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Friday, July 25th, 2025 04:41 pm
Check out the awesome essay about 69 Accommodations: Working with disabilities, sensory issues, and sexual disorders.
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Friday, July 25th, 2025 04:28 pm
Indigenous-designed mural doubles as a giant solar power generator, reducing 150 tons of CO2 emissions annually
What if public art could also power an entire residential building?
The SunRise Building, an apartment complex in Alberta, Canada, has answered that question — and is now the title holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural on Earth.
[---8<---]
On the northern wall of the building is the main mural, called “The Land We Share,” which stands 85 feet tall, by the Edmonton-based Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal. The photovoltaic panels are strategically placed to depict a tribute to the First Nations and Chinese cultures that are integral to the history of the area.
More of this would be good. People often resist green energy projects because so many of those are eyesores. Make them beautiful, and they will become more popular.
What if public art could also power an entire residential building?
The SunRise Building, an apartment complex in Alberta, Canada, has answered that question — and is now the title holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural on Earth.
[---8<---]
On the northern wall of the building is the main mural, called “The Land We Share,” which stands 85 feet tall, by the Edmonton-based Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal. The photovoltaic panels are strategically placed to depict a tribute to the First Nations and Chinese cultures that are integral to the history of the area.
More of this would be good. People often resist green energy projects because so many of those are eyesores. Make them beautiful, and they will become more popular.
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Friday, July 25th, 2025 03:03 pm
Sunshine Revival Challenge 7: The Ferris Wheel
Journaling: Life in fandom goes through ups and downs. Reminisce about the "wild ride" of your time in fandom or in other online communities.
Creative: Create an image or a photo with the theme "let's go for a ride".
Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
( Read more... )
Journaling: Life in fandom goes through ups and downs. Reminisce about the "wild ride" of your time in fandom or in other online communities.
Creative: Create an image or a photo with the theme "let's go for a ride".
Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.
( Read more... )
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Friday, July 25th, 2025 01:15 pm
People unwilling to learn how to use computers should not be allowed to touch them. Or should have live in 24/7 IT Support.
Jackie, new girl, came out to the elbow to find me puzzling. "Susan, can you help me?" "I'll try, what do you need help with, Jackie?" "That IT guy installed Gmail on my computer and now all my Xfinity icons are missing."
It did not get any better. Once there, she waived her hand in front of the screen and asked Where are all my icons? She had clicked on Chrome. She had no bookmarks. I suggested she contact the guy who worked on her computer. "But he won't come today, it's Friday." She's actually probably right there. We logged into her Xfinity mail account and the situation did not get better.
What are the icons you are looking for? It would help if I had specifics of what they were. "All the things I go to every day."
Reminded me of the old gag - What's the Soup du Jour? Answer: Soup of the Day.
Although she clicks on these icons every day, she had no idea where or what she was clicking on - could not give me a clue. "It's all my important stuff." So, Jackie, easy to say in hind sight, but you might want to make a note of the specifics - if it's newspaper, what newspaper exactly. If it's a group, what group exactly. Then she started with the snark. "Those people (meaning the IT guy) aren't very responsive, are they? I put in a work order a week ago and he just came today."
Actually, not really his job to install stuff for her at all, that was very nice of him to do.
"So you won't help me." Yep, that's correct. "Jackie, I'm sorry, but I don't know your computer or how you have it set up to use. You need to go to whoever set it up for you originally or back to the guy who made changes."
AND get the fuck out of my face. I did notice, when I went into her apartment, that she had a jigsaw puzzle in progress in her den. I said a little prayer of thank you that she does not work our puzzles in the elbow.
Jackie, new girl, came out to the elbow to find me puzzling. "Susan, can you help me?" "I'll try, what do you need help with, Jackie?" "That IT guy installed Gmail on my computer and now all my Xfinity icons are missing."
It did not get any better. Once there, she waived her hand in front of the screen and asked Where are all my icons? She had clicked on Chrome. She had no bookmarks. I suggested she contact the guy who worked on her computer. "But he won't come today, it's Friday." She's actually probably right there. We logged into her Xfinity mail account and the situation did not get better.
