Seasons of Drabbles recs
May. 3rd, 2026 03:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snickfic posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
recthethingI made some recs here for Oasis RPF, the Kyle Murchison Booth stories, and the Ready or Not movies.
snickfic posting in recthething
Safety
May. 3rd, 2026 02:07 pmysabetwordsmithWhy the U.S. struggles to track heat deaths and protect people from extreme temperatures
A new analysis has revealed that the United States cannot reliably count heat deaths or identify who must act when temperatures turn dangerous.
That failure can turn a clear forecast into a patchy response, leaving protection to depend on local records, budgets, and authority.
TL;DR -- People don't give a shit.
However, there are things that any individual, organization, or town can do about this even in the absence of effective government or societal action.
( Read more... )
A new analysis has revealed that the United States cannot reliably count heat deaths or identify who must act when temperatures turn dangerous.
That failure can turn a clear forecast into a patchy response, leaving protection to depend on local records, budgets, and authority.
TL;DR -- People don't give a shit.
However, there are things that any individual, organization, or town can do about this even in the absence of effective government or societal action.
( Read more... )
Hazbin Hotel: Put Your Head On My Shoulder by auxkabel (cablecurrent)
May. 3rd, 2026 12:42 pmwrittenwordsaloud posting in fancakeFandom: Hazbin Hotel
Pairings/Characters: Valentino & Velvette & Vox, Valentino/Vox
Rating: M
Length: 7634
Creator Link: auxkabel (cablecurrent)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Some people lose their heads. Vox loses his body. It’s a sex thing.
Or: while Vox is busy making sure Valentino Day goes smoothly, his meatsuit departs on an epic journey across the Pentagram. Now it’s up to Valentino, Velvet and Vox’s head to find the damn thing before something bad happens to it.
Reccer's Notes: Can't usually find much travelling with Sinners in Hazbin, but it definitely counts when some Overlords have to go around on foot to find someone body.
First of all, Val being angry that he can't find Vox's body instead of concerned brings me great joy. As if Vox did it all on purpose.
I have to think about all the other reasons (other than Alastor) that Vox would have for letting his body do whatever it wants when his consciousness appears to remain with his body at all times. Does he get to choose where his mind stays? In which case, the body that "wines and dines" Val is only less important because Vox's consciousness isn't in it.
And we know Vox would love Val even as a worm. He would hate loving him as a worm, but he would.
Velvette shaming Val is so tasty. Shaming Vox? Yes, of course. But fixing Val with the disappointed look is so much funnier in this context.
I'm so freaking happy Charlie's first reaction was that Vox's body was a Dullahan. There is a version of this fic where Angel wasn't around to inform them it was Vox, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to go on an adventure to find a head and making it even harder for the Vees to find him.
The goat demon is a freaking boss. Risking talking back to the Vees, considering he actually knows that's who he is talking to. What a hero. Who else of his level could get Val to kiss them?
And I'm glad Maggot Mary seems to have what she wants in order. Her body really does seem like one of the worst punishments Hell could have provided someone. How often does she die and have to reconstitute? I want to know what her guard dogs are like.
So many people might construe calling someone's body "our things" as dehumanizing, but considering it's Velvette saying it Vox indeed has the money on the mark. It's her attempt at being flippant while she indeed cares about him. After all, why would Velvette have bothered putting this much time in otherwise? Even with putting out fires.
In the end, of course Charlie lets him keep the nightgown so he doesn't have to go home nude. And Velvette doesn't bother to give him another outfit to wear. Going for takeout and straight home is such a boon for Vox as well. You know if Velvette wasn't busy she would have wanted to spend some time threatening Vox with having him go into a restaurant like this.
I love to consider what S2 would have been like if this had happened first: because Alastor then wouldn't have Vox to fall upon to get him out of his deal with Rosie, Vox couldn't insult the hotel while convincing people to rise up against Heaven, and it would have been perhaps a somewhat more lighthearted comedy before Vox blew a hole in Heaven.
