factfinding | Member Posts

ysabetwordsmith

Today's theme is Kingdom Hearts.

addme_fandom -- find friends who share your fannish obsessions.
[Active with one post in October.]

akuroku -- BURN BABY!!!!!
The axel/roxas community.
[Active with one post in November.]

khkinkanon -- Kingdom Hearts Anonymous Kink Meme
[Active with multiple posts in October.]

kingdomhearts -- Kingdom Hearts Community
For Fans of Kingdom Hearts.
[Somewhat active with last post in March.]

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Current Mood: busy

conuly

It was a penny more than the old ones, so there's that. (But I paid for super expedited shipping, so actually it's like $40 more.)

They're green. I'm not so sure about this, but there will be NO MORE TAKE-BACKS. I triple checked that they weren't safety glasses with the things on the side, which would've been great if I was in a field where I needed those but, as it is, was unwearable, and they're the exact same measurement as my old glasses, I checked that as well.

dustbunny105

Sooo, those of you keeping track at home may have noticed that I've been hardcore slacking on my Fannish 50 posts. This is mostly on account of I'm still shooting myself repeatedly in the foot by making the whole thing more complicated than it needs to be.

However!

I have been working on them. For a good few, it's really just a matter of finishing touches. For a good few more... Well, the point is that I'm working on them, lol.

Anywhoodle, I figured I'd ask if anyone has any... requests, I guess? Like, if I've ever actually sparked anyone's interest? My F50 topic, if you don't remember (which is what I'd expect at this point, haha), is Transformers relationships I'd like to see more of in both official and fan media, with a focus on female characters in particular. Idk, a good chunk of my Wip Wednesday posts kinda touched on this topic, plus some of my TF Pride posts from a few years ago. I don't think people tend to pay all that much attention when I talk Transformers-- fair enough-- but can't hurt asking.

conuly

I liked it, but that was because I liked laughing at how stupidly oblivious the protagonist was to his not-rival's extraordinarily obvious crush on him. And also because I like most things I read.

But then, here I was, 20 minutes from the finish line, our two dudes are about to finally resolve all their deep-seated personal issues that have kept them apart - and my coworkers start a loud conversation right next to me and they will not shut up. I did, eventually, have to ask them to please stop for half an hour so I could finish my book.

******************

( Read more... )

ysabetwordsmith

Antarctica’s collapse may already be unstoppable, scientists warn

Researchers warn Antarctica is undergoing abrupt changes that could trigger global consequences. Melting ice, collapsing ice shelves, and disrupted ocean circulation threaten sea levels, ecosystems, and climate stability. Wildlife such as penguins and krill face growing extinction risks. Scientists stress that only rapid emission reductions can avert irreversible damage.

Well, that's wishful thinking. It's too late to save most of the polar ice, because of choices already made and warming baked in regardless of what we do. But Antarctica was a rainforest once, and then a temperate forest, eventually freezing over. It's okay for it to green again. Nature is good at fixing things. Humans can help by staying the fuck out of the way.

Of course, that's no excuse for runaway emissions. Humans should still cut way back on that for other safety reasons, like maintaining an atmosphere in which food plants can grow and working outside won't immediately kill people.

ysabetwordsmith

Today is sunny and mild, a beautiful fall day.

I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows and a goldfinch.

I put out water for the birds.

The tree guys are supposed to come out today. We looked at the area where the chip mulch should be deposited, and want to do a bit of trimming there to make it more obvious.

EDIT 11/6/25 -- We trimmed brush to make the mulch location more visible.

The tree guys are here! :D Loud work, but much needed.

EDIT 11/6/25 -- We checked on progress. The path to the east edge and through the orchard is clear. The big limb has been removed from the south lot. Progress!

Despite all that racket, the goldfinch is still hugging the thistle feeder.

EDIT 11/6/25 -- The tree guys are done! \o/ There is still some cut brush we'll need to deal with, more to cut down around the edges of the parking lot, and at least two places that need stumps ground. But a lot has been cleared, we have some piles of firewood, and I have a lot of mulch. Yay.

EDIT 11/6/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen several house finches.

EDIT 11/6/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

queen_ypolita

I re-downloaded Duolingo in the spring, after a break of several years. Years ago, I got to the end of the German available at the time and then stopped using it. I'd tried downloading it again few times in the years between, but it wouldn't actually load. In the spring, I basically had to delete all past progress to get anywhere. But it's given me another few minutes on German even if I'm still in the easy bits below my level or the level of the course I'm taking. I'm also using it for getting back to French.

