Of possible interest to some of you
Jan. 29th, 2026 05:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cupcake_gothThere's a store on AliExpress that has fabric of the Haunted Mansion wallpaper in multiple colors! Yes, I immediately ordered enough for a dress.
cupcake_gothShallow outfit dithering
Jan. 29th, 2026 02:13 pmcupcake_gothI'm going to the Ghost concert in about two weeks, which means I've started thinking about my outfit. The front runner so far:
- Pink & black stripe long sleeve high collar dress
- Black waist cincher (boning for back support, yay!)
- Hair pulled back under the wide-brimmed pink hat decorated with black lace bat appliques
- Giant round onyx pendant
- Black rosary beads with black heart perfume bottle
- Pink & black Dr. Marten boots
The second choice:
- B&W / glow-in-the-dark bats long sleeve high collar dress
- Black waist cincher (boning for back support, yay!)
- Hair pulled back with hair floofs and some sort of black flowers & veil headpiece
- Giant round onyx pendant
- Black rosary beads with black heart perfume bottle OR glow-in-the-dark rosary with an ankh pendant
- Black & clear rhinestone Betsey Johnson platform(ish) flats
SHERLOCK BBC: Once, Twice by Rhuia
Jan. 29th, 2026 01:50 pmjesse_the_k posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fancakeFandom: Sherlock (BBC TV 2010)
Pairings/Characters: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Characters: Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes, Greg Lestrade, John Watson
Rating: Explicit
Length: 4400 words
Theme: Crack Treated Seriously
Summary: Sherlock and John swap bodies. John doesn't want to talk about it.
Creator Links: Rhuia
Reccer’s Notes Sex pollen on Earth requires some shenanigans, but add in body swap and we’ve got a deep dive into how this combo would affect these two’s self-knowledge and desire. Very explicit, very steamy, very funny.
Fanwork Link Once, Twice
Lord of the Rings: The Slash Fairy Cometh by Cyberwulf
Jan. 28th, 2026 08:37 pmpronker posting in fancakeFandom: Lord of the Rings
Pairings/Characters:
Celeborn/Haldir of Lothlórien, Celeborn/Galadriel | Artanis, Orophin/Rúmil of Lothlórien, Boromir/Théodred, Aragorn | Estel/Elrond Peredhel, Arwen Undómiel/Éowyn, Frodo Baggins/Sam Gamgee, Elladan/Elrohir/Erestor (Tolkien), Gandalf | Mithrandir/Saruman | Curunír, Gimli (Son of Glóin)/Legolas Greenleaf, Sauron | Mairon/Witch-King Of Angmar, Éomer Éadig/Faramir (Son of Denethor II), Gollum/Gríma Wormtongue, Elrond Peredhel/Glorfindel, Denethor II/Théoden Ednew
Rating: Mature
Length: 7,126 words
Creator Links: AO3 Profile
Theme: Crack Treated Seriously
Summary: Théoden and Denethor hunt the elusive Slash Fairy after she makes them ... do things. Over and over. Featuring the horses of Middle Earth, with music by Fountains of Wayne, Celine Dion and Kenny Loggins.
Reccer's Notes: This month's theme is "ideas that are very, very bonkers, but approached with the utmost dedication to making it work within whatever passes for reality in that fandom." Author's dedication is key in this humorous tale of slash spreading like a glorious spready thing in the LOTR world and you'll believe that Denethor and Théoden-King need each other whether they realize it or not. The fairy is merely the mechanism. Just check out the other pairings and revel the night away! I especially liked that femmeslash was included, and also horses.
Fanwork Links: The Slash Fairy Cometh
Pairings/Characters:
Celeborn/Haldir of Lothlórien, Celeborn/Galadriel | Artanis, Orophin/Rúmil of Lothlórien, Boromir/Théodred, Aragorn | Estel/Elrond Peredhel, Arwen Undómiel/Éowyn, Frodo Baggins/Sam Gamgee, Elladan/Elrohir/Erestor (Tolkien), Gandalf | Mithrandir/Saruman | Curunír, Gimli (Son of Glóin)/Legolas Greenleaf, Sauron | Mairon/Witch-King Of Angmar, Éomer Éadig/Faramir (Son of Denethor II), Gollum/Gríma Wormtongue, Elrond Peredhel/Glorfindel, Denethor II/Théoden Ednew
Rating: Mature
Length: 7,126 words
Creator Links: AO3 Profile
Theme: Crack Treated Seriously
Summary: Théoden and Denethor hunt the elusive Slash Fairy after she makes them ... do things. Over and over. Featuring the horses of Middle Earth, with music by Fountains of Wayne, Celine Dion and Kenny Loggins.
