aha!
Jun. 26th, 2025 01:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
twistedchickI have been watching 'Elementary' the past week or so, especially during the heat dome of the last few days, and throughout the first three seasons Holmes' father is mentioned a few times but never shows up.
He finally does show up early in season 4, and from the first moment I saw him I kept thinking, 'where do I know this actor from'? His face, older and lined, was like many other actors, but that voice was singular.
So I looked him up.
He played Denethor in LOTR, the bad father who tried to burn his younger son to death and immolate himself on the fire as well -- the worst of the fathers in LOTR.
Tone down the madness, make him a high-level businessman with a finger in every government, and you have Sherlock's father. Pretty good casting.
He finally does show up early in season 4, and from the first moment I saw him I kept thinking, 'where do I know this actor from'? His face, older and lined, was like many other actors, but that voice was singular.
So I looked him up.
He played Denethor in LOTR, the bad father who tried to burn his younger son to death and immolate himself on the fire as well -- the worst of the fathers in LOTR.
Tone down the madness, make him a high-level businessman with a finger in every government, and you have Sherlock's father. Pretty good casting.
monuments
Jun. 24th, 2025 03:47 pmthe_shoshannaSmall-town Great War memorials are so sad. You have this glorious statue erected To Our Brave Boys, Their Sacrifice Will Endure Forever, and then, added on to the side or back of the plinth, the World War Two memorial is like, "well, fuck."
The Seventh of the Recced Book Reviews: The Lost Flock
Jun. 22nd, 2025 10:42 ambethbethbethOn May 8th, I offered to read the first five books people recced - assuming they were available (preferably from the library) - and I'd give a short review [https://bethbethbeth.dreamwidth.org/701769.html].
This is the seventh recced book review.
It's been a long time since posting one of these (I had non-recced books to read!), but I just finished:
The Lost Flock (2023), by Jane Cooper (recced by marinarusalka on dreamwidth)
When this was recced to me, marinarusalka wrote, “I’m curious to see if a non-knitter will find it equally interesting.” Because here’s the thing. I know nothing about raising sheep, I’ve never knitted, I’ve never been to the Orkney Islands, and yet this is why I loved reading The Lost Flock. It’s the same reason I like reading science fiction and fantasy; learning about and getting immersed in a world you know nothing about is great.
So…if you want to know about Boreray sheep (a rare, primitive short-tailed breed) or how felting is done or how to spin without a wheel or about sails for Viking ships, this is your book.
This is the seventh recced book review.
It's been a long time since posting one of these (I had non-recced books to read!), but I just finished:
The Lost Flock (2023), by Jane Cooper (recced by marinarusalka on dreamwidth)
When this was recced to me, marinarusalka wrote, “I’m curious to see if a non-knitter will find it equally interesting.” Because here’s the thing. I know nothing about raising sheep, I’ve never knitted, I’ve never been to the Orkney Islands, and yet this is why I loved reading The Lost Flock. It’s the same reason I like reading science fiction and fantasy; learning about and getting immersed in a world you know nothing about is great.
So…if you want to know about Boreray sheep (a rare, primitive short-tailed breed) or how felting is done or how to spin without a wheel or about sails for Viking ships, this is your book.
apparently it's just like riding a bike!
Jun. 21st, 2025 04:43 pmthe_shoshannaI picked up my bicycle yesterday!
Onringthebells's wise advice, I had them show me how to lube the chain and pump up the tires. (not that I own chain oil or a pump, but in principle I am prepared!) They installed a locking kickstand (fancy!) and threw in a rear-view mirror, which they mounted on the left handlebar and which I didn't think I'd have the spare attention to look into for days, as I concentrated on figuring out how to ride a bike again after fifty years, but I was certainly glad to have it. I wobble-rode around the local parking lot a bit to get the hang of it and then headed home! I felt secure enough to ride it on some of the deserted residential streets, but got off and walked it whenever there was traffic or I just felt insecure. (Every now and then I have to swerve a bit to keep my balance, which is not a thing to do if there are cars around.)