Fanwork link: Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Pairings/Characters: Valentino & Velvette & Vox, Valentino/Vox
Rating: M
Length: 7634
Creator Link: auxkabel (cablecurrent)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Some people lose their heads. Vox loses his body. It’s a sex thing.
Or: while Vox is busy making sure Valentino Day goes smoothly, his meatsuit departs on an epic journey across the Pentagram. Now it’s up to Valentino, Velvet and Vox’s head to find the damn thing before something bad happens to it.
Reccer's Notes: Can't usually find much travelling with Sinners in Hazbin, but it definitely counts when some Overlords have to go around on foot to find someone body.
For after reading
First of all, Val being angry that he can't find Vox's body instead of concerned brings me great joy. As if Vox did it all on purpose.
I have to think about all the other reasons (other than Alastor) that Vox would have for letting his body do whatever it wants when his consciousness appears to remain with his body at all times. Does he get to choose where his mind stays? In which case, the body that "wines and dines" Val is only less important because Vox's consciousness isn't in it.
And we know Vox would love Val even as a worm. He would hate loving him as a worm, but he would.
Velvette shaming Val is so tasty. Shaming Vox? Yes, of course. But fixing Val with the disappointed look is so much funnier in this context.
I'm so freaking happy Charlie's first reaction was that Vox's body was a Dullahan. There is a version of this fic where Angel wasn't around to inform them it was Vox, leaving Charlie and Vaggie to go on an adventure to find a head and making it even harder for the Vees to find him.
The goat demon is a freaking boss. Risking talking back to the Vees, considering he actually knows that's who he is talking to. What a hero. Who else of his level could get Val to kiss them?
And I'm glad Maggot Mary seems to have what she wants in order. Her body really does seem like one of the worst punishments Hell could have provided someone. How often does she die and have to reconstitute? I want to know what her guard dogs are like.
So many people might construe calling someone's body "our things" as dehumanizing, but considering it's Velvette saying it Vox indeed has the money on the mark. It's her attempt at being flippant while she indeed cares about him. After all, why would Velvette have bothered putting this much time in otherwise? Even with putting out fires.
In the end, of course Charlie lets him keep the nightgown so he doesn't have to go home nude. And Velvette doesn't bother to give him another outfit to wear. Going for takeout and straight home is such a boon for Vox as well. You know if Velvette wasn't busy she would have wanted to spend some time threatening Vox with having him go into a restaurant like this.
I love to consider what S2 would have been like if this had happened first: because Alastor then wouldn't have Vox to fall upon to get him out of his deal with Rosie, Vox couldn't insult the hotel while convincing people to rise up against Heaven, and it would have been perhaps a somewhat more lighthearted comedy before Vox blew a hole in Heaven.
Fanwork link: Put Your Head On My Shoulder
Downton Abbey: Slow Boat to China by Laramie and LinkWorshiper
May. 3rd, 2026 07:30 pmdickinsons posting in fancakeFandom: Downton Abbey
Pairings/Characters: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent, Lady Anstruther, OCs
Rating:T
Length: 79,395
Creator Links: Laramie, LinkWorshiper (AO3)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Though Jimmy Kent has found success and fortune since moving on from Downton, he has never been able to forgive Lady Anstruther for the troubles she's caused him in the past. Motivated by a burning desire for revenge, Jimmy takes action - and enlists the help of the one person he's ever trusted. Naturally that person is Thomas Barrow.
Reccer's Notes: This fic has romance, a revenge plot, and mystery fiction elements, all while the characters travel to China. It's a really fun read.
Fanwork Links: Slow Boat to China
Pairings/Characters: Thomas Barrow/Jimmy Kent, Lady Anstruther, OCs
Rating:T
Length: 79,395
Creator Links: Laramie, LinkWorshiper (AO3)
Theme: journey & travel
Summary: Though Jimmy Kent has found success and fortune since moving on from Downton, he has never been able to forgive Lady Anstruther for the troubles she's caused him in the past. Motivated by a burning desire for revenge, Jimmy takes action - and enlists the help of the one person he's ever trusted. Naturally that person is Thomas Barrow.
