#TheMoment Kawhi Leonard joined kids on the basketball court
Jan. 18th, 2026 10:19 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
cbc_topnews_feed
Martha Ramos tells the National about the moment former Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard joined a group of local kids to play basketball on a new court in Scarborough, Ont.
[#287] THE PRICE OF WATER (BABYLON 5 - TV 1993)
Jan. 19th, 2026 08:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
imhilien posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandomweekly
Theme Prompt: #287 - Hot Water
Title: The Price of Water
Fandom: Babylon 5 (TV 1993)
Ratings / Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 180
Summary: John Sheridan gave up a lot to take charge of Babylon 5. But he gained some things too.
( Read more... )
Title: The Price of Water
Fandom: Babylon 5 (TV 1993)
Ratings / Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 180
Summary: John Sheridan gave up a lot to take charge of Babylon 5. But he gained some things too.
( Read more... )
Romancing SGA fest 2026
Jan. 19th, 2026 08:48 pmmific posting in sga_saturday
ROMANCING SGA
~ the companion festival to Romancing McShep and Romancing SG1 which is hosted on Stargatefests ~
Stories, art, graphics, icons, podfic, vids, rec lists, picspams, macaroni sculptures - any media welcome.
Posting is from February 14 - 28
Hosted by sga_saturday and here's the collection on AO3 (SGA_Saturday_Romance_2026) - just post your headers and a link to your work to sga_saturday or post to the AO3 collection, and we'll be able to locate your work to make a masterlist after the end of Feb. Just post away, no sign-up needed. The tag for posts to this comm is romancing sga fest 2026.
What types of works are suitable?
Works featuring any SGA pairing (except happy McShep - post that in Romancing McShep), threesome or moresome, including aro relationships, genfic, whump, and relationships with OCs and crossover pairings with other fandoms.
Happiness not required!
This festival includes works with dark or unhappy relationships, and McShep relationships with unhappy endings. Also, no Valentine's day theme is needed - any trope or theme is fine.
No work's too small!
There's no size requirement - doodles and drabbles are great as well!
~~~
Any questions, drop a comment here or message me on DW.
Pimp the fest! - copy-paste the html below to insert the banner with a link to this pageNot quite 365 days questions meme 19
Jan. 19th, 2026 12:34 ampattrose19. What colour scheme is your bedroom?
Navy blue, with blues, red and yellow accessories. Our bedroom quilt is handmade for my hubby. It’s a NASCAR quilt. It’s got all those colors in it. My hubby loves it. I keep talking about changing our room colors, but I don’t think I will. Besides we couldn’t decide on the same bedspread for our room. I like the quilt too. What color are your color schemes?
Navy blue, with blues, red and yellow accessories. Our bedroom quilt is handmade for my hubby. It’s a NASCAR quilt. It’s got all those colors in it. My hubby loves it. I keep talking about changing our room colors, but I don’t think I will. Besides we couldn’t decide on the same bedspread for our room. I like the quilt too. What color are your color schemes?
Vancouver police deployed to 11 planned protests in 1 weekend
Jan. 18th, 2026 10:59 pmcbc_topnews_feed
It was a weekend of demonstrations in Vancouver with at least 11 protests happening across the city, drawing thousands of people and extra police officers.
Man dead after police-involved shooting on New Brunswick First Nation
Jan. 19th, 2026 12:10 amcbc_topnews_feed
An independent police watchdog agency is investigating a fatal "police-involved shooting" that occurred in Neqotkuk First Nation, formerly known as Tobique, in northwestern New Brunswick, Sunday evening.
Writerly Ways
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:06 pmcornerofmadness
Let'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
Book Review: The Martian
Jan. 18th, 2026 08:40 pmclavallyFigured I might as well read his other book!
Title: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Science Fiction
PEACH:
Plot: 4
Enjoyment: 4
Artistry: 4
Characters: 4
Heart: 3.5
3.9 Stars
CAWPILE:
Characters: 7
Atmosphere/Setting: 8
Writing Style: 7.5
Plot: 7.5
Intrigue: 7
Logic/Relationships: 7
Enjoyment: 7.5
=4 Stars
Thoughts: After finishing this book I immediately watched the movie and I'm not sure I should have done that because I think it diminished how well I liked the movie. Both had their faults. For one, this book was written in pieces that he originally published one at a time, got feedback, and then adjusted the next chapter. I think it could have been slightly better had he written the whole thing and then given it to betas or an editor that he trusted and then revised the whole thing. Maybe a couple of times. My only real gripe is that it ends pretty suddenly. There's not a whole lot of a denouement, which made it feel like something was lacking at the very end. However, it was a compelling read, I suppose especially if you like science and like reading about scientific solutions to problems. In comparing this one with Project Hail Mary, I liked Project Hail Mary more. I'd consider rereading that one, but this one feels like I got everything out of it already. I keep making this sound like a negative review, and it really isn't. This was a good book, especially for a debut and for something that was originally independently published. I am interested to see what he does next.
