It's my birthday! I did my celebration with friends in LA yesterday, with a lavish spread of assorted lunch things and Sweet Lady Jane's triple berry cake. Today I'm driving home with a ton of leftovers, including half the cake, to quietly celebrate at home by gardening, writing fic, reading, petting my cats, and generally enjoying my beautiful home.
If you would like to help me celebrate my birthday, here are some helpful suggestions:
1. Tell me in comments if I've made your life (or just day) happier or better in any way.
2. My Amazon wishlist
3. Write or draw or create me something! Original or fanfic. If you click on my "fic exchange letter" tag, you will find a ridiculously long list of everything I've ever been into, all of which I'm still into, complete with prompts.
4. Review something interesting or amusing.
5. Recommend something you think I'd enjoy.
If you would like to help me celebrate my birthday, here are some helpful suggestions:
1. Tell me in comments if I've made your life (or just day) happier or better in any way.
2. My Amazon wishlist
3. Write or draw or create me something! Original or fanfic. If you click on my "fic exchange letter" tag, you will find a ridiculously long list of everything I've ever been into, all of which I'm still into, complete with prompts.
4. Review something interesting or amusing.
5. Recommend something you think I'd enjoy.
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While shopping an audiobook sale, I came across this amazing blurb. Make sure to read it all the way to the end.
Just a few hundred genes separate humans from chimpanzees. Imagine someone altering the chimp genome, splicing in human genes to increase the size of the cranium, reduce the amount of body hair, enable speech. What sort of creature would result?
Sims takes place in the very near future, when the science of genetics is fulfilling its vaunted potential. It’s a world where genetically transmitted diseases are being eliminated. A world where dangerous or boring manual labor is gradually being transferred to “sims”, genetically altered chimps who occupy a gray zone between simian and human. The chief innovator in this world is SimGen, which owns the patent on the sim genome and has begun leasing the creatures worldwide.
But SimGen is not quite what it seems. It has secrets, secrets beyond patents and proprietary processes - secrets it will go to any lengths to protect. Sims explores this brave new world as it is turned upside down and torn apart when lawyer Patrick Sullivan decides to try to unionize the sims.
Right now, as you read these words, some company somewhere in the world is toying with the chimp genome. That is not fiction, it is fact. Sims is a science thriller that will come true, one way or another.
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
Just a few hundred genes separate humans from chimpanzees. Imagine someone altering the chimp genome, splicing in human genes to increase the size of the cranium, reduce the amount of body hair, enable speech. What sort of creature would result?
Sims takes place in the very near future, when the science of genetics is fulfilling its vaunted potential. It’s a world where genetically transmitted diseases are being eliminated. A world where dangerous or boring manual labor is gradually being transferred to “sims”, genetically altered chimps who occupy a gray zone between simian and human. The chief innovator in this world is SimGen, which owns the patent on the sim genome and has begun leasing the creatures worldwide.
But SimGen is not quite what it seems. It has secrets, secrets beyond patents and proprietary processes - secrets it will go to any lengths to protect. Sims explores this brave new world as it is turned upside down and torn apart when lawyer Patrick Sullivan decides to try to unionize the sims.
Right now, as you read these words, some company somewhere in the world is toying with the chimp genome. That is not fiction, it is fact. Sims is a science thriller that will come true, one way or another.
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
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I'm looking for something that has cheerful and interesting content about food, crafts, nature, science, history, gardening, culture, or random interesting stuff. It SHOULD NOT have popup or video ads. A comment section that's actually fun is a big plus. Reddit forums are totally fine.
Not into advice columns or politics.
Imagine FFA minus the interminable wank and all the topics I'm not interested in. Or Bored Panda from the years when it had actual enjoyable content about stuff like "This Russian artist makes cakes that look exactly like Faberge eggs" or "My hobby is creating fairy gardens for the field mice that live in my garden." Or Metafilter but without every other comment being "We're all doomed and I long for the merciful death of all humanity" or "You may think that's a cute article about creating fairy gardens for the field mice that live in your garden, but fairy gardens are actually highly problematic."
Rec away!
