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bikes and stuff

(So much for that daily posting thing - I've already skipped a few without meaning to. /o\)

Today I rode an e-bike for the first time. Useful for the hills, for sure, but it wasn't as much fun as a regular bike, so I don't see myself doing that often.

Last spring I signed up for a local rent-a-bike service, and ever since then I've been riding bikes a lot again, after a break of something like 15 years. (That was about when my bike got stolen, and I didn't buy a new one because I didn't and still don't have a good place to put it.) I still like biking a lot, though I'm glad I no longer have to in the winter, the way I used to when I was still biking to uni. *g*

I've also been walking a lot again this summer, so overall I've been getting a lot more exercise than I used to! Which, alas, did not turn out to be an unmitigated good. (Turns out that more physical activity makes me hungrier - shock, horror! - but not exactly in proportion. I'd really rather keep fitting into my clothes, and also I don't want not be constantly hungry. So less activity might actually be better. Since we're heading into winter and I don't like going out very much when it's wet and/or cold, I guess I'll see!)

Posts falsely claim Charlie Kirk shooting suspect was a Trump donor

Posted by Rae Deng

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-suspect-trump-donor/

"Tyler Robinson" is a more common name than social media users would lead you to believe.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-suspect-trump-donor/

Current Mood: busy

Entry tags:

Birdfeeding

Today is partly sunny and hot. It's 89°F in mid-September. :P

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. I saw a fox squirrel running through the trees along the east edge of the yard.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 9/12/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 9/12/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 9/12/25 -- I watered the new picnic table, telephone pole garden, and a few of the savanna seedlings.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.

Charlie Kirk called Martin Luther King Jr. 'awful'

Posted by ARRAY(0x55714cdad9f0)

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-mlk-awful/

The Turning Point USA co-founder and conservative commentator was fatally shot while speaking at a Utah college.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-mlk-awful/

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, September 12th

Giles: Ms. Calendar, I'm sure your computer science class is fascinating, but I happen to believe that one can survive in modern society without being a slave to the, um, idiot box.
Ms. Calendar: That's TV. The idiot box is TV. This (indicates a computer) is the good box!
Giles: I still prefer a good book.

~~I, Robot... You, Jane~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Sunlight, picnics and children? by Liana_Medea (Buffy/Angel, T)
The Past Comes Calling by Disillusioned_Illusionist (Giles/Spike, M)
Dust by Rippergirl1701d (Giles, Buffy, G)
Knowledge, good and evil by neptunary (Connor/Jasmine, M)

Microfic by delta-lethonomia (Drusilla/Cordelia, not rated)

Last Respects by Aadler (Gunn & Anne, K+)

Bubbling Over by Kenijo (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Riley Finn's post-Initiative life, Chapter 5 by RogueVader1996 (Riley/Buffy, T)
The unexpected visitor, Chapter 4 by RogueVader1996 (Riley & Faith, T)
The Dark Mage, Chapter 11 by Sdhuskerfan (Giles/Ethan, E)
Broken Lives, Chapter 6 by Celticwitch70 (Tara/Buffy, Faith/Cordelia, E)
The Blood Of A Slayer, Chapter 13 by Cosmic__Cowgirl (Buffy/Giles, E)
The Red Slayer: Chapter 83 by VladimirHarkonnen (TheLightdancer) (Willow, E)
The Haunting of Greenwood Place, Chapter 5 by Cosmic__Cowgirl, unendingwanderlust (Buffy/Giles, M)
I Came Home, Like A Stone, Chapter 11 by Viwiel (Buffy, Batman crossover, G)
All Systems Sunnydale, Chapters 3-4 (complete!) by Rosewind2007 (Ensemble, T, Murderbot Diaries crossover)
Anointed in Dawn, Chosen in Ash, Chapter 2 by Angelinasway (Buffy/Spike, E)
Second Time Is the Charm. That is The Saying, Right? Chapter 4 by Laqt15 (Apike/Andrew, not rated)
Habeus Slayorem, Chapter 1 by storiwr (Buffy/Faith/Willow/Tara, M)
Heaven is a Place on Earth, Chapter 1 by Anonymous (Buffy/Dawn, E)
The Witch, Chapter 1 by Buffyworldbuilder (Scoobies, Star Wars crossover, G)

Tied Together By A Ball Of Yarn, Chapter 5 by BlueStories (Faith & Buffy, FR!5)

Stringing the Bow, Chapter 8 by Niamh (Buffy/Spike, R)
Something I Can Never Have, Chapter 10 by HappyWhenItRains (Buffy/Spike, R)
Lie to Me, Chapter 17 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Cosplay: I was puppet!Angel for DragonCon 2025. by girlpire