And today I rode and walked it into downtown again, to a community festival going on this weekend that provides a secure bike valet service. And I already feel more secure and stable (which is not to say that I'm not still occasionally wobbling, or jumping off in a hurry, and definitely am still walking it whenever anyone or anything else might be moving anywhere near me) -- and checking the mirror is already almost second nature! I think forty years of driving a car helps with that. I have the theory of how to shift pretty well down, too; this bike has three gears in front and five in back, which feels like massive overkill for my needs, and all the riding I've done so far has been on the level, but I've tried changing gears a few times just to get used to how to do it.
I traded my bike for a claim check and wandered around the community festival; and then I wandered through the big main-street commercial festival that's also going on; and then a friend texted me to find out if I was nearby and I connected with them and we wandered back through the community festival so they could check their bike as well, and then through the weekly farmers&crafters market, and then through the National Indigenous Peoples Day festival -- there was a lot going on in my city today! And then we went back and reclaimed our bikes and said goodbye and I biked-and-walked home, and now I'm exhausted from four hours in the midday sun but I still have a bunch of stuff to do before I leave tomorrow morning for eight days, oof. (Vacation with my in-laws. I do like my in-laws, but still -- oof.)
But it feelsslightly scary and also good to be back on a bike after all this time! And my goodness but that is faster than walking. A very different kind of muscular effort, as well.
On
ringthebells's wise advice, I had them show me how to lube the chain and pump up the tires. (not that I own chain oil or a pump, but in principle I am prepared!) They installed a locking kickstand (fancy!) and threw in a rear-view mirror, which they mounted on the left handlebar and which I didn't think I'd have the spare attention to look into for days, as I concentrated on figuring out how to ride a bike again after fifty years, but I was certainly glad to have it. I wobble-rode around the local parking lot a bit to get the hang of it and then headed home! I felt secure enough to ride it on some of the deserted residential streets, but got off and walked it whenever there was traffic or I just felt insecure. (Every now and then I have to swerve a bit to keep my balance, which is not a thing to do if there are cars around.)And today I rode and walked it into downtown again, to a community festival going on this weekend that provides a secure bike valet service. And I already feel more secure and stable (which is not to say that I'm not still occasionally wobbling, or jumping off in a hurry, and definitely am still walking it whenever anyone or anything else might be moving anywhere near me) -- and checking the mirror is already almost second nature! I think forty years of driving a car helps with that. I have the theory of how to shift pretty well down, too; this bike has three gears in front and five in back, which feels like massive overkill for my needs, and all the riding I've done so far has been on the level, but I've tried changing gears a few times just to get used to how to do it.
I traded my bike for a claim check and wandered around the community festival; and then I wandered through the big main-street commercial festival that's also going on; and then a friend texted me to find out if I was nearby and I connected with them and we wandered back through the community festival so they could check their bike as well, and then through the weekly farmers&crafters market, and then through the National Indigenous Peoples Day festival -- there was a lot going on in my city today! And then we went back and reclaimed our bikes and said goodbye and I biked-and-walked home, and now I'm exhausted from four hours in the midday sun but I still have a bunch of stuff to do before I leave tomorrow morning for eight days, oof. (Vacation with my in-laws. I do like my in-laws, but still -- oof.)
But it feels
LJ Idol Wheel of Chaos: "The E Train"
Jun. 20th, 2025 06:45 pmhalfshellvenusThe E Train
Idol Wheel Of Chaos | Week 1 | 7 x 100 words
Quality
x-x-x-x-x
Queenie
"Can't carry the world, can't bury the world," her mama used to say, but somehow Queenie was still trying.
With her daughter going to prison, there'd be two more mouths to feed. Queenie was headed to Brooklyn, where the food pantries were supposed to be better. She'd never used them before, but a secretary's salary only stretched so far.
Where would her grandbabies sleep? Her own kids already used the sofa. Guess she'd have to put them in her bed, at least for now. Anything but foster care.
Queenie couldn't protect her daughter anymore, but she'd keep her children safe.
