Reading Wednesday
Jun. 10th, 2026 06:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sabotabbyJust finished: The First Thousand Trees by Premee Mohamed. This was really good, and I felt speaks to a growing need in the post-apoc/dystopia genre for the kind of books that ask "okay, but what do we do now?" It could very well be a story of a city boy who gets repeatedly shown by rural folk how incompetent he is, but it goes deeper, probing the flaws of the kind of society that prides itself in a hardworking, hard-living ethos. What that means for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, neurodiverse people, and so on.
Did I mention it was set in Alberta? Lool.
And of course it's beautifully written, and other than the fictional fungus, absolutely realist in its depiction of the climate crisis, because Premee is both a fantastic prose stylist and a scientist.
I want to go back and read the first two now, but I know things that you may not know about what she has coming out next, which is even more up my alley.
Currently reading: A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang. I've been meaning to read Ai Jiang for ages and I'm most of the way through this one, which doesn't disappoint. It's about a princess of an oppressed people forced to marry a king in order to stop the palace's incursion into her people's territory. Her mother and sisters have gone to the palace before her, never to be seen again. She has one younger sister left and she is determined to kill the king and end these sacrificial marriages—and the destruction of her lands—once and for all.
Oh did I mention that they're all trees? They're all trees. 14/10 worldbuilding, no notes. The reveal that they're trees comes pretty early and I won't spoil anything else but I was like. Good job. That's weird af. I'm here for it.
Did I mention it was set in Alberta? Lool.
And of course it's beautifully written, and other than the fictional fungus, absolutely realist in its depiction of the climate crisis, because Premee is both a fantastic prose stylist and a scientist.
I want to go back and read the first two now, but I know things that you may not know about what she has coming out next, which is even more up my alley.
Currently reading: A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang. I've been meaning to read Ai Jiang for ages and I'm most of the way through this one, which doesn't disappoint. It's about a princess of an oppressed people forced to marry a king in order to stop the palace's incursion into her people's territory. Her mother and sisters have gone to the palace before her, never to be seen again. She has one younger sister left and she is determined to kill the king and end these sacrificial marriages—and the destruction of her lands—once and for all.
Oh did I mention that they're all trees? They're all trees. 14/10 worldbuilding, no notes. The reveal that they're trees comes pretty early and I won't spoil anything else but I was like. Good job. That's weird af. I'm here for it.
Daily Happiness
Jun. 9th, 2026 05:25 pmtorachan1. I drove the new car to work today. There's some stuff to get used to (I don't like that climate control is touch panel only!) but overall was a very smooth ride and only used about 5-10% of the battery (I can't remember exactly where it was this morning or where it was when I got home but it was definitely in that range of usage).
2. We're having some warm days this week but it's supposed to start going back down over the weekend and be cooler next week.
3. Ollie looks like such an angel here!
2. We're having some warm days this week but it's supposed to start going back down over the weekend and be cooler next week.
3. Ollie looks like such an angel here!
2631 / Fic - The Pitt
Jun. 9th, 2026 12:27 pmsiriaScore Big
The Pitt | Jack/Robby | ~600 words
(Also on AO3)
( It was serendipity that Robby had seen the flyer for ADAPTIVE/AMPUTEE SOCCER — Ages 12 and up. )
The Pitt | Jack/Robby | ~600 words
(Also on AO3)
( It was serendipity that Robby had seen the flyer for ADAPTIVE/AMPUTEE SOCCER — Ages 12 and up. )
(no subject)
Jun. 9th, 2026 03:31 pmturpsI went to see Masters of the Universe on Saturday, and it was everything I wanted and more, such a nostalgia hit with a OTT camp side that was both ridiculous and amazing. Because let's face it, He-Man is ridiculous, so I'm glad they leaned into that and not just the brash masculinity and also that they leaned into a surprising amount of innuendo and fisting comments. Plus, Cringer! I always loved that cat.
Thanks toshadowhive I knew there were two end credit scenes, and they were worth staying for. Especially as again, they were a nostalgia hit right to the feels.
