Yuletide 2025 Nominations Open
Sep. 14th, 2025 09:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yuletidemods posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
yuletide_adminWhy should I nominate?
To create the pool of fandoms available for this year’s Yuletide. More at AO3.
What can I nominate?
Up to 5 rare fandoms and 4 characters you want to request or offer. See what’s eligible here.
When can I nominate?
From now until 26 September, at 9pm UTC. Please check the date and time in your own timezone! Until then, you can also edit your nominations.
Where can I nominate?
Tag set.
Who can nominate?
People with AO3 accounts who intend to take part in Yuletide. You may use only one account for nominations. If you don’t have an AO3 account, add yourself immediately to the invite queue or email the mods.
How do I nominate?
First, check what's eligible. Then go to the tag set on AO3, and make sure you're logged in. Click "Nominate" at top right, enter your fandom and character choices, and click Submit at the bottom. Check the results on the page to make sure you entered them correctly. You don't have to submit all your choices at once - you can change your mind and add or edit your nominations until nominations close.
If you need to explain or argue for your fandom, please make a case for it on the Evidence Post as well as nominating on AO3.
Do I have to use fandom tags that exist on AO3?
Please do, unless:
Please label fandoms according to the Archive's wrangling style. If you’re not sure how to label your fandom, please ask.
When will I see what was nominated?
Not for a while, sorry! You can share what you've nominated and coordinate with other participants atyuletide. Moderators will approve tags starting approximately 28 September, and will release the tagset in early October. We will post questions about nominations between now and sign-ups, so please keep an eye on this community.
The Additional Tags at the bottom of the tag set are a new feature from 2023. Here is a post explaining how they work and some background (1, 2).
Disambiguation
When a character name could appear in more than one fandom, or is common, or short, please put information in brackets after the name to show where it belongs. For example:
-Bonnie Parker (Bonnie and Clyde 1967)
-Robin Hood (Prince of Thieves)
-Tulku (The Shadow 1994)
-Leonardo da Vinci (Da Vinci's Demons)
Disambiguation will also solve your problems if you receive the error message: “This character was rejected because it was nominated in another fandom.” If that happens, add more information to the name and resubmit.
Worldbuilding "character"
In most fandoms, you may nominate worldbulding as a character tag, in the format Worldbuilding (Your Fandom Name). However, mods will not accept "worldbuilding" nominations for RPF fandoms or where it is nominated without explanation for a purely mundane canon - there should be a clear fictional element to worldbuild around. See 2021's discussion post about worldbuilding; you may also find recent requests helpful to see how people have used this option.
Other character tips
If you submit a character that is new or rarely used on AO3, a suggestion from AO3 may appear in bold and in brackets next to your nomination after it has been submitted. This is okay, and does not mean that your nomination will be automatically changed. However, if you don't have any disambiguation information in brackets after the name, you may want to add it, because there may be another character with that name. Even if your character has two names, such as “Harrison Chase” or “Elizabeth Burke”, that name may appear in multiple unrelated fandoms.
RPF and Anthropomorphic fandoms must be nominated with characters. Other fandoms will be approved without characters if none are nominated.
Superhero and similar names may belong to more than one character. For example, Batman’s Robin could mean Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, or Stephanie Brown, among others. Please make sure it’s clear which one you mean - in cases where it’s ambiguous, please use their “wallet” name.
We don’t accept group nominations if the group contains named, distinct characters (for example, under Chalion Saga - Lois McMaster Bujold, we wouldn’t accept The Five Gods as a character). However, we will allow distinct groups that do not contain individual, named characters. If it may be difficult for us to determine whether this applies to your nomination, please comment in the Evidence post.
Check your nominations!
After submitting, check that your nominations have gone through: click away from the tag set, click back, and, if still logged into the same account, you should be able to see "My Nominations" at top right. Check the spelling and formatting! You can edit your nominations until the nominations period ends.
Enjoy!
PS: as pre-approved nominations can only be seen by mods, consider discussing your nominations with other participants onyuletide or at the Discord. In particular, please see this year's RPF discussion post.
Schedule, Rules, & Collection | Contact Mods | Tag Set | Community DW | Community LJ | Discord | Pinch hits on Dreamwidth
Please either sign in to comment, or include a name with your anonymous comments, including replies to others' comments. Unsigned comments will stay screened.
