Writerly Ways
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessLet's talk about main characters for a moment. Your MC cannot be entirely passive. If they have a goal (as they should) then they have to do something to work toward it. They cannot sit and wait for their friends/mentors/family propel them forward to do it.
When I was young I didn't like Frodo. I liked LotR a ton (to the point 13 year old me planned to name her firstborn Aragon) But I never liked Frodo. At 12-13 I didn't really know why. When I watched the movies I realized it was because Frodo never does a damn thing. If not for Samwise and the rest, he'd have died within 48 hours and Sauron would have won.
Today I stumbled over this YT short and realized they had put their finger directly on my issue with Hazbin Hotel S2. As much as I enjoyed it, I did not enjoy the Morningstars who are, arguably, the MCs. Charlie, if you don't want to click the short, basically does nothing. She has her goals of redeeming sinners, proving Sir pentious was redeemed and protecting her friends.
For the most part, she doesn't act. She spends most of the more important moments, the time, she was the MC (and the leader) needed to act, having panic attacks instead or acting on impulse that does nothing. She relies on Husk to do therapy as well as bartending. She relies on Vaggi to run the entire hotel basically alone. She never corners Alastor to get him to do stuff. She never asks a thing from Angel (reinforcing the idea that she sees him as useless) until she bullies him into doing something he didn't want. When everyone is about to die in the finale, Emily has to step in twice when it's obvious Charlie isn't.
A lot of fans felt let down. I know I felt let down and I'm not a giant Charlie fan. I liked her (less this year) but even if she wasn't my favorite character, I needed her to do something as a MC (other than flail around foolishly). By contrast, Buffy was actually not my favorite character but she acts. She makes mistakes too but at least she acts.
If everyone had to depend on Charlie or Frodo alone, probably everyone dies. I'm not saying your MC can't have help. Of course they can. We need the secondary characters to do things too but if they're doing the heavy lifting and your MC is sitting back waiting for them to do so, then maybe you have the wrong MC or you need to find how to give them some agency.
Open Calls
Cosmic Roots And Eldritch Shores February 2026 Window
Electric Spec May Issue 2026 Electric Spec prefers science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we’re willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres
Slush #1 Original fiction, no set genres
78 Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers (January 2026)
106 Traditional Poetry Manuscript Publishers (2026 Update)
From Around the Web
Finding the Heart of a Protagonist: Body, Mind, and Soul
How to Describe Layout & Position
How Do You Know When There’s a Dead Body in the Room This is actually about using senses other than sight/hearing
Identifying Your Book’s Target Audiences: Your Marketing Plan Foundation
From Betty
Seven Ways to Motivate a Reluctant Protagonist
Water Travel Before Engines
Should You Show or Tell?
Five Ways to Make a Selfish Character Likable
Five Tips for Portraying Your Characters as Intended
Ways to Make The Pitch, A Writer’s Selling Point
What Type of Writer Are You
How to Take a Story from “Good” to Great
People-Pleasing Writers: The Surprising Connection that Slows You Down
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Creative Expression
How often to follow up with a literary agent
YouTube for Writers, Part 5: How to Repurpose Content Into Reels and Shorts
How to Train Your Writer’s Eye: 7 Ways to Improve Observation Skills for Better Writing
Why Celebrating Small Wins Matters for Writers
Story Stakes: When to Reveal Them—and Why Timing Is Everything
What Else?
Hope is the Thing With Thorns: A New Year’s Reflection
When I was young I didn't like Frodo. I liked LotR a ton (to the point 13 year old me planned to name her firstborn Aragon) But I never liked Frodo. At 12-13 I didn't really know why. When I watched the movies I realized it was because Frodo never does a damn thing. If not for Samwise and the rest, he'd have died within 48 hours and Sauron would have won.
Today I stumbled over this YT short and realized they had put their finger directly on my issue with Hazbin Hotel S2. As much as I enjoyed it, I did not enjoy the Morningstars who are, arguably, the MCs. Charlie, if you don't want to click the short, basically does nothing. She has her goals of redeeming sinners, proving Sir pentious was redeemed and protecting her friends.
