dw_dev | Member Posts

some washi tape I wanted has restocked at a UK retailer! Possibly a second one also! So as and when the website works out what's going on with Desired Tape #2, it is time to place a stationery order for meeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Progress With Preposterous Puzzle! I now have all the edge assembled (I think I wound up with only one piece having been Actually Wrong) and even I have managed to start filling in very slowly (I am up to... about 5 pieces placed so far? which is a further 1% down!)
I got a hug from the Child while saying goodbye this evening!
I have worked out an acceptable Wagamama order from the current menu and am feeling pretty good about my dinner.
Bread for tomorrow (anise, fig, hazelnut, copied from the local fancy bakery) is looking Extremely Promising.

I had a birthday! It was low key (Mum is still not up for even small adventures) but involved a lot of eating. I had lunch with Dad, and then dinner with S before choir although I was still so full I managed half a starter and a bit of her dessert. Then choir, and we had some cookies in the break. Tomorrow I have post-swimming coffee and cake before work and then office snacks (three flavours of interesting cheese crackers! I thought that was more fun than cake).

Nearly everyone gave me vouchers as per my request and I have so many Steam vouchers now. That will be fun for when my wishlist items go on good sales! Also my dad gave me a scented candle but that was more of a "please get rid of this thing I don't want" than a present as such :D It appears to be a branded corporate gift from his old work, but it smells OK and my candle order has been "on its way" from the parcel facility less than twenty miles away for ten days now, so I'll take it.

Choir was also interesting because it was the first rehearsal of the second conductor candidate we're auditioning. So far I like him - probably better than the first one, although he was OK - but we'll see how it goes. I had demanded that S make sure I was sung happy birthday (before we realised it was the new guy's first night!) but she managed to make it happen anyway. Deeply mortifying in the moment, but also I really wanted it to happen! It was the 22nd anniversary of S and I joining the chorus (no prizes for guessing why I can remember exactly what date it was...) and we've been friends ever since.

mdlbear

Today I am thankful for...

Finally getting a phone call made, and finding that (as usual) it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. NO thanks to my phone phobia -- should have done it a month ago.
The Harwich - Hoek van Holland ferry. Would be more thankful if the night run afforded more time to actually sleep.
Ordering stuff online.
A nice warm fuzzy blanket to wrap myself in. NO thanks for a body that feels cold in the evening no matter what the air temperature is. ALSO no thanks for deliveries that make me get out of my nice warm fuzzy blanket to answer the door.
Good Drugs.
Filk cons I can get to by public transit.

Current Mood: grateful
Current Location: Schildhaven in Den Haag
Current Music: Contabile, last weekend

jonw

As the subtitle of the blog says, a touch of Freemasonry.

My lodge meets the first Wednesday of the month, so last night was it. We initiated a new Brother, and observing or participating in any of the three degrees is always a nice night.

I am frequently asked by non-Masons: "What do Masons do in their meetings?"

I guess the answer is: "Pretty much what any group does, Rotary, Elks, etc." And that is true. We are a club and as such we have formal meetings to keep the thing moving forward. We pay bills, respond to correspondence, almost always have some kind of educational presentation, and go through the process to admit new members. Probably one of the very different things about Freemasonry is that once we admit a new member, that is just the start for that Brother. There are three degrees to go through, the first initiation degree is simply the start. And, much like actual school, he cannot proceed to the next degree without putting considerable work into proving he has learned the lessons of the current degree.

Freemasons are also big on "fellowship" which is our ancient word for "hanging out." Almost every lodge has some kind of meal, either before or after, the meeting. It seems to me that most lodges have the meal after but as it is usually 9-10pm at that time, it's questionable how healthy that is! But it is not about the food, per se. That is just the vehicle that causes us to sit down with each other and talk.

( history... )

Current Mood: grateful

tropicsbear

Personal rating 9/10

SPY×FAMILY is one of those manga that's been to my to-read list for long enough that it got adapted into an anime and I still haven't gotten around to reading it 😂 But I decided to finally start watching the anime in November because I went to buy milk tea from Serenitea and I saw that they had SPY×FAMILY reusable bags for sale and who am I to ignore a sign from the universe?

