Performing some traffic maintenance today
Mar. 14th, 2026 01:04 pm![[staff profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_staff.png){kind=small}
mark posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_maintenanceHappy Saturday!
I'm going to be doing a little maintenance today. It will likely cause a tiny interruption of service (specifically for www.dreamwidth.org) on the order of 2-3 minutes while some settings propagate. If you're on a journal page, that should still work throughout!
If it doesn't work, the rollback plan is pretty quick, I'm just toggling a setting on how traffic gets to the site. I'll update this post if something goes wrong, but don't anticipate any interruption to be longer than 10 minutes even in a rollback situation.
The Friday Five for 13 March 2026: Magical Questions
Mar. 12th, 2026 03:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anais_pf posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
thefridayfiveThese questions were suggested by spiralsheep.
1. Have you ever watched illusion magic? Close-up, or in a stage show, or on television? Did it work for you?
2. Have you ever wished on a star, or a lucky cat, or a coin in a wishing well? Did it work in some way?
3. Have you ever cast a spell, made a love charm, or tried a curse? Did it work in some way?
4. Are there any other traditional superstitions you pay attention to? Do they work in some way?
5. Would you want major magical powers like in a fantasy story? Which powers, and how would you use them?
Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.
If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!
spiralsheep.1. Have you ever watched illusion magic? Close-up, or in a stage show, or on television? Did it work for you?
2. Have you ever wished on a star, or a lucky cat, or a coin in a wishing well? Did it work in some way?
3. Have you ever cast a spell, made a love charm, or tried a curse? Did it work in some way?
4. Are there any other traditional superstitions you pay attention to? Do they work in some way?
5. Would you want major magical powers like in a fantasy story? Which powers, and how would you use them?
Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.
If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!
Admin, pie, ballet, HVAC and... ugh... travel coming up.
Mar. 6th, 2026 07:18 pmflexagonMonday still feels like a pretty reasonable day for "work" and admin catchup, so on Monday I did all the responsible things. Email, snail mail, finance getting on top of, that one phone call I'd been procrastinating. The works. Tuesday I mostly appliqued a T-shirt for the bug, using a few new techniques including a different presser foot (one with an open toe... wow, it helps a lot to see the needle path better). Wednesday was super social, with a handstand lesson and visiting friend, culminating with baking a blueberry pie with the squirrel. I think I like it that not every weekday is the same anymore.
The bug and I went to the Boston Ballet "Winter Experience" show; here's a one-minute teaser that shows a lot of the best parts. Bought the T-shirt, because the T-shirt was actually cool. I saw a family taking photos of each other holding up the program and thought that was pretty brilliant, for the sake of such things popping up as memories later, so I took a selfie. Will future me appreciate it? Who knows!
Tenants at Blue-Green place were only getting cold air out of their heat pump system. But I'm learning that sometimes HVAC components aren't broken, sometimes they're simply off. So, hoping something had just turned itself off during the recent cold snap, I successfully restarted the heat pump and it miraculously started working again! Yesssss. I am learning things about houses and successfully applying those things to save us all from having to call the pros. Victory, right? I thought so.
And... VR, haha! We're late adopters but the bug and I are now teaming up to pimp out our (refurbished, new to us) Meta Quest 3 headset. I wanted a better head strap, he wanted a better face piece, I'm reading about lens protection and have bought some things. I'm obviously going to game, probably a lot, but I'm also interested in VR apps for phobia exposure. There are a few options. I'm open to other ideas too... can I virtual-visit the Louvre without crowds? Walk through an orgy? Float through trippy candy-colored clouds? The squirrel has the same headset and we're going to try to play ping-pong and minigolf together, too.
Underneath is seething panic about my Montana trip, which is... tomorrow. I wrote most of the above on Friday. Today... eh. I keep freezing up, I stupidly flooded the bathroom earlier because I forgot water was running. I've just about given up on explaining why it's so bad to go there. No, I'm not WORRIED about something bad HAPPENING that might or might not HAPPEN. Yes everyone will be fine, yes my crew is going there too and that's likely to be a good shield, but I still have to be there and that's actually the plan. The nightmare is the plan. Me, I get to make other people happy and reset the clock on Montana visits and that's it. Birdie wanted to meet my dad, which seemed fair since I helped her to meet my mom, and there won't be a better chance than this year, so here we are. I just have to shower and force myself to do the last of the packing.
The bug and I went to the Boston Ballet "Winter Experience" show; here's a one-minute teaser that shows a lot of the best parts. Bought the T-shirt, because the T-shirt was actually cool. I saw a family taking photos of each other holding up the program and thought that was pretty brilliant, for the sake of such things popping up as memories later, so I took a selfie. Will future me appreciate it? Who knows!
Tenants at Blue-Green place were only getting cold air out of their heat pump system. But I'm learning that sometimes HVAC components aren't broken, sometimes they're simply off. So, hoping something had just turned itself off during the recent cold snap, I successfully restarted the heat pump and it miraculously started working again! Yesssss. I am learning things about houses and successfully applying those things to save us all from having to call the pros. Victory, right? I thought so.