Process video: Buffy custom figure special! by Jay Winters

[Reviews & Recaps]

[Community Announcements]

Temporarily disabled new account registration by Twisting The Hellmouth Mods

A complete Buffy & Angel Novels MASTER LIST (Buffyverse books) by geekymoods

[Fandom Discussions]

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Join the editor team :)

[ SECRET POST #6825 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6825 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

( More! )

Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 09 secrets from Secret Submission Post #974.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Inscriptions found on bullet casings in Charlie Kirk shooting: What we know

Posted by Laerke Christensen

https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-bullets-inscriptions/

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said investigators found four inscribed "bullet casings" and a rifle in an area the shooter ran through.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-bullets-inscriptions/

Real Charlie Kirk quote about Black pilot qualifications circulates online

Posted by Joey Esposito

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-black-pilots/

During a 2024 podcast episode, Kirk said, "If I see a Black pilot, I'm gonna be like, 'Boy, I hope he's qualified.'"

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-black-pilots/

Entry tags:

Imagining Melinoe on a bicycle

A month ago I started taking a city rental bike for part of my way home once, sometimes twice a week, just the part that has a very nice cycle path along the river. It's barely twenty minutes, but it's something, which is better than nothing, especially since I'm not currently doing any other regular sports.
It's tricky to find something: I have to be careful because of my wrists and because of my knees (uugh), it has to be something I can motivate myself for, and currently I don't have much time either. Maybe eventually I'll join L for bouldering more often, idk.

Hades II full release is in two weeks! I was/am so excited for the game to come out but the timing is really unfortunate >.< Not only am I pretty sure I'll still be in the middle of Silksong, but it's also two weeks before an important exam so a really bad time. Ideally I'll wait until after my exam but it's going to be very difficult to avoid spoilers... Fingers crossed.

Entry tags:

story furry skunk maine

STORY: Got Skunked Part 8

( Story behind cut to save space on your reading page. )

Entry tags:

2025,
delay notice

Potential delay in revealing creators

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know there may be a potential delay in revealing creators as I have to tend to a medical emergency today and am unsure of when I will be back on deck to reveal the collection. It will not reveal before Friday 12 September at 11:59pm EDT, but it may be delayed by a few to several hours.

I apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!

Entry tags:

!event

14 wishlists live at Guardian Wishlist! Sign-ups close in 3 days!!

Thanks so much to everyone who's promoted

guardian_wishlist around Dreamwidth and on other sites! We really appreciate it! ♥

It's three days until sign-ups close, so now's the time for a final promo push. If you're willing to help out, there's a three-day reminder on tumblr, and our promo post with graphics and text, as well as links to our general tumblr promo post and a Carrd for your convenience, or feel free to write/make your own. Help us get the word out!

(For posts on other publicly viewable platforms, we'd love it if you'd drop a link in the comments here so people can reblog or retweet.)

Meanwhile, 14 wishlists are live and receiving gifts on

guardian_wishlist!

Requests cover a wide range of media and Guardian-related fandoms. There are no assignments, and you don't have to be signed up to participate in gift-giving. Anyone can write or make gifts for any sign-up, right up to reveals on 6 October (Reunion Festival).

All gifts must be hidden from public view until reveals. Post or link gifts in comments on the recipient's wishlist. (Comments are screened.) Gift comments can be anonymous or signed in. You don't need a Dreamwidth or AO3 account to gift.

And remember, sign-ups are open until 15 September! Come and join in!

Rules/FAQ/schedule | Sign-up post | AO3 collection | Fandom and media tags | Spreadsheet | Promo text and graphics

Entry tags:

deadlines,
gen two

Writing Deadline Passed + Podficcer Signups Closed

The writing deadline has passed and podfic signups have closed, so all submitted stories will soon be handed to our podficcers! Writers who have not submitted their assignment (and not already discussed an alternate deadline with us) will have their assigned Pokemon put up for adoption shortly.

If you needed to default but still want to finish your story, you can add it to our Rare Candies treat collection!

Well done to everyone who submitted their assignment and good luck to those finishing up. It's been a pleasure seeing your stories slowly fill the collection this year. We can’t wait to unleash your Pokemon into the wild.

What happens next?
1) Podficcer assignment emails will be sent within the next 48 hours (by 20:00PM UTC on 14 September at the latest.)
2) Our Adopt-a-Pokemon post (aka pinch hit post) will go live shortly after all podficcer assignments are sent.

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: Are you saying I'm unhygienic?

Entry tags:

Vaccinated? Get a drabble or a poem!

If you are as up-to-date as it is possible to be on COVID and/or influenza vaccinations for your country, I will write for you. Southern Hemisphere people: as up to date as possible means for your flu season, not the Northern Hemisphere's. Prompt away.