Reccer's Notes: This month's theme is "ideas that are very, very bonkers, but approached with the utmost dedication to making it work within whatever passes for reality in that fandom." Author's dedication is key in this humorous tale of slash spreading like a glorious spready thing in the LOTR world and you'll believe that Denethor and Théoden-King need each other whether they realize it or not. The fairy is merely the mechanism. Just check out the other pairings and revel the night away! I especially liked that femmeslash was included, and also horses.
Fanwork Links: The Slash Fairy Cometh
SGA: Where the Brave Dare Not Go by Telesilla
Jan. 27th, 2026 02:38 pmmific posting in fancakeFandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Anne Teldy, Carson Beckett, Radek Zelenka, Jennifer Keller
Rating: Explicit
Length: 18,013
Content Notes: Graphic depictions of violence. Jeannie, Rodney's sister, has died long before the story starts. Academic ethics are somewhat compromised!
Creator Links: Telesilla on AO3, helens78 on Audiofic Archive
Themes: Crack treated seriously, First time, Friends to lovers, Animal transformation, Werecreatures, Complete AU, Interspecies pairing, Research, Worldbuilding (I had difficulty finding actual tags to reflect some of these because while there's a minor character werewolf in this, most of the Weres aren't wolves.)
Summary: John Sheppard has had over twenty years to come to grips with the fact that every four or five weeks, he turns into a mountain lion. Like most Were, he accepts that that's just the way it is, and so he's not particularly interested when he learns that researchers at the local university are trying to to develop drugs that will help Were control their cycles. Then he meets Dr. Rodney McKay, a brilliant but irascible biochemist with reasons of his own for spearheading the university's Were research and John suddenly finds himself struggling with more than just his attraction to McKay.
Reccer's Notes: Werewolves, or in this case, Werecreatures in general, are a popular crack fantasy trope. This story's excellent as it turns the fantasy trope into a real minority of individuals having Were genes, forced to change cyclically to an animal form. In this story's interesting worldbuilding, Were are discriminated against and find it hard to get jobs and live as full members of society. John is a werecougar and he meets Rodney who's a scientist running a research trial to test a new drug intended to suppress mandatory cycling. The story is crack "taken seriously" as there's no fantasy element. This is a genetically-driven thing, with Were a slightly different species to humans. Their cycles vary according to gene expression, and aren't moon-driven. Plus, in this world, Telesilla shows the politics of discrimination against Were, with John initially resisting the research as he's angry that they're yet again being viewed as humans with a sickness that needs treatment. The story has lots of plot and drama, a great developing relationship with Rodney, and a satisfying conclusion. Very much recommended!
Fanwork Links: Where the Brave Dare Not Go, it's locked to AO3 so here's a Wayback link
Excellent podfic by helens78 here
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Anne Teldy, Carson Beckett, Radek Zelenka, Jennifer Keller
Rating: Explicit
Length: 18,013
Content Notes: Graphic depictions of violence. Jeannie, Rodney's sister, has died long before the story starts. Academic ethics are somewhat compromised!
Creator Links: Telesilla on AO3, helens78 on Audiofic Archive
Themes: Crack treated seriously, First time, Friends to lovers, Animal transformation, Werecreatures, Complete AU, Interspecies pairing, Research, Worldbuilding (I had difficulty finding actual tags to reflect some of these because while there's a minor character werewolf in this, most of the Weres aren't wolves.)
Summary: John Sheppard has had over twenty years to come to grips with the fact that every four or five weeks, he turns into a mountain lion. Like most Were, he accepts that that's just the way it is, and so he's not particularly interested when he learns that researchers at the local university are trying to to develop drugs that will help Were control their cycles. Then he meets Dr. Rodney McKay, a brilliant but irascible biochemist with reasons of his own for spearheading the university's Were research and John suddenly finds himself struggling with more than just his attraction to McKay.