To create the pool of fandoms available for this year’s Yuletide. More at AO3.
What can I nominate?
Up to 5 rare fandoms and 4 characters you want to request or offer. See what’s eligible here.
When can I nominate?
From now until 26 September, at 9pm UTC. Please check the date and time in your own timezone! Until then, you can also edit your nominations.
Where can I nominate?
Tag set.
Who can nominate?
People with AO3 accounts who intend to take part in Yuletide. You may use only one account for nominations. If you don’t have an AO3 account, add yourself immediately to the invite queue or email the mods.
How do I nominate?
First, check what's eligible. Then go to the tag set on AO3, and make sure you're logged in. Click "Nominate" at top right, enter your fandom and character choices, and click Submit at the bottom. Check the results on the page to make sure you entered them correctly. You don't have to submit all your choices at once - you can change your mind and add or edit your nominations until nominations close.
If you need to explain or argue for your fandom, please make a case for it on the Evidence Post as well as nominating on AO3.
Do I have to use fandom tags that exist on AO3?
Please do, unless:
- There is no tag for your fandom (it's totally okay to nominate something with no fic!). Make one up, following this guide.
- The tag that exists on the Archive describes a larger fandom with many parts and your fandom is one distinct part or subset. In this case, instead of using the tag that exists already, please use a tag that describes your specific subfandom.
- The tag that exists on the Archive has the words 'All Media Types' or '& Related Fandoms' in it. Please don't use a label that includes those words without arguing for it on the Evidence Post .
Please label fandoms according to the Archive's wrangling style. If you’re not sure how to label your fandom, please ask.
When will I see what was nominated?
Not for a while, sorry! You can share what you've nominated and coordinate with other participants at
yuletide. Moderators will approve tags starting approximately 28 September, and will release the tagset in early October. We will post questions about nominations between now and sign-ups, so please keep an eye on this community.The Additional Tags at the bottom of the tag set are a new feature from 2023. Here is a post explaining how they work and some background (1, 2).
Disambiguation
When a character name could appear in more than one fandom, or is common, or short, please put information in brackets after the name to show where it belongs. For example:
-Bonnie Parker (Bonnie and Clyde 1967)
-Robin Hood (Prince of Thieves)
-Tulku (The Shadow 1994)
-Leonardo da Vinci (Da Vinci's Demons)
Disambiguation will also solve your problems if you receive the error message: “This character was rejected because it was nominated in another fandom.” If that happens, add more information to the name and resubmit.
Worldbuilding "character"
In most fandoms, you may nominate worldbulding as a character tag, in the format Worldbuilding (Your Fandom Name). However, mods will not accept "worldbuilding" nominations for RPF fandoms or where it is nominated without explanation for a purely mundane canon - there should be a clear fictional element to worldbuild around. See 2021's discussion post about worldbuilding; you may also find recent requests helpful to see how people have used this option.
Other character tips
If you submit a character that is new or rarely used on AO3, a suggestion from AO3 may appear in bold and in brackets next to your nomination after it has been submitted. This is okay, and does not mean that your nomination will be automatically changed. However, if you don't have any disambiguation information in brackets after the name, you may want to add it, because there may be another character with that name. Even if your character has two names, such as “Harrison Chase” or “Elizabeth Burke”, that name may appear in multiple unrelated fandoms.
RPF and Anthropomorphic fandoms must be nominated with characters. Other fandoms will be approved without characters if none are nominated.
Superhero and similar names may belong to more than one character. For example, Batman’s Robin could mean Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, or Stephanie Brown, among others. Please make sure it’s clear which one you mean - in cases where it’s ambiguous, please use their “wallet” name.
We don’t accept group nominations if the group contains named, distinct characters (for example, under Chalion Saga - Lois McMaster Bujold, we wouldn’t accept The Five Gods as a character). However, we will allow distinct groups that do not contain individual, named characters. If it may be difficult for us to determine whether this applies to your nomination, please comment in the Evidence post.
Check your nominations!
After submitting, check that your nominations have gone through: click away from the tag set, click back, and, if still logged into the same account, you should be able to see "My Nominations" at top right. Check the spelling and formatting! You can edit your nominations until the nominations period ends.
Enjoy!
PS: as pre-approved nominations can only be seen by mods, consider discussing your nominations with other participants on
yuletide or at the Discord. In particular, please see this year's RPF discussion post.Please either sign in to comment, or include a name with your anonymous comments, including replies to others' comments. Unsigned comments will stay screened.
