity and my free time (If you think I'm slow commenting now....)

I was SO looking forward to my youtooz monitor buddies of my boys (points down to top pairing) They took forever to ship and they're here Look they're cute here. ANNNNNDDDDD, they don't fit on my desk top monitor. They don't fit on my lap top monitor. WTF are they supposed to fit on? They're so top heavy. At this point I'm wondering can I make a little bar for them and sit them on stools? Way to piss away your money. I should have bought that sticker at the Monster Mash with a possum saying Breadwinner? Ha, I'm the bread loser.


This is everywhere right not. From your AO3 Works page, look at the tags and find the answers to these questions. (I think I saw this on [personal profile] shipperslist first)

Current number of works on AO3: 887

1.Under what rating do you write most?
teen and up

2. What are your top 3 fandoms?
1. Prodigal Son
2. Fullmetal Alchemist
3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Hazbin Hotel tied

3. Which character do you write about most?
Malcolm Bright (Prodigal Son)



4. What are the 3 top pairings you've written?
Now THIS was a surprise to me.

1.Angel Dust/Husk (I go from no anthropomorphic characters because it’s so not my thing to this)
2.Roy Mustang/Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)
3.Gil Arroyo/Jessica Whitly (Prodigal Son)

Wait, no one from Buffy or The Owl House?!?

5. What are the top 3 additional tags?
1 found family
2 emotional hurt/comfort
3 whump (okay it’s technically Malcolm Bright needs a hug but that is so fandom specific so I picked up number 4)
kareila: a lady in glasses holding a stack of books (books)
[personal profile] kareila posting in [community profile] kareila_books
This is a juvenile chapter book that follows two teenage female cousins, one American and one French, on a mystery hunt across Paris. It's cute and predictable, but the riddles and puzzles are actually well-constructed challenges that would introduce young readers to several common encoding concepts. I would have bought this for my own kids when they were younger.
musesfool: debbie and lou from o8 (it's what i'm good at)
[personal profile] musesfool
Today at work, they announced that we will be getting a COLA, retro back to July 1! My boss also floated a potential promotion for me (really, the work would mostly stay the same, but the title and money would be better) for after the new CEO is in place. We'll see if that ever happens. It would be cool if it did, but I won't hold my breath.

I thought I had other things to say, but I fell asleep on the couch after I logged off work and now I'm all fuzzy-headed.

*

thursday

Nov. 13th, 2025 01:40 pm
summersgate: (Default)
[personal profile] summersgate
1000004121.jpg
The view this afternoon from my window. It's been lovely lying on my bed with intermittent clouds and then the sun flooding in and warming me. Watching the clouds float over is relaxing. I'm glad I got the window bed. I'm done with my tests (echocardiogram and stress test) and am just waiting to hear the results of the stress test so I can go home this afternoon. I doubt there will be a problem. Thank you everyone for your good wishes! It'll be good to get home to Dave, Little Rainy, Andy, Skye and the chickens. I am feeling a greater appreciation for them at the moment.

Brought to you be the letter A

Nov. 13th, 2025 12:33 pm
shadowhive: (James Sleeping on trains)
[personal profile] shadowhive
So yesterday I was off to Birmingham for the James Marriott gig.

Honestly if it wasn’t for the stranger things cafe and checking stuff I’d have gone much later, but alas. Train trips for gigs now are pretty eh. I mean the journey was fine, but my phone is useless and it’s not as if I can take anything to do or read.

And of course the ticket machine at the station was closed, there was no one on the train and even the fares to pay thing at the Birmingham station was closed so that was annoying.

But anyway. Mum had the ‘smart’ idea that I should check to see if the Hellfire jacket was at Primark and wear it to the gig. At the very least I was hoping to try one (the stock check before I left said there was some albeit low stock) so I went there first. But there was none in any size (I even asked someone to check, in case they were somewhere else since the one in Telford, and apparently elsewhere, has stuff spread out). Alas there wasn’t any, which was fine by me. (And probably for the best)

Since the cafe was open I did have the pizza twist thing and it was nice (other than the tough ends) but it also looks like this which is certainly… a thing. I had to have a drink cause it was warm but damn. A can of 7up was £2 which feels crazy to me.

After that I wandered round Birmingham a bit. The christmas market is on already so everything is annoyingly bright, but they have churros now! I didn’t get any but the smell was so nice. Annoyingly both the game outlet and forbidden planet had discounted figures, which I likely would’ve got if I’d been able (damn gigs being bitchy).

After wandering round the bullring (which was uneventful) I went to the venue and the queue was quite long, much longer than Coheed. After waiting around till doors open it was time to head inside, security felt a tad absurd checking my hat. Like what did he expect to find in there?

Inside the first support was on and he sounded pretty good, though I only heard two songs (and one was a cover of Chappell Roan) but I just went to merch. I’d seen some of the tees were nice looking so I got the grapes one cause Grapes is one my favs, though the dogs playing cards was so cute (I hope he adds it to his site later)

The second support were just ok, I couldn’t really make out what any of them were saying even when they were talking.

