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Mar. 10th, 2026 05:25 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
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Are lasers from giant telescopes being used to defend the Earth?
Daily Happiness
Mar. 9th, 2026 08:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torachan1. I walked up to Whole Foods tonight and dropped off my Amazon return and got an email saying the money was credited back to my account while I was on the walk home.
2. I did two store visits in Orange County today and Carla came with me and went shopping (one of the stores is right next to a Book Off) while I worked, so we could just go straight to Disneyland on the way home. We haven't been doing midweek trips as much this year, but a friend of hers is in town for work and this was the best time to meet up. (But since the Food and Wine Festival just started, there's a ton of new menu items to try, so it works out in that regard as well.)
3. Tomorrow I am just doing a store visit at the store near home and then WFH in the afternoon for meetings, so no long drives, which will be nice (especially with gas prices as they are, though I do get reimbursed for the store visits).
4. The weather was about 15 degrees cooler today than yesterday at home and around 20 degrees cooler down in OC. Much nicer than yesterday!
5. Molly has been really into the old cardboard cat house lately for some reason.
2. I did two store visits in Orange County today and Carla came with me and went shopping (one of the stores is right next to a Book Off) while I worked, so we could just go straight to Disneyland on the way home. We haven't been doing midweek trips as much this year, but a friend of hers is in town for work and this was the best time to meet up. (But since the Food and Wine Festival just started, there's a ton of new menu items to try, so it works out in that regard as well.)
3. Tomorrow I am just doing a store visit at the store near home and then WFH in the afternoon for meetings, so no long drives, which will be nice (especially with gas prices as they are, though I do get reimbursed for the store visits).
4. The weather was about 15 degrees cooler today than yesterday at home and around 20 degrees cooler down in OC. Much nicer than yesterday!
5. Molly has been really into the old cardboard cat house lately for some reason.
2026 Disneyland Trip #13 (3/9/26)
Mar. 9th, 2026 08:14 pmtorachanWe went down to DCA again today for dinner to meet up with a friend of Carla's who's in town for work but also spending all his downtime at Disneyland.
Since we'd just been to the park a couple days ago and also had had kind of a long day today before getting to the park, we didn't really do much other than have dinner and chat, and then walk around the park and chat, but it was a nice visit.
( Read more... )
Since we'd just been to the park a couple days ago and also had had kind of a long day today before getting to the park, we didn't really do much other than have dinner and chat, and then walk around the park and chat, but it was a nice visit.
( Read more... )
Oh My, Fair Lady
Mar. 9th, 2026 01:00 pmcakewrecks_feedOK, everyone! It's time to channel your best Eliza Doolittle!
All I want is a womb somewhere
(STAT!)
I wish you people wouldn't stare
(Excuse me! I'm gestating here!)
Maybe a slit right there?
Now, woooouldn't that be loverly?
There'll be leftovers you won't eat
(Hey! This cake was half off!)
Might I suggest a piece wif feet?
(Cannibalism goes down so much better when it's camouflaged.)
Moms are a tasty treat
("Mom-to-be gets the first slice!")
Aren't beeeeelly cakes just...
(hurk)
...loverly?
Wombfelt thanks to Chris W., Angela P., Dotty McK., Nurse Katie, Tia B., Jes R., and Sasha H., who really know how to deliver a great picture.
*****
And from my other blog, Epbot:
Daily Happiness
Mar. 8th, 2026 08:40 pmtorachan1. We went to Best Buy this morning to look at mice in person and I ended up getting a different Logitec one, the MX Master 3S, which fits almost as well in my hand as the Microsoft Sculpt. I set up a return for the other one to Amazon. I do like some things about it, but it felt at the same time too small and too large, and while I didn't have wrist pain after I got used to it more, it just never felt comfortable. I do like that this new one, like the one I'm returning, is bluetooth rather than USB, especially since apparently it was the USB dongle that was causing my PC's sleep issues with the Sculpt (all these years I had no idea!).
2. It was so hot today. Not the hottest we've ever had, but record setting for early March, and it just felt awful. Like that baking desert feel whenever you step outside. I'm so glad we didn't have anything that required being outdoors during the day today, just errands in the car in the morning. I did take a short midday walk, trying to stick to the shadiest streets, but even then I couldn't stay out for long. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 15 degrees cooler, so fingers crossed.
3. Despite the heat, I made Japanese curry for dinner and it turned out delicious. I found a bag of frozen kabocha in the freezer the other day so I put some of that in as well, and that gave it a little something extra, even though I didn't feel like frying croquettes with it as I'd originally planned, or doing fried eggs over top like I sometimes do.
4. This pic was taken the other day. Not even Chloe wanted to be under the blankets today!
2. It was so hot today. Not the hottest we've ever had, but record setting for early March, and it just felt awful. Like that baking desert feel whenever you step outside. I'm so glad we didn't have anything that required being outdoors during the day today, just errands in the car in the morning. I did take a short midday walk, trying to stick to the shadiest streets, but even then I couldn't stay out for long. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 15 degrees cooler, so fingers crossed.