What are the icons you are looking for? It would help if I had specifics of what they were. "All the things I go to every day."
Reminded me of the old gag - What's the Soup du Jour? Answer: Soup of the Day.
Although she clicks on these icons every day, she had no idea where or what she was clicking on - could not give me a clue. "It's all my important stuff." So, Jackie, easy to say in hind sight, but you might want to make a note of the specifics - if it's newspaper, what newspaper exactly. If it's a group, what group exactly. Then she started with the snark. "Those people (meaning the IT guy) aren't very responsive, are they? I put in a work order a week ago and he just came today."
Actually, not really his job to install stuff for her at all, that was very nice of him to do.
"So you won't help me." Yep, that's correct. "Jackie, I'm sorry, but I don't know your computer or how you have it set up to use. You need to go to whoever set it up for you originally or back to the guy who made changes."
AND get the fuck out of my face. I did notice, when I went into her apartment, that she had a jigsaw puzzle in progress in her den. I said a little prayer of thank you that she does not work our puzzles in the elbow.
Friday, July 25th, 2025 04:28 pm
Me: would you like to do this interview in-person, on Zoom, or over the phone?
Interviewee: Sounds good
Me: It's whatever you're comfortable with, so would you rather it be in-person? Or virtual?
Interviewee: Okay
Interviewee: Sounds good
Me: It's whatever you're comfortable with, so would you rather it be in-person? Or virtual?
Interviewee: Okay
Friday, July 25th, 2025 02:02 pm
Now open for crowdfunding! :D 3q3q3q!!! This is a project I want to support. Pass the word to your queer, nerdy, and librarian friends.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I have backed this project.
Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Cozy Academia Anthology
A collection of 22 delightfully queer, charmingly cozy stories that put a fluffy LGBTQIA+ spin on the dark academia genre.
$5,735 pledged of $13,000 goal
90 backers
17 days to go
Pursue an education in queer speculative fiction with Scholarly Pursuits!
Transforming the core settings of “dark academia” to be cozy and snug, Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Anthology of Cozy Academia Stories features 22 delightful, charming science fiction and fantasy stories set at colleges, universities, libraries, and other places where people pursue academic excellence – and all feature queer characters! From field research shenanigans to cooking adventures, from space station education departments to eldritch libraries, our awesome authors have brought their vivid imaginings to life in this anthology. We can’t wait to share it with you!
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I have backed this project.
Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Cozy Academia Anthology
A collection of 22 delightfully queer, charmingly cozy stories that put a fluffy LGBTQIA+ spin on the dark academia genre.
$5,735 pledged of $13,000 goal
90 backers
17 days to go
Pursue an education in queer speculative fiction with Scholarly Pursuits!
Transforming the core settings of “dark academia” to be cozy and snug, Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Anthology of Cozy Academia Stories features 22 delightful, charming science fiction and fantasy stories set at colleges, universities, libraries, and other places where people pursue academic excellence – and all feature queer characters! From field research shenanigans to cooking adventures, from space station education departments to eldritch libraries, our awesome authors have brought their vivid imaginings to life in this anthology. We can’t wait to share it with you!
Friday, July 25th, 2025 01:52 pm
Today is partly sunny and sweltering.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. Some of them are dustbathing in the burn barrel; they like the fresh ashes.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I picked herbs to make omelettes for supper, which also included some cherry tomatoes from yesterday.
It's drizzling a bit.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I refilled the birdfeeders.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. Some of them are dustbathing in the burn barrel; they like the fresh ashes.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I picked herbs to make omelettes for supper, which also included some cherry tomatoes from yesterday.
It's drizzling a bit.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I refilled the birdfeeders.
EDIT 7/25/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Friday, July 25th, 2025 07:16 pm
One more post before vacation.
Challenge #7
The Ferris Wheel
Journaling: Life in fandom goes through ups and downs. Reminisce about the "wild ride" of your time in fandom or in other online communities.
