Daily Happiness
Jun. 20th, 2025 10:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torachan1. Finally after all week feeling like each day should be Friday, it's really Friday!
2. Today actually wasn't too bad at work and wasn't a long day. Though I didn't end up getting to everything I wanted to get done, so I had to push a lot of things till Monday. They're not urgent things, so it's fine, but I feel like Monday is going to end up with a lot of things, especially since I have a meeting in the afternoon. But so far I have nothing scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, so hopefully one or the other can be a catch up day if I need it.
3. This is an irresistible spot for cats. A canvas bag on top of a plastic bin, which is itself on top of a pile of other bags, on top of a blanket, on top of a chest. Plus it's got a nice view of the sidewalk!
2. Today actually wasn't too bad at work and wasn't a long day. Though I didn't end up getting to everything I wanted to get done, so I had to push a lot of things till Monday. They're not urgent things, so it's fine, but I feel like Monday is going to end up with a lot of things, especially since I have a meeting in the afternoon. But so far I have nothing scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, so hopefully one or the other can be a catch up day if I need it.
3. This is an irresistible spot for cats. A canvas bag on top of a plastic bin, which is itself on top of a pile of other bags, on top of a blanket, on top of a chest. Plus it's got a nice view of the sidewalk!
All of it's golden, my body is floating, I'm still alive
Jun. 20th, 2025 11:24 pmsovayHappy solstice! spatch and I celebrated the longest stretch of the year's light with the third-to-last night of Theatre@First's The Tempest, the farewell production of its longtime artistic director. Their lion-bronze Caliban stood laughing, in his hands the staff the island's magic had brought him in pieces, by right, made whole. In, summer!
spatch and I celebrated the longest stretch of the year's light with the third-to-last night of Theatre@First's The Tempest, the farewell production of its longtime artistic director. Their lion-bronze Caliban stood laughing, in his hands the staff the island's magic had brought him in pieces, by right, made whole. In, summer!2025 Disneyland Trip #42 (6/18/25) Pride Nite
Jun. 20th, 2025 10:33 pmtorachanThis is the third year they've had an official Pride Nite at Disneyland. With only two dates each year, it's on a smaller scale than most of the other events, but still a lot of fun and I just love being there at the park when almost everyone (even many of the cast members working that night) is queer.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Je Ne Regrette Rien Challenge: Madagascar 3: wallpaper: no regrets
Jun. 21st, 2025 05:13 amlilly_c posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fan_flashworksTitle: no regrets
Fandom: Madagascar 3
Rating:
Content notes: Inspired by the scene where Chantal Dubois is singing the Edith Piaf song.
Artist notes: Empty stage is from a public domain image search, lightly modified in editing. Caps from Madagascar are my own and edited using HDR and sepia tones. Font used is Kunstler MT.
Summary:
( no regrets )
Fandom: Madagascar 3
Rating:
Content notes: Inspired by the scene where Chantal Dubois is singing the Edith Piaf song.
Artist notes: Empty stage is from a public domain image search, lightly modified in editing. Caps from Madagascar are my own and edited using HDR and sepia tones. Font used is Kunstler MT.
Summary:
( no regrets )
Challenge 483: Amnesty
Jun. 20th, 2025 04:55 pmteaotter posting in fan_flashworksOur new challenge is our eightieth:
During amnesty challenges, you can post works for any of the challenges we've had to date: ( Complete list of prompts )
See this gdoc spreadsheet for a complete list of prompts (sheet 1 listed by date; sheet 2 alphabetical & linked)
Of course, you're always welcome to post multiple works to any challenge if you finish them before the challenge closes, but that isn't always possible. So dust off those unfinished works and half-formed ideas -- now is the time!
In amnesty rounds, please include the challenge you are posting for in the subject line of your post (eg, Bright: The Untamed: Podfic: Bunnies!).
Each work created for this challenge should be posted as a new entry to the comm. Posting starts now and continues up until the challenge ends at 4pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, July 1st. No sign-up required.
Mods will tag your work with fandom, media and challenge. When you've posted entries to three consecutive challenges, you will earn a name tag, and we'll go back and tag all your previous entries with your name.
All kinds of fanworks in all fandoms are welcome. Please have a look at our guidelines before you play. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact a mod. And if you have any suggestions for future challenges, you can leave them in the comments of this post.
Also, keep an eye out for the nextffw_social post, which will go up in the next couple of days. If you haven't joined the comm yet, it's never too late to come and check it out. (Remember, posts are locked, which means you have to join to see them.)
