Life Continues... Interrupted
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 14:11 "Ope, Gotta Go!"
My family has been hearing me say that a lot. Though, so far, both of the MONARCA calls for observers that I answered ended up to be false alarms. This morning there was a sighting of a forced entry not far from me on Fairview and Wellesley, which turned out to be real police on actual lawful business.I stood around with neighbors waiting for the official all clear. Until that comes in, people just keep streaming in, so a bunch of us agreed to stand by and wave people off.
Y'all? A lot of people kept showing up.
It was incredibly heartening.
I was glad to be there, but I also need to remember to pace myself. The unfortunate truth is, ICE isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I would like them to GTFO right now? But, that doesn't seem likely at the moment. So, I need to take time to breathe. Pick my battles--maybe even pick a day to battle, a singular day of the week--because dishes still need to be done, food needs to be made and consumed, and gods know the laundry doesn't do itself. Probably a shower and hydration are also important?
My regular D&D group was supposed to meet today. I'm a little sad that we didn't because just getting on with things, including things that spark joy, is also extremely important right now. But I can also understand how maybe pretending to be "murder hobos" isn't exactly hitting right this week for some folks. Our group actually isn't very murder-y? In fact, we were poised to rescue some folks, but, again, I get it. Still? We're going to need to figure out how to just carry on, especially considering that 2026 seems poised to be a continuation of the very worst timeline.
Ugh.
Well, speaking of, I should probably go do the dishes.
My family has been hearing me say that a lot. Though, so far, both of the MONARCA calls for observers that I answered ended up to be false alarms. This morning there was a sighting of a forced entry not far from me on Fairview and Wellesley, which turned out to be real police on actual lawful business.I stood around with neighbors waiting for the official all clear. Until that comes in, people just keep streaming in, so a bunch of us agreed to stand by and wave people off.
Y'all? A lot of people kept showing up.
It was incredibly heartening.
I was glad to be there, but I also need to remember to pace myself. The unfortunate truth is, ICE isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I would like them to GTFO right now? But, that doesn't seem likely at the moment. So, I need to take time to breathe. Pick my battles--maybe even pick a day to battle, a singular day of the week--because dishes still need to be done, food needs to be made and consumed, and gods know the laundry doesn't do itself. Probably a shower and hydration are also important?
My regular D&D group was supposed to meet today. I'm a little sad that we didn't because just getting on with things, including things that spark joy, is also extremely important right now. But I can also understand how maybe pretending to be "murder hobos" isn't exactly hitting right this week for some folks. Our group actually isn't very murder-y? In fact, we were poised to rescue some folks, but, again, I get it. Still? We're going to need to figure out how to just carry on, especially considering that 2026 seems poised to be a continuation of the very worst timeline.
Ugh.
Well, speaking of, I should probably go do the dishes.
Snowflake Challenge: day 5
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 19:51
In your own space, create a list of at least three things you'd love to receive, a wishlist of sorts.
Hmm, well, nobody can give me leisure time or sleep, so I can't guarantee that I'll be able to follow up on any of the following in a timely fashion, but:
1. I got a mini ice cream maker for Christmas, so I'd love some ice cream or sorbet recipes.
2. Travel tips for Lyon or Montpellier, which we'll be visiting next month.
3. Not recs as such, because they don't need to be tailored to me, but tell me about a book or a fic you've enjoyed recently.
4. Art for any of my fics.
Tampopo (1985)
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 11:54A quirky, stylish, and emotional Japanese movie about food, a woman determined make the best ramen she can, and also, in its own way, a Western, as a handsome drifter rides into town, starts a (noodle) bar fight, and shakes up the complacent townsfolk. This was wild and wonderful. It mainly focuses on the owner of the ramen shop—the titular Tampopo—and the band of weirdos she accrues to help her improve her cooking and her business, but while it's doing that it also weaves in short vignettes about the ways other people connect with, and through, food. Recommended!
Contains: lingering shots of food and people eating, first person dentistry (root canal), a murder, two fistfights, some of the weakest bullying I've ever seen on film (almost hilariously so), and a sex scene that incorporates—among other things—live prawns.
Contains: lingering shots of food and people eating, first person dentistry (root canal), a murder, two fistfights, some of the weakest bullying I've ever seen on film (almost hilariously so), and a sex scene that incorporates—among other things—live prawns.
Beefy grandad
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 19:48
angelofthenorth's new flat is really nice! I can see why she's so excited about it.
Moving is happening gently: she and Mr. Smith are still here for a couple more days, which is good; it'd be weird to lose them all at once!
After sleeping like shit, making it to the first transgym lift club in a month, then helping her move in and eating a whole pizza that I usually get two or three meals out of, I have been ready for bed ever since I ate dinner; it's still not even eight o'clock.
Tech Woe
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 14:35The new DVD/BluRay arrived today! Great service from Best Buy! It arrived before today's watchalong! I could tell pulling it out of the box that it is much nicer than the cheap-ish one that I returned.
However, my research was somehow incorrect and it is not multi-region for DVDs. It worked fine with an American DVD. I haven't tested the BluRay yet - I think I only have one, that came packaged with a DVD of the same movie.
I did not scream. I get a sticker, right? Because I didn't scream or cry?
Possibly the DVD region can be hacked, but I don't have the right sort of universal programmable remote to do that. A problem for another day.
So it's back to the little old tv and portable player to watch British DVDs. Sigh. It's not the end of the world.
However, my research was somehow incorrect and it is not multi-region for DVDs. It worked fine with an American DVD. I haven't tested the BluRay yet - I think I only have one, that came packaged with a DVD of the same movie.
I did not scream. I get a sticker, right? Because I didn't scream or cry?
Possibly the DVD region can be hacked, but I don't have the right sort of universal programmable remote to do that. A problem for another day.
So it's back to the little old tv and portable player to watch British DVDs. Sigh. It's not the end of the world.
[ SECRET POST #6945 ]
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 14:36⌈ Secret Post #6945 ⌋
Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.
01.