Reccer's Notes: Werewolves, or in this case, Werecreatures in general, are a popular crack fantasy trope. This story's excellent as it turns the fantasy trope into a real minority of individuals having Were genes, forced to change cyclically to an animal form. In this story's interesting worldbuilding, Were are discriminated against and find it hard to get jobs and live as full members of society. John is a werecougar and he meets Rodney who's a scientist running a research trial to test a new drug intended to suppress mandatory cycling. The story is crack "taken seriously" as there's no fantasy element. This is a genetically-driven thing, with Were a slightly different species to humans. Their cycles vary according to gene expression, and aren't moon-driven. Plus, in this world, Telesilla shows the politics of discrimination against Were, with John initially resisting the research as he's angry that they're yet again being viewed as humans with a sickness that needs treatment. The story has lots of plot and drama, a great developing relationship with Rodney, and a satisfying conclusion. Very much recommended!
Fanwork Links: Where the Brave Dare Not Go, it's locked to AO3 so here's a Wayback link
Excellent podfic by helens78 here
(no subject)
Jan. 26th, 2026 04:54 pmturpsIt was Murphy and Kevin's annual booster and check-up appointment this morning. Both were fine, but Murphy is now over 7kg which isn't ideal. The problem is he needs the prescription dry food to help with his bladder stone issues, and eating that isn't helping with the weight gain. Thankfully, the vet said you can buy the prescription kind he needs in a lower calorie format, so we'll be buying that when his latest bag is finished.
Poor Murphy was so frightened, though. Understandable as the last two times he was at the vets he ended up whisked away to the emergency vets and admitted.
Kevin was just his usual self, in perfect health apart from his chronic congestion, and he was jumping around and exploring the room, being his usual, purr'ey, friendly self. Then covered his face is lick e lix when I fed him one as a distraction as he got his nails trimmed.
( two recent photos )
Rosie texted last night to say class was cancelled today. I'm assuming for personal reasons due to the late communication. That did make going to the vets easier as before I would have had to go there, come home, drop off the cats and then quickly head for the gym, hoping the vets appointment didn't overrun. Which it actually did due to us being seen late, so time would have been tight.
Poor Murphy was so frightened, though. Understandable as the last two times he was at the vets he ended up whisked away to the emergency vets and admitted.
Kevin was just his usual self, in perfect health apart from his chronic congestion, and he was jumping around and exploring the room, being his usual, purr'ey, friendly self. Then covered his face is lick e lix when I fed him one as a distraction as he got his nails trimmed.
( two recent photos )
Rosie texted last night to say class was cancelled today. I'm assuming for personal reasons due to the late communication. That did make going to the vets easier as before I would have had to go there, come home, drop off the cats and then quickly head for the gym, hoping the vets appointment didn't overrun. Which it actually did due to us being seen late, so time would have been tight.
Left the house!
Jan. 25th, 2026 02:10 pmcupcake_gothminim_calibre very kindly came over yesterday to help me run some errands AND slowly pootle around two thrift stores. There wasn’t anything worthwhile at Value Village, which is sadly becoming the norm. Well, there were some dresses that could have been turned into something interesting, but I stuck to my clothing no-buy. PRAISE ME. The other thrift store was The Discovery Shop, which is a small nonprofit for the American Cancer Society. It’s a few blocks from my house, which means that once I’m healthy I need to make more of an effort to walk up there on a regular basis. Because, as with most smaller, charity-specific thrift stores, the selection is much better. I bought two pieces of jewelry: a crystal necklace with an antique skeleton key pendant (minim handed it to me, saying, “This belongs to you”), and a vintage belled bracelet, because I want to return to jingling when I walk. I pined over a huge blown glass candelabra with multiple arms, but acknowledged that I ha no place to put it. But my god, it was stunning.
I learned that both The Discovery Shop and Value Village have “senior discount days” on Tuesdays, and that “senior” is 55+! Time to schedule a regular thrifting day!