For the most part, she doesn't act. She spends most of the more important moments, the time, she was the MC (and the leader) needed to act, having panic attacks instead or acting on impulse that does nothing. She relies on Husk to do therapy as well as bartending. She relies on Vaggi to run the entire hotel basically alone. She never corners Alastor to get him to do stuff. She never asks a thing from Angel (reinforcing the idea that she sees him as useless) until she bullies him into doing something he didn't want. When everyone is about to die in the finale, Emily has to step in twice when it's obvious Charlie isn't.
A lot of fans felt let down. I know I felt let down and I'm not a giant Charlie fan. I liked her (less this year) but even if she wasn't my favorite character, I needed her to do something as a MC (other than flail around foolishly). By contrast, Buffy was actually not my favorite character but she acts. She makes mistakes too but at least she acts.
If everyone had to depend on Charlie or Frodo alone, probably everyone dies. I'm not saying your MC can't have help. Of course they can. We need the secondary characters to do things too but if they're doing the heavy lifting and your MC is sitting back waiting for them to do so, then maybe you have the wrong MC or you need to find how to give them some agency.
Open Calls
Cosmic Roots And Eldritch Shores February 2026 Window
Electric Spec May Issue 2026 Electric Spec prefers science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we’re willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres
Slush #1 Original fiction, no set genres
78 Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers (January 2026)
106 Traditional Poetry Manuscript Publishers (2026 Update)
From Around the Web
Finding the Heart of a Protagonist: Body, Mind, and Soul
How to Describe Layout & Position
How Do You Know When There’s a Dead Body in the Room This is actually about using senses other than sight/hearing
Identifying Your Book’s Target Audiences: Your Marketing Plan Foundation
From Betty
Seven Ways to Motivate a Reluctant Protagonist
Water Travel Before Engines
Should You Show or Tell?
Five Ways to Make a Selfish Character Likable
Five Tips for Portraying Your Characters as Intended
Ways to Make The Pitch, A Writer’s Selling Point
What Type of Writer Are You
How to Take a Story from “Good” to Great
People-Pleasing Writers: The Surprising Connection that Slows You Down
Coping Mechanism Thesaurus Entry: Creative Expression
How often to follow up with a literary agent
YouTube for Writers, Part 5: How to Repurpose Content Into Reels and Shorts
How to Train Your Writer’s Eye: 7 Ways to Improve Observation Skills for Better Writing
Why Celebrating Small Wins Matters for Writers
Story Stakes: When to Reveal Them—and Why Timing Is Everything
What Else?
Hope is the Thing With Thorns: A New Year’s Reflection
Solid state precipitation.
Jan. 18th, 2026 10:10 pmhannahSave for an incredibly brief break this afternoon, it's been snowing all day. Not hard, but steadily and gently. It's collecting on the trees and in the parks, and while there's not much total accumulation, the rate has me hopeful it'll stay around for a few days. I went out to the movies this evening, and standing and waiting for the bus, I watched the streetlight hit it as it came down - the speed of it, and how even with all the force behind it, none of it hit hard enough to make any noise.
It snowed through a lot of yesterday, too. I took a brief walk for a small errand and stood out in it for a while, enjoying the smell and the chill. I liked the idea my footprints would be gone soon, and with what came down today, I know the steps I took aren't there anymore. There's something compelling about that to me. Not that there's a resilience so much as anything done will be covered over and erased, no matter how heavy or light your footsteps.
It snowed through a lot of yesterday, too. I took a brief walk for a small errand and stood out in it for a while, enjoying the smell and the chill. I liked the idea my footprints would be gone soon, and with what came down today, I know the steps I took aren't there anymore. There's something compelling about that to me. Not that there's a resilience so much as anything done will be covered over and erased, no matter how heavy or light your footsteps.
Just one thing: 19 January 2026
Jan. 18th, 2026 09:12 pmjazzyjj in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
A Reckoning of Swords 11-18
Jan. 18th, 2026 01:47 amkallowayNot much actual reckoning this week. Too busy with mostly work and then recovering from mostly work. ^^;;
I did finish RG Justice, who is very detailed and very handsome! He's with his gaming buddies on my tray table right now, but I need a slightly better place to set him that group up since they'll be an evolving display for a bit. Perhaps it's time to repurpose the mangar for a bit, or at least that space...
