amyvanhym | Reading

I was supposed to spend the afternoon with my husband and instead I am about to spend it at the doctor's. The one is obviously much preferable to the other. Have a photo I took yesterday when I was out and slowly walking and thought I had a decent chance of doing something human with the end of my week.

Current Music: Chalk, "Can't Feel It"

luzribeiro posting in

talkpolitics

Sydney Sweeney, best known for Euphoria and The White Lotus, recently posted a no-makeup photo - and the internet had a lot to say.
While many fans praised her for embracing her natural look, others criticized her for “not looking like herself” without glam. The mixed reactions highlight the intense pressure celebrities face to always appear polished and camera-ready.
By sharing the unfiltered photo, Sydney challenged the unrealistic beauty standards that often shape Hollywood - and social media. The moment quickly turned into a bigger conversation about authenticity, self-image, and why women are still judged so harshly for simply looking human.
Sometimes the boldest statement isn’t makeup - it’s confidence without it.

sovay

I hope Rob Grant would take it in the intended spirit that when I heard the news of his sudden death, all I could think was "All most of us get is 'Mind that bus!' 'What bus?' Splat!" The first six and a half series of original flavor Red Dwarf (1988–99) were a social staple of my sophomore year of college, watched primarily in my case from the top half of a bunk bed occupied by a structurally unwise number of students who would shortly branch out into whatever British television comedy we could get hold of the tapes for. It became an immediate and ineradicable part of our language. Decades later, the number of quotations from especially the first three series that have worked themselves into my present household lingo would be difficult to estimate without a rewatch. In storage with the rest of my library, I still have some of the tie-in novels, including at least one of the separately authored parallel continuations, which unfortunately for this memoriam may have been Doug Naylor's. I cannot find that I ever saw another project of Grant's except for the first series of The 10%ers (1993–96) and I am still stricken to lose yet another artist while Kissinger's heirs don't even seem to be in this machine. Not everybody has to be dead, Dave.

Current Music: Jenna Russell, "Red Dwarf"

jecook

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shadowkat

1. Does anyone know of a really good tearjerker (preferably something I've not seen and doesn't cost anything). ie. A movie or television series that makes you sob or cry really hard? I'm trying to clear my sinuses, and a really good cry would aid in that tremendously.

I tried the Angel S5 Episodes A Hole in the World and Shells, but alas didn't help. Possibly because I'd seen them before, and I prefer Illyria and Illyria/Wes to Fred and Fred/Wes. I guess I could watch The Body again? But I re-watched recently, so not sure that would work.

2. Oh, weird take away from A Hole in the World (Whedon) and Shells (DeNight)? I preferred Shells, which was written and directed by Stephen DeKnight - that writer has the best written episodes overall, making me think I should try Spartacus at some point. ( Read more... )

3. Another weird tidbit -in response to a question about what he remembers most from filming the episode Smashed, in a recent Youtube Con Q&A, Marsters highlights the chandelier stunt (where Spike jumps onto the Chandelier and flies into Buffy?) - he wanted to do the stunt himself (because it would be a better take), but Jeff (the stunt coordinator) said no, no, that stunt is mine, I'm taking that one - and explained why. ( why actors do not do their own stunts unless they are insane )
The reason I love Marsters Q&A's and interviews - is he doesn't really talk about personal crap or himself all that much, he talks about the process of filming television series, theater, acting in various mediums, and the backstage or all the stuff that goes into creating a television series. I find what people do for a living fascinating - or the process of creating a work of art really interesting. (I'm not sure that's nerdy so much as geeky? Since I could care less about the minutia.)

4. I'm obviously feeling much better today. Even made it into work, which is a good thing - since my doctor's note stated I could come back today. ( the crazy ass process of getting sick time via Crazy Org or why I try to avoid it like the plague and considered using vacation time )

Still have it though. ( Read more... )

marycatelli posting in

books

Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Marriage That Shook Europe by John Guy and Julia Fox

A history/biography.

( Read more... )

cielsosinfel posting in

onesongaday

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shadowkat

Headache from hell seems to be lessening and I slept slightly better last night. Still wary of doing any floor or bed exercises even if I'm feeling less congested today than I did the last several days. (Note Aleve works better than Tynenol for this sort of thing.) So, I'll go back to work tomorrow. And from the emails, it's probably piled up. We'll see how much of it I get through, since my head still to some degree feels full of cotton.