All of the excitement of leaving the house took its toll, however, and I’m absolutely exhausted today. Plus I’m starting a new round of different antibiotics, because my symptoms returned once I finished the first round. Thank goodness that my preferred urgent care clinic offers telehealth appointments.
life is demanding without understanding
Jan. 25th, 2026 11:14 ampensnestWent for breakfast at the café by the river this morning, and looked at why the road is closed for two weeks. There is a remarkably deep trench going from some brand new buildings to, er, somewhere, with a very big digger parked next to it. Which explains things, really. Breakfast was tasty but a bit gluey—loaded hash browns, with sausage, bacon, melted cheese, a fried egg, and rather good mushrooms. I shall have an apple for lunch! Or possibly prunes.
*
I was doomscrolling yesterday afternoon and found a little video of a kitten making a lotta fuss. I turned the sound on, and Sable hurtled into the room with a face full of concern. She kept looking for the kitten in distress, and was most unimpressed when I showed her the phone.
Sometimes I wish she had a kitten of her own.
*
Yesterday we watched The Electric State, and I realised that I don't enjoy watching Chris Pratt. He always seems to play mostly-stupid, mostly-selfish characters who 'come good' at some point, and I find the type annoying. At least, I say 'always'—that probably isn't true, just the things I've seen him in. Is it type-casting? Is it pure coincidence that these are the things I've seen and I've missed the ones where he is a different kind of character? I don't know. Just, meh.
*
Things that made me LOL this week: Tom and Lorenzo describing Jason Statham as 'the gay porn version of Homer Simpson', which, yes. Yes he is.
*
Deke Sharon is coming to the UK. Deke Sharon is going to coach my chorus! Woohoohoo!
*
I was doomscrolling yesterday afternoon and found a little video of a kitten making a lotta fuss. I turned the sound on, and Sable hurtled into the room with a face full of concern. She kept looking for the kitten in distress, and was most unimpressed when I showed her the phone.
Sometimes I wish she had a kitten of her own.
*
Yesterday we watched The Electric State, and I realised that I don't enjoy watching Chris Pratt. He always seems to play mostly-stupid, mostly-selfish characters who 'come good' at some point, and I find the type annoying. At least, I say 'always'—that probably isn't true, just the things I've seen him in. Is it type-casting? Is it pure coincidence that these are the things I've seen and I've missed the ones where he is a different kind of character? I don't know. Just, meh.
*
Things that made me LOL this week: Tom and Lorenzo describing Jason Statham as 'the gay porn version of Homer Simpson', which, yes. Yes he is.
*
Deke Sharon is coming to the UK. Deke Sharon is going to coach my chorus! Woohoohoo!
Star Trek: vulcanterprise, by almondrose
Jan. 24th, 2026 06:52 pmlaurajv posting in fancakeFandom: Star Trek
Pairings/Characters: Kirk/Spock
Rating: Teen and Up
Length: 4188 words over 2 stories
Creator Links: almondrose at ao3
Theme: Crack Treated Seriously
Summary: "an AU where the enterprise is a VSA ship filled with vulcans"
Reccer's Notes: This short series (two stories, "logical" and "illogical") is one of my favorite pick-me-ups. Captain Skirk of the VSA's exasperation with his CMO's insistence that Spock is human slays me, as does said CMO's reaction to encountering his alternate-universe human self.
Fanwork Links: vulcanterprise
Pairings/Characters: Kirk/Spock
Rating: Teen and Up
Length: 4188 words over 2 stories
Creator Links: almondrose at ao3
Theme: Crack Treated Seriously
Summary: "an AU where the enterprise is a VSA ship filled with vulcans"
Reccer's Notes: This short series (two stories, "logical" and "illogical") is one of my favorite pick-me-ups. Captain Skirk of the VSA's exasperation with his CMO's insistence that Spock is human slays me, as does said CMO's reaction to encountering his alternate-universe human self.
Fanwork Links: vulcanterprise
(no subject)
Jan. 24th, 2026 05:03 pmturpsI got great mail yesterday, a parcel from turlough.