Justice is, for now, not sporting his backpack because it is Very Heavy and also just kind of all-around awkward. There's one piece I may need to put a dot of glue on through no fault of anyone. I also think it might be time to change out my main panel line markers.
First, I should clean off my desk...
I did finish RG Justice, who is very detailed and very handsome! He's with his gaming buddies on my tray table right now, but I need a slightly better place to set him that group up since they'll be an evolving display for a bit. Perhaps it's time to repurpose the mangar for a bit, or at least that space...
Justice is, for now, not sporting his backpack because it is Very Heavy and also just kind of all-around awkward. There's one piece I may need to put a dot of glue on through no fault of anyone. I also think it might be time to change out my main panel line markers.
First, I should clean off my desk...
(no subject)
Jan. 18th, 2026 03:48 pmmajuAfter two or three inches of snow yesterday, we had another two or three this morning. As a result, it's ethereally beautiful outside right now. I'm always disappointed when the snow either starts melting or rain washes it away and the snowy trees turn back into just bare trees again.
Eden was given a small knitting kit for Christmas: wool, needles, and instructions to knit a stuffed tea cup. (It's very cute and I'm tempted to make one for myself.) This morning she asked me to help her get started on it, which meant starting with teaching her the basics of knitting. The instructions included a section for those new to knitting, including how to cast on, but unfortunately they chose to teach the long tail method of casting on which even I have never mastered. There are so many easier methods which work perfectly well; I have no idea why someone would choose the most complicated for a beginner knitter. I cast on some stitches for Eden and then started teaching her how to do the knit stitch. She successfully completed two stitches and then declared she had to go and do something else - and never came back, even though she seemed very pleased with herself for the two stitches she had done.
Eden was given a small knitting kit for Christmas: wool, needles, and instructions to knit a stuffed tea cup. (It's very cute and I'm tempted to make one for myself.) This morning she asked me to help her get started on it, which meant starting with teaching her the basics of knitting. The instructions included a section for those new to knitting, including how to cast on, but unfortunately they chose to teach the long tail method of casting on which even I have never mastered. There are so many easier methods which work perfectly well; I have no idea why someone would choose the most complicated for a beginner knitter. I cast on some stitches for Eden and then started teaching her how to do the knit stitch. She successfully completed two stitches and then declared she had to go and do something else - and never came back, even though she seemed very pleased with herself for the two stitches she had done.
Protein in the morning
Jan. 18th, 2026 07:38 amsusandennisI've been obsessively reading the reddit wegovy sub (which is rather shockingly interesting and supporting and scumless) and have learned that if I do my usual wake up and go play 2 hours of volleyball without eating or drinking anything, it might not feel great. So I'm gathering options. One option, of course, is to wake up earlier and get coffee and breakfast. That is not yet off the table. But, I also bought some crustables yesterday - honey and peanut butter - to munch on the way and just now I'm baking some egg muffins. Eggs, cheese, sausage crumbles... that I can keep in the fridge, nuke and eat on the way. I also bought some protein shakes but I'm not hopeful they will be anything other than disgusting. (However, that's how I felt about oat milk on oatmeal and I was dead wrong there.)
I went to turn on the dishwasher last night and saw that the sealant at the bottom of the door was nearly completely gone. So I placed a work order and turned it off. I'll run it today when I'm awake and can stop it if it leaks. I'd really not like to go back to washing dishes but I'd rather than than mopping floor.
I did not leave my apartment after the game started but did check the score. Ooops. Sad to be a 49er fan. I am happy not to live in the condo any more. Seahawks fans are not lovely to have in your neighborhood - especially when the team is winning. They are not in their own neighborhoods so they feel free to act like wild animals and the cleanup is always painful. I do not miss it.
