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May. 17th, 2026 08:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
james_davis_nicoll
Believing the Ship is the whole universe is just common sense. So believe the people in it, but they are not the orphans of the sky they believe themselves to be.
Non-Stop by Brian W. Aldiss
james_davis_nicollBelieving the Ship is the whole universe is just common sense. So believe the people in it, but they are not the orphans of the sky they believe themselves to be.
Non-Stop by Brian W. Aldiss
30 Days of Blake's 7 - day 17
May. 17th, 2026 10:03 pmvilakinsDay 17: Two characters you wanted to get together that never did
I suppose this means romance or sex, in which case my answer is "nope, none of them".
If it's an encounter or a meeting, then I'd like to see Jenna take Tarrant down a peg or two. She so could.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
I suppose this means romance or sex, in which case my answer is "nope, none of them".
If it's an encounter or a meeting, then I'd like to see Jenna take Tarrant down a peg or two. She so could.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
Reading notes, week 20
May. 17th, 2026 06:00 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
found_objects_feedJuf, er is een kind kwijt by Dorine Hermans. Elementary-school teachers talking about their students in 2-3 page episodes. Cute, thoughtful, more-ish.
Ik was altijd heel slecht in wiskunde: reken maar op de wiskundemeisjes by Jeanine Drems and Ionica Smeets. Collection of playful articles about mathematics. Skimmed some of it because it’s very densly packed and became rather too much.
Chai and Charmcraft by Lynn Strong. Cozy, very intricate and convoluted. Set in a fantasy version of medieval Persia, I think, with a large helping of Egyptian gods (and also one god of the writer’s invention, a very good one). Full of good and nice people! With a supplement of recipes!
30 Days of Blake's 7 - Day 15
May. 16th, 2026 11:46 amjulesjones Day 15: Character who didn’t get enough screen time
A day late again, for the same reason - Eurovision semi finals. Anyway...
Gan, of course. With that many main characters and only 50 minutes per episode, something had to give, and that something was Gan. His primary role is as muscle, and he's not as smart/obnoxious as the others so presumably less interesting to write - although he's perfectly capable of giving as good as he gets from Avon. "For a clever man you're not very bright". :-> In some ways he serves the same function as the Doctor's companion, being the one who tends to ground the others when they get a bit too carried away with whatever shiny thing has caught their attention/obsession/ego. Also the one who's frequently lectured at for "as you know, Bob" purposes. Even Avon manages to forget his own ego long enough to genuinely enjoy teaching Gan about some of the ship systems, minus the usual snark once he has a genuinely interested student. (And I do find that scene very believable.)
Some people see him as a violent thug only restrained by the limiter. But what he claims to have been sentenced for doesn't match that. Obviously, the word there is "claims", but it's all too plausible in the what we see of the Federation. He enjoys fighting the primitives in Deliverance, but doesn't give the impression that he'd kill them without the limiter inhibiting him. It reads much more as enjoying a wrestling match, one that he's only engaged in as self-defence. The truly chilling scene is on the London, when he points out to the guard that they only need the hand. (Seriously, who came up with that idea of security in a barracks cell with a bunch of potentially dangerous people who really don't want to be there?) With that he doesn't need to be actually capable of carrying through the threat, whether emotionally or through the limiter's control; he just needs to convince the guard that he is. And very convincing he is.
A day late again, for the same reason - Eurovision semi finals. Anyway...
Gan, of course. With that many main characters and only 50 minutes per episode, something had to give, and that something was Gan. His primary role is as muscle, and he's not as smart/obnoxious as the others so presumably less interesting to write - although he's perfectly capable of giving as good as he gets from Avon. "For a clever man you're not very bright". :-> In some ways he serves the same function as the Doctor's companion, being the one who tends to ground the others when they get a bit too carried away with whatever shiny thing has caught their attention/obsession/ego. Also the one who's frequently lectured at for "as you know, Bob" purposes. Even Avon manages to forget his own ego long enough to genuinely enjoy teaching Gan about some of the ship systems, minus the usual snark once he has a genuinely interested student. (And I do find that scene very believable.)
Some people see him as a violent thug only restrained by the limiter. But what he claims to have been sentenced for doesn't match that. Obviously, the word there is "claims", but it's all too plausible in the what we see of the Federation. He enjoys fighting the primitives in Deliverance, but doesn't give the impression that he'd kill them without the limiter inhibiting him. It reads much more as enjoying a wrestling match, one that he's only engaged in as self-defence. The truly chilling scene is on the London, when he points out to the guard that they only need the hand. (Seriously, who came up with that idea of security in a barracks cell with a bunch of potentially dangerous people who really don't want to be there?) With that he doesn't need to be actually capable of carrying through the threat, whether emotionally or through the limiter's control; he just needs to convince the guard that he is. And very convincing he is.