Title: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Science Fiction
PEACH:
Plot: 4
Enjoyment: 4
Artistry: 4
Characters: 4
Heart: 3.5
3.9 Stars
CAWPILE:
Characters: 7
Atmosphere/Setting: 8
Writing Style: 7.5
Plot: 7.5
Intrigue: 7
Logic/Relationships: 7
Enjoyment: 7.5
=4 Stars
Thoughts: After finishing this book I immediately watched the movie and I'm not sure I should have done that because I think it diminished how well I liked the movie. Both had their faults. For one, this book was written in pieces that he originally published one at a time, got feedback, and then adjusted the next chapter. I think it could have been slightly better had he written the whole thing and then given it to betas or an editor that he trusted and then revised the whole thing. Maybe a couple of times. My only real gripe is that it ends pretty suddenly. There's not a whole lot of a denouement, which made it feel like something was lacking at the very end. However, it was a compelling read, I suppose especially if you like science and like reading about scientific solutions to problems. In comparing this one with Project Hail Mary, I liked Project Hail Mary more. I'd consider rereading that one, but this one feels like I got everything out of it already. I keep making this sound like a negative review, and it really isn't. This was a good book, especially for a debut and for something that was originally independently published. I am interested to see what he does next.
Daily Check-In
Jan. 18th, 2026 08:25 pmmecurtin posting in fandom_checkinThis is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Sunday, January 18, to midnight on Monday, January 19 (8pm Eastern Time).
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
Poll #34096 Daily check-in poll
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 16
How are you doing?
I am OK
10 (62.5%)
I am not OK, but don't need help right now
6 (37.5%)
I could use some help
0 (0.0%)
How many other humans live with you?
I am living single
6 (37.5%)
One other person
6 (37.5%)
More than one other person
4 (25.0%)
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
(no subject)
Jan. 18th, 2026 05:13 pmolivermoss* And another horror game becomes a movie. Trailer for Mortuary Assistant just dropped. It's a fairly big deal horror game. I've wanted to watch a bit of gameplay, mostly to form an opinion on whether it's a Phas-like, but speed running it is a thing so it's hard to find streamers NOT doing that.
I could try playing it, but much like the original Phas, the game's demo is fucked and you need to learn how to play via outside info. Unless they finally fixed it.
The game is at least 50% a Phas-like.
* Sens fans saying they 'had no choice' but to sign Reimer really need to stop. ( Me rambling about goalies and the ECHL strike )
* Some people doing Serious Data Driven Analysis of the Kraken really pull shit like not taking into account how young the team is and how some of those zeros are from when the team literally didn't exist. ( more hockey )
I could try playing it, but much like the original Phas, the game's demo is fucked and you need to learn how to play via outside info. Unless they finally fixed it.
The game is at least 50% a Phas-like.
* Sens fans saying they 'had no choice' but to sign Reimer really need to stop. ( Me rambling about goalies and the ECHL strike )
* Some people doing Serious Data Driven Analysis of the Kraken really pull shit like not taking into account how young the team is and how some of those zeros are from when the team literally didn't exist. ( more hockey )
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...
Links Lists: The Angry Political One
Jan. 18th, 2026 04:30 pmmuccamukkMostly posting these without commentary.
Uncategorised Stuff:
CCF: Anger is beautiful. Anger is generative. Anger is ancestral. By Chantelle Ohrling, a justifiably angry defender of Turtle Island.
dolorosa_12: Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure: suggestions for concrete actions.
Technology and Media Criticism: ( L.L.M. slop, gender-based violence, transphobia. )
Canadian News That's Pissing Me Off ( Various human rights violations. )
The United States Immigration Stuff: ( No images of violence, but cutting for folks already burned out. )
Uncategorised Stuff:
CCF: Anger is beautiful. Anger is generative. Anger is ancestral. By Chantelle Ohrling, a justifiably angry defender of Turtle Island.
dolorosa_12: Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure: suggestions for concrete actions.Technology and Media Criticism: ( L.L.M. slop, gender-based violence, transphobia. )
Canadian News That's Pissing Me Off ( Various human rights violations. )
The United States Immigration Stuff: ( No images of violence, but cutting for folks already burned out. )
Round 157 Has Ended!
