Jan. 26th, 2026 09:10 pm
like a dream within a dream
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
somedayseattleHHHHOOOOOLLLLLLLYYYYYYY SSSHHHIIIITTTTTBBBBBAAAALLLLLLSSSSS!!!!
Seahawks 31 Billygoats 27
We are heading to THE PROMISED LAND!
Super Bowl 60 !!!!
Seahawks 31 Billygoats 27
We are heading to THE PROMISED LAND!
Super Bowl 60 !!!!
Science
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:16 pmysabetwordsmithThe magnetic secret inside steel finally explained
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
And there's a hint about one way that secret but mundane smithcraft, as well as magical or superpowered manipulation of materials and forces, can create objects that work better.
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
And there's a hint about one way that secret but mundane smithcraft, as well as magical or superpowered manipulation of materials and forces, can create objects that work better.
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 26
Jan. 26th, 2026 10:12 pmtrobadoraHi! Someone please tell me where I can buy some extra hours for my days ...
I'm a bit behind on a few things, and nothing is going very quickly, but I'm catching up! This week will be busy both at work and otherwise, but my schedule should be regular again overall, and check-in posts should go up at the usual time.
(I also haven't done this week's Guardian rewatch yet, but soon, I hope!)
Yesterday's and today's writing
Some much too slow writing yesterday; an alibi paragraph for today. Faster and more substantial writing tomorrow, I hope, because the next deadline is close ...
Tally
( Days 1-20 )
Day 21:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme
Day 22:badly_knitted, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora
Day 23:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora
Day 24:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora
Day 25:badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora
Day 26:china_shop, trobadora
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
I'm a bit behind on a few things, and nothing is going very quickly, but I'm catching up! This week will be busy both at work and otherwise, but my schedule should be regular again overall, and check-in posts should go up at the usual time.
(I also haven't done this week's Guardian rewatch yet, but soon, I hope!)
Yesterday's and today's writing
Some much too slow writing yesterday; an alibi paragraph for today. Faster and more substantial writing tomorrow, I hope, because the next deadline is close ...
Tally
( Days 1-20 )
Day 21:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilmeDay 22:
badly_knitted, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadoraDay 23:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadoraDay 24:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, trobadoraDay 25:
badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadoraDay 26:
china_shop, trobadoraLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
insert pithy quote here
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:05 pmdonutsweeperOk, I am not going to lock this post. I will put it behind a cut though since I totally understand not wanting to read about any of this. ( Post about ICE in MN )
Stay safe out there, both to those affected by the current weather craziness and the general *waves hand at the world today* craziness.
Stay safe out there, both to those affected by the current weather craziness and the general *waves hand at the world today* craziness.
(no subject)
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:59 pmwaterswordIs it possible to post about planning my big trip later this year, and how beautiful the park looks in the snow, and the pistachio biscotti I baked, while Minnesota is under siege by the federal government, who have hired thugs qualified only to lick freezing-cold metal poles?
I hung some calligraphic art yesterday, which has Pirkei Avot 2:16 on it, right next to my desk, where I can see it every day as I email my reps Carthago delenda est ICE and DHS must be abolished.
And that's a wrap!
Jan. 26th, 2026 11:38 amsholio posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
biggleseventsAuthors are now revealed, so you can link to your fic, repost it, and talk about it wherever you like. We had a really great exchange this year - with 24 fics for only 12 people signed up, everyone wrote their hearts out!
I hope the whole fandom had a great time, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible back next year for Biggles Holiday Airdrop 2026.
I hope the whole fandom had a great time, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible back next year for Biggles Holiday Airdrop 2026.
Warm Heart #20 [Starfall]
Jan. 26th, 2026 08:27 pmthisbluespirit posting in rainbowficName: Loose Ends
Story: Starfall
Colors: Warm Heart #20 (Conceit)
Supplies and Styles: Giftwrap + Thread
Word Count: 1788
Rating: PG
Warnings: None.
Notes: 1313, Portcallan; Leion Valerno, Tess Hyan. Continues on soon after Against the Flow.
Summary: Leion makes some enquiries.
( Loose Ends )
Story: Starfall
Colors: Warm Heart #20 (Conceit)
Supplies and Styles: Giftwrap + Thread
Word Count: 1788
Rating: PG
Warnings: None.
Notes: 1313, Portcallan; Leion Valerno, Tess Hyan. Continues on soon after Against the Flow.