Making tea now. I'd intended on doing laundry on Monday during the storm, but alas, was waylaid by the nauseous headache from hell. Haven't up to doing much of anything - outside of doing an urgent care appointment, getting my meds/groceries, and trying to sleep. Did do a few knee exercises.

The snow appears to be melting - from the view outside my windows. So it's not frozen solid like last time.

End of February Memage

22. What is your favourite writing implement – a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, pencil or something else?

Fountain Pen

23. Do you own many mirrors?

Yes, one - and it's turned to the wall in my bedroom and the back is broken off of it. The mirror itself is fine, it's just the siding and back covering that are coming off. I use it occasionally to see what to wear. Also a small bathroom mirror. I'm not a fan of mirrors - they tend to irritate me. I think it has something to do with how my brain processes information and flips things around, don't know.

24. What are you watching this month that you are enjoying?

I'm enjoying the soap opera (General Hospital) this month, more than most, Angel S5 rewatch, and The Pitt.

25. When was the last time the windows in your home were washed?

I don't have a house, and while I've washed the inside occasionally, I can't access the outside of the windows - so no clue.

***

Angel S5 Why We Fight and Smile Time - are kind of both about the same thing thematically speaking, just that Smile handles it better.
When Smile Time aired - way back in 2004, I was friends with a writer and her puppeteer husband, who were in turn close friends with the puppeteers on Smile Time. ( Read more... )

The episode "Smile Time" is among the best of the series. It basically encapsulates all the themes of the season and series with just a few images. Angel is too busy fighting himself to really get anywhere. And,
when he was starting to get somewhere with Doyle and Cordy, then Wes and Cordy - WRH found a way to manipulate him, Cordy and Wes. The noir theme in a nutshell - the hero always falls into the abyss - and more often than not it is of his own making.

( Read more... )

Why We Fight is rather clunky in comparison. ( Read more... )

sovay

Stepping out of the house for a short walk around the neighborhood, I discovered that a friend had sent me a surprise gift in the mail and that between their post office and my doorstep it had been stolen. I received a gutted envelope slit down the side containing brown paper from which the gift had been shaken out. The stiff paper of the accompanying note had wedged hard enough into the envelope that after some stricken searching it was still in there; the handmade buttons and the picture were not. I assume the thief was looking for checks or more conventionally defined valuables, but it seems unspeakably cruel to let the envelope continue on its way and arrive to tell me what kindness I had been robbed of. I still have the note. The kindness itself did travel the distance. But I still want the thief to fall in front of a freight express.

Current Music: The Pack a.d., "Take"

avalonautumn

It took two days and several mistakes along the way, but I managed to get through to the SNAP people and do the interview. I forgot that my rent was raised by $25 and the interviewer caught that-- which was embarrassing. But now I'm anxious that it might look like I'm not telling the truth. I pay rent with a rent check and cash (through work around the house) but the bank statements I sent don't show the cash part. So I sent rent receipts even though they didn't ask for them! Just in case.

But with the new algorithms, I'm worried such little discrepancies will be flagged and I'll lose SNAP. Then I'll have to do a hearing and who knows how that would go?

I've been panicking or treating for panic for 3 days now. Finally, the worst is behind me.

All I have left this week is filing taxes and making a medical appointment that could lead to surgery (gallbladder). I'm tackling one thing at a time (or one set of things at a time) and then leaving off to recover from all the AAAAAHHHH! in my system. One of my triggers is being scrutinized by a stranger. I grew up being falsely accused of wrong doing-- or of at least being secretly evil. So when I'm being evaluated by bureaucratic minions, I'm always freaked out. I act guilty even though I'm not!

I'm also triggered by anything medical or dental, so there's that to face as well.

I hate being this way. I'm much better at dealing with it-- or at least functioning with it-- than I used to be. But it's still massively challenging for me. I can hardly wait until this week is over!

Current Mood: scared

aurumcalendula posting in

vidding

Title: Where Love Goes
Fandom: ClaireBell
Music: Where Love Goes by Kai Mata
Summary: 'this could be the start of something special'
Notes: Premiered at Escapade 36!

