Unc Tier
Mar. 9th, 2026 07:01 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
pennyarcade_feedNew Comic: Unc Tier
pennyarcade_feedCover Snark: Jazz Hands
Mar. 9th, 2026 06:00 amsmartbitches_feedWelcome back to Cover Snark!
From Elizabeth: I can’t. Just beyond bonkers. The antlers also seem to be a crown?!? Or a third eye and antlers?!?
And based on deer man, is the guy behind him a magic skunk with the white?
Cover has flowers, fire, shrubs, a cave, library shelves and books. Plus random mismatched fonts. Jeez.
Sarah: Left dude and Center dude have the same Cut and Paste face, right? RIGHT? (It’s freaking me out.)
Elyse: What is up with the dude on the right and his tattoos? What is that?
From Karen: Does no one look at their images before putting them on a book cover? I know this was probably built from other images but, good grief, did they look at the lines of the man’s shoulders in reference to the lines of the shirt/vest? Not only are there vertical lines indicating the top of his arms where there shouldn’t be, if you follow those then the width of the shoulders is less than the width of the waist. Or is it just me?
Sarah: I don’t believe in the position of her right arm unless she is trying to kill him, but I really, REALLY don’t believe in her feet.
(I typed, “I really don’t believe in her feet.” As a sentence. What is the world coming to.)
Amanda: That arm looks like it’s made of putty.
From PamG: Here’s an EMT with jazz hands of FIRE! Did his nitrile gloves spontaneously combust? Don’t you examine me with those things; I don’t need no burning sensation. Oh yeah, and WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIS EYES?
Sarah: In the winter my hands feel like that. Do I need extreme medical services?
Claudia: The size of the moon too. Scary!
Sarah: Maybe it’s a super beaver moon? We had one last November.
Elyse: Is that Kieran Culkin?
Amanda: I want to know more about these extreme medical services.
From Jen: I guess those are supposed to be wings on his back but to me it looks more like a flower. I just don’t understand.
Sarah: Why is the tree glowing? He seems to be concerned about it. Also, are those wings sufficient for takeoff and landing?
Amanda: The wings also look…very small for his body. Like little cherubic wings. Do you think he’s self-conscious about his wing size?
Daily Happiness
Mar. 8th, 2026 08:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torachan1. We went to Best Buy this morning to look at mice in person and I ended up getting a different Logitec one, the MX Master 3S, which fits almost as well in my hand as the Microsoft Sculpt. I set up a return for the other one to Amazon. I do like some things about it, but it felt at the same time too small and too large, and while I didn't have wrist pain after I got used to it more, it just never felt comfortable. I do like that this new one, like the one I'm returning, is bluetooth rather than USB, especially since apparently it was the USB dongle that was causing my PC's sleep issues with the Sculpt (all these years I had no idea!).
2. It was so hot today. Not the hottest we've ever had, but record setting for early March, and it just felt awful. Like that baking desert feel whenever you step outside. I'm so glad we didn't have anything that required being outdoors during the day today, just errands in the car in the morning. I did take a short midday walk, trying to stick to the shadiest streets, but even then I couldn't stay out for long. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 15 degrees cooler, so fingers crossed.
3. Despite the heat, I made Japanese curry for dinner and it turned out delicious. I found a bag of frozen kabocha in the freezer the other day so I put some of that in as well, and that gave it a little something extra, even though I didn't feel like frying croquettes with it as I'd originally planned, or doing fried eggs over top like I sometimes do.
4. This pic was taken the other day. Not even Chloe wanted to be under the blankets today!
2. It was so hot today. Not the hottest we've ever had, but record setting for early March, and it just felt awful. Like that baking desert feel whenever you step outside. I'm so glad we didn't have anything that required being outdoors during the day today, just errands in the car in the morning. I did take a short midday walk, trying to stick to the shadiest streets, but even then I couldn't stay out for long. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 15 degrees cooler, so fingers crossed.