Reccer's Notes: This fic has romance, a revenge plot, and mystery fiction elements, all while the characters travel to China. It's a really fun read.
Fanwork Links: Slow Boat to China
Birdfeeding
May. 3rd, 2026 01:42 pmysabetwordsmithToday is partly sunny, windy, and cool.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I planted the lantana in a pot and the lady's mantle in the strip herb garden.
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I planted the ice plant in the mauve pot and put it on the old picnic table.
The weather has turned cloudy with howling wind. >_<
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I planted the hoary vervain in the wildflower garden.
I've seen a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.
.
I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I planted the lantana in a pot and the lady's mantle in the strip herb garden.
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I planted the ice plant in the mauve pot and put it on the old picnic table.
The weather has turned cloudy with howling wind. >_<
EDIT 5/3/26 -- I planted the hoary vervain in the wildflower garden.
I've seen a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder.
.
full_metal_ox posting in fancakeFandom: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” (Arrogant Worms song; Captain Tractor cover)
Pairings/Characters: Gen; OCs of assorted genders.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 4:13
Content Notes: The OP identifies the song as by the Arrogant Worms—who originated it, but the version used here is Captain Tractor’s cover.
Creator Links: (YouTube):![[youtube.com profile]](https://youtube.com/favicon.ico)
vinnyreid
Theme: Journey & Travel, Fanvid, Just Plain Fun, Kidfic (child performers), Old Fandoms, Pre-AO3 Works
Summary: This is a video that I made with some of the students from the youth group back in April 2003. Its pretty cheezy, but we had lots of fun making it and still get a laugh out of watching it. Hope you enjoy it too. The song is "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by the Arrogant Worms.
Reccer's Notes: This is an exercise in how to make a killer fanvid on a backyard budget—propelled by the sheer exuberant glee of the kid pirates running amuck and by the masterfully edited nonstop action—Benny Hillesque chase scenes, sword fights, and Scooby Dooby Doors. (Note in particular the inventive use of camera angles and farm and playground architecture to create the impression that they actually have a ship.)
Things I Learned in the process of fact-checking this post: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” has become such an anthem for Saskatchewanians (and Canadians in general) that it’s taught in grade-school music classes! (It’s also a compelling fantasy to lots of non-Canadian dwellers in regions marked by farming and economic disgruntlement; The Longest Johns (of viral “Wellerman” fame) have localized it accordingly.)
I would have added “a large local body of water”, but it turns out that part of the regional in-joke is that Regina (“Regina’s mighty shores”), the provincial capitol, is in a landlocked part of Saskatchewan; the Jolly Roger is a legendary dive bar there.
Reid doesn’t specify the affiliation of the youth group, but the censorship of the word “damn” leads me to suspect a church.
Fanwork Links: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate (fanvid), by Kevin Reid and his youth group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAl1tWvvPA
Pairings/Characters: Gen; OCs of assorted genders.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 4:13
Content Notes: The OP identifies the song as by the Arrogant Worms—who originated it, but the version used here is Captain Tractor’s cover.
Creator Links: (YouTube):
Theme: Journey & Travel, Fanvid, Just Plain Fun, Kidfic (child performers), Old Fandoms, Pre-AO3 Works
Summary: This is a video that I made with some of the students from the youth group back in April 2003. Its pretty cheezy, but we had lots of fun making it and still get a laugh out of watching it. Hope you enjoy it too. The song is "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" by the Arrogant Worms.
Reccer's Notes: This is an exercise in how to make a killer fanvid on a backyard budget—propelled by the sheer exuberant glee of the kid pirates running amuck and by the masterfully edited nonstop action—Benny Hillesque chase scenes, sword fights, and Scooby Dooby Doors. (Note in particular the inventive use of camera angles and farm and playground architecture to create the impression that they actually have a ship.)
Things I Learned in the process of fact-checking this post: “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” has become such an anthem for Saskatchewanians (and Canadians in general) that it’s taught in grade-school music classes! (It’s also a compelling fantasy to lots of non-Canadian dwellers in regions marked by farming and economic disgruntlement; The Longest Johns (of viral “Wellerman” fame) have localized it accordingly.)