The net wasn’t around when I was a teenager, but if it had, I’m sure I would have written fanfiction. Because even if I didn’t write them down, I did long and elaborate stories about The Lord of the Rings in my head. First merely adding a female companion to the fellowship, but after I read Silmarillion I made up more independent characters and adventures. I’m sorry I never did write them down, but I still have some of the synopsis for them.
I ventured online for the first time in early 1999. My son was a newborn, and one sleepless night I did a search for Dorothy L. Sayers and found a mailgroup that had just decided on a read.through of all her books. It was my first online community, and we had so much fun. Now, 26 years later, I´m still in contact with some of them. At some point we decided to write a round robin to create Harriet Vane’s fictitious detective novel Death 'Twixt Wind and Water, as it has a fair amount of clues to reconstruct. It was great fun, and the first time I wrote fiction in English. This mailgroup also introduced the concept of fanfiction to me, as some members also wrote Harry Potter fic.
For a couple of years I read fanfiction now and then, but never considered writing it. That changed when I happened to see a promo shot of Jason Isaacs as Captain Hook in Peter Pan in 2003. Peter Pan was one of my childhood favourites, and this picture triggered me into writing. For about 2 years I wrote feverishly, and wrote some really dark fanfic. And wrote myself into dealing with some trauma from my teens. To cut a rather long process very short, writing fanfic helped me heal in a way I had not foreseen, and was instrumental in shedding a depression I had lived in for years.
I didn’t write much between 2005-2013, even if I did write from time to time. I divorced, and juggling work and being a single mother gave me little time and energy for it. Even when life settled down I had got out of the habit to write, but in 2013 there was a sudden death in my family. It was a terrible and traumatic experience, and it triggered me into another feverish writing spell. I had just re-watched Doctor Who, from the First Doctor and onwards, and I started writing Whofic.
Once again I found writing very therapeutic, but after the first rush of writing I realised something I never consciously realised before. I love writing. It’s good for my well=being, regardless if I write a blogpost or a fic. Up until early 2022 I wrote steadily, exploring a number of fandoms and ships. Then I had a creative freeze when the war in Ukraine happened. I couldn’t do anything creative at all for a long time, and only got back to writing on a regular basis earlier this year. It feels good to be back!
As of now I have 123 fics on AO3 in 26 fandoms. 94 of those one-shots. I mostly write het, with a preference for strong and competent female characters and morally ambiguous male ones. I just checked, the ratio looks like this, F/M (80 fics), Gen (33), F/F (7), M/M (5), Multi (5). All my fics are in a historical and/or fantastical fandom. As a history nerd I spend a lot of time researching history when I write.
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Friday, July 25th, 2025 07:37 am
The very big news around here is that we are getting not one, but two Asian grocery stores here in Issaquah and one of them is my very favorite from my old neighborhood - Uwajimaya!!! And it will be very nearly the closest grocery store to me! HMart is also moving here, not far but not as close. Mucho excitement. I don't know when either is opening. Probably not until next year but hallefuckinglooyah!!!
I also learned yesterday from Bonny, that I am off the default Hazel and John taxi list. They apparently went to her earlier in the week and asked for a ride to the doctor and she told them yes and then decided it wasn't convenient so she went and told them no but also suggested they use Lyft which they have done quite successfully in the past. They had totally forgotten about that. They do it through the front desk receptionist and it works fine for them. So WHEW!! John called me yesterday and he said the doctors told him he has amyloidosis. Google tells me this is rare and treatment is chemotherapy, organ transplant or targeted medication therapy. No cure. And it sounds pretty fucking fatal for an 89 year old. But John has not been told any of this yet. At least I'm not longer responsible for them.
Mid morning yesterday I got several email and texts that the shades install guy's wife had a baby Wednesday night so no shades install. This actually was good news as I was just not up for it yesterday. No word from them since so today won't be it either. Which is fine.
Today is new menu day. We still have today and tomorrow for the scrumptious tenderloin steak and caramelized onions. No nasty spinach swap last night - whew!!
I do think it's pretty weird that when I find a meal I love, I am perfectly fine with having it every night for a week. After the week, I'm ready to move on. I'm ok with variety but I am also happy to have a great meal on repeat.
