024 - various graphics; 02.03 - jane eyre (2011), jujutsu kaisen
May. 2nd, 2026 11:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aliensambaMedium: film, anime
Fandom: Jane Eyre (2011); Jujutsu Kaisen
Characters: Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester; Itadori Yuuji, Fushiguro Toji
Notes: 2 headers and 2 sig tags for 02.03 - "making spring" at Seasons of Fandom.
( Read more... )
Fandom: Jane Eyre (2011); Jujutsu Kaisen
Characters: Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester; Itadori Yuuji, Fushiguro Toji
Notes: 2 headers and 2 sig tags for 02.03 - "making spring" at Seasons of Fandom.
( Read more... )
3W4DW Day 7 Check-in
May. 1st, 2026 10:40 pmalthea_valara1. one creative thing I did today
I saw a movie!
No, wait, hear me out: you may be thinking that this isn't an action of personal creativity, and you're not wrong, but creativity needs to be nurtured and fed. A lot of the reasons I write fluffy fanfic is that I just don't have the necessary experiences to write anything else. I need more experiences! And that could be through living live myself, or it could mean by consuming media.
It is rare I watch movies these days. I don't particularly like movie theaters, for one, and for two, movies tend to be long enough that my mind wanders. But today's movie was good, and I mostly stay focused the whole time! It was also a more comfy setting for me, being at my local library rather than a theater.
I went on mom's behest, but once she told me what the movie was about I went "OOOH!" because I knew I'd like it. We say Rental Family with Brendan Fraiser, and it takes place in Japan (<3!) which is relevant to my interests. I enjoyed it! Not as much as seeing Barbie or Wicked, both of which we also saw at the library, but it was a good movie and I was glad I went.
2. one thing I'm proud of today
I listened to my body and fed it when it was hungry, and napped when I was tired. Otherwise... well, the day was rather lost with going out to breakfast this morning with mom, then movie, then home, then a late lunch, then FLOP on bed, then dinner, then streaming.
I also did not overly freak when something anxiety-provoking happened. This is good progress!
3. video game progress
The latest FFXIV raid has made me want to replay the Bastok Rank 6-10 missions, so before dinner I logged into my Amalberga, my documentation alt who happens to be from Bastok and has completed up to rank 5. I did read the wiki for the 6-1 mission, and I probably could have done it at her level, but it would have been dicey, as she was only level 82 (cap is 99). So I took her Trusts out to Mount Zaylom to fight crabs and level up. She's now level 85, and I am barred from leveling up again with a genkai (limit breaker) quest. I need to farm 10 Kindred Crest's (easy, I probably have them already!) and 5 merit points. I have no merit points currently, so that will mean more EXPing against crabs.
After dinner, I streamed on Siofra. We're in the midst of the Wings of the Goddess expansion, and just finished the 5th set of the Windurst path questline. There was a battle that gave me some trouble. It's meant to be done with real players, and you can bring a whole 18-person alliance if you wish. I was doing it with Trusts (computer controlled NPCs) and they are pretty dumb, in that they won't attack until I swing my staff at an enemy. I'm a MAGE, folks. I get aggro usually by spellcasting. But nope the Trusts just stand there going "durr..." unless I do a physical attack. It's one of the few things that annoy me about the game.
Anyway. First attempt, I tried picking off the enemies one by one. Not good, the wards were defeated and I lost. Second attempt, I tried doing Diaga to grab all enemies at once, which allows for better fighting by the blasted Trusts, but the wards still fell.
The wards have an HP pool. I am a White Mage. The obvious thing is to cast Cure on them, but that doesn't work--they are immune to Cure spells. However, Dancer's Curing Waltz will heal them! So I changed my subjob from /SCH to /DNC, did a few macro changes, and tried again. This time I won!
Unfortunately, I only had oomph for a 2 hour stream. Because FFXI is unvoiced, I do a LOT of "voice acting" by reading lines. I am not an actor, but I try my best. It's exhausting though, trying to perform. So I opted to quit for the night when
jillwise who was watching had to leave.My FFXI anniversary was on April 25th: I first stepped into Vana'diel on that day in 2009. SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO. Where has the time gone? And how cool that the game is STILL up and running so I can enjoy it. But when I realized just how long it's been, I nearly crumbled into dust.
And now, BEDTIME! (Prompto: "Soft sheets, baby!")
The Good news
May. 1st, 2026 10:16 pmcornerofmadness1. The classes are over (the bad is yet another student told me the organ with baby kittens falling out of it was the brain)
2. My heart is fine.
The bad? This doctor has seen the last of me. He's an ass. Yeah I made another appointment (mostly because I didn't want them calling). It's not for 6 months so I have plenty of time to find another cardiologist. You could see it in his eyes. I wasn't sick enough to be interesting. I'm not really that sick at all.
Me, being an absent minded idiot, even though i finished inputting info into my blood pressure log, I forgot to print it. I DID have it on my flashdrive in my purse. When I offered it his reply was 'I don't need to see it.'
Then why the fuck did you make me DO three blood pressures a day for a fucking month?!?
My echo hadn't changed in 9 years (which I knew) and he was ready to let it go with that but I was NOT (he was running behind because he'd been called into the ER)
Me: so I have mild tricuspid regurgitation
Him: not unusual in women (I know this but I plan to go over my results point by point and fuck him trying to race off)
Me: but also mild diastolic dysfunction. Is that from sleep apnea (I know it is and my psychiatrist was concerned by this)
Him: yes, see someone to get a sleep study (i.e. not me)
Me: what would cause my diasstolic pressure to be so low (it's been 50-65 most of the time. Normal is 80)? this I didn't know but has gone to mayo clinic to look up. Often it's dehydration which makes sense being diabetic.