30 Days of Blake's 7 - day 16
May. 16th, 2026 09:59 pmvilakinsDay 16: Best use of a hoary old trope
It seems that every SF series must have an arena episode, and B7's one is Duel. It's pretty good as arena eps go - we have Jenna and Blake up a tree with vampire bats, Travis with pointy sticks, and there's the intriguing introduction of mutoids, though I wish they had explored them further in later eps.
B7 also has a courtroom ep of sorts, with Trial, though with very little actual courtroom, to my relief - yeah, not a fan - though I'm not sure if the spit planet is an improvement.
I can't answer most of the remaining questions, so I'll see if I can come up with some alternate ones.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
It seems that every SF series must have an arena episode, and B7's one is Duel. It's pretty good as arena eps go - we have Jenna and Blake up a tree with vampire bats, Travis with pointy sticks, and there's the intriguing introduction of mutoids, though I wish they had explored them further in later eps.
B7 also has a courtroom ep of sorts, with Trial, though with very little actual courtroom, to my relief - yeah, not a fan - though I'm not sure if the spit planet is an improvement.
I can't answer most of the remaining questions, so I'll see if I can come up with some alternate ones.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
Friday Five
May. 15th, 2026 07:52 pmcastiron1. How often do you hear live music? Rarely. Now that I have time and don't need a babysitter, concerts have gotten out of my price range.
2. What was your favorite live musical performance ever? A performance by the band Ceili's Muse -- maybe 1994, 1995? -- where they did a rendition of "Galway Farmer" that was positively magical. I have their studio recording of the song, and I've heard them perform it several times, but this one performance stands out in my memory.
3. Do you play an instrument, or sing? I've played clarinet and piano, though am out of practice on both; I also sing a bit.
4. Have you ever performed music onstage? High school band and orchestra; piano recitals; music camp. And in this century, I took a musical improv class and performed as part of that.
5. Who is your favorite musician? If I have to pick one, Alan Doyle. Great voice, great performer; if you see him in a small venue, he has the knack of making you feel like he's singing to you personally.
2. What was your favorite live musical performance ever? A performance by the band Ceili's Muse -- maybe 1994, 1995? -- where they did a rendition of "Galway Farmer" that was positively magical. I have their studio recording of the song, and I've heard them perform it several times, but this one performance stands out in my memory.
3. Do you play an instrument, or sing? I've played clarinet and piano, though am out of practice on both; I also sing a bit.
4. Have you ever performed music onstage? High school band and orchestra; piano recitals; music camp. And in this century, I took a musical improv class and performed as part of that.
5. Who is your favorite musician? If I have to pick one, Alan Doyle. Great voice, great performer; if you see him in a small venue, he has the knack of making you feel like he's singing to you personally.
Back To The Bingo Card
May. 15th, 2026 05:14 pmastrogirlStill very, very slowly working through this Gen Prompt Bingo card from last round. I think I've kind of gotten stuck on second person for a bit now, for some reason. Probably because so many people hate it, and I am nothing if not a contrary soul when it comes to these things. Anyway, have a small bad guy character study thingy, or something.
Title: Not Easy Having Yourself a Good Time
Fandom: Gravity Falls
Characters/Relationships: Bill Cipher
Rating/Warnings: G-rated, no warnings unless you count, y'know, destroying an entire dimension
Tags: character study, second person
Length: ~650 words
Summary: Says he's happy; he's a liar.
Author's Notes: Written for Gen Prompt Bingo, for the prompt "anhedonia (lack of pleasure)."
Not Easy Having Yourself a Good Time
Title: Not Easy Having Yourself a Good Time
Fandom: Gravity Falls
Characters/Relationships: Bill Cipher
Rating/Warnings: G-rated, no warnings unless you count, y'know, destroying an entire dimension
Tags: character study, second person
Length: ~650 words
Summary: Says he's happy; he's a liar.
Author's Notes: Written for Gen Prompt Bingo, for the prompt "anhedonia (lack of pleasure)."
Not Easy Having Yourself a Good Time
30 Days of Blake's 7 - Day 14
May. 15th, 2026 10:22 pmjulesjones Day 14: Character you relate to the most
I don't, really. Some overlap with Avon simply from being a scientist, but he is not someone I would want to live with, let alone be.