3. Despite the heat, I made Japanese curry for dinner and it turned out delicious. I found a bag of frozen kabocha in the freezer the other day so I put some of that in as well, and that gave it a little something extra, even though I didn't feel like frying croquettes with it as I'd originally planned, or doing fried eggs over top like I sometimes do.
4. This pic was taken the other day. Not even Chloe wanted to be under the blankets today!
Writerly Ways
Mar. 8th, 2026 08:22 pmcornerofmadnessMade it to PA. Forgot my damn onion sets for the parents. Guess I'll be growing onions... And I didn't even bid at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomtrumpshate didn't realize it was that fast and I'm slightly salty about that. We didn't even get half a weekend to deal with this. Yes there were other days but jobs are a thing and so is time. Oh well. Oddly I don't really care that much. I can whip my money to charities on my own and there is always next year. Hope all my friends who DID manage to manage their time better than me got good requests and got the ones you were bidding on.
I have no thoughts for the writing side of things but I do have Ezio's character sheet done. Been noodling it (and letting it show me where the world building needs to happen) Ezio wasn't meant to be a central character but at this point I see 2 overarching story arcs and his is one. We meet him almost immediately after one of his dancers is murdered. I'd love opinions on this if you have time.
( Meet Ezio Zucca )
Open Calls
The Best Noir Sci-Fi-Horror of 2026 Mixing speculative fiction and police or military stories
The Gren-Wode Stories based in the world and legends of Robin Hood
Savagery on the Salty Seas, Volume 1. Maritime-themed horror has a high word count
Solar Punk Magazine April 2026 Window Works that stir readers with themes of defiance, change, and achievement
Otherside April 2026 Window Speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by self-identified members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Stone’s Throw April 2026 Window SCHOOLS OUT (FOREVER)
Ten Manuscript Publishers Open to Submissions in March 2026
45 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for March 2026
From Around the web
The Official Manuscript Wish List Website a wishlist from agents
Putting in the Work (from the woman who runs that author zoom I go to)
The Opening Mystery: Creating Curiosity before the Inciting Incident
Keep the audience engaged as you keep secrets.
Five Quick Ways to Level Up Your Manuscript
How to Write a Gripping Psychological Thriller
Embodied Writing: How to Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Story
How to Get and Keep Amazon Reviews Without Getting Banned
Goals, Conflicts, & Stakes: Why Plots Need All Three
Authors Guild Expands “Human Authored” Certification Program to All U.S. Authors
3 Common Mistakes Committed by Self-Published Novelists
nothing from Betty this week. I wasn't the only one with a con this weekend.
fandomtrumpshate didn't realize it was that fast and I'm slightly salty about that. We didn't even get half a weekend to deal with this. Yes there were other days but jobs are a thing and so is time. Oh well. Oddly I don't really care that much. I can whip my money to charities on my own and there is always next year. Hope all my friends who DID manage to manage their time better than me got good requests and got the ones you were bidding on.I have no thoughts for the writing side of things but I do have Ezio's character sheet done. Been noodling it (and letting it show me where the world building needs to happen) Ezio wasn't meant to be a central character but at this point I see 2 overarching story arcs and his is one. We meet him almost immediately after one of his dancers is murdered. I'd love opinions on this if you have time.
( Meet Ezio Zucca )
Open Calls
The Best Noir Sci-Fi-Horror of 2026 Mixing speculative fiction and police or military stories
The Gren-Wode Stories based in the world and legends of Robin Hood
Savagery on the Salty Seas, Volume 1. Maritime-themed horror has a high word count
Solar Punk Magazine April 2026 Window Works that stir readers with themes of defiance, change, and achievement
Otherside April 2026 Window Speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by self-identified members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Stone’s Throw April 2026 Window SCHOOLS OUT (FOREVER)
Ten Manuscript Publishers Open to Submissions in March 2026
45 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for March 2026
From Around the web
The Official Manuscript Wish List Website a wishlist from agents
Putting in the Work (from the woman who runs that author zoom I go to)
The Opening Mystery: Creating Curiosity before the Inciting Incident
Keep the audience engaged as you keep secrets.