1-800-fuck-it
Sep. 14th, 2025 07:57 pmwaterswordHi, yes, hello? Yeah, I'm encountering some bullshit and I wanted to get on the schedule for an Adult, can you tell me what the availability in my area is? Sure, I can hold.
...
Wow, you're booking that far out? No, it makes sense, I get it, can you also put me on the cancellation list? Like, I know it's a long shot but I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
Okay, yeah, you've got my contact information and credit card on file, nothing's changed, sounds good, I'll see you then.
Which is to say, I tried to clean my dishwasher filter, and it was disgusting beyond words and yet the dishwasher is still not cleaning my dishes effectively, and I want an adultier adult.
Challenge 127
Sep. 14th, 2025 09:52 pmsietepecados posting in stocklove_ic
narnialover7 | nouettes | stepinsidelove | uglybusinessIcon all things that are cuddly - animals, toys, soft materials, or icon the act of cuddling.
★ You can make up to 5 icons
★ Icons are due Sunday, SEPTEMBER 28th by 9pm (GMT+2)
★ You can use any stock pictures, that were not previously edited. Here you can find some resources
★ Post your icon and the icon url in a new post to the community (you can post alternate versions of the same icon in your entry, but they won't be considered in the voting post).
★ Tag you entry with your usename (user: xxx), and challenge number (!challenge: xx)
★ Your icons must conform to DW standards (100x100, 60 KB)
★ Remember icons must be made by you, and exclusively for this challenge!
★ All effects are allowed (as long as it fits the current challenge's theme)
★ If you have any question, just ask!
Challenge 126: Voting
Sep. 14th, 2025 09:46 pmsietepecados posting in stocklove_icThanks so much to everyone who entered!
( I C O N S )
- vote for your Top Three in order, voting is weighted (3, 2, 1).
- choose 1 icon per special category
- do not vote for yourself or encourage others to vote you
- use this form, filling it out in the comments
Challenge 125: Winners
Sep. 14th, 2025 09:42 pmsietepecados posting in stocklove_ic1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place
narnialover7 brisus narnialover7 Best Color | Best Crop | Mod's Choice
brisus narnialover7 magicrubbishCongratulations to all winners!
Also thank you for beautifull icons and voting!
FAKE: Time Passes By [Challenge 467: Time]
Sep. 14th, 2025 06:27 pmbadly_knitted posting in drabble_zoneTitle: Time Passes By
Fandom: FAKE
Author:
badly_knittedCharacters: Ryo, Dee.
Rating: PG
Written For: Challenge 467: Time.
Setting: Years after Like Like Love.
Summary: Where did the time go? So much had changed since Ryo had become a detective.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.
A/N: Double drabble.
Time Passes By
A Con con...
Sep. 14th, 2025 11:54 pmmagnavox_23 posting in ourflagmeansgayI have a little convention report including Con O'Neill's panel from this weekend's Oz Comic Con with photos.
If you're interested, check it out, here. <3
If you're interested, check it out, here. <3
[Prompt #459] BtVS / Spuffy, Willow — Timeless Vegas
Sep. 14th, 2025 01:13 pmveronyxk84 posting in 100wordsTitle: Timeless Vegas
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Characters/Pairing: Spuffy, Willow
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none
Word count: 100 (Google Docs)
Setting/Spoilers: Set post-S11 (comics) in an alternate reality where Buffy and Spike are an established couple.
Summary: Buffy, Spike, and Willow are sent to Vegas to investigate a suspected city-wide spell.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.
A/N: Inspired by the Lotus Hotel and Casino from “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010)
Prompt: #459 - Dice
Crossposted:anythingdrabble, drabble_zone, sweetandshort, My journal, Sunnydale After Dark
—
( READ: Timeless Vegas )
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Characters/Pairing: Spuffy, Willow
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none
Word count: 100 (Google Docs)
Setting/Spoilers: Set post-S11 (comics) in an alternate reality where Buffy and Spike are an established couple.
Summary: Buffy, Spike, and Willow are sent to Vegas to investigate a suspected city-wide spell.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction created for fun and no profit has been made. All rights belong to the respective owners.