My Netflix month ends today. I'm all caught up. If/when another something comes up that I want to see, I'll start it up again. I have Apple + and PBS Masterpiece running now at reduced rates (thank you, Amazon) and a fair amount to watch on both. And, of course, the Mariners. I've gotten pretty good at keeping my high priced feeds managed so that if I'm not watching, I'm not paying.
But, my big TV find lately has been the Roku channel. They now have all the British Sewing Bee episodes!! Except, of course, the latest season that just started last week. But, I'm guessing it will be added eventually. Also they have all episodes of that bake off after show. It's dumb but interesting for a few episodes anyway.
Nothing happening today which is lovely. I think I'll get dressed and go downstairs to pick up the menus and my Amazon package which was just delivered to the lockers. After that, who knows??
I also learned yesterday from Bonny, that I am off the default Hazel and John taxi list. They apparently went to her earlier in the week and asked for a ride to the doctor and she told them yes and then decided it wasn't convenient so she went and told them no but also suggested they use Lyft which they have done quite successfully in the past. They had totally forgotten about that. They do it through the front desk receptionist and it works fine for them. So WHEW!! John called me yesterday and he said the doctors told him he has amyloidosis. Google tells me this is rare and treatment is chemotherapy, organ transplant or targeted medication therapy. No cure. And it sounds pretty fucking fatal for an 89 year old. But John has not been told any of this yet. At least I'm not longer responsible for them.
Mid morning yesterday I got several email and texts that the shades install guy's wife had a baby Wednesday night so no shades install. This actually was good news as I was just not up for it yesterday. No word from them since so today won't be it either. Which is fine.
Today is new menu day. We still have today and tomorrow for the scrumptious tenderloin steak and caramelized onions. No nasty spinach swap last night - whew!!
I do think it's pretty weird that when I find a meal I love, I am perfectly fine with having it every night for a week. After the week, I'm ready to move on. I'm ok with variety but I am also happy to have a great meal on repeat.
My Netflix month ends today. I'm all caught up. If/when another something comes up that I want to see, I'll start it up again. I have Apple + and PBS Masterpiece running now at reduced rates (thank you, Amazon) and a fair amount to watch on both. And, of course, the Mariners. I've gotten pretty good at keeping my high priced feeds managed so that if I'm not watching, I'm not paying.
But, my big TV find lately has been the Roku channel. They now have all the British Sewing Bee episodes!! Except, of course, the latest season that just started last week. But, I'm guessing it will be added eventually. Also they have all episodes of that bake off after show. It's dumb but interesting for a few episodes anyway.
Nothing happening today which is lovely. I think I'll get dressed and go downstairs to pick up the menus and my Amazon package which was just delivered to the lockers. After that, who knows??
Friday, July 25th, 2025 11:03 am
As I'm going on my 4-week vacation tomorrow I know I won’t post much during that time. So here’s July’s books for most of the month, and the rest will be included for August. My goal this month was to actually finish some of the thirteen books I have started, but not finished. This is how it went.
The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud. The last of the Lockwood & Co series. I found it enjoyable, and the series ended with a satisfying conclusion. The reality of Marissa Fitts was more horrifying than I thought. But I also feel the ending opened for a sequel, with various things Lucy indicated that she had done since the grand finale, and also because we never found out Skull’s identity and why he was such a powerful ghost. But as this book was published in 2017, it doesn’t seem very likely it will come.
Det ockulta sekelskiftet (The Occult Turn of the Century) by Per Faxneld. How occultism influenced a number of Swedish artists in the late 19/early 20th century. Super interesting, and not something I knew anything about. Which is surprising as I’ve studied art history and consider myself pretty well-read on. But I think the idea that esoterism was influential to some of our more well-known artists has been seen as something embarrassing.
Of course I couldn’t abstain from not starting any new books, so I also read Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch, the latest Rivers of London novel. I found it enjoyable, but not remarkable. Though I always like the inclusion of Abigail and the talking foxes.
