anghraine

Currently Reading
Nikhil Out Loud
10%. Middle grade book about a teen voice actor who moves from LA to Ohio with his mom when his grandfather gets sick. This is by Maulik Pancholy, whose Murder at the Patel Motel I recently enjoyed a lot. Since I liked his narration of the other book, I decided to do this as an audiobook, too. I'm enjoying it so far.

The War on Alcohol: Prohibition and the Rise of the American State
6%.

Kill Her Twice
33%.

Just Happy to Be Here
58%.

Sister Outsider
60%.

Recently Finished
A Slash of Emerald
I enjoyed this. Looking forward to more in the series.

A Deadly Night at the Theatre
The new Dahlia Lively mystery came out just as I was finishing up A Slash of Emerald. Perfect timing. I like this series a lot.

The Nice House by the Sea vol. 1
I knew this was associated with Nice House on the Lake (obviously) but since the name is different, I didn't realize it was the direct continuation. So I read it, but I didn't remember enough about The Nice House on the Lake, so then I had to reread those first two volumes as well (not a hardship as it's a great series). There are too many characters and too many things going on and I am almost certainly going to have to reread things before the next volume comes out, too...

Something Is Killing the Children vol. 8
I hadn't realized this was out. It's just a collection of stand-alones set at various times in the series rather than being a new arc.

The Deviant vol. 2
I liked this series a lot, but was a little disappointed in the ending as I thought we would get to find out who had really committed the first string of murders as well. ( spoilers )

mecurtin in

fandom_checkin

This is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Sunday, July 20, to midnight on Monday, July 21 (8pm Eastern Time).

Poll #33382 Daily check-in poll

Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 26

How are you doing?

I am OK
15 (60.0%)

I am not OK, but don't need help right now
10 (40.0%)

I could use some help
0 (0.0%)

How many other humans live with you?

I am living single
10 (38.5%)

One other person
11 (42.3%)

More than one other person
5 (19.2%)

Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.

brokenallbroken

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Current Music: Fast Politics w/ Molly Jong-Fast - Rick Wilson on what Murdoch could do to Trump

lannamichaels

I've picked up Isekai Cordelia again, which is great fun, taking it from ~11K to ~18K.

My sheer glee and joy in this fic may require a bit of backstory. The first fic I ever did anything with, I submitted to Star Wars Chicks, they were having some kind of competition or submittal or something, this was back when you got there via IP address and not a domain name. Obviously my fic did not win whatever it was, as you would expect. There was another fic that was submitted during that time, it was about an OFC, who Luke falls in love with, and I loved her and the descriptions of her dress at the end, and I will never find this fic again, I am aware of that, and it was probably meant to be a 1/?, and who knows. But it was so great.

There are problems dating this story. My FFN join date was Oct 1998. Star Wars Chicks, according to fanlore, didn't exist until March 1999. I distinctly recall already being head-deep into OT Star Wars, especially the Luke side of things, in 1998-1999. I think I think this story happens a lot earlier in 1999 than it probably did. I used to write fic in notepad and save as .txt, despite many computer changes since then, the earlist date modified on a txt file in my old Star Wars folder is July 1999. There are also problems with that. Also on this deep dive I discovered some school assignments from 1997 and also what might be the address list for invitations to my bat mitzvah, I can think of no other reason for me to have this list of names and addresses, nor why I have it even with that reason for me to have it. At one point, I think around 2003/2004, I had a massive computer failure and had to get everything out through DOS and so that capped file names to be like "ALITTL~1.DOC" and no I never renamed any of them back to their full names, so this is a journey of discovery. -- okay I've got some Q-the-star-wars-character in my homework folder, last modified date December 1998, yeah, who the hell knows. But this does work, I know I was heavily on StarTrek.com and various Star Trek sites before I got into Star Wars.

Later on, I discovered that kind of fic was disparaged as being a Mary Sue, and one of the reasons I was never too het up about Mary Sues is whenever someone would complain about it, I'd be like "you mean that fic I loved?"

So writing an OFC transmigrates into a sci-fi series and fixes everything -- the kind of fic that would get mocked as being Mary Sue -- is so satisfying.

So the next time I'm in the district, I track down Vasily Petrov at a warehouse right outside of Hassadar. There are machines in there that simulate a ski environment. There are Space TV Screens on the wall that show scenic scenery. There are--

--a fully created, fully funded business plan for opening a ski resort in the Dendarii Mountains, which will employ only people who have lived on the mountain since the Cetagandans left.

"I told you to leave it to me," Vasily says, smiling.

ysabetwordsmith

This poem was written for the Sunshine Revival Challenge 6: Game Night. It also fills the "Dodge" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo Fest. It belongs to the series Love Is For Children.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Sunshine Revival Challenge 6: Game Night

Journaling prompt: What games do you play, if any? Are you a solo-gamer or do you view games as a social activity?