Him: could be aortic regurgitation but you didn't have that on echo, could be some athersclerosis but I doubt it (could be though I am diabetic) but we can't do anything about that (okay fair)
Me: did you get my month long (I'm still itching my chest wounds) holter monitor?
Him: yes.
Me: And? It didn't tell me because most patients wouldn't understand it, I know but I want to see what it said.
Him: You're tachycardic
Me: no duh, that's why I've had two echos now, and?
Him: and nothing really. No afib (thank god), no real issues, just tachycardia and a few pauses.
Me: Pauses? From sleep apnea (most likely)
HIm: nothing to worry about. You really need to talk to your endocrinologist, a lot of this is metabolic.
Me: will do (and get that sleep apnea)
Eye roll. Yeah this is the last I'll see of him. Life's too short to deal with uninterested docs.
One month of blood pressures and he didn't care. It's Beltane and a full moon. You're lucky I'm not hexing you.
Came home and the cheap Victorian gown from Amazon was here. And it's actually not bad quality. Certainly something I can build on for my Rosie cosplay. Alas it does button down the front. I have boobs and it gaps open. I can pin it shut. Also doesn't button at the neck just under the chin but that's fair. I can not bear things around my neck. I can put a brooch on that part.
Have some fannish 50 friday recs
Watch Your Step! Teen Wolf
Sect Leader Jiang's 31 step program to happiness
陈情令 | The Untamed
Can’t Go Home Again Torchwood
The Last Dance Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Losing John Inspector George Gently
Worn Hazbin Hotel
Team Work Stargate Atlantis
Anniversary Problems Torchwood
Thursday Afternoons with You The Owl House
Incredible Hazbin Hotel
The Long Road Home The Amazing Digital Circus
listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness Helluva Boss
To Ease The Pain Torchwood
Secrets in the Shadows Hazbin Hotel
Held Hazbin Hotel
no one can dream for you 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)
2. My heart is fine.
The bad? This doctor has seen the last of me. He's an ass. Yeah I made another appointment (mostly because I didn't want them calling). It's not for 6 months so I have plenty of time to find another cardiologist. You could see it in his eyes. I wasn't sick enough to be interesting. I'm not really that sick at all.
Me, being an absent minded idiot, even though i finished inputting info into my blood pressure log, I forgot to print it. I DID have it on my flashdrive in my purse. When I offered it his reply was 'I don't need to see it.'
Then why the fuck did you make me DO three blood pressures a day for a fucking month?!?
My echo hadn't changed in 9 years (which I knew) and he was ready to let it go with that but I was NOT (he was running behind because he'd been called into the ER)
Me: so I have mild tricuspid regurgitation
Him: not unusual in women (I know this but I plan to go over my results point by point and fuck him trying to race off)
Me: but also mild diastolic dysfunction. Is that from sleep apnea (I know it is and my psychiatrist was concerned by this)
Him: yes, see someone to get a sleep study (i.e. not me)
Me: what would cause my diasstolic pressure to be so low (it's been 50-65 most of the time. Normal is 80)? this I didn't know but has gone to mayo clinic to look up. Often it's dehydration which makes sense being diabetic.
Him: could be aortic regurgitation but you didn't have that on echo, could be some athersclerosis but I doubt it (could be though I am diabetic) but we can't do anything about that (okay fair)
Me: did you get my month long (I'm still itching my chest wounds) holter monitor?
Him: yes.
Me: And? It didn't tell me because most patients wouldn't understand it, I know but I want to see what it said.
Him: You're tachycardic
Me: no duh, that's why I've had two echos now, and?
Him: and nothing really. No afib (thank god), no real issues, just tachycardia and a few pauses.
Me: Pauses? From sleep apnea (most likely)
HIm: nothing to worry about. You really need to talk to your endocrinologist, a lot of this is metabolic.
Me: will do (and get that sleep apnea)
Eye roll. Yeah this is the last I'll see of him. Life's too short to deal with uninterested docs.
One month of blood pressures and he didn't care. It's Beltane and a full moon. You're lucky I'm not hexing you.
Came home and the cheap Victorian gown from Amazon was here. And it's actually not bad quality. Certainly something I can build on for my Rosie cosplay. Alas it does button down the front. I have boobs and it gaps open. I can pin it shut. Also doesn't button at the neck just under the chin but that's fair. I can not bear things around my neck. I can put a brooch on that part.
Have some fannish 50 friday recs
Watch Your Step! Teen Wolf
Sect Leader Jiang's 31 step program to happiness
陈情令 | The Untamed
Can’t Go Home Again Torchwood
The Last Dance Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Losing John Inspector George Gently
Worn Hazbin Hotel
Team Work Stargate Atlantis
Anniversary Problems Torchwood
Thursday Afternoons with You The Owl House
Incredible Hazbin Hotel
The Long Road Home The Amazing Digital Circus
listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness Helluva Boss
To Ease The Pain Torchwood
Secrets in the Shadows Hazbin Hotel
Held Hazbin Hotel
no one can dream for you 陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)
more health stuff 😢
May. 1st, 2026 07:02 pmmxcatmoon Well. I need prayers again. I fell going into the doctor's office this morning. And broke my arm. Now I'm going to be off work again. And hoping my short-term disability comes through fast. Because the situation is not good. I now must dictate everything into the computer and then cut and paste it because I can't type. So much bad luck lately.
I guess Miami Vice is going to be distracting me again. It's the only thing that can help. I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep, I guess in the recliner for a while. I have no idea how I'm going to take care of the daily household stuff with only one hand. And stiff and sore. It happened on a Friday too, so I probably won't be able to talk to anyone until Monday.
