Despite sleeping til about 12:30. Got up then, had breakfast and coffee, and called ![[personal profile]](/post-https-www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mashfanficchick to ascertain that we weren't doing anything today.
Having ascertained that, I went and got a load of laundry together. I filled the laundry bag, and moved it to the hall, then took a break.
I cleaned the cat pan, and I got the black suitcase out from behind my couch that I intend to use to transport the boxes of ashes of Mom, Dad, and Oldest Brother upstate to finally inter them. The suitcase that was supposed to be empty was very heavy.
Surprise! It was filled with the Kid's clothing that she must have left in it the last time, many years ago, she used that suitcase. I took everything out and put it in a Target bag.
Then I texted the Kid and asked her what she wanted me to do about it. Then I went to take a shower and wash my hair.
She texted me back and we arranged that. Then I took my shower, washed my hair, and got dressed.
I decided that while I was getting this clothing to the Kid, I should her antique hatbox that I've had here for years and years to her too, so I decided to get that out from under the small table beside the couch.
Easier said than done, I had to clear everything off the table, and move the table so I could get it. But I did. Then I replaced the table and all the knick knacks I had on it.
Then I took the laundry down to the laundromat and dropped it off. I came back, and texted RK about him taking care of Oreo and Christie while I was gone. He's our go-to person for that cause he's a vet tech, and really cares.
Thenmashfanficchick called and we talked about stuff, the upshot of everything is I'm brnging the bag of clothes and the hatbox over to zer place and we will take it to the storage unit to leave for the Kid when we're both back from upstate.
I took out the bag of dirty kitty litter, and walked around the block. I had originally planned on stopping at J's Confection for a milkshake but I didn't because it was too close to time to Team the FWiB.
Then I Teamed the FWiB. My D&D is cancelled for tonight because the DM is busy so we were able to talk for an hour and a half.
I had dinner after that, and went to the bedroom where I played solitaire til it was pet feeding time.
I fed the pets and started here. Busy day!
Gratitude List:
1. The FWiB.
2. RK.
3. Clean laundry.
4. Almost time to go upstate.
5. The Kid replied.
6.mashfanficchick
mashfanficchick to ascertain that we weren't doing anything today.Having ascertained that, I went and got a load of laundry together. I filled the laundry bag, and moved it to the hall, then took a break.
I cleaned the cat pan, and I got the black suitcase out from behind my couch that I intend to use to transport the boxes of ashes of Mom, Dad, and Oldest Brother upstate to finally inter them. The suitcase that was supposed to be empty was very heavy.
Surprise! It was filled with the Kid's clothing that she must have left in it the last time, many years ago, she used that suitcase. I took everything out and put it in a Target bag.
Then I texted the Kid and asked her what she wanted me to do about it. Then I went to take a shower and wash my hair.
She texted me back and we arranged that. Then I took my shower, washed my hair, and got dressed.
I decided that while I was getting this clothing to the Kid, I should her antique hatbox that I've had here for years and years to her too, so I decided to get that out from under the small table beside the couch.
Easier said than done, I had to clear everything off the table, and move the table so I could get it. But I did. Then I replaced the table and all the knick knacks I had on it.
Then I took the laundry down to the laundromat and dropped it off. I came back, and texted RK about him taking care of Oreo and Christie while I was gone. He's our go-to person for that cause he's a vet tech, and really cares.
Then
mashfanficchick called and we talked about stuff, the upshot of everything is I'm brnging the bag of clothes and the hatbox over to zer place and we will take it to the storage unit to leave for the Kid when we're both back from upstate.I took out the bag of dirty kitty litter, and walked around the block. I had originally planned on stopping at J's Confection for a milkshake but I didn't because it was too close to time to Team the FWiB.
Then I Teamed the FWiB. My D&D is cancelled for tonight because the DM is busy so we were able to talk for an hour and a half.
I had dinner after that, and went to the bedroom where I played solitaire til it was pet feeding time.
I fed the pets and started here. Busy day!