My brother had the model Castle Greyskull and the action figures, too. And of course, I played with them as well, so more reminders of good memories there.
Other than that, I took Bodhi to school twice last week. Once on James' day off so we could drive there, the other solo which meant walking. Not that it's a long walk, but it did take a little longer than it should have taken as the route takes you through a cemetery and Bodhi kept pointing out all the graves that featured Jesus.
On another afternoon, I went with Lucy to see Bodhi in her school play. She goes to a Catholic faith school, so the play was about friendship and God, which was more religious content than I'd sat through for years. It was a short play, but every kid had a line, so I enjoyed watching them stand up and either belt out their line or mutter it -- Bodhi was a mutter'er. But was amused when the headmaster said that normally you wouldn't clap during religious plays, but in this case, he was sure that Jesus wouldn't mind some quiet applause. So thank you, Jesus for that permission, as it would have felt so wrong to have sat in silence.
One of the film channels has Christmas in June going on. Guess who has had Christmas films as their background viewing this last week :D
Thanks to
shadowhive I knew there were two end credit scenes, and they were worth staying for. Especially as again, they were a nostalgia hit right to the feels.My brother had the model Castle Greyskull and the action figures, too. And of course, I played with them as well, so more reminders of good memories there.
Other than that, I took Bodhi to school twice last week. Once on James' day off so we could drive there, the other solo which meant walking. Not that it's a long walk, but it did take a little longer than it should have taken as the route takes you through a cemetery and Bodhi kept pointing out all the graves that featured Jesus.
On another afternoon, I went with Lucy to see Bodhi in her school play. She goes to a Catholic faith school, so the play was about friendship and God, which was more religious content than I'd sat through for years. It was a short play, but every kid had a line, so I enjoyed watching them stand up and either belt out their line or mutter it -- Bodhi was a mutter'er. But was amused when the headmaster said that normally you wouldn't clap during religious plays, but in this case, he was sure that Jesus wouldn't mind some quiet applause. So thank you, Jesus for that permission, as it would have felt so wrong to have sat in silence.
One of the film channels has Christmas in June going on. Guess who has had Christmas films as their background viewing this last week :D
Daily Happiness
Jun. 8th, 2026 07:33 pmtorachan1. I decided to work from home today, originally because we had an appointment to take the new car to the dealership so they could put some sort of protective coating on it and I thought I might go with Carla and then take the opportunity to walk back home as my midday walk, but then in the morning I heard back from one of the electricians I'd emailed yesterday and he was able to come by to do an estimate this afternoon, so I'm glad I had already decided to stay home! (I ended up not going with Carla after all, but I did take a nice bike ride in the afternoon instead.)
2. The prices the guy quoted were very reasonable and he's just charging based on the distance to run the wires, not that plus another fee, as some other places were, so I decided to go with him. He helped me pick out a charger and I ordered that and it will arrive on Wednesday, so we set an install date of Thursday. The car still has over 50% charge, so even if I drive it to work tomorrow and/or Wednesday, as I think I might, I shouldn't need to use a public charger before we get our own installed.
3. Molly's such a sweetie girl.
2. The prices the guy quoted were very reasonable and he's just charging based on the distance to run the wires, not that plus another fee, as some other places were, so I decided to go with him. He helped me pick out a charger and I ordered that and it will arrive on Wednesday, so we set an install date of Thursday. The car still has over 50% charge, so even if I drive it to work tomorrow and/or Wednesday, as I think I might, I shouldn't need to use a public charger before we get our own installed.
3. Molly's such a sweetie girl.
The Vampire Lestat 1x01 / IWTV 3x01
Jun. 8th, 2026 09:18 pmpetraFor the duration of the episode, I was no longer aware that I had stood up for an eleven-hour workday.
The actors had so much fun, especially Reid. But all of them.
The writers had so much fun with Lestat's voice c. 2025. He's perfectly too much.
The set dressers had so much fun. ( Setting spoilers )
I look forward to ( Character appearance spoilers )
The actors had so much fun, especially Reid. But all of them.