( More! )
Notes:
Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 54 secrets from Secret Submission Post #992.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
[ SECRET SUBMISSIONS POST #993 ]
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 14:31[ SECRET SUBMISSIONS POST #993 ]
The first secret from this batch will be posted on January 17th.
The first secret from this batch will be posted on January 17th.
| RULES: 1. One secret link per comment. 2. 750x750 px or smaller. 3. Link directly to the image. More details on how to send a secret in! Optional: If you would like your secret's fandom to be noted in the main post along with the secret itself, please put it in the comment along with your secret. If your secret makes the fandom obvious, there's no need to do this. If your fandom is obscure, you should probably tell me what it is. Optional #2: If you would like WARNINGS (such as spoilers or common triggers -- list of some common ones here) to be noted in the main post before the secret itself, please put it in the comment along with your secret. Optional #3: If you would like a transcript to be posted along with your secret, put it along with the link in the comment! |
Admin Post: Membership PSA
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Make sure you updated your server nickname to include your GYWO username. More information about our Discord server and changing your nickname is available here.
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(no subject)
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 13:22My house has been on the market for a month or so. The real estate agent has been holding open houses every weekend and there have been lots of views at the listing on Zillow, but so far it hasn't sold. Someone made an offer at the beginning of January but it was $50,000 below the asking price so we decided not to accept since it was the first offer we'd had and we wanted to see if we would get any better offers as we move through winter and into spring. Then yesterday the agent said he would like to drop the asking price by $15,000, so I somewhat reluctantly agreed. The house is starting to feel like an albatross and I just want it gone. Also I've discovered that my Medicare payments could dramatically increase if I sell it more than two years after S's death, so it would be better if it sells within the next six months.
It's a dull dreary day today, damp but not raining right now. I used the rebounder for 45 minutes rather than going for a walk outside.
I happened to see something online - someone's tips for 10 things she has done to improve her health, and one of the things was to use a rebounder for 5 minutes a day. I guess 5 minutes is better than nothing, but it seems ludicrously little to me. However, a quick google search tells me that someone who is new to rebounding should start with 5 to 10 minutes of uncomplicated bouncing per day and work up to 20 minutes or more with more complex and more intense movements. I do longer workouts but keep it fairly simple and low impact, and it still gets my heart rate up fairly quickly.
It's a dull dreary day today, damp but not raining right now. I used the rebounder for 45 minutes rather than going for a walk outside.
I happened to see something online - someone's tips for 10 things she has done to improve her health, and one of the things was to use a rebounder for 5 minutes a day. I guess 5 minutes is better than nothing, but it seems ludicrously little to me. However, a quick google search tells me that someone who is new to rebounding should start with 5 to 10 minutes of uncomplicated bouncing per day and work up to 20 minutes or more with more complex and more intense movements. I do longer workouts but keep it fairly simple and low impact, and it still gets my heart rate up fairly quickly.
Snowflake Challenge 2026 #5: wishes~!
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 12:31Didn't get to do this one earlier thanks to working late yesterday 😒 but hey, I have a few minutes to scribble this out now

Challenge #5
In your own space, create a list of at least three things you'd love to receive, a wishlist of sorts.
( Read more... )

Challenge #5
In your own space, create a list of at least three things you'd love to receive, a wishlist of sorts.
( Read more... )
You Win Or You Die: An Heirs of the Dragon LARP Report
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 09:09At the beginning of December I participated in a LARP called Heirs of the Dragon. This LARP, inspired by George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novels, was set at the Great Council of 101AC, 180 years before the events of the main book series and 30 years before the Dance of the Dragons. The LARP took place in its own timeline, such that the events of the LARP did not necessarily have to be consistent with those of any book or TV show set at a later time.
This was an "international blockbuster LARP," meaning that it had a large cast (130 players), a highly detailed and immersive setting (the marvelous Czocha Castle in Poland, which dates to the 13th century and has hosted many a LARP), magnificent costumes (provided by the players), and prewritten characters. It's one of the best LARPs I have played, although I did have a few issues, most of which I would ascribe to myself as a player.