Gratitude List:
1. The FWiB.
2. RK.
3. Clean laundry.
4. Almost time to go upstate.
5. The Kid replied.
6.
mashfanficchick
I just watched the Luke Prokop documentary. A high point in which is getting signed by his hometown franchise, Edmonton Oilers, and playing for their AHL team. They signed him knowing he's gay. He's finally getting proper development and feels like he's being taken seriously as a prospect. He's played with the Oilers in preseason games, which means playing with some of the biggest names in hockey.
The coda to all this, which happened after the doc wrapped I assume, is that the Oilers also didn't re-sign him. He's UFA, and currently unsigned. So, the Oilers acquired him and treated him seriously as a prospect for their NHL team, then switched to their new coach Mike Babcock, and then he was not re-signed. Now, we don't know how this played out. Luke might have seen the hiring of Babcock and decided to GTFO, or maybe he feels he has a better chance to move up in a different franchise. But his story is very much an unfinished one and it's a bit strange for this doc to drop while he's on the market and has been for a bit.
Again, we don't know what is up. He might have multiple offers and is deciding. I obviously think he'd be a great fit for Coachella Valley, and hey we just hired staff specifically to develop defencemen! But the doc tries to end on a happy note, when in reality things are deeply unresolved.
I check Luke's Elite Prospects page daily, but if he finally gets a contract somewhere I'll probably hear about it elsewhere first.
The coda to all this, which happened after the doc wrapped I assume, is that the Oilers also didn't re-sign him. He's UFA, and currently unsigned. So, the Oilers acquired him and treated him seriously as a prospect for their NHL team, then switched to their new coach Mike Babcock, and then he was not re-signed. Now, we don't know how this played out. Luke might have seen the hiring of Babcock and decided to GTFO, or maybe he feels he has a better chance to move up in a different franchise. But his story is very much an unfinished one and it's a bit strange for this doc to drop while he's on the market and has been for a bit.
Again, we don't know what is up. He might have multiple offers and is deciding. I obviously think he'd be a great fit for Coachella Valley, and hey we just hired staff specifically to develop defencemen! But the doc tries to end on a happy note, when in reality things are deeply unresolved.
I check Luke's Elite Prospects page daily, but if he finally gets a contract somewhere I'll probably hear about it elsewhere first.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Narnia Fic Exchange 2026
Jul. 8th, 2026 05:33 pmsnacky posting in ![[community profile]](/post-https-www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandomcalendarUnexpected bingo square: Nietzsche quote in my Thai BL 😂
(I originally shared this on discord because that’s where I put microposting these days and then I figured: why not here?)
(I originally shared this on discord because that’s where I put microposting these days and then I figured: why not here?)
When things are stressful, I often find myself gravitating even more towards the relative calmness of Dreamwidth. However, I’ve been struggling with how to actually read updates here.
( Read more... )
So, I’m stuck!
( Read more... )
So, I’m stuck!
The Stratford Festival posted on their Facebook that the S&A cast will reunite for one night only - July 26 - for a reading of the comedy The Amateurs.
Paul Gross and Don McKellar are included in the reuniting cast.
Follow the link above for more details!
ETA: You can buy tickets here.
Paul Gross and Don McKellar are included in the reuniting cast.
Follow the link above for more details!
ETA: You can buy tickets here.
Okay, we've got the schedule timing, now it is just the logistical nightmare of assigning times and getting moderators for the panels. We've got ... 9 days. We'll post the schedule asap.
I wouldn't call the consistency 'oatmeal' exactly. Or even vaguely. It was goop. Very goopy. Not un-tasty, and the consistency was definitely reminiscent of yogurt with hemp hearts or some similar type add-in. The appearance was not great. Luckily it was in an opaque container far too large for it (probably about 4 ounces of goop in a 12 ounce container) so I didn't have to look at it very closely.
The whole thing was absolutely elevated and saved by the frozen strawberries. To recap, this was:
1/4 cup of 'overnight oats mix'
1/4 cup half and half (I didn't have milk)
8 frozen strawberries
So the strawberries:goop ratio was high, which turned out to be a great choice. It was also very cold, which seems obvious but honestly isn't what my brain associates with oatmeal.