I would have added “a large local body of water”, but it turns out that part of the regional in-joke is that Regina (“Regina’s mighty shores”), the provincial capitol, is in a landlocked part of Saskatchewan; the Jolly Roger is a legendary dive bar there.
Reid doesn’t specify the affiliation of the youth group, but the censorship of the word “damn” leads me to suspect a church.
Fanwork Links: The Last Saskatchewan Pirate (fanvid), by Kevin Reid and his youth group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAl1tWvvPA
Bookshelf by Decades
May. 3rd, 2026 10:25 amlb_leeRogan: apparently I just like collating data about my library for fun. And last night, I wondered: what decades are on my shelf?
( more than I thought! )
( more than I thought! )
Reading Vulva Zine in the Graveyard
May. 3rd, 2026 09:01 amlb_leeRogan: we’re back from our trip, and we had a great time!
( We made money, ransacked bookstores, and got to pet many cats! )
( We made money, ransacked bookstores, and got to pet many cats! )
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nggg
May. 3rd, 2026 11:22 amjames_davis_nicollYesterday I had a very, very annoying set of shifts that started with me locking myself out of my office. Then, despite the client in question being a total sweetheart who is very familiar with the theatre, one particular group of dancers kept blocking the same fire door, over and over and over. It was blocked in different ways by different people all but two times I checked.
In fact, I encountered twice as many fire code violations involving that door yesterday as I have in the previous ten years.
The client was reportedly aghast but that didn’t stop it from happening.
If I’d been house manager in the evening, I would have parked an usher by that door full time to keep an eye on it. I happened to be the usher at the aisle just up the hall, so I did check every 30 minutes.
However, on my way home I missed my train and that meant I could spend ten minutes playing a ground hog. So that was good.
In fact, I encountered twice as many fire code violations involving that door yesterday as I have in the previous ten years.
The client was reportedly aghast but that didn’t stop it from happening.
If I’d been house manager in the evening, I would have parked an usher by that door full time to keep an eye on it. I happened to be the usher at the aisle just up the hall, so I did check every 30 minutes.
However, on my way home I missed my train and that meant I could spend ten minutes playing a ground hog. So that was good.
Books Received, April 26 — May 1 poll
May. 3rd, 2026 09:57 amjames_davis_nicollPoll #34548 Books Received, April 26 — May 1
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 26
Which of these look interesting?
View Answers
This is Free Trader Beowulf by Shannon Appelcline (2024)
12 (46.2%)
Darksight Dare by Lois McMaster Bujold (April 2026)
15 (57.7%)
Blood to the True Crown by Sung-Il Kim (November 2026)
3 (11.5%)
Some other option (see comments)
0 (0.0%)
cats!
17 (65.4%)
I am very tired, thus the lack of a poll earlier.
Books Received, April 26 — May 1
May. 3rd, 2026 08:52 amjames_davis_nicoll
Yesterday was a very long work day so I didn't have time to post this. Two books new to me. One I wanted in paper.One non-fiction about an--no, THE SF game, and two fantasy. Both fantasies are series.
Books Received, April 26 — May 1
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Cooking
May. 3rd, 2026 12:25 amysabetwordsmithThis year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert, Part 2: Architecture, Part 3: Dance, Part 4: Music, Part 5: Painting, Part 6: Poetry, Part 7: Sculpture, Part 8: Conflict Resolution.
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 9: Cooking
Cooking is a skillset for preparing food to be eaten. It refers to heat, but not all food necessarily heated -- think salads, ice cream, and so on. Aspects include a variety of kitchen skills such as knife work and making sauces, cooking methods such as steaming or grilling, and specific appliances such as a crockpot or microwave oven. Everyone needs to eat, so it's best for each person to have at least some cooking skill. All cultures have their own foodways. Here on Dreamwidth, check outthecookbook, creative_cooks, fresh_haul, recipecommunity, veg_life, and vegansofdreamwidth.