I'm in a lot of pain because I also hurt my back ribs and knee. I don't know if they're broken. The doctor only sent me for X-rays for the arm. I don't know how bad it is yet because I saw the results in My Chart online, but no doctor has reviewed it yet. I'm in a lot of trouble here. So, I need lots of prayers. Thank you.
I guess Miami Vice is going to be distracting me again. It's the only thing that can help. I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep, I guess in the recliner for a while. I have no idea how I'm going to take care of the daily household stuff with only one hand. And stiff and sore. It happened on a Friday too, so I probably won't be able to talk to anyone until Monday.
My Eyes!
May. 1st, 2026 03:41 pmyourlibrarian1) I've no idea why, but this afternoon my monitor screen brightness suddenly shot up to where the blue light on white areas is practically visible. I went to my computer settings and found that the brightness slider was greyed out. I looked for info online and – along with various instructions which seemed to lead nowhere – it was suggested that I needed to change the settings on my monitor. Problem is, I'm using a Roku TV as my monitor, and when I went in there the brightness settings were already low and making them lower changed nothing.
I did a Microsoft update yesterday but supposedly all the downloads were related to security updates. I already use dark mode on both browsers but this doesn't apply to MS Word, and in any case the dark mode has to be switched off at times because it obscures buttons or other info in certain layouts. (This is also true of MS's accessibility dark mode themes)
2) Ok, then: Regal sold its inventory of $50 “Dune” tickets projected in 70 millimeter IMAX film in a matter of minutes. "Some 17% of film tickets sold last year were for premium-format theaters with bigger screens and better sound, compared with 13% in 2021. They cost an average of $18 nationally, according to research firm EntTelligence, and as much as $30 in big cities such as New York and Los Angeles."
3) Perhaps relatedly, Las Vegas Sphere is a Success. Although largely for music concerts, the site has also been used for movies, notably “The Wizard of Oz.” "Dolan decided he wanted to turn the 1939 classic film into an immersive experience. He recruited Google’s AI engineers for the $100 million project...Red apples made of foam drop from above in one scene, and leaves swirl during the tornado. From its opening Aug. 28 through Jan. 20, the movie generated more than $260 million in ticket sales, the company said."
But it comes at a high price: Tickets to Sphere concerts can range for a few hundred dollars to thousands.
4) Not thrilled with the Copilot product placement in Season 2 episode 18 of High Potential. It makes me think we should have a contest to see what increasingly absurd examples of AI use will start to intrude into scenes across TV shows.
5) My partner clearly enjoys Dark Winds, because Mr. I-Hate-Binging watched 2 seasons of it within 5 days with me. This was probably just as well because I was not thrilled with S4. ( Read more... )
I did a Microsoft update yesterday but supposedly all the downloads were related to security updates. I already use dark mode on both browsers but this doesn't apply to MS Word, and in any case the dark mode has to be switched off at times because it obscures buttons or other info in certain layouts. (This is also true of MS's accessibility dark mode themes)
2) Ok, then: Regal sold its inventory of $50 “Dune” tickets projected in 70 millimeter IMAX film in a matter of minutes. "Some 17% of film tickets sold last year were for premium-format theaters with bigger screens and better sound, compared with 13% in 2021. They cost an average of $18 nationally, according to research firm EntTelligence, and as much as $30 in big cities such as New York and Los Angeles."
3) Perhaps relatedly, Las Vegas Sphere is a Success. Although largely for music concerts, the site has also been used for movies, notably “The Wizard of Oz.” "Dolan decided he wanted to turn the 1939 classic film into an immersive experience. He recruited Google’s AI engineers for the $100 million project...Red apples made of foam drop from above in one scene, and leaves swirl during the tornado. From its opening Aug. 28 through Jan. 20, the movie generated more than $260 million in ticket sales, the company said."
But it comes at a high price: Tickets to Sphere concerts can range for a few hundred dollars to thousands.
4) Not thrilled with the Copilot product placement in Season 2 episode 18 of High Potential. It makes me think we should have a contest to see what increasingly absurd examples of AI use will start to intrude into scenes across TV shows.
5) My partner clearly enjoys Dark Winds, because Mr. I-Hate-Binging watched 2 seasons of it within 5 days with me. This was probably just as well because I was not thrilled with S4. ( Read more... )
Poll #34543 Kudos Footer-574
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3W4DW Day 6 Check-in: a day late (but not a dollar short)
May. 1st, 2026 02:30 pmalthea_valaraWhoops I forgot to do this yesterday, so here's my answers now:
1. one creative thing I did
I worked on a Divine Hat, hoping to finish it for a Nerdopolis challenge. I could have finished it in time had I stuck with it, but I changed projects because I really wanted to fill the Love What You Do challenge, where teams pick their own themes.
I started a knitting pattern for the challenge, but this was pretty late in the afternoon, and it soon became apparent I wouldn't finish in time. So back to crochet I went, where I freehanded a pocket tissue cozy. It's not great, but it's recognizable for what it is, so hey! And I got to fulfill the challenge, which made me happy!
Here's my write-up for my submission:
I spent a large part of my afternoon listening to and supporting a friend. I'm not always the best at being a friend, so I definitely want to give myself a pat on the back for this one.
I logged into Windy and did an alliance roulette on her. I got first Dawntrail raid AGAIN, for the second day in a row. I didn't mind all that much though, because it gave me a coin.
Windy's gear was at ilevel 745. She needs to be at least i755 to do the new patch content. I had previously ran the 7.4 dungeon with Duty Support, which dropped casting body for her. SCORE! I also spent some of her meager stash of gil on the crafted SMN book - and since there was a pentamelded one up for just a bit more than the regular HQ ones, I opted for that one. Her wallet hurts, but that was a big help in her ilevel.