AO3 | bsky | DW | tumblr | YouTube

shadowkat

Did Virtual Urgent Care - who proscribed antibiotics for the sinus infection that I appear to have - congestion that won't go away, made worse by the storm - resulting in the sick sinus headache from hell (which has a sort of vertigo as a symptom). I got a doctor's note for returning to work by Thursday, 2/26/26.

Ventured out around 4pm to pick up antibiotics from the pharmacy - wasn't bad considering the pharmacy is about six short blocks from my apartment.
They've plowed the roads, and cleared for the most part the sidewalks. There's puddles in places, and some areas are narrower than others - depends on whether it was a professional building maintenance person, or a home owner. Home owners suck at shoveling city sidewalks for the most part.
Although they did a better job with this storm than the last one - most likely because the city threatened them with sizable fines if they didn't do it.

I wanted to go back to work today - but I only slept three hours last night, even though I went to bed early. Was up all night with the nauseous headache, which made the room spin and came in waves. I went to lie down - it started. I couldn't even sleep sitting up. Standing I was fine. Or sitting on the edge of the bed. Finally, after a sneezing fit, lots of nose blowing, two more mezcline, and decogestants - it cleared a bit for sleep. But I felt horrible the next morning and gave up. Was going to use vacation time - decided sick time made more sense - I'm sick. And I've got more sick time than vacation time.

***

I finished watching All Creatures Great and Small S6 on PBS Passport, and might start up on Miss Scarlet or Maigret again. It didn't require much focus. I couldn't concentrate on anything until now - due to the headache. Last night, if I thought about anything at all - I got nauseous. It was frustrating and weird. It's a cozy series - All Creatures Great and Small - reminds me a little of Call the Midwife. I think the original might have been slightly better and more realistic, but I don't really remember the original that well? I read the books in the third and fourth grades.

Also working my way through Angel S5 - the Spike and Wes episodes so far are the better ones. ( Read more... )

Damage and Soul Purpose are the better episodes in this grouping. ( Read more... )

Off to get something to eat.

sovay

In the wake of the blizzard, the temperature rose a degree above freezing in the blue-and-white brilliance of sun and the local topography of snow-walls to shoulder-height compressed and calved like ice shelves. I had the impulse to visit the Robbins Cemetery on Mass. Ave. while out running errands and was prevented by absolutely nobody having shoveled within a block of the gates. I took a picture of a leftover slam-dunk of snow instead.

Tickets have hiked considerably in price since the last production of theirs I attended, but I am intrigued that the Apollinaire Theatre Company is currently doing Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge—I assume it was proposed last season because of the topical-political of the undocumented immigrant angle which has only gone Mach 10 in relevance since. I have never seen the play; I read it in 2016 because Van Heflin originated the role of Eddie Carbone in the original 1955 one-act version. I am wondering how I convince their box office that I am actively pursuing a professional arts career.

Current Music: The Pack a.d., "Seasick"

abomvubuso posting in

talkpolitics

Recently Russia and China agreed to let their citizens travel to each other's countries without a visa for short stays. On September 15 last year, China began a 1 year trial allowing Russian passport holders to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visits and transit. Russia followed on December 1 when President Putin signed a decree letting Chinese citizens enter Russia visa-free for up to 30 days under similar conditions. Both policies are set to run through September 14 this year.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/02/china-to-allow-visa-free-travel-for-russians-in-one-year-trial-a90402

Supporters describe these changes as steps to boost tourism, people ties and business travel across the long Russia-China border. Early reports from regions near the frontier, like Primorsky Krai in Russia's Far East, show rising numbers of Chinese tourists since the policy took effect. Russia's Ministry of Economic Development has talked about attracting more visitors from China as part of tourism growth.

( Read more... )

angrboda

My previous post has turned into a bit of a collection of other people's experiences with arranging funerals and their customs, which was unintended but which I've actually been finding quite helpful. There is a surprising amount of comfort in it, even if I haven't been replying (and am unlikely to do, sorry). I hadn't expected that. Aside from grandparents, it's the first time for me that it has been quite so close a relation.

yourlibrarian posting in

tv_talk

Laptop-TV combo with DVDs on top and smartphone on the desk

Heated Rivalry is one of the most talked about recent shows of the past year. Are there lessons to be learned in how a story can draw in different demographics who wouldn’t normally have been interested in certain genres? Or as the article notes: “It turns policy into something you can explain to a child, not because you’re trying to teach them politics, but because you are invested in sharing the joy of the characters.”

ysabetwordsmith posting in

dw_community_promo

birdfeeding is a community started on January 1, 2023. It's all about birdfeeding, birdwatching, and other topics relating to birds. It also touches on nature in general, and observations that may effect bird activity such as local weather. Both text and image posts are welcome. Now is a great time to join as hungry birds are easy to attract with a feeder.

