solarbird | Network

1. It's still supposed to be unseasonably warm next week, but today seems to be a little break in the weather. When I went out for my walk this morning, it was a bit foggy (though it had burned off by the time I got home), and then while it was sunny for a while midday, around 2pm it got overcast again and has stayed that way. It was really foggy again when we took our walk tonight, too.

2. I made a rhubarb pie earlier and we're going to have some of that for dessert. We still have a bunch of baggies of chopped rhubarb in the freezer from when we were buying it from the farmers market last year lol.

3. Ollie loves to snuggle on my clothes. :)

zarla

I've been sitting on the new merch for like way too long wondering about shipping and costs and math and such and it's just like I JUST GOTTA DO IT, I'LL FIGURE IT OUT AS I GO ALONG, I JUST GOTTA DO IT

So I'm gonna open up sales in the store tomorrow (March 22nd) at 6:30pm. Last time the little shakers went very fast but hopefully this'll be enough advance time for people to get ready? idk. Anyway, what I've got is...

47 Papyrus shaker keychains
19 Edgar/Scriabin pins
24 Gaster pillow keychains
20 Brothers sticker sheets

Some of them I've given away to people as gifts and I think I did the math right on those... if not then I might have to give up some of the personal ones I keep near my desk to play with, haha. I'm hoping I did the shipping math right this time... it's tricky! Shipping is such a hassle now ugh, especially international shipping. Hopefully it'll all work out... well, assuming they all sell, haha. I haven't decided how many of the little connecting charms to order yet, although I do have them hanging by my desk and they're great, I love looking at them, haha. Maybe after this is done I can give it some more thought.

Current Mood: determined
Current Music: 13094. Space Quest V - Academy Crest

lannamichaels

Title: The People You Meet Along The Way.
Author:

lannamichaels
Fandom: The Parent Trap (1998)
Rating: G
Archives: Archive Of Our Own, SquidgeWorld

Summary: Twelve years later, they meet at an airport.

( Meredith is so fun to write )

olivermoss

Today has not been a good day for Seattle sports, but the watch party was fun. I wasn't the only one who got there early for the merch pop up. Most of the shirts and hoodies were only in the less-popular sizes, lotta XXLs. They did have a t shirt in my size, and it was 100% a return. I paid the full price of [redacted] for a t shirt that has definitely been worn and also washed by someone else before. But, they had it so I got it.

I'm also glad I went early because the patio the event was on did run out of seating. People were standing next to the TV to the left of this shot:

The pop up had a Jackson jersey and I was good and did not buy my first hockey jersey. I am not buying a Jackson jersey unless they get a start or Seattle resigns them, in which was I'll be sad that I didn't get an inaugural jersey.

(CJ Jackson is openly NB, and a 3rd goalie for Seattle. I really want a jersey of Seattle's NB goalie, but no, not unless they stay in Seattle next year)

There was a girl there who said she was 'very new to hockey', but her clothes were in all Torrent colors, her handmade jewelry was in Torrent colors, she has a Torrent itabag and she'd made 'trinkets' to hand out, glass pendants she'd made in Torrent colors.

Pendant and also event swag:

Torrent have a lot of momentum. They sell out areas nearly 3x the size of the Boston Fleet's home arena. I really hope the team do just a little better to not lose some of that support.

boxofdelights posting in

wiscon

WisCon 48 exclusive art 'The Gatherer' is presented by Rachel Quinlan.
To view more of her work go to https://www.rachelquinlan.com/

( The Gatherer )

ericcoleman posting in

filk

I do want to warn people, this first FilkCONbobulated will be very Iowa-centric. Our GOH is from Iowa, the songwriting contest will be Iowa based, even the final Filk Sunday night will be the soon to be famous Corn Dog Filk!

We're going to have one track of programming. Right now we have two rooms and the con suite. We will expand that if needed. One of those rooms will be where most of the programming will happen, the other will be 24 hour a day open filk, but we will probably move the Instrument Petting Zoo there. Easier to set up and tear down.

What's going on ...

Concerts from our GOHs
Workshops, if you are interested in running a workshop, let us know. If you have already mentioned it to one of us, talk to us again. My email address is on the website.
One shots and/or twofers
An Instrument Petting Zoo
The Corn Filker Contest, the prompts will be announced at opening ceremonies. Songs will be performed Sunday afternoon.
It looks like we will have a CD release party at the con. More on that later.
Theme Circles, if you want to run a theme circle, let us know.
An Interfilk Auction, please bring stuff for it.
24 hour a day filking, that room will most likely be a non-recording room.
A Final Jam.
Sunday evening we will have the soon to be famous Corn Dog Filk!