I don't, really. Some overlap with Avon simply from being a scientist, but he is not someone I would want to live with, let alone be.
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
May. 15th, 2026 08:59 amjames_davis_nicoll
All that stands between Isako and the satisfactory end of her career is one last job. How hard could it possibly be to accomplish one final task?
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
This and that - and bread
May. 15th, 2026 11:46 amwatervoleFriday is Theo day. We have our toddler grandson every Friday and hand him back Saturday morning.
This is a good arrangement for all parties. He's at the age where he loves having books read to him and is starting to point to dogs and cats and say 'doh' and 'ca'.
He likes going for walks- we took him over the heath today, partly in a pushchair and partly toddling along on his own feet. He loves picking up sticks and playing with them, the occasional fir cone also provides entertainment. He's pleasingly interested when I show him buttercups and ferns, etc. and tell him their names. Today, we went over the board walk on our local mini-bog- stamping on the boards makes an interesting sound that he loves to test out. Fluffy caterpillars of fallen willow seed heads were duly played with and interesting grass stems.
We got back at just the right time to take his morning sleep (often quite a long one).
Granny and grandad are settling down to catch up on computer stuff while he's asleep.
So, I'm posting here, then catch up on a couple of morris-related emails, and then grab a snack. One of the annoying side effects of the kind of diabetes I have is that I've lost too much weight due to poor absorption of carbs. So small meals between meals become necessary.
The catch is that it can be hard to find things I want to eat. A simple sandwich is easiest, but modern bread tastes of nothing at all and has no texture. I don't look forward to eating it...
I've just persuaded my nearest and dearest that we should try Riverford's wholemeal loaf (when did you last see a 'wholemeal' loaf as opposed to a 'brown' loaf - which is every bit as bad as white bread).
They're not cheap compared to a supermarket loaf, but how does it taste?
Very good! I just tied a bit with nothing on it at all. Tasty and far more texture than supermarket bread. But as you chew it, more and more flavour comes through. Yum. Not only that, but being Riverford, it's also organic and made by a family bakery.
Even at £4 per loaf, it's something I'm definitely buying again. I can look forward to eating this - on it's own, with a little butter/vegan spread, or whatever I fancy.
This is what I want from bread. A texture that means it bounces back when you press it, that runny toppings like tahini will soak in rather then run off, and actual flavour!
In the pauses of life, we sew
May. 15th, 2026 10:41 amgaladhirSo, work continues on the African Wax Print outfit:
Cut up the jewellery wire danglies and remade five of them with fishing line. OMG, it's so much harder. I'm trying to thread 1mm white beads on a transparent line - I can't see what I'm doing. I can barely make two in an evening before I'm tapped out. But they do move better, I have to grudgingly concede it.
Stitched them on and decided that now they lie much flatter I need a sixth to balance them out on the other side
so that's a job for this evening. After that I will need to make the long swags and the beading will be done.
- I've made the white bodystocking, but I do not possess any hooks & eyes, so I need to get some hooks & eyes, which will need to be evenly stitched around the top of the bodystocking and the bottom of the bra, to hold it up.
I then decided that currently the whole outfit is a piece of two halves - the bottom half is all white and the top half is all wax print. So I decided to make some detachable sleeves on the model of these ones from Sparkly Belly. Mine will have straps and cuffs of wax print with the left over white mesh as gauzy sleeves.
I've made one of these sleeves, but the cuffs have come out a little small and will need hooks & eyes to shut them (see above).
The straps of the sleeves are supposed to press-stud onto the straps of the bra, but I do not possess any press-studs. I'll have to get some of those too.
One more sleeve to make. Press studs and hooks & eyes to put on. One more dangly and two beaded swags to make and stitch on. Then we're done :)
This and that
May. 15th, 2026 11:28 amwatervoleFriday is Theo day. We have our toddler grandson every Friday and hand him back Saturday morning.
This is a good arrangement for all parties. He's at the age where he loves having books read to him and is starting to point to dogs and cats and say 'doh' and 'ca'.
He likes going for walks- we took him over the heath today, partly in a pushchair and partly toddling along on his own feet. He loves picking up sticks and playing with them, the occasional fir cone also provides entertainment. He's pleasingly interested when I show him buttercups and ferns, etc. and tell him their names. Today, we went over the board walk on our local mini-bog- stamping on the boards makes an interesting sound that he loves to test out. Fluffy caterpillars of fallen willow seed heads were duly played with and interesting grass stems.