Thank you so much for the birthday present, Turlough. I'll keep it safe, and unopened, until my actual birthday, that way I know I'll have a lovely surprise to open. Though, I must admit, I was tempted to open it right now. You're the best ♥
Other than that it was a busy day as we went off and stocked James' unit at the craft shop, and very nice it looks too. He's between a sea glass unit and one that seems to sell a mixture of things, so the wood stands out nicely. I'm still not sure how profitable it's going to be, but the ladies running the shop are lovely and didn't charge for this last week of Jan, which was good of them. If you want to see, I've uploaded a photo here
Then, after stocking the unit we first, took Megan -- Kayleigh's cat -- to the vet and then went to pick Bodhi up from school as Kayleigh and Lucy were having a cinema and meal out day date. Bodhi was just as fun, and four going on fourteenish as usual. She wanted to give me some presents, including, a piece of paper to cut, four toy dragons, one of Kayleigh's bras and a Stitch hat. When I told her that it wouldn't fit my head she told me it had a thing at the back that made the hat bigger and how did I not know that as grown-ups are supposed to know everything. So, consider me told yet again. And also wonder when I'll become this magical grown up that does know everything.
Then later, it was The Traitors final episode which I'd been looking forward to so much. That show though, it had me on the end of my seat a few times thinking something was going to happen that didn't. But I was happy with the ending.
Today was a cinema day and as James had a Wagamama gift voucher, we went there for dinner. I had the silken tofu firecracker curry, and every bite teetered on the edge of being too hot. Which was my fault, as I did see the name. But still, it was tasty despite it making my nose run.
We'd gone to see Mercy which has been getting some bad reviews but despite being ridiculous in places, still kept me in suspense all the way through. I especially liked the concept of the film being the same time length of the trial on-screen, as the countdown was shown often, making it easy to work out when to dash out for a toilet break.
turlough.Thank you so much for the birthday present, Turlough. I'll keep it safe, and unopened, until my actual birthday, that way I know I'll have a lovely surprise to open. Though, I must admit, I was tempted to open it right now. You're the best ♥
Other than that it was a busy day as we went off and stocked James' unit at the craft shop, and very nice it looks too. He's between a sea glass unit and one that seems to sell a mixture of things, so the wood stands out nicely. I'm still not sure how profitable it's going to be, but the ladies running the shop are lovely and didn't charge for this last week of Jan, which was good of them. If you want to see, I've uploaded a photo here
Then, after stocking the unit we first, took Megan -- Kayleigh's cat -- to the vet and then went to pick Bodhi up from school as Kayleigh and Lucy were having a cinema and meal out day date. Bodhi was just as fun, and four going on fourteenish as usual. She wanted to give me some presents, including, a piece of paper to cut, four toy dragons, one of Kayleigh's bras and a Stitch hat. When I told her that it wouldn't fit my head she told me it had a thing at the back that made the hat bigger and how did I not know that as grown-ups are supposed to know everything. So, consider me told yet again. And also wonder when I'll become this magical grown up that does know everything.
Then later, it was The Traitors final episode which I'd been looking forward to so much. That show though, it had me on the end of my seat a few times thinking something was going to happen that didn't. But I was happy with the ending.
Today was a cinema day and as James had a Wagamama gift voucher, we went there for dinner. I had the silken tofu firecracker curry, and every bite teetered on the edge of being too hot. Which was my fault, as I did see the name. But still, it was tasty despite it making my nose run.
We'd gone to see Mercy which has been getting some bad reviews but despite being ridiculous in places, still kept me in suspense all the way through. I especially liked the concept of the film being the same time length of the trial on-screen, as the countdown was shown often, making it easy to work out when to dash out for a toilet break.
Heated Rivalry: nothing but some heartburn, baby by SirMxALotts
Jan. 24th, 2026 07:09 pmmific posting in fancakeFandom: Game Changers series
Characters/Pairings: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov
Rating: Explicit
Length: 4639
Content Notes: Discussion of unplanned pregnancy and of abortion as a treatment option. Brief mention of a tapeworm analogy.
Creator Links: SirMxALotts on AO3
Themes: Crack treated seriously, AU, Canon LGBTQ+ characters, Mpreg, Established relationship
Summary: Most people in Shane’s position would call a doctor after two positive tests, but Shane isn't most people, so instead of doing that, he takes 17 tests over the course of two days.
Final result: 16 positive, one negative.