We are working on getting a food map set up. There are a lot of choices up and down Merle Hay Road.

I am looking for someone to help run sound, especially to help set up microphones for the one shots and twofers.

Registration is open, and the room block is as well. Follow the links on the website.

filkconbobulated.org

cbc_topnews_feed

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cuba-blackout-9.7137675?cmp=rss

Pedestrians and vehicles navigate a dark street during a blackout.

Cuba's power grid collapsed Saturday leaving the country without electricity for a third time in March as the communist government battles with a decaying infrastructure and a U.S.-imposed oil blockade.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cuba-blackout-9.7137675?cmp=rss

leecetheartist

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ismo

Well, that was a surprise. We were on the way to church when we got a message from the Philosopher, who has been without a job since his employers lost their government funding, to say that he'll be starting a new job next week. This means they'll have to scurry to re-arrange Aquinas's day care. Therefore, they inquired whether we might be able to come to Chicago next week for a couple of days to fill in a gap. Of course we said yes, but now there's some anxiety about how to make that happen. I wish we could just teleport. But we will work it out one way or another.

I was signed up for a luncheon and some afternoon activities with a group of women. Feeling the way I did yesterday, I wanted to bow out, but Strawberry Star had invited her sister, and really wanted to introduce us, so I was bracing myself up to go anyway. Well, then the sister canceled, and Strawberry Star was gracious enough to let me know, so I gave in and bailed. I had also signed up to contribute ice cream for the dessert, but Calaveras stopped by and picked that up and took it with her. She stopped again on the way home to give me back the cooler I'd packed it in, and said it was a fun time and I was missed (aww) but I'm still glad I didn't go. Not really feeling up for much of anything. We went to church and I made it through that, just barely. However, I forged ahead with fixing dinner, because I had a PLAN and when that happens, I get the bit between my teeth even if I am over-tired. I wanted to use some of that leftover corned beef to make Reubens for the Sparrowhawk. I used the skillet method, where you toast them in butter in one cast-iron skillet, and put a second skillet on top to squish them down nicely. It worked perfectly, and he was happy. And so am I now that I'm sitting down.

cbc_topnews_feed

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tumbler-ridge-bc-hockeyville-finalist-9.7137580?cmp=rss

a wood and stone building on a snowy street with a digital sign that says Tumbler Ridge Strong

Tumbler Ridge has been named one of two finalists in the annual Hockeyville contest, which now puts the small northern B.C. community one step closer to winning $250,000 for its local arena and a chance to host a pre-season NHL game.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tumbler-ridge-bc-hockeyville-finalist-9.7137580?cmp=rss

cbc_topnews_feed

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/banff-national-park-visitation-record-9.7135069?cmp=rss

The national park in Alberta saw 4.5 million visitors in the 2025-26 fiscal year, surpassing the previous high of 4.28 million in 2023-24, in what’s become almost annual increases over the last decade.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/banff-national-park-visitation-record-9.7135069?cmp=rss

cbc_topnews_feed

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/movie-theatre-magic-watching-with-strangers-9.7133379?cmp=rss

People stand on a wet sidewalk covered in leaves as they enter a theatre.

Movie theatre attendance hasn’t recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption and the rise of streaming services. But film enthusiasts say you lose some of that movie magic when you skip the shared emotional experience of seeing a film with a roomful of strangers.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/movie-theatre-magic-watching-with-strangers-9.7133379?cmp=rss

flemmings

Garage tenant comes round early so I get up the nerve to ask him to flip my futon. Nerving necessary because ingrained cultural training of 'place is a mess, don't let anyone see it.' (Japanese students would ask me what was the English equivalent of the Japanese set phrase asking person in. Used to say, not entirely kidding, 'The place is a mess' because that really is what we always say.) Flipping the futon doesn't make as much difference as I thought it would-- the thing still sags whichever side is up-- but it does help.

Tree people all want to come in the morning. Have another coming next Saturday at 10. Must stop the hurkledurkling I do because out of bed at noon does not help. But must also bump thermostat to uncomfortable highs because it's waking in the cold that makes me not want to get out of bed. Well, that and the delightful dreams I have when I go back to sleep. This morning's involved roommates either moving in or out and a cat that might have been theirs or mine.

torachan

Recently Finished
Lucky Stiff
Third book in the Lillian Byrd murder mystery series.