The writers had so much fun with Lestat's voice c. 2025. He's perfectly too much.
The set dressers had so much fun. ( Setting spoilers )
I look forward to ( Character appearance spoilers )
2026 Disneyland Trip #17 (4/11/26) Tokyo DisneySea
Jun. 8th, 2026 05:36 pmtorachanI woke up around six and had breakfast in the hotel, then walked to the monorail station around seven and got to the park at 7:20 to line up. As with previous DisneySea trips, I made sure to get in the far right line so that Carla could easily find me when she joined me later.
( So many pictures, but not quite enough to break into two posts! )
( So many pictures, but not quite enough to break into two posts! )
CLIPPING TINY DESK CONCERT
Jun. 8th, 2026 08:54 pmrydra_wongFeaturing some of the most batshit possible Heath Robinson arrangements for making a tiny quasi-acoustic version of their industrial noise. MIDI-triggered mug pinging!
Daveed Diggs: "Thank y'all for this opportunity to do needlessly complicated shit."
ETA: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jte7_yZuZVk -- short on some of the aforementioned batshit Heath Robinson arrangements.
Daily Happiness
Jun. 7th, 2026 09:02 pmtorachan1. I rode my bike to the store this morning and decided to stop at See's Candies while I was out. I have a gift card from Christmas, but couldn't remember if I'd used it at all or not, and it turns out I hadn't! So I not only got free chocolates today, but still have $8 and change left on the card for another time.
2. Carla made tuna salad for dinner and we had it on some delicious fresh ciabatta bread from the Italian deli that we picked up yesterday. Theirs is pretty much the only ciabatta I've ever liked.
3. I sent emails to a few electricians today to see about getting a charger installed, so hopefully will hear back soon and we can get that done. Meanwhile, I did download an app to see where charging stations are in the neighborhood. There don't seem to be as many random ones at grocery stores like there used to be, so the only larger ones nearby are Tesla ones. One of them does allow non-Teslas to also use the chargers, so I can use that if necessary. There's also one a couple blocks from work that I could use.
4. Tuxie!
2. Carla made tuna salad for dinner and we had it on some delicious fresh ciabatta bread from the Italian deli that we picked up yesterday. Theirs is pretty much the only ciabatta I've ever liked.
3. I sent emails to a few electricians today to see about getting a charger installed, so hopefully will hear back soon and we can get that done. Meanwhile, I did download an app to see where charging stations are in the neighborhood. There don't seem to be as many random ones at grocery stores like there used to be, so the only larger ones nearby are Tesla ones. One of them does allow non-Teslas to also use the chargers, so I can use that if necessary. There's also one a couple blocks from work that I could use.
4. Tuxie!
I am a grownup
Jun. 7th, 2026 10:53 pmpetraI will not stay up all night writing the current ship of my heart, even if I did just rewatch The Empire Strikes Back and need the triangulation-comfort Luke/Leia novel.
I will not stay up all night listening to text-to-speech reading me my story History turner, either. But I may download it for bedtime reading.
I will not stay up all night watching John Oliver so I can write Petrova Truthers, because I am only in the middle of listening to the audiobook of Project Hail Mary and I need a better grasp on the canon before I feel comfortable really putting the lie to Andy Weir's And Everybody United narrative.
I will not stay up all night reading The Astrobiology Immersion Program, even though Grace & Rocky bodyswap, well done, is so, so delightful.
And I will not even stay up late enough to watch The Vampire Lestat ep 1, even though I have it in my hot little hands, because I want to watch it withsage or hannah or buggery or a combination thereof.
Because! I am a grownup! Yes, I am.
I will not stay up all night listening to text-to-speech reading me my story History turner, either. But I may download it for bedtime reading.
I will not stay up all night watching John Oliver so I can write Petrova Truthers, because I am only in the middle of listening to the audiobook of Project Hail Mary and I need a better grasp on the canon before I feel comfortable really putting the lie to Andy Weir's And Everybody United narrative.
I will not stay up all night reading The Astrobiology Immersion Program, even though Grace & Rocky bodyswap, well done, is so, so delightful.
