Daily Happiness

Jul. 6th, 2025 08:20 pm
torachan: tavros from homestuck dressed as pupa pan (pupa pan)
[personal profile] torachan
1. We walked down to our favorite deli this morning to pick up sandwiches for lunch. The UV index was pretty high today so even though we tried to stick to the shade as much as possible, it was still exhausting being out in that level of sun, but the temperature was nice and there was a good breeze every now and then and it was a very nice walk overall.

2. Back to work tomorrow. :( Thinking of maybe making it a WFH day, though. So far the only meeting-like things I have are two web interviews, so that can be done from home, and I've got a lot of desk work and email to catch up on from the three-day weekend. So if no one comes up with anything urgent that needs me in person I think I'll stay home.

3. Tuxie is so handsome!

Culinary

Jul. 6th, 2025 07:32 pm
oursin: Frontispiece from C17th household manual (Accomplisht Lady)
[personal profile] oursin

No bread made for reasons.

Friday night supper: I was intending having penne with bottled sliced artichoke hearts, except did not appear to have these in store cupboard: did a sauce of blender-whizzed Peppadew Roasted Red Peppers in brine instead.

Saturday breakfast rolls: basic buttermilk, 50:50% strong white/white spelt flour, turned out nicely.

Today's lunch: diced leg of lamb casseroled in white wine with thyme with sweet potato topping, served with buttered spinach and what really were quite tiddly juvenile baby leeks vinaigrette in a dressing of olive oil, white wine vinegar, and wholegrain mustard.

spiralsheep: Sheep wearing an eyepatch (Default)
[personal profile] spiralsheep
- Quote: "When lions have historians, then hunters will cease to be heroes." - Zeinab Badawi's version of an African proverb first made famous in Europe by Chinua Achebe.

- My favourite Glasto quote was from Seun Kuti: "I know you want to free Palestine, free Congo, free Sudan, free Iran. It’s a new one every week. Free Europe. Free Europe from right-wing extremism, from fascism, from racism. Free Europe from imperialism."

- Hearing: earlier this week there was either a school sports day in the field out the back of my house or a fantastical battle between children and dogs. The next day there was either another sporting event further along the valley or an epic battle between cows and sheep. Or my hearing is going, or the valley has rly weird acoustics when the rocks are hot and the earth is dry.

- Secondhand bookmarker: a handwritten note, on an individually dyed sheet of paper, fell out of a used book I bought. It was from Grandma N to Dear Farly to thank the "very kind boy" for sharing his "special eggs" from his own chickens and "they must be very happy to be living in your garden now after their sad life before".

Birb, Health, blah blah )

(no subject)

Jul. 6th, 2025 01:25 pm
oursin: Brush the Wandering Hedgehog by the fire (Default)
[personal profile] oursin
Happy birthday, [personal profile] tree_and_leaf!

Connexions (21)

Jul. 6th, 2025 11:06 am
the_comfortable_courtesan: image of a fan c. 1810 (Default)
[personal profile] the_comfortable_courtesan
How the place was doing

It was concluded that this fine weather was entirely settled in, and that they could proceed with some confidence with this plan of taking old Mr Mamber on a jaunt out to Marashaylles. Pa said that the old man had revealed that had known those parts in his youth, and 'twould be a pleasure to him to visit the countryside once more, could it be managed.

So, there was arranging with Uncle Sam for the hire of one of their most commodious carriages, and there was the acquisition of one of brother Ben’s latest most comfortable and up to the mark invalid carriages, that he had quite specific designed for travellers. And of course there was Ma, making up a fine pique-nique basket to sustain 'em –

Jessamy and William looked at one another as they loaded it into the carriage and remarked, that sure they need not be in any fears of starvation, did there come some accident of breaking down upon the road in their return!