Five Quick Ways to Level Up Your Manuscript
How to Write a Gripping Psychological Thriller
Embodied Writing: How to Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Story
How to Get and Keep Amazon Reviews Without Getting Banned
Goals, Conflicts, & Stakes: Why Plots Need All Three
Authors Guild Expands “Human Authored” Certification Program to All U.S. Authors
3 Common Mistakes Committed by Self-Published Novelists
nothing from Betty this week. I wasn't the only one with a con this weekend.
see the world in just one grain of sand
Mar. 8th, 2026 09:48 pmmusesfoolUgh, daylight savings, why are we still doing this???
Anyway, I got up at my usual workday time instead of sleeping in so I could get the onions in the slow cooker, and I did both the "soak onions in cold water in the fridge for 15 minutes" and wore the stupid onion goggles, and still by the 4th onion my eyes were extremely unhappy with me. *hands* Thankfully I only had 6 onions total, so it all got done, and for dinner I made French onion pasta as planned, and now I have dinner for 3 more days as well. I do love this pasta dish - and I always use bucatini, which is one of my favorite pasta shapes, so it was pleasing all around. Every time I make it after not having made in a while, I'm like, why don't I make this more often!? and then I remember the onion-slicing and how annoying it is. Anyway, definitely recommended for a delicious and easy dinner (except for the onion-slicing). I also made bacon so I have lunch for the week also.
I meant to mention this yesterday and forgot, but The Mountain Goats collaborated with Mary Chapin Carpenter to cover World Party: Put the Message in the Box (don't worry if you only recognize one or two of those names - the song is good!).
*
Anyway, I got up at my usual workday time instead of sleeping in so I could get the onions in the slow cooker, and I did both the "soak onions in cold water in the fridge for 15 minutes" and wore the stupid onion goggles, and still by the 4th onion my eyes were extremely unhappy with me. *hands* Thankfully I only had 6 onions total, so it all got done, and for dinner I made French onion pasta as planned, and now I have dinner for 3 more days as well. I do love this pasta dish - and I always use bucatini, which is one of my favorite pasta shapes, so it was pleasing all around. Every time I make it after not having made in a while, I'm like, why don't I make this more often!? and then I remember the onion-slicing and how annoying it is. Anyway, definitely recommended for a delicious and easy dinner (except for the onion-slicing). I also made bacon so I have lunch for the week also.
I meant to mention this yesterday and forgot, but The Mountain Goats collaborated with Mary Chapin Carpenter to cover World Party: Put the Message in the Box (don't worry if you only recognize one or two of those names - the song is good!).
*
Get In The Tank, Liz
Mar. 8th, 2026 10:09 pmquestionable_content_feed
or Moray will have to do it again
vital functions
Mar. 8th, 2026 10:57 pmkaberettReading. I confess I have tripped and fallen into a special interest and am therefore currently primarily working my way through the archives of She's A Beast. BUT.
- This was all kicked off by A Physical Education: How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power of Lifting, Casey Johnston, inhaled; more comprehensive notes on this topic currently part way through being typed up.
- I am also about half way through (reading!) LIFTOFF: Couch to Barbell, also Casey Johnston, and am having fun starting to play with moving my body in ways.
- Continuing the theme of Moving Bodies In Ways and What Even Are Muscles, I have also started Science of Pilates (Tracy Ward).
- I also continue to work my way through What Is Queer Food?, John Birdsall, and am nearly done. Probably more thoughts on this at some point in the upcoming week.
Writing. Words continue to, very slowly, go up.
Listening. More Hidden Almanac. Very close to being caught up to the point I've theoretically listened to with A (some of which I wound up being asleep during)...
Playing. Inkulinati Exploders run on Master difficulty continues. We have now broken a quill (DEMONS :|) but we do continue to progress...
Another round (well, most of one) of The Little Orchard, this time with The Child deciding that we SHOULD turn the Bothersome Crows back over and put them back...
Cooking. New recipe! Meera Sodha's leek & chard martabak. Unlikely to make again but not sorry to have made.