Today I have plans to do the usual. Jigsaw puzzle in the elbow, TV and knitting. But also I plan to pack up all my shoes. I have paper grocery bags to put them in and I can store them on the floor on the far side of the bed. Then on Friday morning, I can take down all the hanging clothes and plop them onto the bed. I did get a note from Closets by Design to expect the install to take an hour and a half and they will be here before 11.
Ok the muffins are done.
My goal was to make them in the most simple manner possible. So. I took the silicone molds and placed them into the air fryer pan. I sprinkled in some frozen sausage crumbles. Then I added a layer of shredded cheddar cheese and poured in some eggbeater and cooked it at 350 for 20 minutes. Straight out of the oven they weren't bad. They need a few more sausage crumbles, a bit more cheese and a little bit less egg. But, I need to taste them after they have been fridged and then nuked to be sure. But, this could clearly be a viable option. It was sure easy and the only dishes dirtied were the molds and a fork I used to stir the ingredients in each muffin mold.
I turned on the dishwasher about 15 minutes ago. No leaking so far. Whew.
I went to turn on the dishwasher last night and saw that the sealant at the bottom of the door was nearly completely gone. So I placed a work order and turned it off. I'll run it today when I'm awake and can stop it if it leaks. I'd really not like to go back to washing dishes but I'd rather than than mopping floor.
I did not leave my apartment after the game started but did check the score. Ooops. Sad to be a 49er fan. I am happy not to live in the condo any more. Seahawks fans are not lovely to have in your neighborhood - especially when the team is winning. They are not in their own neighborhoods so they feel free to act like wild animals and the cleanup is always painful. I do not miss it.
Today I have plans to do the usual. Jigsaw puzzle in the elbow, TV and knitting. But also I plan to pack up all my shoes. I have paper grocery bags to put them in and I can store them on the floor on the far side of the bed. Then on Friday morning, I can take down all the hanging clothes and plop them onto the bed. I did get a note from Closets by Design to expect the install to take an hour and a half and they will be here before 11.
Ok the muffins are done.
My goal was to make them in the most simple manner possible. So. I took the silicone molds and placed them into the air fryer pan. I sprinkled in some frozen sausage crumbles. Then I added a layer of shredded cheddar cheese and poured in some eggbeater and cooked it at 350 for 20 minutes. Straight out of the oven they weren't bad. They need a few more sausage crumbles, a bit more cheese and a little bit less egg. But, I need to taste them after they have been fridged and then nuked to be sure. But, this could clearly be a viable option. It was sure easy and the only dishes dirtied were the molds and a fork I used to stir the ingredients in each muffin mold.
I turned on the dishwasher about 15 minutes ago. No leaking so far. Whew.
Just one thing: 17-18 January 2026
Jan. 18th, 2026 07:12 amjazzyjj in awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
I took the day off
Jan. 17th, 2026 11:12 pmcornerofmadnessWhen it looked like we weren't getting the snow they said I packed up and went to Point Pleasant to bum around. I will admit the coffee grinders coffee house isn't my favorite (and dudes DO NOT put the coffee of the day at some side table. Put that near the register. I totally wouldn't have bought that) got writing done. At this point Capitol One's bot texts me again about Best Buy trying to get payment for their protection membership pushed thru (this is 200$, I don't want it and this will become important)
I go to the Mason Jar antique store/country store/shit shop and I find the best thing ever. Star Trek salt and pepper shaker. I don't even haggle over the price. I ALMOST did for two other items (I am not good at this mind you) One was a pressed glass pitcher and two goblets of BLACK glass and the uranium glass juicer (both were 35$ each. Both remained in the store).
I spotted a blue glass horse bookend and thoughtevil_little_dog will marry me if I get her that for her birthday. I swoop over. It's 60$ for one book end. They don't have the other. I decided I didn't really wanna marry ELD anyhow.