Creative prompt: Write a story/fic around the theme "game night".

Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

marycatelli in

books

Outlaw of the Outer Stars by John C. Wright

The adventures continue!

( Read more... )

delphi

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settiai

The power went off again for a bit but, once it turned back on, everything was working correctly again.

Well, mostly. My AC was still making the odd grinding sound, but I did some googling and opened it up, and I was able to get it fixed. The sudden power outage while it was turned on basically knocked a couple of things loose, but I was able to get them all screwed back in properly so that it's working properly again.

We'll see if it lasts?

ETA: The power went out for another half hour around 7pm, with the fire alarm going off when it went out and again when it came back on. Our guess is that the fire alarm is being triggered for some reason when it transfers to the emergency back-up battery and back. No updates from Pepco about what's actually causing the outages (which is par for the course for Pepco), so everyone is assuming it's because the network is so overloaded from everyone using the AC 24/7.

Current Mood: hopeful

senmut

A Needed Ally (400 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, Sword-Dancer Saga - Jennifer Roberson
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Catti-brie [Dungeons & Dragons], Delilah [Sword-Dancer Saga]
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fusion
Summary:

Catti runs into an ally

A Needed Ally

Catti-brie would have given a lot of treasure to never see a desert again, but here she was in one that made Calimshan look civilized. The next time she was offered 'something different, something new, just track this wee artifact down' by ANY Harper, she would remember to say 'no'.

About the second time she broke a man's wrist for trying to touch her in brutish ways, she heard a 'ssstt' from one side and a welcome, if unexpected face peered at her, all pale in a sea of darker shades.

"Del?" Catti asked as she made it through the throng to the woman.

"You're a long way from where we met," the elder woman said. "Why are you in the Southron lands?"

"Looking for a trinket that supposedly got traded down here. Care to help me out?"

"Call the debt for the Moonshaes closed, and you have my aid. Possibly my partner's."

Catti-brie wrinkled her nose. "Ne'er counted a debt on helping ye. But if'n it means ye can help me before I have tae kill a man, done!"

"Kill one, ten more will appear," Del answered with a sigh.

"Glad as I met up with ye," Catti-brie said.

"You might not be if Tiger's still addled with liquor." Del's wry smile made her look a little younger, and Catti was glad to see it on her. She'd found the woman very driven, hard-pressed by her past, and too rare in her smiles.

"Dwarf-raised. Can deal with the hangover," Catti told her with a grin.

"You haven't met Tiger yet," Del warned. "Good thing you wear your blade at the hip; over the shoulder is a definite mark of a sword-dancer, and you'd be challenged to prove you can use them."

"I think I'd prove capable," Catti-brie answered with justifiable pride in her skill. After all, Drizzt had been her teacher.

"Yes, but it brings even more attention than just your looks."

"I should nae ask how many ye had to prove your skill to?"

"I lost count," Del said blandly, leading up a narrow alley before getting them inside a cooler building. Both took in the small space, lacking any person at all. "Hmm, maybe he didn't make it back this morning.

"So tell me about the trinket, while we have peace from Tiger's belly-aching."

Catti-brie settled to do just that, eager to be done with this quest.

Or read at the community

ysabetwordsmith

11,000-year-old feast uncovered: Why hunters hauled wild boars across mountains

Ancient Iranians hosted epic feasts with wild boars that had been hunted and transported from distant regions. These animals weren’t just dinner—they were symbolic gifts. Tooth enamel analysis revealed they came from different areas, suggesting early communities valued geography in gift-giving. The event took place even before agriculture began, hinting at deeply rooted cultural traditions.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

The July

crowdfunding Creative Jam is open with a theme of "Heroism -- Real or Perceived." Come give us prompts, or claim some for your own inspiration.

What I Have Written

From My Prompts

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy and warm. It rained yesterday.

I fed the birds. I haven't seen much activity, but heard a squirrel chattering.

EDIT 7/20/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/20/25 -- It rained copiously this afternoon, and is still thundering occasionally.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

lee_bella in

potterfests

Fest Name: HP Halloween Fest
Links: Bluesky | Instagram | AO3 & Rules | Prompting
Type of Challenge: Anonymous prompt fest
Description: A HP fic and art fest featuring Halloween. Prompting is open till July 31.
Ratings Restrictions: All ratings allowed
Length Restrictions:
Fic: Minimum 500 words; no maximum
Art: None
Timeline:
Prompting: July 20 - July 31
Claiming: August 1 - October 12
Works Due: October 15
Reveals Begin: October 20

settiai

Okay, so apparently the sister hotel and the 7-Eleven next door are having the same issue where about half the lights/plugs in the building are working and the other half aren't. So it looks like it might actually be an issue with the power company rather than some of the wires specifically in this hotel getting fried like we were initially suspecting might be the case.