After running the raid, I looked at getting more tomestone gear for her. She already had Historia hands; I picked up a Historia necklace and ring, too, because I had enough Mathematics for them.
I had an inkling that augmenting some of the Historia would be enough--did I have enough coins? I DID! So I augmented the hands and choker, and that put me at exactly 755. So she's good for content!
If I have time, I might do some hunt trains or something on her to see if I can't get the newer tomestone gear (Historia is kinda outdated at this point), but I'm not going to worry too much if I can't.
1. one creative thing I did today on Thursday
I worked on a Divine Hat, hoping to finish it for a Nerdopolis challenge. I could have finished it in time had I stuck with it, but I changed projects because I really wanted to fill the Love What You Do challenge, where teams pick their own themes.
I started a knitting pattern for the challenge, but this was pretty late in the afternoon, and it soon became apparent I wouldn't finish in time. So back to crochet I went, where I freehanded a pocket tissue cozy. It's not great, but it's recognizable for what it is, so hey! And I got to fulfill the challenge, which made me happy!
Here's my write-up for my submission:
Co-op’s theme this month is Favorite Streamer. Mine is Colin Ryan, who along with being a Final Fantasy XIV streamer, also happens to be the English voice of Alphinaud in the game! Colin’s streams are fun, wholesome, and chill, and I just adore watching his reactions as he experiences the full breadth of the game’s story for the first time.
Players in FFXIV are referred to in the game as the Warrior of Light. The WoL has a special ability called the Echo, which allows them to glimpse scenes from people’s pasts. When the Echo kicks in, the Warrior holds their hand up to their face, as if experiencing a sudden headache, and squints in pain. Well, when Colin first saw the Echo, he thought his character was sneezing! Henceforth, the Echo is called The Sneeze on his streams. In honor of this, I made a Pocket Tissue Cozy so I’d never be without my tissues should The Sneeze strike!
Team shout out for Nerd Cred: Colin is not only a streamer of FFXIV but an actual voice artist from it as well, and thus fits into my team’s scope! I can’t resist sharing this clip from his stream - here is Colin hearing himself in game for the first time. IT’S ADORABLE!
2. one thing I'm proud
I spent a large part of my afternoon listening to and supporting a friend. I'm not always the best at being a friend, so I definitely want to give myself a pat on the back for this one.
3. video game progress
I logged into Windy and did an alliance roulette on her. I got first Dawntrail raid AGAIN, for the second day in a row. I didn't mind all that much though, because it gave me a coin.
Windy's gear was at ilevel 745. She needs to be at least i755 to do the new patch content. I had previously ran the 7.4 dungeon with Duty Support, which dropped casting body for her. SCORE! I also spent some of her meager stash of gil on the crafted SMN book - and since there was a pentamelded one up for just a bit more than the regular HQ ones, I opted for that one. Her wallet hurts, but that was a big help in her ilevel.
After running the raid, I looked at getting more tomestone gear for her. She already had Historia hands; I picked up a Historia necklace and ring, too, because I had enough Mathematics for them.
I had an inkling that augmenting some of the Historia would be enough--did I have enough coins? I DID! So I augmented the hands and choker, and that put me at exactly 755. So she's good for content!
If I have time, I might do some hunt trains or something on her to see if I can't get the newer tomestone gear (Historia is kinda outdated at this point), but I'm not going to worry too much if I can't.
(no subject)
May. 1st, 2026 02:10 pmashelterofpagesThings I've watched over the past couple of months:
( A few movies and a TV show )
Anyway, besides that I'm here to report that I think my current meds change is doing really well for me. I'm getting normal stuff done, as well as writing related things, which is great, and even things like doing DW stuff and other bits of social media I keep meaning to try and check in on. It's kind of great.
I have some tarot related stuff to do over the next little wile because of 3WFDW, but I'll be doing them piecemeal while I let my foot heal up. Sadly, being in pain messes with everything else, so having brain to do things is hard.
(I hurt my foot in such a silly way. I was coming out of the shower and smacked it into a box while I was trying not to trip on something. I didn't know I'd really hurt it at first, but by the evening, I was really struggling to walk, so I had to call someone to help me do things like bring in groceries. I'm now at my normal house because moving is Very COmplicated right now.)
( A few movies and a TV show )
Anyway, besides that I'm here to report that I think my current meds change is doing really well for me. I'm getting normal stuff done, as well as writing related things, which is great, and even things like doing DW stuff and other bits of social media I keep meaning to try and check in on. It's kind of great.
I have some tarot related stuff to do over the next little wile because of 3WFDW, but I'll be doing them piecemeal while I let my foot heal up. Sadly, being in pain messes with everything else, so having brain to do things is hard.
(I hurt my foot in such a silly way. I was coming out of the shower and smacked it into a box while I was trying not to trip on something. I didn't know I'd really hurt it at first, but by the evening, I was really struggling to walk, so I had to call someone to help me do things like bring in groceries. I'm now at my normal house because moving is Very COmplicated right now.)
Well that's a scary thing I did
Apr. 30th, 2026 11:22 pmcornerofmadnessI said yes to reading my story and I'll be doing it friday night next friday. It's 3K and I am NOT a voice actor. It's a bit daunting. I've done it before, oddly once WAY back in 1997 in the James Thurber house. I don't remember how I was selected. I remember it was in the paper. I can't remember what I read. I read a flash fic last week. This feels a bit different. It's not. Oddly enough with all the writing related stuff on YT, there isn't much about how best to read your own work (I was looking for ideas).