AMNESTY
During amnesty challenges, you can post works for any of the challenges we've had to date: ( Complete list of prompts )
Of course, you're always welcome to post multiple works to any challenge if you finish them before the challenge closes, but that isn't always possible. So dust off those unfinished works and half-formed ideas -- now is the time!
In amnesty rounds, please include the challenge you are posting for in the subject line of your post (eg, Bright: The Untamed: Podfic: Bunnies!).
Each work created for this challenge should be posted as a new entry to the comm. Posting starts now and continues up until the challenge ends at 4pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, July 1st. No sign-up required.
Mods will tag your work with fandom, media and challenge. When you've posted entries to three consecutive challenges, you will earn a name tag, and we'll go back and tag all your previous entries with your name.
All kinds of fanworks in all fandoms are welcome. Please have a look at our guidelines before you play. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact a mod. And if you have any suggestions for future challenges, you can leave them in the comments of this post.
Also, keep an eye out for the next
ffw_social post, which will go up in the next couple of days. If you haven't joined the comm yet, it's never too late to come and check it out. (Remember, posts are locked, which means you have to join to see them.)Admin: Challenge closed
Jun. 20th, 2025 04:53 pmteaotter posting in fan_flashworksThe Yield challenge is now closed. Here are the entries:
S.W.A.T.: Fan Fiction: Their Love, bydarkjediqueen
Torchwood: Fanfic: No Retreat, No Surrender, bybadly_knitted
Inspector George Gently: Fanfic: Gently Safe and Sound, bylucy_roman
Miss Marple: Fanfic: Picking Blackberries, bysmallhobbit
Star Trek Voyager: fic: meddling, bylilly_c
Hyouka (Kotenbu): Fanfic: the liveliest fruit, bybluedreaming
The Dragonriders of Pern: Haiku: Vengeful Dedication, byinfinitum_noctem
Batman: Fan Fic: Welcome Home, byapachefirecat
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Fanfic: Collapse, byveronyxk84
Epic: The Musical: Fanfic: Yield, bydrabblewriter
The Double: fanfic: wail, byteaotter
Torchwood/Doctor Who: Fanfic: Unyielding, bym_findlow
Guardian: fanfic: Supplanted, bychina_shop
Original Fiction: Tomatoes & Lesbianism, byanalogbasilisk
Marvel Cinematic Universe: FIC: Not to Yield, byalexcat
Suits : fanfic : Bad Commute, byhighlander_ii
Congratulations tosmallhobbit who earned The Outstanding (11 Year Streak)!! WOW!!
\o/ \o/ \o/
Thank you to everyone who participated! You're now free to post your entries to your journal or wherever else you'd like. If you're archiving on AO3, you can add your work to our fan_flashworks collection there.
New challenge coming right up!
S.W.A.T.: Fan Fiction: Their Love, by
darkjediqueenTorchwood: Fanfic: No Retreat, No Surrender, by
badly_knittedInspector George Gently: Fanfic: Gently Safe and Sound, by
lucy_romanMiss Marple: Fanfic: Picking Blackberries, by
smallhobbitStar Trek Voyager: fic: meddling, by
lilly_cHyouka (Kotenbu): Fanfic: the liveliest fruit, by
bluedreamingThe Dragonriders of Pern: Haiku: Vengeful Dedication, by
infinitum_noctemBatman: Fan Fic: Welcome Home, by
apachefirecatBuffy the Vampire Slayer: Fanfic: Collapse, by
veronyxk84Epic: The Musical: Fanfic: Yield, by
drabblewriterThe Double: fanfic: wail, by
teaotterTorchwood/Doctor Who: Fanfic: Unyielding, by
m_findlowGuardian: fanfic: Supplanted, by
china_shopOriginal Fiction: Tomatoes & Lesbianism, by
analogbasiliskMarvel Cinematic Universe: FIC: Not to Yield, by
alexcatSuits : fanfic : Bad Commute, by
highlander_iiCongratulations to
smallhobbit who earned The Outstanding (11 Year Streak)!! WOW!!\o/ \o/ \o/
Thank you to everyone who participated! You're now free to post your entries to your journal or wherever else you'd like. If you're archiving on AO3, you can add your work to our fan_flashworks collection there.
New challenge coming right up!
Suits : fanfic : Bad Commute
Jun. 20th, 2025 06:58 pmhighlander_ii posting in fan_flashworksTitle: Bad Commute
Fandom: Suits
Rating: PG-13
Length: short
Content notes: none apply
Summary: Mike's ride to work is... eventful
( Bad Commute )
Fandom: Suits
Rating: PG-13
Length: short
Content notes: none apply
Summary: Mike's ride to work is... eventful
( Bad Commute )
Marvel Cinematic Universe: FIC: Not to Yield
Jun. 20th, 2025 05:53 pmalexcat posting in fan_flashworksTitle: Not to Yield
Fandom: MCU
Rating: PG
Length: 264 words
Content notes: Civil War Fic
Author notes: I'm team Cap.