A/N: Inspired by the Lotus Hotel and Casino from “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010)
Prompt: #459 - Dice
Crossposted:
anythingdrabble, drabble_zone, sweetandshort, My journal, Sunnydale After Dark —
( READ: Timeless Vegas )
Reminder
Sep. 13th, 2025 09:11 pmsietepecados posting in stocklove_ic
Check out our current challenge: This was Summer - here.
We have 3 entries so far!
But you still have 1 DAY to enter :)
Also I could use a few more votes Challenge 124 VOTING
Challenge # 467: Time
Sep. 13th, 2025 05:49 pmbadly_knitted posting in drabble_zoneThis week's challenge is:
Time
Reminder of Rules
Entries should be 100, 200, or 300 words exactly, excluding titles and headers.
Please place the body of your entry behind a cut.
Tag with the appropriate Challenge, Fandom, Type, and Ratings tags. If a tag for your fandom doesn't exist, leave a request on the Tag Request post and I'll create the tags you need. You can request as many fandom tags as you want.
You don't need to use the challenge word or phrase in your drabble, though you can if you like.
Each challenge ends when the new challenge is posted, but if you're a few days late that's still fine.
NEW RULE: DOUBLE AND TRIPLE DRABBLES ARE ALSO ACCEPTED ;)
Have fun!
The Friday Five: Randomosity
Sep. 13th, 2025 01:11 pmsmallhobbitThis week's thefridayfive
1. What is your favourite fruit?
Raspberries
2. What is the last book you read?
'The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Powers 1804-1999' by Misha Glenny. This one took me about 7.5 months, so I'll also say 'Death and the Conjurer' by Tom Mead
3. Do you like any of your school photos?
So long ago, I no longer have any of them and haven't got a clue what I thought at the time.
4. Do you ever blowdry your armpits to get the deodorant to dry quicker?
It had never even occurred to me, so no.
5. What was the last film you watched?
'Mr Burton' back in May, at our local indy cinema
thefridayfive 1. What is your favourite fruit?
Raspberries
2. What is the last book you read?
'The Balkans: Nationalism, War and the Great Powers 1804-1999' by Misha Glenny. This one took me about 7.5 months, so I'll also say 'Death and the Conjurer' by Tom Mead
3. Do you like any of your school photos?
So long ago, I no longer have any of them and haven't got a clue what I thought at the time.
4. Do you ever blowdry your armpits to get the deodorant to dry quicker?
It had never even occurred to me, so no.
5. What was the last film you watched?
'Mr Burton' back in May, at our local indy cinema
Leverage: The Food Cart Job, by page_runner
Sep. 13th, 2025 01:35 pmbirdylion posting in fancakeFandom: Leverage
Pairings/Characters: Alec Hardison/Parker/Eliot Spencer, Peggy Milbank, Amy Palavi
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 21452 words
Creator Links:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
page_runner
Theme: food & cooking, casefic, competence, outsider pov
Summary:
She was only here for a long weekend, using this convention as an excuse to see Alice for the first time in over a year, or using Alice as an excuse to get away for a convention, or using both as a reason to finally take a vacation, because it was about damn time.
At least, that was the original plan.
Reccer's Notes:
Peggy Milbank is a side character who appears in 2 episodes: once when Parker's alias "Alice White" gets called in for jury duty, and once when Parker, Sophie and Tara sneak into a ball at an embassy for an event where Peggy does the catering.
This fic has her meeting the team once more, and has her involved in a job in Portland when they investigate a sketchy business man who drives independent food cart owners out of business, not shying away from inflicting violence on them in the process.
While the team does their thing, Peggy offers to take over the food cart, and does so with remarkable competence - learning a whole new cuisine on the fly. Food plays a big role in the whole story, because of their case, but also because now there are several people in one place who care a lot about food. It's also about a community of food cart owners. And just like Eliot found a way out of his violent life by learning how to cook, there's a side plot in this story how he does that for others too.
While the ship Eliot/Parker/Hardison isn't the main focus, it is definitely in the background, and Peggy's perspective is a really nice outsider POV on them, so I tagged it as such as well.
Fanwork Links: The Food Cart Job on ao3
Pairings/Characters: Alec Hardison/Parker/Eliot Spencer, Peggy Milbank, Amy Palavi
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 21452 words
Creator Links:
Theme: food & cooking, casefic, competence, outsider pov
Summary:
She was only here for a long weekend, using this convention as an excuse to see Alice for the first time in over a year, or using Alice as an excuse to get away for a convention, or using both as a reason to finally take a vacation, because it was about damn time.