I waltz down the street (with my ST shakers) to the Point Pleasant Trading Company which specializing in cryptid shit. (btw cryptids are absolutely saving PP from oblivion. there were tourists everywhere. In Jan. In the cold.) They had absolutely gorgeous Mothman/Flatbush Monster/Loveland Frogman/Big Foot t-shirts. I don't need a 35$ t-shirt(the number of the day is 35) They had an amazing cardigan with mothman and the silver bridge. No Dana you DO NOT need a 60$ cardigan. But it's in my size. NO. Bad Dana. And the upstairs was rocking. they've added sound to the Black Light Mothman Experience Indoor Mini Golf (Why will NO ONE play with me? WHY)
I bought nothing there and crossed the river back into Oh and headed to Remo's this absolutely terrifying local treasure of a hot dog stand inside a (collapsing) house. Got lunch. (because I forgot my freebie thing for the Mexican place) Went to the library to get more books for popsugar because I can absolutely read this many at once, right? (ha) I did not go to the Lego exhibit they have right now. It opened this week and had 20000000 kids in it (well it felt like it at any rate)
Went to the boba hut. My credit card is declined. Naturally. Because I'm going to Aldi's next. I know why. Remember that Best Buy thing? Yeah so Capitol One decides OMG red alert (in spite of me telling them it's fine two days ago when I THOUGHT I had canceled that membership). They texted me we'll close this card and send you a new one. I'm now steaming. At least I have another card.
I hit Aldi's. Get cheese I don't need. I don't even remember which ones. Got some frozen things I don't need (like I needed cheese) go home with my boba. I'm a mile from home when one bursting boba wings up that straw at mach 1 and straight into my vocal cords and pops. Mango liquid shoots down my bronchial tubes and like any good asthmatic tube, they immediately clench up and fill with mucus. By the time I park, I'm crackling and wheezing like I've pneumonia and in need of a trach. every time I cough I taste mango. How much fluid was in one tiny boba?
I get inside, deal with Best Buy and this time it went thru because I got the survey of sadness. Why did you leave us? I call up Capitol One and I'm coming in hot now. We'll close this card. No chucklefuck you won't. I explain 4 times what happened, told them every charge that should be on that card this week. Those aren't fraudulent? NO. In theory I can use this card again. If I can't heads will be on pikes.
Andfandomtrees released. Let me share my cool gifts plus all the ones I wrote (I get the feeling the other Hazbin folk either aren't Huskerdust shipper or saw I had 3 fills and moved on because only one person took up on my HH prompts and did two (including my new icon)
My Gifts
Hazbin Hotel Icons So pretty
softer addictions Hazbin Hotel, NSFW
But What If There Was a Demon vs Dinosaur Cage Match? Angel the Series/Buffy the Vampire Slayer (by [Bad username or unknown identity: spikedluv)] La Famiglia I'd love if some people read this one as it's original fiction and I feel like maybe I should revisit it down the road.
Of Slayers, Sisters and Sleepovers Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Heirlooms Past and Future Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Fernweh The Raven Cycle
Biergarten Blues Grimm
Murder Most Midsomer Murder She Wrote/Midsomer Murder
Technical Difficulties, Please Stand By Hazbin Hotel
The Things to Which Fate Binds You Hazbin Hotel
A Very Vee Sinsmas Hazbin Hotel
A Wake For a Snake Hazbin Hotel
You Had Some of the Best Times You'll Never Remember With Me, Alcohol Hazbin Hotel
And have a couple pictures from the Welsh New Year Thing Last night
( under here )
I go to the Mason Jar antique store/country store/shit shop and I find the best thing ever. Star Trek salt and pepper shaker. I don't even haggle over the price. I ALMOST did for two other items (I am not good at this mind you) One was a pressed glass pitcher and two goblets of BLACK glass and the uranium glass juicer (both were 35$ each. Both remained in the store).