And... VR, haha! We're late adopters but the bug and I are now teaming up to pimp out our (refurbished, new to us) Meta Quest 3 headset. I wanted a better head strap, he wanted a better face piece, I'm reading about lens protection and have bought some things. I'm obviously going to game, probably a lot, but I'm also interested in VR apps for phobia exposure. There are a few options. I'm open to other ideas too... can I virtual-visit the Louvre without crowds? Walk through an orgy? Float through trippy candy-colored clouds? The squirrel has the same headset and we're going to try to play ping-pong and minigolf together, too.
Underneath is seething panic about my Montana trip, which is... tomorrow. I wrote most of the above on Friday. Today... eh. I keep freezing up, I stupidly flooded the bathroom earlier because I forgot water was running. I've just about given up on explaining why it's so bad to go there. No, I'm not WORRIED about something bad HAPPENING that might or might not HAPPEN. Yes everyone will be fine, yes my crew is going there too and that's likely to be a good shield, but I still have to be there and that's actually the plan. The nightmare is the plan. Me, I get to make other people happy and reset the clock on Montana visits and that's it. Birdie wanted to meet my dad, which seemed fair since I helped her to meet my mom, and there won't be a better chance than this year, so here we are. I just have to shower and force myself to do the last of the packing.
Books and Telly
Mar. 7th, 2026 02:51 pmofearthandstarsI finally finished reading An Immense World by Ed Yong this morning. Part of me felt guilty for taking so long, but, well, the paperback version I purchased had ridiculously tiny print, so required reading with both reading glasses + reading light, and is not something I could simply lie down and absorb passively. Also, each chapter is so full of interesting research and covers several different species and their unique senses/Umwelts, and so it is definitely a book that requires a little bit of savoring and time for adsorption. It's Ed Yong, though, so it's accessible, and views the world with Delight, which is as it should be.
I also finished up Patchwork Dolls a little bit ago. I enjoyed it, the feel of it reminded me a lot of "Tales from the Loop", but with a bit of a feminist undertone. My book reviews are saved here.
Podcast wise, I am behind in everything, but still enjoying catching up on back episodes of WTNV while cleaning. One day I will be caught up (except they keep producing -- not that I'm complaining!) That said, the Weather in one of the episodes I heard today was absolutely stunning.
We are still watching "The Pitt" (♥ though the formula is predictable); "Reservation Dogs" (♥ adore, and genuinely funny); "Hacks" (decent); and "Tiny Beautiful Things" (not sure how I feel about this one yet). I'm also catching up on Grey's Anatomy (which, I know, okay, but I started that show by binging the first 8+ seasons while recovering from hip surgery and having to pass a lot of time on a stationary bike, and now I must just see it through). Also enjoying new episodes of "Bridgerton", and I do not care if L. refers to it as my smut, it is fancy woke Regency fantasy smut, and I will enjoy turning off my brain and letting myself enjoy the inanity of it all because...pretty flowers, pretty clothing, pretty peoples.
Anyhoo...the house is cleaned (~*\o/*~), the back porch is swept, and I have a little time to relax before this evening's festivities.
May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be content and at peace. ♥
FridayFive: Snow 'Nuff
Mar. 7th, 2026 10:21 amofearthandstarsFrom this week's thefridayfive:
thefridayfive:
1. Do you know of any other words for snow? What's your favourite and why?
The main other languages I know any of are Spanish, French, Italian, or German, so: nieve, neige, neve, or schnee. I think my favorite is just snow, though, if that's okay. The Spanish/French/Italian versions also elicit a sense of the quiet calm that comes with the event, though.
2. What's your ideal temperature range for winter?
40-56°F, with maybe a couple of days in the 20-30°F range. The cold makes me hurt.
3. Favourite winter activity? What about it makes it your favourite?
Probably making hot cocoa, because it's a special drink that everyone looks forward to, and can be a nice reward for any outdoor work. I also tend to bake more in winter, since it helps to warm the house, and we try to avoid using the oven as much as we can the rest of the year.
4. What are three things you can't do without when winter arrives?
Armwarmers, warm socks, a hot drink.
5. Do you have favourite winter holiday activities?
I love a bonfire, or even just a candle, burning through the solstice. I also love the clarity of the winter night sky, but I do not get out to enjoy stargazing as much as I used to.
The Friday Five for 6 March 2026
Mar. 5th, 2026 03:09 pmanais_pf posting in thefridayfiveThese questions were suggested by dray.
1. Do you know of any other words for snow? What's your favourite and why?
2. What's your ideal temperature range for winter?
3. Favourite winter activity? What about it makes it your favourite?
4. What are three things you can't do without when winter arrives?
5. Do you have favourite winter holiday activities?
Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.
If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!