Reccer's Notes: A classic crack trope this time: Mpreg. The reason why a man could become pregnant in this AU isn't given, nor why Shane did nothing to prevent it (or didn't expect it), but it has happened so he faces a choice. This is where the "taken seriously" part comes in, as it's the same difficult choice any woman faces with an unplanned pregnancy. Rather than an unrealistic tropey outcome, Shane (after ignoring the whole problem for a while) finally talks to Ilya about it and makes his decision. I enjoyed the realism and the way Ilya was supportive without trying to persuade Shane one way or the other. We don't see the final outcome, but the story covers enough so that we know Shane's decision.
Fanwork Links: nothing but some heartburn, baby
Characters/Pairings: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov
Rating: Explicit
Length: 4639
Content Notes: Discussion of unplanned pregnancy and of abortion as a treatment option. Brief mention of a tapeworm analogy.
Creator Links: SirMxALotts on AO3
Themes: Crack treated seriously, AU, Canon LGBTQ+ characters, Mpreg, Established relationship
Summary: Most people in Shane’s position would call a doctor after two positive tests, but Shane isn't most people, so instead of doing that, he takes 17 tests over the course of two days.
Final result: 16 positive, one negative.
Reccer's Notes: A classic crack trope this time: Mpreg. The reason why a man could become pregnant in this AU isn't given, nor why Shane did nothing to prevent it (or didn't expect it), but it has happened so he faces a choice. This is where the "taken seriously" part comes in, as it's the same difficult choice any woman faces with an unplanned pregnancy. Rather than an unrealistic tropey outcome, Shane (after ignoring the whole problem for a while) finally talks to Ilya about it and makes his decision. I enjoyed the realism and the way Ilya was supportive without trying to persuade Shane one way or the other. We don't see the final outcome, but the story covers enough so that we know Shane's decision.
Fanwork Links: nothing but some heartburn, baby
Frivolous dithering
Jan. 21st, 2026 12:08 pmcupcake_gothI'm starting to seriously consider selling my VINTAGE Fluevog Swordfish shoes and boots. I love them. LOVE. I never wear them, because even tho' the 3" heel are wide and sturdy, my back has made it pretty clear that those shoes and boots are not made for walking. Not for me.
I'm tempted to hold onto the boots so I can use them as vases for dried flowers (I can't find the image on Pinterest, but I saw something similar done and it looked great), but I will first need to have a probably convoluted discussion with the Stroppy One about putting outdoor footwear on any furniture, even after they've been carefully cleaned. (His weirdness around this is too long to get into here, but it starts from a superstition around not putting footwear on chairs or tables.)
---
INCREDIBLY shallow whining related to the state of the world (because if I start thinking seriously about things, I freeze in panic): I guess I should have purchased the pretty pretty dress from the Ukrainian designer earlier, because who knows if the $USD will be worth anything and if anyone outside the US will be willing to ship anything to a US address.
---
I'm tempted to hold onto the boots so I can use them as vases for dried flowers (I can't find the image on Pinterest, but I saw something similar done and it looked great), but I will first need to have a probably convoluted discussion with the Stroppy One about putting outdoor footwear on any furniture, even after they've been carefully cleaned. (His weirdness around this is too long to get into here, but it starts from a superstition around not putting footwear on chairs or tables.)
---
INCREDIBLY shallow whining related to the state of the world (because if I start thinking seriously about things, I freeze in panic): I guess I should have purchased the pretty pretty dress from the Ukrainian designer earlier, because who knows if the $USD will be worth anything and if anyone outside the US will be willing to ship anything to a US address.
---
I need help from the sewing and costuming hive mind! I have a many dresses like this. (Mine don't have the wide sash/belt.) The skirt is two rectangles gathered at the waist, with the pockets inset at those side seams. I want to occasionally lift the skirt to about knee-length so I can wear the dress with different skirts. I've tried actual skirt lifters, and they didn't work well. I tried ribbons sewn on the outside of the waist with matching ribbons sewn on the inside at the point where the ruffle is attached to the skirt, thus catching a bundle of the skirt in a loop of ribbon that shows on the outside. (The Madwoman in the Attic saw this attempt, clutched her head, said, "NO", and left the room.) So I'm out of ideas. Help?