My AC still won't cool, but I have managed to get it to at least have a weak fan blowing which is better than nothing. And the AC in the hallway just outside my room is working, which is helping a little with keeping the temperature from going up too quickly in here.

Both the power company and the fire department are wandering around trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, especially since two extended stay hotels full of people without working AC (in some rooms, not all - the AC is working fine for some people, although most of the rooms with working AC don't have working lights) in 90+ degree weather is... not great.

The temperature in my room is slowly edging upwards, but it's not too bad yet at least. When the power went out at 11am, it was about 68°F in my room as I turn the AC down low at night to sleep so it hadn't had a chance to start warming back up yet at that point. A little over three hours later, with no AC that entire time, it's gone up to 74°F, so it's averaging about 2° an hour. Which, you know, could be worse.

Now, if they don't get it fixed within the next few hours, it's going to start being a problem. My fingers are desperately crossed that they'll figure it out before then, though.

ETA: It only went up to 75°F by 3pm, so it looks like the temperature might not be rising quite as quickly as it gets warmer. We'll see what happens.

Current Mood: annoyed

badfalcon

The past week’s been a foggy one — low on energy, high on friction. I’ve barely touched the computer, partly because I’ve had nothing to give, and partly because every little thing felt like too much. Office politics have been quietly draining, I forgot how much fandom drama can wear you out even when you’re not trying to be involved, and I’m still figuring out how changes in my joints are shifting my spoons, my energy, my everything.

I know those are the days I need the glimmers the most — but sometimes, when everything feels heavy, even looking for them is hard.

But today I’m back at the screen. I want to keep trying. These soft, bright moments matter — especially when they’re hard to find.

✨ today’s glimmers and good things ✨

🌸 I let myself stay in soft clothes all day, and tried not to feel guilty for needing rest. It felt like the kindest thing I could do.
🎧 I listened to music that matched my mood perfectly, and it felt like being held in just the right kind of quiet.
📖 I spent the afternoon reading, letting myself drift a little in someone else’s words. It was soft, and it helped.

Current Mood: calm

greghousesgf

My sister's husband is going to be in town and I'm meeting him for breakfast day after tomorrow. He's super nice and I'm really looking forward to seeing him.

Current Music: Deee-lite

jesse_the_k

fan_writers community -- for meta about writing

Moderated by china_shop and mific

runpunkrun

Banner with text: fan_writers.dreamwidth.org: talking about writing. Black and white image shows hands typing on a laptop and a pen making revisions on a piece of lined notebook paper.

New comm for meta about writing! Moderated by fandom staples

mific and

china_shop!

settiai

The power in the hotel went out a little while ago and, while it came back on after about twenty minutes, the plugs for my fridge and microwave are dead and my AC won't blow cold air. And it's definitely not the circuit breaker, because I already checked it and tried flipping everything on/off to be certain. 🙃

While the plugs for the microwave and fridge aren't working, there are three more in the kitchen that are working fine (two on the wall over the counter and one for the oven). I was able to move the fridge to another nearby plug that was working, and I'm pretty sure that there's one close enough that I can do the same for the microwave if I need to use it. Or I can move the microwave to on top of the stove top long enough to use it if the cord won't reach.

It's not a great option, but it's at least an alternative until they can figure out what the fuck went wrong.

The temperature in the room is quickly ticking upwards a little at a time without a working AC, though, which is definitely not a plug issue since it's turning on but is just not cooling anything off. I turned the AC completely off, flipped the breaker off/on, and am letting it sit for half an hour to see if that helps. I know sometimes that can be enough to reset it, so my fingers are crossed it will work this time. Luckily, I had the room cool enough that it will take a while before it gets too hot in here, but still. It's supposed to hit 90°F today, so a working AC is kinda vital.

The lovely part is that the person at the front desk has no idea what to do, because a ton of people are having similar issues where some things came back on but not others. Half the lights in the hallway are still dead and a lot of us are having issues with some things working but not others (although it seems to vary from person to person per the person at the front desk who I spoke with), so it's gotta be some type of wiring issue where plugs that are piggybacked off the same failed wiring are the ones not coming back on for anyone. The maintenance guy doesn't even work on weekends, though, so.... yeah.

ETA: And now the fire alarm is going off, presumably due to the same wiring issue as there's definitely no fire. Today's great, y'all.

Current Mood: frustrated

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Anghraine

July 2025

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[Vorkosigan] Six Sentence Sunday

Poem: "A New Twist"

Sunshine Revival Challenge 6: Game Night

Outlaw of the Outer Stars

Six Sentence Sunday

Hotel Life: Once more on the power front...

No True Pair: Crossover mini-event

Early Humans

Creative Jam

Birdfeeding

HP Halloween Fest: Prompting Open Till July 31

Hotel Life: Power Update

✨glimmers and good things ✨

(no subject)

Nifty New fan_writers Community

@fan_writers

Hotel Life: Happy Sunday?

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July 2025

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