Not into advice columns or politics.
Imagine FFA minus the interminable wank and all the topics I'm not interested in. Or Bored Panda from the years when it had actual enjoyable content about stuff like "This Russian artist makes cakes that look exactly like Faberge eggs" or "My hobby is creating fairy gardens for the field mice that live in my garden." Or Metafilter but without every other comment being "We're all doomed and I long for the merciful death of all humanity" or "You may think that's a cute article about creating fairy gardens for the field mice that live in your garden, but fairy gardens are actually highly problematic."
Rec away!
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Today I'm going to drive to Alhambra to get Chinese pastries at Simply Splendid, which does outstanding dan tat, and other goodies in the restaurants and grocery nearby. Then I will return home, pack a picnic basket, and go on a hike.
On Saturday I'm hanging out with Halle. On Sunday I'm either getting my hair done (if Tea Cup has an opening - I'm thinking blue and silver for winter) or prowling around LA.
On Monday my trees get planted!
If you'd like to make my birthday week even happier, here are a few options.
1. Have I ever made a difference in your life, whether large or small, that was significant to you? Let me know what it was!
2. I am always up for fic or art. Here's some fandoms I'm currently into. (It's a Yuletide mini-challenge where you can request Yuletide-eligible treats not in your actual request.) Any request I've ever made in a fic exchange (easily accessible by clicking on my "fic exchange letter" tag) is still valid.
3. I have figured out the post office issue (mostly) so if you have anything physical you'd like to send, please message or email me and I'll explain the address situation.
4. Review something great, terrible, bizarre, or just of interest to me, and link me to it!
On Saturday I'm hanging out with Halle. On Sunday I'm either getting my hair done (if Tea Cup has an opening - I'm thinking blue and silver for winter) or prowling around LA.
On Monday my trees get planted!
If you'd like to make my birthday week even happier, here are a few options.
1. Have I ever made a difference in your life, whether large or small, that was significant to you? Let me know what it was!
2. I am always up for fic or art. Here's some fandoms I'm currently into. (It's a Yuletide mini-challenge where you can request Yuletide-eligible treats not in your actual request.) Any request I've ever made in a fic exchange (easily accessible by clicking on my "fic exchange letter" tag) is still valid.
3. I have figured out the post office issue (mostly) so if you have anything physical you'd like to send, please message or email me and I'll explain the address situation.
4. Review something great, terrible, bizarre, or just of interest to me, and link me to it!
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The Newbery Award Generator
The Western Rifle
In the beginning, a discontented child is run over by a school bus after her parents enroll in clown college. Things seem to be looking up when she befriends a boy without a face. But when her new friend is accidentally shot while cleaning a gun, she learns a valuable lesson about the Civil Rights Movement and that nothing is so bad that it can't get worse.
The Western Rifle
In the beginning, a discontented child is run over by a school bus after her parents enroll in clown college. Things seem to be looking up when she befriends a boy without a face. But when her new friend is accidentally shot while cleaning a gun, she learns a valuable lesson about the Civil Rights Movement and that nothing is so bad that it can't get worse.
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Subject line: Have You Met Your New Suicide Requirement?
This is an actual, official email from an actual therapist organization. They're talking about a continuing education course but...
This is an actual, official email from an actual therapist organization. They're talking about a continuing education course but...
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Now that I am fully immunized (two weeks past the last Moderna shot) I set out to enjoy my freedom. The closest large(ish) city to me is Fresno (an hour and a half drive), so that's where I went.
I went to a glorious used bookshop, which would have been excellent by any standard but was especially sweet under the circumstances, the Book Barn in Clovis, and obtained these:
Anyone read any of these? Any votes for which you'd really like to read reviews of?
Then I went to a Filipino restaurant which was, alas, terrible. The best I can say about the meal was that it was sufficiently edible that I ate some of it. Well, and that it was a restaurant and I sat at a table (outside). Of the taro boba tea, the less said the better.
Then I went to a truly glorious ice cream parlor, La Michoacana PLUS. Page down to see the interior, yes it really looks like that. Only it additionally had a million spherical lights that changed color.