A while back, my Duolingo switched from hearts to energy, a change they've been rolling out to users from the summer onwards. And it's really frustrating. With hearts, you lost them for mistakes, up to five a day, and for me, on languages I've studied before, I could sometimes go days without losing more than one or two hearts. Now with energy that depletes for every single item of practice in a lesson, it's really hard to do the 15 minutes a day that I'd like to do. There are some ways to increase your energy balance, but they are mostly unsustainable, not that helpful, or involve spending more time watching ads than learning. So very frustrating. Looks like I'm going to have to go to the paid plan if I want to continue, because the whole energy thing is annoying me.

vriddy

Community Thursday challenge: every Thursday, try to make an effort to engage with a community on Dreamwidth, whether that's posting, commenting, promoting, etc.

Over the last week...

A short one! I posted & commented on

bnha_fans.

Current Mood: happy

chomiji

Wow, there have been a lot of fantasy sequels/series volumes out these past few weeks.

The Rose Field, the final installment of the second trilogy (called The Book of Dust) of Philip Pullman's series about Lyra Belacqua, was a compelling read, a frequently violent road trip that has side quests into fantastic set pieces, but it was ultimately pretty dissatisfying for me. The ending didn't stick the landing: I kept thinking, "But what about Plot Point X? And Plot Point Y?" etc. And these aren't trivial issues, either.

I'm currently reading Dead Hand Rule, the latest volume of Max Gladstone's Craft Wars series. So far it's mostly about the heroes of the first series coming together in the city of Alt Coulomb to gather allies for a push again the current Big Bad, whose rise to power was told in the first two books. It's good to see Tara Abernathy, Kai Pohala, Caleb Altemoc, Abelard (yay!), and Cat Elle (yay!) again. Mostly everyone is having regrets about their actions thus far and dealing with difficult potential allies, including some previous foes. I'm waiting for the storyline to start hitting on all cylinders, and hopeful that it will eventually do so.

Next up will be the latest Penric and Desdemona novella by Lois McMaster Bujold, "Testimony of Mute Things," which I understand will be a dive backward into Penric and Des' shared past.

Current Mood: drained

dustbunny105

Well, today was much better, I'll give it that. I've still got catching up to do tomorrow but the current caseload is a lot more manageable. I might even be at a normal spot by the end of the week!

ysabetwordsmith

One of the country's first '100% free full-service' grocery stores operates inside a Baltimore library: 'No income requirements, no ID needed'

But tucked inside its first floor is something unique: The Pratt Free Market. It’s one of the country’s first 100% free and full-service grocery stores operated within a public library.

Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Fridays from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., customers are welcome to grab whatever they can fit in a library-supplied bag — entirely for free.

The market, which is 90% volunteer-run, is stocked like any other grocery store, with fresh produce, dry goods, paper goods, feminine hygiene products, baby essentials, and household items.

Food is a human need, therefore must be recognized as a human right not a paid privilege. The same is true for other things such as feminine hygiene products.

Current Mood: busy

conuly

I have a mandatory staff meeting in an hour and I may call out on the grounds that I am so tired.

(I also have a headache, but if I call out on the grounds that omg my head is killing me my manager will tell me to go to the doctor. It's not an illness, it's a generational curse, plus I worked 16 hours on approximate 0 hours of sleep yesterday.)

On the other hand, I want to seem responsible. But... I am really groggy and tired and I have a headache.

conuly

I haven't had a chance to look at any other election results yet, but that's cheering. I do think he's vastly overpromised and will regret it - among other things, free buses requires first wresting the MTA back from Albany, and that's not the job of a single term - but it's not like I liked any of the other candidates.

Especially Cuomo, for many reasons, but most especially because you just can't trust somebody who thinks the best career move after governor is mayor.

seekingferret

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis

This book, about the parents at an elite Connecticut private elementary school for magic users, was a blast to read. It had such a sharp sendup of the pressure for parents to make sure their young children are academically successful, and of parents playing pointless low stakes status games against each other.

I also enjoyed a couple of side digs directed at JKR. For all of its issues, the school in this book would make a much better place to send your mage-to-be or werewolf pup than that castle that shall not be named.

And I liked so many of the characters, this is a setting where I would definitely read further books about side characters... the badass werewolf matriarch, the vampire kindergarten teacher, the done with this shit former headmaster, the former warrior mage turned stay at home dad.

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

A worthy followup to The Tainted Cup, this offered another satisfying mystery and investigation, and deeper worldbuilding and exploration of the Empire and both its virtues and failings.

Lisa and Lottie Erich Kastner

The original source for the Parent Trap! This was adorable.

The House of Found Objects by Jo Beckett-King

Thirteen year old girls go on a treasure hunt in Paris! Delightfully low stakes puzzle adventure with reasonable, fair puzzles.

The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar

Read for Jewish Science Fiction Book Group. Eh...I liked it better than others in the group, I thought it had some good Sachar humor, and the moral enigmas were straightforward but tense. But it wasn't super memorable.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

A piece of garbage. Do not recommend.

ysabetwordsmith

Today is sunny and mild, a beautiful fall day.