Summary: Leion makes some enquiries.
( Loose Ends )
What Am I Reading Wednesday - January 28
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:34 pmlebateleurI managed to finish two books this week despite the competing pressures of work, gaming, and other socializing, and aim to have a few more honkers wrapped up within the next few days.
What I Finished Reading This Week
Mannaz – Malene Sølvsten
Freya the Deer – Meg Richman
What I Am Currently Reading
The Dog Stars – Peter Heller
The Stations of the Sun - Ronald Hutton
The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish vol. 1 – Xue Shan Fei Hu
What I’m Reading Next
I acquired no new books this week.
これで以上です。
What I Finished Reading This Week
Mannaz – Malene Sølvsten
Freya the Deer – Meg Richman
What I Am Currently Reading
The Dog Stars – Peter Heller
The Stations of the Sun - Ronald Hutton
The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish vol. 1 – Xue Shan Fei Hu
What I’m Reading Next
I acquired no new books this week.
これで以上です。
Maybe get people to sign up to the Organ Donor register instead?
Jan. 26th, 2026 07:59 pmoursinMy feeling, on finding somebody who is apparently a reader in political theory at a well-respected institution of Teh Highah Learninz positing this, is that he may have read a lot of political theory, poor lamb, but maybe he should spend some time with dystopian science fiction if he's going to contemplate these sort of questions.
I suppose, with the Organ Donation register, there is an issue that a) it is Opt-In and b) presumably by the time many people reach that state when their organs come up for donation, those organs are probably past their Best Before date.
(I just now, in connection with an entirely unrelated transaction with a government body, was solicited to sign up with the Organ Donation Register. Already have, thanks, if anyone will want my tired old organs when the time comes.)
And on the intrusion of Commerce into this matter, has this person considered the sorts of things that have been happening - only, one admits, affecting the bodies of wymmynz? - over selling their eggs, or being surrogates, and the stories one hears are Not Pretty.
He might also consider Richard Titmuss' famous 1970 work The Gift Relationship: From Human Blood to Social Policy on blood donation:
[T]he author compares blood donation in the US and UK, contrasting the British system of reliance on voluntary donors to the American one in which the blood supply is in the hands of for-profit enterprises, concluding that a system based on altruism is both safer and more economically efficient.
(Also I am not sure about his understanding of the dynamics at play here:
In the 18th century, for example, some viewed being paid to sing as akin to prostitution, and professional opera singers, particularly women, could be deemed morally suspect. At that time, therefore, it might have seemed appropriate to subject professional singing to legal strictures, just like prostitution.
I really think this was - dependent upon local legal systems of course, but, really, don't get me started on that - much more about social stigma. Which adhered to publicly performing women for a lot longer, mate.)
(I'm also thinking - has this one cropped up on agonyaunt or have I seen it elsewhere - of that scenario in which member of a family - even an estranged member of family - is being heavyed into being a donor for a relative because they are A Match. Was it even child adopted but later traced?)
![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
snopes_feedPeople online shared the exact same screenshot of the alleged post, a clear indication it was a fabrication.
Animal Intelligence
Jan. 26th, 2026 02:02 pmysabetwordsmithThis video shows a cow performing versatile tool use to scratch herself with a broom. Note that cows are already enthusiastic tool users of equipment provided by humans, such as pressure-activated brushes and voluntary milking systems.
An interesting point that nobody has mentioned: cows have prehensile tongues. A prehensile appendage is any body part flexible and strong enough to grab or manipulate objects. Watch Veronica pick up the broom. She doesn't use her teeth or even her lips. She uses her tongue. Prehensility is actually a strong indicator of intelligence, because it allows a creature to lift, move, or use things much more effectively. Any time you see that feature, you should check for intelligence, because it is probably higher than average.
Want to play at home? If you have a cow, or know someone who does, then get a small broom like the one in the video. Use it a few times to groom the cow so she learns how useful it is. Then place it within her reach to see if she tries using it to scratch herself. This is probably more effective with just one or two cows, rather than a herd where they tend to groom each other's hard-to-reach spots. You can also watch cows that you see in other places.
An interesting point that nobody has mentioned: cows have prehensile tongues. A prehensile appendage is any body part flexible and strong enough to grab or manipulate objects. Watch Veronica pick up the broom. She doesn't use her teeth or even her lips. She uses her tongue. Prehensility is actually a strong indicator of intelligence, because it allows a creature to lift, move, or use things much more effectively. Any time you see that feature, you should check for intelligence, because it is probably higher than average.