For they were both going too. William had tactfully put it that it would be most useful instructive to him to be able to converse with one that had been Pa’s mentor in good practices, when what was in his mind was that it would be prudent to be on hand to push the invalid carriage! While Jessamy had remarked that 'twould be a fine opportunity for her to go see how matters were getting along at Marashaylles, quite informal –

Pa quite saw the sense in that! Well, had she not come about to consider that good practices were not confined to questions of domestic administration?

Now they were at the almshouses – very neat and well-kept, a pleasure to look upon – and William lifting Mr Mamber into the carriage – and greetings, and no, this was not Patience, that was the nurse, this was Jessamy, that was now about the business of the manufactory.

Did she not have a look of her mother!

They settled down, and Pa was very particular over ensuring Mr Mamber was comfortable, and so they set off, hesitantly at first through the bustling streets of the City, but at last out onto the open road into Kent.

O, 'twas an excellent fine day to be bowling along a good road, bound on a jaunt into the country!

And there was Mr Mamber, displaying every sign of delight at this excursion, looking out of the window and declaring that 'twas a deal of a while since had come this way, but recollected this or that landmark – had not that coaching inn been there an entire age? – was those over there not what they called oast-houses for the hops?

Pa remarking on how much better the roads were these days – and the construction of carriages much improved as well –

So it went on, until they came to Marashaylles. They drove up to the house, and disposed the carriage in the stableyard, and Joey Smith uncoupled the team and went see about 'em in the very proper fashion that was expected of one that had a place at Jupp’s, relative or no. Jessamy minded on that there should be a fine cask of ale or so indoors in the pantry, went to ensure that she was not mistook, then drew a mug for Joey.

When she came out Pa and William were carefully lifting Mr Mamber into Ben’s fine chair and making sure he was comfortable.

Mr Mamber was exclaiming upon the sweet scent of the blossom, and the song of the birds, and la, were there tears in his eyes?

William came over to convoke with Jessamy as to the most convenable ways they might take him, and where they might halt to have their pique-nique. She – very proud of it! – showed him the map of the estate, adding that sure at present they were still coming about to bring it into being what it should be, had been sadly neglected, did not anticipate to have any great crops this year, but we should see – but did they follow these tracks, there and there, would not have any trouble. Pointed out the little rise in the plum orchard, that she fancied would make a very pretty place to take their rest and have their nuncheon.

Her brother nodded and grinned at her, saying good practices! at which she dug him in the ribs, before he went back to make sure he took the handles of the chair afore Pa could, Pa still being in reminiscent converse with Mr Mamber.

Mr Mamber took a little concern that Jessamy was going to be roaming around all by herself – her brother and father snorted a little at this, for was she not entirely the like of her mother, the figure of a Dahomey Amazon warrior? Moreover, had not her brothers taught her somewhat of the pugilistic art? And anyway, 'twas unlike there would be any about that was not entire licensed to be here and would know who Miss Wilson was.

So his frets were soothed, and they set off along the track. Jessamy went back to see how Joey did – still attentive to the nags to ensure they had not picked up stones or such – enquired as to was he provided with any snack, at which he grinned. Replied that his ma might not be a cook the like of Euphemia but had put him up a nice nuncheon of bread and ham &C.

That was all settled, then. She took a quick look around the parts of the house that were at present in use – the kitchen, the chambers that were now turned into offices, &C – but no-one was there.

Now she could go walk about and see how the place was doing.

No signs of slovenliness! Everything neat – no tools left about, cuttings swept up into piles –

While the birdsong was indeed very pretty, she had had concerns about birds – but observed that nets had been laid over the berry-bushes most like to be raided

Could see where glasshouses and frames were already well under construction.

Did not resist a little skip in her step as she went through into the walled apple orchard –

Oh!

That was not Mr Simcox, the manager that had come with so many impressive recommendations, or any of the others – a blackclad figure –

That turned and said, why, Miss Wilson, did not anticipate to see you here the day – had the desire to make a quick visit before I return to Oxford –

Jessamy made a little dip and ventured a conventional condolence upon Lord Peregrine’s bereavement.