Then there was James’ set. For the supports I’d noticed there were these strange banner things up, so I just assumed they were some sort of decoration, but no! They were these really cool light things that changed colours over the course of the set which was good and pretty. I wasn’t a fan of the general lighting of the opening song though which was just every light flashing so I had to spend the song with my eyes closed for the most part.

But the set was really great! He played Car Lights which is always a fav and then Grapes was the last song which was an awesome one to end on. I was surprised Him was on the set list and there was the new California Rain song which has only been played this tour. Also we got Limbs which apparently isn’t one played often?

But James is one of those natural showmen, he interacted with the crowd constantly, did a roll and just looked so great too. Apparently our date was the biggest show they’ve played at so far, especially since it was sold out! (Which was a worry last sold out show I had at this venue people were passing out like crazy, thankfully that wasn’t the case this time but it was still so warm).

Apparently he does small sets after the gig outside but I didn’t know where it would be and didn’t wanna hang around (apparently it was right by the entrance which was annoying to find out! Though I dunno if I missed much).

I grabbed a poster from outside, then a drink from a store by the station cause I was parched and I just flopped on a seat at the station. Though I did get veggie sushi from a place at the station, though I wish I could more than one cause it was half off and didn’t know till I paid.

Everything then was just waiting around and then the train was delayed, then on time, then delayed but it was on time at the end. Once I got off the station and was walking home that was when I had an issue. I was about half way home and got my phone out to use the torch, then saw my tee had gone. I panicked and then had to ring it was gone) but I managed to find it. It was just across from the station laying on some leaves and I dunno how it got there. It was stuffed in the bag pretty good (or so I thought) and it had lasted the whole gig just fine so.., ugh. At least i got it.

At home I just flopped. I looked into getting the jacket on click and collect (I was gonna today but had to sort something for mum) so that should be in town by the time I go in for Predator Badlands/Keeper. plus I ordered the Lego Star Wars advent calendar cause Amazon had it for £14 off.

I did see the new Mario trailer before heading up and it looks pretty fun and very pretty.

In a bit I’m off for the other opticians appointment, then seeing the new Pokopia vid and tonight is the Taskmaster final which should be fun.
merrileemakes: Orange cat lying adorably on an open book, with other books in the background (eepy)
[personal profile] merrileemakes posting in [community profile] booknook

Buzzing
Written by Samuel Sattin with art by Rye Hickman

Description
A moving middle grade graphic novel about friendship, belonging, and learning to love yourself despite the voices in your head.

Isaac Itkin can't get away from his thoughts.

As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts.

The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn't seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter.

But Isaac's therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won't let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.

Review
This book has the best depiction of intrusive thoughts I've ever seen. Issac's OCD is represented by cartoon bees that swarm his head, saying awful (and often repetitive things). The bees can become fewer in number when Isaac is interested in something and if something (or someone!) is really engaging they can disappear completely. Or if things are going badly, they can swarm Isaac and drown out almost everything else.

Isaac's friends are a great comfort to him and he's most animated and engaged when he's with them. In contrast, he shuts down when he's with his overbearing mother and hateful sister. The art does an amazing job of reflecting it, with the colour literally leeching from the panels when Isaac's family are present. As someone who grew up with a mental illness in a shitful Family of Origin, this all feels so real and believeable. The mother especially is a hall-mark 'doing my best' but actually ignores the emotional needs of both her children, constantly criticises them and has a sour comment for every interaction.

Unfortunately its this strong identify I have with Isaac that makes the ending fall really flat for me.
Spoilers hereAfter spending half the book despising Isaac, his sister suddenly decides to help him connect with his friends after his mother bans him from hanging out with them. And then at the end the mother puts aside her over-bearing self-absorbtion and starts taking an interest in Isaac and his hobbies, letting him hang out with his friends again and is generally a totally different person.
If you've ever dealt with schemas in Family of Origin you'll know that those roles don't just get thrown aside on a whim. So... I didn't like the ending. But it's a middle grade book. Isaac growing up, moving out, finally getting therapy and going no contact was not an option. Shame though, because I would read the hell out of that.

The Tinman went to Yoga

Nov. 12th, 2025 11:37 pm
cornerofmadness: by <lj user=jordannamorgan> (teaching fury)
[personal profile] cornerofmadness
This is my second to last yoga session and this is the first one where I am hurting afterward. Like a lot. Yay. head desk. I am encourage to know our instructor is looking for her own studio and is thinking of adding chair yoga. I would sign up for that. My days of doing floor yoga is coming to an end.

And I'm THIS close to getting water fitness on the books at work for next semester. yay.


What I Just Finished Reading:

nothing. sigh, not even fanfic

What I am Currently Reading:

Blacksad - a anthropomorphic noir graphic novel

Haunted Cemeteries of Ohio - you know why

Anne of Green Gables - I am shocked at how much I like this


Revenge Serve Royal - historical mystery

What I Plan to Read Next: Elfquest for popsugar
kareila: a lady in glasses holding a stack of books (books)
[personal profile] kareila posting in [community profile] kareila_books
Snow Crash meets The Arabian Nights in the modern day Middle East. An intriguing fantasy story with a very exasperating protagonist.

Content warnings: sexism, major character death, xenophobia, patriarchy, oligarchy, torture, mob violence

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