Jan. 18th, 2026 06:03 pmxandromedovna posting in fic_rushBZZZZZZZT! That sound means it's time for us to bring Round 157 of Fic_Rush to a close. Thanks everyone for stopping in, be sure to tell us what all you got up to this weekend in the comments! As always, our heartfelt gratitude to our magnificent Mod Squad:
xandromedovna, WerebunniesBane
lullabymoon, Supreme Yarn Botherer
glinda, Supreme Tea Temptress
desertvixen, Guardian of Deadlines
falkner, Elegant Flower
xandromedovna, WerebunniesBanelullabymoon, Supreme Yarn Bothererglinda, Supreme Tea Temptressdesertvixen, Guardian of Deadlinesfalkner, Elegant FlowerIt Asda be another photo
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:42 pmloganberrybunnyPublic
352/365: Asda, Worcester
Click for a larger, sharper image
I was in Worcester today for boring reasons, made even more boring by the persistent murk and light rain. As such I don't have anything thrilling to show you for today's 365 photo. I'm into the last fortnight of the project now, and it would be nice to have something vaguely interesting in the final few pictures! But instead, today you get a picture of a supermarket. :P This is Asda in Worcester city centre, taken from the balcony of the café up on the first floor. This was shot with a wide-angle setting, so the place isn't quite as big as it seems from this! You can get an idea by counting the aisles, I suppose!
352/365: Asda, Worcester
Click for a larger, sharper image
I was in Worcester today for boring reasons, made even more boring by the persistent murk and light rain. As such I don't have anything thrilling to show you for today's 365 photo. I'm into the last fortnight of the project now, and it would be nice to have something vaguely interesting in the final few pictures! But instead, today you get a picture of a supermarket. :P This is Asda in Worcester city centre, taken from the balcony of the café up on the first floor. This was shot with a wide-angle setting, so the place isn't quite as big as it seems from this! You can get an idea by counting the aisles, I suppose!
At least 20 believed dead in high-speed train crash in Spain, authorities say
Jan. 18th, 2026 06:14 pmcbc_topnews_feed
Authorities estimate that more than 20 people were killed in a high-speed train crash in southern Spain.
Wildfires in Chile kill at least 18: authorities
Jan. 18th, 2026 05:51 pmcbc_topnews_feed
Wildfires raging across central and southern Chile on Sunday left at least 18 people dead, scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, authorities said, as the South American country swelters under a heat wave.
Slo-Mo Rewatch: Guardian episode 9, part 2
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:41 pmtrobadora posting in sid_guardian
Hi, welcome to this week's instalment of the Guardian drama Slo-Mo Rewatch! Watch half an episode a week, and then come and chat about it here in comments. Or you can just jump into the comments without rewatching, of course!
Here is last week's half-episode. On to the second half!
Episode 9, from 22:52:
Summary: Everyone arrives at Qingxi village. Outside the guesthouse, Xiao-Guo finds a skull, and Wang Zheng explains her tribe's customs, disguised as rumours she's heard. A villager in a mask and wig tries to scare them away; the village head explains that a guard was murdered two days ago and everyone's wary of outsiders. He takes Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong to the crime scene. They see a light and explore further, and Zhao Yunlan reveals he has the Sundial with him when it starts resonating. Zhu Jiu tells the Hanga tribesmen to kill Wang Zheng, blaming her for their being trapped by the Awl, and they attack the guesthouse. Wang Zheng tries to sacrifice herself, but no one will let her. Zhao Yunlan and Zhu Hong arrive, and she has to take the gun from him and fire herself because he's paralysed by flashbacks of his mother's death. At night, Wang Zheng leaves on her own and goes into the mountain. Zhu Jiu is pleased - it's all going according to his plan.
Quote:
Zhao Yunlan to Wang Zheng: "See, what do I keep telling you? Don't keep dieting all the time, being skinny isn't good for you!"
Detail:
This episode gives us an update for who was in which car when! I'll put all of it here for completeness' sake, even though it includes stuff from the first half of the episode:
1st leg (Dragon City to car breakdown):
- Zhao Yunlan's jeep: Zhao Yunlan (driving), Da Qing (passenger seat), Wang Zheng and Zhu Hong in the back
- Other SID car: Chu Shuzhi (driving), Lin Jing (passenger seat), Guo Changcheng in the back
- University group car: not shown, but presumably Xiao-Quan driving since he assumes he'll drive after the breakdown
- Zhao Yunlan's jeep: Lin Jing (driving), Zhu Hong (passenger seat), Wang Zheng and Guo Changcheng in the back
- Other SID car: not seen, but must be Chu Shuzhi and Da Qing
- University group car: Zhao Yunlan (driving), Shen Wei (passenger seat), Jiajia and Xiao Quan in the back
- Zhao Yunlan's jeep: Chu Shuzhi, Guo Changcheng, Zhu Hong, Wang Zheng (shown waiting at Qingxi village when the other two cars arrive)
- University group car: until the jacket-sharing stop, Lin Jing (driving), Jiajia (passenger seat), Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan in the back. After the stop, not shown. (We do see all of the above plus the village head after they got out, but that's not conclusive.)