We got back at just the right time to take his morning sleep (often quite a long one).
Granny and grandad are settling down to catch up on computer stuff while he's asleep.
So, I'm posting here, then catch up on a couple of morris-related emails, and then grab a snack. One of the annoying side effects of the kind of diabetes I have is that I've lost too much weight due to poor absorption of carbs. So small meals between meals become necessary.
The catch is that it can be hard to find things I want to eat.
30 Days of Blake's 7 - day 15
May. 15th, 2026 09:03 pmvilakinsDay 15: Character who didn’t get enough screen time
Gan, of course! In Breakdown, the so-called 'Gan' episode, he only got nine lines. We should have seen more of his quiet strength and goodness. Though I know some people think he was a violent person controlled only by his limiter - and there's a case for that - I see him as a salt-of-the-earth type.
Jenna also should have got more screen time and away missions. It made sense to leave the pilot on board, but she deserved more action, as she showed in Bounty.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
Gan, of course! In Breakdown, the so-called 'Gan' episode, he only got nine lines. We should have seen more of his quiet strength and goodness. Though I know some people think he was a violent person controlled only by his limiter - and there's a case for that - I see him as a salt-of-the-earth type.
Jenna also should have got more screen time and away missions. It made sense to leave the pilot on board, but she deserved more action, as she showed in Bounty.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
recent reading: Project Hail Mary
May. 14th, 2026 05:58 pmcastironAfter seeing the movie Project Hail Mary twice1, I decided to read the book. It's a good hard SF story, but when the only character that sounds like a believable person is your alien character, your characterization and voice need work.
The movie was much better, and if you have to choose between reading the book and watching the movie, I'd recommend the movie. The actors make the characters feel like actual individual people. Also, the movie has Carl. (I'm also glad I saw the movie relatively unspoiled; I'm sure I read one of the big reveals back when the book was published, but I'd forgotten it, so when it happened on screen it hit hard.)
1 I'd only planned to see it once. We don't go to movies much anymore due to cost, but Youngest specifically requested this one, and I figured okay, this'd be worth seeing in the theater. And then I made the mistake that I as a parent of decades should've known better than to make: I bought tickets for the showing the day after Youngest was going to a slumber party. Yeah. The kid conked out half an hour in and could not be roused even during the fishing scene; it took some work to wake them up after the movie was over. I decided that since I'm the adult and should've known better, I'd take Youngest to see it again on an occasion where they'd stay awake. Fortunately, I liked it enough to see it again, and Youngest declared it peak.
The movie was much better, and if you have to choose between reading the book and watching the movie, I'd recommend the movie. The actors make the characters feel like actual individual people. Also, the movie has Carl. (I'm also glad I saw the movie relatively unspoiled; I'm sure I read one of the big reveals back when the book was published, but I'd forgotten it, so when it happened on screen it hit hard.)
1 I'd only planned to see it once. We don't go to movies much anymore due to cost, but Youngest specifically requested this one, and I figured okay, this'd be worth seeing in the theater. And then I made the mistake that I as a parent of decades should've known better than to make: I bought tickets for the showing the day after Youngest was going to a slumber party. Yeah. The kid conked out half an hour in and could not be roused even during the fishing scene; it took some work to wake them up after the movie was over. I decided that since I'm the adult and should've known better, I'd take Youngest to see it again on an occasion where they'd stay awake. Fortunately, I liked it enough to see it again, and Youngest declared it peak.
I have been reading as well as writing
May. 14th, 2026 04:22 pmheleninwalesI'm currently rereading Terry Pratchett's Guards series. I have all the books, bought as they came out, but I'm actually borrowing the ebooks from the library because ebooks are just more convenient to read, especially if I wake early before the alarm and want to read in bed before getting up. Putting on a light would disturb G. I can read the tablet without any other light.
So... I've just finished Jingo and started reading The Fifth Element. I've not enjoyed them as much as when I first read them. I'm not sure why. Despite being fantasy, I think there was more topical stuff than I realised at the time and some of the humour has dated. Having said that, I think I'll like The Fifth Elephant more, just based on the first few pages.
Meanwhile, on the Kindle app I'm reading The Golden Crucifix by Joyce Lionarans, a self-published author I follow on Mastodon. It's a historical murder mystery, set in medieval York. I'm enjoying it, even though it's not my usual choice of genre.
In addition, I'm listening to The Pied Piper by Nevile Shute. During WWII an elderly Englishman finds himself trying to escape from occupied France along with a growing collection of children. Shute seems to be the master of writing about quiet desperation.