I'm hoping this cool weather (it's March out there again) lasts the weekend. The outdoors steampunk thing is running on Saturday. I plan to go.
I AM rethinking free comic book day since my store is in Huntington and that's 70 miles away and gas was 3.89 on Tuesday. 4.29 yesterday morning. 4.69 8 hours later and 5$ today after I left work. Hell I have regrets about going to Louisville at this point.
I decided not to go to the wedding I was invited to. I'd have to drive all the way back down here 2 weeks after I go home and I'm the only one from work invited so I'll know no one but the couple. I don't know what I'm doing for vacation now.
Hmm I could use an alpha reader for the new novel I think. Ah well, really wish I had a closer writers group here that could fulfill that function.
I'm hoping this cool weather (it's March out there again) lasts the weekend. The outdoors steampunk thing is running on Saturday. I plan to go.
I AM rethinking free comic book day since my store is in Huntington and that's 70 miles away and gas was 3.89 on Tuesday. 4.29 yesterday morning. 4.69 8 hours later and 5$ today after I left work. Hell I have regrets about going to Louisville at this point.
I decided not to go to the wedding I was invited to. I'd have to drive all the way back down here 2 weeks after I go home and I'm the only one from work invited so I'll know no one but the couple. I don't know what I'm doing for vacation now.
Hmm I could use an alpha reader for the new novel I think. Ah well, really wish I had a closer writers group here that could fulfill that function.
023 - 6 gifs; bleach, interview with the vampire (1994)
May. 1st, 2026 11:36 amaliensambaMedium: anime; film
Fandom: Bleach; Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Characters: Kurosaki Ichigo, Gin Ichimaru, Inoue Orihime; Lestat de Lioncourt, Louis de Pointe du Lac
Warnings: Spoiler warning for "Arrancar: Fall of the Espada arc" (Bleach). Graphic Injury.
Notes: 6 gifs.
( Read more... )
- aliensamba of autumn
Fandom: Bleach; Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Characters: Kurosaki Ichigo, Gin Ichimaru, Inoue Orihime; Lestat de Lioncourt, Louis de Pointe du Lac
Warnings: Spoiler warning for "Arrancar: Fall of the Espada arc" (Bleach). Graphic Injury.
Notes: 6 gifs.
( Read more... )
- aliensamba of autumn
Mayday tomorrow!
Apr. 30th, 2026 11:56 amgaladhirI'm psyching myself up for Mayday tomorrow. First of May is the official start of morris dance-out season, when we go from practicing in our indoor practice hall to dancing out on the streets.
On Mayday itself we 'dance the sun up' - meaning that we aim to be dancing as the sun rises. This is at 5.15 in the morning. According to morris legend (that we just made up) if we do not perform this ritual, the sun will not rise for the year to come.
But we're hitting the ground running with morris events:
- Last Sunday was the St. George's Day Fair in the Fenland town known as March, and Ely & Littleport Riot danced the whole day there.
- Tomorrow is Mayday and we will be there at dawn.
- Then Saturday is the town of Ely's Eel Day festival, and the Riot will be dancing all day for that.
- And on the Monday Bank holiday the Riot will be dancing at Denny Abbey, where there will also be a maypole set up. We will undoubtedly also be helping the staff to teach maypole dancing to a horde of small children who've come for a day out.
DH will be dancing in all of these, and I will be playing pennywhistle among the musicians.
This has been an amazing surprise to me. When - as a young person - I pictured my life, I didn't think it would have so much dancing in it. I'm so glad it does!
3W4DW Day 5 Check-in
Apr. 29th, 2026 11:08 pmalthea_valara1. one creative thing I did today
I searched for patterns, started crocheting a hat, started crocheting a tissue pack cozy but ripped i out, attempted to start a knitted one, but decided no, I really wasn't in the mood to do that.
I had wanted to do some sprints today with the GYWO server but that didn't happen, alas.
2. one thing I'm proud of today
oof, this is hard today, because there's several things that happened today that I'm NOT proud of. But I survived, and I did take care of some tasks from the insomnia listy the other night, and that's good!
HOLY FRAK I JUST REMEMBERED I NEED TO PAY MY STUDENT LOAN! The notice came when I was away dog-sitting, and I didn't want to do financial transactions on mom's computer. Gonna go do it NOW. There, that's something to be proud of - I remembered and followed through.
3. video game progress
Logged into Windy to check her iLVL in FFXIV, and obtained two new pieces of gear for her: one from the patch 7.4 dungeon which I ran with Duty Support, and I also bought the latest SMN crafted book, pentamelded because the price was only a bit more than non-penta. She is still about 3 iLVLs short of doing MSQ/new raid, so I'll work on getting those tomorrow.
I feel like the worst at my job
Apr. 29th, 2026 11:19 pmcornerofmadnessI know I'm not. But with every passing year it's getting harder and harder to teach these kids anything. I never used to give words banks for the organ test because I figured you fucking had to know how to spell lung, heart, liver etc. They don't. Not any more.
( discussion of my dissecting lab test )
Watching S6 of Inspector Gently. Mom too. She called me to tell me unfortunately John lived. You know you could almost be sympathetic to him if they didn't write him like they do. Instead, you want to slap him.
What I Just Finished Reading:
Deadly Fates - Chinese mythology inspired, I really liked it
What I am Currently Reading:
Keeper of Lonely spirits - LGBT paranormal with older mains. It was slow starting but I like it.
Dungeons and Danger - a paranormal mystery arc
What I Plan to Read Next:
Hooked on Murder - lousy so far
Death al Dente - so far terrible
The Death Card
( discussion of my dissecting lab test )
Watching S6 of Inspector Gently. Mom too. She called me to tell me unfortunately John lived. You know you could almost be sympathetic to him if they didn't write him like they do. Instead, you want to slap him.