- Other SID car: not shown, though it arrives behind the university car, and there's a shot with a blurry Da Qing in the background, outside on the passenger side. (If the village head did ride with all the others, the third car was Da Qing and Xiao-Quan only, and maybe Xiao-Quan got to actually drive for this leg! *g*)
Questions: What's your favourite bit in this half-episode? Which SID character gets the best moment? When Shen Wei questions Wang Zheng, how much does he already know about her? Would you like to go on a field trip with Shen Wei, even though he might end up hypnotising you? Do you sympathise with the villagers? Is speechifying Zhu Jiu's greatest talent? If you've read the novel, any thoughts on about how the drama compares?
(These are all just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like! You don't have to be keeping up with the rewatch to join in!)
Here is our schedule for the current batch of episodes - please do sign up to host a post if you can!
Lululemon's next CEO will need to refine and innovate: experts
Jan. 18th, 2026 04:09 pmcbc_topnews_feed
In the last two years, Lululemon's rivals have upped their game, while the Vancouver-based retailer has been criticized for a lack of new styles, had to remove a leggings line that failed with customers, and saw its stock tumble by almost 60 per cent.
(10 out of 20) Too Hot for Comfort - Stargate Atlantis (PG)
Jan. 18th, 2026 05:36 pmgoddess47 posting in sweetandshort
Title: Too Hot for Comfort
Author:
goddess47Character(s): John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagen
Pairing(s): John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Rating: PG
Length: 322 words
Warnings: none
Notes:
For
mcsheplets prompt #124 - heatFor
sweetandshort January 2026 prompt - miseryFor Writer's Choice prompt #151 - bust
Summary:
It had started out bad and gotten worse.
Too Hot for Comfort on AO3
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 18
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:20 pmtrobadoraRushed post again - time keeps getting away from me!
Today's writing
Not as much progress as I'd have liked ... see above re: time. *sighs*
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme
Day 17:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 18:trobadora
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Today's writing
Not as much progress as I'd have liked ... see above re: time. *sighs*
Tally
( Days 1-15 )
Day 16:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilmeDay 17:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 18:
trobadoraLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
(no subject)
Jan. 18th, 2026 02:16 pmgreghousesgf
I had a really interesting day yesterday. Beautiful weather. Hung out with a couple of friends, had tea and a slice of red velvet cake at my favorite cafe, did a lot of fascinating reading and pub hopped with one of my friends. Heard some great music. We even did some karaokeing. The only negative thing in the whole day was I went into Whole Foods to try to get roast beef to make a sandwich and the deli woman took her time and I couldn't even get any because I like it rare and the whole damn roast was burned to a crisp. And she gave me an argument when I complained.
who knows?
Jan. 18th, 2026 05:06 pmlauradi7dwMy usual habit is to test for Covid before going to family gatherings and often before taking my friend to her chemo appointments. I have no symptoms of any illness. This morning I did a combination covid and flu test because my plan was to see Flo's family late this afternoon. Faint positive for Covid. Tested again. Negative. Which one was defective? Or possibly more to the point, did I make a procedural mistake one time?
In the famous abundance of caution, I am planning to stay away from people for a few days. I stayed home from ringing, told Flo I wasn't coming, and sent notice to my friend, who arranged for someone else to go with her on Thursday. I'll retest tomorrow and Tuesday. If negative, I'll start having normal days on Friday (day 6).
Will I take this opportunity to do a lot of tidying? I did put some things away, many hours more to go.
In the famous abundance of caution, I am planning to stay away from people for a few days. I stayed home from ringing, told Flo I wasn't coming, and sent notice to my friend, who arranged for someone else to go with her on Thursday. I'll retest tomorrow and Tuesday. If negative, I'll start having normal days on Friday (day 6).
Will I take this opportunity to do a lot of tidying? I did put some things away, many hours more to go.
🔗 Links of interest
Jan. 18th, 2026 04:12 pmbluapapilio
Booktuber: Literature Science Alliance - She reads a lot of fantasy and sci-fi. Chaos vs Calm, she's on the Calm end and I like how she asks you to leave an emoji to let her know you're there if you don't want to leave a comment.
AO3 Social Media AU Work Skins - "Useful work skins for a specific genre of fan fictions that contains Social Media AU or just for socmed fics in general [...]"