Summary: Steve cannot yield to Ross, no matter the cost.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
~ Tennyson
( Not to Yield )
Fandom: MCU
Rating: PG
Length: 264 words
Content notes: Civil War Fic
Author notes: I'm team Cap.
Summary: Steve cannot yield to Ross, no matter the cost.
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
~ Tennyson
( Not to Yield )
Original Fiction: Tomatoes & Lesbianism
Jun. 20th, 2025 06:53 pmanalogbasilisk posting in fan_flashworksPrompt: 482. Yield
Word count: 447
Rating: T
Summary: lesbian farmers being lesbians in a farm.
Note: mentioned violence and sex
( Read more... )
Word count: 447
Rating: T
Summary: lesbian farmers being lesbians in a farm.
Note: mentioned violence and sex
( Read more... )
Fiction
Jun. 20th, 2025 05:48 pmrivkatSarah Langan, Pam Kowolski Is a Monster!: ( self-obsessed in the apocalypse )
Stephen King, Never Flinch:( Holly Gibney )
Shannon Chakraborty, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi: ( piracy and magic )
Olivie Blake, Gifted and Talented: ( for fans of Succession )
Ai Jiang, A Palace Near the Wind: Natural Engines: ( marriage and conquest )
John Scalzi, When the Moon Hits Your Eye: ( moon made of cheese )
M. L. Wang, Blood Over Bright Haven: ( white women's guilt )
Emily Tesh, The Incandescent: ( magic school administrator! )
Stephen King, Never Flinch:( Holly Gibney )
Shannon Chakraborty, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi: ( piracy and magic )
Olivie Blake, Gifted and Talented: ( for fans of Succession )
Ai Jiang, A Palace Near the Wind: Natural Engines: ( marriage and conquest )
John Scalzi, When the Moon Hits Your Eye: ( moon made of cheese )
M. L. Wang, Blood Over Bright Haven: ( white women's guilt )
Emily Tesh, The Incandescent: ( magic school administrator! )
Music tonight
Jun. 20th, 2025 09:54 pmqueen_ypolitaI went to listen to the Reading Festival Chorus perform Elgar's Dream of Gerontius tonight. I'm not sure if I'd gone it if had been just them, but they were joined by Johanneskantorei and a youth choir from Düsseldorf (Reading is twinned with Düsseldorf) and Britain Sinfonietta, so I was curious, and the location was convenient. So I booked a ticket. And it was worth hearing, although it seemed to me the ratio of performers to audience was probably at least 2 to 1, if not more. It probably wasn't the best evening for a concert: today has been rather sweltering again and the venue doesn't come with any other method of controlling the temperature apart from opening the doors. It wasn't uncomfortably hot but not still not great.
Wicked
Jun. 20th, 2025 04:29 pmivyficI am extremely late to this train, but I finally saw Wicked on Broadway, through a work event. (Which also meant it was fantastic seats.) I read the book an age ago, but hadn't watched any version of it.
Wow that is an unfocused mess of a musical, isn't it? There is so much plot happening in every scene--and then you hit "Defying Gravity" or "For Good" and tears are streaming down my face and I'm like, this is the best musical ever written.
Also, wow is that incredibly gay.
Wow that is an unfocused mess of a musical, isn't it? There is so much plot happening in every scene--and then you hit "Defying Gravity" or "For Good" and tears are streaming down my face and I'm like, this is the best musical ever written.
Also, wow is that incredibly gay.
Shroud, by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Jun. 20th, 2025 10:18 amrachelmanija
While on a commercial expedition, an unexpected accident causes Mai, an engineer, and Juna, an HR person, to crash-land on a pitch-black planet called Shroud. They can't get out of their escape pod because the air is corrosive and unbreathable, and they can't call for help. Their only hope is to use the pod's walker system to trek all the way across the planet... which turns out to be absolutely teeming with extremely weird life, none of which can see, all of which communicates via electromagnetic signals, most of which constructs exoskeletons for itself with organic materials, and some of which is extremely large.