At least, that was the original plan.
Reccer's Notes:
Peggy Milbank is a side character who appears in 2 episodes: once when Parker's alias "Alice White" gets called in for jury duty, and once when Parker, Sophie and Tara sneak into a ball at an embassy for an event where Peggy does the catering.
This fic has her meeting the team once more, and has her involved in a job in Portland when they investigate a sketchy business man who drives independent food cart owners out of business, not shying away from inflicting violence on them in the process.
While the team does their thing, Peggy offers to take over the food cart, and does so with remarkable competence - learning a whole new cuisine on the fly. Food plays a big role in the whole story, because of their case, but also because now there are several people in one place who care a lot about food. It's also about a community of food cart owners. And just like Eliot found a way out of his violent life by learning how to cook, there's a side plot in this story how he does that for others too.
While the ship Eliot/Parker/Hardison isn't the main focus, it is definitely in the background, and Peggy's perspective is a really nice outsider POV on them, so I tagged it as such as well.
Fanwork Links: The Food Cart Job on ao3
Me-and-media update
Sep. 13th, 2025 06:41 pmchina_shopPandemic life
You just can't get fitted for new glasses in a mask.
Previous poll review
In the Spice tolerance poll, 44.9% of respondents can handle mild, 40.8% a vague tingle, 49% a distinct tingle, 34.7% hot, and 12.2% searing. Two people (4.1%) said to call the fire department. Of course, all of these assessments are subjective and contextual: I initially said "hot", but then decided it was probably only "hot for me". Also, 26.5% said it depends on the cuisine.
In ticky-boxes, chocolate came second to hugs, 65.3% to 79.6%. Thank you for your votes!
Reading
We finished the latest Rivers of London in audio, and it was fine. And I finished A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall, which suffered from my genre expectations, I'm afraid. Otherwise, the same as last week.
Kdramas/Cdramas
Nothing But Love -- one episode to go, and there is no way to make it last. (If anyone's interest,tinny made some gorgeous icons, yay!)
My Youth -- low-key romance with Song Joong-ki, partially set in the entertainment industry. As yet, there's no tension and very little plot, but everyone's pretty. I'll give it a bit longer.
Mystic Pop-Up Bar -- watched two more episodes. Manager Gwi will forever be my fav. I may have to go back to The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop, lol. And probably Family by Choice, too.
Aema -- I'm always delighted to find a kdrama Andrew will watch with me. (He's not really into romances.) This is set in the tawdry film industry of the early 1980s and based on a true story. It's about a celebrated actress who is tired of the exploitative aesthetic (antagonist, but I find her sympathetic) and an unknown ingenue who is desperate to make it, even if it means compromising (also great). It's about censorship, commercialism vs artistic vision, and film-making. Tonally, it reminds me of The Offer, which is a rec. We're three or four eps in.
Low Life -- (Disney+ does Kdramas) Two episodes with our tv-watching-with friend. Another period piece, this one about an array of scam artists and ruffians trying to salvage shipwrecked treasure in the 1970s. A lot of competing interests and macho posturing, and quite a lot of exposition, but I think it's going to be fun.
Other TV
More Chief of War (Apple+; yay indigenous TV; not very fun, but good and with that "prestige TV" vibe). Some Prehistoric Planet (Apple+ nature doco about dinosaurs, narrated by David Attenborough; really charming, quality animation, lots of cute baby 'saurs). More Bluey (we're going to run oooout /o\). Some Secret Genius of Modern Life with Hannah Fry (the episode about microwave ovens, where I learned a) that microwave ovens have Faraday cages to keep the microwaves in, and b) that if you shut an iPhone in my microwave, you can still call it (but not an Android) -- does this mean the little microwaves are escaping? /o\). Connections (BBC, 1978) episode 1, which is scientifically interesting while taking a dim view of human nature.
Guardian/Fandom
Fandom!! Our behind-the-scenesfan_flashworks project went live yesterday with a Community Report, a Creator Report, and a comprehensive spreadsheet. We're so proud of this! A million thanks to treonb for working so tirelessly on it!!