( Read more... )
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 9: Cooking
Cooking is a skillset for preparing food to be eaten. It refers to heat, but not all food necessarily heated -- think salads, ice cream, and so on. Aspects include a variety of kitchen skills such as knife work and making sauces, cooking methods such as steaming or grilling, and specific appliances such as a crockpot or microwave oven. Everyone needs to eat, so it's best for each person to have at least some cooking skill. All cultures have their own foodways. Here on Dreamwidth, check out
thecookbook, creative_cooks, fresh_haul, recipecommunity, veg_life, and vegansofdreamwidth.( Read more... )
Science
May. 2nd, 2026 11:43 pmysabetwordsmithThe “big one” might not come alone: Double West Coast earthquake threat
Two of the most dangerous fault systems on the U.S. West Coast may be more connected than scientists once thought. New research suggests the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault can “sync up,” triggering earthquakes within minutes or hours of each other. This rare “synchronization” could dramatically increase the scale of a major West Coast disaster. Instead of one massive quake, multiple regions could be hit at nearly the same time.
( Read more... )
Two of the most dangerous fault systems on the U.S. West Coast may be more connected than scientists once thought. New research suggests the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault can “sync up,” triggering earthquakes within minutes or hours of each other. This rare “synchronization” could dramatically increase the scale of a major West Coast disaster. Instead of one massive quake, multiple regions could be hit at nearly the same time.
( Read more... )
Climate Change
May. 2nd, 2026 09:24 pmysabetwordsmithReducing air pollution has triggered something worse that scientists didn't predict
Scientists have determined that “marine cloud reflectivity,” caused by cleaner air, has dropped by roughly 2.8 percent per decade across the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific.
Together, those regions span about one-seventh of the planet’s surface, making even small changes in brightness significant on a global scale.
A solution-caused problem. O_O Well, that sucks.
Scientists have determined that “marine cloud reflectivity,” caused by cleaner air, has dropped by roughly 2.8 percent per decade across the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific.
Together, those regions span about one-seventh of the planet’s surface, making even small changes in brightness significant on a global scale.
A solution-caused problem. O_O Well, that sucks.
Perth
May. 2nd, 2026 08:41 pmcmcmckWe took a trip to Perth to visit an old friend, Lesley, who was at university at St Andrews with the Scot and was also my maid of honour when we got wed.
The museum is where the stone of destiny is now kept and also has some very fine Pictish symbol stones:
( More pics! )
The museum is where the stone of destiny is now kept and also has some very fine Pictish symbol stones:
( More pics! )
A Set of Sequels: Sovereign, by April Daniels & Prison of Sleep, by Tim Pratt
May. 2nd, 2026 12:04 pmrachelmanija
This picks up when Danny's been Dreadnought for a while, and is getting a bit too into the violent aspects of the job. This aspect is quite well done - you understand what's going on with her, but it actually is a bit unsettling. Also, Valkyrja reappears, sort of; an evil techbro wreaks havoc; a TERF is threatening the world; and Danny works on her relationships.
I liked this more than the first book. Danny developed as a character and spent a lot less time being abused by transphobes. I'll grab the third book when it comes out.
The sequel isn't as good as the first book, unfortunately. I'd have been happy with more of Zax, Minna, and Vicky exploring the multiverse, but this book is much more plot-driven and Minna and Vicky only show up three-quarters of the way through. Half or more of the book is narrated by a new character whose identity I'll leave out as it's spoilery for the first book. She was fine as a character but her storyline was less interesting. Zax gets a new companion, and I did quite enjoy his adventures with her. I also enjoyed Minna and Vicky when they finally appeared.
But the plot-driven parts were less interesting, and the structure was really odd and not in a way that benefited the book. Instead of picking up where the first book left off, we get a retrospective summary of what happened some time after that point, then we get the entire backstory of the non-Zax narrator bringing her up to the point where she meets Zax in the first book, then it jumps forward and we get what's happening to her now, then we catch up with what Zax is doing now, and then, about three quarters of the way in, we finally get the story of what happened immediately after the first book left off. I think it would have worked better to tell the story more linearly. And also, to have much more Minna.
It's not a bad book and it does have some really good parts, but there are some baffling choices made.