Exploring. Adventures this week have included:
- Wood Green Mall, which contains PRIDE STAIRS, and the Community Diagnostic Centre, which contains GIANT WATERFOWL MURAL
- the walk between Wood Green underground station and Wood Green Mall, feat. ACORN BOLLARDS
- went for a bit of a Cross Walk one evening earlier this week (brain said AAAAAAH) and discovered along the way a fantastic white-with-pink-stripes camellia
- generally Going Out To Run Errands is currently accompanied by Many Flowers and that is nice, actually
Observing. flowersss.
"if it's ten thousand hours or the rest of my life" (dan + shay)
Mar. 8th, 2026 04:26 pmstarandrea♥ Plant update
Two of the succulents whose names I can't remember are flowering. That's neat; didn't know they did that. The white-and-purple fuchsia has so many more buds. I have not given the vines a trellis. The yucca is probably not dead yet.
+Winter sowing project week 2: the snow has melted off the top of the containers but it's still around freezing or below at night, so I think that counts toward cold stratification.
+Dahlia tubers: somehow I ended up with 22 pots of dahlia tubers, which is weird because that's how many containers of winter sown seeds I have also.
...after looking up the number 22, apparently numerology likes it. A master number not reduced to a single digit, specifically the master builder, signifying the ability to turn grand dreams into reality through practical execution. Great! Gardens are off to an excellent start, then.
I don't have any lights set up for the dahlias yet, but that's not actually a problem until they put their heads above the soil, so. Take your time, little tubers. I'll probably move the cannas out to the garage to keep them from getting any ideas, but I need to put one of the temperature sensors with them so I can make sure they don't freeze.
♥ Language and writing
The SuperChinese app is great at catching the j/zh distinction, which I'm lazy about, along with zhe/zhi, ditto. It couldn't care less about tones, but luckily I found "Speak Chinese: Learn Mandarin," which is an app with a clunky name and a free chatbot that's a stickler for both tones and grammar. Thanks, chatbot that puts in a period every time I pause. I appreciate you pretending you don't know what I'm talking about when I use the wrong tone.
I was going to write a Chinese fic about Spring Festival this month, but I wrote an English followup to Apparently instead and then made a series called Back to School, because of the time travel. I don't know how much I'll write of it, but it's fun to not feel like I'm "wasting" study time. Probably because all the speaking practice feels like progress.
Or the reading. Those BLCUP readers are finally easy after years of sitting on the shelf. I actually bought Andy Weir's Hail Mary in Chinese, not because I think I can read it now, but because it's something new to aim for. (I now know Mo Dao Zu Shi too well for it to serve as a benchmark, ha ha. I was listening to the audio drama yesterday and I was like, "Surely I've always understood this.")
♥ March challenges
communal_creators time only mini event March 22 - 28
(sign-ups not open yet, sign up for a daily amount of time to create stuff and log it)
no_true_pair Four-Character Mini-Challenge March 26 - 31
(sign-ups open at the link above, list four characters and create to prompts for their interactions)
Two of the succulents whose names I can't remember are flowering. That's neat; didn't know they did that. The white-and-purple fuchsia has so many more buds. I have not given the vines a trellis. The yucca is probably not dead yet.
+Winter sowing project week 2: the snow has melted off the top of the containers but it's still around freezing or below at night, so I think that counts toward cold stratification.
+Dahlia tubers: somehow I ended up with 22 pots of dahlia tubers, which is weird because that's how many containers of winter sown seeds I have also.
...after looking up the number 22, apparently numerology likes it. A master number not reduced to a single digit, specifically the master builder, signifying the ability to turn grand dreams into reality through practical execution. Great! Gardens are off to an excellent start, then.
I don't have any lights set up for the dahlias yet, but that's not actually a problem until they put their heads above the soil, so. Take your time, little tubers. I'll probably move the cannas out to the garage to keep them from getting any ideas, but I need to put one of the temperature sensors with them so I can make sure they don't freeze.