**Remember that we rely on you, our members, to help keep the community going. Also, please remember to play nice. We are all here to answer the questions and have fun each week. We repost the questions exactly as the original posters submitted them and request that all questions be checked for spelling and grammatical errors before they're submitted. Comments re: the spelling and grammatical nature of the questions are not necessary. Honestly, any hostile, rude, petty, or unnecessary comments need not be posted, either.**
dray.1. Do you know of any other words for snow? What's your favourite and why?
2. What's your ideal temperature range for winter?
3. Favourite winter activity? What about it makes it your favourite?
4. What are three things you can't do without when winter arrives?
5. Do you have favourite winter holiday activities?
Copy and paste to your own journal, then reply to this post with a link to your answers. If your journal is private or friends-only, you can post your full answers in the comments below.
If you'd like to suggest questions for a future Friday Five, then do so on DreamWidth or LiveJournal. Old sets that were used have been deleted, so we encourage you to suggest some more!
**Remember that we rely on you, our members, to help keep the community going. Also, please remember to play nice. We are all here to answer the questions and have fun each week. We repost the questions exactly as the original posters submitted them and request that all questions be checked for spelling and grammatical errors before they're submitted. Comments re: the spelling and grammatical nature of the questions are not necessary. Honestly, any hostile, rude, petty, or unnecessary comments need not be posted, either.**
Media Roundup: Grumpy Foot Pain Edition
Mar. 5th, 2026 10:50 amforestofgloryThe last several days my foot has been extra painful and I have been very grumpy about it. It’s really unpleasant and I would like to stop being grumpy already. But I have been reading things while trying to rest my foot and distract myself so have some thoughts:
Ghost Circus written by Adrienne Kress art by Jade Zhang— MG graphic novel about, what else: a ghost circus. The story here didn’t really grab me, but I loved the art, especially of the circus performances. (content note: ghost kids, child in peril)
Lumberjanes, Vol. 15-20 by Shannon Watters, et al.— I have now read all of the main series of these! There’s still some extra stories and graphic novels to check out, but the main thing feels complete. Vol 19 where the campers decide to do one last thing before the end of camp was especially charming. The ending was a bit rushed but narratively satisfying. This whole series was very good and fun and I’m glad I came back to it and read the second half.
Gotham Academy Second Semester— The second Gotham Academy series. This one is all one long arc where the first one was more episodic. I didn’t like this quite as much as the first series, which I adored. Its a little bit darker and less fun. But I still love Maps and Olive and their friendship. I’m sad there aren’t more of these, but at least there are a few more stories where these characters show up for me to read. (Maps reminds me of very early Tim and I think it would be fun if they hung out, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.)
Batman, Vol. 6: Abyss by Joshua Williamson et al— I read this because it contains a story featuring Maps from Gotham Academy. That story was great! (Well except for the fact that some of the art of Japanese characters was bordering on racist caricature– that was not good at all!) The rest of it wasn’t bad– a little confusing because so much of it referenced other story lines and I have no idea what’s going on in comics this decade.
Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mensinga— A very sweet MG graphic novel about a girl who really wants a dragon egg. She lives in a world where fairies bring some girls dragon eggs – but it mostly runs in families and she isn’t from a “kindred” family. It’s set in Canada which confused me at first, but works for the vibe. The book says “volume 1” very prominently so I was a little worried that it would end on a cliffhanger but it's a complete story.
Ghost Circus written by Adrienne Kress art by Jade Zhang— MG graphic novel about, what else: a ghost circus. The story here didn’t really grab me, but I loved the art, especially of the circus performances. (content note: ghost kids, child in peril)
Lumberjanes, Vol. 15-20 by Shannon Watters, et al.— I have now read all of the main series of these! There’s still some extra stories and graphic novels to check out, but the main thing feels complete. Vol 19 where the campers decide to do one last thing before the end of camp was especially charming. The ending was a bit rushed but narratively satisfying. This whole series was very good and fun and I’m glad I came back to it and read the second half.
Gotham Academy Second Semester— The second Gotham Academy series. This one is all one long arc where the first one was more episodic. I didn’t like this quite as much as the first series, which I adored. Its a little bit darker and less fun. But I still love Maps and Olive and their friendship. I’m sad there aren’t more of these, but at least there are a few more stories where these characters show up for me to read. (Maps reminds me of very early Tim and I think it would be fun if they hung out, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.)
Batman, Vol. 6: Abyss by Joshua Williamson et al— I read this because it contains a story featuring Maps from Gotham Academy. That story was great! (Well except for the fact that some of the art of Japanese characters was bordering on racist caricature– that was not good at all!) The rest of it wasn’t bad– a little confusing because so much of it referenced other story lines and I have no idea what’s going on in comics this decade.
Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mensinga— A very sweet MG graphic novel about a girl who really wants a dragon egg. She lives in a world where fairies bring some girls dragon eggs – but it mostly runs in families and she isn’t from a “kindred” family. It’s set in Canada which confused me at first, but works for the vibe. The book says “volume 1” very prominently so I was a little worried that it would end on a cliffhanger but it's a complete story.