He sighed. Has laid a great burden upon me – never anticipated to be the heir – but do you tell me how matters come along at the manufactory. Have not had the least opportunity to come see how they are.

They went sit upon a fallen trunk. She described how they had already commenced upon clearing that plot of land of his – pulling down the warehouse that was in a quite parlous state – already setting about preparing the foundations –

He said sadly that had hoped to come visit with his friends, show 'em about, but alas – after a brief pause added, Would you care for a little luncheon? Here I have this packed up for me – asked Miss Jupp for advice on trains – next thing is, she has that all writ down for me, and says, here is Miriam provides you with some snack, is most put about you did not mention this beforehand, 'tis a poor simple repast from what she had upon hand – and there is a good deal of it –

Jessamy could not help a small splutter of laughter. Then said, would not spoil her own appetite for the pique-nique she had in prospect, explaining how she came to be there herself.

Though when he unwrapped it, she said mayhap she would take just half of one of Miriam’s apple turnovers –

Birds came to peck about for crumbs.

Jessamy ceased her account of how matters went with Roberts and Wilson’s superior preserves and pickles, to say, but he was returning to Oxford to continue his studies as he had intended?

Lord Peregrine groaned. Oh, I am returning so that I may finish the final term and take my degree, but apparently 'tis not suitable for the heir to the Marquess of Saythingport to mew himself up in a college with fusty old tomes, must go about in Society – so I must decline my fellowship and go conduct myself according to this new station.

Jessamy recalled how very enthusiastic he had sounded about his future course – quite the like of Ben talking about engineering or Patience about nursing! – what was the word – a vocation.

O, how dreadful! she burst out. La, 'tis as if in some tale in the penny parts, that here I was, had been brought up supposing myself the child of Pa and Ma, going out about the family business, and then comes one to say, no, you are really a great lady, that has been hidden like King Arthur with Sir Ector to protect you from enemies, but now you must take up your true position in society. I cannot fathom that anything could be more tiresome. Live the life of a lady indeed! – a deal of you must not do this but you must do that – being very proper – chaperones – law, here is my cousin Gert, will shake her head and sigh over the life that her old schoolfellows Chloe and Bella lead –

You are not constrained to your working at the manufactory?

Not in the least! Had to quite fight with my family over it – had been fascinated since childhood – oh, I daresay I could go be a cook in good service like Ma or Miriam, but the business called to me.

Much about the like. I wonder does the swineherd who is told he is the rightwise king wish to stay with his pigs! But it must be done.

They looked at one another with sympathy.

In the distance someone was calling her name.

There is my brother goes summon me –

They stood up.

Might I come visit the manufactory?

Of course you can, you are part-owner, and welcome, are you able.

She turned to wave farewell as she passed through the orchard wall.

Daily Happiness

Jul. 5th, 2025 07:55 pm
torachan: tavros from homestuck dressed as pupa pan (pupa pan)
[personal profile] torachan
1. We had such a nice time at Disneyland this morning. Too sunny but otherwise lovely weather and so few crowds!

2. We stopped at the farmers market on the way home and got some stuff from our usual vendors (the fruit leather guy definitely knows me now) but there was also a new vendor, a vegan Jewish deli that had all sorts of interesting stuff. Carla got a jar of some sort of pickle relish and I got some pastries including a stone fruit "cheese" danish (idk what the cheese was but everything was vegan so it wasn't actually dairy) that was super good and a pistachio cardamom apricot hamantaschen, which I haven't tried yet but that flavor combo is a favorite so I have high hopes.

3. I love that feeling on the middle day of a three day weekend when you realize that you don't have work tomorrow. That keeps happening throughout the day and it's a pleasant surprise every time. Definitely looking forward to one more day of rest.