Dreamwidth banning & Tumblr blocking + a resource for hiding people etc
"Wut-In-Tarnation is really What-In-The-Entire-Nation with southern accent" Kyou Kara MA no Tsuku Jiyuugyou! translations - A listing of MaruMa translations for the novels, short stories, doujinshi and drama CDs.
What Happened to Book of the Month? - I had no idea BotM had such a long history and these specific origins, I've never used BotM but some of the booktubers I follow do or have it as a sponsor.The Mortal Thor #5 - "Thy Soul to Take"
Jan. 18th, 2026 02:06 pmlaughing_tree posting in scans_daily
I kind of mentioned it in the tail end of the pitch, "Oh yeah, this is where we're going in 25 issues." And Alex Ross was like, "Wait, wait, wait, wait, tell me more about this Mortal Thor thing." And he basically, on the spot, while he was designing all the stuff for Immortal Thor issue 1, he designed Mortal Thor and he was like, "Well, I think he should look like this." I'm just sitting there going, "Mm, yes, yes, keep talking. Everything you say is good." -- Al Ewing
( Read more... )
Fandom Snowflake Challenge #5
Jan. 18th, 2026 05:02 pmreeby10
Challenge #5: Wish List
In your own space, create a list of at least three things you'd love to receive, a wishlist of sorts.
One of my favorite challenges! Which doesn't mean it's not somewhat difficult, but I do like thinking about what kinds of things I really want to ask for and also looking at other people's lists.
( Read more... )
(10 out of 20) Pillow Talk - 9-1-1 (PG)
Jan. 18th, 2026 04:58 pmgoddess47 posting in sweetandshortTitle: Pillow Talk
Author:goddess47
Fandom: 9-1-1
Challenge: 10 out of 20
Length: 322
Warnings: None
Notes:
Forsweetandshort January 2026 10 out of 20 challenge - learn from yesterday
For Fire Family Conflagration prompt #202 - funny
Summary:
Buck had to ask.
Pillow Talk on AO3
Author:
goddess47Fandom: 9-1-1
Challenge: 10 out of 20
Length: 322
Warnings: None
Notes:
For
sweetandshort January 2026 10 out of 20 challenge - learn from yesterdayFor Fire Family Conflagration prompt #202 - funny
Summary:
Buck had to ask.
Pillow Talk on AO3
Coffee Social Sunday
Jan. 18th, 2026 09:51 pmbedes posting in dunmeshiCoffee Social Sunday is a weekly post for low-pressure chit-chat about anything on your mind in the Dunmeshi universe! Is there anything you're currently reading, creating, thinking about, considering creating, watching or rewatching? Tell us! But remember to hold onto your specific fanwork recs to instead share under the current Quick Recs post.
If you're new, this is also a good place to introduce yourself! We have a suggested template for this, but we emphasize the 'suggested' part. Disregard it if you'd like!
Please note that the comments on this post may contain spoilers for anime-onlys, per our spoiler policy. As for everyone else: if possible, try to mark your spoilers clearly!
Share your thoughts, ask for help, and cheer your fellow fans on!Now, what monsters would be good ingredients for coffee...
If you're new, this is also a good place to introduce yourself! We have a suggested template for this, but we emphasize the 'suggested' part. Disregard it if you'd like!
Please note that the comments on this post may contain spoilers for anime-onlys, per our spoiler policy. As for everyone else: if possible, try to mark your spoilers clearly!
Share your thoughts, ask for help, and cheer your fellow fans on!
Creature feature
Jan. 19th, 2026 08:44 ammerrileemakes
I have two creature features to share with you.
fandomtrees has gone live so I can share that I actually wrote something! I pinch hit for a tree that was looking a bit bare. I haven't written any fiction in over a decade but it's something I want to get into more (yeah, yet another hobby, where to find the time?).
The fic is Taking Flight, a short and almost canon free No Man's Sky adventure about exploring a new planet and making friends with the wildlife.
If that's not your (space) jam, here's a little video of some very hungry tadpoles.
fandomtrees has gone live so I can share that I actually wrote something! I pinch hit for a tree that was looking a bit bare. I haven't written any fiction in over a decade but it's something I want to get into more (yeah, yet another hobby, where to find the time?). The fic is Taking Flight, a short and almost canon free No Man's Sky adventure about exploring a new planet and making friends with the wildlife.
If that's not your (space) jam, here's a little video of some very hungry tadpoles.
(no subject)
Jan. 18th, 2026 01:29 pmolivermoss* That Hudson William's runway debut was in a look/collection that was specifically ski-wear inspired feels like a personal attack. It's also kinda funny that some people don't realize that, yes, that look and also the after-party looks were all very specifically ski-wear. There was even a visual reference to lift tickets that you can't really see in the official runway shots, but it's there. They did not dress him like a hockey player or anything else. It's not just the boots or lift tickets or vibes, it's how ski wear fits versus how other winter sportswear fits.