In Conclusion:
*this is goop, a very neutral food
*an acceptably edible cold snack for Summer Heat
*very good way to eat a lot of frozen strawberries
Would eat again, though it's probably a toss-up as to whether I'll manage to finish the whole bag. It says it has eight 1/2 cup servings, which is sixteen 1/4 cup servings. Do I like it enough to eat it 15 more times, or slightly fewer times but in larger portions??? Uncertain.
The whole thing was absolutely elevated and saved by the frozen strawberries. To recap, this was:
1/4 cup of 'overnight oats mix'
1/4 cup half and half (I didn't have milk)
8 frozen strawberries
So the strawberries:goop ratio was high, which turned out to be a great choice. It was also very cold, which seems obvious but honestly isn't what my brain associates with oatmeal.
In Conclusion:
*this is goop, a very neutral food
*an acceptably edible cold snack for Summer Heat
*very good way to eat a lot of frozen strawberries
Would eat again, though it's probably a toss-up as to whether I'll manage to finish the whole bag. It says it has eight 1/2 cup servings, which is sixteen 1/4 cup servings. Do I like it enough to eat it 15 more times, or slightly fewer times but in larger portions??? Uncertain.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Doff (verb, noun)
doff [dof, dawf]
verb (used with object), doffs, doffed, doffing
1. to remove or take off, as clothing.
2. to remove or tip (the hat), as in greeting.
3. to throw off; get rid of: Doff your stupid ideas and join our side!
4. Textiles.
a. to strip (carded fiber) from a carding machine.
b. to remove (full bobbins, material, etc.) from a textile machine.
noun
5. Textiles.
a. the act of removing bobbins, material, etc., and stripping fibers from a textile machine.
b. the material so doffed.
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
Origin: 1300–50; Middle English, contraction of do off; cf. don
Example Sentences
"Long before the civil wars, men and boys were expected to doff their hats, indoors or out, whenever they met a superior," he says.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
The sellout crowd, which had long been on its feet, continuing cheering, eventually drawing Kershaw back out onto the field to doff his cap in appreciation.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2025
When they arrive, there is a ceremonial greeting, where the Lords doff their black bicorn hats and the Commons representatives acknowledge this by bowing.
From BBC • May 25, 2024
“Courage Hats” wants a little too forcefully to guide us into “deep” places where we will doff our hidey-hats to reveal our true selves — abstract concepts for the literalizing peewee set.
From New York Times • May 20, 2022
We were required to doff our hats as the warder walked by.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Doff (verb, noun)
doff [dof, dawf]
verb (used with object), doffs, doffed, doffing
1. to remove or take off, as clothing.
2. to remove or tip (the hat), as in greeting.
3. to throw off; get rid of: Doff your stupid ideas and join our side!
4. Textiles.
a. to strip (carded fiber) from a carding machine.
b. to remove (full bobbins, material, etc.) from a textile machine.
noun
5. Textiles.
a. the act of removing bobbins, material, etc., and stripping fibers from a textile machine.
b. the material so doffed.
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
Origin: 1300–50; Middle English, contraction of do off; cf. don
Example Sentences
"Long before the civil wars, men and boys were expected to doff their hats, indoors or out, whenever they met a superior," he says.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
The sellout crowd, which had long been on its feet, continuing cheering, eventually drawing Kershaw back out onto the field to doff his cap in appreciation.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2025
When they arrive, there is a ceremonial greeting, where the Lords doff their black bicorn hats and the Commons representatives acknowledge this by bowing.
From BBC • May 25, 2024
“Courage Hats” wants a little too forcefully to guide us into “deep” places where we will doff our hidey-hats to reveal our true selves — abstract concepts for the literalizing peewee set.
From New York Times • May 20, 2022
We were required to doff our hats as the warder walked by.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
♥ mixed language
I was watching a Chinese vlogger open some mail and she was like, "If you can guess what's in this, leave a comment," and I immediately thought, "yi ben livre." Which is a combination of French and Chinese that I blame on Language Jones because youtube had just shown me a thumbnail of his video "Stop Mixing Languages." (And he speaks French, which I assume was the connection my brain made, since when I started learning Chinese it was ASL that I kept substituting with, probably because it was my most recent non-native working language.)