4. Jasper's definitely got the relaxing down.

2025 Disneyland Trip #48 (7/5/25)

Jul. 5th, 2025 04:24 pm
torachan: (Default)
[personal profile] torachan
We were expecting it to be crowded today because of the holiday weekend but it was actually one of the least crowded days we've ever experienced at the parks.

Read more... )

[heron fic] Hegesistratus

Jul. 5th, 2025 10:37 am
sanguinity: woodcut by M.C. Escher, "Snakes" (Default)
[personal profile] sanguinity
Been reading a lot of Herodotus lately. The flight of Hegesistratus made me think of Ewen.

Hegesistratus (100 words) by sanguinity
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Jacobite Trilogy | The Flight of the Heron Series - D. K. Broster, The Histories - Herodotus
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Ewen Cameron
Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Drabble, Angst
Summary:

Ewen Cameron, lame and hunted after his escape at High Bridge, remembers his childhood daydreams.



...now back to finishing Book IX before book group tomorrow!
oursin: Photograph of small impressionistic metal figurine seated reading a book (Reader)
[personal profile] oursin

Is it OK to read Infinite Jest in public? Why the internet hates ‘performative reading’

You know, I was completely unaware that 'The Internet' hated upon this (whatever it is) until I came across this article and I think we are probably well into a realm similar to journo constructing a phenomenon on the basis of '6 people I spoke to in the wine-bar last week'.

Or maybe I just don't do TikTok and am missing this, but in my experience, few forms of social media are entire monoliths, what?

Why shouldn't people read in public? They're not doing it AT other people, honestly.

Can't help thinking that those who get aerated at people reading on public transport or while sitting quietly in a restaurant or coffee-shop are very likely those who think you should 'rawdog' long planeflights, sad gits.

Okay, these days I am pretty much always reading on ereader when out and about, so nobody can see what I'm reading. But back in the day I have read a lot of things that I daresay some miserable so-and-so would have considered 'performative', like Remembrance of Things Past on the Tube.

And among other things Marx and Rousseau on the train when I was commuting in from suburban Surrey.

Which phase of my life I was reminded of by a review headed 'A darker side of Lawrence Durrell' - I was not aware that there was any other side, actually - I habitually got in the same compartment of the same train each morning and there was the same young man making his way veeeeery slowwwwly through the volumes of The Alexandria Quartet. Months and months of Balthazar.

(no subject)

Jul. 5th, 2025 12:44 pm
oursin: Brush the Wandering Hedgehog by the fire (Default)
[personal profile] oursin
Happy birthday, [personal profile] stillsostrange!

Connexions (20)

Jul. 5th, 2025 10:06 am
the_comfortable_courtesan: image of a fan c. 1810 (Default)
[personal profile] the_comfortable_courtesan
Very agreeable to work thus

Clorinda looked very fondly across the breakfast-table at Leda and said, la, here she had been training up quite the contriver that she dared say would one day step into her own shoes!

Fie, 'tis a day will never come – was entire 'prentice work – but one could see the poor lady felt somewhat cast out into the chilly winds like unto a shorn lamb, even was she left this very comfortable competence. Did not say in so many words but we could apprehend that the ladies in her locality are inclined to be cattish – Mrs Mitchell goes confirm that from matters her maid let drop – And – Leda leant over to help herself to a mutton-chop in the style of General Yeoman’s cook – I could see Maude Coggin’s fingers quite itching to furbish her up a little – would look very well for good dressing – and sighing that was constrained by the restrictions of mourning.

Clorinda grinned as she buttered a pikelet and then considered upon the choice between various of Roberts and Wilson’s superior preserves. But a very sensible woman – did not sit about wringing her hands or hearkening to the gentlemen in the town that I am sure would have been entire delighted to be leant on, but came seek advizers that did not have a dog in the fight.

Tut, Lady Bexbury, that is an exceeding vulgar metaphor!