3. Despite the heat, I made Japanese curry for dinner and it turned out delicious. I found a bag of frozen kabocha in the freezer the other day so I put some of that in as well, and that gave it a little something extra, even though I didn't feel like frying croquettes with it as I'd originally planned, or doing fried eggs over top like I sometimes do.
4. This pic was taken the other day. Not even Chloe wanted to be under the blankets today!
Tallying.
Mar. 8th, 2026 08:42 pmhannahKnowing my parents' summer plans, I don't think I'll want to attend the full vacation with them. I don't know yet if I'll want to attend any of it with them. They're staying in a town a half-hour's drive from Beacon, which is a pleasant enough train ride, so I'm thinking maybe three days, tops, would be okay.
Last time they did this, I only stayed a handful of days. It's not unprecedented in our vacation plans. I'll probably want to get out of New York City in its sticky season, and knowing I'll have a limited amount of time there from the get-go is probably one of the better things I can do to be able to enjoy myself. I've seen what happens when it's all on my parents. It doesn't end well.
Last time they did this, I only stayed a handful of days. It's not unprecedented in our vacation plans. I'll probably want to get out of New York City in its sticky season, and knowing I'll have a limited amount of time there from the get-go is probably one of the better things I can do to be able to enjoy myself. I've seen what happens when it's all on my parents. It doesn't end well.
3/8/2026 Inspiration Trail
Mar. 8th, 2026 12:05 pmmrkinchHard to believe I hadn't been up there in a month! If it wasn't Spring yet then, it is now. Well before dawn I was on the first rise, waiting for the sun and listening to the dawn chorus, not just migrants such as Orange-crowned Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets (they don't breed here but they sure do sing), but locals, especially Purple Finches. It was wonderful. There was an Allen's Hummingbird displaying and Spotted Towhees, Oak Titmice and Lesser Goldfinches singing, and the California Thrasher was working up to singing at the north end of the trail. I also had some less usual species on my list. A flock of Cedar Waxwings made a few passes; a Double-crested Cormorant flew west, presumably to fish; there were a few American White Pelicans on the reservoir; and a single Snow Goose flew over! ( The list: )
The White-crowned Sparrow singing near the parking lot as I returned was quite a surprise. I don't see many up there and hear ever fewer. Must be migration!
The White-crowned Sparrow singing near the parking lot as I returned was quite a surprise. I don't see many up there and hear ever fewer. Must be migration!
As Canadian As Possible Under the Circumstances
Mar. 8th, 2026 03:07 pmfairestcatPart of trying to use Dreamwidth more is realizing all the things I haven't shared here. Such as: As of December, after 16 years in Canada, I am now a Canadian Citizen!
I had a celebratory citizenship/birthday party last night, surrounded by the family and community I've joined/built here in Canada and it was so lovely and affirming and energizing in exactly the way I needed right now.
I had a celebratory citizenship/birthday party last night, surrounded by the family and community I've joined/built here in Canada and it was so lovely and affirming and energizing in exactly the way I needed right now.
3/5/2026 César Chavez Park
Mar. 5th, 2026 03:40 pmmrkinchChris and I walked mostly around César Chavez this morning. Chris used to walk there weekly with his dog so is very familiar with it. Tide was high so few shorebirds, and over all it was pretty quiet. We saw and heard a couple of Savannah Sparrows and a flock of Western Meadowlarks, and one Burrowing Owl was visible in the second spot, though which owl that was only they know. ( The list: )
I didn't want to go home when Chris left so I sat in my car watching the ground squirrels; it's Spring for them, too.:) Something I couldn't identify was bobbing along just off the rocks and when I grabbed my bins, I saw it was a Common Murre. ( I hate when this happens. ) Head in the sand, that's me.
I didn't want to go home when Chris left so I sat in my car watching the ground squirrels; it's Spring for them, too.:) Something I couldn't identify was bobbing along just off the rocks and when I grabbed my bins, I saw it was a Common Murre. ( I hate when this happens. ) Head in the sand, that's me.
I know. I never write, I never post...
Mar. 8th, 2026 02:55 pmfairestcatI'm going to be in France, The UK, Belgium, and Germany in May and June!
I'm quite sure I know many people in at least some of these places and I'd love to see as many of you as I can make happen!
As I noted to Ian just now, seeing things is great and awesome and absolutely something I want to do, but the highlight of travel for me is seeing people, especially ones I've known for ages but never met in person.
Tentative schedule currently is:
- arrive in Paris the morning of May 26th
- May 26-June 5 - various locations in France including but not necessarily limited to Paris and Limoges.
- plane from somewhere in France to Birmingham the morning of the 5th of June.
- June 5-7 VidUKon in Birmingham
- June 7-??? - various locations in the UK including London and Portsmouth, other options depending on people and travel options.