* Trying to avoid The Long Game spoilers is just going to get harder and harder, especially since a certain NHL team ... ( Read more... )
* Trying to avoid The Long Game spoilers is just going to get harder and harder, especially since a certain NHL team ... ( Read more... )
[#287] Fanning the Flame (Avatar)
Jan. 18th, 2026 03:12 pmladygriddlebone posting in fandomweeklyTheme Prompt: #287 - Hot Water
Title: Fanning the Flame
Fandom: Avatar (Cameron movies)
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1000
Summary: Varang seeks a sign. Pre-canon.
( Fanning the Flame )
Title: Fanning the Flame
Fandom: Avatar (Cameron movies)
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1000
Summary: Varang seeks a sign. Pre-canon.
( Fanning the Flame )
Cross Country Checkup: Why does Canada’s new EV deal with China matter to you?
Jan. 18th, 2026 04:06 pmcbc_topnews_feed
Coming up on Checkup: Canada cuts deal with China: Canola flows out, thousands of EVs flow in. Why does Canada’s new EV deal with China matter to you? And in Hour 2: Is Freedom 55 all it's cracked up to be? Where did you find purpose after retirement...or are you still searching?
Wheeeee
Jan. 18th, 2026 09:48 pmgoodbyebirdI saw orcas! A whole pod! Fingers crossed they're still here tomorrow so I can see them in the daylight. They were still beautiful in the pitch black and so close to the boat *_*
TV Talk: The Pitt & Wild Cards
Jan. 18th, 2026 03:44 pmspikedluvThe Pitt: I’ve caught up on the first two eps. Even though I just watched the show recently, it’s nice seeing everyone again. But I was surprised by the 10 month time jump since I did just watch the show! ( spoilers )
Wild Cards: I was surprised that this show was back, but I'm happy because this is a fun feel-good show. ( spoilers )
Wild Cards: I was surprised that this show was back, but I'm happy because this is a fun feel-good show. ( spoilers )
Trump's 'Board of Peace' proposal met with skepticism, caution amid shaky Gaza ceasefire
Jan. 18th, 2026 03:06 pmcbc_topnews_feed
The two-year war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas eased with a ceasefire three months ago, but there has been neither peace nor reconstruction. Phase 2 promises progress, but the peace process itself is becoming increasingly controversial.
Why do so many celebrities have Lyme disease?
Jan. 17th, 2026 10:00 amcbc_topnews_feed
Celebrity claims are fuelling confusion about the risks of Lyme disease. For The National, CBC’s senior health reporter Christine Birak investigates what’s really behind the boom in high-profile cases and uncovers a big-money industry profiting off chronic illness.
cutting the warp
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:39 amthistleingrey1a. I've bought the Stoorstålka "advanced" and "professional" kits after all, for practicing basic Baltic pickup with zero context.
( recent tries at weaving )
3. Weaving as a diversion has paused. The process of warping a second inkle attempt and weaving it off has shown me that my vast ignorance crosses understanding how something can function and getting one's fingers to do it at a strange angle. In sport-weight cotton yarn, most of my 2" = 5 cm band looks as neat and even as the stuff that Etsy-shop vloggers show themselves making on Instagram or TikTok; I'm a fumbling beginner with peripheral neuropathy only for starting and ending. Sew the ends under, and no one would see---but learning to make tidy starts and finishes is more than my current hands could endure.
I dipped back into weaving specifically to practice being a beginner at something. Having learned a few things since I was a knitting beginner (almost 20 years ago) regarding dexterity, mobility workarounds, how other people do various fibercrafts including forms of weaving, and how plant and animal fibers behave, the on-ramp for my hands-on weaving is quite short. Like, that's it, I'm already into an objectively intermediate stage, and my hands cannot do what would need doing there.
4. Crocheting has always been tougher on my joints than knitting, or rather, my best refinements over time of self-accommodation for each craft succeed better for knitting. Weaving at narrow output (tabletop, backstrap, inkle) demands less of any individual body part than crochet or knit because it's better distributed across many parts---but weaving wants specific actions that need fingers, not fingernail-substitution or the use of an external tool.
I can tie square and surgeon knots with my nails (lacking usual-range fingertip sensation), but the junk comm packets I wrote about a few years ago, whereby since #2020 my brain or central nervous system directs a limb to do something and it fails to report back timely, or CNS forgets momentarily that the limb exists---junk buildup is still a thing. Trying to weave more, doggedly doing more by eye, would mean accumulating more of a junk backlog than I have the capacity to expel (nap/resting self-accommodations). Weaving and laptop typing and food prep occupy the same bucket, just about. So, weaving drops out, at least for now.