My fandoms.

Recently experienced:

KPop Demon Hunters - OT3!

Thursday Murder Club (movie) - ALL THE SMOOSH HANDS.

Slow Horses - I'm caught up on the TV show, have listened to all the books shy of Clown Town, and have a massive soft spot for Shirley and Louisa especially. Ho needs to never, ever get laid ever, but I adore him too. I want to introduce him to Jason Mendoza (The Good Place) so they can have a low wis/high int vs. low int/high wis trolley problem.

The Expanse - I'm halfway through Nemesis Games book-wise, and am slowly making my way through the show. I love everyone in this galaxy, and if anyone prompts me for Avasarala/Bobbie I will have feelings all over the place.

Please format your requests: Drabble or Poetry (you're likely to get a limerick), Fandom(s), character/pair/group (crossover pairings are fair game), any other prompt material (which I may ignore).

If you prompt me with something I can't write, I will ask you for something else.

On a personal note: if I don't get back to you rapidly this weekend, it's because I've been knocked out by my own one-in-each-arm strategy of vaccination. Go go gadget immune system!

Entry tags:

fandom: books

"The Last Time I Lied" by Riley Sager

Years ago, Emma's friends disappeared during summer camp. They left their cabin at night, leaving Emma behind because she was 'too young' for whatever they planned to do and they never returned. 15 years later, Emma – now an artist and still obsessed with the girls' disappearance – returns to the camp as it is re-opened. Things go very wrong.

This was a fast read. I liked the characters ant the fucked-up relationships between them. The plot itself worked well for the most part and I was pretty surprised about the villains. The motivation for them worked, though, and thinking back on the story I literally went “Ah!”

Though I have to admit that there were some plot points that didn't seem like they actually worked. And I'm also not sure what to make of the ending.

But yeah, if you like the whole "toxic friendships between girls lead to shit going down"-genre, this could be a fun read for you.

Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff for Charlie Kirk, but not for Melissa Hortman

Posted by Jack Izzo

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-melissa-hortman-trump/

Hortman, a Democrat who had served as speaker of the Minnesota House, was assassinated in June 2025.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/charlie-kirk-melissa-hortman-trump/

I called it

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Entry tags:

boring ranting about books

(no subject)

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This was a sweet albeit kind of heavy handed story about magical orphans facing societal prejudice and an unfeeling bureaucracy and learning how to understand their own self worth, guided by an awkward trio of queer adults who are also struggling to get their shit together. The speech Linus gives DICOMY at the end is way over the top but otherwise the book makes its points reasonably well.

But I struggled to completely connect with it. Ironically, though many of the reviews I found online criticized it for blasphemy and anti-Christian ideology, I actually found it too Christian. One of the magical children is the son of Satan, purportedly the Antichrist, and is endowed with reality warping powers and internal voices urging him to destroy the world. The book's heroic characters insist he's merely an imaginative and sensitive 6 year old who if properly loved will not destroy the world, but I found that even taking a side on this question was too theological on a path I was uninterested in following the book to. Either Arthur and Linus are right and Lucy isn't actually the Antichrist but merely a potential Antichrist, or they're wrong and the pull of his fated destiny isn't about his choices but about the role the prophecy will force him into. Klune created the book's worldbuilding, he can pick his own answer to this question, but if you're not invested in Christian eschatology it's not really an interesting debate.

25 Hours Until Creator Reveals

Many thanks to all pinch hitter & treaters & creators! If there’s any last minute issues please don’t hesitate to let me know at tentaclemod@gmail.com or on this post.

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Even housewives weren't necessarily exclusively housewifing

Okay, my dearios, I am sure all dear rdrs are with me that tradwives are not trad, they are deploying an aesthetic loosely based on vague memories of the 1950s - and meedja representations at that - and some very creepy cultish behaviour - they are not returning to some lovely Nachral State -

And that as I bang on about a lot, women have been engaged in all kinds of economic activity THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF HISTORY since economic activity became A Thing.

Why tradwives aren’t trad: The housewife is a Victorian invention. History shows us women’s true economic power

I have a spot of nitpickery to apply - it rather skips over and elides the move from the household economy into factories e.g., leading to 'separate spheres' with wife stuck at home (and even that was a very blurry distinction, I mutter); and also the amount of exploitative homeworking undertaken by women of the lower classes (often to the detriment of any kind of 'good housekeeping').(Not saying middle-class women didn't also find ways of making a spot of moolah to eke out household budget.)

And of course a lot of tradwives are actually performing as economically productive influencers: TikTok tradwives: femininity, reproduction, and social media - in a tradition of women who made a very nice living out of telling other women how to be domestic goddesses, ahem ahem.