Dear Matt – Quennells are quite the pillar of probity – and young Mr Q assures me that the late Mr Brackley’s stockbrokers have the most excellent reputation, that Sebastian confirms. Has Mr Abrahams had any insights into the prospectuses yet?

Has been very scathing concerning the ones he has so far looked into! Are the fellows investing their own tin they are like to come to a very sorry state.

They smiled at one another. Sure, thought Leda, it was very agreeable to work thus. How far she had come from hardened Bet Bloggs of Seven Dials. O, Bet had been loyal to her friends, but had not had these, these wider sympathies that Leda had come to from knowing and loving Clorinda. Had learnt that one might be soft and gentle without being weak.

But while it was indeed agreeable to help so amiable a lady as Miss Kirkstall, there were still rogues in the world a deal worse than the fellows offering her business propositions and one dared say in due course their hand and heart. She sighed. Clorinda raised her eyebrows.

O, I was just a-thinking of this nasty business I am looking into, over finding out shameful secrets and then extorting over 'em.

Very nasty, agreed Clorinda. And on the subject of shameful secrets &C, one observes that Blatchett and his parasite Mortimer Chellow have been absent from Society this considerable while. Belinda tells me they have been much seen about racecourses, where doubtless the company is less fastidious.

They both groaned, for though the immediate threat of any damage to Bella Beaufoyle’s reputation had been scotched, there was still the feeling that there was a powder-keg might yet come about to explode, and moreover that there might be other, mayhap even worse, scandals pertaining to Blatchett could come to light.

And that beastly creature Linsleigh is still prowling about the vicinity of Naples, one must wonder what he is about, or mayhap these days is entire the dilettante

Leda rested her chin in her hands and looked at Clorinda. Did not that beastly creature offer to reveal some scandal about you, before was obliged to flee the realm?

Clorina coloured a little. O, poo-poo, has Sandy been a-gossiping? A matter of some paintings from my youth, of a somewhat improper nature, that are now stored very secret at Nitherholme by dear Sallington –

I should like to see those!

Naughty creature!

But, Leda went on, for would not be distracted, is there aught that might bring you into trouble in this way?

Clorinda did not dismiss this concern lightly. She put on a sober face, looked thoughtful, and glanced over at her desk, where Leda knew that, in a well-concealed secret drawer, were miniatures of her daughter Flora as a child, and certain letters that she could not bring herself to destroy.

I think, she said at length, all is secure – you have give me quite excellent advice, my love! – and sure, I never went about to conceal what I had been, and 'tis so long ago that 'tis almost a romantic tale. There is a little fear for Flora and Hannah’s secrets – but indeed, the one I am in most worry for is Josh. O, I fancy he is exemplary discreet over his liaison with Julia Humpleforth, minds on her reputation, but these matters of saving badgers and foxes – for feelings about the right to hunt &C run very high – did it come about revealed concerning his interference in hunts -  

Leda reached across the table to clasp Clorinda’s hand. La, I have seen that Josh can tame Nat Barron, that now believes 'twas entire his own prudent notion to eschew badger-baiting at Abbetts’ ring. And is ever cautious, has learnt somewhat from his Aunty Clorinda, I fathom, from seeing him in court that time presenting as one with his head entire in the air –

Clorinda smirked a little. Josh, that has quite the keenest eye!

Indeed, one saw that Josh Ferraby might appear a dreamer, but that was because his attention was very acutely upon some matter that others did not note.

But, my love, you go be a little evasive –

Leda wrinkled her nose.  I am to go call upon this fellow Vohle, in my guise as Larry Hooper, desiring him to make a daguerreotype that I may send to my aged aunt, to provide an excuse for looking about his premises, and I am a little concerned that he may penetrate my disguise. You have remarked as to how artists of your acquaintance will note resemblances &C –

Even does he find you out a woman, he will, I fancy, suppose that you are one that chooses to go thus for your own reasons – will not know who you are.