Never Flinch by Stephen King. A return to Holly Gibney and her PI agency Finders Keepers. This time we have not one murderous person, but two. One that wants to kill a popular feminist, another who kills as revenge for a man who has been murdered in prison before it’s revealed he was wrongfully imprisoned. I like Holly as a character, but I kept putting this book down and then forgetting about it, so it’s safe to say it didn’t grab me.
And that’s it, so far for July.
Friday, July 25th, 2025 12:21 am
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Thursday, July 24th, 2025 08:34 pm
Name: Amber
Age group: 40's
Country: USA
Subscription/Access Policy: I'm fine with anyone one, just let me know before you add me. I'd prefer 18+ with same interests or a few.
Fannish Interests: Cosplay, conventions, charity work, fanfiction, drawing.
I like to post about: My health, photos I take, my daily life, fandoms, movie/show reviews, my church/God (I got back into religion not to long ago), my friends and what were up to, my fanclubs and what were up to.
About Me/Other Info: I'm a 8 open heart surgery patient and pacemaker surgery to my name along with other health issues. I'm introvert. I'm a Hufflepuff. Theme Park pass holder for Universal Hollywood and Disneyland. I collect popcorn buckets and fandom stuff. I love to cosplay and Disneybound. Also love doing Disney markets and game nights. I'm obsessed with reading/painting and doing movie/show binges. Love to attend conventions and sometimes work them. I also love being in my Star Trek clubs (2) and my Ghosbusters club. I'm a huge fan of Fall, Halloween. I hate the heat/summer.
Please no racism, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-science, fatphobia, Trump supports.
Other Fandoms: White Collar, Criminal Minds and NCIS.
OTPs and Ships: Way to many but to start: Kirk/Spock, Kirk/McCoy, Kirk/Uhura, Spock/Uhura, Number One/Pike, Picard/Q, Picard/Riker, Bashir/Garak, Janeway/Chakotay, Janeway/Paris, Paris/Torres, Chakotay/Paris, Paris/Kim, Archer/Tucker, Archer/T'Pol/Tucker, Archer/T'Pol, Archer/Shran, Trip/Reed, Ten/Donna, Ten/Rose, Amidala/Kenobi, Amidala/Skywalker, Kenobi/Skywalker, Kenobi/Sabé, Organa/Solo, Kent/Luthor, Kent/Lang, Queen/Kent, Barry/Queen, Barry/Snow, Snart/Barry, Barry/Oliver/Kara, Ramon/Lisa Snart, Eddie Thawne/Barry, Barry/Spivot, Queen/Merlyn, Harper/Thea Queen, Barry/Kara Danvers, Bonnie/Damon, Elena/Stefan, Elena/Damon, Klaus /Caroline, Elena /Elijah, Magnus/Alec, Simon/Raphael. SO many more.
Favorite Movies: Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of The Rings/Superman, Batman, Deadpool, X-Men, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Back to The Future, Fast and The Furious, Jurassic Park/World, Ghosbusters,
TV Shows: Star Trek, 9-1-1, 9-1-1 Lone Star, Shadowhunters, Teen Wolf, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Psych, Teen Wolf, Pokémon, Doctor Who, Arrow, The Flash, Superman & Lois, Angel, Buffy, Torchwood.
Books: Harry Potter, House of Night, The Vampire Diaries, Percy Jackson, The Mortal Instruments.
Music: Country, oldies, opera (some). Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Alan Jackson, George Straight, Garth Brooks, LeeAnn Rhimes, Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, NSync, Linkin Park, Pentatoix, Evanescence, Josh Groban, Ed Sherran, P!nk, Eminem.
Games:
Comics/Anime/Misc: Pokemon, Digimon and Card Captor Sakura.
Age group: 40's
Country: USA
Subscription/Access Policy: I'm fine with anyone one, just let me know before you add me. I'd prefer 18+ with same interests or a few.
Fannish Interests: Cosplay, conventions, charity work, fanfiction, drawing.
I like to post about: My health, photos I take, my daily life, fandoms, movie/show reviews, my church/God (I got back into religion not to long ago), my friends and what were up to, my fanclubs and what were up to.