- ??? - Train from London to Brussels
- 2 days later - sleeper from Brussels to Berlin
- ??? (tbd quite soon) - fly home from Berlin.
I'll be buying my flight home in the next couple days, at which point all the dates between Birmingham and Berlin will firm up at least a bit.
This is going to be my first time in Europe since I lived in Berlin for three months in 2000. I've never been to France. I've never been to Belgium. The last time I was in England was a high school trip in 1997. It's all both incredibly exciting and kind of terrifying.
Also, while I've done some solo travelling in the US and Canada, both my previous trips to Europe I was always travelling with at least one other person. So that adds an extra layer of nerves.
So, where should I go??? Who should I see??? How much can I vibrate out of my skin with nerves and excitement between now and the end of May???
I'm quite sure I know many people in at least some of these places and I'd love to see as many of you as I can make happen!
As I noted to Ian just now, seeing things is great and awesome and absolutely something I want to do, but the highlight of travel for me is seeing people, especially ones I've known for ages but never met in person.
Tentative schedule currently is:
- arrive in Paris the morning of May 26th
- May 26-June 5 - various locations in France including but not necessarily limited to Paris and Limoges.
- plane from somewhere in France to Birmingham the morning of the 5th of June.
- June 5-7 VidUKon in Birmingham
- June 7-??? - various locations in the UK including London and Portsmouth, other options depending on people and travel options.
- ??? - Train from London to Brussels
- 2 days later - sleeper from Brussels to Berlin
- ??? (tbd quite soon) - fly home from Berlin.
I'll be buying my flight home in the next couple days, at which point all the dates between Birmingham and Berlin will firm up at least a bit.
This is going to be my first time in Europe since I lived in Berlin for three months in 2000. I've never been to France. I've never been to Belgium. The last time I was in England was a high school trip in 1997. It's all both incredibly exciting and kind of terrifying.
Also, while I've done some solo travelling in the US and Canada, both my previous trips to Europe I was always travelling with at least one other person. So that adds an extra layer of nerves.
So, where should I go??? Who should I see??? How much can I vibrate out of my skin with nerves and excitement between now and the end of May???
Weekly Reading
Mar. 8th, 2026 09:31 amtorachanRecently Finished
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective
Non-fiction account of an investigator who was the model for many early fictional detectives, and the case which brought him to the public's notice. This was really interesting and well-told. I listened to it as an audiobook and liked the narrator as well.
The Monsters of Chavez Ravine
Set in LA in the early 50s when the city is trying to force people out of the Chavez Ravine area so they can raze the houses and gentrify the area. The MC's dad is among the few holdouts, and when she goes to check on him, she finds that there are all sorts of monsters terrorizing the residents, which turns out to be part of a supernatural plot by one of the guys leading the push to clear out the area. It was an interesting idea, but the execution and writing was just okay.
Murder by Moonrise
Third book in the Dr Julia Lewis murder mystery series. They changed the narrator for the audiobook, which I would normally not be pleased with, since I like consistency, but the new narrator is Marian Hussey, who is the narrator for another series I like, and I like her narration a lot. I can't remember a thing about the previous narrator, so it's overall a positive change.
Fuck Off Squad
Short graphic novel about a group of three college-aged friends and their romantic relationships. It's cute. Reminds me a lot of Scott Pilgrim in tone and style.
Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir
The author is a trans woman, but she's written this semi-memoir using a cis female protagonist in her place. I thought it was an interesting way of doing things, and enjoyed it a lot.
Sou Iu Ie no Ko no Hanashi vol. 2
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective
Non-fiction account of an investigator who was the model for many early fictional detectives, and the case which brought him to the public's notice. This was really interesting and well-told. I listened to it as an audiobook and liked the narrator as well.
The Monsters of Chavez Ravine
Set in LA in the early 50s when the city is trying to force people out of the Chavez Ravine area so they can raze the houses and gentrify the area. The MC's dad is among the few holdouts, and when she goes to check on him, she finds that there are all sorts of monsters terrorizing the residents, which turns out to be part of a supernatural plot by one of the guys leading the push to clear out the area. It was an interesting idea, but the execution and writing was just okay.
Murder by Moonrise
Third book in the Dr Julia Lewis murder mystery series. They changed the narrator for the audiobook, which I would normally not be pleased with, since I like consistency, but the new narrator is Marian Hussey, who is the narrator for another series I like, and I like her narration a lot. I can't remember a thing about the previous narrator, so it's overall a positive change.
Fuck Off Squad
Short graphic novel about a group of three college-aged friends and their romantic relationships. It's cute. Reminds me a lot of Scott Pilgrim in tone and style.
Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir
The author is a trans woman, but she's written this semi-memoir using a cis female protagonist in her place. I thought it was an interesting way of doing things, and enjoyed it a lot.
Sou Iu Ie no Ko no Hanashi vol. 2