Somewhat reassured, Leda rose and went to kiss her beloved, afore setting off to Covent Garden, and Marie Allard’s house, where she was wont to metamorphose into Larry.

There she found the most unusual sight of Marie sitting quite at her ease, looking positive doating at the child Binnie teaching the dog Pompey some trick or other.

Followed Leda up to where she was wont to transmogrify, to convey that she had excellent good news – not merely that here was Binnie’s Ma, continued to show Dorcas’ pious convert, and had obtained work scrubbing, one might have a little confidence this would last – but that she had been in some dilemma about obtaining schooling for Binnie.

And would you believe it? There is one lately comes take refuge with Molly Binns at Dolly Mutton’s, that was a governess afore her wretch of an employer ruined her, and is quite delighted to take up her old occupation.

Why, that falls out exceptional! Leda contemplated Larry in the pier-glass and fancied he would do. Enquired did Marie ever have daguerrotypes made –

Marie snorted and said, she was not obliged to go tout for trade! These days 'twas all personal recommendation.

What, do these fellows confide over their brandy, do you seek a lady that has a fine fierce hand with the lash, can do no better than Whipping Marie

More like, they go mutter to Dumaine or other knowing fellows, do you know of any lady that will do such-and-such –

Sure there must be tales that Dumaine could tell!

But Dumaine, they both nodded and agreed, well knew the worth of discretion.

So Larry went about his business to Vohle’s studio, that did not seem to be doing anything in the way of bustling trade at this hour, and found the fellow there busy at making up stereoscopic slides, that he slid into a drawer when he observed that he had a customer.

Larry’s tale was, that the aged aunt in the country that had brought him up, was in a great anxiety to see that he was well, but he could by no means quit Town and travel to visit her, 'twas quite out of the question. So had the thought that sending her his picture, taken quite from the life, would surely reassure her that he was in health.

Vohle, a short darkish foreign-looking fellow that nonetheless had a marked Cockney note in his speech, looked Larry up and down and remarked that indeed he was a fit young chap.

So he discoursed on about the procedure and had Larry stand thus and so with the light falling in such a way, and must not move, and went fiddling-faddling about with the machinery of the thing, did not seem in particular to make very close examination of Larry himself: while acute observation took in the place and where there might be secret hiding nooks.

Then there was waiting about for the thing to be fixed and mounted – Larry wandered about, picked up a stereoscope, and blushed at what it showed. So the production of saucy pictures was, it seemed, proved upon Vohle?

Vohle, while his hands were busy about the task, and without looking at Larry, said did Mr Hooper ever have an interest in earning a little extra at any time, he saw he was a fellow of very pleasing figure – should strip well –

Saw he had seen somewhat of the other business that was about here – and the matter of it was, there was often commissions came – and at present had one upon hand – a gentleman had a fancy to a series of tableaux of a lady of ripe charms and experience that goes about to initiate a promising young fellow into amorous delights

Say you so!

One could perchance imagine somewhat of the like, had one examined certain of the volumes upon Clorinda’s shelves! But did not suppose Vohle had any apprehension of what would be revealed – sure there were those had quite the taste, one heard, for the presentation of Sapphic amorous delights, but doubted that was required here.

So Larry looked rather shocked, and said, would have to think on’t – extra tin was ever useful –

But would be returning here discreet when Vohle was absent, to have a good poke about!


rydra_wong: Lee Miller photo showing two women wearing metal fire masks in England during WWII. (Default)
[personal profile] rydra_wong
A whole world of games not playable on Mac has opened up to me, and it's Steam summer sale time!

Please rec me your favourite games, bearing in mind that I have very limited reflexes/co-ordination.

(I'm not completely ruling out games involving them, but the threshold for entry has to be very very low. I am currently enjoying Refunct because it allows me to try some simple platforming in a very chill and pleasant environment with no time pressure and no penalties for taking several hundred tries to get a jump.)