About Me/Other Info: I'm a 8 open heart surgery patient and pacemaker surgery to my name along with other health issues. I'm introvert. I'm a Hufflepuff. Theme Park pass holder for Universal Hollywood and Disneyland. I collect popcorn buckets and fandom stuff. I love to cosplay and Disneybound. Also love doing Disney markets and game nights. I'm obsessed with reading/painting and doing movie/show binges. Love to attend conventions and sometimes work them. I also love being in my Star Trek clubs (2) and my Ghosbusters club. I'm a huge fan of Fall, Halloween. I hate the heat/summer.
Please no racism, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-science, fatphobia, Trump supports.
Other Fandoms: White Collar, Criminal Minds and NCIS.
OTPs and Ships: Way to many but to start: Kirk/Spock, Kirk/McCoy, Kirk/Uhura, Spock/Uhura, Number One/Pike, Picard/Q, Picard/Riker, Bashir/Garak, Janeway/Chakotay, Janeway/Paris, Paris/Torres, Chakotay/Paris, Paris/Kim, Archer/Tucker, Archer/T'Pol/Tucker, Archer/T'Pol, Archer/Shran, Trip/Reed, Ten/Donna, Ten/Rose, Amidala/Kenobi, Amidala/Skywalker, Kenobi/Skywalker, Kenobi/Sabé, Organa/Solo, Kent/Luthor, Kent/Lang, Queen/Kent, Barry/Queen, Barry/Snow, Snart/Barry, Barry/Oliver/Kara, Ramon/Lisa Snart, Eddie Thawne/Barry, Barry/Spivot, Queen/Merlyn, Harper/Thea Queen, Barry/Kara Danvers, Bonnie/Damon, Elena/Stefan, Elena/Damon, Klaus /Caroline, Elena /Elijah, Magnus/Alec, Simon/Raphael. SO many more.
Favorite Movies: Star Trek, Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of The Rings/Superman, Batman, Deadpool, X-Men, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Back to The Future, Fast and The Furious, Jurassic Park/World, Ghosbusters,
TV Shows: Star Trek, 9-1-1, 9-1-1 Lone Star, Shadowhunters, Teen Wolf, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Psych, Teen Wolf, Pokémon, Doctor Who, Arrow, The Flash, Superman & Lois, Angel, Buffy, Torchwood.
Books: Harry Potter, House of Night, The Vampire Diaries, Percy Jackson, The Mortal Instruments.
Music: Country, oldies, opera (some). Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Alan Jackson, George Straight, Garth Brooks, LeeAnn Rhimes, Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, NSync, Linkin Park, Pentatoix, Evanescence, Josh Groban, Ed Sherran, P!nk, Eminem.
Games:
Comics/Anime/Misc: Pokemon, Digimon and Card Captor Sakura.
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 10:24 pm
The future of antisemitism
We can't get confused about what constitutes anti-Jewish prejudice.
[---8<---]
That's why we have to face a painful paradox: when it comes to the continuing agony of Gaza, Israel's most fervent defenders are the ones muddying the water. They seek to define criticism of the actions of Israel as anti-Jewish prejudice.
( Read more... )
We can't get confused about what constitutes anti-Jewish prejudice.
[---8<---]
That's why we have to face a painful paradox: when it comes to the continuing agony of Gaza, Israel's most fervent defenders are the ones muddying the water. They seek to define criticism of the actions of Israel as anti-Jewish prejudice.
( Read more... )
Tags:
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 07:12 pm
France will recognize Palestine as a state, President Macron says
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will recognize Palestine as a state, in a bold diplomatic move amid snowballing global anger over people starving in Gaza. Israel denounced the decision.
Macron said in a post on X that he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” he wrote.
Today, France is a hero. France is taking a stance that a lot of bigger, richer, meaner countries are going to hate. That's punching up. \o/ Let's put more pressure on Israel to stop the genocide.
( Read more... )
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will recognize Palestine as a state, in a bold diplomatic move amid snowballing global anger over people starving in Gaza. Israel denounced the decision.