Meanwhile,guardian_wishlist is underway (sign-ups close soon! come join the fun!), the Slo-Mo Rewatch started last week (jump in anytime!), and I'm still doing Guardian polls, apparently. On top of that, things are hopping on fan_writers (if you're posting meta about the craft or process of writing, please link it there!!). *collapses*
Films
Not seen recently, but Uproar! is on Netflix now (here, at least), and it's so good. My review from May: 2023 New Zealand coming-of-age comedy-drama film about a Māori teen in 1981, at a time when a tour by the South African rugby team was dividing the country, because apartheid. This film blew me away, A++, absolutely recommend. The theme plays out on multiple levels, the performances are great, and the setting feels very genuine and frustrating. It deals with racism in school, the community, the home, and by the police/state. Stars Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople), Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), Minnie Driver, and James Rolleston (Boy).
Writing/making things
My unexpected-kinkfic is at beta. I haven't managed to start anything else yet, despite the vast wealth of Wishlist prompts. My brain keeps stuttering and deflecting (and to be fair, there's been a lot of mod stuff to do). Whenever I look at my WIPs, they slide right off my duck-back brain. I'm really hoping I can get into gear soon!!
Life/health/mental state things
Another political submission last Monday, and one due on the 25th. (I can't do them all, so I'm just tackling ones I hear about.)
I ordered my first progressive-lens glasses. NO WARNINGS OR HORROR STORIES, PLEASE! I'm already trepidatious.
Korean
So far I'm easily keeping up with reading through the Guardian subs (it helps that I pretty much know episode 1 by heart). I'm not trying to understand every single thing. My brain is enjoying the Hangeul, and the jokes are even funnier when compounded with the triumph of "Oh! I understood that!"
Good things
Saw a seal in the harbour while I was biking home from the opticians. Kdramas! Fandom. Sunshine. Sleep is just really good, yes please. Walking through trees. Partners who let you blather about fandom all the time. ♥ Cat. ♥ Bluey!
You just can't get fitted for new glasses in a mask.
Previous poll review
In the Spice tolerance poll, 44.9% of respondents can handle mild, 40.8% a vague tingle, 49% a distinct tingle, 34.7% hot, and 12.2% searing. Two people (4.1%) said to call the fire department. Of course, all of these assessments are subjective and contextual: I initially said "hot", but then decided it was probably only "hot for me". Also, 26.5% said it depends on the cuisine.
In ticky-boxes, chocolate came second to hugs, 65.3% to 79.6%. Thank you for your votes!
Reading
We finished the latest Rivers of London in audio, and it was fine. And I finished A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall, which suffered from my genre expectations, I'm afraid. Otherwise, the same as last week.
Kdramas/Cdramas
Nothing But Love -- one episode to go, and there is no way to make it last. (If anyone's interest,
tinny made some gorgeous icons, yay!)My Youth -- low-key romance with Song Joong-ki, partially set in the entertainment industry. As yet, there's no tension and very little plot, but everyone's pretty. I'll give it a bit longer.
Mystic Pop-Up Bar -- watched two more episodes. Manager Gwi will forever be my fav. I may have to go back to The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop, lol. And probably Family by Choice, too.
Aema -- I'm always delighted to find a kdrama Andrew will watch with me. (He's not really into romances.) This is set in the tawdry film industry of the early 1980s and based on a true story. It's about a celebrated actress who is tired of the exploitative aesthetic (antagonist, but I find her sympathetic) and an unknown ingenue who is desperate to make it, even if it means compromising (also great). It's about censorship, commercialism vs artistic vision, and film-making. Tonally, it reminds me of The Offer, which is a rec. We're three or four eps in.
Low Life -- (Disney+ does Kdramas) Two episodes with our tv-watching-with friend. Another period piece, this one about an array of scam artists and ruffians trying to salvage shipwrecked treasure in the 1970s. A lot of competing interests and macho posturing, and quite a lot of exposition, but I think it's going to be fun.
Other TV
More Chief of War (Apple+; yay indigenous TV; not very fun, but good and with that "prestige TV" vibe). Some Prehistoric Planet (Apple+ nature doco about dinosaurs, narrated by David Attenborough; really charming, quality animation, lots of cute baby 'saurs). More Bluey (we're going to run oooout /o\). Some Secret Genius of Modern Life with Hannah Fry (the episode about microwave ovens, where I learned a) that microwave ovens have Faraday cages to keep the microwaves in, and b) that if you shut an iPhone in my microwave, you can still call it (but not an Android) -- does this mean the little microwaves are escaping? /o\). Connections (BBC, 1978) episode 1, which is scientifically interesting while taking a dim view of human nature.