Want to play at home? If you have a cow, or know someone who does, then get a small broom like the one in the video. Use it a few times to groom the cow so she learns how useful it is. Then place it within her reach to see if she tries using it to scratch herself. This is probably more effective with just one or two cows, rather than a herd where they tend to groom each other's hard-to-reach spots. You can also watch cows that you see in other places.
Airdrop!
Jan. 26th, 2026 08:10 pmphilomythaWe have had our annual Biggles Airdrop with 24 excellent fics to read, which considering only a dozen people were signed up suggests that the fandom's enthusiasm is still going strong.
I received two amazing gifts:
Odette, a von Zoyton-centric fic in which he provides a bitingly hilarious outsider perspective on von Stalhein's unhinged Biggles Obsession, with superb characterisation, glittering prose and EvS asking von Zoyton for flying lessons. 7000 words, background Biggles/EvS insanity about each other.
A New Life, a gorgeously written vignette looking at Fritz visiting his Uncle Erich later in canon, with a truly adorable surprise for him. 700 words, background Biggles/EvS.
And I wrote two fics:
Soft Landings (3000 words, gen), slight Hatchet AU where Algy is the first person to encounter von Stalhein.
dialogue for one voice (with chorus), (2000 words, Biggles/EvS/Marie as a work in progress), an additional scene from the ending of Looks Back, Marie sitting with Biggles in hospital.
And while this was not a gift for me, I do have to give honourable mention to International Relations, which is 15k of Marcel Brissac cheerfully fucking his way through everyone in Biggles's orbit starting with Raymond, and is a thing of beauty and a joy forever, and also makes it plain that Bertie has been talking to the fitters from 'The Raid'!
Many thanks tosholio and sheron for organising it all, I had a wonderful time!
I received two amazing gifts:
Odette, a von Zoyton-centric fic in which he provides a bitingly hilarious outsider perspective on von Stalhein's unhinged Biggles Obsession, with superb characterisation, glittering prose and EvS asking von Zoyton for flying lessons. 7000 words, background Biggles/EvS insanity about each other.
A New Life, a gorgeously written vignette looking at Fritz visiting his Uncle Erich later in canon, with a truly adorable surprise for him. 700 words, background Biggles/EvS.
And I wrote two fics:
Soft Landings (3000 words, gen), slight Hatchet AU where Algy is the first person to encounter von Stalhein.
dialogue for one voice (with chorus), (2000 words, Biggles/EvS/Marie as a work in progress), an additional scene from the ending of Looks Back, Marie sitting with Biggles in hospital.
And while this was not a gift for me, I do have to give honourable mention to International Relations, which is 15k of Marcel Brissac cheerfully fucking his way through everyone in Biggles's orbit starting with Raymond, and is a thing of beauty and a joy forever, and also makes it plain that Bertie has been talking to the fitters from 'The Raid'!
Many thanks to
sholio and sheron for organising it all, I had a wonderful time!(no subject)
Jan. 26th, 2026 12:02 pmolivermoss* There was a Torrent Takeover Watch Party at Sports Bra yesterday. Seattle was playing Vancouver in Denver, and sadly they lost. But, it was a cool event. The organizers had bingo cards for things that might happen during the game and also handed out Hillary Knight stickers.
There were people at the event I knew, but they were gathered at one table for someone's birthday party. I think one of them was inviting me to sit with them, but I am not joining in on the birthday party of someone I don't know. Maybe it would have been chill, but I've never seen that play out chill.
* This is a wild pull:
Olympic torch bearers have numbers, and they go in order. They put in Hudson in at #87... that's Sidney Crosby's number! Whomst did this? There is no way he was accidentally given the Sidcross number. Especially since he's one of those players who is very associated with his number, it's a whole thing.
* Goaltender Brandon Bussi needs a nickname to call him by. People need to stop trying to talk about how exactly the 'u' should be pronounced and whether his name sounds exactly like Bussy. Different parts of the North America have different vowel sounds and you can't push pronunciation nuance like that because some of those vowel sounds don't actually exist in some regions. Also, AFAIK sounding exactly like Bussy is the correct one, so trying to make Booosy or whatever happen is not going to happen.
Get him a nickname, or live with hearing about people trying to get into Bussy's crease for the next ten years. There is no fixing the situation by trying to push an unusual way to pronounce a vowel.