The series starts by introducing us to Twilight, a highly competent super spy who is assigned to work on Operation Strix. The goal of Operation Strix is to prevent a war breaking out between Westalis, Twilight's home country, and Ostania, where he's currently located. To do that, Twilight must get close to politician Donovan Desmond. And to do that Twilight must ... create a pretend family and have his pretend-kid enroll in the same prestigious school as Desmond's son. It's a premise that's ripe for shenanigans! And spy shenanigans were had. But also, family and friends fluff, and a sprinkle of serious contemplation.

( How did this get so long? )

You'd think the shenanigans, fluff, and seriousness would be too much, but I think SPY×FAMILY is able to balance it all nicely. I think my only nitpick so far is that I wish the serious Operation Strix subplot would move a bit faster.

Random stuff:

Me, seeing Damian for the first time: Ah, the rare male tsundere. ~~Don't quote me on this, I don't actually know the gender ratio for tsundere characters.~~
I am extremely fond of Bill Watkins, the 6-year-old that might actually be 30. At first I was, "Is no one concerned that this child eats steroids for breakfast?" and then I saw how cute(??) he was with his dad 😭 (who might be M. Bison???)
Yor during the Luxury Cruise Ship Arc! I'm so happy they gave my girl her time to shine. Wishing for more of Yor absolutely annihilating her enemies and anyone else who stands in her way.
The reactors I follow for SPY×FAMILY are not fans of Yuri 😂 They seem to take his siscon weirdness at face value which ... I don't think Yuri legit wants to marry Yor. (Though I also wouldn't be surprised if there are Yuri/Yor shippers. More power to them, it's not my ship but I respect it, etc.)
If Yor didn't exist, I would ship Twilight/Nightfall so hard. I legit teared up at the end of the episode where they introduced her and she was crying in the rain. I hope you find your own husbando, Nightfall!!

sparowe

Light of the World

Matthew 5:14-16 – [Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

There’s a reason I don’t have a fish sticker on my car. That’s because I think I’m a decent driver, yes—but I’m not so sure of my skill that I want to have the Name of Jesus associated with every last move I make when I’m on the freeway! I would rather have people yell at me than blame God for my screw-ups.

But it’s different when I’m in the city after hours, helping refugees fill out paperwork, or dealing with doctors and schools on their behalf. Then I want people to know who it is who’s spending the time and effort to make their lives easier—because it certainly isn’t me! Left to my own devices, I’d be home playing on my computer. But the Holy Spirit has called my family to care for the Vietnamese immigrants of our city, whether that’s through church work, social work, or paperwork. God does it because He loves those people; I do it because I love Him.

And when that kind of thing goes on long enough, there will be people who ask you in all seriousness: “Why are you doing this?” Our answer to the Vietnamese has always been: “Jesus sent us to you. Would you like to know more about Him?” It’s how the Vietnamese church here got born. If it’s a doctor or policeman asking us, our answer is the same: “We do this because Christ sent us to do it. Is there anything else we can do to help?” And some of them, too, may become interested in a God who actually cares about their lives and work, and come to faith.

You too are a child of God, with the Holy Spirit living in you. That light cannot be hidden. How will you answer those who ask you, “Why did you help me?”

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, live in me and through me, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Current Mood: thoughtful

vass

Books
Finished reading Victoria Goddard's Plum Duff. I am extremely baffled by the theological worldbuilding choices she's making. What is she doing? Is it on purpose? Where's she going with this? Does she realise the implications of what she's doing? i.e. that this is a fantasy-Anglican religion which somehow managed to replace original sin with something worse?

Read Victoria Goddard's Stone Speaks To Stone, a rollicking boy's own adventure from Jemis' father's soldier days. I get that it was necessary to show the mindset of an imperial subject who "well believed in its civilising mission". I do understand that it was necessary. I just. Ugh. I'm still waiting for the ironic twist to that refrain "he was a loyal son of the Empire." One day Jack's going to learn better, right? Or else Jemis, who fancies himself a revolutionary, will have to contend with his beloved father's role in imperial expansionist wars.

Reading Ursula Whitcher's North Continent Ribbon, long after everyone else. It's time. (I still have some leftover guilt and anxiety about the roleplaying game during which

ursula conceived this setting, and it's been getting in my way.)