And I will not even stay up late enough to watch The Vampire Lestat ep 1, even though I have it in my hot little hands, because I want to watch it with
sage or hannah or buggery or a combination thereof.Because! I am a grownup! Yes, I am.
A tale of two events
Jun. 7th, 2026 06:53 pmsabotabbyLast night, I went to see Sumud + Clinical Silence at the Redwood Theatre, put on by East End Acts and featuring Omar El Akkad, Tarek Loubani, Dorotea Gucciardo, Jay Geerts, and Samira Mohyeddin, with a dance performance by Mona Ayesh. It was long, intense, and heartwrenching. As Omar El Akkad put it, there is nothing that you could say that will get me back in line in regards to Palestine. However. I make a point of not watching gory footage—not because I don't care, but because it doesn't help the victims in any way for me to be upset. Sumud in particular is shockingly graphic, featuring an American anesthesiologist who travels to Gaza to provide medical support.
( some details that might be triggering )
I'm hard to shock. These are all things that I know, objectively, and yet when I'm confronted with them so bluntly I can still be shocked. It's important to still feel things.
This afternoon, I went withioplokon to see a rather spectacular production of Fiddler On the Roof in Yiddish. I was also genuinely moved—these are my people, this is the culture that I can be proud of, even if I'd be as at odds with it as Tzeitel and Hodel are. It's really well done and if they remount it wherever you live, go see it. In a juster parallel universe, Yiddish is my first language, and it was really beautiful to hear it spoken. Also the actor playing Tevye is just jaw-droppingly good.
Of course, there is one part in it where, having been evicted by the Tsar's men, everyone must leave Anatevka. While Tevye, Golde, and their two youngest daughters will find safety in America, Hodel is stuck in Siberia and Tzeitel and Motel will go to Poland, to an historically uncertain fare. Yente announces that she's going to Israel, and this got a smattering of applause from some people in the audience who do not see the irony in a story about a group of people who are routinely stripped of their homes and possessions and forced to uproot, under threat of extreme violence, over and over again.
(The irony was, I think realized in the production itself, which throws its strongest sympathies behind the socialist student Perchik and his vision of a better, multicultural, and just future.)
I don't have a particularly clever way to conclude it, beyond that I'm glad I saw both things, I hope other people will see them and talk about them.
( some details that might be triggering )
I'm hard to shock. These are all things that I know, objectively, and yet when I'm confronted with them so bluntly I can still be shocked. It's important to still feel things.
This afternoon, I went with
ioplokon to see a rather spectacular production of Fiddler On the Roof in Yiddish. I was also genuinely moved—these are my people, this is the culture that I can be proud of, even if I'd be as at odds with it as Tzeitel and Hodel are. It's really well done and if they remount it wherever you live, go see it. In a juster parallel universe, Yiddish is my first language, and it was really beautiful to hear it spoken. Also the actor playing Tevye is just jaw-droppingly good.Of course, there is one part in it where, having been evicted by the Tsar's men, everyone must leave Anatevka. While Tevye, Golde, and their two youngest daughters will find safety in America, Hodel is stuck in Siberia and Tzeitel and Motel will go to Poland, to an historically uncertain fare. Yente announces that she's going to Israel, and this got a smattering of applause from some people in the audience who do not see the irony in a story about a group of people who are routinely stripped of their homes and possessions and forced to uproot, under threat of extreme violence, over and over again.
(The irony was, I think realized in the production itself, which throws its strongest sympathies behind the socialist student Perchik and his vision of a better, multicultural, and just future.)
I don't have a particularly clever way to conclude it, beyond that I'm glad I saw both things, I hope other people will see them and talk about them.
Recommendations: Downtime - Project Hail Mary story | An XKCD reference
Jun. 7th, 2026 03:19 pmpetraDowntime (6 words) by Hannah
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Carl/Eva Stratt
Characters: Eva Stratt, Carl (Project Hail Mary 2026)
Additional Tags: Microfic
Summary:
*
Hannah is so right, and Stratt is so dangerous.