(no subject)
Jan. 21st, 2026 03:35 pmturpsI really didn't want to go to class on Monday. It was cold, it was wet, my friend/usual partner had messaged saying she couldn't come that day, and everything was just, meh. But I gave my head a shake and made myself go, and was glad I did. It was another big class with only five of us oldies there, I got partnered with someone new who was very nice, and we had a laugh. I'm especially glad I went as class was cancelled for today, so it would have been another week without having a supervised session.
We went to see 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and man, the violence was so much worse, and graphic, than the last one. It was well acted, how some fabulous visuals and acting, especially by Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell, but I really wouldn't recommend it due to the excessive amount of gore.
Yesterday was my six monthly lymphedema appointment ( cut for details )
TV wise, I watched the first ep of Starfleet Academy and really enjoyed it. As I'm also watching Strange New Worlds still, I'm just rolling in Trek stuff atm, which is a lovely place to be.
We went to see 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and man, the violence was so much worse, and graphic, than the last one. It was well acted, how some fabulous visuals and acting, especially by Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell, but I really wouldn't recommend it due to the excessive amount of gore.
Yesterday was my six monthly lymphedema appointment ( cut for details )
TV wise, I watched the first ep of Starfleet Academy and really enjoyed it. As I'm also watching Strange New Worlds still, I'm just rolling in Trek stuff atm, which is a lovely place to be.
Snowflake Challenge #6, sort of
Jan. 21st, 2026 02:29 pmpensnestWell. This post is inspired by the relevant Snowflake Challenge, but does not conform to it.
You see, the 6th Snowflake Challenge this year asks for my Top Ten somethings. And that's really hard to do. Top ten books? Impossible. If I kept lists and records of everything I've read and ranked each book, maybe, but lists and records? Me? Ditto songs. Can't do top ten musicals either. I would need a smaller pool from which to draw!
This is where inspiration struck. My socks! I have many fun pairs of socks, most of which were knitted for me by the wonderfulturlough. There are of course others: the ordinary socks, like the long plum-coloured ones that go with my dark red dress, and the plain black ones for concerts. And there are the slightly more fun socks with 'art' on them, like the yellow 'Klimt' ones or the grey ones with 'The Scream' depicted around the ankle.
But the socks of which I speak are the superior socks from my selection. And even then, I cannot readily pick a Top Ten.
So I decided not to do a Top Ten after all. Instead, I shall show you my favourite baker's dozen pairs of socks, and invite you to select your Top Three. Here are the socks.
To expand, click. Meanwhile,
Top pic, top row, left to right:
1 green, yellow, purple, teal stripes in a zig zag. Cheerful, interestingly textured, and perfectly comfortable
2 Gryffindor socks! very comfortable
3 red with leaf pattern, lovely lace design, a couple of stitches too long in the foot for perfect fit
4 the zig zag socks are more of a magenta pic than shows up in the photo, fabulously pink!
5 woodland stripes in a funky design, comfortable and fun
Bottom row, left to right
6 lovely orange socks with great cable section in the middle, pity it gets hidden in shoes. I am wearing them right now.
7 Cheerful red, blue, purple and green stripes, an older favourite
8 Fraternal socks, bought, not gifted byturlough, comfy though a teensy bit long, and I like the one with the black toe more than the one with the red toe!
9 Llama socks, bought at Royal Norfolk Show. Knee length, useful under dresses
10 Sheep socks, ditto, but not quite as adorable as llamas!
Double picture:
11 pink and purple striped socks, lovely design, good fit, alas that I have worn through the toe and darned badly.
12 Sloth socks! The sloths are rather bigger than I had bargained for, but they actually don't get in the way as they clutch the fronts of my ankles, and they occasioned great amusement at my recent rehearsal.
Individual picture:
13 purple socks with cable design on the outside of each foot. Love these, very comfortable
So. Which ones would you pick as your Top Three?
You see, the 6th Snowflake Challenge this year asks for my Top Ten somethings. And that's really hard to do. Top ten books? Impossible. If I kept lists and records of everything I've read and ranked each book, maybe, but lists and records? Me? Ditto songs. Can't do top ten musicals either. I would need a smaller pool from which to draw!