I spotted a blue glass horse bookend and thought
evil_little_dog will marry me if I get her that for her birthday. I swoop over. It's 60$ for one book end. They don't have the other. I decided I didn't really wanna marry ELD anyhow. I waltz down the street (with my ST shakers) to the Point Pleasant Trading Company which specializing in cryptid shit. (btw cryptids are absolutely saving PP from oblivion. there were tourists everywhere. In Jan. In the cold.) They had absolutely gorgeous Mothman/Flatbush Monster/Loveland Frogman/Big Foot t-shirts. I don't need a 35$ t-shirt(the number of the day is 35) They had an amazing cardigan with mothman and the silver bridge. No Dana you DO NOT need a 60$ cardigan. But it's in my size. NO. Bad Dana. And the upstairs was rocking. they've added sound to the Black Light Mothman Experience Indoor Mini Golf (Why will NO ONE play with me? WHY)
I bought nothing there and crossed the river back into Oh and headed to Remo's this absolutely terrifying local treasure of a hot dog stand inside a (collapsing) house. Got lunch. (because I forgot my freebie thing for the Mexican place) Went to the library to get more books for popsugar because I can absolutely read this many at once, right? (ha) I did not go to the Lego exhibit they have right now. It opened this week and had 20000000 kids in it (well it felt like it at any rate)
Went to the boba hut. My credit card is declined. Naturally. Because I'm going to Aldi's next. I know why. Remember that Best Buy thing? Yeah so Capitol One decides OMG red alert (in spite of me telling them it's fine two days ago when I THOUGHT I had canceled that membership). They texted me we'll close this card and send you a new one. I'm now steaming. At least I have another card.
I hit Aldi's. Get cheese I don't need. I don't even remember which ones. Got some frozen things I don't need (like I needed cheese) go home with my boba. I'm a mile from home when one bursting boba wings up that straw at mach 1 and straight into my vocal cords and pops. Mango liquid shoots down my bronchial tubes and like any good asthmatic tube, they immediately clench up and fill with mucus. By the time I park, I'm crackling and wheezing like I've pneumonia and in need of a trach. every time I cough I taste mango. How much fluid was in one tiny boba?
I get inside, deal with Best Buy and this time it went thru because I got the survey of sadness. Why did you leave us? I call up Capitol One and I'm coming in hot now. We'll close this card. No chucklefuck you won't. I explain 4 times what happened, told them every charge that should be on that card this week. Those aren't fraudulent? NO. In theory I can use this card again. If I can't heads will be on pikes.
And
fandomtrees released. Let me share my cool gifts plus all the ones I wrote (I get the feeling the other Hazbin folk either aren't Huskerdust shipper or saw I had 3 fills and moved on because only one person took up on my HH prompts and did two (including my new icon)My Gifts
Hazbin Hotel Icons So pretty
softer addictions Hazbin Hotel, NSFW
But What If There Was a Demon vs Dinosaur Cage Match? Angel the Series/Buffy the Vampire Slayer (by [Bad username or unknown identity: spikedluv)] La Famiglia I'd love if some people read this one as it's original fiction and I feel like maybe I should revisit it down the road.
Of Slayers, Sisters and Sleepovers Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Heirlooms Past and Future Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Fernweh The Raven Cycle
Biergarten Blues Grimm
Murder Most Midsomer Murder She Wrote/Midsomer Murder
Technical Difficulties, Please Stand By Hazbin Hotel
The Things to Which Fate Binds You Hazbin Hotel
A Very Vee Sinsmas Hazbin Hotel
A Wake For a Snake Hazbin Hotel
You Had Some of the Best Times You'll Never Remember With Me, Alcohol Hazbin Hotel
And have a couple pictures from the Welsh New Year Thing Last night
( under here )
Brief thoughts.
Jan. 17th, 2026 08:54 pmhannahChallenge #9
Talk about your favorite tropes in media or transformative works.
In fic, I'll pretty much always give wingfic, superpowers, and mpreg a try. I rarely turn down outsider POV or post-canon explorations. Fics that peer around the corners of the canon to look at what's lurking there are usually worth checking out. There's not much else that I'll click on pretty much every time I come across it - what I want in Top Gun fic is very different from what I want in Scrubs or Deep Space Nine, and there's certain tropes that I'll deliberately seek out in some fandoms and work to avoid in others.
In terms of general media, some that I always get a kick out of are a bunch of people from very different backgrounds thrown together, which I generally see ensemble casts, but not always - it depends on the circumstances, with less of it in The Wire than MASH. Urban fantasy is something where my tastes are pretty narrow, so I'm willing to check it out fairly regularly in the hopes I've found something new in that narrow range. I enjoy extreme competence and awesome Jews are always welcome.
Talk about your favorite tropes in media or transformative works.