Macron said in a post on X that he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved,” he wrote.
Today, France is a hero. France is taking a stance that a lot of bigger, richer, meaner countries are going to hate. That's punching up. \o/ Let's put more pressure on Israel to stop the genocide.
( Read more... )
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Thursday, July 24th, 2025 04:13 pm
Individualism is Killing The (Online) Aspec Community
But whilst I know I’ve changed in my queer journey, the communities I’ve been involved in have not. When I was a baby ace, I needed to know aspec 101, distinguish your aro from your ace from your agender, what the cake memes were for, what the split attraction model is and so on. But 5 years on, half a decade mind you, the online community that was once my intro and a place that helped me learn more about myself now feels like a burden, a constant reminder of pain and like being a teenager again in Catholic secondary school; not standing the people I’m with and wanting to just go home.
[---8<---]
Most people tolerate asexuality, but they don’t support asexuality. That's not the same. They think asexuality is valid but they don’t support it. They only support asexuality if it’s palatable to their own sexuality. In an attempt to push back on the very real infantilisation of asexuality (looking at you ‘but we can’t have kink at pride because of the aces’ discourse), but we’ve (not me!) walked back into compulsory sexuality and basing support of asexuality based on how well asexuals perform the sexual script, instead of supporting it in its own right.
( Read more... )
But whilst I know I’ve changed in my queer journey, the communities I’ve been involved in have not. When I was a baby ace, I needed to know aspec 101, distinguish your aro from your ace from your agender, what the cake memes were for, what the split attraction model is and so on. But 5 years on, half a decade mind you, the online community that was once my intro and a place that helped me learn more about myself now feels like a burden, a constant reminder of pain and like being a teenager again in Catholic secondary school; not standing the people I’m with and wanting to just go home.
[---8<---]
Most people tolerate asexuality, but they don’t support asexuality. That's not the same. They think asexuality is valid but they don’t support it. They only support asexuality if it’s palatable to their own sexuality. In an attempt to push back on the very real infantilisation of asexuality (looking at you ‘but we can’t have kink at pride because of the aces’ discourse), but we’ve (not me!) walked back into compulsory sexuality and basing support of asexuality based on how well asexuals perform the sexual script, instead of supporting it in its own right.
( Read more... )
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Thursday, July 24th, 2025 02:11 pm
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
duckprintspress will be launching a new project tomorrow. The swag release is on their Dreamwidth blog.Scholarly Pursuits: A Queer Cozy Academia Anthology
A collection of 22 delightfully queer, charmingly cozy stories that put a fluffy LGBTQIA+ spin on the dark academia genre.
For reference, "cozy academia" seems to lean toward "light academia" in mood, but doesn't necessarily exclude the deeper colors of "dark academia," and is basically the "comfy/cozy" aesthetic or subgenre with an academic setting. So if you want queer romance and culture without the gaybashing and other stress of local-America, this is probably an excellent bet. And if you are going to romanticize something, there are a lot worse things to admire than academia, which has long been a refuge for queers, nerds, and freaks of all flavors.
As a bonus, this is exactly the kind of content that lots of people want not to exist, so buy a queer book and poke a bigot in the eye! If you know of librarians defending queer books, tip them to this campaign.
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 02:07 pm
Today is sweltering again, 86°F with a heat index of 98°F. :P So I have to break up yard tasks into smaller sections.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I refilled birdfeeders.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I picked 4 red cherry tomatoes. :D
I watered the new picnic table garden.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I potted up 12 sweet cherry seeds.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I refilled birdfeeders.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I did more work around the patio.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I picked 4 red cherry tomatoes. :D
I watered the new picnic table garden.
EDIT 7/24/25 -- I potted up 12 sweet cherry seeds.
As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 08:30 am
I spent all day yesterday avoiding people and it was great. Until last night. I was watching the baseball game and it was extra innings and the teams were swapping the lead back and forth, so quite riveting, when Martha stopped in. I was not in a Martha mood and I wanted to watch the baseball.