I fed the birds. I've seen a large flock of sparrows. They drained the hopper feeder and the small metal birdbath.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 11/5/25 -- I finished spreading the last bag of composted manure on the tulip bed. Both flowerbeds are now ready for leaf mulch. \o/

EDIT 11/5/25 -- We started picking up sticks from the entrance to the south lot and where the wood chips will go. I found two large, old pieces of deadwood that I dragged to edge the wildflower garden.

EDIT 11/5/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 11/5/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I've also been working on the main branch for the lantern terrarium, gluing more pieces onto it.

EDIT 11/5/25 -- I bagged up Ambrosia apple and yellow pear seeds in damp sand to cold-stratify in the fridge.

I set up the core of the next bonfire so we can dump more sticks on top of it.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

purplecat

The Eleventh Doctor - head and shoulders.

The Eleventh Doctor, publicity still against white background. Head and shoulders at an angle holding the sonic screwdriver.

The Eleventh Doctor from above, looking up.

The Eleventh Doctor from the Eleventh Hour - grinning in a blue shirt.

The Eleventh Doctor. Close up of face - half in shaddow.

queen_ypolita

Finished since the last reading post
Murder by the Book by Susanna Gregory, where the creation of a common library causes passionate and murderous debate and works as a smokescreen for some other activities.

Last Dance at the Discotheque of Deviants by Paul David Gould, set in early 1990s Moscow with its mix of hope for the new, nostalgia for the ordered past, greed and corruption. So that's one level, the other is what the author characterises in his acknowledgements as a "gay murder mystery".

Currently reading
Still reading Co-intelligence and The End of Innocence. Also reading Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson.

Reading next
I've got a library book waiting, so probably that.

ysabetwordsmith

Today's second freebie was inspired by new prompter

gs_silva. It also fills the "Very little worth knowing is taught by fear." square in my 11-1-25 card for the Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories Bingo fest. It belongs to the fandom Doctor Who. and follows "Time and Relative Dimensions in Magic" so read that first or this won't make much sense.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ursamajor

sandboxdiva pinged me this weekend wanting to ensure that I'd seen the latest Binging with Babish episode since it focused on chocolate chip cookies, so of course I promptly had to sit down and watch it.

( Binging with Babish: 10 Levels of Chocolate Chip Cookies (embed) )

1. Did I pause the video to take note of exactly how fancy the ingredients were for the Level 8 cookies, ( yes I did. )

2. Did I also factcheck Babish on his assertion that "regular old homemade chocolate chip cookies probably cost like $6/batch to make," why yes I did. Come on, buddy, you're based in Brooklyn, groceries aren't cheaper there than in the Bay Area.

( How much does it cost to make a batch of Toll House cookies in November 2025? )

3. Am I doing all this to distract myself from all of the elections going down today? Of bloody course I am.

4. Is my version of the Guittard Super Chip cookie recipe still my go-to? Yes, because 72 hours is a long time to wait for cookies. Also, converted to weights, a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar, and no nuts.

5. What am I baking for choir tomorrow? Um. I should probably figure that out, shouldn't I. Of all the bougie things to have on hand, I actually currently have a glut of hazelnut flour that needs to get used up, and we do have some gluten-intolerant choir members, so I may end up with a flavor variant of these hazelnut chocolate chip cookies, probably converted to bar format, possibly with the spicing and inclusions changed up.

6. Reminder to self: you'll be in rehearsal tomorrow and will have to miss it, but Community Kitchens is doing trainings for home chef volunteers to cook meals for the Town Fridges in Oakland. Ping them to find out when the next training is.

7. Oh thank god, results are coming in for the major races and I don't know of any truly disasterrific results yet.

Current Mood: nervous
Current Music: cookie cookie cookie

ysabetwordsmith

2.7-million-year-old tools reveal humanity’s first great innovation

Ancient hominins in Kenya’s Turkana Basin crafted the same style of stone tools for 300,000 years, weathering fire, drought, and shifting ecosystems.

Researchers uncovered a 2.75–2.44 million-year-old site in Kenya showing that early humans maintained stone tool traditions for nearly 300,000 years despite extreme climate swings. The tools, remarkably consistent across generations, helped our ancestors adapt and survive. The discovery reshapes our understanding of how early technology anchored human evolution.

Current Mood: busy

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Fact Finding

December 2022

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Fact Finding

Member Posts

Follow Friday 11-7-25: Kingdom Hearts

Well, I've picked out a new set of frames

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I used the election to read In Other Lands

Climate Change

Birdfeeding

Frustrated with Duolingo

Community Thursday

Drive-By Wednesday Reading: The Rose Field ~and~ Dead Hand Rule

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Food

I am so tired

Mamdami won

Books

Birdfeeding

Eleventh Doctor Icons

Wednesday reading

Poem: "To the Rational Mind"

good enough for me

Early Humans

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December 2022

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