(Knitting is still fine in moderation.)
( recent tries at weaving )
3. Weaving as a diversion has paused. The process of warping a second inkle attempt and weaving it off has shown me that my vast ignorance crosses understanding how something can function and getting one's fingers to do it at a strange angle. In sport-weight cotton yarn, most of my 2" = 5 cm band looks as neat and even as the stuff that Etsy-shop vloggers show themselves making on Instagram or TikTok; I'm a fumbling beginner with peripheral neuropathy only for starting and ending. Sew the ends under, and no one would see---but learning to make tidy starts and finishes is more than my current hands could endure.
I dipped back into weaving specifically to practice being a beginner at something. Having learned a few things since I was a knitting beginner (almost 20 years ago) regarding dexterity, mobility workarounds, how other people do various fibercrafts including forms of weaving, and how plant and animal fibers behave, the on-ramp for my hands-on weaving is quite short. Like, that's it, I'm already into an objectively intermediate stage, and my hands cannot do what would need doing there.
4. Crocheting has always been tougher on my joints than knitting, or rather, my best refinements over time of self-accommodation for each craft succeed better for knitting. Weaving at narrow output (tabletop, backstrap, inkle) demands less of any individual body part than crochet or knit because it's better distributed across many parts---but weaving wants specific actions that need fingers, not fingernail-substitution or the use of an external tool.
I can tie square and surgeon knots with my nails (lacking usual-range fingertip sensation), but the junk comm packets I wrote about a few years ago, whereby since #2020 my brain or central nervous system directs a limb to do something and it fails to report back timely, or CNS forgets momentarily that the limb exists---junk buildup is still a thing. Trying to weave more, doggedly doing more by eye, would mean accumulating more of a junk backlog than I have the capacity to expel (nap/resting self-accommodations). Weaving and laptop typing and food prep occupy the same bucket, just about. So, weaving drops out, at least for now.
(Knitting is still fine in moderation.)
Monopoly 01.26 - Playlist 2
Jan. 18th, 2026 08:28 pmprisca posting in fandom_empireWeek 2
is started now. Good luck, everyone!
Under the cut, you find the weekly playlist. To check out what prompts/minimum/points are waiting for you this week, please visit the Board.
In case you have missed a week or you don't like your prompts, remember your Joker Card. Every Joker card comes with 15 tokens.
Use three tokens, and you can create two extra works for two missed prompts.
Use two tokens to roll the dice again.
Use five tokens to move to any square of your choice (exception: go!, chance, jail)
To re-visit the rules go here.
( Weekly Playlist )
If you want to create more than two works/earn more points, you might want to check out the Team Challenge (sign up until January 15!).
Post all your finished works at
fandom_empire_workplace until Sunday, January 25, 18.00 UTC, but I will allow belated works until I've made the closing post Countdown here.Done This Week
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:32 amscrubjayspeaksOkay, so. Sinus whatever turned into a hacking, wheezing cough. Still no fever, aches, anything that would resemble a traditional cold or flu. Gave up and went into Urgent Care again on Thursday, when it became obvious that I was not improving.
I am once again on ALL the drugs. Normally, they wouldn’t do antibiotics for a cough like this--those tend to be viral--but it turns out my left ear is actually still infected, on top of everything else. No wonder I haven’t had any energy.
So I get to be on antibiotics again for that, which might also help with the cough. It might also obliterate my digestive system again, so I have that to look forward to. Plus two different cough suppressants. And most importantly, an albuterol inhaler, which is basically a miracle drug. I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it tends to turn into bronchitis, and the inhaler is an old friend at this point.
I don’t want to take any time off work, because I’ll be on birthday vacation time starting the 26th, damn it. But I am so very, very tired every day.
In completely different news, my iPad bullied me into upgrading to the new OS release. Which immediately broke my reminders app, just like it did last time. Since I remembered said last time, I only freaked out a little and mostly left it to sort itself out by morning. Which it did, thank goodness, because I live and die by those reminder lists. But thanks, Apple, for yet another appalling update experience that makes me regret ever tying myself to your products, you absolute garbage pile. PS, still bitter about the years of ghost alarms you subjected me to when I upgraded to this iPad in the first place.