Tech
*whimpering*

Garden
More tomatoes!

ink_13

Apparently I've been charging my phone wrong. (I did finally get a Pixel 10 Pro out of Rogers.) I had been using my old Qi1 charger like a rube, but the P10P is Qi2 now, and while Qi1 still works (technically), it does make the phone hot and requires you to get the positioning of the charger exactly right.

So I broke down and got a Qi2 charger. And a little 25W cube charger to go with it. And a case with the magnetic ring in the back.

But it all works now: the Qi2 charger attaches itself with the magnets, strong enough to hold up the phone, and refills it at a full 20W. Not that I need that; I always put it on the wireless charger overnight and just work through the day with it.

senmut

AO3 Link | Washed Up on the Beach (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Marvel Comics (General)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Wanda Maximoff, Anna Marie
Additional Tags: Drabble, Crossover, +Modern Age (1986-Present)
Summary:

Two mutant ladies... and dinos?

"Sugah, did you have a moment?" Rogue asked, looking ahead at the pack of grazing dinosaurs. Wanda shook her head to try and clear it, and decided that was definitely a valid question from her friend.

"I don't think I did?"

"It's not the Savage Land," Rogue said, after testing all her senses against this island they'd crashed on.

"So some mad scientist bought an island for cloning? Those don't look like the newer pictures of what dinosaurs are supposed to look like, after all."

"Well, before we find their hunting kind, let's get the comms back."

"Good plan, Rogue."

kaberett

( Read more... )

kareila

Someone that I follow posted a list of the Hugo award winners for Best Novel, so here is where I stand with those as of today.

I have read: ( 22 books )

I own a copy but have not yet read: ( 11 books )

I started but did not finish: ( 3 books )

I have not read: ( 38 books )

I feel pretty good about this representation, especially since I've read (and mostly enjoyed) the most recent winners for twelve years running, up to last year's which I just haven't gotten around to yet. Also because for the ones I have not read, about half of them are by authors who have written other stories that I did read. But some of them I know I will never bother with, and that's okay.

Current Mood: accomplished

the_wanlorn

I haven't forgotten you, Dreamwidth, but I am very stressed right now and writing posts/replying to comments thoughtfully takes so much energy :(

Current Mood: stressed
Current Location: the recliner in my living room
Current Music: William Shatner's Forgotten Abusive Reality Series by Jessie Gender (youtube)

catness

Today I learned: 内有猫腻 (nèi yǒu māo nì) is a Chinese slangy/idiom-like expression meaning: "There’s something fishy going on inside.", "Something shady is happening."

This is a street sign from a cyberpunk-style drawing by a Singaporean artist Zannen.Pixel, whose course I'm taking on Coloso. He said that he likes to use puns in his street signs. So I was immediately curious. I could translate the first 3 characters as they are the same as Japanese: "inside", "have" and "cat". The 4th one was a mystery, apparently it doesn't exist in Kanji, I found it in a Chinese dictionary by drawing, it means "grease".

ChatGPT explained that "cat grease" 猫腻 (māo nì) is not literally cat grease, but a set expression which means a hidden trick / shady business. Something like "there's a cat in it" - something sneaky is hidden. A fitting sign for a shady night club or store.

Why it is a pun? Because the drawing is about cats! It depicts a giant fierce cyber cat, and a woman samurai trying to be friendly with her :) (Just when I thought it could not be more perfect, Zannen revealed that the cat is a mother cat protecting her kittens.)

This particular course is not great as a learning environment for lazy bums like me, because there's no graded homework, no pushing, and too much "do your own research". But as for motivation / inspiration, Zannen is after my own heart! I absolutely love his style, and here is a quote from his personal site : "I bring our existential dread, eldritch nightmares, Asian horror and many other things, terrible and romantic, to life. One pixel at a time." And in his lectures, he casually mentions stuff like "When you encounter a stray cat in a back alley, of course you want to get closely acquainted with it, right?" RIGHT? (Even when the cat is a killer robot 10x bigger than you, and her claws are the size of your arm ;)

Current Mood: impressed

sparowe

ODB: Treasure Stored in Heaven

Feb 4, 2026/in Our Daily Bread/by YMI

February 4, 2026

READ: 1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19

We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:7

It’s common for those who are traveling overseas for the first time to pack a lot of stuff. The fear is being so far from home and needing something. But a recent article speaks of the problems of overpacking. It advises leaving behind shampoo and hair dryers (which most hotels have) and not bringing extra shoes and books, which are bulky and heavy. The writer notes that when you wind up lugging heavy luggage over Europe’s cobblestone streets, you’ll wish you didn’t bring so much with you.