*
And then before I could post it, Hannah linked me to this post about Little Bobby Tables, so that gets a call-out, too, because it made me literally scream with laughter.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Carl/Eva Stratt
Characters: Eva Stratt, Carl (Project Hail Mary 2026)
Additional Tags: Microfic
Summary:
0500-0530.
*
Hannah is so right, and Stratt is so dangerous.
*
And then before I could post it, Hannah linked me to this post about Little Bobby Tables, so that gets a call-out, too, because it made me literally scream with laughter.
Where on Earth Did May Go?
Jun. 7th, 2026 04:48 pmglindaIt feels like one moment, I was up to my eyes in election programme planning and the next it was the end of the month.
I think (I hope, I hope) that we’re finally making some progress on sorting the rotas at work because there’s frankly perilous levels of burnout so fingers crossed that I’ll start seeing some real improvements to the old work/life balance. I’m also back in the archives again for the second half of my 80/20 placement. I’ve got some boxes ordered so I can start getting the stuff that’s been digitised organised to go to cold store.
Speaking of work/life balance I’m taking myself off on holiday in August. You know how you can do these ‘week in Tuscany painting/learning to make pasta’ kind of holidays? I’m essentially doing one of those for sound recordists, I’m off to deepest Argyll to learn to use a bunch of weird and wonderful specialist microphones and get in some studio time. I’m hoping to reset my creative brain or at least make some art. (Worst case scenario I come home with a bunch of cool field recordings and having read a book and written some fic.) If it goes well, I want to start submitting sound art to projects/call outs again, I’ve missed doing that - I’ve missed that being part of who I am.
Despite work’s attempts to eat me alive, I’ve been having a decent year for consuming new-to-me media. Despite having watched no new films this month, I’m well ahead of where I was last year in terms of film watching, though in fairness, last year I re-watched a whole bunch of films at home but that didn’t start until June or so when I realised I wasn’t watching new films and went on a re-watching films and writing fic for them kick throughout July and August. I’m cautiously going to suggest that I’m more able to read fiction this year than last, but only cautiously because while I inhaled the latest Rivers of London book the other week, I’m conscious that this series is the only fiction I’ve been letting myself buy sight unseen over the last few years as I know I’m going to read them within at most a week or two of buying them. So there may be an element of exception proving the rule there. (The advantage of having gone to cover the same week long event for work this year and last, is that having inhaled a whole book during that week on both occasions I have a clear marker of where I was book wise both years. And the answer is, in exactly the same spot.) What I’ve definitely done is watch more drama series than the last few years. Limited series only but watching a six episode series over the course of a month is such an improvement over the last couple of years. So many watched the first episode, enjoyed it, never went back and watched the rest of it, situations. Okay so it’s only been Chernobyl and Heated Rivalry so far but I have missed being excited about shows.
I’m not sure if it’s correlation or causation, but it sure seems to have helped that I’ve had some good tv knitting on the go. I’ve just finished my election project scarf and having a non challenging craft project literally on hand definitely helped me actually focus and stay put for long enough to get engrossed.
I think (I hope, I hope) that we’re finally making some progress on sorting the rotas at work because there’s frankly perilous levels of burnout so fingers crossed that I’ll start seeing some real improvements to the old work/life balance. I’m also back in the archives again for the second half of my 80/20 placement. I’ve got some boxes ordered so I can start getting the stuff that’s been digitised organised to go to cold store.
Speaking of work/life balance I’m taking myself off on holiday in August. You know how you can do these ‘week in Tuscany painting/learning to make pasta’ kind of holidays? I’m essentially doing one of those for sound recordists, I’m off to deepest Argyll to learn to use a bunch of weird and wonderful specialist microphones and get in some studio time. I’m hoping to reset my creative brain or at least make some art. (Worst case scenario I come home with a bunch of cool field recordings and having read a book and written some fic.) If it goes well, I want to start submitting sound art to projects/call outs again, I’ve missed doing that - I’ve missed that being part of who I am.