Umesh
Umesh wasn't nervous yet. He was on his way to the airport, to fly home and begin the process of choosing a bride.
He wasn't sure he was ready, but he was twenty-eight and he'd already outlasted his mother's patience. He'd hoped he might meet someone on his own, but it hadn't happened. And his parents wanted him to marry a traditional girl, even though Umesh was a modern man.
He wanted someone pretty and accomplished, but who knew what women his mother had selected? Would the beautiful Anjali be among them?
Umesh shivered. No, he wasn't nervous at all.
Anthony
Quit yer bellyachin', he thought, his father's voice still in his head after all these years. So what if he hated his job? The pay was good. Not everyone got to live their dream. His dream was drinking beer and watching baseball, so no chance of making a living there.
If he had a car, he wouldn't have to ride this goddamn train. And if you was a surgeon, you wouldn't be going to Mrs. Sepka's to fix her toilet.
But there was a game on tonight, and Billy was coming over with a six-pack. Suddenly, things were looking up.
Lainie
It was just after eight o'clock, but Lainie was already drunk. She sat in the back left corner, her usual spot, and watched the other passengers' eyes slide past her. She used to be just like them.
Losing John had destroyed her. Five months she'd known it was coming, but that hadn't prepared her for the crushing grief that followed. Two years later now, she didn't want to die, but she couldn't figure out how to live.
Better to numb the pain and hope it would someday leave her.
Someday, she thought.
But today would not be when that happened.
Isabella
Isabella fingered the acceptance letter inside her purse. Medical school! It was everything she'd ever wanted.
She knew she had a hard road ahead of her. The studying would be intense, and then the years of internship and residency, and after that she still had to pass the boards. But it'll be worth it.
She was dressed in her most businesslike clothes now, on the way to interview for a loan. She hoped she looked grown-up, instead of like a kid going with her grandmother to the ballet.
And Illinois… She'd never been. But she couldn't wait to get started.
Teo
Abuela smelled like cinnamon, the most delicious smell there was. Teo's stomach growled as he thought about churros, but those were a Saturday treat, so he played with his toy car instead.
Down his leg and over the back of the empty seat in front of him it went. He imagined being a race-car driver, though "pirate" and Futbolista were still his favorites.
Abuela touched his cheek and offered him a slice of mango. "Tres paradas," she said. Teo could count to tres.
He watched treetops go by as the train rushed past. This is the world the birds see…
Yuri
Yuri's duffel bag held everything he could carry.
He'd hoped for acceptance, but he hadn't been surprised. There was no room in his parents' culture for boys like him.
"When did this happen?" his mother had asked, but Yuri always knew. He was just tired of hiding, and Andrei's smile had made him brave. Even if his parents never forgave him, he was still running to something instead of away from it. Andrei's house was just a few miles down the track, now.
Down below, sunlight glinted off car windows, a stream of stars pointing the way toward Yuri's future.
--/--
If you enjoyed this story, please vote for it along with any other favorites here
Idol Wheel Of Chaos | Week 1 | 7 x 100 words
Quality
x-x-x-x-x
Queenie
"Can't carry the world, can't bury the world," her mama used to say, but somehow Queenie was still trying.
With her daughter going to prison, there'd be two more mouths to feed. Queenie was headed to Brooklyn, where the food pantries were supposed to be better. She'd never used them before, but a secretary's salary only stretched so far.
Where would her grandbabies sleep? Her own kids already used the sofa. Guess she'd have to put them in her bed, at least for now. Anything but foster care.
Queenie couldn't protect her daughter anymore, but she'd keep her children safe.
Umesh
Umesh wasn't nervous yet. He was on his way to the airport, to fly home and begin the process of choosing a bride.
He wasn't sure he was ready, but he was twenty-eight and he'd already outlasted his mother's patience. He'd hoped he might meet someone on his own, but it hadn't happened. And his parents wanted him to marry a traditional girl, even though Umesh was a modern man.
He wanted someone pretty and accomplished, but who knew what women his mother had selected? Would the beautiful Anjali be among them?
Umesh shivered. No, he wasn't nervous at all.