This report will include SPOILERS for the game. Be warned!
( Read more... )

This was an "international blockbuster LARP," meaning that it had a large cast (130 players), a highly detailed and immersive setting (the marvelous Czocha Castle in Poland, which dates to the 13th century and has hosted many a LARP), magnificent costumes (provided by the players), and prewritten characters. It's one of the best LARPs I have played, although I did have a few issues, most of which I would ascribe to myself as a player.

This report will include SPOILERS for the game. Be warned!
( Read more... )

Credit to Charmed Plume and Wonderlarp for the LARP and Rekografia for the photos.
"remember the day we first met?" (Weekly TV reviews)
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 11:34This week: Minami joins the Zeztz team and Kosei says thank you to Sorato
I wasn't going to use an Ultraman Omega quote today because next week is the final episode, but this one was just so good, I had to!
Spoilers, as always, below. And one image in the Zeztz review!
Kamen Rider Zeztz (episode 16)
( Read more... )
Ultraman Omega (episode 24)
( Read more... )
I wasn't going to use an Ultraman Omega quote today because next week is the final episode, but this one was just so good, I had to!
Spoilers, as always, below. And one image in the Zeztz review!
Kamen Rider Zeztz (episode 16)
( Read more... )
Ultraman Omega (episode 24)
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 15:47Rosie sent out a message on Tuesday night that due to the weather, she was only going to do the exercise part of class on Wednesday, as it was too cold to sit for the talk for an hour. The part of the gym we use does have heating, but class starts at 9am, and it's a big hall with huge windows that we use, so no way would it have been heated enough for sitting around.
So, that's exactly what happened, I slip-slided down with James and for ages we were the only people who turned up. Then three other hardy souls turned up, and it was a nice, quiet class. Though, after the main exercise part, Rosie said we were going to do a finisher before cool down. The finisher turned out to be a version of this. I did not know about the Bring Sally Up squat challenge, I feel my life was better when I didn't know.
After class, we drove my friend home as the pavements were horribly icy, then onto my SiL's because we were taking my MiL's clothes to a charity shop, then from there, went to a florist to order some flowers. While there's going to be no actual service, the funeral director said flowers could still go into the garden of remembrance after, so it felt right to order some.
Thursday, James went with my SiL to close down bank accounts, while I stayed home as my brother was coming over to do a couple of jobs for us. He moved the front step rail so it was actually attached to the steps, and not the ground, so James could actually reach it easily, and also attached some cat things to the living room wall. So, next to the cat tower they now have a high up hammock, a set of stairs and some steps. I thought they'd be straight up there exploring, especially Kevin, but so far all they'd done is stand on the steps.
It was good to spend some time with my brother, and we ended up having long conversations about many things.
Yesterday it was still very cold, but the snow had mostly melted, so I headed to Durham with James for a quick walk. Sadly, while there I saw one of my favourite charity shops, the one where every item of clothing was £1, was closing for good that day. Because of that they didn't have much stock in terms of clothes, but they did have books which they were selling for 5 for £1. I swear, I'll never get through my to-read pile at this rate.
Then today a delivery is due. It had a time frame of 7am to 7pm, but the company said they'd text with a four-hour window. Which they did, sending the message just after 7, saying our delivery window was 2-6, which is typical after getting up so early. But, the delivery guy phoned about 30 mins away saying he'd be about an hour, so the waiting will soon be over.
So, that's exactly what happened, I slip-slided down with James and for ages we were the only people who turned up. Then three other hardy souls turned up, and it was a nice, quiet class. Though, after the main exercise part, Rosie said we were going to do a finisher before cool down. The finisher turned out to be a version of this. I did not know about the Bring Sally Up squat challenge, I feel my life was better when I didn't know.
After class, we drove my friend home as the pavements were horribly icy, then onto my SiL's because we were taking my MiL's clothes to a charity shop, then from there, went to a florist to order some flowers. While there's going to be no actual service, the funeral director said flowers could still go into the garden of remembrance after, so it felt right to order some.
Thursday, James went with my SiL to close down bank accounts, while I stayed home as my brother was coming over to do a couple of jobs for us. He moved the front step rail so it was actually attached to the steps, and not the ground, so James could actually reach it easily, and also attached some cat things to the living room wall. So, next to the cat tower they now have a high up hammock, a set of stairs and some steps. I thought they'd be straight up there exploring, especially Kevin, but so far all they'd done is stand on the steps.
It was good to spend some time with my brother, and we ended up having long conversations about many things.