In fic, I'll pretty much always give wingfic, superpowers, and mpreg a try. I rarely turn down outsider POV or post-canon explorations. Fics that peer around the corners of the canon to look at what's lurking there are usually worth checking out. There's not much else that I'll click on pretty much every time I come across it - what I want in Top Gun fic is very different from what I want in Scrubs or Deep Space Nine, and there's certain tropes that I'll deliberately seek out in some fandoms and work to avoid in others.
In terms of general media, some that I always get a kick out of are a bunch of people from very different backgrounds thrown together, which I generally see ensemble casts, but not always - it depends on the circumstances, with less of it in The Wire than MASH. Urban fantasy is something where my tastes are pretty narrow, so I'm willing to check it out fairly regularly in the hopes I've found something new in that narrow range. I enjoy extreme competence and awesome Jews are always welcome.
Merry Christmas
Jan. 17th, 2026 02:01 pmsusandennisMy nephew's not-yet-fiance sent me a Christmas card wishing me happy holidays from her and my nephew and included two photographs - one of her and her two dogs and one of her and my nephew. Oh and the envelope had two return address stickers - one on the back and one on the front - same address so, of course, I Google mapped the shit out of that. Google says most of her online presence is Facebook so my journey ended. It's ok, I know enough. I'm flattered to be included but it's still kind of weird.
Both cats are in the dog bed. I think it's all good under there.
Elbow Coffee was pretty good all things considered.
And now everyone but me is hunkered down waiting for the game to start. Assuming an hour of pregame crap, they have a couple of hours to wait yet.
Both cats are in the dog bed. I think it's all good under there.
Elbow Coffee was pretty good all things considered.
And now everyone but me is hunkered down waiting for the game to start. Assuming an hour of pregame crap, they have a couple of hours to wait yet.
La chambre du chat
Jan. 17th, 2026 12:08 pmsusandennis
Ok everything is positioned and velcro'd down and cameras placed and fuck is it dusty under there. I had a coughing fit like I haven't had in ages. But it is all done. Biggie is happy. Julio is going in and out - not willing to commit.
Harlequin Ducks are special enough to get their own post
Jan. 17th, 2026 01:13 pmpauraquePresenting my first lifer of 2026: Harlequin Duck!
They usually winter on the sea coast and are rare in landlocked Vermont, but occasionally one will stop off on Lake Champlain for a while and all the birders come running. The lake is at least an hour drive for me so I can't always just drop everything and go when there are interesting waterfowl, especially if it's off some remote point and you can barely see the bird through a scope anyway.
Then last year there were these two male Harlequins who decided it would be fun to hang out at a lakefront park in a little cove right by the parking area, posing and diving about ten feet away from people. Wonderful! Except! This happened immediately after I had major abdominal surgery and could not get out of bed, let alone drive to the lake. I did look for the ducks several times when I was recovered enough, but I never saw them.
But this week... guess who's back?? It's assumed that these are the same birds since they're so rare and even more notable to have a pair of males, right at the exact same spot.
( more photos and rambling about ducks )
They usually winter on the sea coast and are rare in landlocked Vermont, but occasionally one will stop off on Lake Champlain for a while and all the birders come running. The lake is at least an hour drive for me so I can't always just drop everything and go when there are interesting waterfowl, especially if it's off some remote point and you can barely see the bird through a scope anyway.
Then last year there were these two male Harlequins who decided it would be fun to hang out at a lakefront park in a little cove right by the parking area, posing and diving about ten feet away from people. Wonderful! Except! This happened immediately after I had major abdominal surgery and could not get out of bed, let alone drive to the lake. I did look for the ducks several times when I was recovered enough, but I never saw them.
But this week... guess who's back?? It's assumed that these are the same birds since they're so rare and even more notable to have a pair of males, right at the exact same spot.
( more photos and rambling about ducks )
(no subject)
Jan. 17th, 2026 12:55 pmmajuMy daughter and the girls have gone to visit a friend who lives an hour or so away, west of us and therefore closer to NYC. Just as they were leaving it started to snow lightly and as time passes the snow is getting heavier. Presumably the snow ploughs will be out and they won't have any trouble getting home again.