Anthony
Quit yer bellyachin', he thought, his father's voice still in his head after all these years. So what if he hated his job? The pay was good. Not everyone got to live their dream. His dream was drinking beer and watching baseball, so no chance of making a living there.
If he had a car, he wouldn't have to ride this goddamn train. And if you was a surgeon, you wouldn't be going to Mrs. Sepka's to fix her toilet.
But there was a game on tonight, and Billy was coming over with a six-pack. Suddenly, things were looking up.
Lainie
It was just after eight o'clock, but Lainie was already drunk. She sat in the back left corner, her usual spot, and watched the other passengers' eyes slide past her. She used to be just like them.
Losing John had destroyed her. Five months she'd known it was coming, but that hadn't prepared her for the crushing grief that followed. Two years later now, she didn't want to die, but she couldn't figure out how to live.
Better to numb the pain and hope it would someday leave her.
Someday, she thought.
But today would not be when that happened.
Isabella
Isabella fingered the acceptance letter inside her purse. Medical school! It was everything she'd ever wanted.
She knew she had a hard road ahead of her. The studying would be intense, and then the years of internship and residency, and after that she still had to pass the boards. But it'll be worth it.
She was dressed in her most businesslike clothes now, on the way to interview for a loan. She hoped she looked grown-up, instead of like a kid going with her grandmother to the ballet.
And Illinois… She'd never been. But she couldn't wait to get started.
Teo
Abuela smelled like cinnamon, the most delicious smell there was. Teo's stomach growled as he thought about churros, but those were a Saturday treat, so he played with his toy car instead.
Down his leg and over the back of the empty seat in front of him it went. He imagined being a race-car driver, though "pirate" and Futbolista were still his favorites.
Abuela touched his cheek and offered him a slice of mango. "Tres paradas," she said. Teo could count to tres.
He watched treetops go by as the train rushed past. This is the world the birds see…
Yuri
Yuri's duffel bag held everything he could carry.
He'd hoped for acceptance, but he hadn't been surprised. There was no room in his parents' culture for boys like him.
"When did this happen?" his mother had asked, but Yuri always knew. He was just tired of hiding, and Andrei's smile had made him brave. Even if his parents never forgave him, he was still running to something instead of away from it. Andrei's house was just a few miles down the track, now.
Down below, sunlight glinted off car windows, a stream of stars pointing the way toward Yuri's future.
--/--
If you enjoyed this story, please vote for it along with any other favorites here
The Shrieking Season
Jun. 16th, 2025 07:13 pmhalfshellvenusOur yard has been spared this year, thank goodness. But there's a spot where I frequently rest out on the bike path, and somewhere nearby is a nest of baby birds screaming their heads off. Have I mentioned how much I hate that sound? It's high-pitched and torturous, a sound akin to squeaking styrofoam, or basketball shoes screeching on a wooden floor, or dry-erase markers shrieking on a whiteboard. Ughhhh. Part of me wonders if cats hunt out birds' nests just to make that noise stop.
OTOH, I do love seeing fuzzy babies out and about this time of year. I have yet to see ducklings on the parkway, but I've already seen turklets, baby quail the approximate size of chicken eggs, and some adolescent Canadian geese. The geese were too far along to be cute, but the other chicks were fun.
The rest of life has been work-work-work and despairing of how many boxes still aren't unpacked. The whole thing exhausts me. I got my office filing cabinet assembled (god, EVERYTHING is DIY these days), and put the returned files away after sorting through them and discarding a ton of stuff. But framed pictures? There are two hanging up in the entire house, plus 1 mirror. Other wall decorations? Ahahahahaha! On the plus side, I used the Neighborhood app to advertise free moving boxes, so I have now gotten rid of anything that would be useful for other people (apart from the tons of packing paper). That means we can have someone come and cart all the remaining stuff off to the recycling center. That will free up room in the garage for one of the cars, and also allow us to try to sell the furniture we decided not to put back in the house.