♥ Language and writing
The SuperChinese app is great at catching the j/zh distinction, which I'm lazy about, along with zhe/zhi, ditto. It couldn't care less about tones, but luckily I found "Speak Chinese: Learn Mandarin," which is an app with a clunky name and a free chatbot that's a stickler for both tones and grammar. Thanks, chatbot that puts in a period every time I pause. I appreciate you pretending you don't know what I'm talking about when I use the wrong tone.
I was going to write a Chinese fic about Spring Festival this month, but I wrote an English followup to Apparently instead and then made a series called Back to School, because of the time travel. I don't know how much I'll write of it, but it's fun to not feel like I'm "wasting" study time. Probably because all the speaking practice feels like progress.
Or the reading. Those BLCUP readers are finally easy after years of sitting on the shelf. I actually bought Andy Weir's Hail Mary in Chinese, not because I think I can read it now, but because it's something new to aim for. (I now know Mo Dao Zu Shi too well for it to serve as a benchmark, ha ha. I was listening to the audio drama yesterday and I was like, "Surely I've always understood this.")
♥ March challenges
communal_creators time only mini event March 22 - 28(sign-ups not open yet, sign up for a daily amount of time to create stuff and log it)
no_true_pair Four-Character Mini-Challenge March 26 - 31(sign-ups open at the link above, list four characters and create to prompts for their interactions)
(no subject)
Mar. 8th, 2026 05:10 pmblueswanI can't go on keeping up a pleasant front when I have learned the American government had a plan on how to dismantle my country and turn it into a vassal state. I'm heart broken over this. Thankfully we have Carney and an American whistle blower who stopped this plan before it got off the ground. Before learning this I thought it was the American president and wondered how he got that kind of power. Now I know it was some members of the American government and I JUST CAN'T.
There are family members and friends living in that country. I don't hold ill feelings for any of them. But I am now wondering how deep into the population of the US does the feeling the neighbour to the north would be a good place to see end.
I don't know how to explain why I care so deeply, but it's like finding out a friendly neighbour has been killing the pets in the neighbourhood. Betrayed, stupid for thinking that we were in a simpatico relationship.
We are not neighbours or allies or friends, we are a target!
This is not directed at anyone personally. It's not about you - unless it is. Thanks for all the good times, the fun, the travel, the adventures, the fic.
There are family members and friends living in that country. I don't hold ill feelings for any of them. But I am now wondering how deep into the population of the US does the feeling the neighbour to the north would be a good place to see end.
I don't know how to explain why I care so deeply, but it's like finding out a friendly neighbour has been killing the pets in the neighbourhood. Betrayed, stupid for thinking that we were in a simpatico relationship.
We are not neighbours or allies or friends, we are a target!
This is not directed at anyone personally. It's not about you - unless it is. Thanks for all the good times, the fun, the travel, the adventures, the fic.
Cheerful Tumblr nonsense
Mar. 8th, 2026 11:56 amsholioRecently I made:
• A gifset of Babylon 5 hugs
• A Londo & G'Kar text/image collage
Obviously these are wildly full of spoilers.
( A little nattering about giffing on Tumblr again )
• A gifset of Babylon 5 hugs
• A Londo & G'Kar text/image collage
Obviously these are wildly full of spoilers.
( A little nattering about giffing on Tumblr again )
[ SECRET POST #7002 ]
Mar. 8th, 2026 03:29 pmcase posting in fandomsecrets⌈ Secret Post #7002 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
01.
( More! )
Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 26 secrets from Secret Submission Post #1000.
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.
Culinary
Mar. 8th, 2026 07:22 pmoursinThis week's bread: a loaf of Marriage's Organic Country Fayre Malted Brown Bread Flour: quite nice but turned out a bit crumbly??
Friday night supper: ersatz Thai fried rice with chopped red bell pepper and chorizo.
Saturday breakfast rolls: Tassajarra method, strong brown flour, a spot of Rayner's barley malt extract, cinnamon, raisins, okay (cinnamon a bit past its BBF).