What I Just Finished Reading:
Deadly Fates - Chinese mythology inspired, I really liked it
What I am Currently Reading:
Keeper of Lonely spirits - LGBT paranormal with older mains. It was slow starting but I like it.
Dungeons and Danger - a paranormal mystery arc
What I Plan to Read Next:
Hooked on Murder - lousy so far
Death al Dente - so far terrible
The Death Card
MV ficlet -- Who's Your Daddy? (gen, humor)
Apr. 29th, 2026 06:34 pmmxcatmoonWritten for the prompts, 191 incongruous and 177 scintilla, at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
vocab_drabbles
Title: Who’s Your Daddy?
Fandom: Miami Vice
Author: Cat Moon
Words: 575
Characters: Rico, Sonny, Team
Rating: PG
Summary: Rico’s very bad day. Like really.
Note: Inspired by something I saw. I can just imagine the ribbing that poor man is going to be subjected to for the foreseeable future. What have I done to you, my beloved?! 😉 Also, do not consume beverages while reading. You have been warned.
( Who's Your Daddy? )
vocab_drabbles Title: Who’s Your Daddy?
Fandom: Miami Vice
Author: Cat Moon
Words: 575
Characters: Rico, Sonny, Team
Rating: PG
Summary: Rico’s very bad day. Like really.
Note: Inspired by something I saw. I can just imagine the ribbing that poor man is going to be subjected to for the foreseeable future. What have I done to you, my beloved?! 😉 Also, do not consume beverages while reading. You have been warned.
( Who's Your Daddy? )
on a lighter note, have a meme
Apr. 29th, 2026 04:58 pmalthea_valaragoodbyebird suggested this meme at 3weeks4dreamwidth and it sounded fun, if challenging for me, because, well:Put your mp3 player/phone/streaming collection on shuffle, and write down the first line of the first twenty songs. Post the poem that results.
Folks, I mostly listen to Final Fantasy music, which is largely instrumental! I don't think writing 20 lines of "Doo doo doo doo DOOO doo, doo-doo-doo doo doo doo doo doo" would make a good poem. Still, I wanted to give this a try, so I did the following:
1. Have iTunes set to Autoplay, which is its default mode now.
2. Play songs until one with lyrics played.
3. Write down the first line, if it was the first time the song appeared.
4. Write down the part of the refrain, if it was the second time the song appeared.
I did take some liberties now and then. Technically, the songs from NieR: Automata (which I have not played but listened to, thanks to FFXIV) do have lyrics but they have made-up lyrics, so I opted to skip over those. I also opted for a full phrase on many songs because I thought it made more impact. For "Wayward Daughter" I chose the first line in English. Finally, I limited it to 10 songs because they were starting to get repetitive.
Here's the result:
- Seeking the peace of reason ("Locus" - FFXIV: Heavensward)
- Westward lies bleed t'ward the east ("Wayward Daughter" - FFXIV: Stormblood)
- Staring at death, I take a breath, there's nothing left ("Oblivion - Never Let It Go Version" - FFXIV arrangement albums]
- Specie tua tantum carnem adme omnes habet cultum. [Through you alone there will be worship.] ("Apocalypsis Aquarius" - FFXV)
- For whom weeps the storm / Her tears on our skin / The days of our years gone / Our souls soaked in sin / These memories ache with the weight of tomorrow ("Shadowbringers", FFXIV: Shadowbringers)
- Wanting, I lie / Too weary to die / Too lost to the ice for saving / My sins claim me, untame me ("Return to Oblivion" - FFXIV: Shadowbringers)
- Beneath the gazing stars / Vales deep and forests dark / Betrayed by loyal hands, Her wrath stirred ("Heavensward", from the FFXIV expac of the same name)
- Let go this destiny, you're caught in a trance / Ever marking time inside a dream, no sign of advance ("Band: Locus" - FFXIV arrangment albums)
- The road that we walk / Is lost in the flood / Here proud angels bathe in / Their wages of blood / At this, the world's end, do we cast off tomorrow ("Insatiable", FFXIV:Shadowbringers)
- These voices screaming to let it go (never let go) / This time I'm screaming back no no no (go on say no) / My mind's made up, yeah my fear is gone (Where have you gone?) / Open my eyes now here I come, oblivion ("Oblivion - Never Let It Go Version" - FFXIV arrangement albums]
LOTS OF FFXIV. But yeah, the soundtracks that I own are mostly FFXIV soundtracks, so that's what iTunes thinks I want to hear.
This is the full list of songs that played, minus one from Animal Crossing that was thrown at me that I didn't include because I don't play Animal Crossing. So, 25 songs (including the Animal Crossing) one to get my 10 lines, and some of those ten songs were duplicates.