Bookwise, I finished This Is How You Lose The Time War (lovely, and reminiscent of Catherynne M. Valente), A Drink Before The War (currently reading the sequel), and The Staircase In The Woods. I'm reading much slower than before we moved back home, though. I used to get through a book in about 6-7 days, and now it takes me twice that long. :(
In viewing, we have seen The Accountant 2 and The Ballerina in the theater. That last movie is everything I could have hoped for in a John Wick-adjacent universe, and it also has flame-throwers. Whoo! On TV, I finished The Hidden (good series overall), Agatha Raisin, and My Life is Murder, all on Acorn. I sprang for Apple-TV short-term so I could watch Severance S2. That was good, though I think it wallowed a little too much in minor character backstory in the middle episodes. We also watched Slow Horses, which we've really enjoyed. And similarly, I'm paying for BritBox for a few months, so we've watched The City And The City, we're watching Thorne, and we're rewatching Shetland with our son. I will also watch The Pembrokeshire Murders, some other version of S1 of The Hidden, and Criminal Record, before we cancel the service.
Our son is staying here while he studies for the California Bar, which is great for us! I would like to plan a family vacation for after he takes the Bar and before he starts his new job. But first, I have to figure out what our options are for our ridiculously high-maintenance scarf-and-barf cat. \o?
OTOH, I do love seeing fuzzy babies out and about this time of year. I have yet to see ducklings on the parkway, but I've already seen turklets, baby quail the approximate size of chicken eggs, and some adolescent Canadian geese. The geese were too far along to be cute, but the other chicks were fun.
The rest of life has been work-work-work and despairing of how many boxes still aren't unpacked. The whole thing exhausts me. I got my office filing cabinet assembled (god, EVERYTHING is DIY these days), and put the returned files away after sorting through them and discarding a ton of stuff. But framed pictures? There are two hanging up in the entire house, plus 1 mirror. Other wall decorations? Ahahahahaha! On the plus side, I used the Neighborhood app to advertise free moving boxes, so I have now gotten rid of anything that would be useful for other people (apart from the tons of packing paper). That means we can have someone come and cart all the remaining stuff off to the recycling center. That will free up room in the garage for one of the cars, and also allow us to try to sell the furniture we decided not to put back in the house.
Bookwise, I finished This Is How You Lose The Time War (lovely, and reminiscent of Catherynne M. Valente), A Drink Before The War (currently reading the sequel), and The Staircase In The Woods. I'm reading much slower than before we moved back home, though. I used to get through a book in about 6-7 days, and now it takes me twice that long. :(
In viewing, we have seen The Accountant 2 and The Ballerina in the theater. That last movie is everything I could have hoped for in a John Wick-adjacent universe, and it also has flame-throwers. Whoo! On TV, I finished The Hidden (good series overall), Agatha Raisin, and My Life is Murder, all on Acorn. I sprang for Apple-TV short-term so I could watch Severance S2. That was good, though I think it wallowed a little too much in minor character backstory in the middle episodes. We also watched Slow Horses, which we've really enjoyed. And similarly, I'm paying for BritBox for a few months, so we've watched The City And The City, we're watching Thorne, and we're rewatching Shetland with our son. I will also watch The Pembrokeshire Murders, some other version of S1 of The Hidden, and Criminal Record, before we cancel the service.
Our son is staying here while he studies for the California Bar, which is great for us! I would like to plan a family vacation for after he takes the Bar and before he starts his new job. But first, I have to figure out what our options are for our ridiculously high-maintenance scarf-and-barf cat. \o?
Podfic rec: Moondance -- HL
Jun. 16th, 2025 09:21 amhafitalOh my goodness you guys look what I got yesterday as a gift! Check out the podfic for my story Moondance or A Series of Extraordinary Events. I'm so happy and pleased! Link in the notes for the story.
Honestly never thought I would ever have a podfic made from one of my stories, but how perfect to receive one for this story in particular. ❤️ Thanks tokillabeez and ![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
AlbatrossGJ !
Honestly never thought I would ever have a podfic made from one of my stories, but how perfect to receive one for this story in particular. ❤️ Thanks to
killabeez and