The Cartographers
When the MC's father dies, she finds an old road map in his things, the source of a massive fight years ago that resulted in him cutting ties with her and blackballing her from the cartography world. In trying to figure out why her father would have kept the map, she learns about not only the secrets of the map itself, but about her parents. I enjoyed this but it was very slow for the first half or so.

The Hanging Tree
A woman goes on a writing retreat at a remote manor and learns of a local legend about a young woman who was hanged as a witch on the property and decides that's what she wants her next book to be about. The book is told in dual timelines with the present being about her research and the past being the actual events. I liked this, but there was way too much romance focus in both the past and present.

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
Graphic novel about the author's relationship with her parents, especially focused on caring for them in their final years. I really liked this a lot.

Huda F Cares? and Huda F Wants to Know?
Second and third books in the Huda F series of YA graphic novels about a very religious Muslim teen loosely based on the author's life. I continue to enjoy this series.

Hatsukoi no Tsugi vol. 3
Final volume in this companion series to Koi-iji. I liked this a lot.

james

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james

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

kiya

PSA

Did you know
Mental health is worse
In the population
We're trying to kill?

It's why
They can't be allowed
To be
Like that.

It's for their own good,
You see.
These laws
Are protection.

Left to their own devices
They make bad choices,
Which lead to
Negative outcomes,
Like living.

ranunculus

Rode the Split Rock circle with Dave and Lisa this morning. Lily let me use Beau. Unlike Firefly, Beau poked along on our way out and had to be encouraged to step out all the time. Going home he was walking really fast. It was a nice ride. Lots of pretty spring scenery. Cows with little calves.
When we got back I switched to going over and working with the basket weaving ladies. This was our second go at clearing out and cutting back some willow. We have one small area pretty well cleared. It had a lot of blackberry in addition to the willow, much of it dead but still vicious with thorns. Most of the willow there is grey willow, I'm going to cut back some of the willow near the pond which should make good long willow shoots.
Finally got the last of the compost out of the uphill compost bin and refilled the bottom with manure from the corral. Firefly is undoubtedly grateful to have her corral clean. Now to fill up the bin with all the stuff that has piled up and is waiting for a chance to compost!

shadowkat

1. For those interested? Nick Brendan was apparently working on and had completed a film, Yesterday is Almost Here prior to his death.

Sad time to be a Buffy fan.

2. The Dental visit went well - for the most part nothing has changed. I do have bleeding gums/sensitive gums - but that's a result of medication and diabetes, and possibly coeliac disease. Hence the reason, I'm seeing a dentist every six months now, as opposed to one every two or three years, like I had previously. (I don't get cavities. But alas, there are other things.) The dental hygienist's head came to my waist. I met her and thought okay, Latin America or Southeast Asia, they grow them tiny south of the equator. I don't know why some people are very tall and some are very short. I am not a biologist or geneticist. I think she had to be four foot?
I'm almost 6 foot. She also either had a frontal lisp, it was the mask, or a heavy accent with the mask - muffled her speech. I had to listen closely to what she was saying and ask at various intervals. (I'm used to doing this - I've done it my entire life - since I naturally mishear things. Also, having grown up with a speech issue which took me about twenty-five years to overcome, and sucking at languages - I'm patient with folks, more so than most. You won't survive in NYC if you aren't?)

Afterwards - I over taxed my knees by wandering to and from grocery stores and stores along Court Street. Managed to pick up various GF pre-prepared foods and items, such as Feel Goods: Vegetable Egg Rolls, Soup Dumplings, and Mozzarella Sticks, GF Deli SourDough Seeded Bread, Gluten Free Pizza,
GF Ravioli, GF Biscuits, GF Clam Chowder, GF Chicken Vegetable Soup (Hale and Hearty)...among other things. It was a haul - so heavier than intended.
I didn't get sweets - or baked goods at least, outside of some chocolate sandwich cookies. Icing my knee now.

It's slightly warmer today - made it up to 58 degrees and 60 in some locals. As a result, small children have been playing noisily in the backyards behind me, screaming as only small children cas. Brings back memories of my own childhood - when I had a sprawling backyard, no fences, and woods that seemed to stretch for acres behind us (it didn't - I was small).

3. Still enjoying my book - I actually look forward to reading it - and consider doing it instead of other things. And think, no let's draw this out. Why I love it and haven't been able to get into other books (some admittedly better written) is beyond me? I think it's that this one has a writing style and trope that I'm craving at the moment?