Full list
Locus [FFXIV: Heavensward]Westward Tide [FFXIV: Stormblood]
Wayward Daughter [FFXIV: Stormblood]
Home Sweet Home [Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto]
City Ruins - Rays of Light [from NieR: Automata, but also FFXIV: Shadowbringers)
Oblivion - Never Let It Go Version [Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward]
No Risk, No Reward [FFXVI, arrangement by Husky by the Geek]
Battle Theme (FFX)
"Apocalypsis Aquarius" [FFXV]
"Rolanberry Fields" [FFXI, arranged by the Nanaa Mihgo's]
"Crimson Sunset (Piano)" [FFXIV: Stormblood]
Shadowbringers [FFXIV, from expac of same name]
The Sanctuary of Zi'TaH [FFXI]
Song of the Ancients (Atonement) [NieR: Automata, but also FFXIV: Shadowbringers]
Piano: Serenity [FFXIV: A Realm Reborn]
Band: Locus [FFXIV arrangment albums]
Paradigm Shift [FFXII-2]
Largo from "Winter" The Seaosns [recorded by Arnie Roth playing violin]
On Windy Meadows [FFXIV Version 1.0 Limsa Lominsa area theme]
Noctis [FFXV - such a sweet song, I adore it]
Ink Long Dry: Piano [FFXIV, played by Keiko]
Insatiable [FFXIV: Shadowbringers]
Selbina [FFXI]
FFI: Chaos Temple [Arranged by Fantasy Reborn]
In a nutshell: Final Fantasy music is good! If you want to give it a try, you can find the Square Enix Music Channel on YouTube. There's also a lot of songs on iTunes and Spotify!
3W4DW Day 4 Check-in: PATCH DAY!!
Apr. 29th, 2026 08:43 amalthea_valaraSo lately I've been going to bed between 9pm and 10pm, partially due to Dog, partially out of boredom or tiredness. This means I have ALSO been getting up early. Well, last night I stayed up until past 11pm, doing the new Main Scenario Quests in Final Fantasy XIV, which meant I was TIRED when finished and went straight to bed rather than post this.
Nada, it's patch day! Okay, I did answer one question on Ravelry. But I didn't do any creative work myself because I didn't have time. I'm fine with this.
Well. I had intended to get up early and do the Alliance Raid before starting work, but then I didn't sleep well and got up later than intended. I considered doing the raid anyway, because I *do* set my own hours and thus they are flexible, but I thought, "Wouldn't you feel better doing the raid after having gotten some work done, so raid is now a reward?" So I chose to do work first. I'm pretty pleased with myself for having done so.
PATCH DAY PATCH DAY PATCH DAY!!!! I did indeed do the Alliance Raid in the afternoon, and then MSQ after dinner. I had fun with both, but think I enjoyed the raid more (though MSQ's trial was FUN). This is not to say MSQ was bad! Just that the raid hit more of my pleasure centers from being a former FFXI player in its heyday.
I must link this tumblr post, whichlassarina shared with us. It's about the recent keynote, not the patch:
I wheezed laughing at that!
And now, SPOILER TIME! Here's my notes and reactions from the patch.
First up, alliance raid. This is very detailed, listing the bosses you face and some of their moves, so SPOILERS AHOY!
Alliance Raid clear! I rolled 99 on minion, whee!
first boss is Shantotto - There is no trash before her. She is quite formidable, as one might expect. I didn't recognize the music but I'm guessing it's from A Shantotto Ascension, an add-on scenario. I was tripped up by two mechs. First, she puts BLM's uh, sigil thingy they stand in, all over the arena. You need to dart into the one she's in and then follow her to other ones quickly. I didn't realize this at first and died. Also died twice to a move that I thought was a symbol that meant action was happening ON ME to the ENTIRE RAID, but I think everyone sees it on themselves? It's a wind move. Before she does it, she days a Tremor or Quake move that juts out pieces of the arena, you have to go in an alcove so you don't get blown away. This really confused me and I panicked first time and just stood there because it looked like it would affect EVERYONE and I didn't know the safe place to stand, if that makes sense. I finally got it after getting blown off a second time. Lots of deaths in this one, and I basically floor tanked.
next is Aht Urghan: BESIEGED!!! I was squeeing because I loved Besieged back in the day. It's a server-wide battle people can join and fight in. This is just a series of trash, but harder than normal trash.
then you get transported to Nzyul Isle and face Alexander, the boss of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expac, leading someone to say "HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO KILL YOU?" hahaha. I felt most of the moves for him were self-explanatory, just had difficulty DOING them. Wifh practice I should do better.
Next up is the Ru'met Gardens area where first you have some trash, but again, a little more difficult. There are pot-like enemies (not magic pots, more like obelisks I guess but we always called them pots). They have eye-like symbols painted on them, and just like FFXI, will do an attack in the direction they're gazing, so stay out of the AoEs,. I'd focus on them first. They're a Ae'ryn (SP?) add too, but that is not that bad. The pots are worse.
next boss is Promathia, the final boss of the Chains of Promathia expansion. - During the middle of this fight, you're transported/shifted to Promyvions, a dark creepy area. You will be fighting adds named Memory Receptacles. They do a move called Empty Seed, a knockback that you need to position yourself so you end up in one of the four corner walls. Besides that, this fight has a LOT of dodging, so stay nimble
last boss Phase 1 is Shinryu. Unfortunately, I had technically difficulties and blackscreened after the CS, so I missed the phase 1 fight (I had to crash the game and get back in). 🙁 I did make it back for second half! I won't spoil transition cutscene or final form, but again, there is a lot of dodging, and I think some moves will feel a little familiar.
I would be happy to go again with anyone who wants company ❤️
OMG I GOT CASTING HANDS TOO!! I had some RDMs in the party so I didn't expect to get it, with my poor roll. but yay!
also the cutscenes are gorgeous
And here's some reactions to MSQ:
first quest, bit of snark: man am I glad my glam is the Isle Explorer's outfit with the backpack so that when I retrieved the key, I could pretend I was pulling it out of the backpack and not my ass
still first quest: okay, what's with the dirt on Tataru's nose? It was immediately noticiable to me. guess I play more and see if they explain it!
second quest: dungeon already? okay then
post dungeon, on moon - livingway: "I don't foresee any major problems." gate: ROAR!!! Livingway: "Oh. Nope. We're doomed." I laughed very much at her delivery of that
unlocked trial, MUSIC TIME!!!! <3!!. Also, I chose the "no time to explain!" answer to Zero's "What are you doing here?" and she said "Leave it to you to state the obvious." and I laughed at that, too. I knew we'd see her again, but glad we ARE, because I missed her
whaaaat, why is queue 30 minutes? I expected a fast queue, but I guess everyone's hitting it at the same time and clogging the servers, boo
trial over: that was fun, and I don't think I died once, YAY!