♥ language in dreams
The other funny thing about that is that it's a reminder of how differently we think, since I know a lot of people don't think in words and I definitely do. The other day I saw a discussion of dreaming in non-native languages, and several advanced language learners seemed convinced this phenomenon is either imaginary or "bogus" (not sure exactly what they meant by that), despite multilingual people assuring them it's real and normal. I remember my glee the first time I woke up and realized I'd been dreaming in Chinese. But I know a lot of people don't remember their dreams, either, so it must just be different brains with different experiences.
♥ AI face editing
Relatedly, I hadn't noticed any AI face editing until tonight, when I was watching my one of my favorite Taiwanese vloggers and suddenly thought, "wait, that's not a real face shape." (China has a relatively extreme "beauty filter" culture, and constant exposure to it may make people more likely to slide across the line from "very idealized" to "straight up anime" face without realizing it.) I googled AI face editing, and now I can't stop noticing people's teeth. I hope that passes quickly.
♥ AI face editing and faceblindness
Oh, but also, I found a helpful English video about a Chinese demonstration of AI face editing (the comments were definitely from non-Chinese viewers), and it included a demonstration of live AI face-swapping at the end. I'm faceblind, which I didn't think about at all until the face-swapping demonstration, because the face-editing was very clear to me. I could easily see the difference between the edited and unedited faces. But I could not see the difference between an original face and a face swap. It was amazing: the narrator would be like, "here's a Tom Cruise face swap" and I was like, "it's the same guy," and then the narrator would be like, "and here, obviously it's Scarlett Johannsen" and I was like, "what obviously; what are you talking about, it's obviously the same person."
So anyway, I don't know what that means, except that there's something different about AI face editing that's visible to me as a faceblind person in a way face-swapping isn't. (By comparison, I mean, I've never recognized editing without a comparison until tonight, and this wasn't "that face looks edited" or even "that face doesn't look real," but literally "that's not a normal human face shape." It looked perfectly real, it just wasn't biologically possible.)
♥ training with the pup
Finally, Daphne and I met with a dog trainer today, and as I told Marci, "I was impressed by him." She was like, "That's not a reaction you usually have to men." I know. So rare. (I often get along better with old men, and he says he's been training for 50 years, so maybe the pattern holds.) On the strength of our first meeting I agreed to a few "private" classes rather than a group class. No money was exchanged until the end of today's session, so I don't want to gush until we meet again, but he did everything right in the initial evaluation.
I was watching a Chinese vlogger open some mail and she was like, "If you can guess what's in this, leave a comment," and I immediately thought, "yi ben livre." Which is a combination of French and Chinese that I blame on Language Jones because youtube had just shown me a thumbnail of his video "Stop Mixing Languages." (And he speaks French, which I assume was the connection my brain made, since when I started learning Chinese it was ASL that I kept substituting with, probably because it was my most recent non-native working language.)
♥ language in dreams
The other funny thing about that is that it's a reminder of how differently we think, since I know a lot of people don't think in words and I definitely do. The other day I saw a discussion of dreaming in non-native languages, and several advanced language learners seemed convinced this phenomenon is either imaginary or "bogus" (not sure exactly what they meant by that), despite multilingual people assuring them it's real and normal. I remember my glee the first time I woke up and realized I'd been dreaming in Chinese. But I know a lot of people don't remember their dreams, either, so it must just be different brains with different experiences.
♥ AI face editing
Relatedly, I hadn't noticed any AI face editing until tonight, when I was watching my one of my favorite Taiwanese vloggers and suddenly thought, "wait, that's not a real face shape." (China has a relatively extreme "beauty filter" culture, and constant exposure to it may make people more likely to slide across the line from "very idealized" to "straight up anime" face without realizing it.) I googled AI face editing, and now I can't stop noticing people's teeth. I hope that passes quickly.