Yesterday I actually sat down and started getting the edge pieces of the puzzle in place, and I'm going to work on the puzzle some more this afternoon while it's quiet. My motivation for getting started was that my youngest daughter gave me this puzzle for Christmas and I don't want her thinking I'm not going to do it.
Yesterday I actually sat down and started getting the edge pieces of the puzzle in place, and I'm going to work on the puzzle some more this afternoon while it's quiet. My motivation for getting started was that my youngest daughter gave me this puzzle for Christmas and I don't want her thinking I'm not going to do it.
Saturday
Jan. 17th, 2026 07:51 amsusandennisWell, the big news today is upcoming mail. My email from USPS says I am getting something in an envelope from my nephew's new girlfriend. ???? She has gotten 5 star reviews from my nephew and my brother (his father - they met at the other nephew's wedding last October). I am dying of curiosity. BUT, often, the email from USPS says I am getting something today and it doesn't come until tomorrow and in this case, tomorrow is Tuesday so I am steeling myself for disappointment. When the mail person finishes filling the boxes here, Timber Ridge sends out a "mail's here!" notice which I always ignore. Except for today!!
Yesterday, I had a knock at the door and it was Jim Across The Hall. Usually he has a question but yesterday he knocked to proudly show off his haircut and shave! He had gone down to the new beauty parlour and gotten himself beautified and was so proud. It was very cute. His caregivers are taking very good care of him and I'm glad.
Here at Timber Ridge we have a great caregiver program. Especially trained people are dispatched for whatever is needed. You can get them by the hour or by the day. Myrna had one that spent the night in her apartment when she needed it. Jim rotate through different ones that come for an hour in the morning and and hour in the afternoon and they are doing such a good job making sure he has clean clothes and knows where they are, gets meals and... gets a much needed haircut and shave. And I love his response to it.
I made another of the funky dolls. The first one (turquoise dress) was made from the top of the head down. The second one was made from the butt up (and I tweaked some stuff). The second one was not as fiddly but still I think these will be the only two. Martha will adopt them.
This time next week, hopefully, I'll be playing volleyball!
This morning I'm going to dash out to Safeway before elbow coffee. The rest of the world will be there stocking up on football watching foods. The local NFL teams plays a playoff game at 5 tonight and the hype is at its hypiest.
I did move the two cat beds from the closet to under the bed. They aren't plugged in but the cats still gave them a whirl. Next I need to Velcro the dog bed down. It's hard to move but they manage. They are adapting well and enjoying their downstairs bedroom. Julio even got one of their toys and left it near the bed for those emergency toy situations.
Yesterday, I had a knock at the door and it was Jim Across The Hall. Usually he has a question but yesterday he knocked to proudly show off his haircut and shave! He had gone down to the new beauty parlour and gotten himself beautified and was so proud. It was very cute. His caregivers are taking very good care of him and I'm glad.
Here at Timber Ridge we have a great caregiver program. Especially trained people are dispatched for whatever is needed. You can get them by the hour or by the day. Myrna had one that spent the night in her apartment when she needed it. Jim rotate through different ones that come for an hour in the morning and and hour in the afternoon and they are doing such a good job making sure he has clean clothes and knows where they are, gets meals and... gets a much needed haircut and shave. And I love his response to it.
I made another of the funky dolls. The first one (turquoise dress) was made from the top of the head down. The second one was made from the butt up (and I tweaked some stuff). The second one was not as fiddly but still I think these will be the only two. Martha will adopt them.
This time next week, hopefully, I'll be playing volleyball!
This morning I'm going to dash out to Safeway before elbow coffee. The rest of the world will be there stocking up on football watching foods. The local NFL teams plays a playoff game at 5 tonight and the hype is at its hypiest.
I did move the two cat beds from the closet to under the bed. They aren't plugged in but the cats still gave them a whirl. Next I need to Velcro the dog bed down. It's hard to move but they manage. They are adapting well and enjoying their downstairs bedroom. Julio even got one of their toys and left it near the bed for those emergency toy situations.