I might natter more about it later, but right now I have to get ready for gym with mom.
1. one creative thing I did today
Nada, it's patch day! Okay, I did answer one question on Ravelry. But I didn't do any creative work myself because I didn't have time. I'm fine with this.
2. one thing I'm proud of today
Well. I had intended to get up early and do the Alliance Raid before starting work, but then I didn't sleep well and got up later than intended. I considered doing the raid anyway, because I *do* set my own hours and thus they are flexible, but I thought, "Wouldn't you feel better doing the raid after having gotten some work done, so raid is now a reward?" So I chose to do work first. I'm pretty pleased with myself for having done so.
3. video game progress
PATCH DAY PATCH DAY PATCH DAY!!!! I did indeed do the Alliance Raid in the afternoon, and then MSQ after dinner. I had fun with both, but think I enjoyed the raid more (though MSQ's trial was FUN). This is not to say MSQ was bad! Just that the raid hit more of my pleasure centers from being a former FFXI player in its heyday.
I must link this tumblr post, which
lassarina shared with us. It's about the recent keynote, not the patch: Yoshi P should bring back Alaimbert of the Spiked Butt as a boss and give him a move called Butt Slider so he can say to fans: "Well? This is what you asked for, right?"
--verodynamix on tumblr
I wheezed laughing at that!
And now, SPOILER TIME! Here's my notes and reactions from the patch.
First up, alliance raid. This is very detailed, listing the bosses you face and some of their moves, so SPOILERS AHOY!
Alliance Raid SPOILERS
Alliance Raid clear! I rolled 99 on minion, whee!
first boss is Shantotto - There is no trash before her. She is quite formidable, as one might expect. I didn't recognize the music but I'm guessing it's from A Shantotto Ascension, an add-on scenario. I was tripped up by two mechs. First, she puts BLM's uh, sigil thingy they stand in, all over the arena. You need to dart into the one she's in and then follow her to other ones quickly. I didn't realize this at first and died. Also died twice to a move that I thought was a symbol that meant action was happening ON ME to the ENTIRE RAID, but I think everyone sees it on themselves? It's a wind move. Before she does it, she days a Tremor or Quake move that juts out pieces of the arena, you have to go in an alcove so you don't get blown away. This really confused me and I panicked first time and just stood there because it looked like it would affect EVERYONE and I didn't know the safe place to stand, if that makes sense. I finally got it after getting blown off a second time. Lots of deaths in this one, and I basically floor tanked.
next is Aht Urghan: BESIEGED!!! I was squeeing because I loved Besieged back in the day. It's a server-wide battle people can join and fight in. This is just a series of trash, but harder than normal trash.
then you get transported to Nzyul Isle and face Alexander, the boss of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expac, leading someone to say "HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED TO KILL YOU?" hahaha. I felt most of the moves for him were self-explanatory, just had difficulty DOING them. Wifh practice I should do better.
Next up is the Ru'met Gardens area where first you have some trash, but again, a little more difficult. There are pot-like enemies (not magic pots, more like obelisks I guess but we always called them pots). They have eye-like symbols painted on them, and just like FFXI, will do an attack in the direction they're gazing, so stay out of the AoEs,. I'd focus on them first. They're a Ae'ryn (SP?) add too, but that is not that bad. The pots are worse.
next boss is Promathia, the final boss of the Chains of Promathia expansion. - During the middle of this fight, you're transported/shifted to Promyvions, a dark creepy area. You will be fighting adds named Memory Receptacles. They do a move called Empty Seed, a knockback that you need to position yourself so you end up in one of the four corner walls. Besides that, this fight has a LOT of dodging, so stay nimble
last boss Phase 1 is Shinryu. Unfortunately, I had technically difficulties and blackscreened after the CS, so I missed the phase 1 fight (I had to crash the game and get back in). 🙁 I did make it back for second half! I won't spoil transition cutscene or final form, but again, there is a lot of dodging, and I think some moves will feel a little familiar.
I would be happy to go again with anyone who wants company ❤️
OMG I GOT CASTING HANDS TOO!! I had some RDMs in the party so I didn't expect to get it, with my poor roll. but yay!
also the cutscenes are gorgeous
And here's some reactions to MSQ:
MSQ reactions! SPOILERS!
first quest, bit of snark: man am I glad my glam is the Isle Explorer's outfit with the backpack so that when I retrieved the key, I could pretend I was pulling it out of the backpack and not my ass
still first quest: okay, what's with the dirt on Tataru's nose? It was immediately noticiable to me. guess I play more and see if they explain it!
second quest: dungeon already? okay then
post dungeon, on moon - livingway: "I don't foresee any major problems." gate: ROAR!!! Livingway: "Oh. Nope. We're doomed." I laughed very much at her delivery of that
unlocked trial, MUSIC TIME!!!! <3!!. Also, I chose the "no time to explain!" answer to Zero's "What are you doing here?" and she said "Leave it to you to state the obvious." and I laughed at that, too. I knew we'd see her again, but glad we ARE, because I missed her
whaaaat, why is queue 30 minutes? I expected a fast queue, but I guess everyone's hitting it at the same time and clogging the servers, boo
trial over: that was fun, and I don't think I died once, YAY!
I might natter more about it later, but right now I have to get ready for gym with mom.