So... I've just finished Jingo and started reading The Fifth Element. I've not enjoyed them as much as when I first read them. I'm not sure why. Despite being fantasy, I think there was more topical stuff than I realised at the time and some of the humour has dated. Having said that, I think I'll like The Fifth Elephant more, just based on the first few pages.
Meanwhile, on the Kindle app I'm reading The Golden Crucifix by Joyce Lionarans, a self-published author I follow on Mastodon. It's a historical murder mystery, set in medieval York. I'm enjoying it, even though it's not my usual choice of genre.
In addition, I'm listening to The Pied Piper by Nevile Shute. During WWII an elderly Englishman finds himself trying to escape from occupied France along with a growing collection of children. Shute seems to be the master of writing about quiet desperation.
I aten't dead
May. 14th, 2026 03:46 pmheleninwalesIt's occurred to me that as far as most of you are concerned, I haven't posted for a while. I have, however, been posting every day on my new writing journals (LJ and DW). I've been writing new words for my novel each day, but other than that I haven't been doing anything interesting enough to post about. We did go for a walk last Saturday, but it was one of the forest walks I've done many times before and therefore only took a couple of photos.
Everything is new and green in the forest, including the conifers. The pale tips are the new growth.
It's less obvious on this tree. This isn't a fern, it's branch of a conifer, though what species, I don't know.
I haven't take the weekly photo yet, though this week's theme is an easy one, namely "stitch". I have quite a few options and hope to take a suitable photo tomorrow. I have knitting and crochet on the go. I may be doing some sewing, but more about that when it actually happens.
Everything is new and green in the forest, including the conifers. The pale tips are the new growth.
It's less obvious on this tree. This isn't a fern, it's branch of a conifer, though what species, I don't know.
I haven't take the weekly photo yet, though this week's theme is an easy one, namely "stitch". I have quite a few options and hope to take a suitable photo tomorrow. I have knitting and crochet on the go. I may be doing some sewing, but more about that when it actually happens.
Unquenchable Fire (Unquenchable Fire, volume 1) by Rachel Pollack
May. 14th, 2026 09:01 amjames_davis_nicoll
Chosen One Jennifer Mazdan would prefer to let destiny's call go through to voice mail.
Unquenchable Fire (Unquenchable Fire, volume 1) by Rachel Pollack
30 Days of Blake's 7 - day 14
May. 14th, 2026 10:01 pmvilakinsDay 14: Character you relate to the most
There are two for different reasons.
Avon (in S1 and S2) for being introverted, independent, resentful at being ordered around, contemptuous of sheer stupidity (I channel his snark about our local and national government), and a geek somewhat lacking in social skills. Not that I'd want to know him.
Vila for being anxious and sensibly scared. Seriously, I'd have been terrified; he's much braver than I am because he can function despite the fear. I also enjoy wordplay and board games. To me, Vila does react to that life in a much more believable way than the others, and I would want to know him.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
There are two for different reasons.
Avon (in S1 and S2) for being introverted, independent, resentful at being ordered around, contemptuous of sheer stupidity (I channel his snark about our local and national government), and a geek somewhat lacking in social skills. Not that I'd want to know him.
Vila for being anxious and sensibly scared. Seriously, I'd have been terrified; he's much braver than I am because he can function despite the fear. I also enjoy wordplay and board games. To me, Vila does react to that life in a much more believable way than the others, and I would want to know him.
All the questions are on Tumblr.
Well, That's That
May. 13th, 2026 07:31 pmastrogirlSo. I just watched what Amazon is apparently for some reason still calling "Season 3" of Good Omens. And, well. Yeah.
( Spoilers, albeit kind of vague ones )
( Spoilers, albeit kind of vague ones )
30 Days of Blake's 7 - Day 13
May. 13th, 2026 09:12 pmjulesjones Day 13: Favourite guest character
So many to choose from in series 1 and 2, fewer but not non-existent in series 3 and 4. I'm going to go with the first choice asvilakins and for the same reason. Bellfriar and Gambrill from Killer are well-developed characters, who show that there are still decent people in the Federation. They're so well written and played that it hurts to see their fate.
So many to choose from in series 1 and 2, fewer but not non-existent in series 3 and 4. I'm going to go with the first choice as
vilakins and for the same reason. Bellfriar and Gambrill from Killer are well-developed characters, who show that there are still decent people in the Federation. They're so well written and played that it hurts to see their fate.