♥ AI face editing and faceblindness
Oh, but also, I found a helpful English video about a Chinese demonstration of AI face editing (the comments were definitely from non-Chinese viewers), and it included a demonstration of live AI face-swapping at the end. I'm faceblind, which I didn't think about at all until the face-swapping demonstration, because the face-editing was very clear to me. I could easily see the difference between the edited and unedited faces. But I could not see the difference between an original face and a face swap. It was amazing: the narrator would be like, "here's a Tom Cruise face swap" and I was like, "it's the same guy," and then the narrator would be like, "and here, obviously it's Scarlett Johannsen" and I was like, "what obviously; what are you talking about, it's obviously the same person."
So anyway, I don't know what that means, except that there's something different about AI face editing that's visible to me as a faceblind person in a way face-swapping isn't. (By comparison, I mean, I've never recognized editing without a comparison until tonight, and this wasn't "that face looks edited" or even "that face doesn't look real," but literally "that's not a normal human face shape." It looked perfectly real, it just wasn't biologically possible.)
♥ training with the pup
Finally, Daphne and I met with a dog trainer today, and as I told Marci, "I was impressed by him." She was like, "That's not a reaction you usually have to men." I know. So rare. (I often get along better with old men, and he says he's been training for 50 years, so maybe the pattern holds.) On the strength of our first meeting I agreed to a few "private" classes rather than a group class. No money was exchanged until the end of today's session, so I don't want to gush until we meet again, but he did everything right in the initial evaluation.
I have several pictures of the "coyotes," but none at the top of my camera roll, so I searched my photos for "wolf" (since that's what these coyotes look like to me). My photos turned up an actual Irish Wolfhound, whom I don't remember meeting at all, along with several pictures of Mimi running, which I found hilarious and charming.
Then I searched for "coyote," and lo, this picture came up.
( coyote and friends )
One of our neighbors has two cardboard "coyotes" that she puts by the river to keep geese from coming up on the banking. Apparently real coyotes move, so the geese are more convinced by this ruse if the coyotes are not in the same place every time they pass by.
The same neighbor also has a hammock, hence my explanation, "She says the rent to sit in the hammock is to move the coyotes, so I moved a coyote."
(I first encountered the coyotes years ago, at night, while I was out walking with Mimi by flashlight. I genuinely though we had come upon a live animal and I quickly scooped Mimi up and backed away. Mimi was completely unworried, which I admitted after the fact should have been a clue.)
Then I searched for "coyote," and lo, this picture came up.
( coyote and friends )
One of our neighbors has two cardboard "coyotes" that she puts by the river to keep geese from coming up on the banking. Apparently real coyotes move, so the geese are more convinced by this ruse if the coyotes are not in the same place every time they pass by.
The same neighbor also has a hammock, hence my explanation, "She says the rent to sit in the hammock is to move the coyotes, so I moved a coyote."
(I first encountered the coyotes years ago, at night, while I was out walking with Mimi by flashlight. I genuinely though we had come upon a live animal and I quickly scooped Mimi up and backed away. Mimi was completely unworried, which I admitted after the fact should have been a clue.)
Got up this morning at 10:00 after a rather restless night. Had coffee and then a bowl of cereal, showered and dressed, and then puttered on my phone til 2:00.
At 2:00mashfanficchick and I took an Uber over to my surgeon (the Uber from zer place was half what the Uber from my place would have been, that's why I stayed over) for my checkup.
It was abut a half hour wait in the waiting room, but once I got in the exam room, not too long. The doctor did what she always does, go over my records, ask a few questions, and examine my breasts. I am happy to say all is well, and once again I don't go back for six months.
Thenmashfanficchick and I took the bus to Queens Center mall, and ze went shopping for something to wear to zer father's 80th birthday celebration which is on the 12th.
First though we had a late lunch/early dinner at Applebee's, splitting the "two for $25" deal. We had salad rather than appetizer, and I had the O-M-Cheeseburger. It was delicious.
Then we went to Penny's and looked for clothes. I spotted the $5 clearance rack and got a pair of purple patterned satin shorts. I wanted to use my Penny's card because I was afraid it would be canceled if I didn't use it soon. So I paid using that.
mashfanficchick hadn't found anything ze liked by the time I had to leave to get to my Al-anon meeting in time, so ze walked me to the bus and then went on to Macy's.