Signed, someone with unusual vowel sounds in their birth name. West coasters cannot pronounce my birth name the way I do, they don't differentiate between those two sounds, and I never want to have another conversation about it again as long as I live.
There were people at the event I knew, but they were gathered at one table for someone's birthday party. I think one of them was inviting me to sit with them, but I am not joining in on the birthday party of someone I don't know. Maybe it would have been chill, but I've never seen that play out chill.
* This is a wild pull:
Olympic torch bearers have numbers, and they go in order. They put in Hudson in at #87... that's Sidney Crosby's number! Whomst did this? There is no way he was accidentally given the Sidcross number. Especially since he's one of those players who is very associated with his number, it's a whole thing.
* Goaltender Brandon Bussi needs a nickname to call him by. People need to stop trying to talk about how exactly the 'u' should be pronounced and whether his name sounds exactly like Bussy. Different parts of the North America have different vowel sounds and you can't push pronunciation nuance like that because some of those vowel sounds don't actually exist in some regions. Also, AFAIK sounding exactly like Bussy is the correct one, so trying to make Booosy or whatever happen is not going to happen.
Get him a nickname, or live with hearing about people trying to get into Bussy's crease for the next ten years. There is no fixing the situation by trying to push an unusual way to pronounce a vowel.
Signed, someone with unusual vowel sounds in their birth name. West coasters cannot pronounce my birth name the way I do, they don't differentiate between those two sounds, and I never want to have another conversation about it again as long as I live.
Fitness Fellowship 2026: Week Four Check-in
Jan. 26th, 2026 02:34 pmsylvanwitchGreetings once again from the snowy north! We had a big storm roll through and drop a bunch of snow on us. It's quite wintery out there! We're expecting Arctic cold this week (literally, it's coming from the Arctic :-), so that ought to be interesting. For all that my region of New York State has been infamous for snow events and bad winter weather, the weather we've been getting for many years now is much less predictable than what we used to experience, and that's probably because Lake Erie gets and stays warmer than it used to, such that we have more wide open water for storms to pick up and dump on us as snow. (Note: The most recent storm was, refreshingly, not a lake effect event at all.) The Arctic cold we've had and will be having should take care of that, at any rate. Silver linings.
At any rate, there has been very little walking outdoors. The good news with proctoring exams (BORING) is that I get to pace up and down the aisles, so I got plenty of steps on proctoring days. The rest of the time, I made sure to use the elliptical, a purchase I am still so grateful I took the chance on a few years ago. I've certainly gotten my money's worth out of it!
So, as usual, please share how your fitness efforts have gone for the past week and any changes you're envisioning to your goals for the week ahead.
( My Week in Review )
I'm sending you lots of chill vibes (ha!) for the week ahead, friends!
At any rate, there has been very little walking outdoors. The good news with proctoring exams (BORING) is that I get to pace up and down the aisles, so I got plenty of steps on proctoring days. The rest of the time, I made sure to use the elliptical, a purchase I am still so grateful I took the chance on a few years ago. I've certainly gotten my money's worth out of it!
So, as usual, please share how your fitness efforts have gone for the past week and any changes you're envisioning to your goals for the week ahead.
( My Week in Review )
I'm sending you lots of chill vibes (ha!) for the week ahead, friends!
Fanfiction: Gone Astray (The Goes Wrong Show, Robert/Chris)
Jan. 26th, 2026 07:39 pmrionaleonhartHere's another Goes Wrong fic that grew out of a fill for the threesentenceficathon! All the fanfiction I've been writing has pushed Robert Grove from the fifth-most-tagged Goes Wrong Show character on AO3 up to third place, and I am drunk with power.
I think I might have accidentally written something cute. I promise this wasn't my intention.
Title: Gone Astray
Fandom: The Goes Wrong Show
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Robert/Chris
Wordcount: 3,000
Summary: After The Spirit of Christmas, someone has to get Robert home safely, and the role falls to an unwilling Chris.
( Gone Astray )
threesentenceficathon! All the fanfiction I've been writing has pushed Robert Grove from the fifth-most-tagged Goes Wrong Show character on AO3 up to third place, and I am drunk with power.I think I might have accidentally written something cute. I promise this wasn't my intention.
Title: Gone Astray
Fandom: The Goes Wrong Show
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Robert/Chris
Wordcount: 3,000
Summary: After The Spirit of Christmas, someone has to get Robert home safely, and the role falls to an unwilling Chris.
( Gone Astray )