Daily Happiness

Jul. 4th, 2025 09:10 pm
torachan: ryu from kimi ni todoke eating ramen (ramen)
[personal profile] torachan
1. I had a pretty relaxing day today. Aside from walking up to the store this morning for pie crust and salad stuff, I did not go anywhere and just chilled at home.

2. I got some of the rhubarb I chopped up and froze a few weeks ago out of the freezer and made another pie. There's still four bags (I didn't divide it that way on purpose but it turns out two bags is exactly enough for one pie).

3. Ollie is such a cutie pie.

sonia: Quilted wall-hanging (Default)
[personal profile] sonia
Kaval Park, a full-length documentary about Alexander Eppler, an extraordinary American musician who specialized in Balkan instruments, including the shepherd's flute known as a kaval. He lived in Seattle, and the documentary includes other Balkan dancers and instrumentalists from the community there, as well as interviews with Bulgarians who knew him. I don't often watch movies, and this was fascinating. He went to Bulgaria by himself when he was 14 years old to learn kaval, while it was still a closed communist country!

Queer Dating Apps: Beware Who You Trust With Your Intimate Data by Em, staff writer for Privacy Guides. A thorough analysis, with the depressing conclusion that none of the dating apps are trustworthy with your private data, and suggestions for how to protect yourself if you use them anyway.

Weekly Reading

Jul. 4th, 2025 06:07 pm
torachan: (Default)
[personal profile] torachan
Currently Reading
Murder at the Patel Motel
39%. This is not actually a book, so much as an audio drama. It's an Audible Original and comes free with membership, so I decided to try it out. Turns out the author and voice of the main character is the guy who played Jack's assistant on 30 Rock. I loved him in that! And I'm liking this "book" a lot so far.

Just Happy to Be Here
11%. YA about a South Asian trans girl's experience at a mostly white all girls' high school. It's all right so far.

Sister Outsider
No progress.

Riding the Rails
48%.

Recently Finished
How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee
I felt like this took ages to finish, but it was a good read. Very interesting stuff.

A Terrible Nasty Business
I really want more books in this series.

Sou Iu Ie no Ko no Hanashi vol. 1
New series from Shimura Takako following three characters who were raised in the same new religion (the religion in the story is not any real one, just based on others), marking them as different from the majority of the population, which is not actively religious. I like pretty much everything by Shimura Takako, so I'm curious to see where this goes.

Tsumetakute Yawaraka vol. 5

Hatsukoi no Tsugi vol. 2

MXTX stuff

Jul. 4th, 2025 06:11 pm
soc_puppet: A screencap of Namine from "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories". She is pictured scribbling in her notebook, but an excerpt reads, "And then Axel and Roxas had hot, steamy sex. The End." (Fangirl writer)
[personal profile] soc_puppet
I finally finished listening to the main story of MDZS! There was some delay for various reasons, mostly related to my car's failing fan motor, but I managed to get to the end 🎉 (Minus the extras. But those can wait.)

Definitely love the story; don't know if I have any particular fandom feels about it, though. SVSSS still has my heart in that regard.


Speaking of, a stray thought: I'm about 90% sure that the "Immortal" part of "Proud Immortal Demon Way" is specifically referring immortal human cultivators, and thus Binghe's heritage. He is both immortal in the human cultivator sense, and a demon. I'm obviously not one hundred percent sure here, but it makes enough sense in context that it just kinda... tickles my brain occasionally when I see alternate interpretations.


Anyway, provided I can find a way to rip my Audible library, I'll probably listen to TGCF next, but we'll see what happens.

2025 Disneyland Trip #47 (7/3/25)

Jul. 4th, 2025 02:30 pm
torachan: karkat from homestuck looking bored (karkat bored)
[personal profile] torachan
This was another last minute decision. With the lower level keyholders blocked out for summer there's almost always same-day availability, so might as well take advantage of it.