Today's lunch: a pie (bought-in puff pastry) of silken tofu + baby spinach + fresh coriander and flat leaf parsley + garlic - okay, but perhaps a little bland; served with steamed asparagus splashed with melted butter with lime juice and lime zest, and padron peppers.
As Canadian As Possible Under the Circumstances
Mar. 8th, 2026 03:07 pmfairestcatPart of trying to use Dreamwidth more is realizing all the things I haven't shared here. Such as: As of December, after 16 years in Canada, I am now a Canadian Citizen!
I had a celebratory citizenship/birthday party last night, surrounded by the family and community I've joined/built here in Canada and it was so lovely and affirming and energizing in exactly the way I needed right now.
I had a celebratory citizenship/birthday party last night, surrounded by the family and community I've joined/built here in Canada and it was so lovely and affirming and energizing in exactly the way I needed right now.
10trueloves: fight
Mar. 8th, 2026 01:58 pmsenmutAO3 Link | Chairwoman's Invite (300 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Justice League of America
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dinah Lance, Diana of Themyscira
Additional Tags: +Modern Age (1986-Present), Post-Crisis, [Justice League of America Vol. 2 - 2006]
Summary:
Oh look, I accidentally wrote something for International Woman's Day.
Diana came into the locker room behind their Chairwoman, glad none of the other women had stayed to change and clean up here. She frowned as she saw the living bruising revealed as the smaller woman peeled out of her costume. In her mind's eye, she saw again as Black Canary dove to cover a child that had been too close to destruction and flinched in memory at how much force her teammate had taken.
And then gotten back up to finish the fight with a Canary Cry that sent the villain reeling back through the portal that had brought him.
"No super strength. No special endurance or nigh-invulnerability. Do you know how worried you make me, even as you take my breath away with your utter willingness to protect others?" she asked.
Dinah chuckled, shaking her head. "It's too much in my blood not to. And I do have many martial arts under my belt, so to speak. Not as good as Richard Dragon or Shiva, but I can protect myself a little from the damage.
"However, I already have plans on a hot bubble bath and wine to help soak this one away."
Dinah met Diana's eyes, having caught that little shift and parting of Wonder Woman's lips on the images that brought to mind.
"My new tub is big enough for two," she invited, as bold in this as she was in her fighting style.
"As it will let me add a massage to soothe the blood rising," and Diana smiled wickedly on her choice of words, "I think I will take you up on that offer."
"Get changed, Princess; you turn too many heads in that for where my place is." Dinah answered the smile with her own, before she — and Diana — got street clothes on.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Justice League of America
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dinah Lance, Diana of Themyscira
Additional Tags: +Modern Age (1986-Present), Post-Crisis, [Justice League of America Vol. 2 - 2006]
Summary:
Diana is amazed and worried by the way their Chairwoman handles herself.
Oh look, I accidentally wrote something for International Woman's Day.
Chairwoman's Invite
Diana came into the locker room behind their Chairwoman, glad none of the other women had stayed to change and clean up here. She frowned as she saw the living bruising revealed as the smaller woman peeled out of her costume. In her mind's eye, she saw again as Black Canary dove to cover a child that had been too close to destruction and flinched in memory at how much force her teammate had taken.
And then gotten back up to finish the fight with a Canary Cry that sent the villain reeling back through the portal that had brought him.
"No super strength. No special endurance or nigh-invulnerability. Do you know how worried you make me, even as you take my breath away with your utter willingness to protect others?" she asked.
Dinah chuckled, shaking her head. "It's too much in my blood not to. And I do have many martial arts under my belt, so to speak. Not as good as Richard Dragon or Shiva, but I can protect myself a little from the damage.
"However, I already have plans on a hot bubble bath and wine to help soak this one away."
Dinah met Diana's eyes, having caught that little shift and parting of Wonder Woman's lips on the images that brought to mind.
"My new tub is big enough for two," she invited, as bold in this as she was in her fighting style.
"As it will let me add a massage to soothe the blood rising," and Diana smiled wickedly on her choice of words, "I think I will take you up on that offer."