What's going on in the book at the moment? ( Read more... )

petra

Quartetto (146039 words) by Sixthlight
Chapters: 11/11
Fandom: due South
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski/Stella Kowalski/Ray Vecchio, Stella Kowalski/Ray Vecchio, Benton Fraser/Ray Vecchio, Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski, Ray Kowalski/Stella Kowalski, Benton Fraser & Stella Kowalski, Ray Kowalski & Ray Vecchio
Characters: Stella Kowalski (due South), Ray Vecchio, Benton Fraser, Ray Kowalski
Additional Tags: Polyamory, Slow Burn, Trauma Recovery, Queer Themes, Feminist Themes, Bisexuality, Female Protagonist, Second Chances, Post-Canon, Roman fleuve, Foursome - F/M/M/M
Summary:

So, men. Maybe Stella was over that.

*

This story digs deep into the situation implied in the phrase, "I swing both Rays," in that Stella always has, and so does Fraser. Eventually, after some lovely family tension and gloriously due South coincidences, they find their way to a dynamic sort of domestic peace, in defiance of all the canon's fear of limerence.

This was very, very good for my heart, with its rampant bisexuality and careful, thoughtful exploration of how these characters -- some of whom have solid reasons at the outset not to like each other very much -- find attraction, and joy, and above all banter. The banter is fucking golden. I love Fraser's voice, and this reflects it; I love RayK when he's flustered, and there is plenty to fluster him here; I love Vecchio when he is sharp and sweet and sardonic, and oh my heart.

And. Possibly most importantly, Stella. I have never spent much time thinking about her, but how I adore her in this piece: incisive, driven, sure of herself even when things are going completely bananas all around her, because women are the real straight men in due South, except when they're Frannie. (Who is also great here, don't get me wrong.) Stella's family works very well in their role in the narrative, both as foils of what her parents will tolerate (Francis!) and as what they thought Stella should be (ah, Jean, heartbreaking to get everything right). Stella with her view of reality that isn't quite the parareality of due South -- she may talk to Dief, but she doesn't entirely believe he understands her, nor that he talks back, despite the convictions of the people around her. She lives on a different wavelength than Fraser, and even RayV, as the quintessential Woman Who Got Away, but it is deeply satisfying that here, she doesn't get away, and instead, she gets everything she ever wanted.

Every single bowling reference made me make the :D face. Thank you, sixthlight, for saving Stella and Vecchio from the bad, bad canon, and instead delivering them to this much better situation.

Current Mood: oh my heart
Current Music: Across the great divide

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solarbird

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March 2026

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Page Summary

torachan - Daily Happiness
zarla - ~YOU'RE MY FAVORITE [Costumer]
lannamichaels - "The People You Meet Along The Way." (The Parent Trap - 1998) G
olivermoss - Torrent Watch Party!
boxofdelights in wiscon - The Gatherer
ericcoleman in filk - FilkCONbobulated Update
cbc_topnews_feed - Cuba suffers 3rd countrywide blackout this month amid U.S. oil blockade
leecetheartist - Looking up.
ismo - NeglectedToFixCalendarDay of Trill
cbc_topnews_feed - Tumbler Ridge, B.C., advances to Hockeyville final as community continues to heal after tragedy
cbc_topnews_feed - Banff National Park breaks visitation record — again
cbc_topnews_feed - The magic of going to the theatres isn’t about the movie. It’s about watching it with strangers
flemmings - (no subject)
torachan - Weekly Reading
james - Flonase
james - Ch-ch-changes
kiya - Really, really winning.
ranunculus - Ride, Willow
shadowkat - (no subject)
petra - Recommendation - Quartetto, due South story by sixthlight

収束ゾーンでのライフ: Life in the Convergence Zone

cheers, love - the cavalry's queer!

Network

Daily Happiness

~YOU'RE MY FAVORITE [Costumer]

"The People You Meet Along The Way." (The Parent Trap - 1998) G

Torrent Watch Party!

The Gatherer

FilkCONbobulated Update

Cuba suffers 3rd countrywide blackout this month amid U.S. oil blockade

Looking up.

NeglectedToFixCalendarDay of Trill

Tumbler Ridge, B.C., advances to Hockeyville final as community continues to heal after tragedy

Banff National Park breaks visitation record — again

The magic of going to the theatres isn’t about the movie. It’s about watching it with strangers

(no subject)

Weekly Reading

Flonase

Ch-ch-changes

Really, really winning.

PSA

Ride, Willow

(no subject)

Recommendation - Quartetto, due South story by sixthlight

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March 2026

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