And then Martha started talking about Hazel and how I need to let Timber Ridge take over what their sons can't/won't do. In Martha world, this is like a switch. In the real world this is not going to happen ever. "Well, Hazel needs to... " "Timber Ridge should..." While telling me that I need to be careful about doing too much.
I do love Martha and most days, I'm delighted to have her input. But, last night was not most days. So I missed some key baseball action and went to bed grumpy. Oh and also, I ordered caramelized onions as a side with my dinner and they left them out and replaced them with spinach! In what fucking world is spinach an acceptable substitute for caramelized onions?????????
But, today I'm all better.
The shades installer is supposed to come today to rehang my window shade so that I can, once again, open the window. His office says he'll be here sometime between 12 and 4. Based on the last time, that means I can expect him about 4:30 or 5. Oh, wait, the woman who called said 12-4. BUT the email says 12-1 and the text just says 12. Soooooo arrival time is not this morning but any-time-is-a-good-guess this afternoon. I'm not looking forward to dealing with him because of the sloppy job he did last time. But I am looking forward to having my shades fixed.
And while I'm being snarky and bitchy... did I say I was all better this morning??? ... my tendinitis is back in my right elbow. I felt it a little last Tuesday when playing volleyball. I mean to wear my elbow brace this morning and left it in my closet. So I played with my right arm behind my back. I used it for a couple of shots but mainly used my left hand/arm to play with. I was actually kind of surprised at what a nice job it did. It certainly earned its keep. BUT my Pixel watch was exhausted after 2 hours. It detected 2 car wrecks and 3 falls. I kept having to stop and tell it that I was fine. I suspect I have now fucked up their detection data but good.
Next up, I need to get dressed and then go down to the front desk and pick up the copies of the Timber Ridge Times for our floor and distribute them. John has done it for a long time but I told him I'd take over. They usually have them out and ready on my way back from volleyball but not today. No prob. I can use the steps.
And then Martha started talking about Hazel and how I need to let Timber Ridge take over what their sons can't/won't do. In Martha world, this is like a switch. In the real world this is not going to happen ever. "Well, Hazel needs to... " "Timber Ridge should..." While telling me that I need to be careful about doing too much.
I do love Martha and most days, I'm delighted to have her input. But, last night was not most days. So I missed some key baseball action and went to bed grumpy. Oh and also, I ordered caramelized onions as a side with my dinner and they left them out and replaced them with spinach! In what fucking world is spinach an acceptable substitute for caramelized onions?????????
But, today I'm all better.
The shades installer is supposed to come today to rehang my window shade so that I can, once again, open the window. His office says he'll be here sometime between 12 and 4. Based on the last time, that means I can expect him about 4:30 or 5. Oh, wait, the woman who called said 12-4. BUT the email says 12-1 and the text just says 12. Soooooo arrival time is not this morning but any-time-is-a-good-guess this afternoon. I'm not looking forward to dealing with him because of the sloppy job he did last time. But I am looking forward to having my shades fixed.
And while I'm being snarky and bitchy... did I say I was all better this morning??? ... my tendinitis is back in my right elbow. I felt it a little last Tuesday when playing volleyball. I mean to wear my elbow brace this morning and left it in my closet. So I played with my right arm behind my back. I used it for a couple of shots but mainly used my left hand/arm to play with. I was actually kind of surprised at what a nice job it did. It certainly earned its keep. BUT my Pixel watch was exhausted after 2 hours. It detected 2 car wrecks and 3 falls. I kept having to stop and tell it that I was fine. I suspect I have now fucked up their detection data but good.
Next up, I need to get dressed and then go down to the front desk and pick up the copies of the Timber Ridge Times for our floor and distribute them. John has done it for a long time but I told him I'd take over. They usually have them out and ready on my way back from volleyball but not today. No prob. I can use the steps.
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 11:09 am
Hey, Chip..tell me all about YerMum using only a picture.
You got it. J=Nic took this a few years ago and it remains my very favorite pic of Mom.
You got it. J=Nic took this a few years ago and it remains my very favorite pic of Mom.