It is PLUS, all right. Look at their paletas! I had a mangolada and it made up for the wretched lunch. It looked exactly like the photos. I also got paletas to go (took home in a freezer). I have horchata, pecan, watermelon, coconut water, and one that isn't labeled and got slightly melted in transit and I have no idea what it is. I ate a strawberry cheesecake one last night and it was so fucking good.
Finally, I went to Trader Joe's, an ordinary pleasure which I haven't had in year. Just like eating at a restaurant or going to a bookshop or ice cream parlor. Glorious.
I went to a glorious used bookshop, which would have been excellent by any standard but was especially sweet under the circumstances, the Book Barn in Clovis, and obtained these:
Anyone read any of these? Any votes for which you'd really like to read reviews of?
Then I went to a Filipino restaurant which was, alas, terrible. The best I can say about the meal was that it was sufficiently edible that I ate some of it. Well, and that it was a restaurant and I sat at a table (outside). Of the taro boba tea, the less said the better.
Then I went to a truly glorious ice cream parlor, La Michoacana PLUS. Page down to see the interior, yes it really looks like that. Only it additionally had a million spherical lights that changed color.
It is PLUS, all right. Look at their paletas! I had a mangolada and it made up for the wretched lunch. It looked exactly like the photos. I also got paletas to go (took home in a freezer). I have horchata, pecan, watermelon, coconut water, and one that isn't labeled and got slightly melted in transit and I have no idea what it is. I ate a strawberry cheesecake one last night and it was so fucking good.
Finally, I went to Trader Joe's, an ordinary pleasure which I haven't had in year. Just like eating at a restaurant or going to a bookshop or ice cream parlor. Glorious.
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It's been a while since I checked in with the Newbery generator.
The Pink Cloud of Poppy Allerdon
In the beginning, a depressed teenage girl is diagnosed with Crohn's disease after the spread of a new disease that makes your head fall off. Things seem to be looking up when she befriends a boy with a tragic past. But when her new friend reveals their tragic past as the parent of eight children who died in an epidemic, she learns a valuable lesson about pie crust and that con artists ruin people's lives.
The Pink Cloud of Poppy Allerdon
In the beginning, a depressed teenage girl is diagnosed with Crohn's disease after the spread of a new disease that makes your head fall off. Things seem to be looking up when she befriends a boy with a tragic past. But when her new friend reveals their tragic past as the parent of eight children who died in an epidemic, she learns a valuable lesson about pie crust and that con artists ruin people's lives.
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Where are you going today?
I'm hiking in Peru, beside a rushing stream. It looks a bit chilly, but I brought a warm coat and a thermos of hot cider.
(Link goes to a random location from Google Street View. To play, click and post a screenshot with a description of what you're doing. DW now allows you to select the size of a thumbnail image.)
I'm hiking in Peru, beside a rushing stream. It looks a bit chilly, but I brought a warm coat and a thermos of hot cider.
(Link goes to a random location from Google Street View. To play, click and post a screenshot with a description of what you're doing. DW now allows you to select the size of a thumbnail image.)
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(In case anyone wants some distraction.)
I hate the word chunky. It sounds gross, especially used to describe food.
I hate the word bland. It's annoying and obnoxious, especially when used to describe art/writing.
I hate the word tummy. It's infantile and twee and sets my teeth on edge.
What words do you irrationally hate, and why?
I hate the word chunky. It sounds gross, especially used to describe food.
I hate the word bland. It's annoying and obnoxious, especially when used to describe art/writing.
I hate the word tummy. It's infantile and twee and sets my teeth on edge.
What words do you irrationally hate, and why?
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Well, yesterday. I am 47! Hard to believe.
If you feel so moved, tell me something you like about me.
If you feel so moved, tell me something you like about me.
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...that Toad Suck, Arkansas is a real place.
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Comfort Prompt fest. ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sholio is hosting a comfort-based prompt fest, for fanfic or original fiction. You don't need to promise to write to leave a prompt.
sholio is hosting a comfort-based prompt fest, for fanfic or original fiction. You don't need to promise to write to leave a prompt.Tags:
While looking into dying my hair at home, I found this hilarious set of bad reviews for a blue hair dye aptly named Splat.