This is where inspiration struck. My socks! I have many fun pairs of socks, most of which were knitted for me by the wonderful
turlough. There are of course others: the ordinary socks, like the long plum-coloured ones that go with my dark red dress, and the plain black ones for concerts. And there are the slightly more fun socks with 'art' on them, like the yellow 'Klimt' ones or the grey ones with 'The Scream' depicted around the ankle. But the socks of which I speak are the superior socks from my selection. And even then, I cannot readily pick a Top Ten.
So I decided not to do a Top Ten after all. Instead, I shall show you my favourite baker's dozen pairs of socks, and invite you to select your Top Three. Here are the socks.
To expand, click. Meanwhile,
Top pic, top row, left to right:
1 green, yellow, purple, teal stripes in a zig zag. Cheerful, interestingly textured, and perfectly comfortable
2 Gryffindor socks! very comfortable
3 red with leaf pattern, lovely lace design, a couple of stitches too long in the foot for perfect fit
4 the zig zag socks are more of a magenta pic than shows up in the photo, fabulously pink!
5 woodland stripes in a funky design, comfortable and fun
Bottom row, left to right
6 lovely orange socks with great cable section in the middle, pity it gets hidden in shoes. I am wearing them right now.
7 Cheerful red, blue, purple and green stripes, an older favourite
8 Fraternal socks, bought, not gifted by
turlough, comfy though a teensy bit long, and I like the one with the black toe more than the one with the red toe!9 Llama socks, bought at Royal Norfolk Show. Knee length, useful under dresses
10 Sheep socks, ditto, but not quite as adorable as llamas!
Double picture:
11 pink and purple striped socks, lovely design, good fit, alas that I have worn through the toe and darned badly.
12 Sloth socks! The sloths are rather bigger than I had bargained for, but they actually don't get in the way as they clutch the fronts of my ankles, and they occasioned great amusement at my recent rehearsal.
Individual picture:
13 purple socks with cable design on the outside of each foot. Love these, very comfortable
So. Which ones would you pick as your Top Three?
The Pitt: i want to be the one patrolling your border by Lirazel
Jan. 20th, 2026 12:50 pmfalena posting in fancakeThis is my first time posting here, hope I'm doing it right
Fandom: The Pitt
Pairings/Characters: Mel King/Frank Langdon
Rating: Explicit
Length: 15,986
Creator Links: Lirazel on Ao3, lirazel
Theme: Crack treated seriously, (not really) unrequited love, (something) made them do it, sex pollen
Summary:
There are all kinds of protocols in place to prevent this sort of thing, but of course they mean exactly nothing when faced with the reality of emergency medicine.
Frank and Trinity both complain that Mel has no sense of self-preservation, but she’s actually a very careful and responsible person. Despite what they say, she never puts herself in danger if she can help it, she feels that she makes level-headed decisions even under pressure, and even if she usually finds people hard to read, she’s read The Gift of Fear and is pretty sure she can tell when someone has actually malicious intent.
Pretty sure until, with no warning at all, a patient—Griffin Jackson, white male, 27, complaining of chest pains—pulls out a tiny jar of neon-yellow powder and pops off the top.
Reccer's note: This is a classic fandom trope (sex pollen) treated seriously. Mel and Frank are just co-workers in canon, but in canon it's obvious they have a connection and this fic explores how much they might grow to mean to each other, and it does so while keeping them (and all other characters that appear) tremendously in character. The sex is, of course, very hot too. :D And the fic also does consent right!
Fanwork Links: i want to be the one patrolling your border
Mods, we need a tag for The Pitt and the pairing too maybe, please? Thank you.
Oh, the memories
Jan. 20th, 2026 02:36 ammickeymMatthew decided he wanted to watch Star Trek. Our DVD collection extends to Enterprise, and Voyager (for series), and he chose Voyager. I have fond memories of my earliest pairing interest, before I was consumed by slash pairings: Janeway/Paris and Janeway/Chakotay. And on a really good day, Janeway/Chakotay/Paris. :D
If I'm remembering correctly, The Sentinel and Voyager aired on the same night. I can't remember which was first, but I do remember it being a couple hours of pretty good TV.
X-posted to Livejournal and Dreamwidth; read/comment where you choose.
If I'm remembering correctly, The Sentinel and Voyager aired on the same night. I can't remember which was first, but I do remember it being a couple hours of pretty good TV.
X-posted to Livejournal and Dreamwidth; read/comment where you choose.