As readers, we learn very early on that at least some of the life on Shroud is intelligent. But Juna and Mai don't know that, the intelligent Shroud beings don't know that humans are intelligent, and human and Shroud life is so different that it makes perfect sense that they can't tell. As Juna and Mai make their probably-doomed expedition across Shroud, they're accompanied by curious Shroud beings, frequently attacked by other Shroud creatures, face some of the most daunting terrain imaginable, and slowly begin to learn the truth about Shroud. But even if they succeed in rescuing themselves, the predatory capitalist company that sent them on their expedition on the first place is determined to strip Shroud for materials, and doesn't care if its indigenous life is intelligent or not.
This is possibly the best first contact novel I've ever read. It's the flip side of Alien Clay, which was 70% depressing capitalist dystopia and 30% cool aliens. Shroud is 10% depressing capitalist dystopia and 90% cool aliens - or rather, 90% cool aliens and humans interacting with cool aliens. It's a marvelous alien travelogue, it has so many jaw-dropping moments, and it's very thematically unified and neatly plotted. The climax is absolutely killer.
The characterization is sketchy but sufficient. The ending is a little abrupt, but you can easily extrapolate what happens from there, and it's VERY satisfying. As far as I know this is a standalone, but I would certainly enjoy a sequel if Tchaikovsky decided to write one.
My absolute favorite moment, which was something you can only do in science fiction, is a great big spoiler. ( Read more... )
(no subject)
Jun. 20th, 2025 12:54 pmconuly posting in agonyauntDEAR ABBY: I am a mother of six and a grandma to four. We are a close family and enjoy each other's company. My mom is nearly 80. For reasons I could never understand, she didn't enjoy my children when they were growing up and didn't connect deeply with them. She once commented to me that she was bored with women her age because they were "obsessed" with their grandchildren and she wanted deeper conversations.
Mom moved away and would mostly visit just for holidays and birthdays. When the children tried to share things that were going on in their lives, she wasn't interested, and we eventually stopped inviting her to sports events and recitals because she seemed annoyed to be there.
Now that her grands have almost reached adulthood, my mother wants to connect with them. She texts them often and sometimes invites them to visit. They respond politely, and a couple have gone to visit her, but none seem interested in a deeper relationship. This bothers her, and she has been asking me to pressure them to visit her and include her in their lives more. But to them, she is a distant relative. They don't feel close to her.
What is my responsibility now? I wish they had a closer relationship with my mom, but I feel awkward telling busy young adults they must plan trips to visit someone who didn't try to establish relationships with them when they were young. Any advice? -- TORN DAUGHTER IN WASHINGTON
( Read more... )
Mom moved away and would mostly visit just for holidays and birthdays. When the children tried to share things that were going on in their lives, she wasn't interested, and we eventually stopped inviting her to sports events and recitals because she seemed annoyed to be there.
Now that her grands have almost reached adulthood, my mother wants to connect with them. She texts them often and sometimes invites them to visit. They respond politely, and a couple have gone to visit her, but none seem interested in a deeper relationship. This bothers her, and she has been asking me to pressure them to visit her and include her in their lives more. But to them, she is a distant relative. They don't feel close to her.
What is my responsibility now? I wish they had a closer relationship with my mom, but I feel awkward telling busy young adults they must plan trips to visit someone who didn't try to establish relationships with them when they were young. Any advice? -- TORN DAUGHTER IN WASHINGTON
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Jun. 20th, 2025 12:48 pmconuly posting in agonyauntDEAR ABBY: In the four years my husband and I have been married, his distaste for the LGBTQ community has grown into a passion. He calls it immoral and unnatural. I've never tried to change his opinion, but because I don't enthusiastically agree with him, he is convinced I'm going to hell. He uses nearly every conversation as an opportunity to share his feelings on this issue. Any response I volunteer goes unheard.
Shortly after our wedding, my father revealed he is gay. Thankfully, my husband can be kind to him while disapproving of his sexuality. I'm not sure Dad knows the extent of my husband's negative feelings. (They live in different states, so they rarely see each other.)
My problem is, my father recently became engaged to his partner, and I'm not sure how to tell my husband. I'm not asking him to agree with my dad's life, but I don't want him to steal my joy over this event or make me feel guilty for going to their wedding. I will certainly be going alone. Advice, Abby? -- ALLY IN MICHIGAN
( Read more... )
Shortly after our wedding, my father revealed he is gay. Thankfully, my husband can be kind to him while disapproving of his sexuality. I'm not sure Dad knows the extent of my husband's negative feelings. (They live in different states, so they rarely see each other.)
My problem is, my father recently became engaged to his partner, and I'm not sure how to tell my husband. I'm not asking him to agree with my dad's life, but I don't want him to steal my joy over this event or make me feel guilty for going to their wedding. I will certainly be going alone. Advice, Abby? -- ALLY IN MICHIGAN
( Read more... )