I took the bus home, with a bit of excitement at 38th and Main, where the driver said that the loud banging coming from the back had reached the point where he had to call it in the the depot. So I got off there, and switched to another bus that was right behind, and made it home on time.
That was the good part. But the computer, or Zoom, acted up and I had a very hard time getting the meeting to start, I finally did, late. Then it was pretty good.
I Teamed the FWiB after the meeting rather than before obviously. We talked for almost an hour.
Then I fed the pets and started here.
Gratitude List:
1. The FWiB.
2. My checkup was good.
3. The Kid texted me back when I texted her.
4. The rain that started never got bad when I was out in it.
5. Purple patterned shorts for $5.
6. Made it home in time for my meeting.
At 2:00
mashfanficchick and I took an Uber over to my surgeon (the Uber from zer place was half what the Uber from my place would have been, that's why I stayed over) for my checkup.It was abut a half hour wait in the waiting room, but once I got in the exam room, not too long. The doctor did what she always does, go over my records, ask a few questions, and examine my breasts. I am happy to say all is well, and once again I don't go back for six months.
Then
mashfanficchick and I took the bus to Queens Center mall, and ze went shopping for something to wear to zer father's 80th birthday celebration which is on the 12th.First though we had a late lunch/early dinner at Applebee's, splitting the "two for $25" deal. We had salad rather than appetizer, and I had the O-M-Cheeseburger. It was delicious.
Then we went to Penny's and looked for clothes. I spotted the $5 clearance rack and got a pair of purple patterned satin shorts. I wanted to use my Penny's card because I was afraid it would be canceled if I didn't use it soon. So I paid using that.
mashfanficchick hadn't found anything ze liked by the time I had to leave to get to my Al-anon meeting in time, so ze walked me to the bus and then went on to Macy's.I took the bus home, with a bit of excitement at 38th and Main, where the driver said that the loud banging coming from the back had reached the point where he had to call it in the the depot. So I got off there, and switched to another bus that was right behind, and made it home on time.
That was the good part. But the computer, or Zoom, acted up and I had a very hard time getting the meeting to start, I finally did, late. Then it was pretty good.
I Teamed the FWiB after the meeting rather than before obviously. We talked for almost an hour.
Then I fed the pets and started here.
Gratitude List:
1. The FWiB.
2. My checkup was good.
3. The Kid texted me back when I texted her.
4. The rain that started never got bad when I was out in it.
5. Purple patterned shorts for $5.
6. Made it home in time for my meeting.
This survey is run by the person who runs the Gender Census. It is looking for information about what first names nonbinary (defined very broadly) people use.
If this describes you, go get represented!
If this describes you, go get represented!
OMG! Only ten days to go until World Wide Slash Con. Have you checked the membership list to see if you've registered? If you haven't, get that membership in. Voting has closed on the panels, and we're working on the schedule. https;//wwscon.com/world-wide-slash-con/register
What are you looking forward to most? A specific panel you're hoping for? The Premiere Vid Show? Hanging out in the con suite watching shows with people?
*Hooray for rain! We need it for sure.
*Back to the office: I guess? Now that they're not giving us food anymore, I'm trying some overnight oats. Will report back!
*Two hours into the 11-hour 'werewolves and crochet' book. So far there has been very little werewolf or crochet content. I am enjoying the sibling content, despite most them being off-page. Almost all the audiobooks I've tried have met the bar of 'make driving more interesting,' and I expect this one will too. If not, I have several others downloaded and ready to go!
*Back to the office: I guess? Now that they're not giving us food anymore, I'm trying some overnight oats. Will report back!
*Two hours into the 11-hour 'werewolves and crochet' book. So far there has been very little werewolf or crochet content. I am enjoying the sibling content, despite most them being off-page. Almost all the audiobooks I've tried have met the bar of 'make driving more interesting,' and I expect this one will too. If not, I have several others downloaded and ready to go!