Lewisia: still on break
Day job: 42.25 hours, all of which should have been spent in bed instead
Reading: Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher (effectively just part one, so excuse me while I thrash and gibber my way into the next book to know what happens, I love all of them but the latecomer Grimehug the gnole most of all)
Watching: Revolutionary Girl Utena episodes 24 to 26 and halfway into 27
Listening: Repertoire by Shane Parish (instrumental guitar noodling, some pieces more experimental than others, generally quite nice, I should start making notes of where I saw recs for artists, because gods know I don’t remember on my own)
Playing: Animal Crossing 3.0 release! So much decorating! Yay!
Clock Mouse: 92 minutes of planning work
I am once again on ALL the drugs. Normally, they wouldn’t do antibiotics for a cough like this--those tend to be viral--but it turns out my left ear is actually still infected, on top of everything else. No wonder I haven’t had any energy.
So I get to be on antibiotics again for that, which might also help with the cough. It might also obliterate my digestive system again, so I have that to look forward to. Plus two different cough suppressants. And most importantly, an albuterol inhaler, which is basically a miracle drug. I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it tends to turn into bronchitis, and the inhaler is an old friend at this point.
I don’t want to take any time off work, because I’ll be on birthday vacation time starting the 26th, damn it. But I am so very, very tired every day.
In completely different news, my iPad bullied me into upgrading to the new OS release. Which immediately broke my reminders app, just like it did last time. Since I remembered said last time, I only freaked out a little and mostly left it to sort itself out by morning. Which it did, thank goodness, because I live and die by those reminder lists. But thanks, Apple, for yet another appalling update experience that makes me regret ever tying myself to your products, you absolute garbage pile. PS, still bitter about the years of ghost alarms you subjected me to when I upgraded to this iPad in the first place.
Lewisia: still on break
Day job: 42.25 hours, all of which should have been spent in bed instead
Reading: Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher (effectively just part one, so excuse me while I thrash and gibber my way into the next book to know what happens, I love all of them but the latecomer Grimehug the gnole most of all)
Watching: Revolutionary Girl Utena episodes 24 to 26 and halfway into 27
Listening: Repertoire by Shane Parish (instrumental guitar noodling, some pieces more experimental than others, generally quite nice, I should start making notes of where I saw recs for artists, because gods know I don’t remember on my own)
Playing: Animal Crossing 3.0 release! So much decorating! Yay!
Clock Mouse: 92 minutes of planning work
Monopoly 01.26 - Weekly Score 1
Jan. 18th, 2026 07:37 pmprisca posting in fandom_empirePosting for week 1 is closed now. Thank you to everyone participating this week.
Regular Challenge
We have had a total of 23 participants this week.
Maximum points:
peppermint_shamrock - 9 points
Congratulations!
Team Challenge
Team Alpha:
5 participants
5 team points
(individual points will get rewarded after finishing one color line)
Team Alpha:
4 participants
4 team points
(individual points will get rewarded after finishing one color line)
To check out all scores, have a look at the Google Highscore Sheet. If you find an error or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
The playlist for week two will be online soon!
Regular Challenge
We have had a total of 23 participants this week.
Maximum points:
peppermint_shamrock - 9 pointsCongratulations!
Team Challenge
Team Alpha:
5 participants
5 team points
(individual points will get rewarded after finishing one color line)
Team Alpha:
4 participants
4 team points
(individual points will get rewarded after finishing one color line)
To check out all scores, have a look at the Google Highscore Sheet. If you find an error or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
The playlist for week two will be online soon!
insta-rec: sisabet, "Naked in Manhattan"
Jan. 18th, 2026 11:19 amheresluckHi, yes, I know I haven't posted fannish stuff in more than two years but ![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
sisabet has just posted a Heated Rivalry vid and if you have any interest in the show at all you should go watch it right now because it combines "silly" and "unexpectedly moving" in a way that is absolutely perfect for this show.
(I watched HR withkass a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting her and we did a lot of chatter and analysis in person, so I don't know that I have anything to post about the show aside from "it's delightful and I'm really glad that it exists, and the showrunner, bless him, appears to know exactly what he's doing, and all of those things make me really happy.")
(I watched HR with
kass a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting her and we did a lot of chatter and analysis in person, so I don't know that I have anything to post about the show aside from "it's delightful and I'm really glad that it exists, and the showrunner, bless him, appears to know exactly what he's doing, and all of those things make me really happy.")Barriers to sending remains abroad highlighted by death of Ukrainian in Halifax
Jan. 18th, 2026 12:56 pm
cbc_topnews_feed
Without a moment’s hesitation, unflinching really, legendary swimming coach Bob Bowman jumped to his answer when asked if the many comparisons made between the greatest swimmer ever — Michael Phelps — and Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh were warranted and fair.
cbc_topnews_feed
CBC News has been travelling to small towns across Alberta, hosting conversations about local successes and challenges. Highways are a recurrent theme — a boon to businesses and tourism, but also a safety concern.