Yesterday it was still very cold, but the snow had mostly melted, so I headed to Durham with James for a quick walk. Sadly, while there I saw one of my favourite charity shops, the one where every item of clothing was £1, was closing for good that day. Because of that they didn't have much stock in terms of clothes, but they did have books which they were selling for 5 for £1. I swear, I'll never get through my to-read pile at this rate.
Then today a delivery is due. It had a time frame of 7am to 7pm, but the company said they'd text with a four-hour window. Which they did, sending the message just after 7, saying our delivery window was 2-6, which is typical after getting up so early. But, the delivery guy phoned about 30 mins away saying he'd be about an hour, so the waiting will soon be over.
story out!
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 09:24I know I still owe some comments on my year-end book post (I'm really enjoying the discussions there! it's just been busy) but I wanted to let you all know that I have a story out! Actually, this one is a first for me: it's a graphic story! When I sent them my prose story about a post-post-apocalyptic soil remediation robot and the various lives of the polluted valley around it, they asked if I would be interested in adapting it to a script for an artist to create a graphic story from, and of course I was. It was a very cool experience, and I'm so impressed with Xiang Yata's art (done impressively fast, no less).
You can check out The Valley in Thaw here, and the whole issue at www.tractorbeam.earth.
You can check out The Valley in Thaw here, and the whole issue at www.tractorbeam.earth.
Snowflake Challenges 4 & 5
Saturday, January 10th, 2026 06:50
Challenge #4:
Rec The Contents Of Your Last Page: Any website that you like, be it fanfiction, art, social media, or something a bit more eccentric!
I do (semi) regular link lists, and thought about dumping one here, but then I saw this video, and wanted to talk about it.
I braced for CW-core melodrama in space and instead got a Star Trek show that actually understands Star Trek.
Context on where I am with modern TV Star Trek, the TL;DR being: "Too old and tired to deal with this shit."
I remember watching the first two episodes of Star Trek: Picard, and deciding, "I don't have the energy to be angry at Star Trek." Which was similar to how I felt about pretty much everything in January of 2020, to be fair. But the feeling specific to Star Trek has stuck, and I haven't kept up with any of the modern shows. We did watch part of the first season of Discovery, and I enjoyed later episodes more than my first impression of the pilot (which I loathed). But then I just never cared enough to go back to it.I probably should've watched Prodigy, which was more my speed (it sounds like, being a Voyager girl growing up). Then I bounced off Lower Decks, both tonally and in animation style. And I felt the same sort of continuity exhaustion towards Strange New Worlds as I do towards all of Star Wars and most of the MCU at this point.
(For the reboot movies: Enjoyed the first one, have forgotten every single thing about the second one, adored the third one, but then Anton died, and they never made any more. Tentatively interested in whatever the reboot of the reboot will be.)
This looks like something I might enjoy! I hope it doesn't rely too much on continuity from season three of Discovery, but otherwise I like the cast, I'm willing to put up with overly-hormonal youth, and I'd just... it'd be nice not to be angry at Star Trek for a change.
A few quibbles with the video:
- Not personal to me, but if you're loving the current era of Trek... Jessie very much is not, and may harsh your mellow.
- It's probably not as spoiler free as some people use with that term, but it didn't really give away any plot details.
- I basically listened to it as a podcast, because while I very much enjoy Jessie's face, there's a lot of b-roll that's just the trailers over and over? Which I guess is a youtube thing.
But overall I liked her video! I will be tuning in to the new show.
AND THEN I SAW THIS VIDEO, so you get some Raye, too.
Challenge #5:
In your own space, create a list of at least three things you'd love to receive, a wishlist of sorts.
I'm not really active in transformative works fandom right now (brain full, no room), but here's a couple broad wishes for rainbow chasers.
1. Copying a bunch of people asking for help with
2. Tell me your favourite album last year. Not song, full album you can listen to end to end. The album doesn't have to have come out in 2025; it can be from another year, and it was just your favourite to listen to in 2025.
3. Tell me your favourite tiny detail about your blorbo, and why you like it. Don't worry if I know/like your canon. I just want to roll around in some fandom positivity. Alternately, a small joke or funny moment from your blorbo's show (or novel, or whatever).
E.g.: this is more of a canon beat, but the thing in "Mr. Rowl" where everyone keeps mistaking the heroine's dad for the Duke of Wellington cracks me up every time I think of it.
ETA: 4. If you use Discord, please go fill out this survey and tell them to put AI integration where the Sun will never see it: We're exploring how people feel about AI—tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot—and what they'd want (or not want) from AI in Discord.
ETA 2: Survey appears to be down. Not sure if it got overloaded. Or if Discord decided they don't want user input after all. Or what. Let me know if it comes back on.