These are all from different reviews:
Disaster in a bottle
This will color everything except your hair blue!
I look like a blueberry.
THANK THE BABY JESUS WE ARE “SOCIAL DISTANCING”
Don't do it!
BLUE DISASTER!
Jesus christ blue!!
WOULD MAKE AN AMAZING GIFT FOR SOMEONE YOU HATE
Week 2 and I’m still trying to get my daughter to not look like the wicked witch of the west!
EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED WAS BLUE.
Most temporary colors say to wash until water runs clear. THE WATER NEVER RUNS CLEAR Y’ALL.
my shower looks like i butchered a smurf.
My tub look like we killed a smurf when we got done.
I guess i’ll get used to my bathtub looking like a smurf massacre.
If you were ever curious what it would be like to clean up a murder buy this hair dye.
These are all from different reviews:
Disaster in a bottle
This will color everything except your hair blue!
I look like a blueberry.
THANK THE BABY JESUS WE ARE “SOCIAL DISTANCING”
Don't do it!
BLUE DISASTER!
Jesus christ blue!!
WOULD MAKE AN AMAZING GIFT FOR SOMEONE YOU HATE
Week 2 and I’m still trying to get my daughter to not look like the wicked witch of the west!
EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED WAS BLUE.
Most temporary colors say to wash until water runs clear. THE WATER NEVER RUNS CLEAR Y’ALL.
my shower looks like i butchered a smurf.
My tub look like we killed a smurf when we got done.
I guess i’ll get used to my bathtub looking like a smurf massacre.
If you were ever curious what it would be like to clean up a murder buy this hair dye.
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I thought you might enjoy this hilarious article about shooting Fraggle Rock in quarantine, with artists locking themselves in soundproof closets and flooding their neighbors' apartments. My friends Halle Stanford and Johnny Tartaglia are quoted!
Frankie Cordero, who voices Wembley, was working inside a closet that he attempted to soundproof with foam rubber.
“We have two very loud cats and they love scratching foam rubber so outside the closet, I had cats meowing trying to get to the foam,” he said.
Frankie Cordero, who voices Wembley, was working inside a closet that he attempted to soundproof with foam rubber.
“We have two very loud cats and they love scratching foam rubber so outside the closet, I had cats meowing trying to get to the foam,” he said.
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Over a month ago, I bought a praying mantis egg case and stuck it in the rosemary. It never hatched, and I gave up on and then forgot about it...
...until I just now discovered a bazillion adorable praying mantises in the rosemary! Just look at them!
I had heard that baby mantises can be cannibals, so I madly rushed back and forth with mantises in my hands, one by one, to deposit them in particularly bug-infested parts of the garden. My garden is scattered all over and the rosemary is upstairs, so I am now soaked in sweat but more importantly, the wee mantids are everywhere and will hopefully thrive and eat all the aphids.
They are so so tiny. And they jump, in addition to taking standard mantis poses. I hope to be discovering them for many months to come. There were at least twenty of them.
...until I just now discovered a bazillion adorable praying mantises in the rosemary! Just look at them!
I had heard that baby mantises can be cannibals, so I madly rushed back and forth with mantises in my hands, one by one, to deposit them in particularly bug-infested parts of the garden. My garden is scattered all over and the rosemary is upstairs, so I am now soaked in sweat but more importantly, the wee mantids are everywhere and will hopefully thrive and eat all the aphids.
They are so so tiny. And they jump, in addition to taking standard mantis poses. I hope to be discovering them for many months to come. There were at least twenty of them.
Watch this, it will make your day. A little girl gets a quarantine surprise. I basically was that girl while watching this video.
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Today I ran out out of pots and accidentally summoned a microgreens cat demon.
Far left (most recent) photo, lurking in the styrofoamer container. A pair of evil glowy eyes and a tail curved up. You can see it better in the smaller size image.
Far left (most recent) photo, lurking in the styrofoamer container. A pair of evil glowy eyes and a tail curved up. You can see it better in the smaller size image.
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