"Get changed, Princess; you turn too many heads in that for where my place is." Dinah answered the smile with her own, before she — and Diana — got street clothes on.
I know. I never write, I never post...
Mar. 8th, 2026 02:55 pmfairestcatI'm going to be in France, The UK, Belgium, and Germany in May and June!
I'm quite sure I know many people in at least some of these places and I'd love to see as many of you as I can make happen!
As I noted to Ian just now, seeing things is great and awesome and absolutely something I want to do, but the highlight of travel for me is seeing people, especially ones I've known for ages but never met in person.
Tentative schedule currently is:
- arrive in Paris the morning of May 26th
- May 26-June 5 - various locations in France including but not necessarily limited to Paris and Limoges.
- plane from somewhere in France to Birmingham the morning of the 5th of June.
- June 5-7 VidUKon in Birmingham
- June 7-??? - various locations in the UK including London and Portsmouth, other options depending on people and travel options.
- ??? - Train from London to Brussels
- 2 days later - sleeper from Brussels to Berlin
- ??? (tbd quite soon) - fly home from Berlin.
I'll be buying my flight home in the next couple days, at which point all the dates between Birmingham and Berlin will firm up at least a bit.
This is going to be my first time in Europe since I lived in Berlin for three months in 2000. I've never been to France. I've never been to Belgium. The last time I was in England was a high school trip in 1997. It's all both incredibly exciting and kind of terrifying.
Also, while I've done some solo travelling in the US and Canada, both my previous trips to Europe I was always travelling with at least one other person. So that adds an extra layer of nerves.
So, where should I go??? Who should I see??? How much can I vibrate out of my skin with nerves and excitement between now and the end of May???
I'm quite sure I know many people in at least some of these places and I'd love to see as many of you as I can make happen!
As I noted to Ian just now, seeing things is great and awesome and absolutely something I want to do, but the highlight of travel for me is seeing people, especially ones I've known for ages but never met in person.
Tentative schedule currently is:
- arrive in Paris the morning of May 26th
- May 26-June 5 - various locations in France including but not necessarily limited to Paris and Limoges.
- plane from somewhere in France to Birmingham the morning of the 5th of June.
- June 5-7 VidUKon in Birmingham
- June 7-??? - various locations in the UK including London and Portsmouth, other options depending on people and travel options.
- ??? - Train from London to Brussels
- 2 days later - sleeper from Brussels to Berlin
- ??? (tbd quite soon) - fly home from Berlin.
I'll be buying my flight home in the next couple days, at which point all the dates between Birmingham and Berlin will firm up at least a bit.
This is going to be my first time in Europe since I lived in Berlin for three months in 2000. I've never been to France. I've never been to Belgium. The last time I was in England was a high school trip in 1997. It's all both incredibly exciting and kind of terrifying.
Also, while I've done some solo travelling in the US and Canada, both my previous trips to Europe I was always travelling with at least one other person. So that adds an extra layer of nerves.
So, where should I go??? Who should I see??? How much can I vibrate out of my skin with nerves and excitement between now and the end of May???
How Are You? (in Haiku)
Mar. 8th, 2026 01:54 pmjjhunterPick a thing or two that sums up how you're doing today, this week, in general, and tell me about it in the 5-7-5 syllables of a haiku.
=
Signal-boosting much appreciated!
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Signal-boosting much appreciated!
(no subject)
Mar. 8th, 2026 12:29 pmblueswanIn recognition of International Women's Day, and blatantly stolen from Dine.
"International Women’s Day – can you name any famous female artists, musicians, scientists or authors?
Here is one Canadian woman for each category:
artists - Emily Carr
musicians - Joni Mitchell
scientists - Roberta Bondar
authors - Lucy Maude Montgomery
"International Women’s Day – can you name any famous female artists, musicians, scientists or authors?
Here is one Canadian woman for each category:
artists - Emily Carr
musicians - Joni Mitchell
scientists - Roberta Bondar
authors - Lucy Maude Montgomery