Read more... )
cimorene: Blue text reading "This Old House" over a photo of a small yellow house (knypplinge)
[personal profile] cimorene
It's taken five years to caulk the seam between the two pieces of butcher block on our counter, so I had to dig a bunch of breadcrumbs out of it first with a fruit knife (it's right in front of the toaster). We also re-caulked the seam between the butcher block and the stainless part of the counter by the sink. (The sink is only a few cm from the edge of it, which is very bad design, and the edge of the butcher block there has inevitably suffered and swollen, as the caulk was never going to be adequate; there was no easy way to get the whole counter in stainless, but we should have figured it out anyway. Or alternately, just called up the companies that make tiles and fireplaces out of Finnish soapstone until we found one that would sell us a counter, even though none of them make counters.)

We also oiled the hinge of the bathroom door - the one modern, new door in the house - which has been squeaking for years (unlike all the other doors, which are from 1950 and work flawlessly). And then we glued the aluminum threshold down over the tile floor at that door - it was already loose when the contractors left because the initial adhesive they had used wasn't in contact with the front face of the cement under the tiles, because the tile sticks out a few mm proud of the subfloor. I scraped a layer of gummy glue off the back of the threshold (glue which had never stuck to the tile and instead became impregnated with dust and dirt), then applied some construction adhesive. It's extremely stinky upstairs now as it dries, even with the windows open.

But anyway, all that didn't even take all day. We've done a bunch of laundry and sat on the sofa cuddling cats in between. Can't believe it took us five years.
oursin: Photograph of small impressionistic metal figurine seated reading a book (Reader)
[personal profile] oursin

What I read

Finished The Islands of Sorrow and it is a bit slight, definitely one for the Simon Raven completist I would say - a number of the tales feel like outtakes from the later novels.

Decided not for me: Someone You Can Build a Nest In.

Started Val McDermid, The Grave Tattoo (2006), a non-series mystery. Alas, I was not grabbed - in terms of present-day people encounter Historical Mystery, this did not ping my buttons - a) could not quite believe that a woman studying at a somewhat grotty-sounding post-92 uni in an unglam part of London would have even considered doing a PhD on Wordsworth (do people anywhere even do this anymore) let alone be publishing a book on him b)a histmyst involving Daffodil Boy and a not so much entirely lost but *concealed unpublished in The Archives* manuscript of Epic Poem, cannot be doing with. (Suspect foul libel upon generations of archivists at Dove Cottage, just saying.) Gave up.

Read in anticipation of book group next week, Anthony Powell, The Kindly Ones (1962).

Margery Sharp, Britannia Mews (1946) (query, was there around then a subgenre of books doing Victoria to now via single person or family?). Not a top Sharp, and I am not sure whether she is doing an early instance of Ace Representation, or just a Stunning Example of Victorian Womanhood (who is, credit is due, no mimsy).

Because I discovered it was Quite A Long Time since I had last read it, Helen Wright, A Matter of Oaths (1988).

Also finished first book for essay review, v good.

Finally came down to a price I consider eligible, JD Robb, Bonded in Death (In Death #60) (2025). (We think there were points where she could have done with a Brit-picker.)

On the go

Barbara Hambly, Murder in the Trembling Lands (Benjamin January #21) (2025). (Am now earwormed by 'The Battle of New Orleans' which was in the pop charts in my youth.)

Up next

Very probably, Zen Cho, Behind Frenemy Lines, which I had forgotten was just about due.

***

O Peter Bradshaw, nevairr evairr change:

David Cronenberg’s new film is a contorted sphinx without a secret, an eroticised necrophiliac meditation on grief, longing and loss that returns this director to his now very familiar Ballardian fetishes.

(no subject)

Jul. 4th, 2025 09:55 am
oursin: Brush the Wandering Hedgehog by the fire (Default)
[personal profile] oursin
Happy birthday, [personal profile] silveradept!
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