Despite work’s attempts to eat me alive, I’ve been having a decent year for consuming new-to-me media. Despite having watched no new films this month, I’m well ahead of where I was last year in terms of film watching, though in fairness, last year I re-watched a whole bunch of films at home but that didn’t start until June or so when I realised I wasn’t watching new films and went on a re-watching films and writing fic for them kick throughout July and August. I’m cautiously going to suggest that I’m more able to read fiction this year than last, but only cautiously because while I inhaled the latest Rivers of London book the other week, I’m conscious that this series is the only fiction I’ve been letting myself buy sight unseen over the last few years as I know I’m going to read them within at most a week or two of buying them. So there may be an element of exception proving the rule there. (The advantage of having gone to cover the same week long event for work this year and last, is that having inhaled a whole book during that week on both occasions I have a clear marker of where I was book wise both years. And the answer is, in exactly the same spot.) What I’ve definitely done is watch more drama series than the last few years. Limited series only but watching a six episode series over the course of a month is such an improvement over the last couple of years. So many watched the first episode, enjoyed it, never went back and watched the rest of it, situations. Okay so it’s only been Chernobyl and Heated Rivalry so far but I have missed being excited about shows.
I’m not sure if it’s correlation or causation, but it sure seems to have helped that I’ve had some good tv knitting on the go. I’ve just finished my election project scarf and having a non challenging craft project literally on hand definitely helped me actually focus and stay put for long enough to get engrossed.
Daily Happiness
Jun. 6th, 2026 08:59 pmtorachan1. I got some cardamom buns from the farmers market this morning. Tried a sample at the stall and they were delicious, but haven't eaten the ones I bought yet. There was another stall that had really good smelling strawberries, so I got some berries and am planning on having those with the buns in a little bit. I think it will be a good combo!
2. I finished up a puzzle this morning. This was a nice one but not one I think I'll keep.
3. We have a new car!
If you missed my other recent posts talking about what we were leaning towards, it's a Hyundai Ioniq 5. I'm so excited to make the switch to an EV. We've still got the Telluride, which is gas, but we won't be using it as much. I'll use the new car for my commute and when we do longer drives like Disneyland, and leave the Telluride for when Carla needs a car when I'm at work. But with the ebikes as well, there should be less around town driving, too.
Now we just need to get an electrician in to set up a charger at home.
4. Speaking of the bikes, I got some smaller plastic containers to store our Christmas decorations, so that got rid of the giant tub that was sticking out from the shelf in the shed and now there's more room for the bikes in the center.
5. We went to the dealership around eleven or so but of course it took several hours to get through everything, so it was like three when we got out of there and we were so hungry. But it's right near the Italian deli, so we stopped off there on the way home and got sandwiches.
6. And then because buying the car had been emotionally exhausting, even if not physically so, we decided to order dinner rather than cook and got curry from Coco Ichibanya, so today was a very good food day.
7. This may be one of the cutest pictures of Gemma I've ever taken. Definitely one of the cutest!
2. I finished up a puzzle this morning. This was a nice one but not one I think I'll keep.
3. We have a new car!
If you missed my other recent posts talking about what we were leaning towards, it's a Hyundai Ioniq 5. I'm so excited to make the switch to an EV. We've still got the Telluride, which is gas, but we won't be using it as much. I'll use the new car for my commute and when we do longer drives like Disneyland, and leave the Telluride for when Carla needs a car when I'm at work. But with the ebikes as well, there should be less around town driving, too.
Now we just need to get an electrician in to set up a charger at home.
4. Speaking of the bikes, I got some smaller plastic containers to store our Christmas decorations, so that got rid of the giant tub that was sticking out from the shelf in the shed and now there's more room for the bikes in the center.
5. We went to the dealership around eleven or so but of course it took several hours to get through everything, so it was like three when we got out of there and we were so hungry. But it's right near the Italian deli, so we stopped off there on the way home and got sandwiches.
6. And then because buying the car had been emotionally exhausting, even if not physically so, we decided to order dinner rather than cook and got curry from Coco Ichibanya, so today was a very good food day.
7. This may be one of the cutest pictures of Gemma I've ever taken. Definitely one of the cutest!