Guardian/Fandom
Fandom!! Our behind-the-scenes
fan_flashworks project went live yesterday with a Community Report, a Creator Report, and a comprehensive spreadsheet. We're so proud of this! A million thanks to treonb for working so tirelessly on it!!Meanwhile,
guardian_wishlist is underway (sign-ups close soon! come join the fun!), the Slo-Mo Rewatch started last week (jump in anytime!), and I'm still doing Guardian polls, apparently. On top of that, things are hopping on fan_writers (if you're posting meta about the craft or process of writing, please link it there!!). *collapses*Films
Not seen recently, but Uproar! is on Netflix now (here, at least), and it's so good. My review from May: 2023 New Zealand coming-of-age comedy-drama film about a Māori teen in 1981, at a time when a tour by the South African rugby team was dividing the country, because apartheid. This film blew me away, A++, absolutely recommend. The theme plays out on multiple levels, the performances are great, and the setting feels very genuine and frustrating. It deals with racism in school, the community, the home, and by the police/state. Stars Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople), Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), Minnie Driver, and James Rolleston (Boy).
Writing/making things
My unexpected-kinkfic is at beta. I haven't managed to start anything else yet, despite the vast wealth of Wishlist prompts. My brain keeps stuttering and deflecting (and to be fair, there's been a lot of mod stuff to do). Whenever I look at my WIPs, they slide right off my duck-back brain. I'm really hoping I can get into gear soon!!
Life/health/mental state things
Another political submission last Monday, and one due on the 25th. (I can't do them all, so I'm just tackling ones I hear about.)
I ordered my first progressive-lens glasses. NO WARNINGS OR HORROR STORIES, PLEASE! I'm already trepidatious.
tl;dr
I've been holding out for a few years now. But these days I'm juggling a) my main pair: 12-yo scuffed-lens cheapos from Zenni Optical (online) which work for most things but I have to take them off for reading, and the scuffs make me feel like I'm getting cataracts; b) single-distance intermediate glasses (computer, crosswords and, increasingly, reading); and c) ancient-prescription sunglasses which, again, work for most things, but I can't read in them, which is a problem at outdoor cafes. My sister had a terrible time adjusting to her progressives last year, and I've seen similar unhappiness on my flist at times, so rather than going to the discount place where I got my intermediates, I went to my opticians. The nice sales guy spent literally hours talking me through everything, showing me various layouts for different lifestyles, and deciding which system would work best for me. He let me take three pairs of frames home for a second opinion. And then spent maybe another hour measuring my eye position and sightlines in different postures. I'm getting clip-on shades to fit the glasses -- fancy! Hopefully this will see me right for a long, long time. (Bodies are so expensive to maintain, ugh.) Again, please don't tell me any progressive-lens horror stories or even ambivalent ones!! Good/encouraging stories are welcome, though.Korean
So far I'm easily keeping up with reading through the Guardian subs (it helps that I pretty much know episode 1 by heart). I'm not trying to understand every single thing. My brain is enjoying the Hangeul, and the jokes are even funnier when compounded with the triumph of "Oh! I understood that!"
Good things
Saw a seal in the harbour while I was biking home from the opticians. Kdramas! Fandom. Sunshine. Sleep is just really good, yes please. Walking through trees. Partners who let you blather about fandom all the time. ♥ Cat. ♥ Bluey!
Poll #33607 phone
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 53
How do you generally make/take phone calls, posturely speaking?
View Answers
hold phone to ear
32 (60.4%)
put call on speaker
23 (43.4%)
wear an earpiece/headphones
16 (30.2%)
other
0 (0.0%)
I don't make phone calls
5 (9.4%)
ticky-box full of beret-wearing bumblebees performing buzz poetry
22 (41.5%)
ticky-box full of cats with resting blep face
34 (64.2%)
ticky-box full of snacks, yes please
24 (45.3%)
ticky-box full of magic tricks with real magic
22 (41.5%)
ticky-box full of hugs
36 (67.9%)
Imagining Melinoe on a bicycle
Sep. 12th, 2025 11:35 pmschneefinkA 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.
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.