Community resources include posts about birding events, nurseries that sell seeds or plants attractive to birds, bird identification apps, the benefits of birdwatching, and other useful materials. Check out the anchor posts from Three Weeks for Dreamwidth.

Recent posts:

Sighting a Siberian Superstar: Local birder secures rare red-flanked bluetail for life list

Homes for Birds Week

Photos: House Yard and South Lot

Photos: Flowerbeds

Bird blizzard

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith posting in

books

The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine Cookbook
Paperback – January 1, 2000
by george-foreman-connie-merydith (Author)

Today we finished reading our second cookbook of the year. The front matter includes Acknowledgements, Preface, Introduction, and Smart Eating for Healthier Living. The recipe chapters are Bring Out the Best of Grilling -- Marinades, Sauces, and Rubs; A Cut Above -- Beef and Lamb; Smoky Sensations -- Pork Chops, Ribs, and Ham; Tender Choices from the Sea -- Fish and Shellfish; Savory Grilled Poultry -- Chicken and Turkey; Quick and Easy Favorites -- Burgers, Sandwiches, and Snacks; Tempting Companion Dishes -- Vegetables, Fruit, Salads, and Desserts. Then in the back are a basic cooking guide, glossary, and index. The index lists both recipe titles and ingredients.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

shadowkat

Good news? The storm has more or less ended and with it - my vertigo or so it appears. (I'm not tried to lie down flat as of yet, so hopefully it won't flare up when I go to bed.) So I will probably manage to navigate the mounds of snow to make it into work tomorrow. I don't really have an excuse - since I've got snow boots, and I take the subway, and it's located in the Financial District. Now, if I still worked in Jamaica and had to take the Long Island Rail Road into work that would be a different story - at last report, it was still suspended.

I'll probably make it in and not have a lot to do - because half my work place will be snowbound out on Long Island, including my boss. Although per Outlook - I think they all worked remotely. I couldn't. Vertigo was too bad. It's better now. I'm hoping it continues to improve. God, I hate vertigo.

Below is a "privileged education meme" that vaguely reminds me of a game I once played at church. If you were given certain opportunities - you advanced, if not you took two steps backwards. Myself and my friend at the time MD (who is a Black woman) were both ahead, as were a few young Black women and young men, while the old white British guy, his white Jewish wife, and the old white guys born in the 1940s were at the back. It seemed to divide itself more along class and generational lines then race?

( Privileged Education Meme )

Off to find something for dinner.

sovay

The snow has plastered our windows like blinds. This morning it scudded so thickly down our street that the air itself couldn't have been any clearer: it made walls instead of veils of the late streetlight. The yew trees look like calcified humps of stalagmite. It's still blowing around out there, bending the whippier evergreens of the neighbors' yard like a wind sock. I can hear a commuter train whistling dimly from over Route 16. I am informed we have broken the previous state record for snowfall in a day set by the 1997 April Fool's Day Blizzard which had itself surpassed the Blizzard of '78. Our porch is drifted ankle-deep.

Current Music: Vampire Weekend, "Capricorn"

Amy VanHym

Never tasted anything like you before

Friday offtopic: Sydney, and the tempest in a teacup

There's no kind of atmosphere

(no subject)

Hanging in there...anybody know a good tear-jerker?

Hunting the Falcon

Mon Rovîa - Heavy Foot (2025)

Wednesday is limping along and keeps dozing off in the process

Anything you crave, a certain curse

Yearly SNAP Interview & Then Some

New Vid: Where Love Goes | ClaireBell

Sinus headaches, Angel Rewatch...

None of us are traitors till we are

What Russia-China visa-free travel really means

(no subject)

TV Tuesday: Is This My Bag?

Birdfeeding

Review: "The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine Cookbook"

(no subject)

Sifting through centuries for moments of your own

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