In a way, it’s an apt metaphor for the travel advice the apostle Paul provides: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). He ties this to the problem of possessing too much: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation,” and he warns that extra baggage is “a trap” leading to “ruin and destruction” (v. 9). People of faith have a different travel destination where all that’s needed is provided by God—“everything for our enjoyment” (v. 17).

It might be good for us today to remember that what we accumulate in life is meaningless. We can’t take it with us. By being “generous and willing to share” (v. 18), Paul says we “lay up treasure . . . for the coming age.” This is the best travel tip of all, the secret to “life that is truly life” (v. 19).

— Kenneth Petersen

How might you “pack less” for eternity? What treasure might you store up for heaven?

Dear God, please help me to change anything unhealthy in my relationship with things and possessions. Help me to be generous with others.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Current Mood: thoughtful

ink_13

While I am here, I do still own a car, and it's still there, resting quietly in the underground parking garage of my condo building.

It's not totally idle: I drove it around two weeks ago, just long enough to get the fluids up to temperature and keep the battery charged. I'll do that again next week.

A complicating factor is that there are four rims in garbage bags in the hatch because the building forbids storage of anything in parking spots, so I can't just have them stacked neatly next to the wall. I really ought to at least lay them flat to keep them from rolling around too much in the cargo space.

And list them for sale, to be honest, since it's not like I have any use for them.

jonw

The right thing to do seems to be to build something. 1.5G of storage isn’t going to last me very long.

Postimages has plugins. DW has an API. It seems obvious. So obvious that maybe it’s been done already and I don’t know about it?

Lily is pondering the possibilities.

Current Mood: contemplative

jonw

I bought an Oura ring a few years ago. It is a 3rd generation and I believe the 4th came out a while ago. If you don’t know what an Oura ring is, it’s basically a Fitbit for your finger. It records all manner of cardiovascular data from the base of the inside of your index finger (preferred) and has extensive algorithms that try to present that data to you in a meaningful way.

I love most of it. In fact, I love all the empirical stuff but the algorithmic processing is another story.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: annoyed

andrewducker

I came in the front door to find Sophia lying there waiting for me.

(She leapt up, gave me a hug, demanded to know what was for dinner, and then lay back down to watch videos.)
Original is here on Pixelfed.scot.

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Dreamwidth Open Source Development

January 2026

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Page Summary

kaberett - some good things
wychwood - i had to ring the doctors' earlier and the receptionist wished me many happy returns for yesterday!
mdlbear - Thankful Thursday
jonw - Masonic Lodge last night
andrewducker - Interesting Links for 05-02-2026
tropicsbear - Media consumption: SPY×FAMILY S01–S02
sparowe - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: 5 February 2026
vass - Things
ink_13 - Occasionally I can afford gadgets
senmut - GenPrompt Bingo: Freestyle Crossover
kaberett - [food, healthwork] VEMGETABLES and NUTS and--
kareila - another reading list
the_wanlorn - Still Alive
catness - Cats inside
andrewducker - Interesting Links for 04-02-2026
sparowe - YMI -- ODB: 4 February 2026
ink_13 - A luxury item
jonw - Image hosting for Dreamwidth
jonw - I really want to like my Oura ring, but I don’t
andrewducker - Photo cross-post

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Member Posts

some good things

i had to ring the doctors' earlier and the receptionist wished me many happy returns for yesterday!

Thankful Thursday

Masonic Lodge last night

Interesting Links for 05-02-2026

Media consumption: SPY×FAMILY S01–S02

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries: 5 February 2026

Things

Occasionally I can afford gadgets

GenPrompt Bingo: Freestyle Crossover

[food, healthwork] VEMGETABLES and NUTS and--

another reading list

Still Alive

Cats inside

Interesting Links for 04-02-2026

YMI -- ODB: 4 February 2026

ODB: Treasure Stored in Heaven

A luxury item

Image hosting for Dreamwidth

I really want to like my Oura ring, but I don’t

Photo cross-post

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January 2026

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